Chapter 15: The Fast-Paced Hunt

The sun had already climbed high in the sky when Andrea emerged from her place, the current dwelling she called home. She was on her way to her supplier as she run out of stocks for her merchandise. As she maneuvered her motorcycle through the streets, she passed by one of the largest hospitals in the city center: Brixton's Jackson Medical Hospital. She knew it was owned by Miguel's family and currently managed by his aunt, Dr. Selena Jackson Alvarez. Ever since she had discovered Miguel's true identity, she had long known; the Jacksons were multi-billionaires. Their wealth was unmistakably prominent in Brixton City, standing out as one of the wealthiest families in the country. Their fortune was evident in the education, medical, and real estate industries.

After a few seconds of staring at the imposing building, Andrea glanced at her watch. Realizing it was almost time for her scheduled meeting with her supplier, she swiftly resumed from driving and left without reluctance.

Meanwhile, in the muted light of the small apartment, Miguel moved with a sense of quiet reverence. Almost an hour had passed since he talked to Marcus on the landline, and now to-and-fro he wandered around. He paused by the window, gazing out at the city beyond, lost in thought. The silence was palpable, broken only by the distant hum of traffic and the soft ticking of a clock on the wall.

With a deep breath, Miguel reached into his pocket and pulled out his Rolex wristwatch. As he held it in his hand, he knew exactly it was time to go. When he had told Andrea yesterday that he would soon be leaving, he had deliberately withheld the time of his departure. He loathed goodbyes, so he hadn't mentioned to her that today was the day he would be leaving.

Carefully, Miguel entered the room he used to stay and placed the watch on the bedside table, alongside a handwritten note, with a money that was neatly bundled and stored in a sleek, black bag. 

Miguel knows that Marcus would be there soon to pick him up, as they had an agreement to meet outside the apartment building. That’s then he decided to go outside the room.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Miguel knew that Marcus had arrived. With a final glance at the door of Andrea’s room, Miguel uttered, “Goodbye Andrea.”

“Hey, where’s Andrea? You will not say goodbye to her?” Marcus greeted Miguel with questions as soon as he arrived and the latter finally stepped out of the apartment.

“Let’s go!” Miguel said with a serious tone, taking the first step away from the apartment. He carried nothing else, but only his laptop at that moment.

With a shrug, Marcus followed suit.

They soon climbed into Marcus’ luxurious car parked below.

"How’s Zion? Did you talk to him?" Miguel asked abruptly after throwing his laptop in the back of the car. He settled himself besides Marcus’ driving seat.

"Well, yeah... As soon as he arrived from Milan the other day, everything was set according to plan," starting the car, Marcus replied promptly.

Nodding, Miguel glanced approvingly at his cousin's response. He anticipates how their best friend Zion; the Special Force Captain of SWAT Team would help them.

After a few moments of silence…

“Are you sure, you won’t inform Andrea about your leaving?” Marcus asked – deliberately changing the topic.

"What's the point? We won't be seeing each other anymore," Resting his head at the headboard, Miguel replied indifferently.

“You’re so bitter, man. You - at least be thanking her!” chuckling, Marcus joked.

Consequently, Miguel gave Marcus a glare and said, "Just drive."

A soft chuckle escaped from Marcus mouth.

Simultaneously, as Marcus navigated through the streets, a growing sense of unease settled over him. After several minutes of driving, he noticed a black SUV trailing behind them. The vehicle seemed out of place, its darkened windows hiding whoever might be inside.

Miguel looked at Marcus, who had suddenly fallen silent. He wondered why Marcus had become quiet.

"Why?" Miguel asked, a puzzled look on his face.

"It feels like we've been followed for a while now," Marcus replied, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror.

Just then, the dark SUV behind them menacingly accelerated. Marcus tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening.

"See what I mean?" he said, his voice tinged with urgency.

Miguel glanced behind them, his eyes narrowed as he saw the SUV closing in. "What do we do now?"

"Hold on," Marcus said, determination setting in. He pressed the accelerator, the engine roaring to life as they sped down the winding road.

However, the SUV accelerated too, closing the distance between them with alarming speed. Marcus tightened his grip on the steering wheel again as adrenaline surged through his veins. Miguel glanced anxiously in the side mirror, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the danger that was rapidly approaching.

Marcus swerved into a narrow alleyway, the walls of the buildings looming close on either side. The SUV followed, its headlights piercing the darkness of the area as they hunt.

Cornered in the dead-end alley, Marcus brought the car to a screeching halt. They were trapped, with no way out.

The doors of the SUV swung open, revealing a group of intimidating figures. The sound of their footsteps echoed outside, growing louder as their shadowy figures emerged and are closing in on them.

Surrounding and trapping Marcus and Miguel were six men whose tattoos and scars adorned their arms, each marking a tale of violence and intimidation. Their eyes, cold and devoid of empathy.

Holding a pistol, the leader of the assailants called out to Miguel and Marcus, his voice dripping with malicious intent. "Come out now!" he sneered, "you have nowhere left to run. You're trapped, and surrounded."

Tension hung thick in the air, the suspense palpable as Miguel and Marcus braced themselves, looking each other with uncertainties of what would happen next.

“Let’s end this fast-paced hunt!” Miguel seriously asserted.

Marcus nodded, followed by opening the car.

Seeing them stepping out the car, a chorus of laughter erupted from the group of tattooed men, their mocking tones amplifying the tension of the situation, making it clear that they saw the unfolding events as a game they had already won.

***

"Here will do," Andrea said kindly, guiding the two men who were helping her carry in the two boxes filled with her purchases. She felt grateful that some of Miss Mina's kind-hearted tenants were downstairs and had offered their assistance.

She didn't want her neighbors to see Miguel, so she instructed the men to leave the boxes by her door.

It was late afternoon by the time she arrived, and she imagined Miguel must be hungry by now.

"I'm here. Miguel, are you hungry?" she called from outside his room. There was no response. She shrugged, assuming he was probably busy again with his laptop, which Marcus brought for him to work on. She had noticed how absorbed he often was in front of the screen lately, so she didn't bother to disturb him further.

After bringing in her purchased items, Andrea changed her clothes and headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Once she finished cooking, she knocked on Miguel's door again, but still received no response from inside. Feeling a sense of unease, she entered. The door wasn't locked, and she was greeted by silence as she stepped inside. Knocking on the bathroom door yielded no response either.

"Where could he be?" she wondered aloud.

Her question was answered as her gaze fell upon the bedside table.

Approaching; Andrea's heart skipped a beat as her eyes landed on the Rolex wristwatch resting on the bedside table, its gleaming surface capturing the soft light of the room. Beside it lay a small black bag, and a carefully folded note, its presence leaving her with a mix of uncertainty and anticipation.

With trembling hands, she picked up the note, her heart pounding in her chest. Unfolding it carefully, she began to read:

"Andrea,

Thank you for your help. Accept this watch and money as my payment for your help and kindness. Always remember, don’t let others downgrade you.

-AMIJ"

Just as Andrea was about to be confused by the note, a flashed of memory suddenly popped out from her head, “Yes, I am. As for you to know, I’m Allen Miguel Imperial Jackson.”

“So, it’s your name’s INITIALS!” A sad inference escaped from Andrea’s lips as she still grasped the note and settled into the bed. A profound sense of sadness enveloped her heart.

Additionally, she sighed and whispered, "You didn't even say goodbye - Personally!"