Love and Debt

Andrew told Luke everything that had happened. Jayden and Percy were also present when they called. The couple was surprised that Luke already had some information about it.

"I thought you would never tell us. We were waiting for you to open up." Luke said on the other line.

"How did you know?" Andrew asked while staring at Nina.

They heard Percy and Jaden chuckle.

"Have you forgotten what Luke's software can do?" Jayden asked.

Nina frowned. Then she remembered the day they came into the headquarters. Back then, Luke's software was not complete yet, but it could already hack all communicating devices. As soon as the sender sent the message, it would go first to the mainframe before the recipient could actually receive it.

"Are you spying on me?" Andrew exclaimed.

The men on the other line laughed, then became serious after.

"You can't blame us. We have already experienced so much that we wanted to know everything around us. Don't get me wrong; I didn't really trust you at first, but since you are with my fiance's friend, I have to put my faith in you. I have to monitor all your actions for me to do that." Luke explained.

Nina was only listening to their conversation. Their friends went through a lot, and most of the people around them conspired with each other. And for what? Power and wealth. Nina couldn't understand how rich people think and act. They already had almost everything in the world, but it wasn't enough. They crave for more.

Andrew couldn't really blame them for not trusting him. They first met during Luke and Alora's engagement, and it was true that he approached Luke because he was the heir to the Wilson Empire. He didn't have any plans to be his friend or even hang out with them. For him, they were just a bunch of kids who didn't know anything about the world.

But he was wrong; they were more than that. They were senior high schoolers, yes. But they were the most competent people he had ever met; each of them was a genius. 

Luke was a tech genius, a hacker, and an inventor. Jayden was a math genius, the financial analyst of A.E Corporation. Percy was a strategist, skilled in planning everything, whether it was about business or war.

Andrew sighed.

"So, did it help you to trust me?" He asked.

"Yes. You changed, Andrew. And we know you changed because of Nina. Alora was happy to know that you got married." Luke answered.

Nina's heart fluttered. She was also happy to hear that their friends were happy for them. As Andrew said, she made him a better man. 

"Thank you. Now, care to tell me what you found so far?" Andrew asked.

Nina smiled at him and leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt tired again. Lately, she gets exhausted quickly. She was already beginning to get worried since the pregnancy tests all turned negative. 

"Your mother indeed owned that building. When your father took your sister, he brought your mom to a mental hospital. She became a patient there for three months, then she escaped. She had nowhere to go, so she went to that abandoned building and stayed in one of the apartment units." Luke started.

"She wasn't alone when she escaped from the hospital. She could never do that without the help of anyone. Do you have any idea who helped your mother?" It was Jayden who asked.

Andrew frowned. He didn't have any good memories with her mother, but he didn't have anything bad either. They didn't usually talk to her because she preferred to be alone. He couldn't think of anyone that could help her.

"It was the Santelmo's who helped your mom. Alora's aunt, Camila, was in the same hospital as your mother. For some reason, they were able to persuade your mom to join forces with them. You already know that the Santelmo's were not the most powerful clan of the mafia anymore. They needed power and money. And your mom could provide them that." Luke continued.

Andrew couldn't believe it. The Santelmo's was one of the Mafia Clans and had a long-time feud with the Wilson's. His mom has money, yes. But it was nothing compared to the Wilson's and the Smith's.

"The Santelmo's were trying to get anyone to their side, and one of them was your mother. The men who came in that building every night were their men, providing your mother enough food when she spied on you and Nina." Percy butted in.

"But why? I can't understand why she had to do that? I looked everywhere to find her. Father never told me that she was missing." Andrew frowned.

Nina was still sitting on Andrew's lap, and she could feel that he was starting to get anxious and angry at the same time.

"From some of the messages that we read, your mom didn't expect to see you in that ramen shop. She wasn't even sure you were her son, so she asked someone to investigate. She found out that you are indeed Andrew, and the reason you were always there was to buy that shop because of your father's order. Your mom was mad with your father, so she wanted to do everything to take him down. But she was also mad at you." Luke stated.

"Why would she get mad at me? The reason I agreed with my father was because he promised me that he would let me see my mom." Andrew was beginning to be irritated.

Nina hugged Andrew to calm him down. She could feel that he was starting to get frustrated. Hearing that her mom was bearing a grudge towards him made him furious.

"Because the Santelmo's told your mother that you also abandoned her. The first time Camila approached your mom to convince her to escape, she actually declined. She asked them to send a message to you and Seira, but the Santelmo's fabricated a story. She was told that you refused to see her, and you denied your connection with her." 

"That's ridiculous! How could she believe that?" Andrew yelled.

Nina didn't know what to do. Andrew was already shaking from anger. So, she stayed with him and didn't let him go.

"Andrew, your mom is sick. She has a mental disorder. Her mind is her weakness. The Santelmo's knew that she could be manipulated, and they used her weakness to convince your mom to side with them and get her revenge." Luke just continued telling Andrew what was on his mind.

Andrew looked at Nina. He could see that she was worried for him. She slightly smiled at him as she hugged him tighter. If her mother wanted revenge, then Nina was definitely in danger.

"Did you know that she was also sending pictures of all of you? I think she already planted spies near every one of us. I had received photos of Nina when she was in school. The school counselor was also receiving messages from an unknown number. Mom sent messages to him about what I did to Nina's family. Do you think she just wanted me and Nina to break up?" Andrew asked.

Nina was also beginning to worry about her mother-in-law. She had not met her yet, but she already seemed a dangerous and scary woman. It was creepy enough to know that someone lived in that building who watched her every day. It was good that they had already sold the shop and left the neighborhood.

"Maybe your mom wasn't dangerous, but the Santelmo's are. We're not really sure what your mom wants. But I think the Santelmo's were also using Nina and your mom to get to you. They can threaten you with their lives in exchange for siding with them. Our feud with them was not yet over. Alora's aunt was still being held captive by them, now your mom too."

Andrew took a deep breath, trying to take in all the revelations they had discovered. Again, being linked with the mafia was the least he expected. He saw how Luke and the others suffered because of the mafia, and he didn't expect that he would experience the same thing.

"Jayden, can your family help us deal with the Santelmo's? I mean, Luke had been dealing with them since the kidnapping. I think it would be best to join forces and take them all at once. Your family was one of the Mafia Clans; maybe they could assist us fighting with the Santelmo's." Andrew suggested.

Jayden didn't respond for a moment. Then they heard him sigh.

"I'll ask my grandfather if they could. My family didn't want to involve themselves with something dangerous ever since my mother was murdered. But maybe they can lend us some men." Jaden answered.

"Thank you. I think that would be a great help. Luke, do you know the Santelmo's headquarters or their safe house?" Andrew asked.

"Yes. It's currently in Flousia.." Luke casually responded.