Chapter 3 Disguise.

Joe-Bruno's POV.

"On the outskirts of Choco, Columbia lived a man called Joe Bruno. Someone who had learned to relish his own company and that of his Twelve-year-old daughter Isabella. To Him, only she was important." Martin teased.

The moment I heard those words I knew it was Martins, my very good friend. I smiled and turned to look at him.

"He also loves his coffee Shop where he makes quality coffees for the people of Choco, " we both chorused and hugged each other. Three years have passed since our last encounter, so I was surprised to learn that he could still recall Isabella's all-time favorite poetry. She would always sing them to me while I prepared coffee for customers in the early hours of the day.

I remarked, "You are wise to have added her present age to her favorite rhythms," and we both burst out laughing.

"Where Is Isabella," Martins questioned as he looked around my shop in search of her.

"Bella started school already and has gone to school," I replied.

"It's been how many we last saw please?" Martins asked as he looked at me.

"It's been three years buddy," I answered excitedly and we shook hands.

"Choco must have been treating you nicely brother. You look amazing," He teased as always and we laughed.

"I'll attend to the few customers left, and then join you shortly so we could catch up on all the gist you've brought from Bogota," I said. Martins moved from Choco to Bogata two years ago after receiving a contract job there.

"How about I join you in serving the customers like good old times," he said, and I nodded.

"Hey, man!

Don't hit the black woman

Don't hit the black woman

Hey, respect my lady

Ehh, you can still hear, hear him yelling at the gates

Don't hit the black woman,"

While serving my clients their coffee, we sang along to the iconic "Salsero Joe Arroyo" song "Rebellion" that was playing on the radio.

A few moments later, we were seated at our regular spot in my coffee shop,

"Any news from Martina? " Martins asked and I nodded.

"Nothing at all," I replied.

"How's little Isabella coping without her? " He inquired and I took a deep breath.

It's been simple thus far because she hardly knows her. Isabella is a bright child, so I know she'll ask questions about her mother soon," I remarked, and we were silent for a short while.

"You miss her right?" Martin asked as he noticed my countenance and I nodded.

"A lot. I had never imagined a life without her. But here we are Eight years without a word from her, even if it was for Isabella our daughter," I grunted.

"No one would believe a time would come when the both of you would drift apart considering how you two were inseparable," Martins said.

"I messed up," I added and tried to hold back my tears.

"That was all in the past Joe, You are a better man now and Bella must be proud to have a dad like you," He assured me.

"I doubt she would when she hears all her dad had done in the past and how his stubbornness has destroyed their once beautiful hope," I blurted out and sniffed my nose.

"You went against all odds. Leave all the pleasure in Bogata because you want a better life for them. You sacrificed everything including your loyalty to the Don,"

I raised my head to give Martins a stern look as he mentioned the Don.

"Don't tell me you've been in touch with him all these years you were away from Choco?" I questioned and Martins gave a blank expression.

"No Martin's. Those people are dangerous. They killed your family, how could you forget so easily," I said.

"I haven't been in touch with him. He only contacted me last week. He wants to speak with you," Martins said with a shaky voice.

"Was that the reason you came back to Choco? " I asked and he nodded.

"How did he know you were in Bogata? "

"The Don has his way around things. He misses you the best gangster he had ever trained," Martins whispered.

"I have no business with Him or anyone related to him. Don Santos caused me a lot and the day I walked away from his mansion was the last," I said angrily and stood to leave the table.

"Bruno, Are you truly happy living an average life in the outskirts of Choco as an ordinary man?" Martins asked and I halted.

"You are Bruno the sniper. The greatest of its kind. The Don is concerned about you Joe," He said, and I walked back to his table.

"Don-Santos cares only about two things, His spoilt brat daughter and then himself. Don will only keep you for as long as you are useful to him and when you are done being his toy. He would end your life like he did to others including my best friend Alex," I said angrily.

"Maybe you don't know him," Martins said and I chuckled

"I worked with Don Santos from when I was a teenager until I became a man and broke out when how discovered how dubious he was and you think I don't know him?" I asked sternly.

"My family had died in a car crash and that wasn't Don's doing," Martins said defensively and I shook my head.

"Don had instructed them to tamper with the car. I overheard him because he wanted your loyalty and felt your love for Margaret your wife would be a distraction since you had potential," I said and watched Martins's disbelief.

"He didn't send me to you. He doesn't even I am in Choco Bruno, I want a better life for my sister's daughter Isabella. No one knows where my sister is but at least Bella deserves the best and Choco can't offer that, "

"Martina loved it here. She begged me to leave Don and start a quiet life here with Bella but I was stubborn." I said with a sad tone.

"Martina was pregnant when she left," Martins said, and my heart skipped a beat.

"How do you know?" I asked angrily

"She had confided in me and that she wanted to protect the baby from you. She left Bella because she felt you would give her a better life," Martin said and I grunted.

I never knew my wife was pregnant. I was away for one of Don Santos's missions which she had warned me about and when I returned she was far gone.

"I have customers to attend to Martins," I said and excused myself since the last thing I wanted was for him to see my tears drop.

My wife's name still made me swoon even after all these years, and I longed I could see her again.