CHAPTER FOUR

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.