Memories

The  Ford mansion gates pulled open automatically and Vincent drove the SUV  slowly through the front gate and onto the large, cobblestone drive leading up to the entrance. 

The entire ride, Rene sat in the back, wondering if he would still remember his childhood home, or if he would have forgotten everything about it after all these years. 

Finally, the car pulled up and stopped in front of the grand house, and moments later, Vincent opened the car door for Rene, saying, "We are here."

As Rene stepped out of the SUV, he couldn't help but feel a swirl of emotions. Everything felt familiar and strange at the same time, and the familiarity was overwhelming. He walked past Vincent towards the massive, wooden double doors, which were opened for him immediately by one of the huge staff members, and then entered the main foyer.

For a moment, his brain started to hurt as memories tried to force their way into his consciousness, but they were blurry and distorted, making his mind unable to hold onto them.

"Daddy! Daddy, I'm scared!" 

"Rene, cover your ears and stay down!"

Those voices pierced through his hazy thoughts, and Rene clapped his hands over his ears, shutting his eyes tightly in pain. He could hear the screams of a child and the sound of heavy boots trudging through the house coming closer and closer, and then the sound of a gun.

Immediately he let out a harsh breath, opening his eyes to the present to see Vincent staring at him with worry etched across his face, asking softly, "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm good." He mumbled hoarsely.

"Okay, let's go. Parblo is in the kitchen." Vincent said, grabbing him by the shoulders and steering him into the foyer towards the staircase, the smell of food filling his nose.

Rene followed after him, the images flashing across his mind too quickly and confusing for him to grasp them completely. But he tried to stay in the present,  focusing on keeping his feet moving and following after Vincent, as he kept telling himself to remain calm and composed.

When they got to the kitchen, Vincent led Rene through the doorway, where the bustling activity of a large, busy kitchen greeted him. Chefs and staff moved around with practiced efficiency, preparing a feast that seemed to reflect the grandeur of the Ford family.

Subconsciously, Rene's gaze fell on Parblo, who was standing near a counter, inspecting some plates with a furrowed brow. Parblo was a tall man, dressed in a well-tailored suit, but his demeanor was far from relaxed. His eyes, sharp and wary, immediately locked onto Rene as Vincent introduced him.

"Parblo, you got a minute for a private discussion in the study?" Vincent said, his tone calm and professional.

Immediately, the old man looked up from the counter with a tight, uneasy smile as Vincent approached him. His eyes quickly flicked from Vincent to Rene, as if assessing the stranger in their midst. 

The other servants kept doing their work, but side-eyeing Rene since rumors had spread that Master Rome was going to find Parblo run runaway son and bring him to the mansion.

"Is that him... Your son... the one who's about to get married into the Rossi family?" Lulu whispered to the old man.

“Of course, I got more than a minute...” Parblo said, his voice steady despite the visible tension in his shoulders as he ignored Lulu and approached the two men. “Let’s go to the study.”

Vincent gestured for Parblo to lead the way, and as they walked through the grand halls of the mansion, Rene trailed behind, his nerves jangling with each step. 

The study was a room lined with dark wood paneling, richly carpeted, and filled with leather-bound books and antique furniture. 

Looking at the old man, Vincent took a seat across from Parblo, and Rene hesitantly lowered himself into a chair beside him. The air was thick with anticipation, and Rene could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

“Parblo,” Vincent began, “this is Theo, and he will be filling in for your son, Kia, as we discussed. Per Master Rome’s request, Theo will take Kia’s place for the time being.”

The mention of Master Rome seemed to immediately ease some of the tension in Parblo’s posture. He nodded, his eyes softening with gratitude. “I’m deeply relieved to hear that Master Rome is taking care of this situation. He is a good man, and I am grateful for his help.”

Rene shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable as he focused on the conversation. He knew that any misstep could jeopardize the fragile position he was about to assume.

“Thank you,” Parblo continued, his tone sincere. “It’s been a difficult time, and having someone fill in for Kia will help immensely. I trust Master Rome’s judgment completely.”

Vincent glanced at Rene, who gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. “Theo here will do his best to fit into the role of Kia Flores. In the meantime, Theo will need to be brought up to speed on the expectations and responsibilities.”

Parblo leaned forward, his expression shifting from relief to a focused seriousness. “Of course. Let’s make sure he’s properly introduced and settled. I’ll ensure that Theo has everything he needs to blend in seamlessly.”

Vincent turned to Rene. “Theo, this is your opportunity to prove yourself. Parblo will brief you on your duties and how to navigate your new role. Remember, the key here is to keep a low profile and integrate smoothly into the family. Do not draw unnecessary attention.”

Rene nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and exhaustion. “Understood,” he said, trying to convey confidence despite the storm of emotions within him.

Parblo stood and gestured for Rene to follow him. “Come with me, Theo. I’ll show you to your quarters and give you a brief overview of what’s expected. We have a lot to cover, but I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”

As Parblo led Rene through the mansion, the man’s demeanor was surprisingly gentle and accommodating. It was clear that despite his previous anxieties, he was keen on making the transition as smooth as possible for Rene.

The corridors of the mansion were lined with paintings and ornate decorations, but no family portraits and it hurt Rene sightly to not see any pictures of him and his parents. But he followed Parblo closely, focusing on the task ahead and trying to push away the overwhelming swirl of thoughts and fears.

Parblo stopped in front of a set of double doors and opened them to reveal a comfortable, elegantly furnished room. “This will be your quarters while you’re here. I hope it meets your expectations.”

Rene stepped inside, taking in the luxurious surroundings. The room was beautifully appointed, but he felt more like a trespasser than a guest. He turned to Parblo, who was watching him with a look of quiet approval.

“It’s perfect,” Rene said, trying to sound as genuine as possible. “Thank you.”

Parblo nodded. “You and I will make our way to the Rossi's estate the day after tomorrow, so you have a lot of catching up to do on my family history and things about the Rossi family and Kia."

'Two days, and then my entire life will gets turned upside down,' Rene thought to himself as he tried to digest everything that had transpired in such a short span of time. The weight of his new identity as Kia Flores, the expectations thrust upon him, and the intricate web of alliances and agreements... all of it pressed down heavily on his mind.