vow of vengeance

Chapter 1 The chilly New York air sliced through her hair like a thousand knives as she sprinted. The cold was bone-chilling but she ignored it as she ran. Her destination was up ahead — the grand entrance of the Gallagher Hotel. Upon arrival, the security men at the entrance blocked her from entering. Desperation clawed at her chest and she began in a panicked voice. “Let me in! Please, you have to let me in.” One of the guards, a burly-looking gentleman dressed in a black tuxedo, glared at her. “Who are you?” Valerie gulped in a sufficient amount of air before replying. “Valerie Martinez.” The guard exchanged skeptical glances with his colleagues. “Martinez? Luca Martinez didn't tell us he had a daughter.” Valerie clenched her fists at her side. “I'm his daughter. Tell him I need to see him quickly.” The second guard, a ginger-haired man with cigarettes dangling from his lips, approached her. “You're not on the guest list, lassy.” “Please! Just let me see him!” Valerie yelled. Just then, she looked up to the window on the marble walls. A pair of familiar piercing eyes met hers. “Hello, father.” 4 hours earlier, Beatrice scrubbed the top of the gravestone with a wooden brush while Valerie stood back with both her hands in her pockets. “You don't always have to do this, mom. It's tiring.” She said, rolling her eyes. Beatrice clicked her tongue. “You don't understand anything at all, do you, Valerie?” “Nope,” Valerie inched towards the gravestone and dropped to a squat. “Why do you keep doing this every year? Weren't you the one who said grandfather didn't like the fact that you got me out of wedlock?” Beatrice heaved a sigh. “I know but he was the only family I had. I can't just leave his stone to weather away with dust.” A thin smile was plastered on Valerie's face as said through gritted teeth. “You know what would be better than cleaning this gravestone?” Beatrice rolled her eyes. “Don't start.” Valerie ignored her anyway and continued. “Telling me who my father is.” “Valerie, I don't have time for this.” Beatrice scooped after from the bucket and poured it over the gravestone. “Mom, I'm an adult now. You can't keep hiding this from me forever. I have the right to know who my father is.” Valerie crossed her arm over her chest. Beatrice scrubbed the gravestone quietly. “There's a whole lot you don't understand, Valerie. With time, I'll let you know.” “That's why you said last year and the year before that.” “I promise I'll tell you this year.” “Whatever,” Valerie sprang to her feet. “Let me help.” She took over from her mother and in less than a minute, they were done cleaning. “We’re done. Now, shall we?” Valerie gestures to her mother. “Okay.” The drive home from the cemetery usually took 10 minutes, but today, it was going to take a whole lot of time. The street was filled with luxurious cars and celebrities coming out of them in their expensive dresses. Valerie furrowed her brows in a frown as she stopped the car in front of a Hyundai. “Just what the hell is going on here?” She said with a hiss. Beatrice looked out the window and squinted her eyes. “Oh. It's the grand opening of the Gallagher Hotel.” “The Gallagher's now have a hotel? Jeez, can they chill with all the construction? They have enough money already.” Valerie floored the pedal as the car in front of them began to move. “Rich people always get what they want, don't they?” Beatrice said with a light smile. Valerie said with a nod. “Exactly my point.” Beatrice met a pair of blue set eyes and her heart began to race in her chest. Valerie followed her mother's gaze and smiled. “Aww. You didn't tell me you had a crush on Luca Martinez.” Beatrice stifled a cough. “Oh no.” Valerie burst out laughing. “I knew it. You're just like the other girls at the office. I don't even know what they see in that man. Sure, he's blonde and rich and all but he's not a lady's man. I can tell.” Beatrice feigned a laugh. “You're a funny one, Valerie.” “Of course, you said I got it from my father.” Valerie gave her mother a wink before refocusing on driving. Beatrice looked out the window again and exhaled a shaky breath. “Yeah, your father.” The duo arrived home and spent the afternoon making lunch. After which they played chess on the veranda. It was a little ritual they had every Saturday and they both enjoyed it. Night fell over the city and Beatrice dressed up in a dashing red evening gown. “How do I look?” Beatrice twirled around for her daughter to see. Valerie set down her popcorn on the center table. “Oh my Gosh. You look amazing. What's the occasion?” “I got invited to the grand opening of the glitzy Gallagher Hotel,” Beatrice said with a nervous laugh. Valerie rose to her feet. “s**t. No way.” “Yes.” Beatrice smiled. “Come on. I'll drive you.” Valerie rushed to get the car keys. “I thought you hated rich people like the Gallagher's.” “Not when my mom is attending their event. Let's go.” They drove to the Gallagher Hotel and stood stunned to speak as they arrived. The entrance was grand and was made out of polished marble. “Woah. This is amazing, mom.” Valerie gasped in awe. “It sure is,” Beatrice said with a smile. The moment she looked out the window, her smile fell. “Valerie, I'll get off now.” “Oh, sure.” Valerie parked the car in a comfortable position. She climbed out of the driver’s seat and ran over to help her mom out of the car. “My lady?” She took her mother's hand with a smirk. “Why, thank you.” Beatrice smiled. “You're welcome. Should I pick you up?” Valerie asked. “No need for that, dear.” She smiled. Valerie turns to leave and Beatrice takes her hand. “Stay safe, okay?” Valerie smiled. “Sure thing, mom.” She took back her hand and went to the car. She started the car, ready to move. As she drove past, she caught a glimpse of her mom with Luca Martinez. Valerie arrived home a few minutes later and collapsed on the couch. She turned on the TV and peeled off her jacket. The news was going to cover the opening of the Gallagher Hotel. Valerie leaned down to remove her shoes when she heard “Breaking News…” She dragged her eyes to the TV and found Katie O’Connor, her favorite News correspondent, standing in front of what looked like the entrance of the Gallagher Hotel. “...we have reports coming in of a tragic accident in the Gallagher Hotel. A woman had fallen from the high-rise building.” Valerie's eyes went round. “What?” Katie continued. “The woman is said to have lost a lot of blood but the paramedics are working to stabilize her condition. The cause of the fall is unclear but we will keep you all updated if any info is available.” Valerie's hand cupped her mouth as she stared at the paramedics pushing a body on a stroller. That familiar dress, the golden bracelet around her wrist… Her lower lips began to tremble and she screamed. The woman was her mother.