Searching for Tade

Leonardo watched Frank leave, still not understanding how Frank had allowed his departure to help his father so quickly. After all, even though Frank had accepted that deal, it  didn't make sense. Nonetheless, Leonardo left the gym and saw that Frank was still talking with Robert, whileLouisstood by, attentive.Louisglanced at Leonardo as he approached, and Frank turned his head slightly, giving him a half-smile before quickly descending the stairs and disappearing from his view.

"Shall we?" confidently said Leonardo. He descended accompanied by Robert andLouis, who remained serious and quiet as always.

Upon reaching the mansion's entrance, Leonardo glanced at the luxurious structure before him, thinking that perhaps this would be his last time there, and maybe it was a chance to escape far away. Leonardo got into the car with Robert and the driver, heading towards his house.

Upon arrival, he rushed inside the gate, only to stop when he realized he didn't have the key. He had forgotten to return it during his last visit, and now the key was in the mansion. But before he could think of a solution, the door swung open, and Leonardo saw two men in suits walking out.

"Who are you? Why are you in my house?" he asked. The men looked at him, and the taller one spoke up.

"We are from the bank. We came to inspect the house. Are you Leonardo Guerrero?"

"Yes, I am. The house is ours tomorrow; the deadline expires tonight, and as far as I know, you can't do anything until midnight."

"We are aware, but we have a buyer, and we needed to assess the property. We have a court order for this. Well, excuse us, we have to go." They passed by Leonardo, who looked at them, deeply disappointed. He glanced at the house, the place where he was born, grew up, and shared so many happy moments. Now it was about to be lost forever. "We have a buyer," those were the words spoken by that man. This was the end, being homeless, trapped by an unscrupulous man, not knowing what would happen to his father.

Taking a deep breath, as if the air was lacking in his skinny chest, Leonardo entered the house. The living room was a mess, dirt and disorder possibly left by his father. He continued further, searching for Tade through the rooms, while also trying to memorize every little detail.

Upon reaching his room, he grabbed a suitcase from the top of the wardrobe and filled it with his meager clothes. From the wall, he took down a small picture frame featuring a photo of himself, his mother, and his father, taken shortly before the illness debilitated her. They were smiling in the photo, and tears welled up in Leonardo's eyes, a lump forming in his throat, and a sense of agony in his chest.

How did everything turn from perfect to chaotic?

After stowing the photo, he closed the suitcase and left it outside his room's door, taking a few steps and entering his father's room. But he wasn't there. Fear struck him, where could he be? Probably somewhere drinking or placing more bets.

He took the suitcase and walked out of the room, seeing Robert waiting for him.

"He's not here."

"Give me the suitcase."

Leonardo handed over the suitcase, and Robert placed it in the trunk of the car.

"I need to find him. I can't go back without finding my father."

Robert, aware of Gold's whole scheme, looked at his watch and followed the orders he had received, "We have two hours."

Smiling hopefully, Leonardo knew two hours could be enough. He knew exactly the places Tade used to frequent. He got into the car and asked the driver to take him first to a bar a few blocks away. But his father wasn't at that bar. They went to four more addresses, but without success. Leonardo only had one option left: Luxurious. He knew perfectly well that the nightclub functioned as an underground casino during the day and that his father often frequented the place.

"Please, um, sorry, I don't know your name," he leaned towards the driver, who looked at him through the rearview mirror.

"John, my name's John."

"Alright, John, our final destination is Luxurious."

As soon as he mentioned the name of the nightclub, his heart raced. His last time there had cost him a bullet in the chest and a lingering pain. His hands were sweating, and a sense of dread consumed him. But he needed to try; it was his last hope of finding his father before he declared him officially missing.

"I don't know if Mr. Gold will approve of us going to Luxurious, Mr. Guerrero,"Robert said as the car continued along.

"He doesn't have to approve or disapprove. He gave me permission to search for my father, and that's exactly what I'm doing," Leonardo replied.

"You're going to get me in trouble, Leonardo. Let's just go home."

"No, John. We're going to Luxurious. I know we'll find my father there."

But as Leonardo said this, he noticed the car turning back onto the street, heading in the opposite direction. John had followed Robert's order, and they were heading back to the mansion.

Leonardo didn't think twice and opened the car door, throwing himself out and rolling on the asphalt. He heard the screeching of brakes and angry honks directed at him.

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