Huracio
“…”
The silence in the room was deafening.
I expected him to say whatever he had to say and leave, but he sat down, served himself a glass of vodka, took a sip, placed the glass on the table, reclined into his chair, and started gazing into nothing just like me.
Well, if he had nothing to say, then we should just enjoy the silence. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Feeling a little unsettled, I threw the bit of vodka in my glass behind my throat, then filled up the glass again. Just as the cup approached my lips, Salvatore finally broke the silence.
“You should go easy on the drinks, Huracio. You are not looking good.”
“…”
I stiffened for a moment, took a deep breath, then took two large gulps of the drink, emptying the cup. I then proceeded to pour myself another drink.
Salvatore stood up and snatched the bottle from me. It was sudden and unexpected.
“What are you doing?” I grunted angrily.
“I have a mission for you.” He said solemnly. “I can’t have you drunk on the job.”
“A mission?” Squinting, I gazed at him through slits.
He brought out his phone and started pressing it. Seconds later, my phone beeped, and he gave it a pointed look. I checked my screen and saw that he had forwarded some files to my email.
“What is it this time?”
“The Alkim’s two princesses will be attending tonight’s signing banquet…”
“I am not attending.” I instantly cut him off.
“Why?” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. That is a sign that he is getting upset, but who cares?
“I am done being a boy for rent for you anymore. I am married. If you need a gigolo, either do it yourself, or get one of your boys to do it.”
I stood up and headed for my bedroom.
“I have some leads on Katalina. If you do this, I will give you those leads.”
My breathing hitched. My body trembled. My legs instantly became heavy.
Six months of running around and finding nothing. I have always suspected that Salvatore was making things difficult for me. His words just now are the only proof I need. He knows where Katalina is and has kept it from me. Now that he needs me, he is dangling it in front of me like bait.
I felt cold to my core. Turning around, my eyes blazing with hate, I gave him a deep look. “What did you say?” I whispered with an unsteady voice.
He walked over and started adjusting the collar of my shirt. After that, he patted me on the chest and smirked.
“Do your thing. Make one of them fall for you. Tame her, and infiltrate the family. Do that and I will help you find Katalina.”
“Where is she? Tell me and I will do whatever you want.” I whispered, almost choking.
I was enraged, but I needed to keep my head. Salvatore is a cold-hearted man who only react to logic. Sentiments and emotions are weaknesses he has never allowed himself to have. “Sentiments will only get you killed.” He has always reminded me. Therefore, the best thing to do is bargain.
“I don’t know where she is, Huracio.”
“Lies. Lies!” Unable to endure the heat in my chest anymore, I yelled at him. “Do you think I didn’t know that you don’t want me to find her? Tell me Salvatore, where is my wife? Were you the one who kidnapped her?” I grabbed his shirt and got in his face. “Salvatore, Katalina is eight months gone now. She will put o bed at any time. Are you going to really make me miss out on the birth of my first child? Salvatore, please. I am begging you, I am going crazy here. Give me my wife back. I am begging you.”
I said I wasn’t going to beg because I knew it wouldn’t matter how much I begged, but as I stared into those, dark , always sober, dead-fish irises, my anger dissipated. He has all the chips. I have nothing. Begging wouldn’t help, but getting confrontational will only make things worse. What should I now do? Just be his dog and bark when he asks?
As despair engulfed me, my knees went weak, but Salvatore grabbed the back of my head and glared.
“Have I ever lied to you, Huracio?”
“Please, Salvatore. Please.”
“Have I ever lied to you? Answer me!” His deep voice growled, sounding like an angry beast.
“No.” I shook my head.
Salvatore is a man of his words. I have never caught him in a lie.
“I don’t know where Katalina is. But I have clues. If you want those clues, you have to work for them. Tame one of the Alkim’s girls, and I will give them to you.”
Having said that, he forcefully pushed me away. Having loosened my hold on his shirt, I was caught off guard. I stumbled backward until I found myself falling into a couch.
“Just for a woman, you have become this pathetic.” He snorted, “You a sour sight. A disappointment.”
He picked up the bottle of vodka and took a swing.
“The project has five phases. Each phase will take at least five years developmental periods. That’s a minimum of twenty five years. Two phases would be run simultaneously. Meaning that we have a minimum of 15 years to infiltrate the Alkims. Ruin them from the inside, and seize this city from them. I am 48 this year while you are 32. I can’t have kids, and I’m not adopting any. Huracio, these long term plans, who do you think I am making them for?”
“…”
He took another swing of the bottle, quietly placed it on the table, then walked towards the door. Just after turning the knob, he stopped, came back to where I was. He stared me dead in the eye and said; “I will never approve of that girl and her child, but I will never harm them either. You have nothing to fear from me, Huracio.”
“…”
Patting my shoulder, he turned around and walked away. Long after the door closed after him, I was still transfixed.
Am I supposed to be relieved that he wouldn’t hurt Katalina?
Yes.
Because if Salvatore decides to go against me, I will be helpless. He is all I have family-wise. Everything I have came from him. Without him, I am nothing. Against him, I am powerless…
Am I supposed to be grateful for all he has done for me?
Yes.
Without him, I would have had nothing after my brother died.
Am I supposed to be happy that everything he has is mine and will be completely mine someday in the future?
Yes.
But, am I happy? Am I grateful?
No.
I just feel numb. I feel dead inside.
Right now, nothing matters except Katalina.
She will give birth to our child any day and I will miss it. He knows where she is, but he wouldn’t tell me unless I become his dog, panting after him. If I have a choice, I would rather he tells me where Katalina is and throw me out. I don’t want anything. Just give me my kitty.
I finally found the strength to get up, but the moment I was on my feet, everything started swaying. That was when I remembered that I hadn’t eaten all day.
I stalked to my bedroom and sent a text to Rosa.
Standing in front of the mirror, I couldn’t help but flinch. When Salvatore said I didn’t look good, he wasn’t making conversation. He was speaking facts.
I have lost a lot of weight and my face is gaunt. My eyes are dull and lazy due to constant fatigue. My skin is pale, dry and needs exfoliation. I can’t even remember the last time I exercised. I am always in a daze, only having clarity when I have to work or when I am out on weekends searching for any trace of Katalina.
What kind of a woman will fall for a man who looks like he will topple over and die any moment?
I chuckled deprecatingly, trying to imagine the contempt the Alkim princesses will have for me tonight.
Well, Salvatore wouldn’t be able to say that I didn’t try. In fact, I am going to make sure that he witnesses the moment of my humiliation.
“Huracio,” Rosa called out as she knocked on the bedroom door. “Your meal is here.”
“Okay.”