Elena“I’m here to make it up to you.” He spoke. “I’m ready to listen to you, trust you—and I’m ready to take you home.”Not knowing what else to do, I took a step back and shook my head. “N-no.” I breathed, looking dad in his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere—I’m not!”“Elena—““I’m not.”“Just hear us out, please.” Alex jumped in. He didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t look at me the wrong way, and it almost seemed as if he was afraid I could run out any second. “Please.” He pleaded.I folded my arms and looked at Lucas, who shrugged his shoulders.How the hell did he get involved anyway?That’s what I would like to know.“You know what, I’ll hear you guys out—but that’s it,” I spoke before hearing three relieved sighs.As promised, I sat beside Lucas with dad and Alex on the opposite side. My previous thoughts, occupied with Marvin’s terrifying persona, had suddenly vanished.What was up with these three, and why were they together?Perhaps to take down Marvin?Or maybe it was nothing ot
Elena“Thank you…for everything.” I sighed, thanking Lucas. If anything, I was most grateful to him for not asking too many questions.“No problem.” He said. “I should thank you for protecting Tiago. I wouldn’t know how to live with myself if something happened to my little brother because of me.”My little brother.After coming to the mansion to supposedly take down the Castillos, he called Tiago his little brother and could see past his mistakes.Perhaps if I told Marvin the truth, he could look past my mistakes.No, Elena.He wouldn’t.“I don’t know what happened, but you look tensed.” Lucas noticed, raising a brow. “Will you be alright?” He asked. “Are you alright—are you happy?”Was I?That was a question I didn’t have the answer to, and maybe it was because no one cared enough to ask me that question.“Elena, are you okay?”“Ye—““Elena?” The door opened, revealing Marvin. He looked at Lucas for a split second before wrapping his arms around my body. “Where were you?”There was
ElenaIf someone told me I would be sitting on Victoria’s big, luxurious and cozy sofa with the most unexpected group, I would’ve laughed in their faces.Somehow, dad, Alex, Victoria, Lucas, Victor, and I were all part of this secret complot and waiting for Victoria to play Anya’s file which would take down Panther once and for all.I knew how dad and Alex felt about sitting in a room with a Castillo—but at that moment, it was the least of his concerns. All he wanted to know was what exactly had happened to his friend—Stevie Maddens.“If this is the evidence I’ve been looking for…I’ll tell Marvin everything and come back home,” I announced. “Victor said he’d protect me—he also said it’s for the best.”“Yes.” Victor nodded uncomfortably, probably not wanting to be in the same room with a bunch of authorities who were not corrupt. “Apparently, we’ve got each other’s backs.”Dad and Alex shared a look. “Then what are we waiting for?” Dad spoke.~The TapeFour Years AgoAt the table sat
MarvinThe guys could talk all they pleased, but I wasn’t embarrassed for rushing to the house to apologize to Elena.My biggest goal was for her not to see what kind of monster I was, and unfortunately, she did. It was easy to blame Panther, but only one person was to blame—and that person was me.Seeing Lucas comforting her brought a sharp pain to my heart. Of course, the detective had to be there for her, while I couldn’t. Call it jealousy. I didn’t care.With Elena on my mind, I went straight home after handling business, but she was nowhere to be found. It wasn’t too far stretched to believe she might’ve run off with Lucas, the perfect detective.Hours went by as I sat at the dining table, waiting for her arrival—but there was still no sign of her.She wouldn’t respond to my calls, my texts—nothing.The second I heard footsteps at the front, I rushed to the door—thinking it was Elena. As I opened it, I realized that wasn’t the case. It was Misty.“What are you doing h—“ I was at
Elena As I walked into the mansion, I immediately felt the tension in the air. It was just a gut feeling that something was about to happen, and I didn’t know why. It wasn’t too crazy, considering I planned on telling Marvin the truth. Dad and I had a deal, and now it was my job to hold up the end of the bargain. He needed me back home. “Marvin!” I called out his name, wondering if he was already home—but he didn't respond. “Marvin?” I walked further. “Mar—“ I stopped in my words as I saw him sitting at the kitchen table with a gun in front of him, and his head lowered. I swallowed as he held his hands together, and raised his head so I could see his eyes. There were filled with anger and disappointment. I wasn’t stupid. I knew what was happening. He had somehow found out the truth, the truth about everything. That must’ve been it. A breath escaped my lips as I reached for my pocket to secure Anya’s drive was still there. In one way there was a feeling of relief. I could fee
MarvinIt had only been a few hours since I watched the video Anya left behind, along with countless files containing shocking information about Panther's betrayal. Not only Panter but also Tiago, the one I would take a bullet for.And poor Anya…Poor Anya had to pay with her life for trying to expose him. She could’ve told me the truth, she could’ve asked for my help—but she didn’t. Her love for Tiago must’ve been so big, she must’ve wanted enough evidence to show me he got manipulated.I felt shocked, numb, and in utter disbelief that my friend, my brother, had been betraying me. And on top of that, I had to deal with Elena's lies.How could I have been so blind? How could I have allowed myself to be played by three people I thought I could trust? I had always believed that I was strong, that my instincts were sharp. Yet, I was deceived.Me.The heir of the Castillo.All this time I had been keeping a close eye on Victor, while it was those three I really had to look out for.For a
Marvin“A-Already?” She frowned. “But of course, come in.” She invited, opening the door wider.“After you.” I turned to Panther, stepping aside. Tiago cared much more for him than he did for me, so it would only be appropriate. Right?After we entered the house, Ana led us to the living room, where we sat down."I'll go get Tiago. Please, make yourselves comfortable!" She called out, leaving the room.“Can I offer you some of our best liquor, sir?” A maid asked. Panther was just about to open his mouth, but I raised my hand to stop him, and kindly declined.“No, we’re good. Thank you, ma’am.” I said. "I need both of us to stay alert today." I exposed myself as my sharp gaze turned to Panther. This time he noticed, but said nothing.Only after a while, Panther huffed to break the silence. "You alright with being here, Marvin?" He asked, probably thinking my behavior had to do with something else.Years ago, Misty had been sleeping around with one of Ana’s sons, who was one of my close
MarvinWe were on our way back. Panther sat in the front passenger seat, Tiago in the back.As we were about halfway, there was an unspoken tension, and it was a good thing there was. By now, they were allowed to notice that I wasn’t in the mood at allIt smelled of treachery.Stopping at a stop sign, I tapped my fingers against the wheel, thinking about my next step. Hell, I didn’t even know what my next step would be. I only knew that there was no way in hell I could return with Panther.I couldn’t have him ratting out Elena.I just could not…"Tiago," I began, finally breaking the silence in the car. "I took care of Anya’s grave while you were gone." I wasn't sure why I had said it, but it felt necessary. If it’d make him feel like shit later on, good.He nodded as a somber look crossed his face. "Thank you, Marvin," he replied. “I knew I could count on you. I always can.”Yes, but can I count on you?Those were the words I so desperately wanted to ask, but I already knew the answe