"Who sent you!?" Denny asked in a calm, fierce tone. The guy tied in a chair felt annoyed that this question kept being asked the same questions to which he honestly had the same answer."Just like I have told everyone else, I know her by the name Lady Red," the captive spoke with an exhausted face. Don Carlo and Denny looked at each other. Denny was trying to see if Don Carlo had any idea who this Lady Red might be. But the older man shook his head. So, Denny turned to the man to the chair again."Why would you do it? Money?" Denny asked with a sneer again."I didn't want to," the guy told them everything Caroline told him. "So, she promised to give you money?" Asked Don Carlo. "How, where, and when?""She was supposed to call me. But I guess I had lost my phone when one of your men attacked me," he sounded worried and relieved at the same time. If he had his phone and Lady Red called, he would have to answer her call. And he won't be able to report his failure. A minor delay in
"What do you want me to do?" the guy asked.Denny stated everything the guy was supposed to do. "You will have to walk into the gambling house and hang out as if waiting for her; tell her you lost your phone. If she asks what happened to your target, tell her you need another chance because someone interfered.""Is that all?" Asked the guy."We will install a hidden mic and recorder in you and a camera on your eyeglasses or a button of your shirt. We need solid proof of who the person is so we can bring this thing to justice. Whoever she is, justice must be served," Denny added with a stern tone."When do you want to do this, Denny?" Asked Don Carlo. He was listening carefully, and he was also keenly observing how he could help to let their plan take place. "We will need to prepare everything he needed and a few men to assist him inside the gambling house. We will watch nearby as we listen and watch through the monitor connected to his camera and microphone in a car nearby. A soon a
In Don Carlo's office, the host led Denny to sit with him at his office's receiving area. "Don't worry about the two ladies; I have my men guarding them. Trisha will be safe as my Angel when they are together," Don Carlo assured Denny. He was smiling helplessly as he shook his head, thinking about what his Angel told him on the way to the restaurant earlier. "Did you know that my wife was stabbed by the knife that was supposed to hit Trisha?""What? How?" Denny asked in great horror. He had no idea what Don Carlo was talking about. Trixie nor Trisha did not mention anything about being stabbed. Don Carlo was not surprised by Denny's reaction. His Angel told him about not having the chance to tell the young Vero about it because Trisha was with them the whole time. Besides, she made sure her wound was not noticeable. "She noticed the attacker and grabbed Trisha to her embrace to keep the girl safe. She did not see what kind of weapon it was. Still, the doctor who attended her wound
Denny had no way to clarify his predicament to Don Carlo aside from telling him his life story the same way he did to Trisha. From his birth childhood up to the latest visit, an unpleasant visit he got at home from Denisse. "I am not sure my life story makes sense to you, but her threat that day doesn't seem to connect with what is happening right now. And as far as I know, my sister is similar to a roaring tiger without fangs; the worst that she did to me was annoy and verbally hurt me," Denny stated, totally baffled. Don Carlo silently nodded as he kept his ears all open for Denny. Then he saw the young Vero fished his phone out of his pocket and swiped it a few times on its screen."If you can remember the guy's description to the Lady Red, whom he said gave him the orders, please tell me if she looks like this," Denny moved closer to hand his phone to Don Carlo."Well, the hair and face could change, but the way he detailed the feature doesn't resemble this one," Don Carlo said.
They had everything planned well. Scott briefed his boss along with Mister Denny Vero about the details, from the tiniest one, the possible challenge in this task, the alternate plans if the one fails, the spot where everyone would be taking their posts, and many more. It took almost a few hours for them to clear everything up, made as a short drill if every mic and camera was working well and properly. Denny had to inform his secretary that he won't make it to return to his office after lunch today but would drop by to pick up the urgent papers that needed his signs later on his way home, so he asked for them to be prepared on his table. "What are you going to do if you find out who is behind all these?" Asked Don Carlo. Denny sighed."Honestly, right now, I am so pissed that I want to put whoever she is behind bars and make sure Trisha is safe after all of this," Denny could not help his teeth clenching in anger. "But I am more curious as to who could be doing all of these. I do n
Evening came.Trisha did not notice it was getting dark already because the whole studio where Trixie was training a batch of service girls was dimly lit ever since they arrived. She decided to stay beside her mentor and refresh her lessons while observing around her. "I will do my online homework later tonight or tomorrow," Trisha smiled as she assured Trixie that she was fine even if she missed her lessons today. The count of hours of her classes is not per day, it falls on a total counting by the week, so she could do her make-up class by completing the hours required of twenty-five for the whole week. And so far, she doesn't have to worry sinceit is just the start of the week. Trixie did not insist; she also wanted Trisha's presence by her side, so they sat side by side in the training studio while the service girls were rehearsing strip, pole, and lap dance steps. It wasn't the scheduled lessons today, but Trixie adjusted and changed them to easier ones which she would not need
"She's here," Vincent Lynch, the man in his early fifties who has turned an ally to Denny and Don Carlo against the manipulative Lady Red, whispered discreetly to his microphone hidden in his shirt's collar as soon as he saw a familiar face walked into the gambling house where he met this moneylender, Lady Red, for the first time. Denny and Don Carlo could not see the face clearly. The person in a red suit jacket and black pants had a black hat above her head, and her long curly hair covered most of her face. Intentional or not, it blocked the view for Denny to have a check on what she really looked like. "Can you recognize her?" Asked Don Carlo, sitting right next to Denny inside the monitor van.Denny shook his head as his eyes kept staring at the screen."Can you get closer to her?" Asked Denny to Vincent over the microphone. "Can you manage to make her believe that you have been waiting for her to let her know about what happened in the City Hospital as we have practiced earlier?
Vincent had no choice but to answer."When someone walked over to grab her away from my direction. I didn't notice the other person, so I was still able to swing the knife, and I am sure I hit flesh, but I wasn't sure what part it was in particular," Vincent explained meekly. He was terrified. Not because of Caroline, but because as the words left his mouth, he realized what he did and what he was told to do, which he also complied with because of the threats she had on him; he felt horrible. It made him realize he was such a fool. Indeed, one wrong cannot be corrected by another wrongdoing. How foolish of him to think that borrowing money to recollect his losses would have helped. It drove him even deeper into the dirt he was only walking into by then; now, he was already drowning in it. "But I promise to do as you say if you want me to do it again, just please don't tell my wife about... you know..." Vincent clasped his hands, begging silently. The bartender came with the drinks
“Honey…?” Denny called out carefully.Claudette was already about to enter the ward when she heard the man who introduced himself as Denny Vero called for Aleah so sweetly and concerned. She smiled. She just confirmed her thoughts that these two are romantically involved. She silently placed the food she bought and the change on a chair by the door before she lightly knocked and waved her hands to say she would be right back.Trisha bowed her head lower when she heard the knocking on the door. At the same time, Denny turned his head to look back and saw Mrs. Murphy pointing at the purchases she brought while she hurriedly exited the ward.Denny wasn’t able to say anything before the lady disappeared from his sight. He went to get the drinks and handed Trisha a cup of tea. There were two, so he supposed the other one was for him. He took a sip and just said anything. He urged Trisha to try hers, too.“Honey, the tea is good. You should have a sip while it’s still warm.”But Trisha place
Trisha turned her head away from Denny and faced her mom instead. Her tears started to cloud her eyes again. She bit her lips not to let her cries out of her mouth.She clearly understood what Denny had just said right now, but she could not respond right away. She was feeling torn between accepting or declining his offer of financial assistance. It wasn’t for herself alone. It was for her mom, most especially. He also mentioned being a philanthropist, which surely meant he was going to donate a considerable amount to get the procedure done with the best outcome. Yet, Trisha was still worried about what she might have to do to return such a huge favor from Denny Vero.When she was with Chloe earlier, and Denny was not by her side, Chloe spoke to Trisha with her honest and frank thoughts. Trisha realized that Denny did not know his parents already knew everything, the facts, not what they feared his sister, Denisse, might have told them. She was actually glad Denny accepted her suggesti
“She is so kind,” Denny moved closer and whispered to Trisha. “I like her a lot!”Then Denny moved back to look at the girl on her face with a silly smile.“But don’t let her know about that, okay?” Denny murmured again. “She might like me back. I am afraid of that happening.”The two shared suppressed laughter with their hands in their mouths, covering, as they both looked back in the direction of the door. They seemed to have the same fear that the person they mentioned was already back and heard what Denny just said.“I like her, too,” Trisha shrugged her shoulders as she giggled after making sure Claudette wasn’t back just yet. She played along with Denny’s joke not to let the lady Murphy know they liked her so much.“Kidding aside, she is awesome,” Denny cleared his throat before he made known to Trisha his honest opinion about the lady taking care of the patient.He also heard from the doctor and nurses he was able to speak with that Claudette is doing her duties more than a mere
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Murphy!” Trisha’s voice was shaky as she looked up from the other side of the bed, embracing her mom cautiously.Trisha felt emotional. She was glad even to only hear that her mom would regain her consciousness. She’s been in the hospital bed for almost seven months now. She might have seen the person driving the car when she was hit, but as she was still in a coma, they could not ask her. Trisha and her brother Yohan are still hoping to find the justice they deserve. The police seemed to have no more lead to continue the investigation, and since the Silver siblings did not have anyone influential to ask for assistance, they would have to rely on whatever they heard from their mom’s recollections.It would be tough to hold on to such possibilities, but they believe their mom is fighting within her to survive her situation. And one victory may lead to another if she could point out who caused her so much pain and stole so much of her time to stay healthy and pro
Soon they arrived at the ward where the name Elaine Silver was written on the chart by the foot end of the patient’s bed. A woman was reading a book seated next to the patient. She was reading the book aloud like a mother reading a bedtime story to a kid. She was too focused on her book as she read with enthusiasm and emotion according to the content of the story that she did not notice the two, Trisha and Denny, walking next to the patient’s bed.Denny and Trisha looked at each other with amused smiles on their faces. Denny gave Trisha a sign not to make a sound using his finger placed above his mouth. Trisha nodded her head as she agreed not to make a sound. She was beyond glad and satisfied that the lady Murphy was indeed attending to her mom’s welfare with so much dedication and sincerity. She was also happy that the man beside her seemed to have the same thoughts about letting the lady reading a book continue until she realized their presence. And so she continued to read:“A fath
Trisha smiled happily. Denny saw her serene smile in his peripheral vision, and he felt good. His idea was turning out to be successful. That was what he was hoping for, to make his “honey” smile, not the polite one that her face had seemed to be painted with the whole day, but the pure natural smile she would usually wear on her face when she is genuinely happy.Soon they arrived at the hospital. Trisha was worried he would be late with his appointment.“Honey, I can walk my way into the hospital. You don’t have to send me in,” Trisha cautiously suggested. “You might be late.”Denny chuckled.“It’s okay. You wait for me by the entrance. I will be right back after I park the car.”Trisha had no choice but to do as he ordered. She consoled herself that he should know what he was doing. He wouldn’t insist if he did not have enough time, right?“Okay, I will stand by the entrance door. You can call me if there are any changes,” Trisha raised her purse with her phone and wallet inside it.
Denny paused for a while. He could not say it was personal, but it wasn’t business either. But he did not want to explain further, so he just made his answer short, although a bit ambiguous.“A little of both?” Denny chuckled, helping Trisha to stand from her seat beside him.Chloe was not convinced. Or maybe even if she was, the mother still wanted to spend a little more time with her dear son, so she expressed her disagreement.“I can only let you go early today if you promise to visit us next Sunday again,” she bargained.Denny’s eyes widened in disbelief.“Mom, I cannot promise you that, but I will try,” the son scratched his non-itchy backhead as he replied.“Then you will have to stay until dinner today. What do you say about that, Aleah?” Chloe turned to the girl beside Denny.“I… am…” the service girl stuttered. She did not know what to say, but knowing her answer was awaited, she had to say something. “I’m very sorry, Mrs. Vero, but I do not decide things with…” Trisha could n
“Do you mean to marry this girl?” Franco Vero asked. His tone was still calm, not making his honest reactions known to his dearest son.“As of the moment, and if that is all for me to decide, I might say yes,” Denny chuckled at his sudden realization.The father was baffled by the son’s answer.“What do you mean?”“I don’t think the feeling is mutual just yet,” Denny let his weary mind off him.He felt good that his kind dad asked. He had been holding these thoughts within him. He could not freely speak about it with Don Carlo and Angela as he did not want to worry them for Trisha. But with his dad, he felt the assurance that his old man would understand where he was coming from. Denny let his heartfelt emotions flow.“I can feel this girl is purely doing business with me, and she never flirts nor misleads me to think she fancies me like a woman fancies a man. She is obedient in everything I ask and tells her to do because she is too cautious about losing her job. She has these invisib
As Aleah requested and without fear for Denny to grant them, they got dressed up with the doting Denny assisting his heart's wife; since they weren't legally married yet, in every step of getting her nicely yet comfortably clothed. "We should shop for new sizes of your underwear, honey," Denny gently suggested. "I am worried you might feel discomfort with the ones you used to wear and in your closet right now," he explained eagerly. He knew that pregnant women could be very sensitive, so he tried his best to clear any misinterpretations of his words. Angela excitedly bought Aleah different designs of pregnant dresses and others obviously needed by an expecting woman, but as she had not had the experience to reach pregnancy into a stage where her belly would swell up, Angela did not realize to include underwear in her shopping list. I have been meaning to do so, but as I was not allowed to go out without company aside from the nurse, I was just waiting when we could visit the shoppi