Chapter 312

Elena “Elena, did you pack everything?” Marvin stuck his head through the door. I could not even begin to explain the surprise when Marvin practically forced me to pack my suitcases because we were moving.

The surprise didn’t end there because I had nearly lost my balance after Marvin told me that ‘officer’

Lucas was actually Mario’s Castillo’s son.I was not going to lie. That was enough for me to agree to move out as I did not want to get involved with family drama which did absolutely not concern me.

Tiago, on the other hand, was a different case, and I had yet to speak with him. “Yes, I’m ready!” I told Marvin, pushing my suitcases out the door.

I was still trying to wrap my head around this matter and could not believe a family was more dysfunctional than mine. “Wait…before we go….” I stopped in my steps.

Marvin turned around. “Yes?”

“Can I speak to Tiago?” I spoke, avoiding his eyes. I had to see Tiago, and he had to give me à name-there was no other way.

“Tiago?” Marvin spoke, stunned.

“Y-yes, I don’t think Linda would mind.” I made up. “I just want to say goodbye to him.”

I could sense a slight hint of annoyance. “Elena, we’re moving down the street,” Marvin argued. I looked at him with puppy eyes, refusing to back down, and surprisingly enough, it seemed to have worked.

“Okay, I’ll take you to him.” Marvin gave in. He forced my suitcases to one of the maids and grabbed my hand. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” Marvin sighed. “He’s in his old room, clearing out Anya’s stuff.”

Clearing out Anya’s stuff? It had been a while since Anya’s death, so it was understandable that Tiago could not find the courage.I felt bad for him.

“I have to warn you, though. He’s a bit sensitive.” Marvin spoke.

“We’ll be fine,” I reassured him as we stood in front of a closed door. Marvin eyed me suspiciously.

“Hmm. okay.”

The same maid who used to guard Tiago’s room stood in front of the door and looked from me to Marvin. “Y-your brother doesn’t want anyone to disturb him, s-sir.” She managed to get out.She seemed to be afraid of Marvin.

“Tiago, you have a visitor!” Marvin knocked on the door, ignoring Tiago’s request. It remained silent, and there was no answer.

“It’s Elena?” Marvin tried once again before the door was opened, revealing Tiago. He stared at me with big eyes. “Is it true? Are you leaving?”

I released myself from Marvin’s grip and entered the room while Tiago closed the door in his face.

“Not him. He annoys me.” He shook his head. “I can hear you!” Marvin called out.

Unfortunately, Tiago did not look good, and it was most likely due to lack of sleep. I bet he wasn’t that happy with his new brother.

“Hey, Tiago.” I greeted him, pulling him into a hug. At least he showered, I guess. “How are you doing?”

“I want to give this to you. It was Anya’s.” Tiago grabbed a ballerina music box on the nightstand.

“She was obsessed with this thing.” He smiled. “Which is why I want you to have it.”

Was he crazy?

“I-I can’t accept this!” I backed away. “You should keep it or bring it to her family-but I can’t accept this.”

Tiago scoffed. “Then it’s going into the trash because I can’t look at it any longer.” He spoke. “This stupid thing reminds me of her.”

“But Tiago.” I reached out to hold his hand. “That’s a good thing. You should not forget about Anya.”

“I’m not!” Tiago shook his head. “I just I can’t look at this thing anymore-

“Then I’ll take it!” I cut him off. “I’ll keep it for you until you’re ready to take it back. How does that sound?”

“Good.” Tiago took a breath. I grabbed the music box and wandered my finger over the top, admiring the antique-looking music box. “It’s beautiful.” I smiled. “I can understand why she was obsessed with this thing.”

“Yeah,” Tiago grew a smile on his lips. “She cared more for that stupid thing than she cared for me.”

“Hey, don’t say that,”

“Anyway.” Tiago sat down on the bed. “Dad cheated on mom, and I have a brother….his name is Lucas?”

“Yes, I heard.” I joined Tiago. “I am so sorry.”

“He’s older than me….which means he’s a threat to me. He’s out to get me, so I have to find a way to get to him first.” Tiago continued, balling his fist. His statement scared the living crap out of me, and it was clear that these were not his words. Someone planted them inside of his head. Would it be the person Tiago was so afraid of “Tiago, that’s not true,” I whispered. “Who told you that?”

Tiago jumped up from the bed and looked at me with a terrified expression on his face. “Tiago.” I stepped closer. “The last time we spoke, you were going to give me a name-remember?”

“That’s not true!” Tiago whispered, shaking his head. The sweat was almost dripping from his forehead. “I never said that!”

It was just like the last time. Whoever had control of Tiago was the one who was truly responsible for Stevie Madden’s death.

I got up from the bed and stepped closer. “Tiago, is someone in this house keeping you quiet?” I asked. “Are you still not taking your pills, or is someone threatening you?”

“You can’t be here. You need to leave before that thing sees you!”

“Is it someone in this household?” I carried on.

“Does it have to do with the thing you did which affected both you and Marvin-”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please leave.”

“Tiago-

“Get the fuck out, now!” Tiago yelled at me. I flinched at his reaction while the door flew open, revealing Marvin. In a split second, he pushed me behind him and grabbed Tiago by his collar.

“If you ever raise your voice at her like that again, I’ll kill you!” He pushed him against the wall.

Seeing Marvin, who was known to hold back his feelings losing his temper, made me feel guilty.

Weren’t these people tired of threats?

I rushed to Marvin and pulled his arm. “Please, calm down.”

Marvin’s eyes softened as he turned around to face me. “Are you okay?” He cupped my cheeks.

“Elena, did he hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure-”

“I’m fine!” I reassured Marvin as I looked over his shoulder to peek at Tiago. He seemed genuinely shocked by his actions and had a concerned expression on his face. “E-Elena, I didn’t mean to…”

Marvin stuck out his arm to protect me from Tiago. “I do not want you near her…ever again.” He warned him.

“Elena, come on. Let’s go.”

“Elena, I’m so sorry!” Tiago apologized, regret written all over his face. I shot him one final look before Marvin placed his hand behind my back and pushed me out the door.

Good, so I had no name, and I was probably never going to see him again.

The only thing I had was a music box which didn’t even belong to me.

“I told you this was not a good idea.” Marvin pointed out in the elevator. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. I was only trying to clear his name, so my dad would finally stop his obsession.

“Will Panther be moving in with us?” I wondered. Marvin shot me a look saying, are you serious?

Okay, great to know. So he was coming along. Of course, he was. Those two were practically glued to each other, and he was Marvin’s bodyguard.

“He even follows me to the bathroom sometimes.” Marvin joked. I laughed at his attempt and nudged his shoulder. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Yes,” Marvin looked at the music box in my hand. “Oh, I’m saving this for Tiago until he’s ready to take it back, explained.

“Look at you, saving the universe.” Marvin chuckled, leading me out of the elevator. We walked to the living room, where Linda, Karina, and Cisco had been waiting on us.

“Yes?” Marvin questioned, clearly not excited to see his family. Karina waved her hands at me while Linda gave me a nod.

“We’re here to say goodbye to Elena,” Linda said.

“Yes, I’m only here for my sister-in-law!” Karina added. Marvin took an annoyed breath. “We’re literally moving down the street.”

Marvin did not have the time or energy to correct Karina, and I didn’t mind. I was going to be her sister- in-law one day, at least-that’s what I was going for.

Cisco ran to me with open arms and hugged my waist. “I’m going to visit you every day, Elena!” He spoke happily.

“Thanks, cutie.”

Karina joined Cisco and pulled me into an unexpected hug. “We should have a drink sometime!”

She decided. Her personality was still a lot to unpack.

“S-sure.” I smiled, thinking about my dad. Too bad he hated the Castillo’s because the two of them would get along just fine.

“Anyway, I’m almost late for my manicure. Cisco, let’s go!” She pulled Cisco’s hand as Marvin let out an exaggerated breath. “Ah, you’re taking Cisco with you? What a pleasant surprise.“

Karina mimicked her brother as she walked out of the living room. Despite everything, the two seemed to have a good relationship. Seeing the two of them interact made me think about Alex.I missed him.

Linda cleared her throat. “This is because of that, Lucas, isn’t it?” She concluded. “You’re leaving because you can’t deal with any of this.”

Rightfully so.

“No, you know it isn’t.” Marvin denied. “The house has been ready for a while now.”

Linda shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “It was really nice to have you here, Elena.” She stepped closer and held my hand.

“Thank you-

“Mom, I know we didn’t want this-but Tiago needs help.” Marvin suddenly addressed.Why would he even think this was the right time to discuss something like this? Couldn’t they do this at a family dinner?

“W-what?” Linda frowned.

“He’s not only starting to become a threat to himself.” Marvin looked at me. “But also to others, and he needs help.”

Annoyed, Linda closed her eyes. “Marvin, he’s just-”

“Victor and dad were right. He’s fucking nuts, and he needs help.” Marvin stated.Should I feel guilty? Wasn’t 1 responsible for Tiago’s outburst?

“Don’t talk about your brother like that.” Linda scolded him, but it did not seem to affect him at all.

“I will when you stop babying him, making him believe he can get away with everything.” Marvin stood by his point. Linda, who seemed surprised, looked into my eyes. No, please don’t let me get involved. “Elena, do you feel threatened by Tiago?” She asked while still holding my hand.Kind of your son is crazy.

“Uh-”

Marvin pulled me away. “Keep her out of it, mom!”

“I’m just asking her a question.”

“Don’t!”

+5 Bonus Once again, Marvin’s tone had changed. I wasn’t afraid because I knew he was trying to protect me.

Linda placed her hands on her hips and stared at her son in disbelief.

“So you went to prison for all these years just to bail on him?” She spoke, stunned. “Then what the hell was the point of going?”

I liked Linda, I really do-but she seemed like a manipulative person. She was someone who had to be in control all the time, but this time Marvin wouldn’t let her.

The two stared at each other, with neither one having the intention to back down.

“Alana!” Mario Castillo walked into the room. Who would’ve thought that man would be the one to save me from this uncomfortable situation.

“Elena.” Marvin corrected him, rolling his eyes. Linda, who had a disgusted look on her face, brushed past her husband and left the room. After hearing about Lucas, I could not blame her.

Mario opened his fist to show me the necklace in his hand. “Alana, this is for you!”

Elena.

This man couldn’t care any less about me.

It took me some courage, but I looked into Mario’s eyes and observed his expression. He was the man who I had been so afraid of, but he wasn’t all that bad. His comments were bold and rude, but that seemed to be in his nature.

My eyes landed on the diamond necklace. I didn’t want to accept a gift, but at the same time, I couldn’t say no to the Mario Castillo. Thank you, sir-I love it!”

Mario made his way behind me to put the necklace around my neck. “At first, I thought you were after my son’s money, but it turns out you’re just a lost soul, a charity case…I like you.” He spoke as if he was doing me a favor.

“Dad!” Marvin snapped, but I shot him a look, telling him it was alright.

“Uh…thanks?”

Mario smiled and pulled me into his embrace. Why was he being so nice for his standards? Please feel free to visit whenever.” Mario pulled away. “And don’t try to control Marvin too much, okay?”

Oh, so that was it. He thought I was controlling his son?

And you, Marvin?” Mario turned to him. All I could see in Marvin’s eyes was rage, which was understandable. He cheated on Linda, not to forget there was a new addition to the family.

“What?” Marvin spoke rudely, glaring at his dad.

“I expect you to be here every morning, starting tomorrow,” Mario ordered. “If you’re fit enough to take Alana all the way to Amsterdam and to move out, I’ll just have to assure you’re fit enough to get your ass back to work.”