SarahIt’s strange. The same man that once captured me turned out to be my saviour yet again. A private jet flew us back to Russia and now we are parked in front of a familiar skyscraper. There’s an awkward silence first. It feels like both of us have a lot to say. Like old friends reuniting again, in spite of our toxic history. There is something about this man sitting next to me. Something dark but alluring enough to make me feel comfortable. Enough to make me stay without thinking of an escape. “How long have…”Marco hesitates. I know exactly what he wants to say but I can't give him the details of everything that happened since we parted ways. “Why…why didn’t you tell me?”“Tell you what?” I ask, taking off the seat belt as Marco stares vaguely into the windscreen, or maybe he's watching someone ahead. I can't say. “That…You…That you were fine. Alive.”“No one cared to find me until now,” I reply, without looking at him as I notice his gaze shifted back on me. “You…you were la
MarcoIt's Sarah. At my door step. Her eyes are swollen and filled with tears. “You’re dangerous Marco maybe more dangerous than my father,” she's talking. All I do is stare like a dummy, listening to her.“...But those were the things I fell for. I can't stay away, Marco. The few minutes I spent out there all alone made me realize that it's you. It has always been you. And for me, this is how it begins. Whatever you are, I want it. All of it.”She ends her statement sharply, pulling me by my collars unexpectedly and sucking at my lips aggressively.I’m too drunk for my weight because I can't pull away. I don’t want to. Whatever I said back at the parking lot, I take them all back. I want her too. I want to be her Don, if that’s what happiness is for her. I want to be everything she wants. I can fulfill all her dreams of a perfect partner. That's not true, but I can try. She’s pulled the strings and I’m ready to be the Marco that’s more than enough for Sarah. One that’s good enough.
Marco“What happened on that day?” I ask, after feeding her with a few spoons.“I was kidnapped,” she replies while swallowing the content in her mouth. “Who was the girl wearing the gown if it wasn't you?”She begins to cough. I help with a glass of water, but my mind is on those details. I need answers. It wouldn't let me sleep especially after i became sober. “I have a vague memory of what happened that day.”I clean off food stain sticking to the corner of her lips before i take my seat again. “I hope you understand my reasons for these questions. The only way I can protect you is by knowing all of your enemies.”I'm about to ask another question when I hear a phone vibration. It's not mine.“You have a call.”Sarah rushes up, heading towards the cellphone on a stool in the sitting room.“Who was it? ” I ask since she didn't pick the call.“A wrong number. How about we suspend this chat and have—”“It's important I know everything, Sarah. We don't have much time to spend here,”
MarcoThere isn't much to be done. Big Tom didn't even notice my absence. Man has been into some troubles only him can solve. All I need to do is deliver this truck to the address and check up on my little sister before I get back to Sarah.I don't like that she's all alone back there. Who knows if someone knows about her location. What if they break in?All these thoughts only make me want to rush out of here and get back to her as quick as possible. If she really wants to stay then I can't say no. I could enroll her into one of Andrey's training centers, but I have to be there with her. The only girl amidst potential hitmen isn't the kind of safety I wished for her.I halt in front of a large brown gate. I've no idea of what's in the truck as usual. Big Tom and whoever the receiver is must have had a conversation. I'm only the middle man. Two armed men approach me, looking up to face me. “ID?” They demand.What ID are they requesting.“From Big Tom,” I reply, without turning off th
AkimThe surrounding is lonely and the bright lights from the reception ahead cast a reflection on the lonely van parked carelessly outside. I open the trunk door of the van, a pipe hanging at the corner of my mouth. I jump down from the truck, scanning the area with a look of contempt. Two others follow behind. “We've arrived at his place. He sure has some history, to afford a place like this. Leave it to me, Luca,” I speak into a device as two other men follow behind. “Good. Get whatever you need. Clean your tracks and keep him alive,” my boss says at the other end of the phone and then it beeps.I replace the phone in my breast pocket, while one of my men approache me,“What's the update from boss? A clean kill?”“Sucker. I wouldn't need you two if that was the plan,” I reply with gritting teeth. “He wants him alive…it wouldn't be for long,” I mutter to myself before turning back to the others, ”Keep watch outside.”I walk into the revolving door, hiding my weapon under my coat, p
MarcoMy first instinct is to pull out my gun. As I cock the riffle for an aim, a voice cries, “Death trap” It sounds familiar. She's holding her hands out towards me, striken with fear. I catch the face now close-up.“I didn't mean to startle you,” she says, helping me with the bag at the trunk.“That should be my line. Stop creeping in corners,” I reply, “I didn't think you'll choose to stay after all these years.”I turn back to Sarah as I scoop her in my arms, slamming the car door shut with my leg while I let Clara take in the luggages. It's a big surprise for me to meet her here. After all these years of service to my father, she still remains loyal. She has more grey hairs than I remember. Andrey loved her but I still have an unresolved score. It's a good thing she's here, anyway. At least, Sarah has company. Experienced company. I walk into the bungalow, as the glasses slides down for me to pass through after a quick scan of my face at the entrance.I'm sure Igor doesn't kno
MarcoRarely, there's hardly no one around. I'm surprised. I got down from the car, pulling into the entrance and finding it also desserted. Half information. Fuck.With the explosion I heard over the phone, it could mean anything.On the other hand, it could be another of Andrey's tricks. I hate the way I'm feeling. I dash into the main entrance, in search of a fucking soul. No guard. Too quiet to belong to a powerful Sidorov. Nights like this at the mansion should host a feast or a gun party.Maybe the old man has found a better way to live. What are the odds of that happening? It only makes me more convinced. Something isn't right. And I can smell Andrey's hand in this. I run up the flight of stairs, straight into the conference room. It's the only place I'm sure to find my father. They might be having a meeting. Probably about me. They must have seen how qualified I am for the position or maybe he convinced them. I don't care how they arrived at the right candidate as long as
Akim“A Russian, boss,” I speak into the phone as we reroute away from the lonely streets.“That's all you have to say? A Russian?” Luca questions over the phone, his temper about to get the better of him.“We lost him but I promise to dig deep.”“You know what to do” Immediately, his call drops.I hit my fist on the steering as I sneer at the window, driving back.I lost track of Marco. I was this close to reaching him.The only thing left of me is to ransack his apartment for more clue. For a man like my subject who deals in all sorts of drugs, I know there'll be something to pin him down with.I head back to his apartment, parking far away from the penthouse and make my way back into the apartment, in search of something.That's the only language my boss understands and our best way to recruit strong minds into our group. A blackmail or nothing. But I personally don't like the man and Luca seems to be particularly interested.Effortlessly, I break into the apartment.MarcoI'm done
Marco"How many times do i have to repeat this? I'm not Betty," she responded in a frenzied whisper as Ricco's voice overshadowed every other sound in the room. There's another task. Never an end to his missions, but thankfully, amongst all the people he called out, I don't fall in the list.Celebrating the temporary freedom, I watch as Betty gets up from me to join the selected crew.I don't pay much attention on the instructions. It's none of my business.Big Tom is addressing them but Betty and i exchange eye contact. I need to find the truth from her and the only way to do that is to exploit her witnesses.It's not my fault that she provided me one on a platter of gold.After a brief discussion with Ricco about the delivery of new sets of ammunition, i head out of the mansion, in search of Betty.I find her standing by her car, about to get in."Elizabeth Maguire," i announce, few metres away from her. I watch her reaction as she stiffen. Definitely Betty. One doubt crossed. N
SHAWNThe fucker is standing right next to her. I hate to see her cry but she deserves to be punished. Everything I've ever done has been for her, yet she chose to trust this fucker over me. Brought my very son to him. I try not to think about how many times he's had to touch her. My Maria.She can't belong to anyone else and she knows this.The anger grows rapidly inside of me as the doctor halts in front of her."Please, don't do this," Maria pleads. She's managed to crawl to the door. Her cry stings my heart as the fucker attempts to land a kiss on her.That's when I reach my limit. The guts he has. All I wanted was to scare her, to make fear me, respect and just follow me.I'm more than enough for her. That has to sink in her tiny sexy brains.Three close shots. He goes limp, and falls right by her side.She screams, shutting her eyes in terror."You've forgotten who I am so soon," I say, approaching her and kicking the body away from her.Now that I've details about the doctor
SarahHis grip over my mouth is so hard. All my attempt to get away proves futile. My heart beats even faster as he pulls me out of bed.My back is against his chest but as we walk past the large mirror in the room, he halts.His gaze rests on my reflection. "Maria, i dont like that look on your face. Everything I've ever done has been for your own good."All i do is shut my eyes, hoping this is a dream. A lucid dream Michel assured me that Shawn was a forgotten past.I didn't bother to ask how he knew but i believed stupidly.Shawn leans towards my ears, his grip tighten against my mouth."I've something to show you. Please, Maria, please, dont do anything stupid."He grabs the sheets on the bed to cover my naked body up."Do you miss me? There's no doubt. You do. But i'm mad at you. Maybe I'll be able to forgive you afterwards. Just maybe..."He pulls me towards the door. The tears trickle down my cheeks over his palm."I hate to see you cry," he continues as he unlocks the door,
Sarah"I got a call..." Michael begins, resting both palms on my shoulders, like he's about to give a long speech.His reaction makes me uneasy. At least I made sure no one noticed when i left. "Remember i mentioned something about my sister living in the same neighborhood with you."I nod in agreeement. "There was a fire."I pretend to be shocked, but i am. How did he find out so quickly. "Is your sister okay-.." i ask."Yes. But," he hesitates but continues, "The fire started at your place.""My house is on fire?" I force the tears to leave my eyes.Michael pulls me into a hug making it easier for me to fake it as I cry aloud against his soft fabric."This is now your home, Sarah. I'll also replace everything that was lost in the fire," Michael adds. I pull away from him, thankfully my face is wet enough."You don't have to. Maybe this is a sign for a fresh start indeed," i blurt out. "I don't want to look back anymore.""I agree, Sarah. The police have begun investiagtion on th
SarahI knew the doctor to be comfortable, but i would never have guessed that he could own such a massive place. There are a few staff around, as they help us unpack the few luggages we brought. A bag for Carlo and one for me. "It's massive," i whisper under my breath as i pat Carlo on my shoulder. He's still fast asleep."I have something to show you," the doctor says, guiding me away from the lobby with bright chandeliers at the centre, towards the flight of stairs ahead. We arrive at the first floor. The first door to our right leads to a room. "Are you ready?" he asks. I nod, gaping around like some lost stranger. I've lived in luxury all my life but with the doctor, it's different.I'm not a prisoner.As he opens the door i find a beautiful nursery all set up.My palm clasp over my mouth, stopping me from exaggerating my emotions, careful not to wake Carlos.The emotions rush in as i step in. It's blue-themed. A typical baby-boy room."I'll call in a nanny to take care of hi
MarcoThe old woman doesn't seem to buy my story. Her look spells suspicion.I retain the smile on my face, closing the gap between us while I continue,"I'm surprized Elizabeth never mentioned it. She told me she'll be here also.""I'm going to call the cops on you. Stay away," she yells making her way back in."Grandma," the little boy comes running out, stopping the woman in her tracks.He's holding a picture frame, extending it to the woman. The boy for one is certainly smart.The woman takes a glance at the picture, and back at me.I catch a faint view of it. A picture of Andrey. For some reasons, he looks almost like me. It's part of the reasons i don't believe Ricco and his lies.Andrea and I have always shared a striking resemblance."Do you believe me now?" i say to the woman, squatting in front of the boy and ruffling his hair."What's your name big man?" The boy doesn't smile. Not a word escaped his mouth. Just the surprise written all over him."Your story had better b
Shawn For a doctor, he sure is a hard man. I barely escaped him. Not without a severe hit on my arm and a bruised knee. For one, i acquired the vehicle, in on piece, however broken my bone feels right now.I've to lay low. Get these fuckers off my track for now or i just might be a cheap prey for them. I'm heading north, with no direction as i try to set up the GPS of the car.They will try to find the village now that I've exposed one of the hideouts.Even though it will be no use to them. There's no way they can crack the vault without the clues in my possession.Still, i'm living nothing to chance. Not the inheritance I worked for. Not ever. I drift into a sharp corner, viewing the rare view mirror for any sign of my enemies. It looks all clear. I keep driving, searching around the car for notes. I'm dead broke, for a man entrusted with such wealth.I find a dollar bill and make a brief stop at a grocery store.Before i get out of the car, I clean off the blood stains on my
ElvisA tall man in clean suits and black shades draw my attention. Immediately I turn around he says,"Come with me."I follow behind closely. Soon, we arrive in front of a black limousine parked by the corner of the road. He opens the door for me as I step into the unknown.There's a woman sitting opposite me in the luxurious car.She has a white hat on and every other clothing on her matches her hat, except the red scarf around her neck and the dark shades. The white hat covers a good portion of her face, making me catch only a faint view of her nose and a deep-red lipsticks, matching the scarf around her neck.The whiff of her flowery scent subdues my sense of smell for a minute."We've been expecting you, Mr. Elvis Griffin," she says. "Let's say, we have a better offer for you, that'll make you reject the one your boss offered.""Who are you?" I ask, my voice frantic, the air in the vehicle suddenly feels more tense."You don't need to shout. Besides, if i had ill intentions tow
MarcoShe attempts to keep driving, threatening to knock me down but I stand my ground. I move no muscle.She can't hit me. I know that for sure.Besides, it's a weak attempt. The frustration is evident in her expression as she storms out of the car."what the actual fuck are you? Get out of my way," she yells. Instead i fold my arms, staring at her with a cold smile."Really? That's how you treat an old friend?" I tease."I dont know what you're talking about," she replies, turning off her headhlights. The dim lights in the garage is the only light source we have now. She walks up to me, still looking flustered.But she can't fool me.“Quit the pretence, Betty.”“Look, I don't know who you're and why you were hired. But it's best we stick to our roles here. And who the hell is Betty?”"What I don't understand is why you brought Sarah into all of these.”“There's definitely a mix up somewhere. I'm not who you think I am. Now get lost before I knock you down," she breaths, yelling fr