Tomas.
After I hung up my call with Carl, a few hours passed, and soon my army and my men began to arrive at the designated location. The air was thick with anticipation, and I felt a surge of confidence mixed with dread. I knew that this information could have easily been transmitted to Cercus; after all, this was his island, and he had eyes everywhere. Jack, who had been anxiously pacing beside me, kept asking me what our next move would be and when we would take action. I ignored his incessant questions, focusing instead on the task at hand, trying to keep my mind clear.
“Carl? Finally, why are you taking all this time?!” I shouted, my frustration boiling over as I scanned the horizon for any sign of our reinforcements.
“Sorry, Mr. Tomas! This is not easy! You know that we are on his island, and I decided to collect all our men from all over the world. Hundreds are here, ready for whatever comes,” Carl informed me, his voice steady despite the chaos around us.
“Hundreds?” Jack interjected, his eyes widening in surprise at the sheer number of soldiers we had managed to gather.
Carl answered him instead of me, “Yes, Jack, there are indeed hundreds prepared to fight for our cause!”
Just then, Selena approached, wrapping her arms around me from behind in a desperate bid for my attention. “Please, Tomas, stop this now. This is enough! Why are you doing this for her?! I will never let you go through with this!” Selena yelled, her voice filled with desperation and emotion.
I pushed her hands away from me and turned to face her, my expression hardening into something unyielding. “Listen to me, Selena. This is not only for her; this is also for my work and my reputation! If I allow him to get away with this, without punishment, then I will lose everything I’ve built! So there’s no way I’m backing down from this fight. I’m going, and you need to understand that,” I explained firmly, trying to convey the gravity of the situation.
“Why do you keep hurting me like this, Tomas?!” Selena shouted, her eyes pleading with me, searching for any hint of compassion.
I narrowed my eyes at her, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “Selena, I will never fall in love with you, so you should try to forget me. I’m sorry for everything that happened between us in the past, but it’s over,” I said, my voice cold and detached.
With that, we began to move. I commanded all the men to follow me as we prepared for what lay ahead, steeling myself for the battle that was about to unfold.
—
Jack POV.
After hearing Tomas say that he was not doing this for Selena only but also for his reputation, it made me think about the offer that Maya had presented to me earlier. The weight of her proposal hung in the air, and I turned to look at Maya, who stood nearby, her expression unreadable. I walked closer to her, determined to make a decision. “Maya, I accept the deal. But as we agreed, it will be after we’ve saved Jennifer,” I said, my determination solidifying with every word.
“Mr. Tomas, I’m coming with you! I want to help,” I declared, feeling the urgency of the moment pressing against my chest like a vice.
Maya chimed in, “Tomas, I arranged everything. My men will join you as well; you will need all the support you can get in this fight.” Maya’s voice was steady, filled with conviction, and I could sense her determination.
Tomas nodded in acknowledgment, his focus sharpened. “Okay, Maya. We’ll need all the help we can get. The more we have, the better our chances,” he replied, glancing at the men who were gathering around us.
“Jack, you have to stay here. We don’t need more risk,” Tomas commanded me, his tone brooking no argument, and I felt a surge of frustration.
“But Tomas?!” I protested, feeling the weight of my emotions flare up.
“Stay here, Jack. Maybe I’m the one who will die out there, and if that happens, Jennifer will need your support after my death,” Tomas said, his words heavy with finality as he left with his army, leaving me behind with a sense of helplessness.
—
Tomas POV.
We piled into the vehicles and sped toward the castle, adrenaline coursing through my veins like wildfire. “I want him alive! I want Cercus alive! And make sure not to kill any women or children! Everyone, stay alert!” I commanded my men, my voice firm and resolute as we approached the battleground.
And then, the war began…
After half an hour of chaos, I found myself surrounded by blood and the screams of battle. My men were falling one after another, and amidst the chaos, one of my men approached me, dragging a woman behind him…
I stared at her, taking in her striking features. She was incredibly pretty, with short blonde hair, captivating eyes, and an alluring body, but she also carried an air of elegance that was hard to ignore.
“Sir, we found her unarmed in the office,” Carl said, gesturing toward the woman, his voice steady amidst the turmoil.
“Who are you?” I asked, stepping closer to her, my instincts still on high alert.
“I’m Amanda, but there’s no time! You have to save Jennifer! Cercus has taken her, and he’s on the rooftop now, planning to use his helicopter to escape!” Amanda urged, urgency lacing her voice, and I could see the sincerity in her eyes.
I crossed my arms, skeptical. “Why are you telling me this if you’re working with him? Is this a trap or a mind game to help him escape?!” I interrogated her, my instincts on high alert.
She pushed Carl’s hand away and walked toward me, looking me straight in the eyes. “Why should I lie to you?! I have no reason to! I’m not afraid of you, Tomas, so please, help her now!” Amanda implored, her determination evident.
I pointed to my men and Carl, instructing them to find Cercus and rescue Jennifer, but not to kill him. I was rooted to the spot, unable to take my eyes off Amanda. I couldn’t quite figure out why.
Minutes later, my men returned, bringing both Jennifer and Cercus with them…
“Tomas? You’re here?” Jennifer exclaimed, running toward me and throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace. I kissed her forehead, momentarily forgetting the chaos around us, the relief flooding through me.
Then I turned my attention to Cercus, my anger boiling. “So, what do you think you’re doing with my fiancee? Do you really think you will win?!” I shouted, glaring at him, the tension crackling in the air.
“I love her, Tomas! But you don’t love her! If you were a real man, you’d face her and tell her the truth! Why do you keep your real identity hidden from her?!” Cercus smirked, his confidence infuriating me.
I gasped in disbelief. “Keep my identity hidden?!” I asked incredulously, my voice rising with indignation.
“Yes, Tomas! I know everything now! You don’t love her! You loved my fiancee, and she looked just like her! I thought she was my twin for a second! Both of you played me! And why?! I haven’t hurt anyone! I didn’t lie?!” Jennifer sobbed, her tears falling freely, breaking my heart.
Frustrated, I spun around to face her. “Do you really think so?! That I know you just because you look like her?! You think you haven’t lied?! Really, Jennifer?! What about your past? You’ve kept so many secrets from me! Like your private messages! Your history with Jack! The years you vanished after your parents died! Winning an award for being the best pianist in the world! Hiding your identity at the beginning!” I yelled, my anger spilling over, my voice echoing in the chaos.
Jennifer cleared her throat, her voice trembling. “But I’m not the mafia king, Tomas! Yes, I know your real identity now! You’re a dangerous man! Now I know everything! I was just a game to you! A fake fiancee who could forget something as important as this?!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in anguish, and I could see the hurt in her eyes.
I stepped closer, locking eyes with her, trying to convey my feelings. “This mafia king saved you now!” I insisted, desperation creeping into my tone.
At that moment, Amanda approached me. “Mr. Tomas, may I ask you one question? What are you going to do with me now?” she asked, her expression serious as she waited for my response.
I widened my eyes at her and circled her, contemplating my next move. “You have to answer me first for my question, Amanda,” I said, my tone firm and unwavering.
“Yes, Mr. Tomas,” she replied calmly, her demeanor collected.
“Why did you tell me the real location of Cercus?! You’re supposed to be working for him! You’re not loyal,” I questioned, my suspicion palpable, my instincts still on high alert.
She smirked and nodded, her expression unwavering. “Actually, Mr. Tomas, I told you not because I’m disloyal to him, but because he left me no choice. If he escaped alone, I would have never told you. But he was going to kidnap Jennifer too, and I couldn’t let an innocent girl get hurt or end up like his fiancee,” Amanda explained, her voice steady.
“Okay, you’ve passed the test, Amanda. From now on, you’ll work for me,” I said, making my decision, knowing it was the right one.
Without hesitation, I took my gun and shot Cercus, watching as he fell. “Everyone, get into the cars; we are leaving…” I commanded, my voice resolute. Yet, beneath the surface, I couldn’t shake the feeling of confusion. I had been treating Jennifer coldly, ignoring her when all I wanted was to protect her, and now I had to face the consequences of my actions.