“Take care of yourself grandma.” Lora said bidding Grandma Rosa goodbye.
“You too, sweetie, please be safe.” Grandma Rosa said, kissing her on both chicks as she tries her best to hide the pain in her eyes.
Lora said her goodbye to the other house keepers present and turned to look at her dad who is standing at the entrance of the living room watching them.
He just stood there as if he is waiting for her to leave, she did not want to think about the pain she saw in Grandma Rosa’s eyes because it will only make her weak.
Lora glanced at her dad for a while and then entered the car that is waiting to take her to the airport, without saying a word to him and he did not wave or say a word to her either.
As the car left the mansion, she watched from the car rear view mirror, as her dad walked back into the mansion almost immediately, but Grandma Rosa and the house keepers were still standing there until she could no longer see them.
She felt a little sad because she is not going to see her grandma for some time as she doesn't know how long she would stay in the country she is going to, and hoped that she would be alright.
She heaved a sigh and shook off the thought from her mind, she is leaving this place and She do not want to think of any thing else apart from where She is going and She is looking forward to begin a new life there and She have also made the resolve in her heart to have lots of fun.
She did not pack much, only a small suite case that has nothing but a few underwear, the first thing she is going to do once she gets to the country, wherever that may be, is to get herself new outfits to suit the person she wants to become.
Her dad already told her that she would love the place and that he had bought a house for her to stay in and live comfortably without worries and that the place is safe as well.
They arrived at the airport and Lora stepped out of the car, carried her small suite case from the boot of the car and walked into the airport.
She stopped at a check-in-counter and brought out her passport and travelling documents, she received them from her dad this morning and she did not bother to open it to know which country she is going to, and she have still not opened it until she gave it to the lady who took it from her and after a quick glance stamped it.
“Here you go miss, have a safe flight.” The lady said and smiled at Lora who took and walked to the direction the lady asked her to go, still without looking at the passport, it doesn't matter to her which country she is going to, all that matters is that she will soon be out of here.
***
Lucio sat in his study, now that Lora has left the country, it's time for him to face his challenges.
First, he needs to get in touch with one of the cartel leaders he had tried to steal from, in other to cover his tracks, so that the reason behind Antonio’s death will not be exposed.
He called Don Pedro Verano, one of his co-leader to set up a meeting.
Don Pedro Verano is the cartel leader he had gone to one of his safe houses to steal from before, which led to Antonio’s death.
Few hours later, Lucio drove into Don Pedro's villa, from the conversion he had with him earlier, it was clear that, nothing had been discovered yet.
"Lucio" Don Pedro said, when Lucio stepped out of his car, extending his arms to hug him.
"Pedro" Lucio said, hugging him in return.
Lucio and Don Pedro walked into Don Pedro's lounge and sat down, exchanging pleasantries, a servant brought them drinks immediately afterwards.
They sat there chatting away, talking about business and relevant matters before a young handsome man walked in the lounge and greeted them.
"Lucio, meet my son, Alfredo Verano, the heir to my fortunes. Don Pedro said, introducing the young man to Lucio.
"You do have a handsome gentleman." Lucio replied, winking an eye to Don Pedro, as he shook Alfredo’s hand, and smiled at him.
They smiled and Alfredo told his dad what he came by for, and excused himself.
Lucio watched as Alfredo leave the lounge, and immediately a thought hit him.
Alfredo and his daughter, Lora would make a fine couple he thought, and then turned to face Don Pedro who was watching him closely as well, as if he can read his thoughts.
"Pedro, I didn’t know you had such a handsome man." Lucio said, smiling at his host, who smiled at him in return.
"Yeah, sure I do." Don Pedro replied, still smiling at him.
"Only, I like to keep my personal life private, you know." Don Pedro added, sipping his drink.
"I wish to make a proposal." Lucio told him, his face becoming serious.
"Okay." Don Pedro replied, sitting back on his chair, his face also turned serious.
"I have a beautiful daughter, her name is Lora, the only heir to my fortunes as well." Lucio said, his gaze at Don Pedro, who smiled, knowing where he is headed.
Lucio then brought out his cell phone and showed him a picture of his daughter Lora.
"She’s beautiful." Don Pedro said, looking at the picture, she would make a beautiful wife for his son, he thought.
"I'd like for our children to marry each other, to strengthen the relationship we have." Lucio said, still looking at Don Pedro, who seemed to be in agreement .
"Hmmm." Don Pedro said, like someone deep in thought, he thought about it a little, seeing that it would be profitable for the both of them.
"Okay, talk to your daughter and I will talk to my son, I am sure that my son will obey my instruction, I don’t know of yours. Don Pedro said, after a short silence, looking at Lucio.
"She will do as I say, no need to worry about that." Lucio replied, feeling very happy.
If their children's marriage go as planned, it will make things a lot easier for him to reach his goal on being the overall leader, he thought and smiled at his host, who smiled back in return.
For Don Pedro, this alliance would strengthen his leadership and it would mean more wealth, power and influence on his own path, he would make sure to use Lucio’s daughter, he thought, as he smiled to Lucio in return.
They shook their hands together and drank to the agreement they have just made, each man having his own in depth motive.
Lucio left Don Pedro's villa, feeling very excited, Lora will have to marry Alfredo, at least this would be a good distraction for her, as it would take her mind off her mum, and even if Camilla happens to reappear into their lives, it would be too late for her to take Lora, he thought.
This would mean killing two birds with one stone, or rather, killing three birds with one stone, he thought and smiled to himself.