Nataly
(The previous night)
After the series of events since the previous night up to this moment, the only place I can at least be at peace and be the real me, is right here in my apartment,which I keep under lock and key and I'm careful with how I operate everything.
Which is why I chose a high class apartment that has doors that can only be opened with my biometrics and I can privately plan my every move.
I feel safe when I'm here.
I heave a long sigh as I sit on my comfy couch as my mind recounts the events of the day.
From waking up and finding myself tied up, with more questions, why someone dumped me at Mr. Ivan's home, to meeting Cole with my parents, David in my room at the Mansion, then meeting David in my office, Antonio's call. I need a drink.
Just before that, I first go to my private room and on the wall where I have everything pinned- names, pictures, with different arrows pointing different directions on every picture and strings connecting different names - I add Mr. Ivan to the list.
Not that I've made my conclusion, but it's better to be careful and not take any chances.
After so many assessments and more additional plans, I check my phone and there's not a single message from any anonymous person.
Maybe I should just wait till tomorrow.
So I prepare myself for bed after eating the take out I picked on my way.
_________
I brace myself for the next set of events as I get out of the cab I took from my apartment to the Delavega mansion.
That was my choice today but also because my car is still missing, even after I checked it out at the cemetery yesterday.
I'm early and I know it but it's because I don't want to get on the bad side of Mr. Antonio again, early this morning.
I was informed of the meeting at ten which is why I'm here as early as seven. I know he's an early riser too since old age has not caught up with him yet.
I'm praying to God that this morning I don't have an encounter with Carmen Delavega or the asshole she has for a son.
To my luck, before I reach the living room, I bump into Cole who still has sleep written all over his face.
"Good morning, sleepy head," I raise my brows as I send my greetings.
He's surprised to see me here this early.
"Maria! What brings you home this early. Is everything okay?"
Typical Cole, always concerned about me.
"Your uncle asked me to meet him in the study today very early, before ten."
"Here?" He's still in shock.
"According to him, we have matters to discuss and he specifically asked me to drop by the mansion first."
"Ohhw, I see," he nods nonchalantly.
"What about you where are you headed this early? You look so tired and wasted this morning. Did you drink last night?" I probe with half a smile.
"Aah!Just a few glasses, but I'll nurse my hangover when I'm in the office. I'll just have some coffee."
"Cole? Drinking in the middle of the week, when he has work the next day. Okay who are you and what have you done with Cole?"
His brows wrinkle, "Oh come on, just this once."
"We both know that's a lie, a very big one," I pointed at his nose. I'm always so comfortable with him.
This conversation could go on for an hour so I have to be the one to end it.
I try to leave when he suddenly grabs my wrist, "Maria," he's serious this time and he's looking deep into my eyes and I can sense something is off.
"I need to tell you something."
Okay these are usually not the best words to the ear, especially early this morning.
Something is totally wrong and I can't quite figure out what it is and I assume he's about to help me out.
"What is it, Cole?"
"Uhm..," he hesitates and I narrow my eyes on him.
"It's about your,... I mean David has..."
Before I can pressure him to talk, another voice pulls us out of the moment.
"Maria, you're here," It's Antonio Delavega.
Cole ruffles his hair as he heaves a long sigh. And holds his waist. What's up with him?
"I was on my way to the study, meet me there.
Antonio orders after Short good morning greeting.
I'm still in a state of wonder as Cole takes his leave." I'll see you later, Maria."
I make a beeline for the study as I take deep breaths hoping my story will add up and hoping that it's not the last time I'm breathing. Also hoping that I'll be able to talk to Cole later after this conversation.
Antonio is always serious about work and I just hope he's in a good mood today.
So, when he asks me to sit right opposite to his office chair, I do just that.
I know I have a lot of explaining to do but i'll just be brief.
"Okay, why don't we go straight to the Point. You went missing for some hours and we needed you. What happened?"
I brace myself before words start rolling off my tongue.
"I was mugged on my way home that night." I try not to be nervous.
"Do you have any idea who? Working with us comes with a lot of enemies, I know."
Did he buy it or is he just trying to play with my mind? This man could be very unpredictable.
"I really have no idea. I was caught off guard." I answer.
"Did they hurt you?" He seems so concerned which is unlikely of him. Literally unlikely of a Delavega towards me, well except for Cole.
Maybe this is all an act.
"No I'm not hurt, only that I found myself locked up in a cemetery," I lie. "Turns out I passed out and was off the whole night. I was helped by a good Samaritan."
Oh God! I'm really hoping deep down that he's buying all this.
"Okay but were you walking with your gun?"
And there it is, the million dollar question that could really get me in trouble.
"No, I didn't have it. I left it in my safe," the words roll off without any thought.
What have I gotten myself into? I don't even know where to start while looking for the gun, unless my captor contacts me.
But again I'd still be in trouble if I tell him it's missing. All I can do is stall and hold my tiny bit of hope that its use doesn't come up, for now, well at least until I figure out everything.
But I think I passed the hardest part. At least I hope so.
"So, do you have anyone you suspect?" He asks as if he's about to start an investigation.
"No, I think it was just a normal mug," the sooner I finish this case, the safer it will be for me.
"Hmmmm," he makes an expression and I know he clearly didn't buy that. I know it's hard to read him.
He's the Don of a crime syndicate, the biggest drug cartel owner in the city. No one would ever know his next move.
From what I know, a bullet could go through your skull any minute even though he might act like you're on the same page, which is why I need to be cautious here.
"Fine, I'll look deeply into matter, don't worry about it," he assures, but I know better than that.
He's warning me that I'd better be telling the truth.
"Meanwhile after the event at the company, I'd like you to accompany me somewhere. Just the both of us.," he raises his brows.
Is this a death sentence?
I know that I've always been acting weak but I hate it when people think I'm that weak.
"You need not to worry, it's just somewhere interesting."
"Okay," but I know nothing is okay.
Before we leave, we discuss a shipment that's to arrive in containers tomorrow morning.
It's pure cocaine from one of his loyal suppliers and we build up a strategy for it to appear legal as it's bring shipped. This is usually where my expertise comes in handy.
He's pleased by my scheme and insists on how this shipment is important for the business.
Well, I'm not going to jeopardize this one as I'm again trying to build the trust that might have been tinily lost.
We're lost in this discussion that we don't realize that we're running late for an actual legal meeting in the company.
By the time we raise our heads, we only have like thirty minutes to get to the Delavega Holdings.
And something suddenly catches my mind, I wonder if David has already made it to the office. Of course I wouldn't be able to see him leave
Antonio's study is like a hidden room in the mansion. But again why am I thinking about that jerk again?
I'm almost furious with myself,as I get into Antonio's car since he offered me a ride and after that we have another ride to- I don't know where.
I can't help but think about it throughout the drive.
Where does he want to take me?