I asked Bernie once more, "My coat had a stone in it. Did you happen to catch a glimpse of it?"
"Stone?" said Bernie.A man entered and showed him a photograph. Bernie nodded after seeing that picture, which I believe is of the stone. Yes, I leaned in and saw the picture. It's a drawing of the stone. In the photograph, it appeared to be a vivid cherry red stone shining."Where is it?" they inquired of Bernie."It's a forgery of Ruby. Are you here for the phoney one?"They gripped the back of his neck and said, "We're not talking about a forgery here. It is one million reais in value. What happened to it?""One million what?" I was taken aback."You slipped a million-dollar stone into my coat?" I asked Ace.Ace ignored me and proceeded to question Bernie "What happened to the stone? What is its current location?"Ace hit him again after he said something."What's the point of beating him? If he had known, he would have said it already. I had no idea until you mentioned it to me. What if it got lost somewhere? Wait! Why did you put anything like that in my coat to begin with? It is your fault...""I gave it to the club's host." While I was speaking with Ace, Bernie said.Ace responded by asking, "Who's there? What happened to that person?""I'm not sure. She looked good, so I gave it to her as a gift."Urgh! This guy!"What's the name of the club? What happened to it?""The Rêve Club."Another man stated, "Consolacao, Sir, it's in 329. It's only two blocks away."Woah! That was quick!"All right, let's go!"Finally, they're leaving. I let out a sigh of relief."How should we manage them?" one of the guys in the suit said."Take them."What!?"Both? Because we just require this one. He is the only one who knows the identity of the host. The lady...""Did you ask for an opinion?""No, sir.""Then take them." And he walked out of the apartment."Yes, Sir.""What!? What are you taking us to? You already have the information you want... Why do you still require our assistance? Let us go..."Ace exited the apartment, and the boys bound Bernie's hands behind his back and dragged him away.Some approached me and took my hands off the chair and tied my hands together behind my back."Let us go! Where are you taking us? this is an offence! You can't take us like this! This is kidnapping…"The person stuck a tape in my lips that said, "Let's not bother the neighbours." I fought him and made it difficult for him to move me, so he dragged me out of the room.He handed the key to a person, told him to lock the door, and took me out.In the hallway outside the apartment,Bernie was strolling silently with those guys in front of me, while I was being dragged along. Why isn't he fighting back against them? I tried to break free, but I couldn't since the person holding me was strong and well-built.We exited the building. I assumed I could seek assistance once I got out of the building, but there was no one outside. I could only locate an empty street. What happened to everyone?The person who was holding me took me to the interior of the street where there were no street lights and it was dark because it was almost midnight.As we moved deeper inside, I noticed a black SUV with a man leaning on it. He jumped into the driver's seat as soon as he saw us.The guys walking in front of me got into the black car with Bernie. As I got near the automobile, the guy next to me poked me to get inside."I'm not getting into the car! What are you taking us to?""Get in the car," the person who had me in his clutches said."I won't!""Your friend outperformed you. Why are you so difficult to manage?"The guy in front got down on one knee and asked, "Why are you taking so long?""She's not coming in.""Why aren't you getting in?" he inquired."Can you tell us where you're going?""I'm going to the club.""Why are we required to come? He's previously mentioned the location. Can't you get there on your own?""He's the one who knows who the host is."I locked my gaze on Bernie, who was sitting in the car."Come on in.""No! We will not accompany you!""Take her inside and tape her up." And he got inside the car where Bernie was sitting.I climbed into the back of the automobile. Bernie arrived with a man on his left side. I sat next to Bernie, and the man who had been holding me got in the car and sat on my right side. Even with four people in the same seat, it was still more spacious. This is not the time to think about it."Finally, they found a method to shut you down," Bernie said quietly.I murmured at him from behind the tape on my mouth. Bernie laughed at me when he saw that I was taped around the mouth.I motioned to the person on my right side to remove the tape from my mouth."I really shouldn't." "Will you be silent?" he inquired after some time of staring at him.I nodded quickly, and he removed the tape from my mouth. I took a deep breath and turned to Bernie and whispered, "Why aren't you fighting back?""What's the point?""They're snatching us, you moron!"He laughed when I said it."I'm surprised you can laugh in this situation.""Because I'm inebriated." And gave me a wink.I exhaled a sigh.The people in front of us were having a conversation about something."I'm very excited," the guy next to me said quietly as they were talking.What the f*ck is this? I turned to face him and looked him in the eyes."This is our very first mission.""What's your first mission?" I asked.He answered with a nod, "My name is Edgar. I work as an associate. Diego is the guy standing next to your friend. We started as associates last week. They haven't summoned us back for a mission since...""Associate?" I stopped him off."Yes. You're not aware of this? It is the first step toward becoming a great Mafia.""W-What exactly did you just say? M-Mafia?"He nodded enthusiastically."So... are you guys all Mafia?""Yes, but I'm still an associate, so I'm not technically a mafia yet," he nodded again.Mafia? Mafia!!!I started yelling, "Let go! Let go of us!...""If you don't keep quiet, I'll get in trouble." Edgar begged beside me.Bernie stated, "Hey! Why are you yelling? They have firearms. Did you already forget?""Yes! They have firearms! What if they murder us after they find what they're looking for? They are not burglars or kidnappers, they are Mafias!""Mafia?" After hearing it from me, he sat still.I scrambled to my feet and yelled again, "Let us go! Help us! Someone help us! We're getting kidnapped! Someone please!.."While I was shouting, The man in the front seat turned around and said, "Put a stop to it! Why haven't you taped her yet?""You got exactly what you wanted! What do you expect from us? Leave us alone!" I turned to Bernie and exclaimed, "Why are you being quiet? Don't you want to be free of this?"He appeared stunned, as if he had not yet recovered from the truth I had already stated.While I was struggling, the person in front of us stood up and slapped me."I'm not going to quit shouting."The door next to us had been opened. Ace was standing in front of me. He directed the associate next me, Edgar, to get down, and he sat in the associate's place, telling the associate to sit with the driver."Do you believe you can silence me?" I asked Ace."He messed up by removing your tape." He stated.Ace snatched the tape and attempted to stick it in my mouth. "Don't think you can get away from this," I warned as he pulled the tape. He taped my mouth before I could complete what I was about to say."Heloisa Alves Dos Santos," he said quietly against my ear.I was taken aback when he said my name. He murmured once more, "That's your given name. Isn't that right? Don't do something stupid. We only require the stone. After that, I don't need you and your friend. That doesn't imply I'm going to murder you. After I obtain what I want, I'll release you for free. You two are trapped with us till then."Louisa's p.o.v;I was looking at the guys in the front seat of the car as we were driving to the club. I made a count of the men in the car. The first is the driver. Two, Edgar, who claimed to be an associate. Following them were two men we'll name them bodyguard 1 and bodyguard 2. Behind them are me and Bernie, with two guys on either side of us. Diego on Bernie's side, Ace alongside me, and a guy in the back behind us who will be bodyguard 3. They numbered seven, including the driver. It signifies that the escape rate is less than 10%. I don't think Bernie and I can compete with the seven of them. And I'm not sure if the driver was recruited or a member of the mafia as well."Are you intending to bring us down?" Ace asked quietly.I whispered under the tape covering my mouth as I glanced at him. He signalled that he couldn't hear me and returned to looking out the window. How could you hear me? You taped my mouth! I turned to face Bernie... What the hell is happening? Is he dozing
Louisa's p.o.v;"Why are we here again?" I asked Edgar with whom Ace and others left me while Bernie was looked after by Diego. Diego ordered Edgar, "Tape her mouth." and he left the car to take a puff. When I looked at Bernie, he dozed off already.When Edgar tried to tape my mouth, I said, "Please don't. I couldn't breathe properly under it. I promise I won't yell for help. Don't tape my mouth, please."He nodded and kept back the tape inside and said, "You looked fierce before but you're pleading to me now. Is there any intention behind this act?"I smiled and said, "I don't think I can get away from here just by playing as a fool. You guys are retards already.""Your face and your words don't match at all.""Why is that?"He took a look outside and said to me, "Because you look beautiful even after getting hit by those guys on your face.""You are different from them. What's the reason for joining this gang?""What?""Yeah, I have read that people who work under these gangs will
Louisa's pov;I got changed into the outfit they gave me. It was a denim jeans with white tshirt. I laid on the bed thinking about what happened in the morning. I wonder what was Bernie doing now. Did they provide food for him as well? The door opened so i got up and sat straight. It was Ace who walked in. He looked at my outfit and said, "It fits. Your friend knows you well." And made a smirk."How's Bernie? Where's he?" "Far away from your room. Why are you asking about him? Do you want to see him?"Even if i said i want to meet him, it's not like you're going to take me there. I remained silent. He said, "I thought i would take you there if you nodded but looks like you don't want to see your…""Take me there. I want to see him.""You lost your chance. You didn't answer when i asked you a question."When he tried to walk away, i sat on the bed and said, "How long will you keep us here?" "Till we get that stone." "What if you don't get it?""You two will rot in here." And lef
Louisa's p.o.v;I felt pain in my stomach since I didn't eat for two days. Ace hasn't come to this room since he left that day. Was that stone important to him that much? Looking at the place I was in, I don't think he's chasing after the stone just for the money. It must be something else too. I'm not in a condition to think about any of the probabilities since I was starving here. When did he plan to give me food? Does he want me to die of starvation? I couldn't even walk around the room since I didn't have the energy to use it, so I crawled like a worm on the bed. The door opened. I felt a hand on my head while saying, "Why are you curling up like that?" I figured out it was Ace as soon as he talked. How will I say that I'm hungry even if it makes him mad? "Get up and eat." Did he bring food for me? I stood up quickly and looked around for the food but there wasn't any. When I looked at him, he looked mad and slapped me hard on my cheek. That hurts. It burns. He made me look
Louisa's p.o.v;"Do you know where we are right now?" Ace asked me while we're walking in the middle of the popular alleyway in Sao Paulo. Vila madalena and boco de Batman.I answered him, "Vila madalena.""Yes. Do you like graffiti Ms Louisa?" I stared at him when he mentioned me as Louisa because not many people call me that way. I bet he heard it from Bernie.I shook my head and continued walking with him. He nodded and led the way. While I was walking behind him, I saw Bodyguard 2 and Edgar walking behind us. I didn't know he's bringing them too. I didn't see Bodyguard 2 since he tried to r*pe me so it felt awkward around him. "How much do you know about Sao Paulo?" Ace asked me all of a sudden.I answered, "It is the 8th richest city in the world and a home to 40 million people. Statistics state that for every hour there'll be 10 people who come to live here. The economic capital is the reason attracting people from around the world. And it's also popular for having the largest
Louisa's p.o.v;The next morning, As soon as Ace left the room, I lifted the bed and checked whether the key was still safe under the mattress. I let out a sigh and after seeing the key where I placed it. Satisfied.Now, I should wait till midnight. When the maid brought me breakfast, I asked her, "Did you deliver food to anyone like me who was kept as captive in this house?"The maid replies, "I'll wait here till you finish with your breakfast, mam.""I'll give you money if you give me a tip. Please, help me." She looked stunned. Who'll deny the money? "I can't do what you asked, mam."I thought she'll give in but she's thicker than I thought. "Looks like they tamed you well."Suddenly Ace barged into the room and looked at me. He threw all the food on the floor and shouted at the maid, "Leave!" After the maid left, the bodyguards closed the door after her.Ace looked like he's really in a bad mood. What happened to him this time? He stared at me without blinking his eyes. I st
Louisa's p.o.v;"He's awake now. You can go and visit him. You can discharge him by tomorrow but that doesn't mean he's recovered from his injuries. He has to take medicines and should take bed rest for another two weeks." The doctor said and walked past me. I entered the room and took a seat beside the bed. "Thank you for saving me out of that shithole." And he coughed. I took a glass of water and fed him while asking, "How did you get caught by them?""I was investigating the drug to the club manager at X province, someone hit me from behind and when I got my senses back, I was tied up in a room and couldn't move a bit. I thought I was going to die until you showed up. Thank you for your help. By the way, what were you doing there in a place like that?""I was kidnapped by them too, along with my friend.""Your friend? Where's your friend?""I don't know.""Did he get out or Is he still there?"I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I don't know.""I'll help you find your friend. I'm
Louisa's p.o.v;I woke up to the unknown noises, I looked around for Ace but he wasn't lying on the spot where I saw him before. What are the noises? Is he the one who's making those noises? Bernie walked out of the kitchen. Where did Ace go? When did I fall asleep? Shit! "Why are you sleeping on the floor? Did you fall asleep while watching television?" Bernie asked."When did you come?" Asked while rubbing the eyes."10 mins ago.""Was the door open when you came?""No, closed. Why? Don't you remember?""How did the date go?""Okay."I stood up and asked him, "What do you mean by okay? Didn't you say you're going to ask her to be your girlfriend? Did you ask her? What did she say?" He didn't give a reply and walked here and there. I stood in front of him and asked again, "What did she say?""She asked for more time.""More time to what? To see another guy?"He gave me a flick and said, "Some people need time to think about a serious relationship. I'm glad that she's taking it seri