(The Following Morning- Xavier private Room)Xavier sat at the edge of the chair, the tip of his toe hit the floor countless times as he waited for the large screen in his room to show up, “What is holding him up?” He muttered then was about to pick up his phone when Mike came on the screen.“What took you forever?” Xavier snapped adjusting on his seat. He had sent Mike over there to find more about the private license and the dash-cam. I’d be looking way too obvious if he had gone as well, he’s taken too much leave.“I’m sorry, you know the network here are so private, it took a long while before we could get a server,” Mike replied while Xavier rolled his eyes.Xavier cleared his throat, “So, Tell me what have you found since you got there? Let me hear about the plate number first,” Xavier asked anxiously.“As we both thought, the plate number of the truck is under Leonard Guevara’s holding in fact, all the cars moving at very day was all owned by Leonard Guevara according to the s
(The Rodrigo Villa)Tiana paced to and fro, “Should I call the both of you dumb or stupid?! Why the hell can’t you take down a simple task?! Do you what it cost me to hire two gunmen!” Tiana snapped over the phone with an eye roll.“We already told you Tiana, She is protected by two armed forces..do you want to see our head split into two? We can’t risk our lives to satisfy you, huh?” The man snapped back, his voice getting high.Tiana sweeps back her hair in frustration, “You guys are nothing but a freaking weakling! If this flops and bounce back at me, you will live to regret it!” Tiana yelled.“Will you calm down and give us time to carry out the plan well? Just give us $300,000 more to carry out the plan smoothly,” Another one replied her, Tiana’s scoff filled the air.She’s the only one at home, Shania had gone for a grocery shopping while Diego left home without telling no one.“Are you kidding me? You guys are sick in the head to think I’d give you any penny after you messed up
BRIGHT MORNING- Huston VillaThe sun ray penetrated into Camille’s deep sleep, “Aww,” she yawn and got up from the couch. “Where—“ She was still struggling to remember where she was when she suddenly gasped, “..did I freaking sleep here!” She asked herself anxiously and a knock came on the door.“Yea? Who’s it?” She asked and a lady opened the door, “Yea?”“Good morning, Sir Xavier asked you to join him for breakfast,” the lady announced and Camille blinked her eyes. “Okay, I will be there soon,” She utters and the lady left leaving Camille. Camille gasped more loud… she wasn’t dreaming! She literally slept here! Damn, the plan was to return his wallet back to him, how the hell did she sleep here! The last she remembered was meeting Xavier drunk and falling on his chest…while the rest was history! She facepalm herself, “So stupid of me,” Camille mumbled and quickly made her way to the dinning table.She gasped, “Did he called this breakfast? This is..is definitely a party!” Camille
Xavier came out of room, Camille has finished the food, “Sorry about that, we had an important thing to discuss,” He apologized while Camille just shook her head cleaning her a mouth with a tissue.Mike came out as well but walked out instead, “He seemed so angry…” Camille whispered looking at him till he was out of sight.“Don’t mind him, he’s under the weather,” Xavier muttered then grab his car-keys, “Let me take you home,” He offered and Camille blinked her eyes.“Oh please, Xavier…don’t worry, you’ve offered me sleep and food so let me take myself home instead, Thanks for the kind gestures,” Camille said and sprang up on her feet.“Okay, Bye. See you around,” Xavier waved at her and with that Camille left. “Ruby!” Xavier called and the lady called Ruby came out.“Yes sir,” She replied with a bow,“Pack the plates,” Xavier instructed and with no further ado, he walked back in.On getting in, his eyes went back to the wallet Camille had brought last night, He opened the wallet and
(A Week Later)- Thursday Morning.The Rodrigo VillaTiana knocked on Diego’s room but got no reply, “Tsk! That stubborn thing! He’s refusing to eat! Diego! Diego!” She yelled out but still no reply, she left the door and when back to the dining table, Shania was distributing the plate on the table when Tiana walked back in. “He’s not answering me, mother…” Tiana said and she drag her feet back to the singing table. “It’s been a week since he came out of that room! Aren’t you going to do something about it mother? I’m quite worried about him,” Tiana wailed.Shania sighed, “Let me go and meet him,” Shania suggested and went ahead to Diego’s room. “Son, open the door. I’m sorry the way I spoke to you the other day, Please come and east something at least,” Shania mutters to the door but still Diego refused to answer her.Shania threw her head back in frustration, “You aren’t making this easy for me Diego, I’ve got no choice then,” She announced and brought out a spare key that opens hi
45[Camille’s POV]~The following Day(Winter Interiors)“Here is how the inner interior pans out, I would like you to go through it and tell me what you think about the designs,” The lady at my front suggested passing me a folder, I flip through it and smiled softly.“These designs are damn pretty! You did a great job,” I mumbled then pointed at one of the designs, “This, it’s so lovely,” I flip the page over and showed her.“Wow, the mint style? There’s no problem, you’ve got us covered,” The lady said.“So when should I escort the renovation of the building? I want it to be by the end of this month, can that be possible?” I asked and the lady nod immediately.“Sure, there’s no need to worry. We will get it done just as you wanted it,”The lady assured “…so, if that’s what you’ve decided, we will do ahead and start to work on it,” She added and started packing up her things.“If you may-”“Camille?” I suddenly heard someone’s voice behind me, I turned. Xavier? Oh god! What’s he doing
46- You ruined it!(The Rodrigo’s Villa)“Today sucks! I can’t believe Dad put me through all that just to get back his goddamn,” TianA was just coming back from her outing, she drag her feet up to her room then as she was up on the stairs, she suddenly remembered something.“Damn! The annex! Don’t tell me she has gone to clean it already? Fuck! That stupid and forward woman!” Tiana exclaimed, then instantly she came down from the stairs with a fake grin.She stepped into kitchen, hoping she was there but only met two ladies doing the dishes, her eyes almost came out and hissed with a bit on her lower lips, “..where has ma’am Shania gone?” She asked the ladies.“She has gone to the annex. She said you can join her when you’re back,” said one of the ladies, Tiana had her heart in her throat, she dashed out of the kitchen and made advances to the annex with different thoughts running through her mind.Just as she was about to take another step, Shania came in right on time, “Oh—mother,”
(THE FOLLOWING DAY) RODRIGO VILLA-5:14amIn a white cloak, a figure who seemed like a woman swiftly marched under the heavy rain towards the annex, the loud lightening shines directly to the harmer the figure was holding, on getting to the annex, the door has been locked, “Shit!” She grunts then pull out her gloves and put ‘em on.And in a count of three, she break the lock with her heavy harmer gaining access into the annex, no one can hear from the main house so, she’s on the safer side.Without wasting much time, she took a stool and climbed up to the cctv at the corner, she broke it into pieces, “That damn thing!” She yelled out then got down from the stool, she went to the operator and took the system into her bag not minding she had been soaked by the rain.She was about exiting the room when her eyes caught something between the books on the shelf, something that seemed like a biro but at the same time- “it’s a thief!!!” Someone yelled from outside and that made her pushed t
(A YEAR LATER)Camille gazed down at her newborn son, ensconced in the soft blanket she had lovingly prepared. His tiny fingers curled around hers, and she couldn’t help but smile. He was indeed a handsome baby boy, with tufts of dark hair and a peaceful expression that filled her heart with an overwhelming sense of joy. Next to her, Xavier sat, his eyes gleaming with pride as he took in the miracle before them. “Isn’t he so small and beautiful?” Xavier asked, his heart fluttering.Together, they had built a life filled with warmth, laughter, and now, the beautiful chaos of parenthood.The little family was nestled in a snug corner of their home, a small but welcoming space that’s decorated with lots of love. “He’s my new bundle of joy…my peace,” Camille found herself muttering, the small boy grabbed her hand.“What am I, if he’s your peace? I’m here too… I should be your inner peace as well!” Xavier chipped in teasingly, Camille laughed out loud and slap him playfully on the ches
THE DAY OF UNION.The sun rose on a clear, bright morning, casting a golden glow on the beautiful room of the Guevara’s. Time seemed to be so fast on Camille’s side…Wasn’t it just last month when everything seemed it was never going to better?Camille stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her veil and taking a deep breath. The day she’s always dreamt of…her wedding with someone she loves. Her satin gown shimmered under the soft light, reflecting the excitement bubbling within her. “You’re looking beautiful,” Irene muttered coming into the room, her hair packed in a loose updo, her silk mint dress flow beautifully on the floor.Anyone would have mistaken Irene for the if she was putting on white. Camille’s face softened, the tension she was feeling earlier melt away when she saw Irene’s face.“I’m grateful you’re here, I’m so nervous Irene.” Camille laments, Irene move closer and took her hand.“It’s your big day! Don’t let that anxiety ruin your look. You’re damn beautiful, ma’am
(THE FOLLOWING WEEK)Camille sat at the waiting room, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of Tiana. Camille had decided to visit her today but TianA was totally different, the once-vibrant woman she’d known now looked like a shadow of her former self. Dark circles clung beneath Tiana's eyes, and her skin, usually radiant, now appeared hollow and sallow. Her hair is a total mess.“How have you been, Tiana?” Camille called softly, that was then Tiana lifted her gaze, only to meet Camille’s.“What do you want, Camille? You’re the least person I’d thought of seeing today! ” Tiana’s voice was flat, echoing with the weight of unspoken pain.“Not like I’ve got a choice? But I felt like if I don’t say these words to you, I might never fight peace too,” Camille said, resting her back against the chair. . “You look... exhausted.” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “You can’t keep going like this. You need to find peace too.”Tiana laughed, a harsh, manic soun
After weeks of camping her at the hospital, Camille was finally home. Her small heels clicked on the floor as she stepped into the main building, spreading her hands wide into the atmosphere, her nostril recognized the sweet scent of her home. God knows she has missed this!“You miss home…that much?” Xavier asked behind her, she turned. “Yea! I missed it! So much!”“Camille!” the excited voice of her father reverberated through the house. His figure moved swiftly towards her, arms wide open as if he were preparing to catch her in a warm embrace that had been too long in coming. “You’re finally back! We’ve missed you so much!”As he enveloped her in a bear hug, Camille felt all the worry and fear that had clung to her for so long begin to melt away. She returned the embrace with equal fervor, her heart swelling with joy and relief. “That’s so random coming from someone who visited the hospital everyday…” She teased.Then she heard a sound from behind, she turned. Irene was already i
————————Camille's eyelids fluttered as consciousness slowly seeped back into her weary mind, and she blinked against the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights above. Her blurry vision adjusted, she caught sight of familiar faces anxiously waiting by her bedside. Xavier's eyes, usually so full of life, were clouded with worry. He reached out instinctively at the sound of her shallow breaths, his hand gripping hers with a mix of relief and fear. “I’m here, I’m here. You survived, my queen.” He had mumbled happily.Beside him stood her father, his expression a blend of worry and gladness. His expression became something comforting to Camille, she was not alone.Then her eyes caught the doctors standing beside her, for some minutes, the doctor examined her thoroughly before turning to Leonard, “She’s fine now. All she needs is to respond quickly to the treatment,” The doctor explained.“Thank you Doc.”“If there’s any issue again kindly reach out to me as soon as possible,” With that t
(2 DAYS LATER)Days passed in a blur of paperwork, phone calls, and late-night strategy sessions. Xavier made sure Leonard was out of jail in no time, Theo and his brother has been arrested and put behind bars with a desirable sentence each.Xavier waited outside of the prison in his car, his gaze were fixed on the prison gates, “When-” before he could even say a thing, Leonard stepped out of the prison.He adjusted to the bright light that shone upon him. When last did he see the atmosphere so bright? One or two weeks ago?Then he spot a white car outside. Xavier came down from the car, Leonard’s eyes glimmered as he approached him. “Thank you, Xavier,” Leonard mumbled, a tiny smile on his lips.“There’s no need…just consider it as something I should have done. I’m glad everything went just as I hoped,”Xavier said, apprehending the intensity of the moment.Leonard nod, got into the car and drove away.And—the rest of the ride to the hospital was practically in silence.————————Xavi
June 27, 1996, THE GUEVARA’s Holding.“How can you tell me we lost to Ronald Huston?! Why the hell did you about the investors!” Leonard snapped at Theo smith, his personal assistant.Leonard ran his hand through his hair, frustration sets in, “Have you suddenly lost your tongue? Didn’t I warned you about this?” Leonard yelled.“I’m..I’m sorry, I thought I could double the profit shares higher than the Guevara. I’m sorry sire,” Theo apologized immediately—he’s on his knees.Leonard shook his head, “Sorry? I’ve just lost 15million dollars! Sorry can’t apprehend what you just did. You’re Fired! Fired Theo!” Leonard announced giving Theo an heart attack.Theo ran up to Leonard trousers, “Please, don’t fire me. I swear, I will pay back with everything but don’t fire me, my mother is at the hospital…She’s currently sick…I need still need this job to keep footing the hospital bills,” Theo quickly said but Leonard has already made up his mind.(Hospital)Theo stopped the cab when it got to t
(NYC PRISON)- The following day.(MALE PRISON)“Good morning sir,” Kenneth muttered to Leonard who was led by the two guards to the visitation room, a large room with inmates who has one or two people visiting them. Leonard finally sat, the guards stepped back but their glances felt like a warning to all of them, keeping a close watch on them.“Did you find him? Tell me you find him already,” Leonard asked immediately he sat. Kenneth swallowed and presented a file on the desk for him.“Ethan Smith, 45years old. Missing for about 3years now-““What does it have to do with me? Just tell me where Theo is! He’s the one who can testify…I need to get out of this cramped place, 25years is not a joke!” Leonard protested in anxiousness, Kenneth. “This was the driver of the truck. He’s the one driving the truck the day of the accident. We have to find him if we must find Theo, it happens to be they are siblings,” Keneth announced while Leonard rested his back against the chair.“Fuck it! Who
(THE FOLLOWING DAY)The muted sounds of the hospital buzzed around Xavier as he use wet towels to clean Camille’s hand and foot. “Remember that special recipe I recreated for you? I’d love to try it again….and you have to wake up if you want to taste out of it, Camille,” He added talking to Camille who laid on the hospital bed.The antiseptic scent mingled with anxiety lingered in the air, heavy and unyielding. Xavier finished cleaning her hands, he sprang up on his feet so he could discard the dirty water but just as he stepped out, he met Diego on his way out."Xavier," Diego's voice punctuated the silence, a low murmur that pulled Xavier from his spiraling thoughts. Diego approached cautiously, his face lined with concern.“Diego,” Xavier responded stiffly. “Give me a minute, I’ll be right back,” Xavier told him and went off to discard the water, he came back in a minute.“Here. I got you sweats and under-wears. Mike told me specifically to bring this to you, he said you haven’t