LOST
Mabel was another maid in the mansion, but a sinister bond kept her close with Naomi. "Your outbursts are becoming more extreme by the day," Naomi said.
Mabel growled, "watch it or I'd have to report you to the boss."
Naomi chuckled, "Which one is it again? Our boss? Or Marcelo?"
The question seemed to have caught Mabel off guard, because a flash of confusion clouded her expression. "And what do you mean by that?"
“I can see your spirit is beginning to waver from the very mission that brought us here.” Naomi chuckled, grunting as she swat Mabel's aim at her forehead, rising to her knees, “I see how you stare at Marcelo, she spat, That brat!”
“Anyway, you need not to worry. You can settle in this mansion and spend the rest of your life being a spy for whomever pays your bills. That's okay. But as for the rest of us who still have their heads in this game, we are not faltering.
Naomi brushed past Mabel, shoving her hard against the wall. Mabel chuckled, holding back the urge to break Naomi into bits.
“The boss gives instructions and we follow,” Mabel purred, and that seemed to pause Naomi in her tracks, “go against his will, and believe me, I will make sure you pay.”
Naomi scoffed, walking out on Mabel. She smiled, Knowing fully well her mind was made up. Way before the boss had assigned her a mission. Way before she had stepped into the house and discovered Mabel, amongst others of her kind. She was bent on finishing what she started, and it wasn't long before an opportunity was presented to her to do so.
*.*.*.*.*.*.
Marcelo's POV
I had bid farewell to the hotel attendants when Cathy handed over one of the luggage to me. I smiled, taking a minute to observe her.
She still seemed unsettled by the attack on our main M&E's building, but she had exhaled a sigh of relief when I told her I was heading over to Chicago. Unknown to her, I had a perception of Ella's recent call.
Ella had her ways of cajoling me into agreeing to fulfill her wishes, but beneath her bubbly and boisterous nature, I knew I should be looking forward to a conversation with her.
It was just like how she had taken notice of the broken walls in our garden situated in Barcelona. Or the walls heavily packed with spy cams when we crashed in Miami during the last summer holiday.
Ella's eyes were always out for danger, so I knew she must have observed something again.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Cathy frowned, motioning for me to take the bag from her.
“You make a good assistant, you know,” I chuckled, a playful smirk on my face.
“Oh please,” she rolled her eyes, “you derive joy in stressing me out every single time. I'm glad you are heading to Chicago. Maybe no one tells you this, but ... you need the break, Marcelo.”
I stifle a laugh, “A break? Break from what?”
“From everything. The business. The Raven.”
“You still think —
“I know for a fact that they did,” Cathy retorted, her voice grim. I raised my hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I hear you.”
“Can you try to have some fun, at least?” She said as she linked arms with me, walking me down to the limousine, its shimmering doors waiting to take me in.
“Yes.”
“And I know Ella need a big a big brother but__’’
I arched a brow, realizing what Cathy was driving at.
“When last did you f*ck a girl?” She asked, mocking my expression. I couldn't help laughing and she joined in. “That's not in my line of thoughts, and I think you know that.”
“Well, get a girl or a hoe into that line, hey! Or …” she winked, "... there's me.”
“No way!” I scoffed, “you know for one you aren't my type of woman and you are my friend Cathy. So please, no more about this because I'm gonna lose it.”
We suppressed our talks when we got up to the car. I held Cathy's hands in mine, “Take care of Mexico for me.”
She smiled weakly, “Have fun out there. Mexico's in capable hands.”
And with that, I zoomed off to the airport. I was already dreaming of the street where our mansion in Chicago was buried when a call came in. I looked around, there was no mistaking Cathy's Tesla. Has she been following me this far? Perhaps I forgot something?
I looked down at the Caller ID, and it was from an unknown number. Hesitant, I received the call, holding up the phone.
"Hello, sir. This is Marlow."
Recognition hit me at the sound of his voice.
“Marlo! This is a different number; you know this is not permitted.
“Sir, I have very important news to share." He interjected, his voice firm and urgent. My mind began to consider the worst possible thing that could happen in Chicago. Or here. I glanced at my driver, but he kept riding on.
"Speak," I said, my senses in sync with the surrounding atmosphere.
"Ella has gone missing, sir, and Rose is nowhere to be found either."
I couldn't stop the rage tearing at my insides, I remembered Cathy's reassurance and it only seemed to fueled it up. If it were any other person, I would have shot her right on the spot.
“Well get your ass out there and find her!” I yelled back into the phone. “
“I want every single henchman in our district out on the roads. My flight is to arrive in two days, so before I touch down, you better have my girl sleeping in her bed, or I'd have every one of your heads for breakfast."
I didn't realize when I crushed the phone in my grip, and one of my escort cars was riding back from the airport. “Our men report no sign of anomalies. We are safe to move, sir.”
The driver stopped as he saw Cathy’s car, she quickly came down and held her hands to my cheeks.
“It's hard, I know, but you have to keep calm. I will see what I can do from here, but trust me, Ella is fine and she will be found."
I nod hesitantly before stepping back into the limousine. Whomsoever dared to do this wasn't going to escape my torture. I was already conjuring the worst possible ways I have tortured perpetrators in the past, and even if it was The Raven, I'd make him beg for toying with Ella.
Stacy's POV Just as every morning oozes with hope, a renewed strength and the reminder of a long day scouting for better opportunities, the evenings reminded me of home, my mom, her sweet buttermilk pancakes. The lousy atmosphere of the bustling city did little to infuriate me, no, and not even when the streetlights shone so bright.I swear I might develop a migraine, it didn't stop me from marching onwards, smiling. The day had ended well, and finally, I was about to take the first big leap into actualizing my goals.Jennifer had informed me earlier in the day that I should be called in for an interview in a few days, and despite my superior watching in on me closely at work, I couldn't help squealing in delight. I wore an extra smile for every plate I served, and my feets felt really floaty when I busted out the doors of the restaurant, eager to deliver the news to my room. I was about to take the right fork off an alleyway when I heard a muffled groan.It was no doubt a child's,
Marcelo's POVThe gates creaked open, but I had no patience in waiting to get to the end of the driveway. My head was pounding, my fists hungry for blood and vengeance, and that feeling was growing every passing second.I opened the doors of the car and jumped out of it, oblivious to the muffled shock of my driver and bodyguards. I could spot Ryan at the entrance of the house, his hands already holding on firm to the door knob. I pulled my gun out of the leathered holster lodged in my jacket and I narrowed for the mansion with a glare no one dared to defy. Two days, and my Ella has not been found?!“And what is this I'm hearing?” I asked Ryan as I walked past him, not stopping an inch as I stormed into the mansion. My men were already positioned all over the house as instructed, but it was hard to tell who amongst them was the traitor. My years of experience wasn't simply going to fish them all out.“Ella still hasn't been found, s-sir,” Ryan stuttered. “But we found something on t
Stacy's POV “Why are you asking me for my phone?” I asked, a brow raised. My mom looked like she had something to let out of her mouth, and when she took a seat close to the girl, I was surprised at how calmly she spoke.“We might have taken you into our home, and provided you with shelter, but do you think it's wise to call anyone out there right now? Plus, maybe someone is still after you and we don't even know your name! Or —"“My name is Ella Jones. I am eight.” The girl responded curtly, “now please, can you help me with your phone? I really need to call my brother right now. He could be in danger!”Her voice sounded urgent and afraid, and I didn't know what refusing her would make her do. I could tell my mom was asking me not to, but I already peeled my smartphone from my pocket and handed it over to her. I watched in awe as she navigated my phone, but I was even more shocked when I realized she was operating my phone without asking for my passcode. Just how did she do that?S
Marcelo's POVMy phone rang in my pocket, it was Cathy calling, probably worried about Ella too I thought as I picked it up. "Alright. So you got a call from Ella, and she was saved by ...""Some woman," I completed her statement, "Naughty Ella wasn't going to let me know her name until I came to pick her up.”Cathy laughed heartily. "No way! But ... does that mean you will be staying in with her? What about the —"“Cathy,” I growled, “we will have a problem if you're going to lecture me about my father's mission.” I could almost picture her raising her hands in surrender.“Roger that, sir.” She said teasingly, “but you know Rose is still out on the loose, and so is Naomi.”“We haven't figured out who pulled the trigger on Mabel, and don't you think Ella is safe back here in Bluestone?” Bluestone was a five hour drive and I knew I had to be on my way quickly.“No way! We just got attacked there by 'The Raven', remember?” I asked sarcastically, laying emphasis on Cathy's assumption.
Marcelo's POVI couldn't place what struck me as spectacular in her eyes, but it was suddenly hard to lower my gaze as soon as I saw her. Her eyes could be likened to a sea of honey, so viscous it's hard to swim out of. Her blond hair meandering down her shoulders, curly and messy, but it felt it was made to suit just her. I could trace the tiny spots of freckles on her cheeks, they were unnoticeable but you could only tell when you were just a finger-length away. For a moment, I couldn't make out Ella's words, and my eyes began to trail down her face to her lips —“Brother!” Ella whined, tugging at my arms, “wouldn't you step in already? You're keeping them waiting,” She said excitedly. I would have sworn it was me being delusional, but I felt her gaze linger on mine just for a while longer before I walked in. Many would die to have my shoes sitting on their doorstep, but she doesn't know who I am?For a moment, I was grateful Ella was there to snap me out of my thoughts. I sud
Stacy's POVWhen I stepped outside and saw him, I was shocked. My eyes melted in his cream gold eyes, looking so innocent, his dark brown hair was messy probably because he has been looking for his sister. I thought as my gaze met his. As he came forward my nose caught his citrus scent, his broad shoulder standing out. He was looking so confident in that suit gosh! I looked at his lips and felt something. I can’t seem to shake it off, I could feel he was looking at me as much as I was looking at him. I was so nervous so I knew I had to break this silence first.“I’m Stacy William,” I said just to ease this whole tension. And when he opened his mouth to talk, I was staring at his lips. His down lips were ripped out as if telling me to bite on it, what am I doing here. I shaked my head as if that would stop my thoughts.And his voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “I’m Marcelo Jones.” I heard him say, like hell I wouldn’t know who you are.It was until he left I started to convince
Three days ago(Flashback)Rose had been darting around searching frantically for Ella's medications when Naomi barged in. “Hey, you will not lay a finger on —" she was silenced by a huge smack. Rose recollected what Ella had said about Naomi, and she knew just what Naomi was planning to do.“The girl is shivering!" Rose cried, “let her be!”Naomi wasn't listening, because she was already scooping, shaking Ella from the bed, flinging her over her shoulder so carelessly. “I'm not blind to see that now, am I?” Miami answered her not caring about what she has to say.“The girl needs urgent medical care, I personally got her drugs today!” Rose yelled back, but a wave of realization hit her. “You took those drugs out of here didn’t you?” Rose spat, her anger growing. “What do you want with the girl? Have you lost your mind?”Naomi could tell Rose had seen through her facade. She cocked her gun, still clinging on tight to Ella.“Do as little as whisper a word to the boss, and I will — R
Marcelo's POVI was in my office working, my mind still preoccupied with everything that has been happening.I opened my laptop to check the mail and I saw one mail in particular that caught my attention.The sender’s name was Stacy William and she was applying for the cook position in my restaurant here in Chicago.Is it truly her, I guess Ellie’s wish is really going to be granted and damn I can’t wait to see her again. I stood up lost in thought, heading towards the door as I needed something to distract myself with.“Meet me up at my personal study, Ken.” "Yessir!"The frown on Ella's face suggested otherwise. “And why would you leave now?” She said, oblivious to the pain she had been wailing non-stop about. The one the chubby nurse had inflicted on her with a smile on her face. “You just mentioned that dad was coming over."“Yes, but —""Chris, I think you are free to leave. My brother is waiting behind."I stare at Chris, pleading with my eyes. He had his eyes fixed on Ella on