Vendetta: Mafia's Deadly Game

Bitter Memories

[Eleanor's Pov]

Even after leaving the Skyview Height Hotel, I continued to follow Daniel. Walking in six-inch high heels was becoming increasingly difficult for me. The morning sun's heat was spreading everywhere, causing irritation in my eyes from the lenses. However, I couldn't let any discomfort hinder me from my mission.

I discreetly trailed behind Daniel, making sure to maintain a safe distance. He didn't appear to be unaware of my presence, as his attention was focused on the bustling city streets. The noise of honking cars and chattering pedestrians filled the air, creating a chaotic symphony that masked the sound of my footsteps.

Suddenly, my phone rang. I took it out of my bag and saw Chairman Linda's name on the screen. I quickly answered the call, saying, "Hello, Chairman Linda."

Her voice came through the phone, sharp and authoritative. "I assigned you to follow Daniel. Have you discovered anything suspicious?"

"No, Chairman, I have been monitoring this since yesterday, but I did not find anything," I admitted nervously.

"Did he meet Thomas Martin yesterday?" Chairman Linda inquired.

"No, Chairman, yesterday he was with a girl. Not Thomas Martin," I clarified.

"With which girl?" Linda asked, her tone slightly indignant and loud.

"With someone named Sarah, from Sydney," I responded.

"Alright, leave him for now," Linda quickly instructed before hanging up the phone.

As memories flooded my mind like a movie reel, a slight laugh escaped my lips. I had always worked hard to catch Chairman Linda's attention, but Ava always reaped the rewards of my efforts. However, this time would be different. I jumped in excitement, causing my feet to ache.

[1 day before Daniel became CEO]

[Thursday, 1 am, Phone Ring]

I answered the phone, my eyes fixated on it, and saw the name 'Chairman Linda'. Glancing at the clock, I noticed it was one in the morning.

"Is the Chairman calling this early?" I quickly responded, attempting to maintain a steady voice. "Hello, Chairman Linda. Is there something urgent?"

Her voice came through the phone. "Yes, there is. I need you to closely monitor my son, Daniel. Tomorrow, he is set to become the CEO, and Thomas Martin is attempting to contact him."

My heart skipped a beat. Chairman Linda had always been a demanding boss, but this request felt different. Spying on her own son? It seemed like a breach of trust, but I couldn't refuse her. "Certainly, Chairman Linda. I will do my utmost to gather any information you require."

She let out a sigh, her voice softening slightly. "Thank you. I understand this is a significant request, but I must safeguard my family's reputation. I will provide you with all the necessary resources. Just keep me informed of any developments. Additionally, involving the police is not an option, as it could harm both my personal reputation and the company's. If this news were to become public, it could reflect poorly on me as a leader and potentially impact the business."

I ended the phone call, a mixture of apprehension and curiosity filling me. What could Daniel be involved in that would drive his own mother to such extreme measures? I had been working for Chairman Linda for years, and she had always been a formidable woman, but this was a whole new level of intensity. I quickly messaged Noel because I couldn't have done it without him.

[Present]

I hailed a taxi with a hand signal and provided the driver with the address, fastening my seat belt.

"123 Ilmaiad Street, Victorille, Coland 98765."

At the moment, I had no desire to return to the office. Tomorrow was also my birthday, and I had promised my mother that I would celebrate with her. I rolled down the taxi window, feeling the strong wind against my face from outside. Today, I was truly happy. Therefore, I wanted to spend the entire day with my mother.

Since her divorce, she has always been my source of strength, supporting me through thick and thin. She had witnessed me at my lowest points and never gave up on me. So, on the eve of my birthday, I made a promise to myself and to her - to prioritize the things that truly mattered in life, starting with spending quality time with the woman who had given me life.

As the taxi pulled up to my childhood home, I could see the excitement in my mother's eyes as she eagerly awaited my arrival. The house was adorned with colorful balloons and streamers, a testament to her love and dedication. I stepped out of the taxi, my heart brimming with gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate this special day with the person who meant the world to me.

Inside, the aroma of my favorite childhood dishes filled the air, instantly transporting me back to simpler times. We sat at the dining table, sharing stories and laughter, reminiscing about the past and dreaming about the future. It was in these moments of connection and love that I realized the true essence of happiness - the joy that comes from nurturing relationships and cherishing the present.

Throughout the day, my mother surprised me by presenting a homemade cake adorned with flickering candles. The room filled with warmth and love as we sang the familiar birthday song, our voices blending together in celebration of another year of life. However, this time, the significance of the occasion extended beyond the number of candles on the cake. It symbolized a fresh start, a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures that life had to offer.

As the final note of the song faded away, I closed my eyes and silently made a wish. It wasn't for material possessions or external achievements, but rather for the continued presence of love, joy, and contentment in my life. I blew out the candles, feeling a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that true happiness resided within myself and the cherished relationships I held.

As I embraced my mother tightly, I came to the realization that the greatest gift I could give myself was a commitment to prioritize my internal happiness. From that moment onward, I vowed to live each day with gratitude, embracing the simple pleasures and nurturing the relationships that brought me genuine joy. And as I celebrated my birthday surrounded by love, I understood that this was only the beginning of a lifetime filled with internal happiness. I believe I was mistaken.

[Phone Ring]

I noticed the phone with a flashing unknown number. When I answered, a male voice came through.

"Hello, is this Joseph Anderson's residence?"

Upon hearing that name, I felt a pang of annoyance. Seeing my mother's joy, I quickly moved to another room. I didn't want that name to accidentally reach their ears.

"No," I replied curtly, wanting to end the call.

"Eleanor Anderson, Joseph Anderson is your father, right?" he said in a panicked tone, which infuriated me.

"No, he's not my father. He only has one daughter, Ava Smith. If you have any business, talk to her!" I shouted in anger.

The man on the other end seemed surprised by my outburst. There was a moment of silence before he hesitantly spoke again.

"I'm sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number. I apologize for bothering you," he said, his voice now filled with regret.

I hung up the phone angrily. And sighed, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. The mention of my father's name had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within me. You see, Joseph Anderson was not just any man - he was my father, or at least he used to be.

I shook my head and went back to the same room where Mum was sitting, looking at my childhood pictures. Those photos bring back so many memories of laughter, joy, and innocence. It's amazing how happy Mum and I looked in those pictures. Joseph Anderson's name was nowhere to be found, and honestly, why would someone who's not in our pictures be in our thoughts or lives?

I watched as my mother, lost in her thoughts, gazed at the pictures with a mixture of longing and sadness. It was as if she was searching for something that had been lost, something that could never be replaced. It's not that I never missed them, I still miss them a lot. And the more I miss, the more I hate Ava.

I was only 10 years old when he left us. As I grew up, I was always aware of his absence, but moments like these made me feel the void even more deeply. I often wondered what it would be like to have a father figure in my life, someone to guide, teach, and share in my successes and failures. However, his absence left a void that no one else could fill.

Lost in my thoughts, I was looking at Mum when I received another call from the same number. Annoyed by the ringing phone, Mum raised her head and asked, "Who is calling you?"

"It's nothing. Mum, it's someone from the office. I'll come to listen in a minute," I replied.

"Well, at least tell the office people not to disturb us at night. This is family time. Make time for your responsibilities. Eight hours of work should be enough for twenty-four hours," she said, making a face.

"Don't worry, it won't ruin your mood. I'm just going to listen to this phone call," I said quickly, picking up the phone that had been ringing continuously for the past five minutes.

"Hello?" I answered, trying to sound calm despite the growing unease in my stomach.

"Is this Eleanor?" a familiar voice asked on the other end.

"Yes, who is this?" I replied, my heart pounding in my chest.

"It's me again, the same caller who told you about your father," the voice said, sounding urgent.

"What do you want now?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

"I need to inform you that your father has been severely beaten by some individuals. He is currently in the ICU at St. Mew hospital. I tried calling Ava, but she did not answer, so I had to reach out to you once more," the caller said, his voice filled with concern. My thoughts raced as I attempted to comprehend the situation. Why would someone harm him? And who are these adversaries that my father has encountered?