2. The Betrayal

★JANIE★

“Please talk to me, dad.” I pled with him. “Tell me what's going on.”

My dad took my hands in his and squeezed them softly. With a puzzled look, I searched his eyes for answers. This wasn't the reaction, I expected from him. Now that his wealthy and generous friend had been so nice to lend us the money, we should be smiling brightly. Not staring at each other with lots of sadness radiating from our eyes.

“Janie,” He held my gaze. “No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you....” he trailed off, avoiding my gaze.

“I love you too, Dad,” I added quickly without letting him finish his statement.

He sighed. “This is for the best. For me, for both of us.”

Pressing my lips in a grim line, I replied; “Of course, that's why we came here to lend money from your friend. Isn't it? ” I asked.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled afterward. The moment I saw tears welling up in his eyes, I jolted to my feet. Dad has been the strongest human I had ever met in my entire life. All through my nineteen years of existence, I can count the number of times I have seen my dad looking this depressed; with tears in his eyes.

The first was during the period of my mom's death. It was a very heartbreaking period for both of us and we both had gone through the trials and tribulations that accompanied her death, all the way to her burial. Then, I saw him cry when I got into an auto accident.

I think it happened six months after mommy died.

On that fateful day, I was in a haste to get to the market and help dad. I was also going to tell him I made A's all through my papers. But my joy was cut short when a reckless lorry driver collided with the bus I was in. All I noticed back then, was the shattering glasses of the bus piercing my face as it tumbled over.

Luckily for me, I sustained a minor injury on my left cheek, my elbow, and a concussion on my head. A lot of people died that day and how I managed to survive that accident, remained a miracle and a mystery to date.

Dad stood to his feet too and he was now facing me with his hands on my shoulders.

“You have to tell me what's wrong, dad,” I stated. “Or is it safe to say, these are happy tears? You know I don't like seeing you this way.”

He pulled me into an embrace again. “I'm sorry, Janie. I'm sorry. I did this before I realized it, I hope you can forgive me.”

He gently tore himself away from me and I stared at him with a frown plastered on my face. I was still fucking confused about this whole situation.

With one last glance at me, he picked up the briefcase and walked out of the door. Panic surged through my veins as I stared after his retreating figure.

Without a second thought, I ran after him but a strong hand latched around my waist, stopping me from taking any step further.

Turning my head slightly, I saw Dad's so-called friend holding me down. “Let me go! Let me go, I want to go with my dad, please.”

“I'm sorry, baby girl.” came his deep masculine voice against my ears. His warm breath fanned my neck and I stomped my right foot in rage. “Your dad just sold you out.”

My heart dropped to the floor and my stomach sank.

What did he just say?

No! No! No! He can't be serious. He is a fucking joker and that was an expensive joke. It wasn't amusing. Rather it made my heart shatter into a million pieces.

“My dad cannot do that to me!” I fired back at him. “He loves me. Dad loves me so much.” I said repeatedly, trying to believe what I just told myself.

“Really?” Slowly, he slipped his hand out of my waist. Almost at once, I attempted to run again but with a swift maneuver, he caught me by my left arm.

“Please, I'm begging you.” My eyes glistened with tears. “I think there is a mistake somewhere, just let me meet him. He loves me, he can't do this to me. He can't! ” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

He clicked his tongue against his teeth. “Tsk tsk.....I wish I can say he loves you, baby girl. But I don't think so. Considering, the way he just chose money over you.”

I glared at him with anger surging through my veins. “I am fucking priceless. No money on earth is enough to buy me.” I sneered.

“A hundred thousand dollars just did.”

He twitched his lips and pouted them afterward. I knew he was mocking me at this moment. But I don't fucking give a damn! All I wanted was for dad to come back to me; and tell me that, this was just a silly prank he pulled on me.

Trust me, I would let this slide. Provided, it doesn't happen again.

“I see you don't believe me.” He said, hardening his jaw. “Romano bring the paper on the sofa for the pretty lady. ” He ordered.

Romano walked up to me, holding the wrinkled paper my Dad had given me earlier. However, I took it from him with a heavy heart.

“Read it!” The boss commanded and my shaky fingers fiddled with the piece of paper. I was so scared of reading whatever was written in there. My heart was beating rapidly, at this rate; it might as well jump right out of my chest.

To my lovely daughter,

Janie.

I know by the time you'd be reading this, I might have committed this grave sin. Daddy is so sorry for doing this to you. I never wanted this to happen and trust me, I want the best for you. But how can I give you the best when I can't even afford three square meals?

I paused from reading the paper for a moment and tears slipped out of my eyes, cascading down my cheeks. This hurts. Dad shouldn't have betrayed me. I have never complained to him once that I hated the way he was handling us. Deep down, I knew he was trying his best to provide for my needs and fund each of our necessities.

So why the fuck did he do this to me?

I resumed, reading the paper once again.

Please forgive me, Janie. That man right there promise me, he'd take care of you. I need to set up my life and pursue my dream. To be honest, I went there to lend money to him, but he said, he was willing to give me the money for free if I gave him something very precious to me. And before then, I had already confessed you were the most precious thing in my life. He said if I didn't comply, he would come after me and they look so very dangerous. Yet, despite this, I must spill a very deep secret I have kept hidden for a very long time. I AM NOT YOUR REAL FATHER!

Rumpling the piece of paper, I dropped to the floor. What does he mean by he was not my real father? Is it possible for a child to be fathered by two?

I rolled on the floor, crying my eyes out. Someone should please wake me up from this fucking nightmare. Because I might die from the heart attack this was giving me.

“Take her to her room.” I faintly heard the boss, instructing Romano, and before I knew what was happening;

He yanked me over his right shoulder like a piece of paper and carried me to god knows where!

“Let me go! Let me go, you pervert! Motherfucking assholes! You can't keep against my will. I don't belong here! I fucking don't belong here! ” I yelled at the top of my lungs, struggling to free myself from his grip. But he was too strong.

Opening the door to a room, he hurled me on the bed and pointed at me. “Do not let the boss reprimand me because of you. Because if you do....”

“If I do, then what?” I spat, daring him to do his worst.

With one swift powerful grip, he yanked my hair forcefully and I winced in pain. “Then I'd make your life a living hell!”

“Romano......” The supposedly boss called from the entrance and the fucking asshole instantly released his grip on my hair. “Do not treat her that way. ” He warned.

Romano scurried to his feet. “I am sorry, boss. She pissed me off.”

He twitched his jaw and balled his fingers into fists. “If she pisses you off, fucking report her to me. Don't treat a woman that way, okay?”

“Yes, boss.”

“Now leave.” He bellowed.

Immediately, Romano proceeded to saunter out of the room. His head hung low and his hands were planted behind his back. I watched him toss me a middle finger, away from his boss's view then he walked out of the room.

“Janie, that's your name right?” He asked me, but I made no effort to respond.

He walked up to me and tilted my chin to look into his pitch-black eyes. “I can save you from anyone here, but once I'm pissed at you, no one can rescue you from my hands. Don't. Dare. Me!” He warned between gritted teeth.

Without a word, I stared back at him. My head was throbbing with pain and my vision blurred; probably, from crying too much. And before I knew it,

Darkness consumed me, pulling me deeper into a world of oblivion.