2024-11-30 06:31:58A second encounter
Antonio watched as the police cruiser, climbed onto the road. He had been quiet for a while then he decided to speak up, maybe this time the policemen would hear him out. “I don’t know those men!” Antonio started. “You’ve got the wrong guy! I was just—” “Save it,” the cop in the passenger seat muttered without turning around. “We’ve heard it all before. You think you’re the first guy to claim innocence when we catch you with illegal goods?” “I’m telling you the truth,” Antonio insisted, his heart pounding. “I didn’t even know what was in that package. I was just following instructions. I don’t have anything to do with them.” The cop driving scoffed. “Yeah, and I’m the Pope. We’ll sort it out at the station.” Antonio’s stomach twisted into knots. He knew it didn’t matter what he said—they had already made up their minds. When they arrived at the station, Antonio was booked and processed without much ceremony. The metal cuffs bit into his wrists, leaving red marks as they were removed. A guard led him down a dimly lit corridor, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the concrete walls. They stopped in front of a small cell with rusted bars. “In you go,” the guard grunted, unlocking the door and shoving Antonio inside. The door clanged shut behind him, and Antonio collapsed onto the hard bench, his head in his hands. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, his fists clenched in frustration. He had hit rock bottom, and it seemed like there was no way out. No one was coming to save him. No one even cared. Antonio lay on the bench, staring at the ceiling, wondering how things had gone so wrong. Just as he was about to lose hope entirely, the sound of keys jingling broke the silence. He sat up, his pulse quickening. A guard appeared in front of his cell. “You’ve got bail.” Antonio blinked in disbelief. “What? Who—?” The guard shrugged as he unlocked the door. “Dunno. Someone paid it. You’re free to go.” Antonio stood. He walked out of the cell, confusion swirling in his mind. Who could have possibly bailed him out? The guard led him through the station and out the front doors. When he stepped outside, his eyes grew. Standing by a sleek black car, leaning casually against the hood, was the man from the party. The man who had claimed Antonio was the heir to the Matteo empire. Antonio’s eyes widened in shock. “You?” The man smiled. “Yes, me. You’re welcome, by the way.” Antonio approached him cautiously, his mind racing. “Why would you—how did you even know I was here?” The man chuckled. “Let’s just say I have my ways. Stop asking questions for now. There’s something much more important we need to discuss.” Antonio hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He was desperate for answers, and this man seemed to be the only one who could give them. “Alright. What do you want from me?” “Come with me,” the man said, gesturing to the car. “We’ll talk on the way to the Matteo empire.” Antonio’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the name. He still didn’t fully believe this man’s words, but the promise of answers was enough to make him follow. He climbed into the passenger seat. As the car pulled away from the station, Antonio glanced over at the man. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t bailed me out.” The man gave him a sidelong glance. “Don’t thank me yet. There’s a lot you still don’t know. But you will, soon enough.” Antonio frowned, frustration bubbling up inside him. “Why can’t you just tell me what’s going on? You show up at that party, say I’m the heir to some empire, and now you’re bailing me out of jail? What’s the deal?” The man sighed, clearly growing tired of Antonio’s questions. “You’ll get your answers when the time is right. For now, all you need to know is that your life is about to change—dramatically.” Before Antonio could press further, the man’s phone rang. He picked it up, his tone shifting from casual to business-like. “Yeah,” the man said into the phone. “I found him. I’m bringing him with me now.” Antonio’s stomach churned with nerves. Who was on the other end of that call? Who else was involved in this? After a moment, the man hung up and turned his attention back to the road. “We’re almost there,” he said, as the car weaved through the dark streets. “Once we arrive, you’ll meet the people who can give you the answers you’re looking for.” Antonio stared out the window, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He didn’t know whether to feel relieved, anxious, or terrified. All he knew was that he was caught in something much bigger than he had ever imagined. And there was no turning back now.
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