Ch.4

---

*Darkness*

---

Dominique’s POV

I had gathered with my men for a quick meeting over our plans to look for that bastard. We still were missing two more persons who would join us. My best friends Erick and Raphael. At first I had planned to take Raphael, but because Erick is his brother and heard we were going for that bastard, he joined us.

I kept checking at my phone for the time. Half an hour late for the meeting. But why?

Suddenly the door to the conference room opened, and in walked my two best friends and a stranger. Frowning, I glare at Raphael.

“Saluting the CEO, Dominique,” both men said in unison.

Nodding, I glare at Raphael. I was still waiting for an explanation to the stranger behind them.

“Dominique, I would like to introduce you Sebastian, the chief and CEO of Alluria,” Raphael said with a smile.

The CEO of Alluria? But what was he doing here?

Alluria was a company that dedicated to the search of exotic rocks, such as crystals and diamonds.

“May I ask why the CEO of Alluria is here?” I asked with a serious face.

“Well, first of all greeting Mr. Montiel. I had come upon request of Sir Raphael here and Sir Erick. Because not only I can help you, but because the person you seek has something of my interest,” Sebastian explained.

“Care to explain more,” I asked, leaning against the wooden armchair.

Nodding Sebastian brief all of us, what was his actual intention. I hated working with people I saw were not fit to be part of the team. Sebastian’s company is just like mine. They get precious and exotic rocks, but with a reason behind it.

“Very well. So would you be providing information?” I asked, relaxing this time.

“Yes, two of our spies had notified us that lately strange things had been happening,” Sebastian said as he walked over the secretary and handed him a USB memory.

The image on the screen pop out. It amazed me knowing that the bastard had an enormous compound hidden in the mountains near the city. All along he has been under our noses.

“But it’s difficult,” Sebastian said, distracting me.

“What’s difficult?” I asked.

“Well, my men informed me that the scientist and other people have been leaving and not coming back. It has been happening since four years ago,” Sebastian said as the image of the entrance to the compound was displayed on the screen.

“Any other odd things?” I asked, worried that maybe our target had escaped.

“Yes, there’s a restricted area that no one had entered,” Sebastian explained rubbing his chin, “They said that no one has entered that place since decades ago.”

“You sure?” I asked, confused by this piece of information.

“Yes,” Sebastian nodded.

“Excuse me Dominique?” Erick said raising his hand.

“Yes, Erick?” I said.

“What Sebastian is saying is right,” Erick said with a frown.

“What do you mean?” I asked, intrigued.

“According to our information, they abandoned the west side of the compound. Our men had asked out of curiosity, and all they tell them is not to roam near the area. They say something dangerous lurks there,” Erick said.

The room was silent. Frowning, I think about the files. Recalling the words specimen, I scoff.

“I think I know what it might be,” I said with a smirk.

“And that would be?” Raphael said, sounding sarcastic and earning him a glare.

“A specimen,” I spat.

Erick raised his eyebrow and some of my men in the table look at me like an idiot.

“I said specimen, why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Because it’s impossible to have something of value abandoned,” Sebastian said, “Who would be stupid enough to do that?”

“Exactly my question,” Raphael said, “It makes no sense to have something and leave it there. Unless it’s not a specimen. You sure you’re not confused?”

“Should I?” I asked, raising my eyebrow, “I’m giving you an answer, not guessing.”

I couldn’t be wrong. The file had the word specimen highlighted. It must be something that had value, and it was lost. Or something went wrong with it.

“Anyway, changing topics, are we leaving tomorrow?” Erick asked.

“Yes, everyone prepare and I think we should start dividing roles. Let’s start our meeting,” I ordered.

---

By the time we were finished, it was night. Heading towards my car, I hear a voice calling my name. Stopping, I turn and see the CEO of Alluria running my way.

“Is something the matter CEO Sebastian?” I asked.

“Here,” Sebastian said as he handed me a small envelope.

“This is?” I asked as I look between the envelope and the man standing in front of me.

“This I think you should see it when you get home. It’s just something my spies could get, and you would be interested,” Sebastian said and bid his goodnights.

Looking at the white envelope, I get into the car and drive off with my men.

Reaching home, I greet everyone and head straight to my bedroom. Deciding it was best to check what the contents inside were. I sit and open it.

It was a picture. A simple picture that showed a delicate hand and a tattoo. Frowning, I looked but couldn’t understand.

Why did Sebastian give me a picture?

Scoffing, I set the photo on the table and head to the bathroom.

Sighing, I relax and stare out the window. The night looked cloudy, it might rain. I was feeling eager, excited for what would happen tomorrow. Would I be able to get that bastard and avenge my father?

I didn’t want to raise my hopes, but I had to. I needed to stay positive no matter what. I just hope to find what I’m looking for. They can ruin nothing.

…

Drying my hair, I look once again at the photo that laid on the table. A hand and a tattoo. The hand was so pale it looked like if the person was dead. But something in the picture called my attention. The hand was so delicate, beautiful and long nails. The tattoo over the hand had a weird symbol. I turn my head to the side but didn’t get to understand what it was.

Deciding to flip the photo, I stop and notice it. A moon mark and something else. Frowning, I get the photo closer to my face.

My mind was working like crazy, but nothing came to mind. Cursing, I throw the photo back and finish drying my hair. Averting my eyes, I take a last look. Why was it calling my attention so badly?

Imagining of who the hand might be, has me eager. Was it someone Sebastian knew?

Many people knew I was single and had no wife or girlfriend. So I had a lot of people offering me their daughters or asking me if I would be interested in certain persons. But all this time nothing called my attention like this simple hand did. Gulping, I grab the picture.

“Fuck,” I curse, and laid down in bed.

Lifting the picture up, I stare at it.

“I wonder who would the lady of this hand would be… Would she be pretty?” I whispered.

Chuckling, I cover my eyes with my arm. I wanted to know who she was. It was the first time I was feeling like this. Eagerness, desire. A smile crept over my face. Deciding I should go to sleep because in a few hours I had to be up. I set the photo next to my bed and turn the lights off.