( In the middle of nowhere. )
A door opened into a silent room and a man walked in and bowed. He was the most trusted accomplice of The Master, who every underground criminal organization feared and respected.
“Master, I just got word that Mr Givanchy is in the Empress’s dungeons.” He reported.
Though it was a luxurious bedroom, the room was dark and had an ominous aura. The type that gave a chilly, killing intent. The only source of light came from the dark night clouds penetrating through the glass walls where The Master stood.
He slowly took off his legendary mask and coat without a care in the world and poured himself a glass of whiskey. Of course, his subordinate was the only person that had ever seen his face.
“And?” His voice was icy cold.
“She put him and his family in a secret jail underground the palace. Should we send our leaks to finish him off?” He remained bowing.
The Master twirled the glass in his hand and watched the ice sparkle in the darkness.
“No need. Finishing off the miserable farmer changes nothing. She won’t be able to get anything useful off him.” He nodded and stood up.
“How’s the shipment going?”
“The cargos containing ammunitions are on the way to LA as we speak while the shipments from Africa just arrived at the docks.”
“Are the authorities becoming a thorn?”
“Most of them are under our paycheck while the rest…”
“Take them out.” He snarled. “I don’t want any more delays. And the recruitments?”
“The new recruits are still under training while the rest are at the casinos.” He nodded satisfactorily and walked back to the windows.
“Also…”
“Get you a girl?” The subservient man guessed. He gulped down the entire liquor in one go and smirked.
“Get the jet ready, we leave at midnight. And get me a girl. The usual, but a fresh one…”
***
( Beverly Hills, California.)
“… Don’t worry, the guys are will be here in a bit and the doctor will check up on you after dinner.” Selena was taking Arian on a stroll around the mansion.
Since the doctors couldn’t find anything critical about Arian’s health, they discharged him. Mom Rose didn’t like the idea of him staying in a hospital either. But the doctors came over for his daily checkups.
Currently, they were walking by the large pool and as usual, Selena was the only one doing the talking. Arian still couldn’t talk but he slowly reacted to things unlike before. He was slowly recovering.
Yeah,
Slowly.
“Should we take a dip in the pool?” She beamed and laced their arms together, taking advantage of the fact that his were pocketed.
Arian’s lazy gaze slowly shifted to the sparkling blue pool. His eyes remained stuck to it as a memory drifted. The sun was setting and casting luminous glows on the water making it look magical.
Selena smiled, remembering their fun time at the beach during the school camp. She held him closer and wished it’ld be like that forever.
Just the both of them, together.
But Arian breathed out tiredly and looked away dully, breaking the spell. That was his new way of saying he wasn’t interested. She forced a smile despite the hurt in her heart and they moved on while the guards and maids kept some distance between them.
Damon and the rest breezed in just as they sat on a pool chair. Exams were over and the result would be sent to their parents via email. It was the last exams they’ld write in high school.
“I’ll hang myself if you can get up to an E in any of your subjects.” She dared Damon.
He smirked at her. “And I’ll probably go mad if your grades end up better than mine.”
Selena rolled her eyes.
“See? That’s the advantage of living outside home. No parents to scold you.” Ricky lounged comfortably on another pool chair, sipping his soda.
“Uncle can still freeze your accounts.” Jeff pointed and he choked on his drink.
“Why must you always be a killjoy?” He scowled. The rest of them chuckled…. well, except Nicky.
Selena opened Arian’s Pepsi as Tommy came to stand between his legs with his iPad, doing his homework.
“He’s not handicapped, you know.” Nicky voiced. She had been quiet all along, silently staring between the both of them.
“And he’s not complaining, is he?” Selena threw back. For days now, she’d been acting bitchy, getting on her nerves.
“Haven’t you heard of courtesy? He’s probably saving you from the embarrassment of a rejection.” She gave a muddy smile.
“Uh… Nicky?” Jeffrey whispered but she ignored him.
“If it bothers you so much, why don’t you look away, Juliet?”
“How can I? When everytime I look up, your pathetic affection gets in my view!” She shot and Selena glared across the table.
The rest silently looked back and forth between them.
“Can we just…” Damon started but;
“No one’s forcing you to stay if you’re bent on being a sassy sourpuss!” She seethed. Nicky chuckled which sounded evil.
“There’s no need for a guest to kick other guests out. Unlike others, I don’t overstay my welcome.” Bitch! Selena flared.
“I need a new drink.” Ricky coughed, trying to change the conversation.
“How about a new scenery.” Nicky spat and stood up with her bag. Jeffrey picked his and went after her.
Ricky sighed and also walked out. But on second thoughts, he groaned and turned back to pick his keys and another can of soda before leaving.
Selena turned in time to see Arian halfway into the mansion with Tommy in his arms. She huffed out in annoyance and smashed her glass.
“What?!” She barked at Damon. He scoffed and rolled his eyes before facing his phone back.
.
That bitch!…
***
“Nicky, wait up!” Jeffrey called after her. She stopped walking but didn’t turn around.
“Nicky, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You might be a good actress but not a good liar.” He pointed and she scowled.
“So now I’m a liar?”
“Bae… Argh!” He groaned and rubbed his temple. “Something’s been eating you up. Are you okay?” His whispered and took her hands.
“Something like what, hun? I’m sorry if I’m the only one feeling hurt about my best friends’ sudden disappearance. Like, how did you guys do it? Did you take some pills and then BAM!… the next day, you forget they ever existed? And the day after that, you throw pool parties like they were never around?”
“That wasn’t a pool party. We came to keep Arian company. Nicky, we miss them too. Things were pretty messed up between Arian and Natalia but there was nothing we could’ve done to force them to…”
“Wow. Would you be saying the same if we happen to break up right now? Oh, that’s right! Just as Selena’s bitchy ass is available, what’s her name again?… Yeah, Ashley would be here too. She’s still in town, right?”
Jeffrey took a step back and slowly looked her over. His eyes held disbelief and hurt which melted Nicky’s anger.
What was wrong with her?! She widened her eyes. But before she could apologize;
“Fine! When you’re done throwing tantrums, you know where to find me.” He snapped and angrily drove off.
Nicky stared after him for seconds until a weak tear dropped. What had she done? She sniffed hurtfully and hugged the familiar figure behind her…
***
( Astheria, Australia. )
Natalia closed her grandma’s diary and locked it up in one of her desk’s drawers. She’d found it in the secret safe which only the Santiana’s knew of.
Even Elva didn’t know of it.
She picked up her phones and walked over to the south wing where her bedroom was. It was an hour after midnight. Natalia took a warm shower and slipped into a long comfortable nightie.
After making some tea, she sat at the balcony with her laptop. The moon was bright and the scenery was perfect. Sleep was far away so she continued to work instead. The current events in her life had shut that chapter off.
But five minutes later, her focus was gone. She put her laptop away and laid face up on the couch. Her gaze travelled to the moon as a gentle breeze swayed around her long hair.
Natalia shut her eyes and tried to forget about the beautiful memories lurking within its rays. She hated herself for not forgetting. She hated herself for being weak. She had to forget her past and focus on her future. The bastard wasn’t worthy of her heart or thoughts.
As she drifted off in exhaustion, a loud emergency alarm began blaring through the palace. Natalia jumped off the couch and rushed into her room to see Jake barge in.
“What’s going on?!” She yelled and covered her ears. Soon, the alarm stopped.
“It’s a break in alarm. I installed it around the palace some days ago. Someone tried to break into your stu…” Natalia didn’t wait to hear the rest of his report before running blindly out of her room with only one thought in mind.
.
.
Her grandmother’s diary…