02 - The Three Musketeers & The Girl

Lorenzo

New York, U.S.

Six years ago, my uncle and his family were shot in their house. They died immediately. Two lovely parents, one sweet boy, and one little girl. They died because I trusted the wrong person to look out for them. They died because of me and I could never forgive myself for what happened.

That was one of the reasons I moved to New York, even if temporarily. I couldn't stay in Seville, being reminded of the ugly incident that took the lives of my second family. Their dead bodies still haunt me when I close my eyes. I haven't slept well since then.

I take a deep breath before lifting the glass of whiskey to my lips and taking a sip. I am not an alcoholic, yet I was going to be one if it weren't for my friends. My two best friends, Johnny and Sam, have been there for me. They came with me to New York and never left my side since then. If it wasn't for them, I'd be long dead.

"Here you are," Sam says, walking into my office with a file in his hand.

"What's that?" I ask, placing the cup on my desk and taking the file from him.

"This is our final project for the company before we travel to Spain, my brother."

I hum as I skim through the file, already feeling bored.

"I don't like it."

"Are you sure? This will help the company a lot," he points out as he sits on the chair.

"I am sure, Sam. Where's Johnny?" I ask.

He sighs and skims his hands through his light brown hair. He looks frustrated as he tries to come out with an answer...or a lie.

"Where is he, Sam?" I ask again, impatiently this time.

"Don't get mad, but uh...he's...at the hospital."

"Why? Is something wrong with him?" I ask with concern, but from the looks of it, Johnny is well and healthy because Sam seems calm.

"He's...well, don't be mad but—"

"For god's sake, Sam, just tell me!"

"He got a girl pregnant and now they are at the hospital to confirm if the baby's his."

Oh, god, not again...

This happened twice before and both times, the girl thought it was his, but it wasn't. He got away with it, but I don't think he would this time.

"I know what you're thinking, but I am sure it's a false alarm, just like always—" Sam says just in time as Johnny comes in.

"I am going to be a father!" Johnny excitedly says as he throws both of his arms in the air like a little kid.

I don't say anything at first as Sam takes the lead. "Please tell me the girl is nice."

"Meh," Johnny replies.

"Get yourself together!" I yell. "What are you going to do about it?" I ask.

This seems to get him out of his bubble and think for once.

"Take responsibility I guess?"

"I am not talking about that, you dumb. I am talking about the mafia, Spain, everything!" I exclaim.

Fuck, a kid in the equation is no good, at least not right now. I need him by my side when shit goes south.

"That's not going to be a problem, don't worry. Cassie knows about me traveling to Spain and she agreed to come with me."

"Are you going to tell her about your work?" Sam asks.

I massage my temple, hoping the pain would go away. I am out of my element, especially because I will be going back to the place I hate the most. I barely even visited those past few years and even then, I couldn't bare stay more than two days. But now, I have to go back because my father is retiring and he needs me there.

"I don't know man...I don't even think that she likes me. We have only known each other for one day, which as you know...had more doing than talking."

I am tired of this shit.

"We're leaving tomorrow instead of Monday," I announce.

"What?! Why?" Johnny exclaims, making me glare at his ugly face.

"Shut the fuck up and go get ready. Tell your girl to get ready too and make sure to run a background check before she steps foot into the plane."

"Fine..." he mumbles.

When they both left, I was left in peace.

I looked at the beautiful view of New York City that could be seen from my office's large windows. I keep wondering what awaits me back home, especially when I haven't been there in a long time. I speak with my family frequently, but still, it just feels weird going back there forever after what happened. My parents never held me responsible, nor blamed me for what happened. They know that I am innocent, yet I can't help but blame myself.

I walk to my desk and open the first drawer on the left. I take out my anxiety pills and swallow one. These pills are the only thing that's helping me move forward. My doctor prescribed them to me because she thought they'd help me. They did...but it's not like I am addicted to them. I have control.

I grab my stuff and leave the office. I drive back to my penthouse that's near the office. I pack all my clothes and put the bag in the living room. I then make some popcorn and sit in front of the TV. I don't like watching anything, but sometimes, I feel like I need to forget my reality just for a little bit.

* * *

The next day, I drove to the airport. Johnny and Sam are going to meet me there. I park my car and take out my bag from the trunk. I walk up into the private jet as an attendant takes my bag from me.

"Welcome, sir," he says.

I nod.

I take out my phone to call Sam, but he walks in just in time before I dial his number. Johnny follows behind and then a girl. She looks young, probably my twin sisters' age.

The girl mumbles a hello and glares at Johnny and sits at the back, far from where we are sitting.

"She has an attitude. I like her," Sam says with a smirk.

"Shut the fuck up, Sammy."

"Don't call me Sammy!"

"Oh, you—"

"Enough!" I yell. "I swear I don't understand how you two are my friends. You act like kids!"

Both of them grew silent, probably embarrassed to get yelled at in front of strangers.

"Good morning, this is the pilot speaking. Please prepare for takeoff."

Great...here we go.

Johnny closes his eyes in fear as he's scared of heights, while Sam laughs at him. This happens every time we travel together. Meanwhile, Sam always sits in the back when in a car because he gets dizzy if he sits in the front, which in return, makes Johnny laugh.

"Are we up or still?" Johnny asks, still, eyes closed. His hands are tense and gripping the seat with intense hold, almost breaking it.

God, I wish I knocked him out before the plane moved.

"I can't believe the father of my baby is dumb," the girl, Cassie, says, making me smile.

She's going to fit just right in the mafia, and as much as I hate saying this, I am sure she and Johnny are going to fall in love. They just look right together and with this baby that came out of nowhere, their life will change.

Great, now I feel like a sick old man who knows about love.

"Oh, shut up. I can't believe the mother of my baby is a witch!"

"Oh, really? You didn't seem to mind when I was on top of you that night!"

Ooo...

"W-What?! I-I was on the top!"

"Yeah, pretty boy. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Sam and I share a knowing look before I tune out of their conversation.