Corrupted Values

Chapter Thirteen - "Who is it?"

“Your mom was strong, smart, determined, my other half." He says as he leans back on the couch.

"She was by my side no matter what the world threw at us… Until we found out she was pregnant. We went into hiding together but then I made a deadly mistake a few years after she had you.” He says, dropping his head. I lean forward, curious to hear the rest.

“The Caldeiro’s and the Selvera’s have been going at each other for years. The Caldeiro’s are one of the biggest families in the world and also my biggest enemy.” He says in an agitated voice.

“However, I thought if we had become allies we could have joined together and become the biggest and most powerful mafia in the world... Instead, when we were supposed to meet to go over the agreement, we were fired upon by them. In the process of getting my men out, I ended up killing Bruno Caldeiro. Now, because of that mistake, I lost a lot of men that day and more when they started raiding my warehouses.” He says, looking back and meeting my eyes.

“The Caldeiro's attacked you?” I ask, worried. I think to myself about how I had met Marco and Nico. Will Marco kill me if he finds out who I am? Is Nico playing me? Before I can get too deep into my thoughts, he speaks again.

“Yes. I’ve been in hiding ever since and I sent your mother away with enough money to take care of you in hopes of keeping you both safe.” He says, looking down.

“That's why she never told you I was alive. As much as I wanted to be there, I had to stay away. It was safest for you to think you didn’t have a dad. So you never questioned it or came looking for me, putting yourself in danger. She was going to keep you safe until you were old enough to start your training and come home.” He says, looking up at me. My mind goes crazy with thoughts as I try to comprehend everything he’s telling me.

“The night before your mother's death I came to see her. It was time for you to come with me. I was supposed to pick you up the next day after she broke the news to you that I’m alive.” He says, shocking me that my mom has had this planned all this time.

“The next day, I got a call from one of my men. He said the cameras we placed outside your house had been tampered with and weren't working. So I sent one of my men to the house but by the time he got there it was too late. Caldeiro men were surrounding your house. He said Gianna was dead. He saw them drag her body out but didn’t know where you were,” he states.

“I had my men combing the streets looking for you. We came across an old couple that were also out looking for you. My men questioned them and they admitted they were going to hand you over to the Caldeiro’s for a trade, but didn’t tell them what you looked like yet. So I had my men kill the old couple, since I couldn’t let someone live knowing what you look like and chance them telling anyone else. It was a chance I wasn’t willing to take.” He says as if it’s just another day. I look to the ground and let out a breath I didn't realise I've been holding.

“I found out you went to New York because I sent my men around to every transit station or airport hoping to have a sighting of you. I was hoping, because your mom never kept anything with your name or picture, I had the upper hand to find you first. When I saw you hanging around Nicolas a few days ago, I had my men do a drive-by but also be careful not to hit you.” He says, meeting my eyes with his own.

“You knew it was me?” I ask in a shocked voice.

“Of course. You think I wouldn’t recognize my own daughter? I was only protecting you. I didn’t want them to get too close or it could risk your life.” He says affirmatively. I feel shocked knowing he took shots at me.

“If you let me, I can help you become a force to be reckoned with,” he says confidently before standing and walking to the railing again.

“We can rise stronger than before. You will be able to protect your friends with all the power you will have.” He says, turning around and looking at me.

“We can avenge your mother's death… together,” he says, sincerely. My thoughts go to my mother and how all she ever did was love me. The Caldeiro’s kept my dad from me and it’s their fault my mom is dead. I stand and walk over to my father and he smiles down at me. We walk out of the warehouse and get into a sleek black car. We drive for a while up into the hills before pulling up to a gate. A man comes out to roll it open.

We drive down the long driveway before coming to a stop next to stairs. My eyes follow them to find a huge old two-story white mansion at the top. I get out of the car and look around. There are trees surrounding the building and a fountain the stairs wrap around. I watch as the driver takes the car we arrived in down the driveway and pulls into a five-car garage.

“Come with me.” Sergio says happily with a foot on the first step. I smile and follow behind. We walk up the intimidating stairs. My legs grow tired as we near the top. He opens the big dark wooden door and I walk inside the foyer. It's gigantic. It has dark hardwood flooring that looks to lead into other rooms. There's stairs with the same hardwood flooring on either side of the room leading up to a second floor.

“This could be your home.” He says, turning to me. I feel bewildered. I’ve only ever lived in a modest one or two-story house. I never dreamed I’d live anywhere that looks like this.

“Feel free to look around. I’ll come find you later. I have some paperwork I need to look over in my office.” He says, walking up the stairs and disappearing behind a door. I walk into the living room. The far side of the room is full of windows letting in a lot of natural light. There's three white couches and sitting in the middle of them is a grey coffee table. There's a flatscreen TV mounted to the wall on my right. To my left, against the wall, is a bar cart. I walk through the room letting my fingers brush against the backrest of one of the couches and it feels like soft leather.

I walk out and find myself in the dining room and kitchen. It’s a large room and in the middle of it is a long kitchen island. From the ceiling there are metal lights hanging over the island. The appliances are dark silver, while the counters are white and the stools are dark wood. I continue to wander around looking around when I hear someone walking towards me. I turn to see Sergio.

“Do you like it?” He asks in a curious voice.

“From what I can see, yeah. It’s beautiful. A little more old-fashioned for my taste but nice.” I say smiling shyly.

“Come with me. Let's talk some more.” He says, walking back towards the sitting room. We sit opposite to each other on the leather couches. I start to fiddle with my fingers, feeling awkward being with my father after all these years of thinking he was dead.

“I think you should come stay with me.” He says flatly. My lips part as I take in a small gasp after being caught off guard. I look up to meet his eyes. After a moment, I close my mouth and try to calm my racing thoughts.

“...What?” I say in a shaky voice.

“You should stay here. Sooner or later, people will find out who you are and your life will be in danger.” He says, seeming genuinely worried. I look down again thinking about his words. My thoughts fall to Nico. He knows who I am and even though I want to believe him, can I really trust him? I ask myself.

“Unless… someone already knows.” He says in a suspecting tone, as if he can hear my thoughts. I start to nervously adjust as I feel his eyes dig into me.

“Who already knows about you?” He asks in a demanding voice. I slowly look up, meeting his eyes.

“Who is it?” He asks roughly.