Chapter Three

**Natasha's POV**

I opened it and guess who was standing right there.

Lucho

The reason I got myself into this mess.

“What do you want? Why are you here?” I asked while standing at the door 

“I knew you would be here. Can I at least come in, I want to explain what transpired. It's not exactly what you think.” He said.

“What do you expect me to think? Keep whatever explanation you have it to yourself, I don't need it and just so you know, it's over between us.” I said and shut the door to his face.

Ashley just looked at me, she didn't say anything, maybe she didn't need to say anything because I was heartbroken and angry.

“I've been through a lot, just only yesterday. I need to go home and clear my head and also see my parents.” I finally spoke after few minutes.

She helped me pack my things and we made our way to the airport, we bid ourselves goodbye and I went to check in my bag.

**************

The plane landed and I entered a taxi. We drove through the busy streets of California. The soft drizzling of the rain trickled through the windscreen and the car wiper did a great job of wiping the glass of the rain.

As we drove into the estate, he killed the engine in front of our building and I  strode towards the gate with my bag. I was super excited about seeing my parents, I hadn’t spoken to them in the past two months as they always claimed to be busy with stuff. I tapped the front door slowly and then pushed it.

“Hi Dad,” I greeted but the man smiled grimly at me.

I yanked the stilettos off my feet and walked towards him. This wasn’t the kind of reception I was looking forward to.

“Is everything alright, Dad?” I asked and moved towards him.

He tilted forward, “We have lost everything” His croaky voice came up.

I rolled my eyes and placed my hands on his shoulder, “What do you mean? Where’s mum?”

“She has an appointment with the district attorney,” He replied.

“So, what do you mean by we lost everything? Is there something you're trying to tell me?” I asked.

He took a deep breath, “I am paying for my past sins. Only that the consequences are too great”.

I took a deep breath, and got into a seat opposite him. “Talk to me, Dad”.

“Eighteen years ago, I was in a mafia mob. We ran the slum, traded on drugs, and laundered money for aristocrats. After I gathered enough, I thought that was the end of it,” he paused and took a breath. “Well, last month, my name was traced to a shady transaction dated eighteen years back. The FBI came for me and took me in for questioning. And now, I stand the risk of going to jail. Some of my major accounts have been frozen already and the investors are leaving”.

My jaw dropped in shock. I froze as I leaned over on the chair. I started to feel like my body was floating away.

“This is a joke right, dad?” I asked.

“I’m serious. Right now, I’m not sure I have up to a few millions to my name now,” he said.

I chuckled, “Dad, this can not happen. The FBI can’t freeze your accounts like that. There has to be something you can do, right?”

“I don’t think there is,” he replied.

I got up from the chair, my legs were shaking. I wished it was a prank, but there was a niggling feeling in my chest that told me otherwise that my Dad was freaking serious.

He looked like he had aged a lot. I climbed the stairs and opened the door of my room. The whiff of dust made me sneeze. I touched the hard surfaces in my room, and could feel the gray stain of dust on almost all my gadgets, a clear sign that my room hadn’t been cleaned in a while. I flopped onto the bed, thinking about the next line of action.

From one problem to another.

 I've been through a lot already in one day. A day that was supposed to be a happy day for me. Now I'm coming back to meet another bombshell.

Oh God! Why me!!!!!

After some minutes, I heard the sound of the car engine. I rushed to the window and peeped, it was my mother. Her almond eyes were bloodshot and her proud poise faltered.

“This is serious” I  mumbled while rushing out of my room.

My mum saw me and smiled. 

“Mum, what’s happening?” I asked.

I sat on the chair, my eyes lit in anticipation. 

She slammed her bag on the table and whimpered.

“What did the attorney say?” my dad asked her.

“You are going to jail, that’s for sure. And the US government will lay claim to all our properties. Every one of them” She said, almost out of breath by the time she was done speaking.

My dad sank back into the chair and both of us rushed to him. I couldn’t come to terms with the entire scenario. I shivered on my own and stared at my mum.

“Dad is really going to jail?” I half screamed and half whispered her..

She nodded and wiped her face with the back of her palms.

“I need to speak with Ethan. There must be a way. I can’t just go to jail” He said.

“Maybe Tasha, you will have to go with your Dad. See how you can beg the man. We can’t just let the government take everything we have suffered for. Our companies, no” she gasped.

I nodded, “When do we leave?”

Dad sat still and stretched his body with a grunt. “We live for Texas tomorrow”.

“I just left Texas today, why Texas again?” I whispered to myself.

I nodded, I would do whatever it takes to prevent my father from going to jail. That evening was a sour time for all of us. I had planned to get some cash from my father that would help me facilitate my travels for a vacation to clear my head. 

Mum made dinner but no one was in the mood to eat. Later that evening, my dad retired to his room while I sat with my mum at the dining table. Our food was barely touched. I had only managed to eat a little out of it.

“Mum, just explain what’s happening. I can’t seem to wrap my head around it” I asked.

She took a deep breath, “Your father was kind of rough in his youthful days. Now, when he started his firm newly, he took a loan from the Chinese government then. Issues came up and he never paid back the loan and now, the interest has accumulated. Someone probably your father’s adversary leaked a document to the FBI. They opened all wounds and noticed a lot of underground shits and they've sworn to take him down because of his past sins. I knew your Dad, he never did half the stuff they are accusing him of.”

I took a deep breath, “Will the person he wants to talk to be able to help?”

“We hope so. Right now, we have tried everyone and no one is willing to get involved. They don’t want the FBI spying on them. Mr Ethan was your father's business partner. They did those shady business together until he decided to stop and start his firm newly and he is close to the Chief judge. We just hope he will help out. If not, we go broke and poor.”

**********

The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a reflection on my face. I used my palms to shield the rays of light from the sun. I reached out for my phone on the table to check the time and it was past eight. I swung my foot from the bed as I heard a knock. I moved towards the door of the room and unlocked it.

“Your flight leaves by ten. Come downstairs for breakfast” my mum said with a light smile on her face.

I nodded and closed the door. My phone beeped and I reached for it. It was my best friend, Ashley. I swiped the green button and placed the phone to my ears.

“How are you?” she asked.

“I'm not fine,” I answered while covering the curtains and switched on the light.

I took a deep breath and continued, “My Dad had some issues with the FBI. They froze his account and he might be going to jail soon”.

“Shit” she gasped.

“We are trying as much as we can to avoid that” I replied.

“I'm sorry that this had to happen shortly after your graduation, and with what you’ve been through lately”.

“It's not a problem, shit happens.”  I said.

“Not to worry, you will find your way out of this. I just want you to keep a clear head”.

“I will be coming back to Texas with my dad. He said he has a friend that is close to the Chief judge, maybe he might help out”.

“Okay, stay safe girl” she ended the call.

I got up from the bed and reached down for the cabinet. I retrieved my crocs and slid them into my legs. I moved to the mirror and stared at my face, my hazel eyes glowed even though they had some sleep bags around them. My upturned nose stood proudly above my slim lips. I adjusted my nightie and moved into the bathroom to wash my mouth. After a long shower, I stepped out of the bathroom dripping wet. I slid into a fresh wear and moved over to the dining room.

“You haven’t still stopped this act of coming late to meals,” mum said.

I shrugged, “I had to shower”.

Dad cleared his throat, “My daughter, it pains me to see that I’m dragging you in my mess. I know I did some shits in life…”.

“Dad, you don’t have to say all of these. I’ve been the one enjoying all the money. And now that there are issues, I need to help out the way I can. That’s what makes us family” I replied.

They nodded and I reached out for the curled bacon on the table. I took a bite and watched as my mum tried to force-feed my Dad. The beautiful display of love made me smile and I remembered that the only serious relationship that I had ended yesterday. I pinched myself to reality, now wasn’t the time to talk about love. My family issues had to be solved.