"I'm just going to inform the police."
"Mateo, do nothing stupid. Things are going to worsen. They will get me arrested if they get to know I'm Kadmiel's mother. Aubrey has evidence that I murdered his sister–"
"Hold on, Kendall. The court said nothing back then."
"Ugh! Do I have to explain everything? Apparently, they didn't have proof against me. I bribed them with an immense sum of money to hide the evidence, so they acted as if nothing happened that day."
"You make matters harder. So, what will we do now? "
"We'll have to sign the papers."
"No, we won't do that–"
"Hear me out, okay? I have known Aubrey for years. He doesn't give up, and always achieves what he wants. He's dangerous, ruthless… psst! just name it. He is worse than a psycho! He won't spare Kadmiel for another second and I can't risk my son's life over his games."
No one knew Aubrey better than Kendall.
Mateo sighed in frustration. "Why is life so cruel?"
"Fuck karma! I guess I'm paying for my evil deeds," she shrugged.
"If you'd listened, Kadmiel will have been with us now."
She rolled her eyes, shoving a ballpoint pen into his hand.
"No time for regrets. Remember, he gave us only twenty-four hours to get the papers ready. Now, half of the day is gone. So, sign here."
He was losing his temper at her stupid request. "You must be kidding. I can't do this because I need a successor!" he yelled.
"And I need to save my son's life!" she yelled back. "I don't care if we lose him to Aubrey. I only care if my son is alive. Kadmiel is the only family I have. We haven't lost him forever. There's still hope we can have him back someday, if fate decides–"
"When I'm gone?" he interrupted. "We have to come up with a plan to put this to an end!"
"I love Kadmiel and I can't take chances."
"Do you realize what you're doing? Come on, trust me."
Trust?
The same man who pushed her away at the dying minute?
"Mateo."
"If a mother loves her child, she'd go at any cost to protect him or her. That's exactly what we should do. I'm here with you, so everything will be fine," he assured.
"Nothing will be fine, Matt," she paused, taking a deep breath.
"Sorry, but I can't trust you ever again. My life is a mess… and it's all your fault."
"Let's get over with our past, I beg," Mateo pleaded.
"Oh, please. All you want is to take Kadmiel away from me, then forget my existence. But not like I care."
When did she become his mind-reader?
"We're talking about our son's life here–"
"I'd rather let Aubrey have him, than you. After all, you got rid of us. I suggest you go get yourself another son."
It hurt him to know that was impossible. "Are you going to force me into signing those papers?" he asked.
"I suppose. I might forge your signature, who knows?"
"You won't dare!" Though, he doubted her ability.
"Want to make a bet?" she asked, sounding ridiculous.
He arched his brow without a response. She walked out of his office and returned in two minutes.
"I wasn't actually going to do that," she smirked. "Your secretary did."
"Linda!" he yelled thrice in a row.
A young lady dressed in a white shirt and black slit skirt ran into his office, panting heavily. "Yes, sir."
His eyes darkened as he glared at her. "You are fi–"
He couldn't complete his statement when Kendall interrupted.
"No, Matt. I forced her into doing this. It's my fault, not hers."
"Please, I'm sorry, sir," Linda apologized.
"Your two months salary is being suspended. Get back to office."
"Thank you, Mr Luca."
"You should thank her also," Mateo said, referring to Kendall.
For a fact, Mateo never reconsiders his decisions. But this.
Linda turned around to her. "Thank you, ma'am," she said as she left his office in a haste. He might change his mind, who knows?
Linda would have been the second person losing their job because of her.
"Matt, I'm sorry. But it's for the best," Kendall said, exiting his office. If she had known the repercussions of her actions, maybe she'd have amended her ways. Now, her son was the sacrificial lamb.
…
"Father, why do you have so much weapons in your bedroom?" Kadmiel asked, making Aubrey slow down his steps to the door before taking a turn.
Aubrey smiled in amusement, impressed by his courage and open-mindedness. First, he called him father, followed by a question he never expected from a three-year old child.
Kadmiel hardly spoke to anyone since he moved in with him. It was mostly his caretaker and her daughter who was almost his age, and his private lesson teacher.
Soon, the smile vanished on his face as he spoke. "Self defense. You won't understand, but someday, I can make you. I got rid of that old part of me, but people often fail to respect their boundaries. So, I guess I picked it up again."
"I'm innocent. W-why did yo… you take me away from my mo… mother? And are you my real father?"
He chuckled. "Poor child. You don't even know who your parents are. And your mom? She tested my patience and I lost it."
"So, mom is the bad person and not me. Then why do good people tend to always suffer?"
"You know nothing about suffering. I provide all your needs… even in surplus. You don't get to ask for anything and it's not given–"
"Freedom? Why can't I go to school like normal kids? Why am I not allowed to leave my room? Why don't you let me talk to mom?"
"You need to standout from other kids; act differently. And your mom doesn't deserve you."
Kadmiel stared in confusion. "How? Why?"
"Just don't ever mention anything mom-related. Forget about her, your friends… just everything and pretend they didn't exist. Focus on your nearest future."
"Tell me why mom hasn't returned after she promised to bring me home."
"Like you said, she's a bad person. I can't hide the truth from you anymore…" he turned away, sad. "She says mean things about you. She… she never liked you," he lied.
Kadmiel shook his head in disbelief. "No… no. Mom doesn't hate me."
"Think of it. Why did she get rid of you?"
"Maybe she didn't," Kadmiel said, still not convinced. He trusted his mother.
Their conversation was interrupted by a ringtone. It was one of Aubrey's men calling.
He frowned at whatever was said over the phone, clenching his fists. His vein could burst out of his skin if he held further.
"They just messed with the wrong person. Prepare our flight. We're leaving by tomorrow morning," he said over the phone.
"Including me?" Kadmiel who had been paying rapt attention couldn't help but ask.
Aubrey nodded and continued making his call.