Seductive Secrets

CHAPTER 4

As soon as they landed in the US, they walked into the waiting arms of the FBI and the CIA. It had all been a hoax. The slackeys had actually been used to draw them to the US to provide information on criminal activities of the ring, across border in the US. For a long period of time they were drilled on any information they might have to provide, but none agreed to come forward with any.

Several methods were used, from the conventional to the downright mundane. After some period having noticing that they were dealing with men who had sworn to silence. They were separated from each other and the government tried wooing them with attractive deals. None offered to speak, but with the offer of protection, one finally decided to start talking. This was Armando Georgio.

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"You are hereby sentenced to death by the electric chair," the judge pronounced judgement on the other criminals and it was immediately carried out.

Armando was granted an official pardon, and US citizenship, with government protection and a million dollars in compensation. Plastic surgery was also done to mask his identity, but the government didn't put one thing into consideration. The ring never forgot, never forgave and always repaid double. They also weren't able to arrest all members of "The ring".

They had only succeeded in killing his wife, but they would definitely have their revenge...SOON

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Georgio soon arrived home feeling very much unlike his usual self ever since he lost his wife. Seeing and being around Lia for long had affected him. She was slightly like Alyssa in body stature and gosh, he just couldn't get past those blue eyes.

The entire feeling sickened him, it made him want to run into his daughter's room and give her a big hug, just to remind himself that a part of Alyssa still lived on with him in the person of Gabriella.

Well, he knew he hadn't been a perfect father, he had his flaws and the things about himself which he would love to change. He had shouted at her several times, but he thinks it's time to try and change all of that.

He would promise to take her to work with him. She had told him she wanted that. That was before she lost her voice and became a girl he barely knew anymore. They hardly spoke again and whenever he saw her he felt too weak to do anything about her condition.

He had tried psychologists and therapy but all proved abortive. So he had resigned to fate, but this time around he would try again, as it might be his only redemption. He reached the house, climbed the stairs and headed for Gabriella's room.

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Gabriella woke up with a start and was about to start crying when she noticed it was her pops who had entered the room.

“Pops!” her mind screamed.

“What wrong had she committed this time around,” she thought.

But then, she noticed a calm gentle look on pop's face as he drew her close and hugged her face, telling her all would be okay.

She was shocked.

Pops rarely did such stuff nowadays, but then it was only pops and people change right?

So she nodded YES, when he asked to accompany him to the office the next day.

If dad had decided to be a good papa like he used to, then she definitely would help him do so, she thought.

She slept off with a smile that day.

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The next morning, Georgio decided to take part of the day off. He had cancelled his morning appointments through Lia and decided to hang out with his angel. His personal security guards were shocked, but Georgio didn't care. He might have all the billions on earth, but for today he just wanted to be a father hanging out with his daughter.

So, they had spent the day watching her favorite TV shows in the cinema room at home and then they also ordered chocolate and pizzas while still watching TV. The entire process still seemed weird to each of them, but it was going to be a gradual process of total healing.

Georgio had promised that he was not going to run or hide again, it might take some time but definitely healing would take place in their seemingly broken family.

After the movie, Georgio carried his angel in his arms, her hair made into a cute ponytail by the maid. She smelled and looked every inch the beauty she had been before Alyssa's death. Georgio was still extra careful not to startle or push her too far. He knew beneath the seemingly smooth surface, a little push might cause things to fall apart again, a situation he prayed never to occur again.

They soon arrived late at the office and George took some time to show her around the various offices and people who made up the complex process of sales, distribution and cash inflow from sales of shoes, the one product that had given Armando a name, prestige among people, and basically put food on the table for them both.

The tour continued, with Georgio holding on to his daughter firmly as he feared a recurrence of a phobia attack which had been part of Gabriella's life ever since Alyssa's death two years ago.

As they approached the office, they came across Lia who sat at her table hard at work. Once more, Georgio had to make another round of introduction.

"Lia meet Gabriella, my angel. Gabriella meet Lia," Armando said while making hand gestures between them.

Georgio stood by holding onto Gabriella, and watched as Lia came close and bent down to about Gabriella's height before brandishing a sincere smile and then said "Hi, Gabbie".

It worked like magic, as Gabriella for the first time took a step forward oblivious to her father to give Lia, a big hug. This had never happened before.

Georgio was shocked. If Gabriella had decided to take to this lady, it meant getting rid of her would be tougher than expected.