C8 The Manor

Daniel:

I walked out of the room and made my way to the living room and I couldn't help but think about this Frankie guy. Maria had said he was her best friend.

He is my best friend Frankie I mimicked. Why would she have a boy as her best friend in the first place? Or is it just a lie she's telling me for me not to know she has another man in her life? He was so protective of her that he couldn't even trust me with her.

I remembered last night vividly, I had never beaten up a man before because of her. Why do I care so much for Maria that I didn't even recognize myself last night? I had mixed feelings as I saw Maria in pain and harrassed. All I felt was rage when I saw that man hit her. It opened up memories I didn't want to reminisce about again in my life.

Maybe that was why the so-called Frankie couldn't trust me with her. I had wanted to express all my anger and displease towards her when she finally woke up, but as I met her crying I couldn't bring myself to do it. Perhaps I felt weak because I pitied her and she was the only woman who had stayed this long with me.

And with the mark on her face, my anger boiled but surprisingly not toward her. I sat on the couch as my thoughts were still so clouded by Maria that I didn't even hear my phone ring. I reluctantly pulled up my phone to see the caller and it was Vance, my old-time partner. “Talk to me,” I said.

“Good day, Sir. Sir, We are done with him, I think he has learned his lesson already. Should we dispose of him tonight?” He replied over the phone.

I placed my hands on my chin. “No, not yet. Let him take a little more so in his next life he won't dare hit a woman again, not for anything in this world.” I ordered.

“Okay, boss.”

“Yes and hold on, give me all the information you have on Maria Falcone. All about her life, and also check the system of where she went after I dropped her off by the road.” I instructed.

“Noted boss, We meet at our usual?” He asked.

“Yes, We meet at our usual spot.” I agreed and ended the call.

I made my way to the driveway and hopped in my car, in no time I was already at my destination. I stepped out of my car and stood in front of an abandoned Manor. The Manor I grew up in with my mother. Though no one lived here anymore, it was still neat and well-kept. I made sure of that every single day.

The building was one thing I still had possession over and each time I wanted to have time to myself I got a sense of peace in the premises. I walked towards a secluded part of the manor, where I did most of my business and plans.

No one knew about that place except for Vance and me. I quietly opened the old doors and it gave a loud sound. Before I knew it there was a gun pointing straight at my face. Just in one second I counterattacked and pointed the gun back.

“Hmmm, still as sharp as a blade. You never miss not even once boss.” He said.

“The plan is to live and not survive Vance,” I replied making my way into the room. “The things I requested?” I asked as I comfortably sat down.

“Not even a hug Boss. I thought now you’re married you’ll loosen up a little bit. Don't tell me you still possess this attitude towards the Lady?” He said as he loosened the tight necktie and folded his shirt.

“A hug? Look who's talking? You literally pointed a gun at my face. Was it supposed to be a wedding gift?” I inquired, raising my brows to understand him.

Vance walked up to me with a serious face and handed me a tab. “Boss the girl has had a pretty rough life.” He said and stood beside me.

I read through all the information and sighed. So she went to her father’s place last night. That explains the mark on her face.

“Boss, with what we gathered we discovered her mother is suffering from a disease, and words on the street say she got married to you because of a deal she struck with her father, Matthew Falcone.” He revealed.

“Deal. At the wedding, her sister said there was a deal. I think I am the deal.” I thought.

“Yes, boss, I think Maria Falcone only got married to you to be able to save her mother,” Vance said as if he read my mind. “That's crazy if you ask me. I thought they were a big happy family.” He added.

“Apparently Vance, not all families are yours. Most times you just have to choose your own. So, did you get any information about the mother?” I inquired.

Vance, who had been standing since I arrived, pulled a chair and sat down beside me. “Boss, the bills are still not sorted out. That explains why she had gone to her father’s place. Her mother is still not undergoing specific treatment. From what I heard I don't think she's going to make it.”

“Hmm, I see. Sometimes life happens. With that aside, how are things going?” I asked, completely dismissing the conversation.

Vance's face turned into a frown when he got the memo that I wasn't interested in the conversation anymore. I had more pressing issues, I needed to achieve my aim, and I didn't want to be cut up in any family web. I have gotten my fair share of that already.

“Everything has been going according to plan, but your Uncle is still one step ahead of us. The information about your marriage reached him. He took it like it was all child’s play, which makes it a perfect alibi for what's coming.” He explained.

I nodded my head and smiled. “ Perfect,” I said. “You've outdone yourself again.”

Vance and I had known each other for years since we were in Middle school and we hadn't been apart since then. He was someone I could trust with all the information I needed and getting jobs done.

“Yes sir.” He replied with a smile. “I would love to meet your wife one day.” He added out of the blues.

I slowly looked at Vance giving him a side-eye stare. “Don't get your hopes up or get too attached. You and I know she won't be filling that position for long, don't get used to it.” I reminded him.

Vance mumbled for a minute but later composed himself. Sometimes Vance shows his displeasure whenever he gets a denial from me. “If you say so. I should also remind you that we will be hitting the El Salvador store in the evening.” He said.

El Salvador is one of the dirtiest men in the top market. He does the bidding and sells really anything expensive to the top men in society. He's one of the people who control the black market and also carries information about the top men.

I stood up from my chair and headed to the exit. “Great, keep me posted,” I said, stopping in my tracks, I turned to face Vance. “And also, keep an eye on Maria Falcone,” I said, not waiting for Vance’s reply.

I decided to enter the main building of the Manor to inspect if everything was still in check the way I remembered it to be. As I turned the doorknob, memories of my mother echoed in my mind. She was a very sweet soul and it pained me to know she was taken away from me.

I approached the hall and there was a big beautiful portrait painting of the Queen of my heart, my mother hanging on the wall. I stood there examining the picture for a moment and just then I heard the sound of a car engine. Vance was already leaving the Manor as I stood behind the window, watching him exist.

Tracing the wall of my childhood home brought in memories of both good times and bad times. I pictured the smile of my mother and her loving presence. She was a long-lasting figure in my life. Her pictures hung beautifully around the house like it was an art gallery.

Gently placing my head on a pillow on the couch, I swiftly fell asleep staring at my mother’s pictures. I didn't realize how much time had passed since I was asleep, I hadn't slept as peacefully as I did in a very long time.

I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing non-stop. Who the heck is disturbing my sleep I thought. I picked up the call without even looking at the caller. “WHAT!” I yelled.

As I picked up the call I immediately recognized the voice, it was Vance. Was it evening already? I thought. I checked the time and it was already six in the evening and it was already getting pretty dark.

“Boss, Sir we just got to the El Salvador store and you won't believe who I just saw entering El Salvador Territory,” Vance said in a panic.

“Who’s that?” I asked coldly.

There was a bit of silence and I was already losing my patience. “Boss, you really have to come see for yourself.”

“Vance, who the heck is that?!” I yelled over the phone.

“Boss, it’s your wife. Your wife, Maria.”