PROTECT THE CARGO

Ariana’s pov~

It is official! 

I'm Over Mateo and his bullshit.

I got another hotel, and Alonzo saw to it.

He has been so helpful in helping me on my quest.

I got to the dock at about 7:52 am, and I sat inside the boat waiting for Mateo to come.

I didn't know if Maria and Luna would show up, but they came a few minutes after eight pm.

And of course, when Mateo arrived he didn't care if he wasted everyone’s time for about 20 mins.

“I had some personal errand to attend to” he started, I knew that was a lie and I didn't care enough to pick a fight with him.

“Since we are all here, it's time to get a move on, once we are close to the old submarine station, you will all go down and wait for instructions on when to come out, now this is important.

If they find out you are trying to get to the island undocumented, you are likely to get shot” he finally declared.

This was starting to feel too dangerous and I started feeling anxious, for the sake of my child.

“Ariana, I'll kill every last bastard who threatens your existence, you don't need to be scared bambino” he promised, taking my hand before drawing my attention to his soft eyes.

I believed him, I knew as long as Mateo lived there was nothing that scared me.

He is always there to protect me.

I pushed his hand away and looked away from him.

“Ariana how long are you going to be like this” he inquired stepping in front of my eyes to get my attention.

The beautiful ocean, I was lost in, now occluded by this tall and attractive husband of mine.

“As long as it takes Mateo, you are obstructing my view Mateo and I would like you to remove yourself please” I stated.

“Trouble in paradise?” My stepmother started, “im surprised, I thought you would be long gone right now, after the shit you both pulled on Don Rinaldi and the Argentos” She started waving her around in disapproval

“I've got nothing to say to you stepmother, we are all here for Serena, I'd like us to do that and be rid of each other” I retorted.

But of course, she already had a whole Arsenal ready to go.

“Don Mateo” she started turning to Mateo whose eyes did not leave me, throughout the ride to the island.

“Hmmm” he replied uninterestedly, he didn't turn to her.

“Poor Becky has been crying herself to sleep upon the news of your marriage to Ariana, one minute she’s about to get married the next she’s waking up to find out she has lost her fiance and her baby” She paused, took a deep breath and continued.

“She’s very confused at the moment, Don Mateo, she’s wondering when she’s going to get an explanation about it” my stepmother finished before throwing me dagger glares.

Mateo was silent and it irritated me, i knew he owed her an explanation, but the glitches he has whenever Becky's name comes up annoyed me to my bones.

I think it's the hormones again, I suddenly felt this violent urge to tear her to pieces.

“I think it's none of your business what goes on in mi Casa, if you ever bring up my fiance’s name from your lips I'll make sure I explain to Don Rinaldi how your death is of great relief to him” he threatened finally shutting her.

I expected sassy-mouthed Luna to put it a few stabs but she sat there quietly, she had wandered far and deep in thought, and I wondered if she was okay.

An abortion? I wondered what else these vile people make her do, just to satisfy them.

Over time Serena and I had started to bond and after betraying her I hope I'm not too late to save her.

I wondered if Luna and I would ever connect in our lifetime.

Occasionally when she looked at me, I could see the emptiness in her eyes accompanied by sheer disgust for me.

Vivid thoughts about what she may be tied up in suddenly flashed in my brain.

I instantly felt like I failed her as her older sister.

No one had ever successfully located this island, few men knew how to get there and even fewer were invited.

But somehow we were all seeing the tip of the mountain on the horizon.

“We are approaching the substation, women go down, your husband and I will stay up here, go now!” Patricio announced before slowing down his boat.

Mateo was about to say something to me but I ignored him and walked by him.

 We went downstairs and Patricia locked us in, but I could still hear them loud and clear.

“Don't make a sound, No matter what you hear, don't come out understood?” he cautioned.

“Understood” we replied in unison 

I tried to maintain my breathing as the three of us cramped up into this small space annoyed the shit out of me.

This was the last place I ever imagined myself.

Maria glared at me very murderously, if we weren't on this boat she would probably cut my head off.

“You can't hide behind Mateo forever you, he is going to run back to Becky the moment he sees her and you will always be what you were meant to be” she whispered to me.

“A tramp, a homewrecking tramp who can't close her legs” she finished before she grinned at me.

I didn't say anything. I ignored her but that didn't seem to bother her.

I refuse to reduce myself to her level.

“What do you have down there?” one of the Station rangers asked.

I gasped in fear, my hands shook in despair.

Are we about to be found?

“Our papers are in order, let us go” I heard Patricio say.

“What I want to know is what is down there,” he insisted.

“You, check it out” I heard the station leader order.

I looked back at Maria who was now anxiously sweating, it was refreshing to see her feel fear.

She always gave the impression that she was carved from stone and devoid of feelings.

“No”  was the voice that followed, it was Mateo’s.

Just what the hell is he doing?

“Who do you think you are to refuse this? It's not a request, it is an order!” the captain thundered.

“Take one step down there and I promise you your kids will miss their father forever” 

That sent shivers down my spine even though I was too frightened to admit it.

“What are you hiding down there!” he yelled again.

“Just take one step and find out” Mateo growled.

“Arrest them!” I heard next, “Oh my god” I cried softly.

Soon I heard blow sounds, and someone was getting beat up.

As the groans increased, I could hear Mateo’s voice in the mix.

There was a loud scuffle at the top and I almost drowned in worry thinking about it.

I prayed to God I wasn't Mateo.

“Santiago is dead sir,” I heard, my heart beating fast I heard the captain’s voice next.

“You haven't had enough, I will kill you with my bare hands!”

“Then come at me! I will kill you before I let you take another step down there, one down, which of you goes next”

Mateo….. His voice weakened by the beating.

Still, he was fighting for me…

Even in the face of death.