Chapter One - When the past calls

Regina "And done" Nathaniel's voice rang through the speaker of the small conference room. I shook my head and resisted the urge to facepalm but when I heard the snigger from Abby, I lost it breaking into a loud laugh. "Let's stop here for today" I said to the rest of the staff. There are squeals of excitement from them and they gather their things to leave. Abby stayed behind and Nathaniel walked back inside. "There are other ways to announce the end of the meeting" I said pointedly and Nat just shrugged without a care in the world. "I am aware, but I couldn't care less. You were taking forever. It's Friday evening" "Remind me who the boss is again" That shut him up and I turn to Abby. "I know the both of you have plans to party hard since it's the weekend, but for the love of God, there's a delivery that needs to be handled tomorrow so the workers can continue. You both know how important it is to get this job done before the deadline and hence we must keep to the schedule" "We understand boss lady" Nat responded, grabbing the books and papers before me. "Will you be joining us tonight?" I shook my head. "Unfortunately not. I am going home" "You have a thing against clubs, you need to live more" Nathaniel mumbled and I simply laughed. I had nothing against clubs, they used to be my favorite place to be at a certain point in my life but others who lived outside the made families had no ideas what went down in clubs. The risk it posed was too great to ignore. I knew things.... perhaps too much and that's why I hardly ever went there. "Be safe and watch your drinks" I said and stood up heading towards the door. "You say that all the time. Come on, nothing has ever gone wrong. We have never been drugged and we go to the club almost every week" "Bold of you to assume that is the only way you can be drugged" "What do you mean?" Nat pressed but I had no desire to explain further. "Have a splendid night Nat" I grabbed my bag from my office and started to head home. "Boss" I stopped at the sound of Abby's voice. "The order file for our client isn't on your desk" "Damn" I muttered, instantly remembering that I had taken it home with me but some how forgot it on my nightstand. "It's at my house. I'll stop by tomorrow morning and drop it off" she shook her head. "I need it to conclude the order quantity and check out what we've supplied. It can't be tomorrow" I groaned, frustrated. "I can go home with you, get it and take a cab back to the office" "I don't want to bother you Abby. I'll just go home and get it" "It's faster if I come with you, and stop worrying about stressing me. You are the best boss. Let's go" she winked at me. "Okay" I walked out the building with Abby by my side and Nat trailed behind us, looking through his phone, probably checking with his friends for their night hangout. I felt jealous. I wish my life had gone a little bit differently, I wouldn't be so worried about going to a freaking club. I was very close to my car when my phone vibrated, I reached into my bad searching until I located it, pulling it out. I read the name of the caller and my brows pulled together in a frown. "Are you going to pick up?" Abby's voice cut through my shock and I glanced at her. "Your phone" "Y-yes" I shake my head to clear the confusion. My phone had stopped ringing and I stared at the name in red fonts. It was definitely an accident. It's been five years, no one had tried to reach out to me. Just an accident, as I blew out the breath I was holding in, my phone rang again. It's not a mistake, my heart was beating wildly in my chest. Enzo would never make the same mistake twice. "I....I need to take this call" I said in a small shaky voice and I move away from them. Swiping right in my phone, the call connect and I lift it to my ear. "Brother?" "Come home" Two simple words and the line goes dead. Dread filled me. Why did he need me home? What could have happened? I didn't see anything on the news, so why? I clutched my phone tightly in my hands. "Boss" I took slow steps towards them. "umm.. I need to go home" I said my eyes still focused on my phone. "Yes. We are going back together" Abby responded. "No" not that home. The home I never talk about, the home that I had left five years ago and never looked back. I still remember it clearly. One of the few times I had been bold enough to stand up to them. I remember the cold looks and the single nod of acceptance from my father. I had been granted my freedom but at a price and my biggest fear was that the time to pay the price of the freedom I enjoyed had come. "Nat you have my key. What Abby needs is on the nightstand in my room. I'll see you guys tomorrow" I said and get into my car and drive away without giving them any explanation. Everything is a blur as I drive. Inside my head, a battle race but I didn't win anyway. My phone vibrated again, I glanced at my screen, Bianca. I couldn't speak to her right now, it'll be completely useless. I drive until I'm on the familiar route to the Costano family, in a secluded private owned estate just like any mafia family. The guards stop me at the entrance and I roll the windows down. "Miss Regina" the guard smiled at me. "We were informed of your arrival" I nodded without uttering a word and the gates opened. I drive through the estate until I parked my car in the driveway for the main mansion. A guard collects my keys and I proceeded to the front door. The doorman bowed and opened the door for me. The butler is the next person I see and he started walking, I followed him until we arrive at the grand sitting room. Tension flows through my body as I find everyone sitting and waiting but my eyes found one person. Don Costano, my father.