Chapter 4

Louisa's p.o.v;

I was looking at the guys in the front seat of the car as we were driving to the club. I made a count of the men in the car. The first is the driver. Two, Edgar, who claimed to be an associate. Following them were two men we'll name them bodyguard 1 and bodyguard 2. Behind them are me and Bernie, with two guys on either side of us. Diego on Bernie's side, Ace alongside me, and a guy in the back behind us who will be bodyguard 3. They numbered seven, including the driver. It signifies that the escape rate is less than 10%. I don't think Bernie and I can compete with the seven of them. And I'm not sure if the driver was recruited or a member of the mafia as well.

"Are you intending to bring us down?" Ace asked quietly.

I whispered under the tape covering my mouth as I glanced at him. He signalled that he couldn't hear me and returned to looking out the window. How could you hear me? You taped my mouth!

I turned to face Bernie... What the hell is happening? Is he dozing off? Are you serious? I couldn't believe he was sleeping through this hellhole. When Bernie slept off on Diego's shoulder, he woke him up.

When he awoke from his snooze, he peered about, then at me, raising his eyebrows as if to inquire, "What's up?" with a happy expression on his face I flashed him a death stare and turned away to face the front.

"What's with the look?" he asked, moving in closer.

I ignored him and turned to face the front.

We arrived at the club mentioned by Bernie.

Suddenly, Bernie began shaking Diego and yelled, "Stop the vehicle! Stop it right now!"

What is he up to? Was he sober? Was he attempting to flee?

When bodyguard 1 turned back and inquired, "What is it?"

He responded, "That's the lady! She's the one I gave Ruby to."

Really??? It was my fault for expecting such a thing from Bernie. I thought he came up with some plan to escape yet he was helping those mafia's by identifying the girl. What am I going to do with this guy?

Bodyguard 2 reprimanded him "Moussaieff Diamond in red. The shield in red. Not just Ruby."

The automobile came to a complete halt. The bodyguards 1 and 2 in the front stepped out of the car and took Edgar into the club. Ace got out of the car to answer a phone call.

I kept staring at Bernie for what he had done.

"What are you staring at me for?" Bernie inquired.

I turned away from him, slumped back in my seat, and avoided looking at him.

They returned after a while and chatted to Ace.

"They won't let you into the staff room. They claim it's an all-girls staff room..."

It felt strange after hearing them talk. Why are they acting like lads who are not invited to the girls' party? Are they not mafia? Can't they just break in and kidnap the girl at gunpoint? What's the big deal about this?

Ace turned and gazed at me for a moment before saying, "Take her in." And climbed into the back seat of the automobile.

What?! What exactly does he mean by that?

"Edgar will accompany you into the club and get the girl out here," replied Bodyguard 1.

Behind the tape, I mumbled.

He removed the tape and inquired, "What is it?"

"I'm not going!"

"What!?"

"Why should I have to go inside? Aren't you part of the mafia? Just go ahead and take her as you did to us. Why are you summoning me? It's not like I noticed her in the first place. Everyone here has seen her after Bernie pointed out, so why are you sending me in..."

Ace approached me as I was speaking and inquired, "What is she doing still here? Send her in."

I continued "I'm not going inside! Bernie identified the young lady. You've all seen her, haven't you? Send someone else or go alone. Why are you dragging us into this?"

Ace drew his revolver, pointed at Bernie's head, and asked, "What did you just say?"

"I-I'll go find her."

He nodded and moved his revolver away from Bernie.

Edgar and I entered the club together. I looked around the front house of the club for that host. "Go check the staff room," Edgar advised.

I entered the staff area and looked around, but she was nowhere to be found. I noticed some girls getting ready and approached one of them, asking, "Did you see..."

"Are you looking for Gabrielle too?" another girl asked, putting her hand on my shoulder and leaning in closer.

Is that her name? Gabrielle? She's the one who appears to be missing. That must be her name then.

"Where is she?" I inquired, nodding.

"I'm curious as to why every guy and girl prefers her. It makes me a little envious. Don't we look nice on you?"

"Actually, I'm Gabrielle's high school acquaintance. When I came to have drinks with a friend, I noticed her working in the club and went hunting for her in the staff room."

"She departed," replied the first girl I asked.

"Left?"

"Yes, she returned to retrieve the phone she had forgotten. She'll be on her way home now."

I believe I've lost her.

The woman who flirted with me stated, "You're adorable. Anyways, When you can't find your friend, come to me."

I exited the staff room.

"What happened?" Edgar inquires.

"We had lost her. She had already left."

"Then we have to tell Ace about it."

When we arrived at the car, Bodyguard 1 inquired, "What happened to her? Did she give you the stone? What happened to it?"

"She's not inside the club, she's already departed."

Bodyguard 2 inquired, "How did you let her go? Or are you teasing us?"

"You sent your man with me. Ask him what happened inside if you don't believe me." And looked at him.

"Let go of her," Ace told him. "Call her," he said as he approached me.

"Huh?"

"I know what went on inside. Make a call now."

"How did you find out I had her phone number when you were here?"

"He's our Boss!" exclaimed Edgar.

Bodyguard number two stated, "What exactly are you waiting for? Did you not hear him? Contact her!"

"Did I bring my belongings on vacation with me? I was kidnapped, by the way!"

"Why didn't you tell me you got her number?" Edgar said as he handed me his phone.

I declined to take the phone and inquired of Ace, "Why should I make the call? There are a lot of men here. Isn't this something everyone can do?"

Ace, "Would you like me to threaten you again?"

I snatched Edgar's phone and dialled the host number while waiting. The phone was ringing.

"Hello?" she replied.

"Is this Gabrielle?"

"Yes, and who is this?"

"I own the ruby stone you're holding. My friend handed it to you by accident. It actually belonged to my grandmother. That was her final recollection. Could I please have it back?"

"Oh, okay. I'll hand it over to you tomorrow."

"In fact, I'm right in front of your club."

"However, I've already left the club."

"Yes, I heard that from your coworkers when I received your phone number. I can come and grab it from you if you tell me where you are."

"Okay. I'm currently on my way to Tales Avenue. I'll see you there."

"Okay, OK. I'll be there."

I hung up with her and told those guys who were staring at me angrily, "She stated that she will be waiting at Tales Avenue. You are welcome to go grab it from her. Everything is in order. Let us now leave."

"Let's go," Ace said to his bodyguards.

Bodyguard No. 1 "What about them, Sir? Are we allowing them to go free?"

"Let's go, I said. They are also included." And climbed inside the car.

"What exactly do you mean?"

Bodyguard 2 forced me into the car, and everyone else followed.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" I questioned Bernie.

"What are you expecting me to do?" he asked, pointing to his shackled hands.

We eventually arrived at the Avenue that girl had named, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Did she run with that stone or what?" I wondered as everyone looked for her.

Everyone was staring at me.

"Call her," Ace says.

I sighed and dialled her number. She responded.

"I'm currently on Tales Street. Where have you gone?"

"Sorry about that. I was distracted by my pal in the midst and forgot about you. Will arrive in five minutes. Please wait for me." And then the call was terminated.

Bodyguard No. 1 "What exactly did she say?"

"She's on her way," I said as I handed back the phone.

"Why is she taking so long?"

"On the way, she ran into a friend. It was not a crime to meet up with friends. Duh! People must live their lives. You're not going to get it."

Bernie muttered, "Are you crazy? Did you forget they're mafia? Why are you speaking to them in this manner? What if they hit you?"

"You! Don't talk to me until you've sober up. Until then, keep your mouth shut."

Ace opened the door, got out of the car, and motioned for me to do the same. What will he do now? Is he going to hit me, as Bernie predicted? I stepped out of the car and stared at him.

"Go over there and wait for her." Said while pointing at a street light on the opposite side of the road at a distance from the car.

"Huh? Why me? You can have one of your bodyguards get it for you."

"Go!" He got in the car and closed the door behind him.

I walked to where Ace had indicated and rested against a street lamp, waiting for the girl to emerge.

Why does the street appear to be deserted? I considered asking for help if anyone came around here, but I didn't see anyone. Even if someone appeared, I couldn't beg for assistance because they were keeping Bernie captive. That moron!

While I was waiting, a man dashed past me and fled. What is his issue? What is he rushing to in the dead of night?

Someone screamed on the other side of the road. I straightened up and glanced around for the source of the noise. I noticed a girl running toward me. What's the deal with these people? Where are these people fleeing?

The female in front of me came to a halt and questioned, "A-Are you the one... who made the call?"

"Y-Yeah. Gabrielle?"

She nodded and took a deep breath.

"Where is the stone?" I inquired.

She exhaled deeply and pointed to the road.

I asked, looking in the direction she indicated, "I don't understand. What exactly are you saying?"

"The person.... Who ran ahead of me..."

Fu*k!

I ran in the direction she indicated and looked in front of me. Without the street lights, the road was turning dark as I ran. Where did he go?

The car abruptly stopped in front of me, and bodyguards came out and grabbed me.

Bodyguard 2 groped me here and there, prompting me to slap him across the face.

I became enraged and said, "What the hell are you doing?"

"What happened to the stone? Do you intend to flee with the stone?"

"I don't have it! You scumbag!"

"So, why did you flee?"

"Are you all retards?"

Ace tapped him on his shoulder to let go of his grip on my hand and asked me, "Where is the stone?"

"Some jerk took it from her."

Bodyguard No. 1 "What kind of game are you attempting to play here? What happened to the stone?"

Bodyguard 2 pointed the gun towards Bernie and questioned, "Do you really want to watch a murder?"

"I was going after him to get him, but you just got in the way and he got away. Ask that girl if you don't believe me."

While the bodyguards were questioning me, Ace remarked to bodyguard 2, "Check out the CCTV."

"Sir, yes."

"Can we let them go, Sir?" Edgar asks.

Ace, "Is there anything I said to you? Did I give you any instructions?"

"No, Sir," he responded, shaking his head.

"Bring them in."

I inquired of him, "Why do you still require our assistance? You found your man in the CCTV. Let us go free."

Ace approached me and stated, "You're trapped with me until I get that red shield in my hands."

"That does not make sense. What are you doing to us? Do you believe we don't have anything..."

While I was speaking, Ace disregarded me and went inside the car, and the bodyguards dragged me back in and the search for the diamond continued.