A man sat on a piece of rock, fishing in a stream. He had two containers close by, the bigger one held a few fishes he had caught and in the much smaller container was his baits. He was fastening a bait to his hook when Octavio walked up beside him.
“At your age, I never had half the freedom you enjoy right now.” The man said, without taking off his concentration from the hook. “I was knee deep into the life before I knew my left from my right. You had a good dad, God rest his soul, and a fantastic uncle.”Octavio smiled, he wasn’t planning on saying anything.“We got what you sent to us…or should I say what your uncle sent to us.” The man cast his hook at a farther part of the stream. “Of course you won’t be surprised when I tell that we knew he was the one who made the plans. We knew it was your plan initially, but then he took over and tossed you aside. Correct?” the man asked.Octavio remained silent.“You see son, we tolerate failures only for a while, and m“I feel weird…I heard he got fixed…that is too bad…” Camille was on the phone and did not notice when Kristine came in. Kristine stood quietly until she was through with the call.“Some other time then.” Camille said as she terminated the call.“Who got fixed?” Kristine asked curiously.“Eavesdropping?” Camille replied. “Not too good you know.”“Forgive me, but I just couldn’t help it “ Kristine said.“Disgusting.” Camille replied.“Well, who got fixed anyway?” Kristine asked again. At that point, Camille knew she just had to answer.“A colleague’s dog.” Camille said. “It got run over earlier today, multiple fractures… but its alive though.”“And some other time for a colleague?” Kristine had a look of doubt “You used to do better than that?”“Are you a cop now?” Camille tossed a throw pillow at Kristine. “How was work today?”“I don’t know… I feel weird.” Kristine replied.“Is that because of –““Yeah.” Kristine cut in quickly. “I feel horrible. This is not me Camille. It seems I’m
There was small talk when Kristine got to the complex in the morning. Everyone was busy except for the friendly receptionist who had made it a habit to greet her every morning, every other person was busy having a conversation in pairs or more.Although she had a feeling she knew what was wrong, she still would have loved to be a hundred percent sure.“Is Alexander in yet?” Kristine walked up to the receptionist and asked in a low tone, so that only the two of them could hear.“No ma’am.” The receptionist replied. “I think he would be late today. He does that sometimes.”“Okay. Do you mind telling me when he comes in?” Kristine requested.“Sure thing ma’am.” The receptionist replied.Kristine smiled and then made for the door.Kristine got to her office and settled into her seat. She had already gotten everything she requested for during the remodel, except the new staff.She exhaled and buried her face in her palm. She replayed her conversation with
Matteo's death did not make Octavio sober, sadness was not his thing either. He instead got much more hardened and motivated even though it was his recklessness and need for revenge that triggered these events. He always had the option of going solo on his revenge trail, or hire some independent professionals to do the job but his ego and pride got the better of him so that he wanted, just like previous times for his enemy who happened to be Alexander this time, to know he was the one that made the hit. And so he opted for help from the people who should always be a non-option and if necessary, a render of last resort."Are you sure you want to do this boss?" The driver asked as the car came to a stop at the red light. "Hundred percent sure." Octavio responded. The driver tilted his head to the side a little and concentrated on the lights, waiting for it to go green."John" Octavio called to the driver"Yes boss" John replied.John was Octavio's most trusted, even amongst hit hitme
John walks back to the rear of the car where Octavio waits.“What’s the problem?” Octavio asked.“I think we came at the wrong time boss. There’s no response.” John responded.Octavio sighed and placed both hands on his forehead. “What was I thinking. Of course it’s work time.”“Do we wait a little or we can come back some other time.”“Let’s just go. Get in.” John said. “It might be a sign.”John nodded, got into the vehicle and then drove off.Once they were gone, Camille came out from a neighbor’s garage. She had been watching them the whole time.“I have been thinking…” Octavio said.“About what boss?” John asked.“What you said earlier… your advice.” Octavio replied. “I might just be motivated right now.”“Holy crap” John whispered.“What did you say?” Octavio asked curiously. John’s voice was so low he didn’t get to hear him.“Nothing boss.” John lied. “So what you going to do now?” he asked.“Pay someone a visit.” Octavio responded. “Let’s make this outing count.”“Okay boss.
“Where next boss?” John asked once they hit the road.Octavio went through the diary again and at the same time he seemed to be absent minded. His conversation with Mr. Martins kept replaying in his memory.“Boss?” John called out. “Do we check on the lady again? She might be back.” He suggested.“No John. Let her be. We will check in some other time.” Octavio said. Then he pulled out the diary.“He said I should go through the diary… the whole thing.” Octavio said. And although he sounded sober, he was not. “Uncle wrote quite a lot.” He said as he flipped through more pages. “Lots of stuff in here.”John kept his concentration on the road.“Did my father ever take a life… by himself?” Octavio asked.“I don’t know if I can answer that boss.” John replied, but then he looked through the rear view mirror and saw Octavio’s reaction. He realized how serious his boss was. “Not to my knowledge.” He said. “throughout the time I worked for him, I never saw him do it.”“So Mr. Martin was right
Alexander opened the door to let Kristine in. He seemed to be in a hurry and once she was in, he urged her to follow him quickly.“You should have informed me earlier.” She complained.“Well, that’s not my fault. It was unexpected.” He said.“And why this place?” She asked. “Where are we?”“My place.” He smiled. “I happened to get a visit from the four less problematic top people, so Martelli though we should deal with the issue now. According to him, the play gets a better outcome when there are less clowns.”‘Big statement' Kristine thought, “why does he refer to them as clowns anyway? Are they that bad?” She asked.“You will see.” He replied.“Of course.” She said calmly. But deep down, she was worried“Sorry I couldn’t find a better time to fix it.” Alexander said to Kristine as he walked her to his office where the others were seated.The only person she could recognize among the five was Mr. Martelli. There were three other men and there was a lady she estimated to be a little o
The sun cast its beautiful golden rays across the room, through the open window, lighting up the room and kissing Kristine’s face so that she became uncomfortable. She slid the cover sheet over her face to block out the sunlight.“Rise and shine.” Alexander said.Kristine lowered the sheet a little, enough for her to peek at him. He stood by the window, still holding unto the curtain. He was the one who had opened the windows.“It’s Saturday. And in my own calendar, I don’t work on Saturdays.“That’s true.” He said, then let the curtains free. “Is there anything I should get for you?” He asked.Kristine sat up and discovered she was naked under the sheets when she attempted to move. Immediately she was both shy and embarrassed. Alexander acted as if he didn’t notice.“Nothing really.” She said, holding tight unto the sheet which she had wrapped around herself.“I’ll just get tea then” Alexander then made for the door.“that would be fine.” She smiled faintly, still feeling embarrassed
Camille was outside having a smoke when Kristine returned. It was very unusual as she only did it when she was seriously pissed. When Camille saw Kristine and noticed the frown on her face, she remembered quite well she didn’t approve of her smoking and tossed it away after a little hesitation on her side and an upsetting look on Kristine’s.Kristine went past her, straight into the house with Camille following after. She was shocked at what she saw. It was as if a bunch of toddlers used the place for a play ground. Everything was in complete disarray, vases were shattered, the sofa was upturned, the TV was broken even the lights. She went into the room and saw they wardrobe was emptied and every stuff that used to be in it was out on the floor. Boxes were open.“You checked for your documents?” she asked Camille, who although stood there, was completely not there.“Yeah. They’re intact. “ she replied. “they did not take a thing.”“Oh thank the heavens!” Kristine exclaimed. “So why are
Alexander, Francisco and Victor were seated in a Alexander’s study. The three men looked so fresh one would not know they had just gone through a stressful period these past days.“What would you do now?” Alexander asked Francisco.“Well, something I should have done long ago. Probably put people to oversee some things so I can live the life I always wanted.”“What life if I may ask?” Alexander seemed curious.“Explore.” Francisco replied “I always wanted to travel round the world, go wine tasting, try new food, stuff like that. I actually have a bucket list”“No troubles?” Victor asked.“Not at all. No troubles.” Francisco responded, smiling.“Anyway, I would do the same if I was in your shoes” Victor said as he lifted his bottle of beer to his lip.“Maybe you can be” Francisco teased“How?” Victor seemed interested.“A change of name would do.” Francisco suggested.Victor turned to Alexander with raised brows like he was seeking validation.“Feel free. You are of no use to me…” Alexa
Kristine woke up feeling weak and having blurred vision. She laid back and shut her eyes for some time in an attempt to correct her vision. It turned out she had to stay that way much longer as it was a side effect from the medication she was given, unknown to her. As it wore off, she regained her sight and noticed she was in her room. She turned to her side and saw Camille bundled up in a chair just by her bed.She sat up at the side of her bed and stared at her friend who was fast asleep. Camille was probably exhausted from the stress of the recent event, so Kristine thought.Kristine could not recall how she ended up at home. The last thing she remembered was getting into the vehicle with Alexander and Victor. “Camille?”Camille did not respond. She was still fast asleep.Kristine exhaled. “Camille?” this time she was louder.Camille jerked and came awake. “You are up.” She said, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands.“Yeah.” Kristine smiled as Camille rushed to hug her.“How
Octavio ignored all the road signs as he drove furiously back to home, he did not even care about the cops who trailed him for over speeding although they turned back after they recognized his vehicle. He had just escaped with his life from a dangerous place and he needed his wrist tended to as soon as possible. It felt like his vein was severed as the bleeding was yet to stop even though he had strapped it with a piece of clothing.Octavio got to the gate and honked before it was opened. He did not even spend a second to curse at the men stationed there like he usually did whenever they made him wait as even for a second.He stopped in front of the house and hurriedly came off, strode straight to his bedroom without minding anyone or saying a word.Octavio quickly opened his safe and began taking out large wads of cash, his gun and a few passports. He stuffed everything in a little bag and made for his office where he took out his first aid kit and started tending to his wrist.When
“I love the nerves.” Octavio said at the top of his voice “You know, coming here like this.”Alexander approached him, hands in the air in a surrender pose and in one of his hands, he held a briefcase which supposedly contained the documents Octavio requested.Alexander stopped a few meters from Octavio. He knew the place was surrounded as he had seen a few men in strategic positions as he came in.“I presume my stuff are in that briefcase?”Alexander couldn’t place exactly, Octavio’s mood. If it was excitement or anxiety, he could not tell. “Its all in here.” He brought down his hands and tapped on the briefcase. “now where is she?”“Don’t be in a hurry yet. How am I to believe that briefcase holds exactly what I requested?” Octavio asked.“Mistrust.” Alexander noted.Octavio smiled “can’t help it” he opened his hands like he wanted to give a hug “I experienced it right here on this spot.”“And he was right not to trust you if my memory serves me right.” Alexander replied.“Yeah that’
“It feels weird you know, this request of his” Camille said as she bit into an apple she took out of the bowl on Alexander’s study table.“I feel same way about it like you do, but it’s a window we have to take. Especially with what is at stake.” Victor said.“You don’t get it.” Camille said “Why would he risk leaving the safety of his house, to come get something he obviously can’t keep?”Victor frowned at Camille’s question. It was one worth consideration because Octavio was a self conscious person who will never venture into anything that would put his life at risk. Moreover, it was the same warehouse location he set Octavio on his heels so he had serious doubts Octavio would show up except he had the place rigged. “Now I think about it, this is a bad idea.” Victor said.“A bad idea?” Francisco asked “which?”“This whole exchange thing with Octavio.” Victor answered.“We are moving on with it.” Francisco turned towards Alexander “yes?” he had this expectant look on his face.Alexand
“Someone get me Jeff immediately!” Octavio yelled at his men, who were obviously clueless as to where Jeff was. They knew his place in the city and have been there a number of times already, but he was not yet home. His neighbors last saw him three days ago, the same day Octavio saw him last.It was quite difficult for them to make any conclusion because none of them was aware of the cabin's existence. It used to be his refuge when things were a little bit clumsy, but now it was his grave.While he was still at it, the gate opened and a police vehicle drove in. It was Captain Harry’s vehicle. Octavio already had a number of encounters with him and so he could recognize him or his vehicle once within distance. The vehicle came to a stop and Captain Harry stepped out, along with two men who were casually dressed with police jackets.“To what do I owe this unpleasant visit?” Octavio meant to sound rude. Although he was right by addressing the visit as unpleasant because he had never up t
There was a knock on the door. Jeff wasn’t expecting anyone at that time of the night, but considering the fact his place was well secured, he answered the door.“Who is there?” Jeff's coarse voice flowed through the communicator at the door.“Package from Octavio.”Jeff thought for a moment. Octavio never sent packages, instead he texted and whoever had the package met him to pick it up. Since it was way past bedtime, Octavio would never take calls. It was his way.“Octavio never sends packages.” Jeff said. The person stood in a way the security cam could not pick his face, making it difficult for Jeff to make out who it was. “Look at the camera just above you. I need to see your face.”Francisco wore a wig and thicker eyebrows. He was no stranger to disguise as he had used it severally in these situations. He stared straight into the security camera and also held the little box in the view of the camera too.Jeff hesitated for a while. It was still difficult to believe, but if it wa
Police Captain Robert was at the gate waiting when Alexander arrived with the group. They already had an idea of how bad it was from the roadblock and now there was a heavy police presence at the gate.Robert took the group past the gate and beyond the yellow tape. He was the one who texted Alexander while they were at the bar. He had already tried reaching out to Martelli before Alexander but couldn’t because the network at his place was jammed.“Where’s he?” Alexander askedRobert pointed at an ambulance and the group immediately hurried towards it.Martelli was being stitched up.“He refused to be taken to the hospital.” Robert said.“Yeah I know.” Said Alexander “he got trust issues.”Martelli frowned at Alexander.“Does it hurt?” Alexander asked.“No… it stings.” Martelli replied. “They would need more to put me to sleep.”The group laughed.“What happened here?” Victor asked.“I had to take a nap after my driver decided to forget his duties, with the hope of waking up much later
Martelli had a meeting scheduled for much later in the evening. Rather than bore himself out with the news, he opted for a stroll. When his driver had not arrived after a long wait and his mobile was unreachable, Martelli decided to take a nap. He set his alarm for 9:30pm and ordered his house staff not to disturb him except it was something extremely important.About twenty minutes after Martelli had laid his head on his pillow for his short refreshing nap, he suddenly woke up. It was as if someone tapped him, but judging by the time interval between when he felt the tap and when he woke up, the person couldn’t have left the bedroom. He reached for his gun under his pillow and turned off the safety.Martelli first went to the door and examined the knob, it was not tampered with. He proceeded to check around the room, but everything was just normal. ‘Maybe it was a dream' he thought as he went towards the window to take a peek outside.The evening weather was perfect but the eerie sile