Facing it head on

Leonardo arrived home completely frustrated. His father was sitting in the living room, watching the sports channel, with a half-empty bottle of vodka in his hand.

"Dad, are you drinking again?" He spoke indignantly.

"Don't bother, Leo," slurredTade, clearly drunk.

"Don't bother? Are you kidding me? By the way, when were you planning to tell me that you mortgaged the house? When they were throwing our things out?"

Tade looked surprised and took another sip of his drink, muttering something that Leonardo couldn't understand.

"Dad, I'm tired of this. I can't live like this anymore. I'm going to find a way to hospitalize you."

"You're out of your mind, Leonardo. I'm not going anywhere."

He got up from the sofa but couldn't stand upright, both because he was already drunk and he felt pain on his body from the beating he had received the night before. Leonardo took a deep breath and stared at him, still angry.

Ignoring his mother's advice, he poured out his anger.

"That's enough. I can't take this anymore. You're a disgusting drunk. I'm ashamed of you. My mother would be totally disappointed. You're ruining your life and dragging me down with you. I couldn't get the money, you know what? I'm seriously thinking about packing my things and leaving, leaving you here for those lowlifes to give you what you deserve."

Tadelooked at his son, completely astonished by this outburst and his words. Leonardo had never raised his voice like this with him before.

Leonardo then went to his room and slammed the door shut, leaning his back against the closed door.

As soon as he said those words, he regretted it, but it was already said, there was nothing he could do. He paced back and forth in the room, nervous, trying to distract himself.

As he passed the dresser again, he saw the black card with the name written in golden letters, "Frank Gold." He picked it up and sat on the bed, looking at it thoughtfully, twirling the card between his fingers.

"That's it. I'm going there and asking for more time, and maybe I'll get the money."

He spent the rest of the afternoon nervous and locked in his room. He had no appetite, and when the clock on his bedside table struck nine-thirty at night, dressed and ready, he left, walking past his father sprawled drunk on the couch.

Leonardo walked to the avenue and hailed a passing taxi. Despite being short on cash, he wasn't going to walk there. As soon as he got in, he asked the driver to take him to Luxurious.

After getting out of the taxi, he looked at the grand façade of the club and the people in line. He had no desire to wait in that long line and put his hand in his pocket, taking out Frank's card.

He looked at the door, where a big security guard stood, and confidently walked up to him. He didn't know if his plan would work, but he still stopped in front of the man, looking determined and showing him the card in his hand.

"Good evening, Mr. Frank is expecting me."

The security guard looked him up and down, and smiled in a way that made him uncomfortable before allowing him to pass.

Leonardo entered, thankful and happy that his plan had worked.

The club was crowded, and he made his way through the dancing people. But for him, that night was not a cause for celebration – he needed to try and save his father's life.

He stopped in the middle of the crowd and looked around, searching for the VIP area. He quickly found it, looking up and seeing Frank standing there, looking down.

He weaved through the people until he reached the staircase leading to the VIP area. There, a security guard stopped him, and he remembered the card in his pocket. He took it out and showed it to the man, speaking loudly so that he could be heard.

"Mr. Frank Gold is expecting me upstairs." Leonardo shouted, pointing his index finger upwards.

Upon hearing and seeing the card, the man allowed him entry. Leonardo was surprised at the power of that card. He wished it were powerful enough to solve the problems his father was causing.

He climbed the stairs and as he reached the VIP area, he could recognize some politicians there with women in their laps; he decided to ignore them, thinking about how dirty this world was. He walked over to where Frank Gold was, but as he approached, two men stood in front of him, blocking his way and preventing him from getting closer to Frank. Upon noticing the commotion caused by his men, Frank turned around and saw Leonardo standing there.

"Let him pass," Frank's voice boomed, almost like an unexpected thunderclap.

The men moved aside and Leonardo approached. He hadn't noticed the night before how sturdy and tall Frank was; his dark eyes were still shadowy and strangely uncomfortable.

"Did you get my money, Mr. Guerrero?"

Leonardo shook his head negatively, but he needed to ask for more time. He wouldn't give up so easily.

"No. I need more time, Mr. Gold."

Frank approached, grabbing Leonardo by the neck and pressing him against the wall. He was lifted from the ground and he looked around, hoping someone would help him, but everyone seemed oblivious to what was happening, which made him even more desperate.

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