THEO'S REDEMPTION

Chapter 19

Did you know? Theo abrupt question startled Armando.

What?

That Amelia had an accident and lost our baby?

Armando's silence spokes volume.

"You son of a bitch! Theo roared and punched Armando right into the face.

He didn't dodge because his boss has every right to be angry and he know it was his fault for hiding the truth from him.

I told you to report everything about Amelia, I trusted you to be my eyes on her. Why you haven't told me about this? You concealed the most important thing that happened to her, why?

Armando is quietly listening from Theo's angry tirade.

"I'm sorry Boss, I only know that she had an accident. I didn't know she had a miscarriage. I really wanted to tell you about what happened. But you know during that time the transition of your leadership as the head of your Grandfather's Mafia is full of danger. You need to be focused and not to be distracted. That's why I concealed to you about what happened to Ms. Sinclaire. I thought after I learned that she was out of danger, then you don't have  to know about it anymore.

"That's not for you to decide when it concerns to Amelia. I trusted you, and yet you choosed not to divulge the fact that I almost lost my Ames and lost our baby. "Do you know what I felt when I learned about it? I felt like a useless cad who couldn't even protect the woman he promised to love with his whole life. And the worst part is, knowing we both lost something that is precious and that I haven't there for her when she needed me the most.

Theo is struggling to compose himself. He looked at Armando pain visible in his eyes. Although Amelia told him that he wasn't the one to blame and she already forgave him, but deep in his heart he felt responsible.

Armando is feeling worse right now seeing his boss and bestfriend experienced the same unimaginable pain like he was in the past. What happened to his family almost crumbled him. Right now Theo had the same look like he was "on the verge of breaking". As he had promised  he would devote himself to help Theo survive all these and look out for him. He was not only his boss but also a family to him. He owed him his life and loyalty, therefore his willing to trade his life for him. " I'm sorry boss, what I did is unforgivable and I would accept any punishment. I neglect my duty to informed you about what happened to Ms. Sinclaire. Therefore, I am willing to subject myself in any form of torture if you decided that I was being underhanded in hiding the most important facts to you.

All mafia members understand the rules of insubordination. Anyone will be subjected into punishment depends on how heavy your crime or fault is. Theo as the head, he was the one who decide what kind of punishment should be impose, and no one is exempted because they have the code of Omerta.

Theo sighed, it's inevitable that he would punish Armando as direlection of his duty. As anybody who would commit mistakes. To avoid conflict of other members who did the same, not because Armando is his right handman as well as bestfriend that he would be tolerant of him.  "No", he would never do that, as their leader he would set an example that no one is above and recieved any special treatment from him, regardless of his close relationship on them. Theo has loyal men whose willing to sacrifice themselves on him, who would never betray him in a moment of weakness. They already proven their loyalty on him in years he had became their leader. Reward and punishment goes hand in hand in his time of leadership. Brutal punishment would be impose depending on your crime. When you are in mafia you have to be cruel but also fair in judgement, that's why Theo is well respected in all of his men. Looking back at Armando who is silently waiting for his decision, he mull the idea of giving him a chance to redeem himself. He decided to give him the task that plague his mind eversince he learned of Amelia's accident.

"You know what you did is wrong, but I shared the blame. I won't absolve you in your fault and you know the consequences in taking that decision from me. After taking your punishment, I want you to do something from me. You're the only one I could trust on this, and hope you won't disappoint me again this time.

Armando is only eager to regain Theo's trust, he would do anything to make up for the wrong he did.  He waited patiently for his boss to tell him exactly what is he wanted him to do.

I want you to investigate the details of Amelia's accident. I have a doubt that it was not really an accident, it's more than that. I have a hunched that it was related to me and my enemies targeted Amelia because they know of my relationship with her, instead they choose her because she is vulnerable at that time.

Armando always believed in Theo's intuition. They were always saved in the past because of his accurate observation. If his boss thought that there's more to it, then he will do his best to dig the truth behind Ms. Sinclaire's accident.

I need those information as soon as possible, I wouldn't rest until I know the truth. I was helpless before my family was being murdered, and now it involves Amelia and our baby. "Do you know how miserable I felt? Theo banged his hand in the table. I don't want to repeat the same mistake, that I wasn't able to protect my loved ones and my enemies had the opportunity to hurt the people I cared.

Armando watch Theo with absolute determination to help him extract revenge against his enemies," even if it's meant death".