Stolen moments

Chapter 37(B)

Gabriel still could not believe all what he was hearing after all he came to discover, it was like he was living in a nightmare. The more he went through that damn file he forced out of his son, the more he wished he never went through it.

Alfredo warned him about opening the can of worms but he didn't listen, but now he wished he did. The question is can he ever be satisfied if he didn't go through these?

No... He won't.. He wants to know everything. Right from the bastard who took advantage of his only daughter and to the bastard's father who made sure she didn't get the justice she deserved.

Going through the file again, it was filled with vital papers about the incident, cut out from local newspapers, a tape recorder. He shudders at the sight of the pictures he has been trying to avoid all along.

Picking a picture, he stares at the younger face of his daughter which was filled with bruises, she was unconscious when this was taken, the deep gash on her forehead made his heart burn with anger and hate for the fellow who did this to her.

He quickly downs his drink, wincing as the hotness sweep through his body. He stares at the empty cup in annoyance his head brewing with different scenarios of what could have happened that night, he could only imagine.

According to what Claire told them, yes... She confessed. Two days after the incident at the party, Claire came out clean to Leah telling her all what she knew.

Leah was devastated, she wasn't expecting it from her.

She claimed Antonio blackmailed her, that was why she gave him some invitation cards like he requested, she was not expecting him to do anything stupid like he did.

What got Leah more angry and devastated was when she learnt she had a hand in her rape even though she claimed she never told him to rape her, it was meant to be a set up.

Gabriel had to tell a guilty and teary faced Claire to stay away from the estate until everything is settled.

Sometimes he can't fathom how he raised a girl like Claire.

Standing up, he was on his way to the wet bar in his office when something outside the large windows caught his eyes.

Leah and Hunter sat under the gazebo talking animatedly with each other. She seems comfortable around him, it's been a while she as been like that.

He credits the boy though, he has never left her side since that night. From his office to the estate, from the estate back to the office. The routine he has developed was frowned upon by Gabriel and Alfredo but Eleanora was in full support of this so there was nothing they could do about it anyway.

The Knights had also been briefed on what happened and they were equally shocked considering the connection of who rapist was. They are in full support, giving adequate information of what they could gather.

His eyes narrowed as the boy shared a kiss with his daughter, the hold on his cup tightened, he felt like going there, pulling the boy by the neck and have him thrown out of the estate.

"Don't you find it creepy staring at your daughter during her private conversations? " his tensed shoulders relaxed at the soft voice of his wife. "You know he loves her, right?"

Turning to look at her, he never heard her come in.

"Sometimes I forget she is all grown up, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and make her a child again, and watch her grow before me, you have that feeling too?"

"I do" she nods walking towards him as he pulls her into his embrace, taking a deep breathe from her scent. "Everything will be alright... That is what you told me"

"I know" he agreed as she looks up at him.

"Will she ever be alright?" She asked turning to look at the two couples through the window who both looked lost in their own world.

"She is healing... She will be fine. She is a strong girl, just like her mother" she smile at his words before getting out of his embrace.

Her heels clinked as she walks up to his table, he looks at them again through the window frowning at the close proximity they now share.

An audible gasp was heard in the large room making him whip around. Eleanora stared at the content of the file with shock on her face and you can see her hands shaking.

The file!

"Shit!" Gabriel cursed hurrying up to her as he puts down the empty cup. She hasn't seen the content of that file, she shouldn't see it. "Love... Look at me" he gently held her face.

"She ha_had a mis_miscarriage.. " she stuttered, her eyes getting watery.

"Hey! Look at me!" She looks him in the eye as her breath evened out "am going to make everything right, okay? I promise. Just... Just trust me, okay?"

She stares at him for a while not knowing what to do with what she just discovered.

"Okay" she nodded meekly.

"When are we going back to Italy?" Jared asked as he ends the long yet painful phone call he had with his girlfriend.

He turns to look at Antonio who has a fat lighted blunt hanging on his lips, his face sporting few bruises which was healing slowly.

"When I say we can" he said, his voice leaving no room for arguments.
He holds the blunt in between his fingers.

Jared stared at him, trying as much as possible to control his burning anger which was already brewing inside him. He ran his long tattooed fingers through the thick black mane he has for hair.

"I still don't understand why you cause that drama, why did you do it?" He asked slowly yet carefully.

Sometimes, he can't seem to understand his friend, only heavens knows what's going on in that crazy head of his.

"You don't have to know everything, i have everything under control"

Jared rolled his eyes at his words, knowing he said those words to taunt him. He watch him as he moves his hands through a large piece of paper.

Wait... Is that a map?

He sneaks up to him in which he was too busy to notice. Jared followed his eyesight, his eyes running through the map, frowning at the red spots on the map. Why does he have a map leading to the Anderson estate?

"Why do you have a map to their residence?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"None of your business!" Antonio snaps at him in anger.

"What the hell is wrong... Merda! Are you insane?!"

"Watch your mouth Jared, remember who you are talking to.. We may answer to Alejandro but am still your senior in rank!"

"What are you up to?" He asked quietly knowing he was no more talking to his brother but his boss.

"Don't worry... You will find out when the time comes" he said putting the blunt back into his mouth taking a long drag.

He packed up the map before stepping out of the room.

Jared stared at the place he just left knowing there is trouble looming, it is high time he gets help from home. Bringing out his phone he dials his number. He picked up once.

"Boss... We have a problem... "

Who is the new boss?

What is Antonio planning?