Bitter-sweet

Chapter 1

ALEX POV.

“Please, I swear I didn't see their face, they only paid me to betray your father through wire transfer” Everett said, I couldn't maintain my anger staring at the scared face of the traitor. I rubbed my index finger on the gun I was holding while a death glare fixated on him. I could hear Marcus scoffing behind me, he of all my inner circle hated traitors, and my lips tugged at the thought of what he would do to him if given the chance. But I had other plans.

“I believe you” I said, looking straight at him. His brows fluttered disbelievingly.

“Really?” He asked.

A grin left my lips. “Yes, but you are a hacker, right?”

“Yes”

“So you can hack and track whoever sent you the money”

“It's not that easy, their message was encrypted"

I cocked my gun, making him to shift uncomfortably between the two bulky Ansesio and Verrati's grip, the Italians.

“Okay…okay… I'll try” he said, sighing. I smiled, all my inner gang knew I mean business whenever it comes to my father's death. Ever since his assassination two months ago. I motioned for Verrati with my eyes as they led him into the computer room.

I turned to Marcus-my right hand, and also best friend.

“If he fails to track the assholes, do whatever you want to with him” I said and saw his face lightning with an evil grin, I inwardly felt a pity for Everett knowing all too well what Marcus could do to him.

I left our gang's underground basement and strolled towards my office, which was located just above it. The basement is used to store the illegal stuff; all the cocaine and the weapons were stored there, while the office was used to camouflage as a supplier chain. On the top, we were a real estate agency consultant while in reality, we were something else.

As I sat behind the huge mahogany desk, I couldn't help but remember the day my father introduced me to everything, by then, I was also oblivious of what was happening, I also used to think that he was just a real estate broker like everyone until I clocked eighteen.

Flashback

My father led me to his office after my birthday celebration had concluded. He sat on his office desk and removed a lighter from his pocket, lightning a cigarette. I stared intently at him, watching him. He placed the cigar in his mouth, unconcerned and took a puff before realizing the thick cloud of smoke playing. Then his stormy eyes darted my way, and he smiled.

“Son, come here” he said, with a fry voice. I walked towards him. As he took something from his pocket and handed me, it was a key. I arched my eyebrows as he pointed towards the painting of my grandmother on what I thought to be a wall opposite him. I felt confused, what did he want me to do with mama's painting?

He heaved a deep sigh and said. “Remove that painting”

“Why?” I asked, his eyes narrowed into slits.

“Just do it, boy and stop asking stupid questions” he growled.

I removed the painting and to my surprise, saw a safe. I turned to him as he asked me to open the safe, which I did. As I opened the safe, I couldn't help but wonder what could be hidden in it. But the safe was empty and instead, another keyhole was there. My father stood with a smile and walked towards it before placing another key into it and an invisible door emerged as the wall paved way, leaving an opening to a secret hallway. My mouth gaped with shock.

“Come” he muttered.

I followed him as he led me down some few stairs into a large underground. Numerous people were working in different sections and would greet him as Don as we walked past them. I couldn't decipher what they were making, but I didn't need to be a genius to know that it must be something illegal. He then led me into another room which was a bit dark Which after seconds I realised had a few men in it which I was unable to see who they are.

“Everything ready?" My father asked in a deep, guttural tone.

“Yes Don” a man replied.

“Good” he muttered. “What about the shipment at the docks”

“The mayor is yet to sign the clearance form for them to be released” The man replied.

“Do everything to make sure he signs it, even if it means forcing him to it”

“Okay Don”

We left the room, a realisation hitting me; all my life I had lived knowing my dad to be a very successful businessman not knowing that he was a gang leader.

He turned to me with a stern face. “Now, boy, this must remain a secret. I showed you all of this because you are my only son and I might day any time" he said, his eyes going vacant. “I have countless enemies and If any of them get me, you will have to take over our family's empire” he paused dramatically and looked around. “You must protect this secret at all cost, this has been our source of success for years, and it'll remain so…”

______________________________________

I was distracted from my reverie with my P. A Charlotte as the phone rang next to me, I quickly took it and placed it to my ear.

“Sir” her high-pitched voice rang into my ear. “You told me to remind you about your delegation meeting with C.S. U, it's 11: 00 pm” she said. I checked my wristwatch and mumbled a thank you before hanging up.

I stood and straightened my tuxedo; my family had for years sponsored international students for a fully funded scholarship at California State University where my father had been a business management professor before his demise, after his death, I was left with the responsibility of continuing the project and today was the awarding ceremony of which I was the guest of honor.

Furthermore, I quickly checked the application list on my computer and realized a lot of students were from Africa.

TBC…