Ceremonial Rites

Ten - Poisoned Apple

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Paradiso de Suarez

13:00

Betrayal is the highest form of sin in the military. Seeing Alejandro went to the same place Vincent gone sparked a very overwhelming curiosity. Why Don Juan's right hand and most trusted person boldly show up in enemy territory? To top it all, why is he meeting Dr. Vincent Alderige?

Out of impulse, Marco followed Alejandro's tracks but there were security posted at the door leading to the garden, saying that the place was acquired by a VIP and personally instructed not to be disturbed. Marco retreat back to the reception area. He shot a lusty smile to the gorgeous receptionist.

"Hi, I'm Anna, how can I help you?" The woman chirped to him with a thick Brazilian accent.

"My friend just went to the garden, I was wondering if he has a meeting? We've been expecting him to join our lunch."

The pretty lady replaced her genuine smile with a generic one. Pretending to check the guests' list though she completely know what's going on. She flashed another forced smile.

"I'm sorry, sir. No one is scheduled in the garden. The owner made it sure this morning not to accept reservations. If you ask me why, I'm sorry, I don't know either." Then a small and sincere smile emerged from her.

"No worries, thanks."

                                                                        ***

Vincent put his wine glass back to the table the moment he noticed who arrived in front of him. From what he looks, Alejandro was a bit skeptical to this meeting but he is still here. That's the point.

"Good afternoon, Alejandro!" Vincent greeted.

"Bold of you to invite me here, señor." He responded with full of disgust.

Vincent leaned back pretending to be confused.

"Is there a problem here? This place is private. Best place to talk about some important things that matters to you."

Despite his suspicions, Alejandro took the seat across Vincent. It made the doctor glad. They're getting started. Vincent filled the glass in front of Alejandro.

"Do you have a family, Alejandro?" Vincent asked casually.

Alejandro raised his eyebrow in defense. He may be uneducated but he is not stupid. He was well aware where this conversation is going and he knew deep in him, it will not end well.

"Why?"

"I was just asking. But I'm guessing you have?" Still not dropping the probe, Vincent pushed.

"Yes."

After a series of nodding, Vincent sliced  a piece of meat and chew it slowly. He even generously offered Alejandro to order for himself but the latter declined claiming that he already ate before he came to their meeting place. Vincent shrugged and sipped his wine. He placed his knife beside his plate slowly.

"Well, so I heard you have a sister?"

From his seat, Alejandro flew towards Vincent in anger and snapped his collar. All the food were thrown aside making Vincent glanced at them in disappointment.

"I haven't finished that." He warned.

"Do not play with me! How did you f*****g know that puta madre?!" Then he tightened his grasped.

Vincent maintain his chin in position not allowing any intimidation.

"Careful, Alejandro. This coat costs more than your entire lifetime of works."

But Alejandro was determined to choke the answers out.

"I'm sure you don't want to piss our host, Alejandro, considering whose side you're on."

A victorious smile formed on Vincent's face when he can feel the air started entering inside his system. He fixed the wrinkled part of his coat giving Alejandro the look of disbelief. All of his attires were personally made for them by famous designers.

"Can we now have a, decent discussion?" He asked in gritted teeth.

Silence means no. Again, Vincent crossed his legs and leaned back to his chair.

"I heard your sister was imprisoned for illegally crossing the American border. I know exactly where she is right now."

Vincent may have said that casually but Alejandro picked up the threat on that one.

"I have a proposition. I will and I can release your sister from prison and make her a legal citizen of uncle sam."

Alejandro was immediately taken aback by that. But in exchange for what?

"At what cost?"

"Now we're talking." Vincent wiggled his eyebrows.

Vincent momentarily shot another disturbing glance to his wasted meal on the floor. He sighed at Alejandro.

"The US wants Don Juan down and so do I. Your job is simple. You make sure Don Juan will be here." Then Vincent slide a picture of a bar.

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"Do you think I care? Make sure he will be there the day after tomorrow. 8 o'clock in the evening. It's that simple. I'll take it from there then."

Alejandro released a series of frustated breathing. The guy in front of him is good. Very good.

"Fine. How about my sister?" He had to make sure.

"Depends on the result. If you comply, then she will experience the Americam dream she always wants." A very warm assurance from Vincent. But Alejandro knew better.

"And if I refuse to do what you asked?"

"You already witnessed my good side a while ago. We don't want to see the other side, do we?"

At that moment, Alejandro knew who his dealing with. Don Juan may be dangerous and scary but you can clearly see when you are about to die. With Vincent, you don't know where you stand. Although all he wanted was to disagree, he nodded.

"Brava!"

                                                                  ***

Everyone at the mahogany table shot a judging look to the person whose been missing since lunch. Despite the looks he was receiving, Vincent took a sit casually to the same place he was seated earlier. To his surprise, there was still untouched food on the table like it was intended for him.

He started slicing the thigh part of the chicken and filled his plate. His last meal was a bit unsatisfying. Still ignoring the inquisitive looks of his colleagues, Marco slammed his hand on the table making everyone jolt in shock including Vincent, which for the second time today, interrupted his meal.

A clenched jaw and patience beginning to be emptied, Vincent sipped his wine and leaned back. Might as well stop eating before another interruption ruin his day. He looked at them in anticipation.

"I'm waiting." He stated as he play his finger on the wine glass.

"Why are you having lunch together with Alejandro, Vincent?" Rod had managed to ask for everybody else.

"As you can see, like what happened here, I wouldn't call it lunch." Implying his interrupted meals twice in a row.

"Then enlighten us. We can't continue hanging out with you while you start to dispose us one by one for your own gain. I know you, Vincent."

He finished his wine. Picked the napkin and meticulously wiped his mouth.

"We just had a productive discussion." Always a safe answer.

"Care to elaborate?" Just like him, Rod is losing his collection of patience.

"As much as I want to share our private conversation, it may ruin my plans." He deadpanned towards Rod.

"Just make sure you won't leave us when things go wrong, Alderige. We outnumber you." Rod made himself clear.

Vincent cleard his throat and faked a smile at him. He knew his friend very well and he can completely take him out, but not right now. He needs all the resources available.

"Fine. As I've said, I'm here to fix some rogue employees of mine. The military is only a backup. That's what happened today. I fixed the problem."

He may have given a brief answer but it didn't give them even a slight assurance to their life and death situation. More questions arise than answers.

"Why are you even associating yourself with Alejandro? He's a dangerous man, Vincent! He's the right hand of Don Juan, for God's sake!"

"That's why I'm keeping him close."

                                                                   ***

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Military outpost

19:00

In a secluded area west of Rio de Janeiro, US military outpost invisible to the radar of the Brazilian government awaits the arrival of the military supports sent to them by the admiral. The president has ordered to take down Don Juan as soon as possible despite the unsolved dispute that recently happened.

Blades whirred from the distance indicating that any moments a chopper will land to a calculated landing area wide enough for a single chopper to land. Orbs of red light on the rotor and white light as headlights appeared between the trees as the chopper started to descend. Few men from the nearby tent scrambled to keep their things on place.

Lieutenant Sam Kirkman immediately approached the three intimidating gentlemen who disembarked from the chopper. Full bearded gentlemen and one of them has a rosary tattoo on his arm. They probably seen more actions than the commanding officer approaching them.

"Welcome to New Amsterdam. I'm Lt. Sam Kirkman, officer in charge."

They all nodded to each other and shook hands. Kirkman motioned the three to follow him to their temporary communication camp. All heads unanimously turned towards their emotionless visitors carrying suspicious huge military bags.

An elaborated state of the art map illustrated at the center where they all encircled to observe. A red dot indicates their current location connected with a line to the their next location.

"This will be your extraction point on 20:00, after you finish your mission." Kirkman explained.

"I think you all understand our situation. We need to just do it once or else we can no longer handle this, for a bit long. DOD wants this to be smooth."

"Affirmative."