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
MarcoIt took me an hour to get to the destination. Before I could open the door, two men approach me. I'm at that point where nothing scares me.Whatever these strangers are up to can never be anything compared to what I've to lose.Arrogantly, I follow them, glaring at one who tried to hold me, “Get your hands off me.”There's a small bar ahead. It's empty. And dark. One step inside and I'm almost choking from the smell. I can smell coke, tobacco and a mix of cheap cigarettes.“You came. Of course you did,” a voice responds from the shadows.“Akim...come over”A man pops out. I recognize the face as a lamp is turned on. “i just knew you were familiar. I know you from somewhere,” he continues, taking pauses and sniffing at white powder on the bar counter.“We've nothing in common. Why the fuck did you break into my apartment?” I demand.It's the last job I did for The Boss. I remember all these faces, especially the one carrying a briefcase.“Of course we do. It's high time we settl
SarahShawn!That's the first things that blares in my head.He knows about this. I have no doubts.“Hello. Are you there?” the voice at the other end brings me back to the present as I try to steady my reaction. “Yes. I'll get back to you shortly,” i reply, turning off the phone. I'm walking around, biting my phone, brushing into my hair. It suddenly feels like a tight room with no air. Who do I contact? I'll be in big trouble if Shawn speaks. Or if the feds find Marco and in the process stumble on that evidence.All what my father have done in the past will be paid, By me. They sure don't know me as Maria but it wouldn't be long till my secret is revealed if I don't act now. I take out my phone, about to dial the first name that pops up in my head when the door swings open.“You were taking so long,” she says almost stopping half way into her words.“Did something happen?” she asks looking worried, then I realize I had an horrific look on.“No. Everything is fine,” I say with a
MarcoBig Tom bangs his fist, causing the glass table to crack. As if that didn't hurt enough, he sweeps everything on the table to the floor, catching the revolver close to him before it falls off. He aims at me. “What the fuck were you up to? All the times we tried to bring down the Snakes, you've always been a fucking blood. A motherfucking Sidorov.”He shoots at the ceiling. Still consumed in his rage.I didn't flinch. I've seen this day a long time ago. The very first day I sold out my loyalty to Big Tom.I knew this day will eventually come.It was the only way I could get back Nina. “And your sister? You've been related all along!”“Keep her out of this. We had a deal, ” I say as calm as I can.Nina doesn't deserve all of this.She knows nothing and I hate that she's suffering so much for a family that has caused her only pain.“A deal you broke a long time ago. Was Igor a part of this!” he yells back. I can see his hands quivering as he paces around. At any moment, he can do
MarcoThe blaring sirens. The hands behind those wheels. All seems like a wild dream, as I we drive far away from the scene. “We were lucky to find your look alike. I still don't understand how you managed to get on the papers,” Andrey says. And surprisingly, he doesn't make it a big deal. I'm quiet at the backseat, with Nina. Embarrassing. Fucking embarrassing to be saved by someone like him.One way or another, he'll make me pay. Nothing's ever free. Nina is resting on my laps while I stare vaguely at the windows , seeing my faded reflection and the moving trees. He's still talking. Maybe scolding. Or gloating. But the thought of being saved by my brother only makes me certain how much work I need to do on myself and what task lay ahead of me as a payback for his favor. I've to grow out of all of their shadows. And be a self-made boss. I can't keep depending on them for help.The car, as well as its surroundings, is quiet now. We are way past the cops.“They'll still find me.
SarahThere is soft music playing. And for a moment I could feel my mother. Right here, beside me, singing, while I sleep. It feels like a dream but I can sense the crazy reflection of light and the piercing heat of the sun against the sheets and on my arm.“Mother…” I whisper. It feels like home. The peaceful home I knew. Where nothing mattered, masked in the comfort of my mother's arms.I smile weakly and try to reach for her embrace when I hear a clank of metals.Immediately, the music stops. My hands. My legs, wouldn't move further. I flick my eyelids open, attempting to see what has held me down.To my amazement, all my four limbs are chained down to the small bed in a large room.It doesn't look familiar. In horror, I begin to force the metals, panting heavily but instead the pain in my arm increase. There's a bandage around my head and a sling around my shoulder extending to a part of my hand covered in bandages.Gradually, I recollect all that happened the night before.Who
MarcoIn the thick haze I make my way inside the collapsing structure, choking from the outrageous smoke. My legs suddenly develop a mind of its own as I run into the wreckage not minding the flames ahead.“Sarah!”My voice is quenched by the raging flame and it feels like a arrow hit me when I step on something big. It's a body.In dread I pull it out, my heart breaking with every pull. The burn is a lot, but not enough to disfigure the facial features as I recognize who it is.Clara.What if Sarah is in there too?How did they find them here?As the walls of the house continue to crumble, the flames going up and darkening the bright clouds immediately, I escape, before I get trapped. I stare again at the wreck from a distance and something in me tells me Sarah isn't there. She can't be. Getting back in my car, I zoom off back to my captive in a druken speed. I needed an outlet for my rage and Luca is my best bet. I see blood footprints from the ground floor up until the last flo
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