THE MAFIA DON AND HIS NUN

“And that was how we escaped that fateful night.” Granny Pamela ended the tragic story.

She was already crying by the time she finished the story.

Tears were also rolling down Theresa’s face but she immediately wiped them off with her palm.

Pepi handed an handkerchief to granny Pamela. She collected it and she wiped the tears on her face, then she continued.

“After we escaped that night, I took you and your younger sister to Hope orphanage which was owned by your father. You woke up the next morning, and you couldn’t remember anything.”

“So, my mother’s name is Marisa and my sister’s name is Matilda, right?” Theresa asked with a sad smile on her face, and granny Pamela simply nodded.

“According to your explanation, you said my real fad killed by Dante, then what abiut my mum?” Theresa asked.

“I don’t know Theresa.” Granny Pamela replied. “I only saw Dante’s men putting her insde a van after making her unconscious by hitting a plank on her head. I don’t know where Marisa is till today. I don’t know if she’s still alive or not.”

“Maybe she’s with Dante.” Alfred said, and Theresa turned her gaze to him.

“She can never be with that devil.” She replied, a note of anger in her voice.

“Alfred might be right. Your mom might be with Dante” Pepi butted in, then Theresa averted her gaze to him.

Pepi adjusted himself on his seat before continuing.

“Granny Pamela said Dante’s men put her in a van after making her unconscious, meaning that they captured her that night. So, she might still be with Dante.”

Theresa nodded her head slowly in agreement. Pepi’s explanation made sense.

“But why did Dante adopt me after everything he did to my parents?” Theresa asked granny Pamela.

“He didn’t adopt you, Theresa.” Granny Pamela replied, shaking her head negatively.

“What do you mean?” She asked confusedly, arching her brows at her.

“Two years after the tragic incident, Dante discovered our location, then he came to the orphanage with his men. He threatened to kill all the kids in the orphanage and burn down the orphanage if I didn’t release you to him…” She paused for a while, then continued. “Releasing you to him was the toughest decision I have ever made in my entire life. I never wanted to release you to him, but the kids’ life were on the line so, I had to let you go.”

“Then what about my sister, Matilda?, where is she?” Theresa questioned.

“Days after you were taken away by Dante, Matilda ran away from the orphanage. We searched day and night for her but we couldn’t find her. I’m sorry, Theresa.” Granny Pamela asked and more tears streamed out of her eyes.

“It’s okay.” Theresa said, swallowing the lump in her throat.

“I think I know who your sister is and where she is.” Alfred said, and everyone averted their gazes to him.

“You do?” Theresa asked, her voice filled with hope.

“Yeah, I’ll introduce her to you when we get back home.” Alfred replied, then he turned his gaze to granny Pamela.

“Who demolished the orphanage, and why?”

“The orphanage wasn’t demolished, it was burned down.” Pepi replied, and Theresa gasped shockingly.

“Burned down?, by who?”

“The devil’s incarnate, Dante Marcel.” Granny Pamela answered, and Theresa’s eyes went wide.

“Dante burned down the orphanage?” She asked, shockingly.

“He came back to the orphanage two years after he took you, Theresa. He came in the night with his men and dozens of vans. He captured all the kids in the orphanage and put them in the vans, then he burned down the orphanage. Pepi was the only kid who was lucky enough to escape before Dante burned down the orphanage. Dante didn’t capture me because he said I was of no use to him, so he let me go. Ever since then, Pepi and I have been living here.” Granny Pamela narrated.

“Oh my goodness! That is so inhumane.” Theresa covered her palms as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“The reason why Dante came back for you is because he wanted you to sign the documents of assets and properties which were willed to you by your father. He wanted all those properties to himself.” Granny Pamela said.

“Do you remember signing any document given to you by Dante?” Pepi asked.

“Yeah, I do,” replied Theresa. “That was four years ago, and I was eighteen years old then. Dante didn’t give me the chance to read what was written in the documents, he just told me to sign them, and I did.”

“That greedy bastard.” Alfred mumbled through clenched jaw.

“Dante is an evil man, and I hope karma catches up with him very soon.” Granny Pamela said. Her voice was filled with hatred and anger.

“I never knew Dante was a devil. He acted like a saint to me. I saw him as a caring and loving father not knowing that he was just using me for his own selfish interest.” Theresa mumbled, lowering her head as tears fell freely from her eyes.

“I’m sorry, granny Pamela, but we have to take our leave.” Alfred said as he glanced at wristwatch.

“It’s okay.” Grabby Pamela replied. Make sure the both of you come pay me a visit tomorrow.”

“Alright granny.” Alfred nodded, then rose to his feet.

Theresa wiped the tears off her, face and she also stood up. She walked to granny Pamela and she bent to her level, giving her a warm hug.

“That’s my girl.” Granny Pamela patted her back gently, then Theresa broke the hug.

“Thanks for telling me the truth, granny.” She said as she stood upright with a sad smile on her face.

“It’s nothing. You deserve to know it anyway.” Granny Pamela replied.

“We’ll come visit you tomorrow.” Theresa said.

“We’ll be expecting you.” Granny Pamela replied.

“Let me see the both of you off.” Pepi said, rising to his feet.

“By granny!” Alfred and Theresa waved at granny Pamela before walking towards the door.

Pepi followed them from behind.

Theresa opened the door and they walked out of the house to Alfred’s car.

“Thanks for your help, Pepi.” Alfred said.

“No problem.”

“And thanks for taking care of granny up till now.” Theresa added.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Don’t mention.” Pepi smiled.

“See you tomorrow, man.” Alfred shook hands with him, then he got inside the car with Theresa and zoomed off.