Chapter Two

Prologue fifteen year backMiss Margarita Alejandro had a set of boys who are identical twins. She had named them after a guy named Holman. He was her first boyfriend, and he was from the U.S. However, he died in a plane crash many years ago. She loves her boys and she would do anything in her power to see them have the best of life. She was never married and shed never mentioned to anyone who the father of her children was in all those years, although most of her neighbors at the time could easily have guessed who he was, as their relationship wasnt a secret one at the time of the event. She had raised her boys as a single mother while working as a dancer at a nightclub, and in the daytime, she hawked clothing from a shop at the metro center just to make ends meet. However, she is fond of her boys. The first of the twin was a cool kid, always assisting and helping his mother with most of the house chores, he was brilliant and very cheerful. The second was her concern. Even from childhood, he had turned a bad egg. At school, he often steals from his classmate and even his teachers, but he does disrespect them. He often makes trouble, runs home, and hides in the cellar. And being an identical twin, people often mistake his innocent brother for him. Most time he suffers bruises and injuries for crimes he knows nothing about. And their mother, having loved her two sons equally but couldnt endure seeing her innocent boy paying the price for crimes he knows nothing of, and this does hurt her mostly. Only she and a few of her friends could tell the difference between the boys. At age fourteen Perez become a real outlaw and she knew it wouldnt be long before he corrupts his brothers mind by influencing him negatively. She had thought about how to help her older boy out on this; however, she couldnt trust any of her relatives with the boys. On one eventful day, she was back from the shop after her sales; she had some groceries and she was home to prepare dinner for her boys when she got a call from an anonymous number; Come to the police station now! the caller instructed her. She hurriedly dropped all her groceries and rush to the police station at once with consternation on her face; she worries that something had happened to her son, especially as she didnt meet their presence at home. She got to the station shaky and quivering all over; she had walked to one of the constables at the counter and told him why she had come and he had directed her to inspector Martin. Hello, mademoiselle!" "How are you today? The inspector inquired as she came in. I am good," she had replied anxiously, although he could see the anxiety on her face, "has anything happened to my boys? She had asked. The inspector was quiet for a while, and finally, he spoke; well nothing really bad," "except for one of your boys who was involved in the company of some drug dealers," "however he escape while some of his other hood members were caught." "Some eyewitness had testified that it was your son;" "and wed gone to your house and found him," "however, he never denies the allegation." "He was here since noon;" "nevertheless, he never spoke except for your phone number. He explains. At that moment, she was quiet, with her heart doing a seventy in a minute; shed quickly code what had happened; as this wasnt the first time such an occurrence had happened. What will be the penalty for this offense? She had asked eagerly. Well, it depends on the grievance of the offense," "however, it could be severe, especially as a gunfight is involved," "but the judge might be lenient on him since he is considered to still be a minor. He said. She was quiet for a while; she sat there thinking for some moment on what step to take next. There is only one man with this influence that she knew could help her out of this mess here, although she had cut off every tie with his family, besides she never want to involve him in the life of her boys again. Hmm, umm," the inspector mumble, thereby interrupting her deep in her thought while clearing his throat; "I was surprised at your son's conduct," "he was cool and well manner." "And this has got me wondering if weve got the right boy," "he was well-behaved here and he never looks like one that will involve in such a racket. He points out. She was stunned at his sudden observation that she gaped at him for a moment, she wonders if he suddenly realized their mistake, course she prefers it stay so for now; I am surprised too," she said and hesitate for a minute; "can I see him please? she asked. Sure you can see him." He replied quickly, "Antonio! He calls. A minute later a tall pale face-looking constable stood before him, take this woman to the lad!" He ordered, "she wants to see her son. He explains. Ok boss," he replied and turned to her; "come this way, mademoiselle! he said and he led her to the cell, he called on the boy and he came out to his mother looking humble and sober. Margarita was filled with pity for him that she hugs him firmly and compassionately for a while; they sat like that for a while, and she could feel the sound of his heartbeat as they sat still; Perez again?" She finally asked breaking the icy mode. He nodded his head in reply to her question. "Umm..," she mumbled and heave a sigh, "I have to put an end to this now," "this is getting out of hand. She had said. And to that, he had nodded again in concurrence to her observation again. Stay here please, she said in a casual tone while making attempt to conceal her consternation. She had walked to a pay phone and made a call to this dreadful and most influential man in the city at the time, although shed vow not to have anything to do with his family again. However, for all she cares now, he was still a grandfather to her children, besides, he wont just sit there crossed his hands and watched his grandson suffer while he enjoys his Cappuccino. Shed walked back glumly to the station waiting in anticipation that he had come soon and resolved the issue sooner, but she was mistaken about that; he is got stronger influence than to show his face at a police station. Shed got there and she was surprised at the quick change in the inspector's reaction to her when she got back to the station. He had greeted her with some respect and told her that the arrest of the child was a mistake on their part. "Besides, he is just a minor;" he had said. He had also apologized on their behalf; he also advised her to keep a good watch on the boys and probably separate them if possible, that will help them live a better life outside your care.., he suggested. Alonzo!! she had mumbled with great relief in her heart. Although she never knew how he did it, however, she was most grateful to have her son free again. Shed take him back home and thought about the inspector's advice. And fortunately, for her, her elder brother Francesco had come around for a break, for he had been in the U.S. for over a decade now. Hed talk her into helping her raise the boys, especially since he had no children of his own at the time. However, after giving it much thought, she agreed that he go with one of the boys. And that was how Peter got to the U.S. He was enrolled in a senior high school, and later he had study business, accountancy, and office management at the University. He was a brilliant student and he was good at what he does. He emerged the best in his set with several awards to back up his honor, and no wonder he had easily secured a Job with the America Standard bank. Moreover, at the bank, he was diligent and skillful; thanks to Ed one of the bank's senior exclusive executive officer. Meanwhile, his uncle Francesco had moved back to Italy with his family a few years after he had secured a job with the bank, leaving him behind in the U.S. He had felt devastated and all alone at first; however, Ed has always been supportive to him. He had attained the position of a senior executive officer with the bank in less than five years of working there; a position that had taken many, several decades to attain. His acceleration was supposed to be due to his diligence and efficacy, nevertheless, most of the bank staffs believe he got a godfather behind his rapid progress by cutting corners. However, that was a summary of how Peter had gotten to his current position and how hed found himself in his present situation and dilemma. * * * * *