Hunt Down Rose

Chapter 6: Shattered Memories (Part II)

The ground floor is massive and has several round tables turning the place into a lounge. Jazz music is being played to set the chill mood with the coldness of the air conditioner circling the premises as if you are in a hotel. Renaissance type of sculptures, paintings, and Greek pillars make up the interior of the house although the warm colors still establish its European accents.

Refreshments and snacks were being carried by the waiters and waitresses across the room. I wasn’t able to eat breakfast so I snagged a couple just to give me a bit of energy. Elise seems to be looking at me with uttermost curiosity while munching these sandwiches. She wants me to carry on with my eating while being watched closely and it feels weird. Sabie left the two of us for a bit since she is going to change attires, everything she needs is inside that bag so it might take a while until she returns.

Suddenly three women came to our location out of nowhere, “Where did you pick up this gluttonous savage Elise?” One of them said, she seems to be the leader of this group given that she is in the middle and shows a certain level of intimidation.

Elise faced them clicking her tongue, “It’s none of your business Maria…”

Then Maria went close and spoke, “You know that this is a formal event right? Just look at him dressed up in a normal attire, I wonder how he would size up to my boyfriend.”

I had to intervene at this point. I placed my drinks on an open table and moved forward looking at Maria straight in the eye, “Indeed, I hope he would size up to me.” I replied wiping some leftovers from my lips using a paper napkin, smiling at them genuinely afterward.

Two of the women were shocked to see my response. Maria flustered knowing that her plans to ruin our mood failed, mildly stomped her right foot in anger.

“You’re digging your own grave.” One of the women said, adding more to the conflict at hand.

“No need to ruin our makeup ladies. We’ll see how confident he is later on…” Maria is disturbed, unable to follow up on her insults. Although she managed to gain some pride from redirecting her pride somewhere else.

“What is your name?” Maria asked, looking at me with an intrigued look.

“My name is Thomas, Nice to meet you.” I extended my hands even if there are traces of oil from the sandwiches.

“I’d rather not shake hands with a pig!” She replied, turning around and leaving our location with the rest of her two goons.

“What was that about?” I asked Elise since she seems to have some beef with those girls.

Elise leaned on the tables and spoke, “well, it’s a long history but let’s just say the guy she had a crush on had a crush on me.”

“Let me guess, you dumped him?”

“I did, but the thing here is that the guy blamed Maria for it…” Oh, now I see why she’s like that…

“Talk about double whammy! Hahahaha” I said to her, laughing like an i***t although I’m doing my best not to make it too loud.

“Hey! It’s not a good joke Thomas…”

“Come on after all that trash? You could at least give me some credit.”

Then I realized something so I asked out of nowhere, “Wait, why did you dump the guy in the first place?”

Elise looked at me in surprise, I’m not sure if she didn’t expect me to press it further.

“Hmm…” She paused for a bit, biting her lower lip while thinking.

Just when she was about to speak, Sabie arrived wearing her attire. She dropped the duffle bag beside the table and looked at both of us with a radiant and freshly make-up face.

“What did I miss?”

Elise and I responded, “Nothing important…”

The three of us continued talking until the main butler of the house summoned us to the dining hall. It was at that point that Sabie asked me to put the duffle bag back to the vehicle. As I got out of the hall towards the lounge, I was given a card by the waiters as a form of pass so that I could leave and go back inside in case I get blocked by the number of security personnel roaming around.

I walked for several blocks and saw a mini truck go towards the gate. Ten men, wearing uniforms similar to the waiters went out and carried cases inside, at least a total of eight cases from my count. I quickly placed the duffle bag on the back trunk using Sabie’s keys and went back to the mansion.

Going inside the lounge towards the main hall, it seems that a toast is going on. Elise and Sabie were waiting for me near the doors, each holding champagne in their hands. Looking at the current scene, the head butler is doing some introductions regarding the host of the said event.

Then a woman, with a beautiful Caucasian face emerged. Her entrance was silent yet captivating as her grey hair and silver dress flowed gracefully. It’s as if we're in the presence of snow in the middle of summer. We clapped our hands in anticipation of this wonderful showcase of beauty, with Elise of course looking at me with a piercing gaze.  

She was handed a mic by one of the waiters. After testing if it works, she spoke. “Thank you for coming here today for our little get together. I know most of you are busy that’s why I wanted to make sure everything is special. Once everyone is done eating, the next venue would be in the Grand ballroom for some games and other activities. Let’s give everyone our best regards and get to know each other more!” Her calm and soft voice is making the entire crowd gullible to her charms. We gave her another round of applause as we were escorted by the waiters to our respective seats for lunch.

Finishing our meals, Elise and Sabie went to the ballroom where the next phase of the party was supposed to be at. I went to the bathroom to wash my face and hands due to stress. While in the middle of drying my hands, a man wearing a balaclava entered, carrying an AK-47su, strapped on his shoulders.

“Don’t do anything stupid and turn around!” The man asked. From what I remember on his attire, he’s one of the men that went inside a while ago. Looks like the real party is starting.

I followed his instruction and raised my hands at the back of my neck. I can see his movement from the mirrors on my left, as he is walking several feet closer to my location pointing the gun towards my body. He then asked me to turn around and walk towards the door—poking me with the barrel of his gun, telling me to move faster.

Given that his proximity is closer, I took the initiative and turned around clockwise, locking his arm using my right arm, and dislodging the weapon using my left hand by giving him a solid hook punch on his throat. He was able to fire several bullets until I used my entire weight to push him to the corner, smashing his head on the tiled walls.

From there I rotated the gun towards my side and gave him another punch but this time on his right ear. He quickly let go of the gun after I ruptured his ears knocking him unconscious, with blood pouring out of it. I immediately took his gun, checked his body for spare magazines (he has two extras), and went out.

It appears that the comfort room is soundproof, which means the rest of his team probably didn’t hear what’s going on. However, as soon as I got out, I heard screams coming from the ballroom. The rest of his friends already got what they want.

Two more familiar hostage-takers wearing balaclavas came to check what happened downstairs, lucky for them I was already pointing my gun from where they are standing. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger in single-fire mode—one tap each for their heads. Both fell down with their blood and brain bits marked on the walls.

I went up and saw the ballroom locked up. In estimation, there should be at least seven men left. I quickly went down again and notified the Guards stationed outside, telling them that a hostage-taking is already in place. They were already convinced since they saw two dead bodies on the stairs, with blood oozing down.

They called the police and asked me to put my gun down since they thought I might be a part of the criminal group. I just flashed my badge and stated my occupation, after that short exchange of words and information they allowed me to participate in the rescue operation as long as I don’t endanger anybody.   

(To Be Continued)