The Dangerous Family Secrets

Chapter 12: Trial by lies

Soraya's POV

It seems the week past was the longest ever, Soraya thought, she has been cooped up in and around the De. Luca mansion and she was itching to go out. She had not heard from Naomi or she even dare say it ,Terrence.

Since the night she gave Naomi Travis's information she haven't heard from her. And she was worried, she had tried calling but there was no answer, each time.

She had gotten past what she had done to Adam and was even going to tell Naomi about it because she would have to, to tell her that Naveen was the one who released the s*x tape of her. Soraya knew she was going to make Naveen pay but it wasn't wise of her to go out and stir up more issue within the clandestine seeing as she already has a target on her back because of Antonio's Assassination.

If she got caught going after Naveen it would fuel the minds of those in the clandestine who already think she was guilty. Even though her father is the chairman of the CUB not even he was above the code of the board so she knew he couldn't save her from a guilty faith. But what would happen to her if they found her guilty of Antonio's death.

Her faith would be one of no reproach, one that would be worst than death, rule 2 of the guide book strictly prohibits the going after another clandestine member in any form of tyranny. All grievances should be brought before the board and be dealt with there. No one member can take up matters into their own hands.

If a member is found guilty of tyranny their family could be strip of their title and all possessions, if that tyranny involves the death of another clandestine member then just payment should be returned. And just payment means a life for a life and their whole family would still be stripped.

Sitting in her office Soraya was going over a few documents pertaining to their family business, it was the only thing she could do to keep her mind off her trial and her sudden house arrest.

She looked up from her desk, because there was a knock at her already opened office door.

" hey Renzo, come in" Soraya said to her brother who had a damped look on his face

Renzo walked into the spacious office and sat in the green sofa that stood near his sister desk. But all the while he still had not said or replied to his sister.

Putting down the paper in her hand Soraya got up from around her desk to go sit on the coffee table beside the sofa where her brother look as though he could mourn for an entire funeral.

" what's wrong Renzo" Soraya asked lifting his face to look at her

" I'm just scared Raya" Renzo said trying to hold back the bridge of tears in his eyes.

" why are you afraid, there is nothing to fear Renzo you know that" Raya said to him

" you and i know that's not true, especially with this trial coming up" Renzo spat at her

Soraya hated that her brother had to see the nasty side of their family lineage so soon, she wished things were different that maybe just maybe her family was something different.

" Renzo, this trial will be an easy win, nothing bad is going to happen to me, trust me" Soraya finally answered

" Trust you!, trust you, you say, but you can't even tell me the truth, am not a child Raya i know this trial is bad, i know dad dosen't have a way to prove your innocence otherwise, because theres so much circumstantial evidence pointing to you. So don't try to shield me from the truth by lying then asking me to trust you" Renzo shouted in a long breath

" what do you want me to say Renzo, what do you" Soraya said standing to her feet and throwing her arms in the air out of frustration.

" do you want me to tell you that Im titanic ship reck scare, or that some ones trying to sink our whole family and this bogost ass trial isnt about me but our whole dame family because of some dark secret or family is keeping or maybe, maybe you want me to tell you that i mutilated Adam Roussi because he f****d with Naomi and now i can't really sleep because am paranoid, not because i feel guilty but because i enjoyed it, but wait no, you want to know that i kissed Terrence and I'm in love with him but fathers has forbidden it" Soraya said through heavy breaths pacing back and forth.

Once she came to a stop in front of her brother who was still seated on the sofa, who also had the wildest look on his face as if he was thrown into a lions den. That's when she realised.

She has cracked, her protective dam that kept all her fears in tack just blew apart in seconds in front of her brother, there was utter silence for about a minute between the two, they just stood there staring at each other until Renzo finally spoke.

" ok, this is getting ackward maybe i should go" getting to his feet and heading for the door

" stop, please don't go, i can explain all of this " Soraya said racing to grab a hold of her brothers arm.

" Raya am not leaving because I'm judging you for anything you said, I'm leaving because i think you just shared pieces of you with me, something you have never done before and i think you need the solitude to process the fact that you just told me your deepest fears and secrets."

" and hey, i won't say anything about anything just come find me when your ready to talk ok" he said with finality in his voice and kiss Raya on her cheek and left.

Raya was too stunned by her brothers maturity and how he was handling her melt down to even grant him a reply.

Terrence POV.

Leaving Germany Terrence and Travis had found out that Mr Swyffer was up to more than even they could fathom. It seem as if to Terrence he was so focus on the wrong things that he couldn't see that the man who most clandestine members turned to, the man who held a lot of secrets for the clandestine member could be the most dangerous man. But now thinking about it information is power but its also dangerous and that's one thing Baldoor had and thats why he could possible be the most dangerous person.

Terrence was on his way to Brazil, he knew that was where he could find Cindy, but before he left he had given Travis all the information he need to fix his little police problem back home. He was skeptic about trusting travis but for once he thought that maybe Travis wanted the same things he did. So he left for Brazil while Travis left for Russia.

Going to Brazil was a necessary step for Terrence even though he still could not link Cindy to Baldoor he felt has if he was on to something but he was still overly betting on the information he had received about Ryan that he had gotten from Bradley Kross, a few days ago, which he had not share with anyone, he was tempted to let Travis in on that secret but he knew better.

It seem as if all he had against Cindy was circumstantial. Because he was betting on the fact that there is something between Ryan and Cindy and she would hopefully be protective of him. Just as he was hoping there was a connection between Cindy and Baldoor.

He wasn't excited to see Cindy in no form because even though he didn't want to remember the pregnancy she now carries and the possiblity of it being his a part of him wanted to know the child was doing ok.

Sitting in the back of his jeep has Corey drove him to the Reverea estate he had one chance at baiting Cindy and he had to play his cards right. Cindy was no walk over she was smart and conning and those two attributes in any woman made them a knight on any chess board in his eyes.

The Reverea estate was exactly how Terrence had pictured it the porturgies style was evident in the stone fashion gate that they drove through and the grounds held a sight of that of any drug lord. There were guards with riffles at every corner of the grounds that he could see.

"Well this is welcoming" Terrence said to him self look around, has he step out of the car with Corey holding the door from his exit. Mr Reveara was standing on the front step with a diminor that said I'm alpha this is my domain.

Terrence walked up the steps and greeted Mr Reveara with a kiss on both cheeks

" welcome to Brazil" he said

" its good to finally be here" Terrence replied

Terrence knew Mr Reveara was suspicious of him for he had not called to say he was coming or why so he knew even though he came out to greet him, it was only from whiled suspicion and staying on the side of caution.

" come in young Vadeem" Mr Reveara said has he led the way into his kingdom

Inside the Reveara home was quite open Terrence thought to him self has he followed close behind, the structure of there home was easily accessible from the many open stone pillars with white curtains flowing from there rise. It seem to have a feel of ancient day greece to his eyes.

He was led to an open area with the same open decor but it seem to be some kind of a parlor area.

" please sit, you must be tired from your double journey" Mr Reveara said

Sitting down in one of the single sofa Terrence was puzzled has to what he meant by double journey

" thank you for your hospitality" Terrence said to mask is suspicion

A cup of coffee was soon after place before him on the small coffee table.

" i hope you like coffee" Mr Reveara said to him

" yes, thank you" he replied

" is there anything else i can offer you, vodka, brandy, or i dare say Rum" he asked

" A spot of Vodka would be much obliged" Terrence replied.

Once all that was out the way Mr Reveara wasted no time, sitting back in his seat he crossed his legs and looked straight at Terrence.

" So to what do i owe the pleasure of your presence here" he asked

Sipping his coffee Terrence could both hear and see the accusation in his tone and eyes, he place his cup back on the table and made him self comfortable, so to try and hide his true motives has the words that were about to leave his lips were poisonous lies.

"I'm here to pay my respects and to see if we can conduct some business at the same time" Terrence said never breaking eye contact

" your respects are received but i wonder why now, you and Antonio was no close friends for you to travel just to pay respects" Mr Reveara said

" your right we weren't friends but i believe i also stated that there is some business i would like to conduct with you" Terrence replied

He knew Mr Reveara was fishing but he wouldn't let his games throw him off his chess board. But right had Mr Reveara was to speak Cindy walked into the room. She strolled in more confident than he remembered her. She was an annoying shy person who would grace his bed from time to time but look at her now.

Her true persona can be seen in every stride of her legs up to the bright red lip stick that put her lips on display.

" Santos" she greeted and kissed him on the cheek as she placed her self on the arm of the chair that he occupied.

" your welcome my child and how are you feeling today" He asked her

" am doing much better" Cindy answered

" that is wonderful, now this is Terrence Vadeem of the Russian Clandestine family, the son of Trimone Vadeem" Mr Santos Reveara introduced him.

All the while Cindy just stared at him until she said

" Its nice to meet you Terrence, I'm Cindy Reveara Antonio was my husband" She said

Terrence watch how easy it was for Cindy to pretend she had no idea who he was and he was happy she was willing to play this unacquainted game for it played to his strengths.

" its nice to meet you Cindy and I'm sorry for your lost" Terrence said with so much conviction that he deserved an Oscar for his performance.

Cindy then turn to Mr Reveara and said, " i hope i didn't interrupt anything important with you and Mr Vadeem" all the while looking down at Santos with so much innocence

" no my child you didnt" he answered her

" are you sure, because i can leave if i am" Cindy chirped up

" you should stay, after all you will soon be in charge" Mr Reveara said and this shocked Terrence but he tried his best to hide it.

Cindy then found an empty sheet and place herself at the core of the discussion.

"So what kind of proposal do you have for me son" Mr Reveara asked

Terrence went on with his made up plan all the while keeping Cindy in the corner of his eyes. By the time the discussion was over Terrence knew he had to find a way to get Cindy alone so he asked if he could see the estate and just has he hope Santos said yes and even appointed Cindy to show him around.

As they walked through the Reveara gardens Terrence wasted no time getting straight to the point.

" i bet Valadin would love to see this garden" Terrence said

Just as Cindy was responding she caught herself

" i don't know who that his" she said instead

" don't bother hiding it, you've already given your self away" Terrence said stopping her in her tracks of denial

" now that we have establish that you do have sum relationship with the Ryan welder or should i say Valadin De luca lets see how much u care for him" Terrence said

" you think you can come in here and try to blackmail me with the bear information that you have, and don't try to pretend because if you knew more or had any proof you wouldn't need to try and blackmail me" Cindy chirped up

" that's were your wrong Cindy or what ever your name is am not here for me and i have proof enough to get Valadin killed so no i don't need you, you need me that is if he means anything to you and judging from your defensiveness he does"

" so now your going to stand there and listen to what i have to say, your going to with draw your statement about Soraya killing Antonio and your going to call off your lap dog Annabelle for we both know she's doing your bidding" Terrence continued

" you care so much for that De luca b***h that you came all the way here for that" Cindy said in surprise

" its none of your business if i care for her, just do as i ask or i won't think twice about Ryan" he said

" i can't just call off everything the trial is in two days everything is already in motion i can't just take back my statement" cried cindy

" well you best get on that stand and take it back because i don't care if the whole clandestine is expecting her death you can expect Ryan's if anything happens to her".

" you are such a bastored you know that, you came here to advocated for a woman and her family which benefits you in no way but you have not asked how your child his doing" she said in a harsh tone

"Your child could be mine, it could be Antonio's, Adam's or any number of different men or i dear even say, it could even be a young Swyffer" Terrence spat at her

" if its mine i will stand up for my child but i am leaning to the conclusion that this child does not bear my DNA so do remember in the next two weeks you will be doing that test"

The look on Cindy's face was one of shock he had caught her off guard and he could tell she had some form of dealing with Mr swyffer it had seem as though he had accomplished what he had came to do so with that in mind he turn and walked back the way he came leaving the garden.

After saying his goodbyes to Mr Reveara he left with Corey with home on his mind, it was time to see how Travis was faring with is police issue but he still had a feeling that there was much more to this investigation than two missing person.

Soraya's POV

It was the day of the tribunal and Soraya had no idea how she was going to defend her self, she felt alone even with her family's support she knew that if she lost this case it would mean her death but worst it would mean the down fall of her whole family, her fear was not for her self but for those she loved and cared for above all else.

The tribunal will be held at the Italian CUB head quarters all CUB member will be present even Carlos Buretty for his clandestine membership for his territory was not yet turned over to the Vadeem's and would not be until the end of the quarterly phase and all paperwork was finalized.

Raya had no way of knowing how the board would vote because it will not be the heirs who get to decide her faith on this one. She wasn't sure she could count on Trimone's or Baldoors votes any more than she could on the Reveara vote and theirs were a sure nay in her favour.

She fasten the last button on her green shirt as she look at herself in the mirror, her curly red hair was in a neat bun on top of her head and her make up was soft and smooth, she look presentable from the eyes of any out sider but all Raya could see was a stranger staring back at her.

When did she lose her self she thought, she does not recognize the person she has become but maybe she was becoming her true self, for regrets she had none, not for trying to find out the truth, making Annabelle and Cindy an enemy, hurting Adam and definitely not for kissing Terrence.

Has she step away from the mirror she remember grandma Catherine's words to her a few week ago

"Sometime one has to make hard decision even when they are wrong, but what matters most is family and loyalty and once you have both you're unstoppable"

Has those words replay over and over in her head Soraya knew exactly what she had to do, for she did not care what happens to her today but she was damn sure she was not going to let her enemies succeed in bringing down the De'luca name. It was time for hard decision, family and loyalty.

Taking up her phone from her dressing table Soraya search his name in her contact for she would not leave this rock without letting her feeling be known.

Dear Vadeem,

There is so much i want to say but not much time to say it...................................................................................................

Soraya paused with her finger over the send button,just has she was about to take the leap came a knock at her door. She stood up and place the phone on her bed and walk to the door,

Oh mom its you, please come in. Soraya step aside so that Lily-Ann could enter her room then close the door behind them.

" i see you are ready" said Lily-Ann with a smile that beerly broke even

" well am ready as one could under these circumstances" she replied

Lily-Ann step in front of Raya and placed both hands on her cheeks, you could see there were tears itching to show them selves but with harden steel she held herself and said.

" i was bless to birth two daughters, who has made me proud, they are determine, resourceful and beautiful, beauty is a rare thing my daughter and you possess it both on the inside and out, but a beautiful resourceful woman can leave any nation cowering at her feet. And you Raya will do just that".

Raya look at her mother in confusion what did she mean by all that, but she couldn't help noticing that her mother just spoke about her sister Raven as if she were still alive. Her parents never talk about Raven so this was a bit strange to her.

Maybe it could just be that her mother was worried she was going to lose another daughter but Raya couldn't help feeling as if it meant something more

It was just a shame that the first time her mother had ever unwilling let something slip she would not be around to determine its truth.

" thank you mother" Raya said smiling up at her.

" i'll see you downstairs in five ok, we need to be there by 11:00 , your father has already left" said Lily-Ann opening the door as she took her leave.

Grabbing her coat from its place on the sofa Soraya took up her phone and send the message that lingered on her screen, then threw the phone back on her bed then she walk through her bed room door closing it with a slam, for she might as well get it over with for her faith was inevitable.