25 ~ A Spade A Spade

Brinda

Hot tears flowed out of my eyes as I watched Marshall storm away after letting me suffer. 

What kind of man is he? I can't believe he was the one I fell in love with years ago. 

If I'm talking about Marshall, what about Francesco? 

He was my first love and yet he betrayed me. Not only did he betray me, he used me. 

Such a horrible life I have got!

I felt a gentle touch on my left hand where the tea spilled on. I turned sharply, forgetting my sorrow. And there he was… Francesco. 

He was already knelt in front of me and in his hands was a first aid box. He had a ‘sorry’ look on his face and my heart fluttered a little. 

“I'm sorry. I… I was unaware that he could do such a thing.” He said apologetically. 

Is this a new Francesco? What the fuck? 

He just yelled at me a few minutes ago before I went to get the tea. 

“There is no need to apologize. He simply added to the wounds you caused me. He isn't at fault.” I said, looking away trying to avoid his pity gaze. 

“Will you keep quiet for a minute?” He ordered. It was right then I was forced to keep my mouth sealed but not for long. 

“How long will you keep using me?” I asked him. 

“You won't stop asking questions, will you?” 

“I want an answer, Francesco. I can't just remain silent and pretend like everything is normal.” I expressed my thoughts after getting a bit emotional. 

“I wish I can tell you all about it but someday, which I hope will come soon, I will explain everything to you in detail. Keep it in mind that… I'm not as bad as you thought. Villains aren't born, they are made.” 

“If I understand you well. You are doing this for a reason, right? The world of the mafia is broad. I get it but…” I paused, not knowing what to add. “I mean… Still, you shouldn't have dragged me into all this.” 

“If I hadn't, you would have been dead. Care to bet?” He asked. 

“No. Tell me everything in detail.” I replied sharply though my mind was crying asking why I would have been dead or killed. 

“Enough!” He commanded with a look of anger clearly visible on his face. I lowered my head as I watched him clean my wound and wrap it. 

*****

“Francesco, it hurts. Can you do that gently?” I asked slowly as I tried to move my hands away but he pinned it down. 

“Why? I'm cleaning up your wounds. I am careful enough. You are just too scared like a cat.” He laughed before he tapped my forehead gently. 

“Thank you!” I replied after a while as I watched him close the first aid kit. 

He rolled his eyes sarcastically, “Why are you telling me ‘Thank you'? You know I don't like it. In a relationship, things like this are meant to be mutual. If we keep saying ‘Thank you', ‘I’m sorry.’ and the rest of those silly words, it means we don't value each other.” 

“Thanks for always being there,” I added and placed a kiss on his cheek. 

“Stop that!” He chuckled before he ran into the bedroom while I admired his backside. 

*****

Those were the good old days when me and Francesco always took good care of each other. We were always together except when I went on my secret missions, of course. 

That particular day, I had just returned from a mission and got hurt but I had lied to Francesco that I fell off the stairs. 

“Do you remember I once did this for you?” He asked. 

“Yeah.” I said in a low tone. 

When he was done, he helped me to sit on the sofa in the cozy area while he flipped through some documents I was less concerned about.

It was while I scrolled through the internet, I slept off. And hours later, he woke me up so we could leave for home. And of course, he returned to his usual attitude so I stayed within my limit. 

I'm still quite pissed off about one thing though. The tea Marshall spilled on me and on the floor contained the grinded bottle which I wanted to give Francesco. 

“Marshall… You will surely die a horrible death.” I cursed him under my breath.

Getting into his parked Ferrari, Francesco brought out a brown folder and dropped it on my lap. He ignited the car's engine and we zoomed off. 

I flipped through some pages and realized the papers in the folder almost contained architectural designs. “What is this meant for?” I asked. 

“Look carefully. While you were asleep, my men were able to track the new location of the crypt key. Obviously where Marshall moved it to after he left my office. He is a fool, right?” He smirked and I returned a smile. 

“I know Marshall well. He isn't someone who will back down easily. He must have moved the crypt key in preparation that we would come after it. Do you understand?” He questioned while I nodded positively. “So… I mean, we have to break into the new hideout tonight.” 

I let out a slow sigh.  “That means, we are heading to Dallas tonight.” 

“Point of correction. Not ‘we’, it is ‘You’. Bullet will accompany you. I have some urgent work to tend to. Once we arrive home, you are to move immediately.” He ended the discussion and the rest was silence till we reached home.

I went into my room quickly to pack all the necessary items I would need for the mission but it wasn't because of Francesco I was in a haste. I was in a haste to get back at Marshall or Peter. Whatever he regards himself as. 

“Are you ready?” Bullet's voice echoed from behind. 

“I'm more than ready. It's high time we called ‘A Spade A Spade.” I replied as I zipped my small-sized travelling box. 

We hurried out of my room and got to the ground floor where Francesco was waiting patiently for us to arrive. 

“Brinda,” he mentioned my name as soon as we stood in front of him. “Bullet,” he called again and she did as I had done. 

“This mission is very important. So far, I should say it's your biggest mission. I want to end this chapter for good which is why I'm trusting you two on this mission. If it resorts to killing Marshall to get the crypt key, do it.” 

“Yes, Don.” We chorused. 

It's either now or never, Marshall. I will end this right now. Only one of us has the right to live and that person… is me. 

I am coming, Marshall.