Chapter 98

Chapter 98
The car drove to a restaurant nestled amidst trees.
The luxuriant green leaves on the trees surrounding the area sway gently with the breeze, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. 
The road leading to the restaurant was decorated with fallen leaves and petals, creating a picturesque view for anyone entering the area. 
The car came to a stop, and a bodyguard opened the door for Martina. She stepped out and waited patiently for the Old Master to join her.
He emerged from the car and walked over to her side, and with a commanding voice, he uttered,
"Let's go," he said, gesturing towards the entrance, and the two of them walked into the restaurant, followed by bodyguards.
As they stepped into the restaurant, a well-dressed manager greeted them with a warm smile and led them to their private dining room.
They both settled down; the manager approached them and kindly asked, 
"Madam, please, what can I get you before your orders?"
Martina flashed a friendly smile and replied, 
"Just a glass of water will suffice."
The manager then turned to the Old Master and asked, 
"And you, sir?" to which he responded in a calm tone, 
"Water is fine."
The manager smiled and excused herself, leaving them alone. After the manager left, Martina wasted no time in getting straight to the topic.
With a sharp look in her eyes, she asked,
"What is it you want to talk about?"
The old master heaved a heavy sigh before beginning to speak. 
"You and I started on the wrong foot, and I want to make amends regarding my past mistakes with your parents."
Martina's face contorted in anger at his words; her anger was palpable as she replied in an angrier but calm voice. 
"You've got to be kidding me. Whatever amends you're talking about, will it bring my parents back? If not, then there is nothing you can do to redeem yourself."
The old master Collins let out another deep sigh and said,
"Back then, I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was fulfilling my sworn brother's dying wish."
Martina remained firm and unyielding. 
"That still doesn't change anything," she said, her voice resolute, her eyes fixed on him.
Old Master Collins leaned forward, his eyes on hers as he replied, 
"It does, if your dad was the one who put him there."
Martina furrowed her brows and asked, 
"What are you talking about?"
Old Master Collins leaned back and took a deep breath before continuing in a calm tone. 
"Fausto's dad went to confront your father about Fausto being the rightful person to succeed the capo position instead of his nephew Antonio. But your father said since Antonio's father was the capo at that time, he wanted Antonio to succeed his father."
Their conversation was interrupted by the door opening, and the manager entered with a warm smile on her face, carrying a tray of glasses filled with water, which she placed on the table in front of them. 
"Please, are you ready to order your meals?" she asked politely.
But Martina shook her head and said, 
"I'm okay with the water."
The manager turned to the old master, but he made a hand gesture, dismissing her. She bowed respectfully and left the two of them to continue their conversation.
The old master began his story. 
"Let me tell you a tale that happened long ago. It is a story of love, jealousy, betrayal, and revenge."
Martina listened intently as the old master continued.
"When Fausto learned about your engagement to his cousin, he was deeply hurt because he believed he was the one who was meant to be with you. In his anguish, he went to your school and took you away with him, hoping to win your heart somehow. However, his actions only led to chaos and violence."
The old master paused for a moment to take a sip of water before continuing.
"When your father found out that you were taken away from school for hours by Fausto, he was furious. He immediately went to Fausto's house and killed Fausto's father and men in a fit of rage. Luckily, Fausto was not at home because he had gone to get you something at the mall."
Martina felt a mixture of shock and confusion. She couldn't believe that her father had resorted to such violence, but she also couldn't help but remember the time Fausto had come to her school to take her to his home. 
She remembers following Fausto then because he looked a lot like Antonio but was taller.
The old master could see the turmoil on Martina's face and continued his story.
"On that fateful day, I had gone to the mansion to visit my brother after a meeting in the country. But when I arrived, I was met with my brother's men lying in a puddle of blood outside. I hurried to the house and saw my brother lying on the ground with blood coming out of his chest. At first, I thought he was dead, but he was still breathing. After hitting him a little, he opened his eyes and told me through struggles what had happened. He wanted me to avenge him before he passed away in my arms."
Martina sat in stunned silence, trying to process the gravity of the situation. She was stunned by the tragic events that had unfolded and couldn't imagine the pain and suffering that everyone involved must have gone through. 
The old master's words painted a vivid picture of a world she had never known, full of passion, misunderstanding, betrayal, and violence.
She couldn't help but wonder how her father could have been capable of such brutality, but the memory of Fausto coming to take her from school was too vivid to ignore.
The old master's words had the ring of truth, and she knew that she had to face the reality of her family's past. 
"But still, your attack on my defenseless father was uncalled for. You could have confronted him directly." Martina said, expressing her disappointment.
The old master nodded and admitted, 
"I know that attacking him from behind was not the right thing to do. However, at that time, my only focus was to seek revenge. I didn't care about killing you or anyone else in the process, even when Fausto asked me not to harm you."
He continued,
"After I found out that you had survived, I searched for you. My intention was to make you stay with Fausto so that you wouldn't grow up seeking revenge. Also, I saw how Fausto changed from the sweet and kind young man he was when he thought you were dead. But as time went by, he overcame his obsession for you. He became a totally different person."
The old master explained, "So when I saw you at the hospital, I assumed you had come back to seek revenge. That's why I wanted to get you out of the way. I also didn't want Fausto to meet you first to prevent him from suffering any further emotional turmoil.” 
Martina, with a hurt expression on her face, spoke as she recalled the day Fausto and Valerie abducted her kids.
"I guess he forgot about me, since he was able to abduct my kids and watch me go through pain.”
The old master, with a calm and composed demeanor, replied, 
"I don't have any explanation for his actions, but sadly I can't get it now, since his action cost him his life this time."
Martina, with a puzzled look on her face, asked,
“What do you mean?" 
"Trey didn't tell you?" the old master asked.
"About what?"
The old master took a deep breath and said,
"Trey killed Fausto for abducting the kids and hurting you."
Martina was taken aback by the news and said, 
"He didn't tell me."
She felt hurt and wondered how Trey could hide something like that from her. The old master then asked, 
"If that is the case, it means he hasn't told you about his wounds?"
Martina furrowed her brows in confusion but didn't utter a word.
"Trey sustained two bullet wounds on his back, and I also found out he didn't go to the hospital. Diego was the one to help take the bullet out," the old master said.
He paused for a moment as he realized they weren't speaking about the reason why he brought her to have a conversation.
"Miss Castillo, about our conversation, I want you to talk to Trey on my behalf. He will listen to you; let him know my reason for what I did."
Martina's expression was one of disbelief as she asked, 
"Why would I do that?" The old master looked at her with a solemn face and replied, 
"Because I'm going to turn myself in to the police." His expression was stoic and unwavering. 
Martina's eyes widened at the unexpected response, but she shook her head incredulously. 
"You expect me to believe that? Go to the police, then I might consider," she said, rising from her chair. "I think we are finished here."
The old master let out a deep sigh and got up with the help of his walking stick. 
"I said I will take you back to your car. Please let me do that," he said in a gentle tone.
Martina nodded curtly, still processing everything that had just happened, and made her way towards the door.
Why would Trey keep so much from her?