VALENTINA’S POINT OF VIEW
The mansion looks quiet like it always does except now this quietness, this serenity is a bit concerning, this quietness is a bit too quiet, like no one lives here, like it has somehow been deserted but I could have sworn that this is Diego’s mansion, I could have sworn that this is the place I have been for the past five days, that I have been here with him and everyone else.
I looked over at Leanor, the woman who saved me from those thugs, we are now standing side by side trying to decide our next move. She was standing straight her hands behind her back in a very straight posture.
“I think we should go in.” I said as I moved the gate and found out that it is unlocked.
“That would be trespassing.” Leanor replied cautiously.
“Are you sure this is where he is? Are you sure your daughter is here?” She asked a little suspiciously.
“It’s not trespassing if he has my daughter.” I said answering her first question and completely ignoring the other two. I walked into the mansion. It was Completely empty. My heart started to beat a lot faster and faster the closer I walked to the door, what if he is somewhere lurking waiting for me to come closer? What if he is hiding somewhere with a rifle or something waiting to shot me? Hiding? That isn’t appropriate, I know Diego, I have known him for the longest time, he doesn’t hide, he is not a coward, he has never been.
Then where the hell is he?!
The door swung open as if pre-programmed, the main house looked un-occupied but there was a box right there on the doorstep, as if waiting for me.
It had an inscription on it. I was scared to pick it up, not after what Diego did to Lorenzo, I can not seem to overcome my phobia for enclosed boxes after seeing my boyfriend Lorenzo’s head in one.
‘This is for you Valentina. I knew you would come back.’ The inscription read. I picked up the box with shaky hands. It was light, too light. I was visibly trembling. What is in the box?
I opened up the lid and… oh a note.
I picked it up, the note was in his handwriting, his slim delicate cursive handwriting.
“You ran away forgetting that I don’t need you to exact my revenge. I have your daughter Ava and just like you ended my brother’s life, I would end hers, just like you destroyed my family I would destroy yours. I would give Ava a life that she would dread all the days of her life, a life of a caged prostitute and when the time is right I will turn her against you and she would be the puppet I shall use to end your life my dear Valentina. I hope you continue to live well until your day of reckoning comes.
The love of your life,
Diego Fernandez.”
“He has my daughter and he is not going to give her back.” I said with a shaky voice as the note slipped from my fingers.
My cheeks flooded with tears, my chest burnt with anger, resentment and pain. He has my daughter, I would never see her again, he is going to ruin her life, he is going to make her leave a life I never wanted for her, a life I had regretted living. All these phrases replayed in my head. I cried like a baby.
Leanor picked the note up from the ground, her face deepened into a frown.
“We would get your daughter back and as for this guy he would wish he never messed with you, I promise you Valentina. We would head back to the states tomorrow, we have work to do. You should stop crying now Valentina, the first key to obtaining great power is being completely emotionless even if you feel like your heart is about to be ripped out of your chest. I will train you in my own image, I will transform you from this pathetic wimp you are to someone stronger, someone this Diego guy will think twice about messing with.” Leanor said holding me in her arms, trying to console me.
“Who are you really?” I asked, something about this nice woman persona did not seem to fit. There is something more… something deeper, something a bit more sinister.
“I am Leanor Amaretto, the queen of the west coast cartel. You see my father Rodrigo Amaretto…”
“Wait…you…you are Rodrigo Amaretto’s daughter?” I gasped. As in the mafia king Amaretto…One of the most feared mafia kings of all times!
“You knew my father?” Leanor asked, she looked shocked. Why?
“Of course! Everyone knows your father.” I replied.
I have never seen Rodrigo Amaretto in my life but I know of the gruesome things he had done.
“Well my father died a month ago so I now have to take over from him, My enthronement is quite unexpected because it was my brother Mario who was supposed to take my father place but unfortunately he died in the same car accident as my father and now I have to take over without any form of training.” Leanor said looking a bit downcasted.
“I will help you. I don’t know much but I have suffered enough in the hands of mafia lords to know that I don’t want to be under their thumb anymore.” I said determined to punish Diego and take my daughter back.
I will make him pay for even insinuating that he would hurt my Ava. I am tired of being his puppet, his plaything from now on I would be Diego Fernandez’s greatest nightmare. He would crawl at my feet begging me to spare his life.
“We would get your daughter back, I promise.” Leanor said solemnly.
“We would make you the most feared mafia queen, I promise.” I replied. A promise I intend to keep.