The Devil's Desire

LUCIANA VARGAS

I can't shake off the strange feeling in my gut. Am I expecting bad news? Yes. Considering what my life has become lately…

It's not every day you realize your life has been a mystery. That everyone around you has been keeping secrets. Secrets that involve a huge part of your entire existence.

My mind is flooded with thoughts of recent revelations as I drive back home. I knew my parents were not saints. What I didn’t expect was for them to be cold-hearted monsters. How could they? And how do they even sleep at night after what they did?

It's a miracle when I get home without causing an accident, considering how occupied my mind has been throughout the drive. However, the environment that greets me is nothing like what I’d expected. I didn't have a clear vision of my expectations, but it wasn’t a semblance of peace.

Paula, my nanny, had called about half an hour ago. She sounded strange.

“Something happened to your mother,” she’d said, stuttering. “You need to get back home as soon as possible.”

Then she hung up immediately. I tried to call back a few seconds later, but it went straight to voicemail. Strange, right?

Why would she tell me that and then go silent? The whole situation makes me uneasy. This looks like a typical day at the Vargas Manor. No signs of any bizarre situation. A few guards walking around with guns–yeah, that’s normal for us. Others, holding their weapons, stand alert at various entrances.

Ignoring all the ordinary activities, I rush into the manor. The inside of the house isn't any different from the outside. Everything is just as typical, which heightens my confusion. The maids are walking around, performing their usual duties.

If something really happened to my mother, there should be whispers going around, right? Yet the world is oddly…quiet.

Perhaps I’m the one who's overthinking? What if mother just fell ill? I know she's the last person I should be worrying about, but I can’t help it. I still find reasons to care, despite the recent discoveries about my parents. Discoveries I haven’t fully processed.

The first place I run to is their bedroom, but I find no one. If she’s not here, then…

Maybe I should find Paula first. It was strange of her to hang up on me.

I search for her in different corners of the house, but she's nowhere to be found. When I ask the other maids, all of them tell me almost the same thing.

“I saw her leave a while ago.”

“I haven't seen her since morning.”

“Paula? I have no idea.”

“We rarely talk.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Urgh..

I can sense something is wrong. I know something is amiss, but I don’t know what exactly. Paula called to tell me about mother, and she's not home. And where's that mother? And why isn’t anyone telling me anything?

My mind is racing with a million thoughts per second. I’m about to take a seat in the living room, to try to put my thoughts in order, when I remember one place I haven't checked. A very important place. The study.

How could I skip that one?

Clouded brain, that’s how.

Surprisingly, my father is around. For someone whose wife I'm worried about, he looks…calm.

What the hell is going on?

He lifts his head, shifting his attention from the paperwork on his desk.

“What's going on?” I ask, approaching his desk.

He takes off his reading glasses. A few seconds pass before he answers, like he's been thinking hard about my question. “Thank goodness you’re here. I thought you’d never come back.”

In case you think my father is relieved to see me back home because he’s been worried, newsflash, you’re wrong. We’ve had a strenuous relationship for a while now. I might as well call myself an asset in his eyes. And I’m not even hyperbolizing.

“What do you mean?” I narrow my eyes. “Where’s Paula? And where's…mother?”

He clears his throat and rests his elbows on the desk. His nonchalance should be the final indication that mother is truly okay. “My wife is fine,” he confirms. “She's running errands to make sure the plan goes perfectly.”

But Paula said…

I blink a few times. Genuinely confused. “What plan?” I ask.

“Plans to save the family.”

“Save the family from what?”

“It’s not a matter of what…Who.” His eyes bore into mine. The look in his eyes shows the gravity of the situation, which sends my heart racing.

“I don’t follow,” I say.

He scoffs and then shakes his head. “I didn’t raise you to be stupid. I’m talking about Dario Morata. Open your eyes, Luciana.”

Oh.

A soft laugh escapes my lips, and it annoys him even more.

“You think this is funny?”

“Well, it’s almost funny. That’s why I didn’t laugh out loud.”

“We're on the edge of a blood war. Dario Morata won't stop until he's eliminated all of us. Which is why we need to make some things happen.”

Some things?

“You know we wouldn't be in this situation if your greed for power hadn’t taken a turn for the worse. How could you—”

“I don't have time for this, Luciana,” he cuts me short. “You've been quite the troublemaker. I've tried to be patient. By now, we both know that’s not a virtue I possess. I tried with you.” He points out.

Those are the most ridiculous words I’ve heard today. I’m the troublemaker? I sigh, gripping the nearby chair.

“You just don’t get it.” He massages his temples. “The Moratas and the Vargas can never co-exist. You’re not going to betray us at the climax of a deadly war.”

“Betray you?” I laugh. “You expect me to side with you after what I just discovered?”

“Then you leave me no choice,” he mutters.

I cock a brow.

“Boys!” he yells.

It takes a few seconds to realize the last part wasn't for me. Three beefy men walk into the room to join us.

After a short glance, I turn back to my father. “What's this?”

“Part of the plan. Something to make sure you stick to our side.”

“What?” I can’t believe I was still holding a tiny bit of hope for my family. I never learn, do I?

“Do you know who came up with this genius plan?” asks my father.

I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know, but he’s going to tell me anyway.

“Vicente.” He announces, a proud smile spreading on his face.

“That evil traitor,” I spit.

“Traitor?” He laughs. “It won’t hurt to look in the mirror, Luciana. Vicente’s loyalty to this family is unmistakable. Unlike you. It took what, one kiss from Dario, and you forgot your family?”

It wasn’t just one kiss. Hell, it wasn’t just a kiss.

“Family?” I shoot back. “And are you seriously placing Vicente and loyalty in the same sentence?”

He snorts and leans back. “Well, his plan is going to work like a charm. You’ll see. I told you, the guy was smart after all.”

What does my father see in him? He’s a manipulative bastard. It won’t be long before he stabs him in the back. That shouldn’t be my concern right now. My father’s words are alarming.

“I hate to admit it, but Dario Morata is a smart man,” he continues his rant. “The moves he’s pulled—” He shakes his head as an evil laugh escapes his lips. “Which is why, if we're going to win this war, we'll have to think smarter to beat him to it.”

What’s this big plan? And why does it feel like Dario is in danger?

I should warn him.

I suddenly feel the need to rush out of my father's office to find Dario, and warn him of the impending danger. He’ll definitely find a way to counter-attack. However, my father’s next words leave me stunned.

“Paula, is okay. For now. But whatever happens to her next is entirely dependent on you.”

My heart sinks. A million possibilities swirl through my brain. The knots in my stomach tighten with every word that leaves his lips.

What plan has my diabolical father cooked up?

“What have you done—”

“Take her away,” he orders the heavyset men before I can probe.

The next thing I know, a hand grabs me from the back. Just when I want to retaliate, a wet cloth covers my mouth and nose, suffocating the hell out of me. A sharp, unfriendly smell hits my nose. He presses so hard, cutting my air. I’ve never wanted to live so badly until this moment. Am I going to die?

I grab the man’s wrist, fighting for my dear life. My energy isn't anything close to his. I groan in frustration.

I struggle to break free for a while—in vain.

Then I see black.