Adopted – Episode 5

ADOPTED – Episode 5

© Happy William

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#NYCSS_HQ

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Emilio’s POV

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The receptionist was openly flirting. I could see that. And she was way older than me, maybe 26 or so. She was pretty though, I’ll give her that.

She made a slow seductive smile.

“Mrs William is busy now, but she’ll see you in a few minutes….” she let the statement drag, definitely suggesting a fling.

I burst her bubble.

“OK, I’ll wait.”

With a tight smile that spelled, ‘Not interested’, I walked and sat in the waiting lounge.

I took out my phone which had been in silence since yesterday, to find eleven missed calls.

Hmm.

I made to click on it, when the receptionist called out, “Mr Salvatore, Mrs William will see you now.”

Her tone was less friendly, and she now looked more angry than seductive.

She ushered me to an office and left without a word.

Told you I’ll burst her bubble.

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“Good morning, Mr….”

“Salvatore,” I filled in, taking her outstretched hand in a handshake; she had a strong grip.

“I’m Iness William, but just call me Iness.”

I nodded and sat in the seat she offered.

“OK,” she said and took her seat behind the desk, ”What can I do for you?”

“I’m here in respect to a case you’re currently working on, the ANNE case.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but you should talk to my partner, Jackie Crosby, she’s in charge …”

“I know, but I want to talk to you.”

Then she smiled suddenly.

“Does your parents know you’re here?”

Wait, was she insinuating that I was too young or…

“Pardon?”

She waved me off with her hand.

“That wasn’t funny, you know?”

“Yes, I just love making dry jokes,” she said and laughed at herself.

Yep, dry joke indeed.

But I had no time to waste.

“I’m a friend of Anne,” I said, and I wondered why I did. Anne and I were just mates. “And although she refuses to talk about it, I know she’s being maltreated. The other day, I found a hand imprint on her cheek, and she was evasive on the subject. She’s a hungry a lot, hassled most times…” I sighed.

Iness leaned closer. “I’ve been suspecting that for a time now. But I don’t have evidence.”

“And that’s what I’m here for. I’m proposing we work together. Anne doesn’t want to talk, but we could dig up info. The pointers are there, you just aren’t looking hard enough.”

“I know. So does she know about this, you being here?”

I chuckled and leaned back casually in the leather seat.

“She doesn’t, and won’t. I—I just want her to be free. Being in that helluva home is…burdening for her.”

The woman smiled. “Remind me who you were again?”

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On my way out, I saw the receptionist again, looking so down.

Just to make her feel better because I was in a promising mood, I winked at her and blew her a kiss.

All the other ladies swooned.

Females….

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#Two_Days_Later

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Iness William and I have been working tirelessly, trying to provide evidence against the Matthews.

And personally, I was planning for it to be a big case.

Those human devils were going to pay big time for all the pains they caused her.

This sudden need to protect her…to stand up for her was overwhelming.

Maybe I did like her.

I sighed as I leaned back o. my bed.

For two days now I haven’t seen Anna..Because I haven’t had the time to go to school. Instead, I always sent Festus to check on her for me.

I checked the watch on my wrist. It was almost noon. Festus should be back soon.

There was a knock on my door.

I got up and walked barefoot to open it.

Festus walked in.

“Buono pommerigio signore (Good afternoon sir).”

“Bene (well)?”

He smiled.

“As usual. Swell.”

“OK.”

Taking that as his cue to leave, he turned around, but paused.

“She asked of you. Twice.”

“And?”

He shrugged. “Busy.”

“OK.”

He shook his head at me in frustration while I shrugged and reached for my phone.

What, 52 missed calls.

Damn, it must have still been in silence.

I switched it to general, and clicked on the logs.

Prudence.

Portia, my mother. Strange, she never called me.

Sergio, my cousin. That one also didn’t really care. He was older than me by four years, and he’s 21.

Why was I getting so many calls from Italy?

“Look Festus, I’ve got a lot of calls from home.”

“Hmm, why?”

I shrugged a shoulder and tapped on Prudence.

It rang once, and she picked up immediately.

“Emilio… Emilio…” her voice was heavy, had she been crying?

“Prudence sois vi OK (are you okay)?”

“Nessuno (no)….oh Emilio…” she sobbed a little.

“It’s OK Prudence… calm down and tell me what happened.”

“Tuo padre…tuo padre (your father)..”

“Mio padre sta quello (my father is what)?” I asked, and I couldn’t help the strange feeling, something was wrong somewhere.

On hearing my tensed mood and the mention of my father, Festus stepped forward.

“Prudence ranccotare (tell me).”

“Tou padre è morto (your father is dead)!!!!” she cried out, and I didn’t know when the phone fell from my hand.

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The rest of the day was gloomy for me, ever since the news of my father’s death.

He was shot.

The life of a mafia don.

It was inevitable now, that I had to return to Italy. Because Sergio was planning an ugly takeover.

I had to be there for the reading of the proceedings.

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I spent the rest of the day in my study, clearing up stuff.

Anne’s case.

I put a call to Iness, and told her I wasn’t going to see the end. She promised that she’ll make sure it’s a success.

There wasn’t time to see Anne. Not that it was important.

Then, we took the earliest flight to Italy.

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Anne’s POV

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I’ve never thought I’ll be back here, at NYCSS.

But we were.

The previous three days had been hell for me, especially when I discovered that my case was reopened, and being worked on.

Iness and Jackie, they were so persuasive that I had finally opened up everything, especially when they showed me a recording from a camera which they had hidden somewhere at home.

Linda and Joseph were going to be prosecuted, but I refused it.

I didn’t want to go through another drama, now that the first was ended.

I still couldn’t believe it…I’m free.

I smiled at Iness and Jackie, and threw my arms around them one more time.

“Thanks so much!!” I said for the umpteenth time.

I decided to work as a junior staff in the SS, while dedicating my time to finding my parents.

But those three days of my greatest joy had a downside to it.

I haven’t seen Emilio, and even Festus stopped coming.

It really weighed me down, especially as he was the only one who had started the slow process of uncovering the real me.

I felt betrayed, but I kept going to school, checking class and the garage each day.

Hoping.

A week later.

I gave up.

He’s probably ‘dumped’ me; no note, nothing.

I guess I wasn’t worth his time.

That small feeling inside me that was blooming for him began to grow…..into hatred.

To be continued

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