Facing Crossroads

XXVI - Plot Twist

                                                         Theo

Year 2013 had been exciting for me, now that I had Shay in my life. I smiled at the gift she gave, a Fisher Space Pen, with my name engraved into it. She had a note saying ‘Write Happy endings.’

I couldn’t help but smile, my heart swelling with affection.

But seeing Thomas DeLuna outside the village gate, I swallowed hard, his very presence sent my guard up.

I trailed off, hitting the break of the minivan.

He knocked on the glass window so I unlocked the door, letting him in.

“What do you want?” I asked, not sparing him a look.

DeLuna was a good-looking man, according to my mother. I actually didn’t know how she found him good-looking. He had thick moustache and stubbles, putting a mysterious man on his aura.

“Son- “

I snapped and hit the steering wheel. He always triggered the violent part of me. “Don’t! I am not your son.”

DeLuna glared at me, lips on a thin line. “I assume you’d rather be acknowledged as Rusco’s son, is that right?”

My anger flared. I looked away.

“I never told you the whole truth because I have a reason. I don’t expect you to understand but I want you to respect that,” he spat.

I forced a laughed. “You thought what you did is respectable? Freeing a girl from chains only to bring her to another world full of other crimes and chaos. Did you really love her like what you keep on telling her? Or maybe you just pity my mom?”

He snatched my shirt’s collar with such force and I had to admit it frightened me.

“You watch your words, boy.” His nose flared but his eyes remained calm. “I did everything for Venice, anything I know that could help her start anew. I bought her freedom and maybe she still isn’t really free but you have to suck it up. Not all were lucky to be given a second chance.” He tapped my head. “You do well to remember that.”

He let go of me then, and I smoothed my shirt, backing away.

“Yes, I am not your real father and I f*****g wish I am.” He looked away, clenching his jaw. “I thought I really am your father. But who to blame at what happened to your mother? She did her job like what was asked of her. We all do. f**k that, I didn’t even know Rusco touched her.”

Yes, I figured that Thomas DeLuna was a regular customer where mom used to work. She was considered as an entertainer back at the hands of the syndicate and she only catered to powerful men, such as my father and the heads of the organizations. That was when DeLuna fell for her. He made a deal to the Carvanto syndicate to kill their enemy for free in exchange for my mom’s freedom.

“The moment Rusco’s wife finds out your existence, she’ll have you killed. You know that.”

I nodded stiffly, reality checking kicking me in. I was fully aware of that part. My life was like a ticking bomb. Once found out, I would explode, gone in a snap. I would be nothing but ashes in the wind.

“I want you to have a peaceful life, far from this life. Your mother wants that as well.”

I said nothing.

“Someone has been feeding information to Madam Rusco,” he said in a low tone, scanning the street outside. “I stalked the detective she hired and threatened him to drop the case. I know how far I can go to keep this little peace we all have but your mother would hate for me to kill.”

He usually didn’t give me this much information before. I glanced at him and saw something strange in his eyes. Was it fear? I had never seen him frightened before.

“Why are you telling me all this?” I asked.

This time, he looked at me. “You’re getting close to the Javier girl.”

“Javier girl,” I mimicked and let out a heavy sigh. “She has a name. Her name’s Shane.” I shook my head, getting annoyed and defensive. “What’s this got to do with her? Are you trying to control now who I should spend my time with? Who should and shouldn’t be my friend?”

“Just be careful,” he said. “Her family belongs to the other side of the circle. I don’t want you starting something with her that you can’t finish. Freddie Detalla is very fond of her. And the Detallas wanted the Ruscos down for many years now. Do you see where this is going? One wrong move, Theo, one simple mistake can cause a never ending trouble.”

I felt the air thickened, suffocating me. Shay’s image getting into trouble weighed heavily on my chest. I don’t want her being drag down to my own Hell.

“So what you’re saying is,” I said, clenching my jaw. “That I need to leave the country, away from this, and leave Shay alone.”

DeLuna tapped my shoulder and opened the door. “If you do that, then we’ll be on the same page. Be careful, son.”

Then he climbed out of the van and walked to his black BMW and drove away.

Trouble seemed to cope up with me despite my efforts running from it. I promised Shay that I wouldn’t leave. But I also made a promise not to harm her, to protect her from all the bad.

Some of the promises are meant to keep.

But some needed to break.

I just wasn’t sure which one to let go.

****

School seemed normal as we get back from the holidays, the same busy schedule to squeeze in every projects and homework having the same deadline.

I barely see my friends from Drama Society but sometimes, Jellaine would keep in touch with everyone and we would have early dinner in The Hub. She announced then that we would be having an election for the new president since we would be graduating soon.

On Friday afternoon, we were huddled at the auditorium, all the members present, as well as the new recruits.

“Alright, folks,” Jellaine called out, hushing everyone. “As you know, the officers have to pass the obligation now to the new members, since we will be signing off soon. I just wanted you guys to know that I really am grateful for all your efforts and friendships, making this club worth remembering. You respected me as a leader and I thank you for that. This club is like my sanctuary here in this university, where I can show myself and my passion.”

Shay was sitting beside me, her eyes fixated on the president.

“Special mention to Shane,” Jellaine continued with a smile. “Who extended her friendship to us. We’ll never forget the bonding we had on your oh-so-awesome place.”

My girl smiled, as some members clapped their hands, backing up J’s message.

“So, let’s begin the election!”

Shay leaned closer to me. “I feel like crying.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

She shook her head. “I hate endings.”

I took her hand in mine, holding her tightly. “Some things have to end, Shay. It will give way to a new chapter.”

“Can you write a story that never ends?”

I could see in her eyes that she was dead serious. “Hmm, I’ll write a story about a girl who had just lost her father and met a guy who kept his sadness behind a smile.”

Her forehead furrowed. “That’s us, right?”

I just smiled at her.

“Those two at the back,” I heard Jellaine called out and I realized she was pointing at us.

Shay instantly dropped my hand.

“Do you want to join the election,” J continued, a playful smile on her lips, giving me a look. “Or are we interrupting something we shouldn’t have?”

They all turned and looked at us, curiosity in their eyes.

Shay groaned to herself, bowing her head.

She obviously hated being the center of attention.

I just grinned to Jellaine. “If you can just give us privacy, please, that would be great.”

Some whistled and teased. I looked at Kevin, meeting his gaze. He smiled, nodding his head, giving me thumbs up.