KATELYNN
It's been five years since the birth of my child, Aidan. Five good years. Although I was hesitant at first to accept the news, Richardo and Luisa made it easier.
I can still remember the shock on Richardo's face when the doctor mistook him for the child's father. We had a good laugh after the tension had died and somehow navigated through it.
They also did a good job of hiding Aidan from the public's eye. We didn't know how to break it to them and the thought of scandal is something I dread. Our lives are better this way.
Richardo had advised me to go back to Italy and search for Aidan's father. Although the idea seemed okay, I didn't want to do it or still do it and then I was still in search of my father's murderer.
After the long-awaited search, my private investigator found him and gave his house address to me, to locate him faster.
"Mummy, Aunty said I can't have my cawndy if I don't eat the brockoli." Aidan's voice rang from the phone, pulling out of my thoughts.
I chuckled, and a wide smile tugged at my lips as I listened to my baby. He was the sweetest child on Earth. He had my sharp wit and facial appearance but his rapid increase in height seemed to be a trait from his father.
"Yes Candy, Aunty is right. Remember what mum says?" Candy was his nickname. It was because he was obsessed with Candies.
"Vegetablwes givbe you nurtuwrients and nurtuwrients givbes you strength," he responded in a sing-song manner.
"That's right, Candy. Aunty will give you a lot of candies if you eat your broccoli first"
"Okay, Mummy." I heard rattlings in the background followed by a short silence before Luisa spoke. "You don't have to do this, Kate. What about Aidan?" She whispered. "We are no longer youths. Any unnecessary actions can destroy your son's life. Forgive the man and come back home to your son."
"Too late, Luisa. I'm already in Italy and there is no turning back now." I hung up, tossed the phone on the bed, and rubbed my aching temples.
Maybe she was right, maybe I should go back to my baby but I can't. I have a father to avenge. This man took him away from us. He made us orphans. What if I kill him? I will go to jail. Who will take care of my son?
Luisa and Richardo are there but Aidan needs me.
Maybe I won't kill him. My phone buzzed.
Glancing at the lit screen, my eyes landed on my wallpaper. It was a picture of my dad, Luisa, and me at her graduation. The rage burned deeper.
I strapped my gun at my waistline, and a hood over my head. I left the hotel room.
********
The glock hidden in my trouser waistline moved along with my hips as I strode towards the gate. My heart raced with uncertainty and determination to complete my mission. There was no going back.
"Will you find peace after this?" Richardo's voice echoed in my head again. "What about your son? How do you think he will feel if he finds out that his mother is a killer? You don't have to do this, let the police handle it, we have the address. It would be easier and less messy."
"He killed my father Richardo. You expect me to fold my hands and do nothing?!" I remembered my reply to his silly lectures.
"Kate, I did not say that. Taking him to jail will fix all this. Do you think killing him will justify your father's death? Don't stain your hands with the blood of the motherfucker who killed your father."
"More reason why I should, killing the person who took my father away from me. You don't understand Richardo. Father was the only person we had after our mother died. He took our only guardian from us!" I lashed out at Richardo as though he was the culprit.
"You could go to jail for this. What about Aidan, your son? You are willing to get revenge even if it would cost your son his mother?" He asked, baffled at my perseverance.
"How may I help you, Ma'am?" A soft voice called out pulling me out of my flashbacks. From her dress, one would know instantly that she is a maid for the house. She held the gate, waiting for my response.
I smiled at her, before introducing myself. "My name is Katelynn Moore, the CEO of Moore's Corporation. I am here to see your boss, the owner of the house." I replied, peeking into the house. My eyes caught a silhouette staring at us from the window, in the far-distance house.
"Uh-hm, you just missed him, he left a few minutes ago, I'm sorry I can't help you," she informed me, trying to close the gate in my face. But I was quick to hold the gate with my left hand.
I reached into the waistband of my trousers and brought out the gun, "Young Lady, anyone would have believed you but not me. Well, maybe I would ask to sit inside and wait for him, but I can see him standing by the window. Let me rephrase my statement, maybe you didn't understand it the first time."
She nodded her head vigorously as she stared at the gun in my hand. "Show me your boss, and put a smile on your face,"
She allowed me into the house and closed the gate behind us. Her legs wobbled as she walked in front of me. I could see her shaking. It is such a wonder to see that a piece of metal is making her vibrate. I was once a victim of its effect, but now I have gotten used to it, and I am now the predator with it.
The house was a one-story building, painted in black and white, with the Yin and Yang, dancing on the walls.
The golden hue from the sun descending into the horizon splashed on the walls, giving off a beautiful warm color. I followed her upstairs as she led the way. We got to the front of a door and she knocked on it.
"Sir Romano, It's me, Sofia." She called out but there was no response from behind the door. "Sir?" She tried again but the same thing.
Romano? That name sounded familiar but I couldn't remember where I heard it from.
I moved her aside and began banging on the door. Good thing he doesn't have neighbors. My hand didn't stop till I heard the shuffling of feet on the floor.
The sound drew closer from behind the door and stopped. I signaled to the Lady to call out to him again. "Sir, it's Sofia," She called out, her voice low trembling with fear.
A clinking sound emerged from the door, as the knob danced. It opened revealing the man behind the door. He has long Jet-black sleek hair with a few loose strands dropped in the front. His skin was tanned, coated in shiny lotion and body oil. His upper body was bare and his lower body had a white towel draped around it. It was as though he just finished taking his bath. "Sofia, How many times do I have to…."
His thick familiar voice complained, but I didn't care to remember where I knew the voice from, nor allow him to finish his sentence. With immediate action, my hand moved along with the gun to his forehead.
His eyes moved from the trembling housemaid to the gun pointed at his head, then to my face. His eyes dilated and his mouth opened. The reaction from seeing my face was greater than the reaction he had from seeing the gun. "Lynna?"