That should’ve been his mother showing off her grandchild, not Fred’s. “Such an old and skewed belief. The way some people of that generation behave, one would think our parents still live some hundred years behind our times.”
A tiny smile stretched Irena’s lips. “Your mom and dad were ahead of the time though many dissed them as lazy for living off social assistance. Everyone was quick to forget your dad fought the war and lost his leg for this country.”
“It took years before we saw money trickling down to us. By then, Mom’s health deteriorated and it only got worse.” Dario spun the glass in his hand, making the liquid swirl. It had taken Dad longer to fight the red tape than the war lasted, often leaving him wondering was it worth to take up arms and defend the country. Their poor mother had hidden her illness for who knows how long to not to put more strain on the already thinly spread income. The extended family rarely helped and with Mom’s illness, they turned completely away. Nowadays, cousins come knocking on the door, reminding him of the importance of the family ties. Good thing Ante was there to remind them of times where they seemed to have forgotten their beliefs.
“I’ll never be free of Fred.” At Irena’s loud exhale,
he glanced up at her beautiful face. She tapped her fingers on the counter.
Dario straightened and took her hand. “I wouldn’t bet on that. Ana already dug her talons into his wallet. She showed up at the restaurant, she seems to come into money, Fred’s money that is. And the guy across from the Mezzaluna reopened today. After a health inspector closed them for almost a year. Ana tells me Fred’s generously paid for the guy’s fine.”
Irena harrumphed. “That owner doesn’t know it yet, but Fred bought his restaurant he didn’t just pay a fine. Omibo Corp, his company, ‘helps’ the struggling businesses. The truth is, they take them over and incorporate.” She froze, and her eyes took on a sharp look as if a realization struck her. “Wait. You said Ana has a boy. How old would he be?”
Dario shrugged, frowning. “I’m not sure, grade school. Twelve maybe. Why?”
“Oh, dear God.” She placed one hand on her heaving chest, her color drained from her face. “That boy is in danger. Is there someone who could take him? Hide him from Fred?”
Dario’s back stiffened, trying to comprehend what Irena was implying. “What? Fred would…no…that’s sick…the boy’s just a child.”
“If not Fred, there are plenty on his secret list who would. He or rather his company sponsors a private boarding school. For all intents and purposes, it is a school during the day. But at night, a different curriculum is taught there.” Her voice lowered and she glanced over her shoulder as if expecting someone to be listening on their conversation. “Powerful men, and some women too, those with deep pockets, satisfy their
twisted perversions with minors. After quick cash exchange, they are shown to the kids’ bedrooms. Their visits are recorded on camera. That is how Fred has them in his fist and can manipulate and blackmail them. Things are done his way or…well, you can imagine the damage he could cause them. The media would have frenzy.”
Dario couldn’t blink. The news she relayed still had not wrapped around his mind. “No one suspected?” “There are speculations, but so far no one’s been able to prove a thing.” Her hand shook as she poured the remaining water from the bottle into her glass. “It’s
a well-guarded secret.”
“Where do they get the kids from?”
“For the most part, they are employees’ children. Parents jump at the opportunity of free secondary education. The students returned home in an awful mental state, but parents are scared to speak out. In the past, those who opened their mouths not only got fired but soon after they suffered terrible fates, fatal car accidents, debilitating illness, sudden heart attacks, severe allergic reactions. Fred’s company keeps health files on their employees, they know everything.” She stared at the air bubbles in her glass racing to the surface. “All received hush payments that came with a confidentiality agreement.”
“How…how did you come into this information?” “As I said, it’s a long story, so let me start from the
beginning.” She drew in a long breath and took another sip of her water, licked her lips and continued, “I was given a room in the basement of Fred’s house, a maid’s quarters really, with a small bathroom, but didn’t need anything more. The neighbors knew me as his maid.
Thought he’d humiliate me by giving me a janitorial job at his office. He couldn’t stop my paychecks, wasn’t enough to support myself and Ella, but enough for necessities. One day I was wiping down toilets when I overheard the two women speak Croatian. I gathered some courage and approached them.” Staring at the glass, she gave a small laugh. “Tanja, the manager, was looking for a new assistant, so she gave me a chance. She encouraged me to take evening classes. I progressed slowly. Fred was rarely at the office and didn’t seem to care. He was not much at home either.” Leaning her elbow on the counter, she rested her chin on her curled fingers. “When he was there, he threw parties that often turned into full-blown orgies. I’d go out during his party nights, found a coffee shop that stayed open all night. Across the street was a martial arts school. They had the help wanted sign for weeks. I was reminded of you in your karate gi so I went in…and asked what kind of help they required. I washed windows and cleaned then later filled in at the reception when needed, but I earned free lessons. The sensei took me under his wing. The rest is history.”
Dario rubbed her shoulders. It must be hard for her to spill all this out. Under his gentle fingers, her muscles slowly relaxed. She leaned into him, pressing her back to his chest. He inhaled her citrus scent and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. “I feared Fred would not be a loving husband, but I made a peace with the fact you were in a better place than I could provide. Have you cried many nights?”
“I did at first. Not because Fred didn’t love me, but because you and I were an ocean apart. Soon I realized tears were of no help, and that was what Fred wanted:
to see me broken in spirit.” She shook her head, her lips pressed into a tight line. “I wasn’t going to indulge him.” Then she licked her lips and continued with her story, “A year ago, I found the truth about Fred’s prestigious school. I’d been promoted to a team leader and was given access to some files. I was searching for a specific spreadsheet when I stumbled upon something.” Her body stiffened again, she took a few steps back and leaned against the wall. Her chin shook and her lips quirked. “Pictures of young girls and boys, old men hands held them in compromising positions. You can see the fear in kids’ eyes, some clearly cried. Things, like sex props…used on them.” She gasped, her breath shook on exhale, while tears spilled out of her eyes. “Dario, those teenagers were still kids. I can’t imagine fear and pain they endured.”
Not wanting her to continue, he stepped to her and pulled her to him. Obviously what she had found was still haunting her. Someone had either planted these files for her to find or whoever put them there wasn’t the brightest light on a string. “Shh, it’s okay babe. You’re here, they can’t hurt you.”
“Oh, but they can, and they will. Fred inherited everything after his parents’ death. He no longer cares who knows of his sexual orientation. The deal was I stay as his wife until he gets it all.” She dabbed her hand under each eye, but tears kept coming.
Dario handed her a box of tissues from the counter. Anxiety knotted his stomach. He anticipated some ugliness in Irena’s story, but he never imagined she’d had to flee for her life. “You played your part. Why is he after you?”
She took a long step back, her eyes big and round,
fear on her face. “He doesn’t care about me or anyone else dumb enough to defend me. We’re only obstacles to what he really wants.”
“And what is that?”
“Ella. Virgins like her are a prized possession. A congressman is offering a hefty sum to have her first.” Irena’s glance darted at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of which, where is Ante? He’d been gone for over an hour. Didn’t he say he’d be back in a few minutes?”