Chapter 3 Whispers from the past

The next morning came like a storm. Martina woke up earlier than usual, "It's today." She whispered to herself with a soft smile on her face as she got off her bed.

She heard a gentle knock on her door. "Who is it?"

"It's me darling, please open, I really want to talk to you." Alfred spoke softly.

"Good morning dad." She greeted as Alfred touched her hair softly.

"Good morning darling, how'd you sleep? You're up pretty early, I didn't know you'd open the door. "

"I didn't well dad and you know why."

He smile gently at her as her brought out a small jewelry box from his pocket.

"It's your mother's, she wore it the day we had our first kiss. I want to to have it."

Inside it was a delicate silver necklace with a tiny heart shaped locket.

Martina looks up at him, confused. "I don't understand, if it belongs to mom, then are are you give me this?"

He hesitated, couldn't keep eye contact. "Sometimes we protect the one we love so dearly without realising how much we're hurting them. Your mother means well for you darlingdarling. But even good intentions can be cages."

Martina's eyes filled with tears. It was the first time he knew what she felt.

"Do you think mom will forgive if I left?"

"I think," he said slowly, she'd rather you not find out the truth.

"Huh? What truth dad, please tell me. For the sake of the bond we share, please!" She begged her dad with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Alfred brought her close to him, wiped off her tears, kissed her forehead and walk away.

She took a deep breath and goes to her mirror, she takes the necklace, stared at it, admiring it as she put it on.

"Oh dad, I love you so much, and I'm sorry if what I'm about to do with break your heart and mom's too, but I really have to do it, I must find out the truth even if it means going up against your rules and shattering your heart. I'd rather die trying than to continue living in a cage." She whispered to herself, staring at her reflection, holding the necklace.

She got ready and dressed smartly wearing a white blouse, navy blue skirt, and shiny black shoes. Her hair neatly done and wore light makeup.

"It's Saturday, I know mum must've gone to the market really early and dad to the workshop, but I still need to confirm." Martina went to her parents room knocking "Hey Mom, Dad, Good Morning!" She yelled know fully well she wouldn't get a response.

"Oh thank God, they aren't around, time to go!" She happily exclaimed.

Martina stepped outside gracefully, she couldn't believe we was about to freely walk outside with the guidance of her parents.

"I never knew this day would come, this gate looks so awful" Ugh! Of course mom and dad locked the gate, they think I'm still their little girl" She said with annoyance as she ran her fingers on top of the gate. She took off her shoes and jumped across.

"Take me to Castellano International Skyscraper please!" Martina loudly said as she waved stopping a taxi.

The city was louder, faster and chaotic than she ever imagined. Her driver dropped her in front of the building. It looked high and silver, like something from a dream.

Inside she passed glass elevators, digital security gates and marble reception desks. Everything smelled luxury and ambition.

"Miss Santiago?" The receptionist greeted her. "Right this way."

She was led up to thirty five floors, At the top right, a door opened to a big office, painted black and white. Behind the desk stood a young man.

Tall, Sharp and dark haired. He wore white long sleeve, black suit, black tie and black trousers. "Omg Hayley didn't lie when hyping this fine man" Martina thought herself, stunned but maintained composure.

"Good morning Mr. Castellano." Martina greeted sharply.

Dominic's eyes fixed on her, gazing at her slowly from head to toe, the kind that saw too much and revealed too little.

"Most girls with that last name know better than to walk into my office."

Martina's brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"

Dominic fixed his eyes on her necklace, he'd recognize that necklace from anywhere. He continued gazing at it till he fixed his eyes back on Martina. "Nice Jewelry."

She cleared her throat and adjusted a little bit, looked at her chest and holds her necklace. "Thank... You?"

He gestured for her to take a sit. "You look just like her." He said gently as a little smirk crossed his face.

She froze. "You're really scaring me right now, what are you talking about? Do you know me?"

" I know everything about you."

Her heart dropped to her stomach.

Dominic Castellano smiled thinly as he takes steps closer to her. "Martina, let's talk about your past and your future."

Martina rose up from her chair, already pissed off. "I don't understand, ever since I stepped my foot into your office, all you've done is make me feel so uncomfortable and nervous. This was a big mistake! I have to go... "

As she turned about to leave, she felt his hands on her, gently pulling her back. She tried as much as possible to hide her little smile slightly biting her lips. She turned around looking at him dead in the eye, as if she didn't she feel the butterflies in her stomach.

"Ok fine, just sit please, we didn't even start the interview." Dominic spoke with a soothing tone, this would be his first time talking to anyone like that. For many years, he has never done what he just did with Martina.

"You're tougher and braver than you look tho."

Martina reluctantly sat back down. She tried to steady her voice, "I came her for an interview, that's what this is, isn't it?

Dominic gave a small humorless laugh. " Sure, let's call it that."

He went back to his desk and picked up a black folder. Her application. "You applied using a different email address. You didn't mention were you lived, who your parents are or that you're related to her."

Martina's brows knitted. "Who?"

"Melissa Santiago"

The name dropped like a dagger between them.