Chapter 62

Angelo.

“Make sure you keep an eye on the warehouse. We can’t lose our guard down. I will handle Enzo soon. And put an end to everything. I’m trying to gather some information about his wife.”

“Okay, Sir. I will call you as soon as I get any news.” I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket. I glanced at the beauty salon that was a few miles away from me. The reason why I decided to come to New York with Alessia was because of Enzo. From the little information I got about him, I heard that Alessia’s real mother whom he was supposed to be married to knows almost half of his secret. She held a powerful weapon that he couldn’t control her even if he wanted to. She owns a convenience store and a beauty salon.

It was rumored that she was the reason why he was who he was now. She has some potential people barking her up. I had she doesn’t always appear in a public place. She’s a private person but powerful like Enzo.

I picked up the flowers from the seat and headed out of the car towards the beauty salon. “Hello.”

“Hello, Sir. How may I help you?” The receptionist asked in her professional tone.

“I’m here to meet your boss.”

“Have you booked an appointment with Mrs. Annabelle?”

I leaned over the counter. “How much do you need? Name your price.” Her eyes widened for a bit before she glanced over at the surroundings. “I—don’t.”

I fished out my phone from my pocket and forwarded it to the counter. “Your phone number and the amount you need. I will be yours. For tonight.” I ended with a wink. There was no way my charm wouldn’t work on her. And as expected, she pinned her hair behind her ear before picking up my phone and typing away.

“Here Sir. Her office is by your right. The second door. See you later then.”

A smile curved up my lips as I read what she wrote. “A night with you is worth any amount. I’m free by 11 pm.” I shook my head and cleared the text before heading to the door.

I fisted my knuckle on the door and awaited a response. “Come in.” Came a mature female voice. I adjusted my tie before pushing the door and stepping inside.

I won’t say the office excludes luxury but the aura of the room wasn’t ordinary. Seated in front of a big screen was a woman who by all means looked very serious. One look at her face and I see the resemblance. Indeed, blood is thicker than water. The woman looked at me with questionable eyes. “Who are you?”

“Sorry for coming here unannounced. I didn’t know one had to book an appointment before seeing you.” I lied with a fake smile.

“Kate let you in?”

“Yes, Mrs. Annabelle. I will get straight to the point. My name is Angelo Santoro.” Her eyes lingered on me for some time before she broke eye contact and gestured to the door.

She was about to pick up her phone when I stopped her. “I’m fine,” I said. I know for a fact that if she calls the receptionist she’d ask her question. And I’m not ready to put her in a tight spot. Even though I had already.

The woman moved the desktop away a bit the way view to look at me would be better. “Mr. Angelo, how may I help you? So far I know I run a ladies' beauty salon.”

“It doesn’t matter. I might be here to book a session for my girlfriend or wife.” I ushered with a smile.

“I’m sure the receptionist would have explained things to you.”

“Okay, I’m here because I have some questions to ask you. I’ve heard a lot about you. And I’m not talking about the things you possessed. Like this beauty salon or your convenience. I’m here for something much more concrete.”

“And what could that be?”

“Enzo Jerrico,” I mentioned the name. Even in her glasses, I could see how alarmed she was at the mention of his name.

“How did you know him?” I was piqued at how calmly she spoke.

I leaned over the desk intertwining my hands. “I don’t think that is what you should be concerned about. The best question to ask is why did I mention him to you.”

Her silence made me continue. “Enzo, the man you were supposed to get married to but he betrayed you and took everything away from you. Leaving you with a two-month-old pregnancy.”

“What?” She removed her glasses and dropped them beside her. “Who are you?”

“I’m a straightforward person. So I will tell you the real reason why I’m here. Your daughter whom you abandoned after giving birth to her. Alessia.”

“H-ow—how did you get this information?”

“Because I know everything. Enzo Jerrico had committed a crime. He’s involved in the death of my father and little sister. I was hunting him down all these while and that was how I came to know that he had a daughter. And that same daughter was living with me. Right now, we’re here in her fake parents' house.”

What I didn’t expect from her was what she did. She chuckled. “And what does that have to do with me? Enzo and I have no business together.”

“And your daughter too?”

I saw her gulp down her saliva. “I have already cut ties with her.”

“But she’s still yours. You still love her. You know, a few days ago, Alessia found out about him. She knows that her parents are not her real parents. What do you think will happen if she finds out how well her mother was living in the same city? Without bothering about her.”

Something flickered in her eyes and she was quick in masking it up. “Listen, Mr. Angelo, I don’t know why you’re here telling me all this. But I don’t want to go back to my past life. It was a life I dreaded so much. Enzo has once destroyed my life. I still hate him for that. But I don’t want to get involved with him or anyone associated with him.”

With my eyes fixed on her, I rested my back down. Exactly what I wanted to hear from her. To hear that she still hates him. “I know if you would have the chance to change your past life, you’d definitely go for it. We both know who Enzo Jerrico is. I know how he took everything away from you. Living you with nothing. You had to climb up all on your own. But don’t you think it’s unfair to blame your daughter for what she didn’t do?”

“Just because I abandoned my daughter doesn’t mean I don’t love her. I have been keeping an eye on her. Secretly helping her life. She doesn’t have to know. No one has to know.” My brows creased in curiosity.”

“What do you mean by secretly helping her?”

A smile resonated from her. “Using my power to put in good words so she could get hired. Asking for a favor from my colleague whom she worked with to give her an all-expenses paid trip to Italy. And much more.” It was a surprising news to process.

“I love my daughter but I am only trying to protect her from the dangerous world. How did she end up with you?”

“Things happened. But she’s safe with me. I just needed to keep her safe more. Which is why I’m here.”

It was her turn to lean forward. “Meaning?”

“I want us to work together and bring Enzo down. He needs to pay for his crime. But for that to happen, you have to come clean.” She lifted a brow making me to continue. “You have to meet your daughter. Alessia.”