Chapter
20: Thirty Pieces of Silver
Consuelo
came out of the bathroom with the pregnancy test stick in her hand.
She took a deep breath, hoping for a positive result. This was going
to be the longest thirty seconds of her day. Miguel burst in without
knocking and she dropped it, startled. Miguel apologized and picked
it up. He looked down and told her it was positive. She was
thrilled and he was happy for her. When he said so, though, he
looked away.
“Consuelo,
now that you know this do you want to keep investigating your
husband?”
“Yes.
Now more than ever. I want to know everything. Afterward I'll
figure out what to do with the information.”
Raul,
the man whom Eladio last conspired with on the phone, entered his
office at the company. He looked like Boris Karloff sans
moustache. He told Eladio that everything was ready. Eladio
gloated over Erick's stupidity and more at the thought of Arturo's
reaction when he discovered Erick's betrayal.
“He
fell into his own trap,” Eladio said. “The idiot has dug his own
grave.”
“He's
got no idea what's waiting for him.”
“Nobody
takes away what's mine. Sooner or later they will pay.”
“Will
you need anything else, Señor Gómez Luna?”
“Not
at the moment. I will call you if that changes.”
They
shook hands across the desk.
“I'm
here to serve you. Excuse me.”
He
left, just passing Franco as he entered.
“Godfather,
I've been investigating the Montenegro children. I'm sure I'll find
something.”
“Check
everything. Business, personal, anything you can. The more you find
the more I can use to hurt him in the worst possible way.”
“I
agree. Is there a meeting coming up?”
“Yes.
I have a meeting with the construction company.”
“Great.
Do we have a new project?” He sat down.
“Yes.”
He sat down and opened a file folder. “I am pleased with this
agreement. Something tells me this will turn out well.”
“This
will give us an advantage against Montenegro?”
“Because
we have a great collaborator. That imbecile Erick Montenegro.”
Both
grinned.
“That was a great coup using his own son to pull a
great deal against Arturo Montenegro,” said Franco. One had to
wonder how his nose was still clean.
“This
Montenegro junior knows nothing about business. In place of helping
his father he's working against him.”
“I
didn't know you had all this planned.”
“I
don't have to tell you everything I do.”
“Godfather,
now that David is joining the business, things are going to change
between you and me?”
“Come
here,” he said, motioning with his right hand. Franco leaned in
and Eladio grabbed his left lapel and pulled him in. “Don't be a
fool. Forget this stupidity. Hm?” He slapped Franco's right
shoulder lightly and took his left one as well. “My son isn't in
the same department as you.”
“I
just thought that you'd put him in charge of the other employees.
No?”
“No.
Don't suppose. Ask me.” His tone indicated his intolerance of
mistakes or disobedience. “Don't act like a novice. One thing is
my son in the business and the other is not getting into things that
aren't in your purview. We have to see how things go.”
“What
do we do with the territory in Huatulco?”
“I'm
going to think how to resolve that. He will have to pay.”
“And
when will we collect the materials?”
“David
will when we put him in touch with our contacts. Do you get it? Do
you get it? My son will help us and our hands will be clean.”
Arturo,
Nina, and Daniela returned home from the psychiatrist's office. Nina
looked a little too satisfied with what happened.
“I
think the doc and I will go very well,” said Daniela.
“Good.
Now see that you don't miss any appointments,” Arturo said. He
kissed her forehead. Just as his cellphone rang.
“You're
not going to answer?” Nina asked. She looked suspicious.
“Yes.”
He looked carefully and answered. “Hello?”
“Arturo?
It's Julia. I need to talk to you.”
“Sorry,
I can't right now. I'm dealing with a family matter and I don't know
how long it will take.”
“I'm
sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. Don't worry; I won't bother you
by calling again.”
He
mumbled something and ended the call.
“Who
was that?” Nina asked.
“Nobody
important,” he told Nina. He looked at Daniela. “I hope you
won't forget what the therapists says.”
“No,
Dad. And thanks, both of you, for helping me to go on.” She
grinned at Arturo while watching for his reactions. Nina smiled at
her protege's performance. “I'll do that. And Dad, I'll do
everything you say so you'll soon lift my punishment.”
Daniela
kissed both parents, telling her mother she loved her, and went
upstairs to her room.
“Wow.
I wasn't used to that,” he said.
“Arturo,
thanks,” said Nina. She moved in in her usual seductive manner and
embraced him. She started kissing him slowly, as though she had
spent the entire night before planning an afternoon delight. She had
always been sure of her sexual talents. They were the only ones that
she could capitalize on.
Monserrat
returned from shopping with at least a dozen bags from expensive
stores. This was what she lived for. Aldo followed her into her
apartment like the good little lap dog her ego needed.
“With
the money Erick game me, I was only able to buy these.” She put
five bags on the table.
“I'm
sure this wasn't enough,” he said as he put the rest down.
“It's
good you know how I think.” She flopped down on the couch. “If
I ask for little, he does nothing.”
“That's
quite a plan because you have what it takes to drive men mad.” He
sat down next to her.
“It's not just what I have. It's that I
know how to seduce.” She was clearly confident she could not fail.
“But I have to urge him to get paid for the business he's doing.”
“What
about Consuelo? Will he leave her or what?”
“Of
course. He's tired of her so he'll divorce her. That's the least he
can do.”
“Why
did he marry her? Does she have a lot of money or what?”
“I
don't know. But she was able to become Mrs Montenegro; not I.”
“So
you have to know all about her life so you know where you can
attack.” He made a beheading motion.
Regina
came home and Miguel was there to listen.
“David
did very well in front of all those reporters. But alone, that was
another story.”
“Sounds
like a lot of crazy bitterness. I'm thinking about Dad's reaction.
And his father will really lose it when he finds out.”
“I
won't have the courage to see it. But with all you've said, you're
right. The war between the Montenegros and Gómez Lunas never was
completely clean.”
“Yes.
They're fighting all this time over business stuff.”
“Well,
it's good this happened before David and I spent any more time
together.”
“Yes.”
“It's
very sad, but there can't be anything between him and me.”
“What
happened with the project you're working on with him?”
“We
have to find a way to resolve that. If it's not resolved, things
will get very difficult. I don't know what to think. I saw him, I
loved him... Ay, Miguel, it's so hard!”
David
was at Francisco's desk at the office.
“Is
it strange that the reporters found you? They're always looking for
stuff between the Gómez Lunas and the Montenegros.”
“Yes.
I know. But it's that they saw us fighting about our issues.
Regina denied it and is stubborn as her father.”
“Yes,
that's logical, he's her father. You defended yours, didn't you?”
“Of
course. I would now that I understand more than ever.”
“Why?”
David
looked behind him to make sure no one was listening. He then got up
and moved in closer.
“Señor
Montenegro has tried to destroy my father for years, Francisco. He's
done well.”
“So
you decided to help your father.”
“Of
course. Right now I'm going to get the materials that Montenegro
thinks he scored.”
“I'll
help you but it worries me about the attention you'll get by working
here.”
“Well,
if I'm going to help my father it's better I be here than far away.
In fact, it's a serious commitment.”
“It
really pleases me to see you here,” Francisco said. They shook
hands. “I hope they give you an office near me and things get
better.”
They
were actually about to get worse because Franco had just arrived
outside the glass door.
“That's
what I hope because you know what's the most important thing? It's
my mother's happiness. She's happy I'm here.”
Franco
obviously wasn't.
Arturo
was working in his home office. He locked the door before calling
Julia on his cell phone.
“I'm
sorry for the way I ended the call a little while ago.”
“No,
don't worry. I understand perfectly. We both have families who
shouldn't know we're talking to or seeing each other.”
“Julia
--”
“No,
it's better this way.”
“I'm
worried knowing --”
“Things
in my house are much calmer now,” she said.
“Julia,
don't pretend with me. Besides, before cutting off the call there
was something I wanted to tell you.”
“What
did you want to tell me, Arturo?”
“The
fight with your husband.”
“If
that's what you called about, I'd prefer not to. As I said, things
are better with my husband and my son.”
“Good,
good. Forget what I was about to say; there's no point. The most
important thing is that you're alright. Wasn't there something you
wanted to ask me?”
“No,
there's nothing to worry about. Thanks for everything.”
“Tell
me what it was about it, Julia.” Eladio came in without knocking.
“I've
come for you because we're going out.” he said.
“Thanks
very much for your interest,” Julia said. “I'm sorry, but I have
to go now.” She ended the call. At the other end Arturo got a
sick feeling.
“Eladio,
I can't not answer a call from the foundation.”
“Enough,
enough. You shouldn't work so much. It's bad for you. I want to
demonstrate that my intentions toward David are good.”
“Good.
That pleases me because he's your son. That doesn't change what
happens between us. Because I can't forget –”
“Do
what you want,” he said with a steady gaze that was neutral at
best. “But don't complain about what happens later.”
He
walked out. She suddenly felt sick.
Francisco
showed David to his new office. Franco tried baiting David, implying
that he was looking to “solve all the problems in this office”
but David didn't take the bait. He seemed to realize that Franco was
feeling territorial and said he was just looking to get along with
him. Franco pretended to believe him and finally said that he had to
demonstrate his total commitment and loyalty to Eladio in all things.
David looked at him as though he were mad as a hatter. Franco left.
Jacinto stopped in to pay his respects and to thank them for giving
his family the trip to Acapulco.
Nina
congratulated Daniela on her performance at the doctor's office,
especially Daniela's making her issue all about her parents'
fighting. They scored what they saw as a victory at her not being
incarcerated in rehab. Nina suggested that she allow her to help her
with her problems. She then asked the question that had been on her
mind for a while.
“Will
you tell me who is this guy you went out with and then Regina?”
“Oh,
that's not important, Mama.”
“No,
no, no. Of course it is. I have to know or your father will accuse
me of knowing nothing about my children. Which would mean I don't
worry about my children.”
“Oh,
please don't worry about it. But if anything happens I promise
you'll be the first to know about it.” She went back into the
house.
Nina
had smiled as Daniela talked with such self-assurance. But she was
worried and for at least a moment looked about five years older than
usual.
Eladio
went to Monserrat's place in a celebratory mood. He told her he would
tell her later what that was about. For the moment he merely wanted
her services, the ones he had been paying for during the past three
years.
“I
love being with you,” she said.
As
if to exert his control, he took her face in his hand as he kissed
her and pushed her onto the couch. She stared at him with the very
face of seduction she was thinking of earlier that day.
At
the same moment Consuelo waited on her marital bed for Erick. He
came in to hear her say “My love,” but started looking through
his bureau drawers without even facing her. She mentioned the
couples therapy he had agreed to and he said “I have a lot of work
to do,” which was the bucket of cold water he was always prepared
with on such occasions. “Don't give me that look. We'll go
another time.”
Before
Consuelo could answer that Arturo knocked twice and entered. “I
want to see you in my office right away.” He closed the door.
“What
happened?”
“I
don't know, but now with work and this thing with my father, you can
see why I can't go to your therapist. You have to have more
consideration for me.”
He
left and closed the door behind him.
Regina
was in her room trying to get some work done. Her cell phone
indicated she had a text message. She opened the attachment and saw
the paparazzi photo of herself and David on the cafe floor. The note
said “If you don't want this to be seen you will have to pay a lot
of money.” She was horrified.
Eladio
was even less considerate of his whore than he had been in the past.
They had not gone into the bedroom. He had barely removed his shirt.
He had only satisfied himself with a few basic strokes in an
illusion of intercourse with her.
“That's
it? No more? You're not going to talk? You just came to use me?”
she asked as he put his belt back on.
“All
this is your fault. But in fact this was a great day. You know who
made it so?”
“Who?”
“Your
lover, Erick Montenegro. In exchange for money he betrayed his
father.” He grinned. She stared wordless as she tried to sit on
the couch. “You know what would please me?” He reached for her
and grabbed her upper arms and pulled her back up to her feet. “The
look on your face when you realized that I was behind this big deal
you thought he made.” He played with her hair in a way that said
he was thinking of her throat.
Erick
went down to Arturo's office.
“Dad,
why are you so annoyed?”
“Who
leaked the information about the highway deal?”
“What
are you talking about, Dad?”
“Someone
in the company leaked our information.”
“Do
you have any idea who?”
“No,
no, no. But I will find out and put him in jail for treason and
corruption!”
Erick
was only just intelligent enough to hope that his father wouldn't
find out he did it.
“And
what's up with you?”
“Nothing.
I'm having a drink. Do you want one?”
“No.
Why that look?” He sat back down.
“For
nothing. For myself.”
“I
hope that expression is regret you wasted your time with such an
imbecile and not for another reason.”
“I
ended it with Erick. I don't know why you continue to --”
“Shhh!”
He got up and met her halfway to her seat. He pulled the elastic
top of her blouse, as though inspecting the contents. “You are
only to please me.” Then he took the drink from her hand and
swallowed half.
“I
can't believe it, Dad,” Erick said as he put his drink down. “I
can't believe anyone would do something like this. I never knew.... I
don't know anything.” He put his hands in his pockets. Arturo
turned around and stared down on him.
“Of
course you knew. You were with me in Huatulco. How could you be
such an idiot? Like your little adventure --”
“I'm
sorry, Dad. But in total --”
“Oh,
but it's all OK? It's the opposite.” His cell rang. It was
Augustin.
Regina
looked at the rest of the attachment. It was various photos of her
and David kissing. “I hope you're thinking about our offer. This
is what we're going to publish.” She told herself she wasn't going
to fall into this blackmail trap. There was a knock and Consuelo
entered. Regina closed the door and pulled her further into the
room. She showed her the attachment.
“Regina
Montenegro Leaves Joshua Solares at the altar for the son of her
father's #1 enemy.” Consuelo's jaw dropped.
“No,
no, it's not possible that the information went outside the company,”
Arturo told Augustin. “I was here the whole time. We'll talk
later.” He hung up.
“Actually,
I don't remember what anybody said,” Erick said, turning away from
his father's stare.
“This
is the limit. I thought you were my right-hand man. You were
supposed to be in charge of all that.”
“Yes,
I will do that. I'll find out who did this.”
“No.
We are going to find the traitor who stooped this low.
We will find him because this is also your business.”
“Yes,
Dad, of course.” He was almost smirking.
“We're
going out of the office.”
Arturo
picked up his cell and left. Erick checked his and called his whore,
who was still with her true owner. He got her voice mail and left
the following message. “It's Erick. I can't give you anything
more. I'll call later to explain. Don't call me.” He ended the
call.
“Why
didn't you answer your cell?”
“Because
when I'm with you I don't want interruptions.”
“I
hope you're not lying because if you get back with that imbecile --”
“Do
you want to check my cell? Look at my missed calls and messages?
You can see if I lied.”
If
Monserrat thought she was calling Eladio's bluff, she called it
badly. He snatched the phone from her hand.
“I
hope you aren't that stupid,” he said. He handed it back
uninspected and headed for the door.
“Eladio,”
she pulled his arm back as he was halfway out. “When will I see
you again?”
“When
I feel like it.”
He
walked off to the elevator without even kissing her. She closed the
door and leaned against it for a moment, then checked her cell. She
listened to Erick's message and disobeyed him by calling back and
leaving one of her own. “I have to talk to you. It's urgent. Our
being together depends on it. Please call.”
She
sat down and took a deep breath. It was amazing that she had room to
breathe at all after what she'd had to swallow that day.
Erick
started to make another money transfer and discovered that he only
had fifty pesos in his account. That's only a little less than four dollars US. He called Raul and got his voicemail. “Call me. This
was an error, wasn't it? We have to talk.” He cut off the
message. “This can't be happening.” He took a deep breath.
“This can't be happening. This can't be. This can't be.”
Regina
didn't know what to do. While she knew that Arturo would know she
didn't want to tell him. “How do I explain this?” She showed a
particularly damning photo to Consuelo.
“You
mother will have a heart attack. This will be a worse scandal than
cancelling the wedding.”
“I
know what I have to do.” Regina called David. “David, we have a
very big problem.”
“What?
Is it mechanical or --”
“No.
It's worse.”
“What?”
“I'm
being blackmailed about the photo taken in the cafe. If I don't pay
up they will publish the article saying that I canceled my wedding to
Joshua to have an affair with you.”
“Don't
worry, Regina. Who knows about the photo?”
“There's
the one who took the photo where we look like we're kissing; the
other one is worse. Just a minute. I'll hang up and send it to
you.” She did so. David explained this to Francisco. His phone
announced a message and he looked. It was the almost-kiss that
didn't happen right after he slipped and fell on the floor. He
showed it to Francisco, who gritted his teeth. The phone beeped a
call in.
“Regina,
this is a lie.”
“We
might not be able to stop them publishing it.”
“We
have to think about what we can do.”
“You
agree that we can't give them money?”
“Of
course. If we give them money they'll just come back demanding more
and more.”
“You're
right.”
“Let
me think and I'll call you back. Don't get too upset.” He ended
the call.
“What
happened? What did he say?” asked Consuelo.
“That
he'll call later. You see, Consuelo? You see that getting involved
with David was a big mistake. Now you know why it's impossible.”
Her phone rang. It was the blackmailer messaging a demand for her
decision.
“Tell
him you will talk to David.”
Aldo
visited Monserrat. He was hoping to hang out with her, but she
wasn't in the mood to go out. He went inside. She began to freak
out. “I can't stand it when he touches me. I can't take it, I
can't take it, I can't take it anymore!” She paced, she embraced
him, she was shaking. “I need a pill! Find me a pill!”
“Calm
down, calm down!”
He
got her to sit on the couch.
Monserrat
had reached the end of her rope. She told Aldo she wanted Eladio to
die. Even Aldo was shocked. Monserrat knew she was trapped. She
depended on Eladio. When Aldo mentioned Erick, she told him what she
found out and what it meant. That Erick stupidly fell into the trap
and now there was proof that could be used against him. The intent
was to leave the Montenegros with nothing which would put her at
Eladio's mercy.
David
went into Eladio's office and told him how the meeting went with the
supplier. He said he was going to get the best prices from him. He
also had information on the vendor's other clients. Eladio looked at
it on his computer and was pleased. He said he would put David in
charge of this in future. David looked distracted, but avoided
telling his father the reason why. He said it was about revisions to
his master's thesis. Eladio accepted this and told him to go ahead
and finish it. He excused himself and walked out. Franco had been
observing all this time. David stopped at the sound of his father's
voice.
“David is turning out to be very effective. On the other hand you haven't
brought me anything I've asked you for.”
David
left. It was unfortunate that he didn't hear Franco's answer.
“I'm
working on it. I will have excellent information for you. When his
father realizes he betrayed him –”
“Ay,
ay, ay, ay.” He slammed something hard on the desk. “Everything
has its time. Not before, not after. Timing, timing.”
Franco
looked as though he had just been whipped.
Consuelo
told Regina she needed to tell her father. Regina couldn't and that
was another reason to break up with David. She then asked what
Consuelo came in to tell her.
“You're
going to be an aunt.”
Regina
was thrilled for her. She was sure Erick would also be. Neither
knew him as well as they should have.
Erick
was the oldest of Nina's three children, but he was immature. He had
never learned any sense of responsibility. Nina had spoiled him
because his birth assured her that her marriage would last. He
thought all he had to do was exist. Because she indulged him he
indulged himself and he never gave a single thought about who would
get hurt along the way.
Aldo
prepared the evening meal for Monserrat, but she wasn't very
interested. All she could think of was Erick's stupidity.
“So
things go back to the same as usual with Eladio.”
“Every
time I hate him more,” she said. “The only one I want is Erick.”
“Would
you accept that you would have nothing?”
“I
don't know.”
“You'd
be giving up your economic security. Your life. Because if Eladio
found out you were still in touch with him it would be over. And if
Erick loses everything, the power and the money, what's in it for
you?”
“Don't
tell me that.” She took a large sip of her drink but ignored the
food. “My world just turned upside down.”
Erick
sat in the main office near Augustin, who told him that his father
wants the head of the traitor.
When
Augustin left the office, he called Raul again and got him on the
phone this time. “Where is the 50 million pesos? There's only
50.”
“Erick,
we gave you what was right.”
“You'll
hand it over?”
“We
transferred what Don Eladio said to deposit. Fifty pesos.”
“This
is from Eladio Gómez Luna?”
He
looked like his eyes were going to fall out.
Augustin
didn't know everything but he knew that Eladio was involved. Arturo
wanted everyone involved arrested.
Daniela
lounged on a couch trying to get on the internet. She found herself
blocked from her intended destination, the only place where she could
vex her intended victims. In frustration she threw the tablet on the
carpeted floor. Nina entered without knocking.
“What's
wrong, daughter?”
“Nothing.”
“Daniela,
you hide a lot of things when you know full well that I'll help you.”
“Mother,
I'm not hiding anything.”
“Then,
tell me who is the boy who was seeing both Regina and you.”
“Mother,
don't pressure me over that.”
“Well,
is he's a good match like Joshua or Johnny.” She grinned. She
knew she could get to Daniela by pretending to be her age.
“Of
course,” grinned Daniela. “You want to know if he's handsome and
rich and with a future.”
“Of
course!”
“Mommy,
can I go to the movies with my friends? You'll ive me permission
because you're always so nice to me.”
“You're
father told you you're being punished.”
“Oh,
why? You always understand me.” She kissed Nina's hands
repeatedly.
“Alright.
But don't come back later than nine because if your father finds out
he'll kill me.”
Daniela
kissed her mother, who swatted her backside as she left.
Franco
was surfing the internet and found the drunken photo of Daniela. A
moment later Marianita came in with a photo of Erick exiting a strip
club. She sat on the desk in front of him. She looked like she was
about to pull a Sharon Stone move right out of Basic Instinct.
Franco said the problem was that it wasn't published. She suggested
that they keep looking. At her place tonight. They didn't seem to
worry that Franco's colleagues might see them.
Julia
and Gabriela walked into the front garden. Julia told Gabriela she
was going to forget about the DNA test and any contact with Arturo
because she didn't want to lose ground on the progress in her family.
Gabriela reminded her that she deserved happiness, too.
“But
even if I divorce Eladio Arturo is married. I'm going to keep to the
thought that it was beautiful to have seen each other. But the love
we had in the past has to stay there. It can't be again.”
Regina
met David at Francisco's apartment.
“I
don't want to look like a tart in front of my father. I can't
explain these now if he sees them.”
“But
if we give in to the blackmailer he'll just demand more and more
money.”
“And
if he publishes them? It'll be worse if he reads it. 'Business
Magnate's Daughter Betrays Her Family and Her Fiance With the Son of
Her Father's Worst Enemy.'”
“I
get it, Regina. I understand. But for the first time in my life I'm
getting along with my father. Really. I don't want anyone to see
those pictures. I understand.”
“Then,
what do we do?”
“We'll
have to confront them.”
“I
thought you'd find a solution.” He laughed, shortly. “Why are
you laughing?”
“Well,
the more we try to stay apart the more things happen to make sure
we're together. In spite of everything.”
“Destiny?”
David
moved in to kiss her, but she got up and walked away.
“Yes,
and bad things happen.”
“No
matter what happens you have to understand --”
Francisco
got home from work. David introduced them.
“Well,
have you made a decision?” he asked. “I recommend that you give
them nothing. No money at all. You haven't committed a crime.”
“That's
what I was saying to Regina.”
“And
your parents can't disown you because you were working together.”
“Yeah,
we know.” Regina's cell phone announced a message. It was the
final demand. She showed it to David. He took her cell phone and
typed a reply. “We are not giving in to your threat. Do whatever
you like.” He hit Send. The reply was swift.
“Don't
tell me you aren't going to pay.”
Arturo
returned to the office.
“Calm
down. You don't have to get your temper up,” said Augustin.
“What
happened, Dad?”
“It
was Eladio who finally got the low bid for the highway construction.”
“Ah,
that can't be, Dad.”
“Everyone
who was here that day has to prepare to answer questions because
we're going to interrogate them one at a time.”
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