Chapter Five

“Mrs Garcia, Mr. Garcia is here to see you.” I turn to look at Mrs. Willow standing at the door. I stand up and head downstairs, I literally have nothing to do here, I have tried non stop to speak to Anna again but she wouldn't let me see her and Rino hasn't been back to his room since so I'm surprised to have him call for me now, what could he possibly want from me now, I'm frustrated enough and it makes me nervous. 

I found an old, frail man standing by the window side holding a walking stick and my heart skips, he turns to look at me the moment he hears my footsteps and I do everything to hold myself back but I cannot as I run into his arms crying hysterically. We don't speak for a long time, all he does is pat my back gently.

“I missed you.” I sniff, pulling back a little to look at his face.

“It has been very tough on you hasn't it.” He asks brushing my hair back lovingly like a good father would.

I nod “it doesn't excuse me leaving without any notice like that, I shouldn't have, especially not to, I'm sorry.” I say sincerely, holding his hand as we sit.

He shakes his head “No, I'm sorry, I don't regret marrying you off to my son, the only thing I regret is my failure in raising my children as individuals worthy enough. I never taught my sons how to treat their women right, our side of the world is just so dark and different. Nothing good ever comes out of it but we try.” His eyes hold a lot of sadness and longing and I feel so guilty about keeping so much from him.

This man is the closest to a father's figure to me. He found me at one of his business partners's whore houses when I was 17. I was being trafficked and I escaped and hid behind his car trunk. He saved my life and since then he has been nothing but kind to me till he proposed that I marry his son two years later and then everything changed.

“I'm so sorry Mario.” I'm apologizing for a lot more than he can ever know as I kiss his hands. “I really am sorry, I never wanted to hurt you.” I kiss his cheeks too.

“I heard about how you were brought back, I do not want to ask you any questions or for a reason but if you want to leave, if it gets too much to bare, let me know, do you hear that, I'm sorry you didn't feel like you could come to me back then.” He wheezes through his sentence coughing into his handkerchief. I cry harder at the most supportive thing I've heard since I've been here.

As desperate as I am, I never want to be the reason a war would start between father and son, so I flash him a fake smile “I'm okay here Mario, I'm okay.” It sounds like I'm saying it more to myself than anything.”

“Be careful my sweet girl, trust no one, you are only really safe with me or Rino, as much as he refuses to admit it, that boy of mine cares for you more than he'd like to or ever admit.” The frail looking man chuckles with a knowing look in his eyes. I almost scoff, he doesn't know what he's talking about at all. Rino hates me.

“I hope he just listens to me before he ruins both of you and loses you for good.” The man weirdly says again before struggling to stand and calling for a man, my brows crease as he leaves with his aid.

Is his condition so bad that he needs an attendant?

~~~~~

The next day I begin my mission by hunting for information, I heard from one of the maids that grace has been in a coma for freaking six years, to say I was devastated would be an understatement, I needed to see her and I need to also clear my name, the only reason I have not been killed or thrown in prison is because I am still the wife of Rino Garcia. 

I decided to go see Grace in the hospital.

“Let me out, you asshole, I'm not running away, I just need to go somewhere, Rino gave me permission.” I yell at the guards in annoyance lying through my teeth. It just so worked in my favor that Rino wasn't picking his calls and with me still the mistress of the mansion, the guards were scared they would anger their boss by hurting me. It's not my fault they were not properly trained. If only they knew how much trouble they would get into for this.

I decided to trek all the way to the hospital, I wish I could easily just run away right now but more people would just end up hurt again and I need to do this. My phone rings and it's Rino calling, a shiver runs down my spine but I pick anyway.

“I'm not running away, I just wanted to see Grace, I'll be back soon.” I defend, I can almost picture him closing his eyes and trying to cool off.

“Go home.” He commands courtly ignoring my words.

“No, I will go home in a few hours.” My heart beats hard in my ears as I defy him, but he knows I can be stubborn when I want to be.”

“Do as you are told Freya.” he nearly growls through the phone. 

“No.” I insist on beginning to feel my own anger rise. “I'm not a kid, I've lived the last 6 years without you bossing me around so I'll come home when I want to.” He's quiet for what feels like minutes before speaking.

“My father just got into an accident, I do not have the time to deal with you right now so can you just go home, please.” I could not be stunned at the fact that Rino just asked for something instead of demanding or threatening to get it, before I could ask how Mario is, he ends the call on me.

It feels like everything is happening at the same time, my phone rings again and when I pick this time, a deep, hoarse voice resounds.

“Do you think you can hide your dirty little secret forever? What do you think will happen when the Don finds out about it huh?” I pause cautiously as nerves rack through me.

“What secret, you psycho?”

“Alfredo.” The voice whispers. I forget how to breathe as I lose my control, holding on tightly to my chest.

A bike zooms off past me and the figure behind turns back and points a gun at me, my brain refuses to function at that point in time and all I hear are screams and the sound of two gunshots being fired before the lights fade out on me.