Facade

Chapter 45

Damian's pov

"There's someone here to see you sir" The voice spoke. I looked up from the pile of papers I was working on to look at the fidgeting maid standing before me. Seriously? Am I that scary? I hate to see her reaction if she finds me in mafia mode. She'll probably die of heart attack. She must be new. Her statement registered into my mind and I frowned.
"Who is it?" I asked, my voice laced with irritation. The maid trembled at my voice.
"I - I don't u-understand sir" She stuttered out nervously. I rolled my eyes, tired of her trembling. She looked like a mental patient with all the fidgeting she doing. She was beginning to annoy me.
"I meant the name of the person or didn't you think to ask?" I snapped at her. She flinched and ran out of the room muttering apologies. I sighed and rubbed my temple. I knew I acted like a jerk but I just couldn't help myself. Things were not going well and it's stressing me out. No don't get me wrong. Mia and Karen are fine. It's the other aspect that I'm worried about. The investigation about Helen was turning out better than expected. However it came with a surprise. About Helen's partner. I never would have suspected yet I'm remarked to be one of the smartest mafia leaders in the world.
  Felix is dying to know the outcome of the investigation. But I can't bear to tell. Not only will it destroy him, it'll ruin everything. Felix finding out the identity of Helen's partner will be a disaster. He'll literally go crazy and I can't risk that. If I'm going to destroy Helen, I'll need Felix's help. Having worked with Helen for a number of years, he knows the in and out of her operation. I need him. This mission to destroy Helen has helped me gain a friend. I got to know that Felix and I have a lot in common. We are the same age, share the same interests in sports and we both love pissing Mia off. It's a talent.
  A knock on the door broke me away from my thoughts. I looked up, scowling at the door.
"Enter" I called out. The door opened and the trembling maid entered. This time around, she was in more control of herself.
"Sir the man refuses to tell me his name. I insisted and after much arguments, he said I should tell you a word. He assured me you'll understand and know who he is once you hear it" The maid said. I arched a brow, intrigued. A word which can identify him and its not his name? This is interesting. I couldn't deny it. I was eager and curious. I waited for the maid to say the word but she didn't. Instead she was staring at me, mouth wipe open. I rolled my eyes inwardly. My curiosity slowly ebbed into anger.
"Well? Are you going to say the word or keep staring at me?" I snapped at her irritated. She snapped from whatever reverie she was and flushed red. Probably from embarrassment at being caught staring.
"The word was in a weird language. I couldn't pronounce it so I wrote it down" The maid said and dipped her hand into her pocket. She pulled out a small, crumpled piece of paper. She straightened it hurriedly and handed the paper to me. I straightened the paper and tried to read it. The words looked as if they'd been scribbled in a hurry by a very impatient person. After several tries, I straightened the paper well enough to read what was written on it.

   "fratello di sangue"

A gasp slipped from my mouth before I could prevent it. The Mafia's code of brotherhood. The maid looked at me puzzled about my reaction. But I paid no attention to her. I stood up from my chair and stalked out of the study.

      ____________________________

Carlisle's pov

I paced the foyer of the villa waiting impatiently for Damian. The stupid maid had welcomed me into the living room and went in to call Damian. Few minutes later, she came back insisting I stand up while she inquire my name. Who does that? I had refused at first thinking she was joking. Few minutes later, I realized she wasn't. I had no choice than to obey her if I wanted to see Damian. I would have called him but I couldn't. Who knew if his phone was bugged? This mission was a top secret mission that only Pablo and I knew about. To the rest of the world, I'm on a trip to China to sign a contract on electricity production. It sounds funny now. I don't even know anything about electricity except maybe flipping the light switch. And I even don't do that. The maids take care of everything.
I huffed out and began pacing. What the hell was taking him so long to appear? Or did the maid not deliver my note? There's no way he'll see the note and refuse to see me.
  Just then, I heard the sound of someone coming towards me. I turned to see Damian stalking towards me. Boy did he not look happy. He looked shit pissed. Immediately he reached me, I bowed slightly in greeting. Don't ask me why. What was I supposed to do? Though I'm rich, powerful and ruthless; Damian makes me look like a child when it comes to that. He is more powerful, freaking rich and if the rumors are true, then he is extremely ruthless.
"Who are you?" Damian asked, wasting no time for pleasantries. I understood him perfectly. If I were in his shoes, I'll do the same. I stood confident, chin high, staring right back at him.
"Carlisle Ashton, second in command for the Canadian organization" I replied. A look of recognition flashed in his eyes and he relaxed his stance. Damian nodded at me and gestured for me to follow him. Guess we can't talk here. I followed him closely while he led the way. Along the way, we passed by the maid who welcomed me. I made sure to send her my coldest glare and felt a burst of satisfaction when she shivered. Good.

     __________________________

Aiden's pov

I don't know how long I've been in prison. I lost count after the first week. I don't know whether my case is going forward or backward. No one is saying anything. My dad has refused to visit me since I got here. My mum comes to visit me with my lawyer, barrister Sullivan. They act as if every thing is alright but when they think I'm not looking, they exchange worried look. Sometimes my mum just start crying while I stare at her through the glass partition.
The sound of keys broke me from my thoughts and I looked up to see a guard opening my cell door.
"Come out, you have a visitor" He snapped at me. I stood up carefully. My body was trembling so bad it felt as if I'd fall down any minute. No I'm not sick or hungry. I knew exactly what was happening to me. Withdrawal symptoms. The guard pulled me by my arm and escorted me to the visitors area. I expected to see my mum and barrister Sullivan as usual. However I was shocked when I saw my dad and barrister Sullivan instead. My dad looked old and tired. The stress of everything was getting to him. And it was all Mia's fault. None of this was my fault. If Mia had stayed with me, I wouldn't have been forced to do what I did.
The guard shoved me into a chair and walked away. I looked at my dad who was refusing to meet my gaze. We sat there for a few minutes, no one saying anything to fill the awkward silence.
"Hey dad" I tried initiating a conversation. My dad huffed but still refused to look at me.
"The evidence against you are too much to grant bail. You'll have to stand trial" My dad said, straight to the point. The thought of standing trial sent a shiver of fear down my spine. Panic engulfed me as reality set in. I was going to jail. There was nothing they could do. My chest tightened and I began panting. I could hear the ringing in my ears and a distant voice asking if I was alright. I leaned forward and placed my head between my knees. Soon my breathing became normal and I looked up to see my dad and barrister Sullivan staring at me in pity.
"It's alright son. I'll get you out of this"
My dad assured me. I began to shook my head before he was even done with the statement. No one could save me. I was doomed.
"Listen! Listen. There's a way out" My dad whispered to me. I looked at him confused.
"You'll take the insanity plea" Barrister Sullivan spoke for the first time. I looked at him confused till what he said finally registered.
"No! They'll send me to a mental institution" I refused. My dad scowled at me, his expression suddenly angry.
"And you'll deserve it if they do. The only reason I'm here is cause of your mother. Now shut up and let barrister Sullivan finish what he has to say" Dad snapped at me. Barrister Sullivan cleared his throat.
"With the evidence they have against you, you could be going to jail for life. A minimum of thirty years if they decide to be lenient. But with the insanity plea, you'll be given community service and a three years stay at a mental institution. It's the best they can offer you"
Barrister Sullivan explained. I frowned, I my brain trying to work it out. If I do the insanity plea, that means there's a chance I might be free one day. Free to spend the rest of my life with Mia. It was better than nothing. A smile spread on my lips as I began to consider the possibilities.
Finally I looked at my dad and barrister Sullivan who were waiting for an answer from me.
"I'll go with the insanity plea" I announced.

I might be wrong about some facts on law and prison. Well I'm not a lawyer and I've never been to a police station so pardon me. Hope you enjoy it. Make me happy by clicking on the little star button below. Thanks