Kristine sat in her basement prison. It has been her room since Octavio kidnapped her and oddly enough, she was beginning to get used to it. Although it was a little bit furnished as a kind gesture from Octavio to make her comfortable due to her condition. There was a nice comfortable mattress, a one seater, a little TV which only showed the news, according to Octavio it was for her to keep up with the happenings around so as not to feel cut off from the outside world. A doctor came around to check on her regularly to make sure she was okay and the guards made sure she always ate.Just a few days in and she was already seeing this place as her final home except a miracle happened and Octavio let her go which was almost impossible. Her biggest hope was Camille who she believed would find her mobile and maybe talk to Alexander but it was days already and she was beginning to think it would never happen.Kristine could hear footsteps descending the stairs leading to her prison. Her heart
âWhat do you think heâd be doing right now?â Victor asked Alexander.âPartying hard.â Alexander said absentmindedly, then took out a cigarette and pushed it in between his lips. Just as he was about to light it, he glanced at Victor who shook his head. Alexander sighed and tossed both the cigarette and the lighter on the table.They were having a sit out at the bar where they met with John days back. It was something they did often but on this day everything seemed off.âI donât feel so good today.â Alexander complained. He was obviously in discomfort and Victor noticed even before he spoke out.âMaybe its because you miss her.â Victor said.âYou think?â Alexander asked.âI know.â Victor answeredâDonât⊠start.â Alexander warned.âHow?â Victor raised his brows âIâve seen it before. Not the first time you would be sad due to the issues of the heartââI guess I just have a lot on my mind.ââOne of which is Kristine.ââWell, yes. That is there. ButâŠâVictor observed him for a while, then
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 couldnât 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. âMaybe 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
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 couldnât because the network at his place was jammed.âWhereâs he?â Alexander askedRobert pointed at an ambulance and the group immediately hurried towards it.Martelli was being stitched up.âHe refused to be taken to the hospital.â Robert said.âYeah I know.â Said Alexander âhe got trust issues.âMartelli frowned at Alexander.âDoes it hurt?â Alexander asked.âNo⊠it stings.â Martelli replied. âThey would need more to put me to sleep.âThe group laughed.âWhat happened here?â Victor asked.âI had to take a nap after my driver decided to forget his duties, with the hope of waking up much later
There was a knock on the door. Jeff wasnât expecting anyone at that time of the night, but considering the fact his place was well secured, he answered the door.âWho is there?â Jeff's coarse voice flowed through the communicator at the door.âPackage from Octavio.âJeff 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.âOctavio never sends packages.â 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. âLook at the camera just above you. I need to see your face.âFrancisco 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
âSomeone get me Jeff immediately!â 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 Harryâs 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.âTo what do I owe this unpleasant visit?â Octavio meant to sound rude. Although he was right by addressing the visit as unpleasant because he had never up t
âIt feels weird you know, this request of hisâ Camille said as she bit into an apple she took out of the bowl on Alexanderâs study table.âI feel same way about it like you do, but itâs a window we have to take. Especially with what is at stake.â Victor said.âYou donât get it.â Camille said âWhy would he risk leaving the safety of his house, to come get something he obviously canât keep?âVictor frowned at Camilleâs 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. âNow I think about it, this is a bad idea.â Victor said.âA bad idea?â Francisco asked âwhich?ââThis whole exchange thing with Octavio.â Victor answered.âWe are moving on with it.â Francisco turned towards Alexander âyes?â he had this expectant look on his face.Alexand
âI love the nerves.â Octavio said at the top of his voice âYou know, coming here like this.âAlexander 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.âI presume my stuff are in that briefcase?âAlexander couldnât place exactly, Octavioâs mood. If it was excitement or anxiety, he could not tell. âIts all in here.â He brought down his hands and tapped on the briefcase. ânow where is she?ââDonât be in a hurry yet. How am I to believe that briefcase holds exactly what I requested?â Octavio asked.âMistrust.â Alexander noted.Octavio smiled âcanât help itâ he opened his hands like he wanted to give a hug âI experienced it right here on this spot.ââAnd he was right not to trust you if my memory serves me right.â Alexander replied.âYeah thatâ
Alexander, Francisco and Victor were seated in a Alexanderâs study. The three men looked so fresh one would not know they had just gone through a stressful period these past days.âWhat would you do now?â Alexander asked Francisco.âWell, something I should have done long ago. Probably put people to oversee some things so I can live the life I always wanted.ââWhat life if I may ask?â Alexander seemed curious.âExplore.â Francisco replied âI always wanted to travel round the world, go wine tasting, try new food, stuff like that. I actually have a bucket listââNo troubles?â Victor asked.âNot at all. No troubles.â Francisco responded, smiling.âAnyway, I would do the same if I was in your shoesâ Victor said as he lifted his bottle of beer to his lip.âMaybe you can beâ Francisco teasedâHow?â Victor seemed interested.âA change of name would do.â Francisco suggested.Victor turned to Alexander with raised brows like he was seeking validation.âFeel free. You are of no use to meâŠâ 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. âCamille?âCamille did not respond. She was still fast asleep.Kristine exhaled. âCamille?â this time she was louder.Camille jerked and came awake. âYou are up.â She said, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands.âYeah.â Kristine smiled as Camille rushed to hug her.âHow
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
âI love the nerves.â Octavio said at the top of his voice âYou know, coming here like this.âAlexander 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.âI presume my stuff are in that briefcase?âAlexander couldnât place exactly, Octavioâs mood. If it was excitement or anxiety, he could not tell. âIts all in here.â He brought down his hands and tapped on the briefcase. ânow where is she?ââDonât be in a hurry yet. How am I to believe that briefcase holds exactly what I requested?â Octavio asked.âMistrust.â Alexander noted.Octavio smiled âcanât help itâ he opened his hands like he wanted to give a hug âI experienced it right here on this spot.ââAnd he was right not to trust you if my memory serves me right.â Alexander replied.âYeah thatâ
âIt feels weird you know, this request of hisâ Camille said as she bit into an apple she took out of the bowl on Alexanderâs study table.âI feel same way about it like you do, but itâs a window we have to take. Especially with what is at stake.â Victor said.âYou donât get it.â Camille said âWhy would he risk leaving the safety of his house, to come get something he obviously canât keep?âVictor frowned at Camilleâs 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. âNow I think about it, this is a bad idea.â Victor said.âA bad idea?â Francisco asked âwhich?ââThis whole exchange thing with Octavio.â Victor answered.âWe are moving on with it.â Francisco turned towards Alexander âyes?â he had this expectant look on his face.Alexand
âSomeone get me Jeff immediately!â 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 Harryâs 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.âTo what do I owe this unpleasant visit?â 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 wasnât expecting anyone at that time of the night, but considering the fact his place was well secured, he answered the door.âWho is there?â Jeff's coarse voice flowed through the communicator at the door.âPackage from Octavio.âJeff 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.âOctavio never sends packages.â 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. âLook at the camera just above you. I need to see your face.âFrancisco 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 couldnât because the network at his place was jammed.âWhereâs he?â Alexander askedRobert pointed at an ambulance and the group immediately hurried towards it.Martelli was being stitched up.âHe refused to be taken to the hospital.â Robert said.âYeah I know.â Said Alexander âhe got trust issues.âMartelli frowned at Alexander.âDoes it hurt?â Alexander asked.âNo⊠it stings.â Martelli replied. âThey would need more to put me to sleep.âThe group laughed.âWhat happened here?â Victor asked.âI 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 couldnât 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. âMaybe 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