A Mafia's Obsession

CHAPTER 23

I woke up to the sound of gunfire. It was coming from somewhere outside. I checked my phone and saw it was 8 am.  I covered my ears when another volley of shots rang out, but then the firing stopped. I cautiously lifted my head, listening for any further sounds.

I went outside and saw an abandoned building.  I walked inside, unsure if the fighting was over, since I couldn't hear any more gunshots.

As I stepped inside, I gasped and covered my mouth. The floor was littered with bodies, many of them covered in blood. But I couldn't focus on the carnage. My heart was pounding in my chest, my mind racing, trying to piece together what had happened. I needed to find my son, Francisco, and Mateo.

I saw a staircase and climbed up, even though there was a body lying on the steps. I didn't know how many floors there were. I was about to continue climbing when I heard a shout, Mateo's voice.

"GIVE ME BACK MY SON, CHATALINA!" he roared, his voice like thunder. I heard Chatalina's laughter in response. I tried to pinpoint where the voices were coming from, following the sound.

"Come on, Mateo. We wouldn't be in this mess if you'd chosen me. Alam mong gusto kita, but you chose that cheap girl," Chatalina hissed, her voice laced with venom.

"You know I don't like you. That's why I didn't choose you. Now give me back my son, or else," Mateo said, his voice low and dangerous.  As I entered the last room of the building, I saw a gaping hole in the wall. Francisco lay on the floor, unconscious. Chatalina stood over him, holding my son.

Mateo stood facing her, a gun pointed at her chest. His other hand was on his side, where he'd clearly been shot.

"M-Mommy," I heard Kyle say, his voice small and scared. Both Mateo and Chatalina turned to look at me.

Chatalina smirked at me. "What a sweet family reunion," Chatalina said, a cruel smile twisting her lips. I stood up, my legs shaking, and walked towards Mateo, who was focused entirely on me.

"What are you doing here?" Mateo asked, his voice low and strained. I just rolled my eyes at him.

I glared at him. "Wala kang pakialam. My son is in danger," I said, my voice sharp and cold, my gaze fixed on Chatalina.

"Our child," he hissed, his voice tight with a mixture of anger and desperation. I ignored him, my focus solely on Chatalina.

"Please, Chatalina," I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Give me my son back. I'll do anything you want. Just give him back to me."  I heard her cruel laughter.

"Anything?" she asked, her voice dripping with malice. I nodded frantically.

"Anything. Just give my son back to me, please," I said, my voice barely a whisper.  Mateo grabbed my arm, and I turned to face him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Mateo snapped, his gaze intense and accusatory. I pulled my arm away and turned back to Chatalina, who seemed to be enjoying the situation.

"Hmm, you will give me everything I want, right?" she purred, her voice laced with amusement. I nodded, desperate to get my son back.

"Anything?" Chatalina laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that sent shivers down my spine. Then, she suddenly lowered Kyle, her hand dropping him to the floor. Mateo and I both moved to reach him, but she raised her gun, pointing it directly at us.

Her eyes narrowed, fixed on me. "Don't move, or else," she warned. We froze, our movements halted. Then, she pointed the gun at my son, and I let out a sob.

"Please, don't," I pleaded, my voice trembling.  I raised my hands in surrender.

"Enough with your games, Chatalina. Just tell us what you want," Mateo said, his jaw clenched tight. The muscles in his face were taut, his eyes burning with fury.