Chapter 88 - The Private Investigator
Mr. Michelini had an important meeting at his company, and the time to pick up his daughter Alexia was quickly approaching. He didn’t want to keep her waiting too long, so despite his reservations, he decided to ask Mateo to go for her. Although he didn’t like interrupting his university routine, he knew he had to rely on him since Thomas was also busy delivering packages to the offices of other companies.
Mateo, always willing to help, accepted with a smile. He liked to please Mr. Michelini, although the real reason for his enthusiasm was being near Alexia. With a bouquet of roses in hand, he arrived at the meeting point. When Alexia saw him, her eyes sparkled in a way that made the young man smile, his heart racing. After a warm, affectionate hug, she, with her usual energy, asked him to accompany her to a place before returning to the mansion. Without hesitation, they found themselves walking through the shopping center.
They rode the electric attractions, and like old times, they began to laugh and enjoy as if the outside world didn’t exist. First, they got into the bumper cars. Alexia, with her extroverted nature, gave Mateo such a strong hit that, laughing, he quickly got off.
—Hey, no, Alexia! You haven’t changed when it comes to bumper cars, you’re still as rough as when you were a kid —said Mateo, rubbing his neck while trying to catch his breath.
—Sorry, Mateo. Let’s ride the roller coaster instead —she replied, with a mischievous smile on her lips, enjoying the lighthearted and fun atmosphere.
—No, Alexia, I’m still scared. Remember that time I got stuck and almost had to have my legs cut off? It was nearly two hours of such big anxiety —Mateo answered, slightly blushing as he recalled the uncomfortable experience.
—Mateo, you’re exaggerating. It didn’t even take ten minutes to get you out of there, stop being a coward and get on with me —insisted Alexia, taking his hand and almost dragging him toward the roller coaster. Though at first, the young man showed resistance, soon he found himself caught up in the excitement of the moment. After overcoming his initial fear, the adrenaline rush made him laugh with Alexia, and they decided to ride it three times in a row. The connection between them seemed to grow with each round they took, as if the rest of the world faded away.
After the roller coaster, Mateo took Alexia to play the shooting game, and after several failed attempts, he finally won the teddy bear she had been wanting. Alexia looked at him with a mix of awe and happiness, and seeing her illuminated face, he couldn’t help but feel satisfied. The afternoon passed with laughter, hamburgers with soda, fries, and the cotton candy and popcorn cravings they rarely indulged in. They were used to a healthier diet, but that day they allowed themselves a small slip, enjoying the moment as if it were a break from everyday worries.
But like all good things, the afternoon came to an end. Mateo, seeing the time on his watch, remembered that Mr. Michelini might start worrying about not finding his daughter at home. They decided to head back, and on the way, they began to plan their meeting to investigate Mrs. Ana Lucía’s past, a topic that had been troubling them.
Before Mateo could stop at the mansion entrance, Alexia, feeling an impulse, leaned toward him to say goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. But as she tried to do so, Mateo, almost instinctively, turned his head, causing their lips to briefly touch. A fleeting moment, but full of tension that Alexia tried to ignore as she got out of the car with a nervous, slight smile. It was then that she saw Thomas standing right in front of them. The young woman, embarrassed, greeted him, avoiding any further eye contact, and hurried into the mansion.
—Son, seems like you had a great time with my boss's daughter, huh? —commented Thomas, with a smile on his lips, which didn’t fully hide a hint of curiosity.
—Yeah, Dad, we went to the mall, and I overcame my fear. I got on the roller coaster —Mateo answered, trying to divert attention to something trivial, although he felt a knot in his stomach.
—I’m glad, son, but I wasn’t referring to that. When will the day come when you’re honest with me? —Thomas said, his look a little more serious now, letting out a small warning in his tone. Mateo, uncomfortable, didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he placed a hand on his father’s shoulder and guided him toward the house, avoiding the topic with a gesture that showed avoidance.
Meanwhile, when Alexia entered the mansion, she felt surrounded by affection. Her father, with a beaming smile, ran to meet her. With surprising strength, he lifted her like when she was a child and spun her in the air, filling her with joy. Analú also hugged her warmly and expressed how happy she was to have her back at home.
—I’m glad you’re home, Alexia. That way, your father won’t concentrate all his gifts just on me —joked Analú, with a mischievous smile, while Alexia crossed her arms with a playful expression.
—Ha, ha, ha... Did you give my dad a lot of work? You can’t take my place, Analú —replied Alexia, also laughing, although a part of her felt the need to regain her father’s attention.
The next day, Mateo waited for Alexia in the mansion’s living room to begin their search. Mr. Michelini had left early for his company, and Analú was getting ready to go to university. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the two young people settled in the businessman’s office, each with their laptop, and began looking through the yellow pages for private investigators. They knew they needed help to solve the mystery behind Ana Lucía, a person who seemed to be much more connected to their lives than they had imagined.
After a meticulous search, they found the profile of Gastón Edgardo Zamorano, a private investigator with over 20 years of experience. They decided to contact him, and soon they met with him at a nearby café. The man, with a steady and professional gaze, extended his hand.
—Nice to meet you, my name is Gastón Edgardo Zamorano, private investigator. My method of work has been effective for a long time, and I’ve never had issues. Let me explain how it works: I will conduct the investigation within the agreed time, but during that time, neither you nor I will communicate. Once you provide me with all the necessary information, I’ll only show you the results when the agreed period is over. You’ll decide whether to accept the work or not.
Alexia, though surprised by the strict method, nodded quickly.
—I like what you’re saying. What’s the payment method? —she asked, showing her willingness to move forward with the investigation.
—My work is guaranteed. I only ask for a 10% advance. The rest will be paid once you receive the reports I promise to deliver —explained Gastón, with a confident voice.
—Alright, Mr. Gastón. We brought half the money you charged, but here’s the 10% advance. Also, here’s the name and details of the person to investigate, along with the three-month deadline for completing the investigation —said Mateo, handing over the money and information.
Gastón accepted the sum with a smile and, before leaving, offered one last observation.
—It’s been a pleasure dealing with you, young ones. I hope your relationship lasts a long time. It’s clear the great love you share. Excuse me.
When Gastón left, Alexia and Mateo stayed at the café, discussing how peculiar the investigator had been. But as they did so, a feeling of anxiety began to settle in both of them, knowing that their search was just beginning. They decided to return to the mansion, ready to face the future and discover the secrets hidden behind Ana Lucía’s past.