* Axel * "This is not right Donte!"Donte looked at me as I gritted my teeth while removing some of the buttons on my long-sleeved shirt. I slammed my fist on the table and then sat down, the other two, Rafael and Rocus sat down on the couch while Donte sat in front of me."Nothing is going right from the start Boss Axel. I told you that we needed to be extra careful and need more men which is now going as planned but still, they have got inside this hotel without any signal from our men downstairs."I dialed my phone and angrily listened to the other line. "Yes! I need you to send two people to this room number and make sure that she is safe to the airport this evening before six pm. No questions! If there is anything out of the ordinary call me, if there is something that would happen to her I would personally hold all the three of you responsible! Got it?""Yes Boss Axel!"The voice of my man on the other line sounded a little worried when he heard my angry voice. I just sent thre
* Axel *"She is safe Boss."The relief surged when I heard Rafael reporting the situation with Reda. I asked him to escort her into the airport for her flight at five pm and Rafael was able to call after twenty minutes."Did she get inside the airport Rafael?""Yes Boss, I watched her pass through the security and enter the staff entrance. She is with her colleagues."I exhaled slowly. "Good job! come back now. And Rafel.""Yes Boss Axel, I am with the driver. On my way back to you at the hotel."I paused for a couple of seconds. "Thank you, Rafael.""You're welcome, Boss Axel. Anytime sir."I click the end button and look at both Donte and Rocus with all the other men inside the room. Everyone is trying to hide the most deadly weapon they have on their clothing. With me, I only have a small knife hidden in my boots and one in my belt. We can't bring anything that's going to blow since the hotel is still a strict public place with security and cameras everywhere.For more than one ho
* Axel *It was not what I had expected, for the old man to come down first than the rest of his army. He walks slowly dressed up in a fancy white suit with a formal white hat on top of his head. I could tell that he has no hair underneath the expensive fabric of the hat, but his build is still strong with his legs walking evenly unlike the rest of the old men that I have seen who have reached the age of over sixty or nearly seventy years old. I opened the door beside which alerted all of my men inside."Boss Axel!"Donte who was already going down first tried to stop me, but I didn't pause for a single second and directly landed my feet on the ground to meet the old man. "Stay where you are Donte, or follow behind me but don't embarrass me by meeting him first."Donte cleared his throat to answer me that and also to stay calm. The enemy is just sitting there behind the old man who's closer to me now. "Hi there! Mister Axel Brussel in the flesh, I am glad to meet you."His cheerful vo
* Axel *"She's harmless Axel, her name is Julie and this beside me is Anne."I smirked and the lady beside me giggled despite the gap between us I could smell the scent of her perfume. It's not something that anyone could just ignore, it invades my nostrils but nothing could ever take my mind off from the woman that I have already declared to pursue. The elevator opened and then the men who work for Mister Jo together with my men came in."It's alright Mister Goh, I am fine with lady friends for tonight. I am a man after all."My comment made the lady laugh and adore me with her smile and look but I have no plan of taking her with me if that is what she was expecting."Good, great that the boys are here."He managed to let them sit in the bar which is not far from us. Donte passed by my chair taking a look at the woman beside me. "Are you alright Boss?""Never been fine Donte, go drink with the boys. Enjoy this night it is all thanks to Mister Go over here, I think that it wouldn't
* Axel *"I have to apologize Mister Goh, but I don't think I could accept this proposal. I don't mix business with my relationship and I already have a woman in my life. This idea is absurd."I shook my head and found my eyes resting on the woman beside me whose face was smiling and lips beginning to pout at the rejection that she heard coming from me."Oh, you don't have to sound so defensive Mister Brussel."Her voice is sweet and pleading, she is younger than Reda but I could tell her boldness from how she carries herself. I bet she is deadly as well as her charms are, she learned everything from his father and the resemblance she has with her brother is slowly resurfacing.Mister Goh chuckled. "Don't give me your decision now Axel, there is only one reason that you could stay here unharmed and one reason for you to get doomed and that is me. I am giving you three days to decide, whether you marry my daughter or you get out of this country for good."My expression dimmed and I kne
* Axel *The night ended with only the old man smiling and the rest of the men on my team waiting for the decision that I had to come up with after three days. Life in Singapore is fancy just like how I live in Italy, the country has so much to offer and I wanted to build my business here. In my thoughts I have to talk to the woman who could help me with my business, what she needs in return if she agrees to marry me just for a show, to please her old man.I am still in doubt, I can't marry someone I don't love. Thinking about it is making me puke, however I need to help my men who are already relying on me. The men that I recruited because of my plan for business expansion here in Singapore. The purpose of my life is to build this empire that my father left and the old man is a big hindrance for me. But perhaps I can make it happen through his daughter who offered me a date this afternoon."Good morning Boss!"Donte wakes up first as I walk towards the fancy kitchen of the new hotel.
* Axel * She picked the restaurant not far from my hotel when I mentioned to her over the phone where I was staying. Julliana, that is what she wanted me to call her. The woman whom I should marry if I wish to land a business casino here in Singapore peacefully. Her father is the head of the dragon gang, so my mind is on a chaotic page right now. Before heading out, I opened my phone and typed a short message to the woman that I was hoping to see before I finalized my decision.But I stared at the blank screen wondering what I would tell her."Are you ready to leave Boss?"A question from Donte on the driver's seat put me back to the present. "Yes, let's go."He looked at me trying to see if I was alright and it annoyed me more than anything. "Drive Donte, I don't want her to arrive at the venue first."After I said that he nodded and started the car, there were only the two of us in a rented vehicle so I decided to take on his suggestion. We have to change cars, from the day we arri
* Axel *The deal was on, but instead of rejoicing and feeling the win, I felt a lot of load weighing over my shoulder. This is one of those days that I know it would not turn out great for everyone yet I choose to go with the flow and gamble. It's lives that I am putting on the line, but I swear on my life that I would protect what is mine and protect the lives of the people who work for me. The announcement will be made soon. When the old man sends me a request for my answer it would be a yes."Boss Axel, we must extend our stay if you will hold a wedding."I look at Donte whose eyes are fixated on me. There will be a lot to prepare if the celebration is big, but I wanted to keep it simple because it won't last."This is not a normal wedding Donte, this is a deal with a business partner. Divorce will soon progress after three to six months so there is no need for trivial matters. Send home the rest of our people it would be easier for us. Let them know I will get them back here only
* Axel *She came out later than we had expected, and Donte even wondered if something was wrong with her. But Julliana came back and acted natural, I guess women just take their time in the bathroom without caring if other people are waiting for them. But she didn't even give any word of apology when we waited for about twenty minutes for her to come out."Are the papers ready?"I hand her a sign pen and the papers are already in front of her seat. "Yes, just read it before signing or you can bring it home with you and send it back when you are finished. Some of them are long but the space provided to sign is at the bottom page."She looks at the pages. "It's alright Axel, I trust you. That's why I came even without my lawyer and Bernard."When she started singing, I couldn't help but notice that she left the divorce papers untouched. My brows furrowed and I waited because maybe she wanted to read it all again."I guess it's all done except for the divorce papers."I raised one brow
* Axel *It brings me so much joy to see that Reda is here in Singapore, and her flight schedule was moved earlier than what has been expected. Her presence brought me a calm oasis after the stormy weather. I almost forgot that I had an appointment with Julliana that is why I came down to the restaurant early. Expecting that she was with Bernard, but she was alone. I didn't want to put Reda in a difficult situation so as much as I wanted to stay beside her, it was better if she exited the restaurant first. After I send her in the elevator I walk back to where Julliana is waiting. She was still sipping her cup of coffee, she must have ordered another one after I left."I like the coffee here, or maybe I just felt bored waiting for you."My lips curved in a dry smile. "My apologies, Julliana it was a pleasant surprise to see Reda most suddenly. I thought you were coming with Bernard?"At the corner of my eyes, I saw Donte moving forward towards our table when he saw that there was anot
* Reda Faith *I enjoyed watching him eat, the way his red lip moves, and his mouth slightly open to take in his food. But I tend to look away when he notices and then gazes at me because it would be too embarrassing to be caught staring. He is the man who can make all women swoon inside the restaurant, it doesn't matter if some of them have a partner on their table. I couldn't help but notice how they gave him their admiring gaze."By the way, I am waiting for a business partner to arrive. She is a bit late so it gave me enough excuse to start eating."His voice sounded normal but he glanced at the entrance with a frown before wiping his mouth with a clean white table napkin."Oh, it's alright. I have no other plans for today, and I may just go back to my room after here. You can speak with your business partner then."His expression changes as he looks at me and the way his eyes glimmer makes my stomach churns. "I will come to see you afterward, it's just a short meeting regarding m
* Reda Faith*We had another successful flight, from Australia to Singapore. Almost all the colleagues I worked with this time were foreigners since it was not supposed to be my time to fly. I changed my schedule with one of my colleagues to go back to the City where I could meet him. But he was not aware yet that I was back in Singapore.I checked my phone for his messages but was a bit disappointed to find none. His last message for me was the day before yesterday morning, which was sent around five am and I was only able to answer two hours later when I woke up. After that, there were no messages or any signs of being online on his number. I am still debating with myself if I should call him or not."Good morning Miss, care for a cup of coffee?"The question coming from the waitress who holds a pot of coffee in her hands put me back in reality."Oh, yes please."I let her pour the aromatic coffee into my cup and then glance around the cozy restaurant of the hotel. This is a complim
* Axel *I don't know why but something triggered my fear when I saw the expression on Rafael's face, but he turned towards Rocus who looked at me calmly. Almost like he voids himself from any emotion. "What is it, Rafael?"The second time I asked him. Rocus cleared his throat while Donte groaned frustratingly, waiting for an explanation from either of them."The bullet that killed the old man comes from my rifle."At first, I didn't see anything wrong with what he just told me but as Donte started to let out a series of explicit words. It all dawns upon me."Shit! Rocus, that's not the order we had in the plan. Our role was only to support the Dragon gang why did you have to shoot the old man?"Gritting my teeth I so much wanted to break his neck for being stupid but I know that both of them have worked so hard while I was hiding away with Donte. "I know Boss, it wasn't supposed to go on like that. I was the second option when Miss Goh and Bernard attacked the old man but they got c
* Axel *Donte was driving our bulletproof car when we reached the busy streets of Singapore. Rafael and Rocus along with the others went ahead of us, while I was busy checking my phone. It took a few minutes before I realized that we hadn't taken the same road as the others."Donte, where are we going?"He drives in silence, I look at the streets which start to get cleared from the traffic."I am not putting you in danger Boss, Rafael and Rocus are already out there. And they have understood the assignment."I close my eyes for a few seconds and shake the irritation that is starting to surface. Donte is only thinking about what's good for me but this is not a part of my plan. There could be implications if I am not seen with my men supporting Julliana."This is not what I was expecting from you, Donte!?"I realized my voice, but I didn't have a plan to fight him. Somehow deep inside I felt the surge of relief. The road we are taking is leading to the harbor. "I am not fleeing Donte!
*Axel*Time moves fast, when it is about six pm Donte was the first one to take my attention off from the laptop that I was working on. "Boss, have you informed Miss Goh about your decision?"He looked more anxious than I was but fully ready as I saw his clothes from top to bottom the weapons hiding inside his jacket and knives on his waist. Donte leaves no space without something to depend himself on. "No, I am waiting for her call. Since I am not the one needing help at this point. Let them call me, if they don't then they don't need my hand or something has come up."Donte looked at me and exhaled slowly, agreeing to my words. I don't want to make this look like we are the ones offering our hands to help Julliana and Bernard. This is their fight, but the situation requires me to lend a hand."It won't be long now and I am sure that she will call me for the follow-up."After I said that, my mobile phone rang and it was her name on the screen. "Oh, that's her Boss!"Donte sat down an
* Axel *Her eyes turned from being hurt and sad into something darker as her lips tightly shut in a thin line. The side of her which I had no idea that she was hiding behind the silent type. "Think about it until midnight Axel, I will have my people ready today and we will execute the plan on the brink of dawn."I raise an eyebrow. "You know I did not sign up for this Julliana, this is not what we have talked about. Do not force me into something that would put myself and my men in danger otherwise, you will have an enemy worse than your father."My words are real, there is no threat just the fact that I would not participate in their plans. It's enough that I kept my mouth shut until this moment and went through with the wedding. Bernard exhaled as Julliana sat in silence."I think we made a mistake in coming here early Julliana, let's go."She looked at him and then back at me, Donte was watching them both ready to speak more if they were going to insist. "Fine you stay here and ke
* Axel *The morning came early for me as I opened my eyes and immediately fixed myself to start the plan on some of my online records and business accounts. Juliana and her man will not be up early, I just know that both of them have taken advantage of the situation to celebrate their love. Despite what happened to he brother, she is still able to make out with her man, I couldn't blame her for that. They have been hiding their relationship in the eyes of many and only got their full chance to be themselves for not.A honeymoon for the newlyweds, but I am the groom who's not going to be with the bride. For there is only one woman in my mind at this moment and even from before, she is the one that I should be marrying. A few knocks on my door alerted me. "Good morning Boss! It's me."Donte's voice made me relax and walk towards the door without pressure. "Morning Donte, glad to see you early."I looked behind him and saw Rafael and Rocus, both had deep frowns on their faces but bowed