Chapter 13

Genevieve's Point of View

"Why do you look so surprised? You didn't know about this?" Mrs. Peter asked with a surprised frown. I guessed she was expecting I'd already know about it.

I didn’t respond; I was simply staring at the building in awe.

Mrs. Peter laughed at my expression.

"Did Mr. Enzo tell you why he came here?" Cora asked her.

"Yes. He said he did something wrong and he's too ashamed to face his wife, so he came to hide here," Mrs. Peter answered.

She chuckled as she shook her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe I lived to see the day when the almighty Enzo Raffaele Fabio would be scared of facing someone—to the extent that he had to run away from his home."

I blushed at her words but didn’t say anything.

"Where is Mr. Enzo now?" Cora asked again.

"He's at the playground. The kids just returned from school, so he's with them."

"Alright, Mrs. Peter. We shouldn't take too much of your time. I'll show Mrs. Enzo around," Cora said.

"Yes, yes," Mrs. Peter said, facing me. "You should drop by often. The kids and I would love your company."

I nodded. "I will."

She gave Cora and me brief hugs before rushing off.

"When did Enzo build this orphanage? Was there any reason behind it?" I asked Cora immediately after Mrs. Peter was gone.

Cora shook her head. "I don't really know the story behind this orphanage, but I heard Mr. Enzo built it in memory of someone... a lady."

"His first love?" The question slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

I shut my eyes in embarrassment as I mentally scolded myself. Asking that question just made me sound like a jealous lover—I’m a bit jealous, though.

As if she sensed my jealousy, Cora quickly spoke in Enzo's defense. "Don't get the wrong idea, Mrs. Enzo. Ever since I knew Mr. Enzo, he's not kept random women around."

"Hm," I hummed simply.

She stifled a laugh as she nodded.

"This way, please," she gestured at a path.

> > > > > > > 

"That building is where Mr. Enzo stays whenever he's here," Cora said, pointing at a luxury cottage.

We continued walking for a while before reaching the playground.

The sound of children's joyful laughter filled the air, and just listening to their laughter could ease anyone's pain. I don’t understand why anyone would discriminate against these kids—they’re no different from kids with parents.

"Mr. Enzo is such a baby," Cora laughed.

I followed her gaze and finally saw Enzo. He blended so well with the kids, no wonder I didn’t see him right away.

It’s as if Enzo threw his adulthood away—he’s happily playing tag with the kids, and the joy on his face is so genuine.

"Mr. Enzo!" Cora called before I could stop her.

Enzo whipped his head in our direction, and he sprang up immediately when his eyes landed on me. He began dusting off the sand on his body as he approached us.

"Baby..." he cleared his throat. "Hi," he greeted me.

"Hi," I greeted back.

"Mr. Enzo," Cora greeted him with a bow, which he acknowledged with a wave. His eyes stayed focused on me.

"What are you doing here, baby?" he asked, his voice gentle and calm.

"You ran away from home. I’m here to take you back."

He tried to remain calm, but I saw it. I saw the excitement in his eyes, and even his ears betrayed him as they turned bright red while he blushed.

"We need to talk," I stated.

He nodded. "Let’s go to my cottage." He wanted to grab my hand, as usual, but stopped himself. "Let’s go," he said and led the way.

> > > > > > > 

An awkward silence swallowed us, as we both didn’t know how to start the conversation. But he soon broke the silence.

"So..." he trailed off.

"That blood. Whose blood was that?" I asked.

"It was my subordinate’s."

My eyes widened. Don’t tell me he killed his subordinate. Why would he do that?

"I didn’t kill him," he said quickly as he read my expression. "We were out for a drink that night. We were ambushed by a rival on our way back, and after a back and forth with them, my subordinate was shot. I... I..."

He shut his eyes, inhaled deeply, then let out a shaky breath.

"I tried to save him, but unfortunately, he couldn’t make it."

"Oh no!" I exclaimed quietly.

I wronged him. I accused him without knowing the truth.

"I... I’m sorry," I apologized. "I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions without knowing the truth."

I frowned. "But you shouldn’t have left home because of that. You could have explained things to me."

"That’s not the reason I left home," he said.

"It’s not? Then... why did you leave?"

"You lied to me, babygirl. You went to that Truck Park alone," he said, sounding disappointed.

"I’m sorry."

"Sorry? Do you even know what could’ve happened to you in that Truck Park? Are you so scared of me that you want to get yourself killed so you wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore?"

"I..."

"It’s because of that text, right? The one you received during breakfast."

I nodded.

"What was it about?"

"Someone texted me to come to the Truck Park or my mother would pay with her life."

"Did you hear your mother’s voice? Did you try to call her to confirm it wasn’t a set-up?"

He’s right. I didn’t even calm down to think—I just sprang into action. I was too reckless.

Right at that moment, someone knocked on the door.

"Boss?" a familiar voice called from outside the door.

It sounded like one of the guards who went with us to the mall three days ago. He’s the closest to him, which means he’s Enzo’s most trusted man.

"Come inside," Enzo said.

The door pushed open and the man walked in. He was surprised to see me here but greeted me with a respectful bow anyway.

He faced Enzo. "We’ve found out the person behind the text Mrs. Enzo received," he reported.

His eyes moved between Enzo and me, as if he were silently asking Enzo whether he should continue or not.

My brows furrowed as I stared expectantly

at Enzo, but he wasn’t even looking my way.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"It’s..." he trailed off, still waiting for Enzo’s approval to continue.