Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 12

The first thing that comes into my mind is to survive.

The three of us were looking at each other. As if we are talking through our eyes about our plan B. We don’t really have a plan B but we will think about it when his men are not pointing their guns at us. My eyes are throwing some daggers into slits at the woman who put me in this situation. Once I killed his men, I will f*****g kill her at my mercy!

"Concede now, Miss Ceretti."

I arched my eyebrow. "Why would I, Mr. Moulin?"

"What I like about you is you are really fearless," he commented. His dirty eyes examined my whole body. It really creeps me out the way he checks my whole body. "I guess… I have to satisfy myself before I kill you."

"f**k you."

I said those words with my teeth clenching with each other. He was laughing like a maniac while the w***e was walking towards him. I f*****g disgust a woman like her.

"Honey, put down your gun right now. Or else I'm gonna order my men to shoot the three of you."

My chest rose in tension. "Not a chance."

I grabbed my dagger then threw it to his men's forehead. Tumili ang babae dahil natumba ang lalaki habang nakasaksak sa noo ang dagger ko. Kaya si Uno ang umatake sa isa. His office becomes chaotic when his papers or documents are scattered on the floor. I gave him a devil smirk that is playing on my lips.

“Don’t you dare threaten me, connard…”

Napatayo siya sa kaniyang kinauupuan niya at napasandal sa pader. Fear was spreading through his facade as I pointed the gun at him. I saw his hands shaking because he was scared of my presence in front of him. A woman who can easily turn down a man who is the wealthiest man in this country.

“Vous faites une erreur. Ne le faites pas!” he begged.

My head tilted as I watched his eyes begging for his life. An involuntary movement snapped on my finger, which caused his blood to splatter on my face. All I could see was red. The anger is spreading in my system like a wildfire. A beast is finally awake within me— waiting for blood to conquer. Supposing this mission will finally come to an end— wherein I could save an innocent woman under his bloody hand.

Then my eyes shot at the woman who was trembling in fear. A salty tear brimmed on her eyes as she watched in horror on how I killed Hubert. My eyes squinted to watch her reactions. The side of my lips tipped up in satisfaction. I wanted to see my opponent trembling like a chicken.

“Thank you for telling me about him even though you tried to trick me, chienne.” I took a step forward while c*****g my gun in front of her. “I guess you’ll both have a happy ending in hell.”

“Non! I’m begging you! I made a m-mistake, alright. I’m sorry!” she cried. Her nose turned red as her eyes became bloodshot. “I-I’m just in love with him!”

“Too bad I don’t forgive that easily…”

I grabbed my other dagger instead then plunged it on her throat. Her eyes widened as her blood was spurting as I stabbed it more deeply. I saw in my peripheral side that Hansen’s face got pale on how brutal I killed this woman in front of me.

“You have to get the gold bars now! His army is coming!” Dos ordered.

With that being said, I ran towards the bookshelf then pulled out one of his favorite books. Nag-open iyong bookshelve at bumungad na sa harapan ko iyong vault. Pinauna ko na si Uno at nilabas niya iyong stethoscope habang nagsquat. He was twisting while his ear was listening the sound through the stethoscope.

“What’s the update?” Dos questioned.

“He is still figuring out the pin number,” I answered. Beads of sweat are rolling down through my temple. It was so intense.

“I’ll guard the door in case someone is coming in our direction,” Hansen offered.

Hindi ako sumagot kundi tumango lang ako sa kaniya. Tumalikod siya sa amin para bantayan niya iyong pintuan. Bigla kami nakarinig ni Uno ng ‘click’ kaya binuksan niya na iyong pintuan ng vault. Tinulungan ko na siya buksan iyong bag kung saan ilalagay iyong gold bars.

My eyes almost twinkled at the sight of the gold bars. Kaya mabilis niya iyon kinuha at tumulong na rin ako mapabilis. Nang matapos na namin makuha ang gold bars ay hinanda na namin iyong rope. Bababa kami sa bintana at takbo na.

“Hansen,” I called. Lumingon siya sa akin. “Wear this now!”

Hinagis ko na sa kaniya iyong rope at sinusuot niya na rin. Sinukbit na ni Uno iyong bag at ang hook naman ng rope ay sinabit namin sa bakal ng bintana. Binasag ni Hansen iyong salamin ng bintana gamit ng kaniyang siko.

“It’s convenient to break the glass,” he explained.

I snickered. “You got a point.”

Tumungtong na kami sa bintana at naghanda na ako habang tinitingnan ang baba. Hindi naman gano’n kataas since nasa second floor lang kami. Mas kailangan lang talaga namin makatakbo ng mabilis.

“Are you afraid of heights?”

My eyebrow lifted up while gazing at Hansen who is trying to tease me.

“No,” I answered. “I don’t fear anything.”

Bumitaw na ako sa bakal ng bintana at hinayaan ko ang sarili ang mahulog. His jaw dropped on how he saw me confidently fall down from Hubert’s office window. Sumunod na rin si Uno kaya walang magawa si Hansen kundi sumunod sa akin.

I removed the strap on my waist then ran to the gate. Tatlo kami tumatakbo hanggang sa marinig ko na maraming sasakyan papunta. Mabuti na lang ay nakasakay na kami sa kotse. We sprinted to the car because they might catch us. But we are very glad that we are able to escape from them.

“Damn! We got so many gold bars!” Uno beamed. Humalakhak siya sa tuwa habang nagmamaneho. “I thought we’re going to get killed.”

But Hansen gazed at me over his shoulder. “But my partner is good because she saved us a while ago.”

He gave me a playful wink. My laugh echoed in my throat in a blissful way.

I never doubt my skills to fight against our enemies. On how my critical thinking is working immediately in every worst scenario. I like how fast my flexes are when my opponent is attacking me. I’m very glad that we are done in this first mission.

When we arrived at the Marseille mansion, they siblings were having fun in the dining area. I saw Dos kissing the gold bars cheerfully. While I was watching them expressionless. Be thankful that Hansen and I did this mission for them to get more rich.

“Cheers to our victory!” Vivian started. She raised the flute in the air while she was waiting for all of us to toast. “May our victory continue until the end. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” they said in unison.

While I remained quiet. Nakatayo silang apat habang ako ang hinihintay nila. Nagkibit balikat lang ako. Mukhang hindi magawang magalit sa akin ni Vivian kasi nagawa namin ang misyon ng maayos ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung ano mangyayari sa katawan ni Hubert pero wala naman kami iniwan na ebidensya kaya magmumukhang nagnakaw lang.

“Oh, of course… this wouldn’t happen because of you, Ivory,” she continued. Her lips take a sip from the white wine. “Keep up the good work. You will always receive a reward after you complete the mission successfully.”

“I want us to enjoy our day tomorrow. You promised me,” Hansen interrupted. His eyes shot at Vivian sternly. “I need some money.”

Her lips protruded. “Your will is my command, chérie.”

Dos squinted his eyes suspiciously. He was listening quietly to Hansen who was asking a favor. I shook my head on how disappointed I am to them because we couldn’t even escape. This goddamn bracelet is the death of me!

“En êtes-vous sûre, ma sœur?” Dos asked quietly.

“It’s alright, Dos. C'est le bon moment pour les tester s'ils sont honnêtes.”

Hansen’s forehead creased in turmoil. He leaned in to me.

“What are they talking about?” he whispered.

I gazed at him. “They don’t trust you.”

“What? After all we’ve done?”

“Refrain from expecting something from your enemy, Hansen. You will be easily manipulated because of that,” I muttered.

Uno released a sigh. “Just let them have fun. Para naman mas lalo nila magawa ang susunod na misyon.”

No one here is our ally. They are just giving us rewards as if we did some good job as a dog to deserve a treat. Napailing na lang ako habang tahimik ako nag-oobserba sa mga tao na nasa paligid ko. Kung ginagamit lang naman nila kami, dapat ginagamit ko rin sila habang pinapaikot ko sila sa kamay ko ng walang kamalay-malay.

The other day, tinupad ni Vivian ang sinabi niya kay Hansen. Binigyan siya ng five hundred euro. Binigyan din kami ng susi ng sasakyan para makapag-ikot at mag-enjoy din kahit papaano.

I am wearing a leather jacket, underneath is white crop top, and paired with high waist jeans. I let my hair loose and be free for a moment. And also, I really don't like putting some makeup on my face. I love it when I see my face bare and natural.

Slowly walking in the hallway, Uno was leaning behind the brick. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something else. My lips puckered a bit while gazing at me curiously. What the heck is he doing here?

"Uno," I called.

His face moved upward, meeting our gazes. His eyes twinkled upon checking me from head to toe. Then his adam's apple is waving on his throat.

"You're so beautiful," he commented. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin habang nakapamulsa. "I just wanted to say that have fun and be back around ten in the evening."

Matagal ko siya tinitingnan tila tinitimbang ko ang ekspresyon niya kung may sincere ba. Huminga ako ng malalim at pinagkrus ang kamay sa dibdib.

"Thank you." Iniwas ko na ang tingin sa kaniya. "I will definitely have fun."

"Be careful with him, Ivory."

My eyes almost rolled at the back of my head in annoyance. Here comes the warning of not being comfortable with Montepalma. Where in fact, we are good friends. Even though we argue like a cat and dog often— we definitely got our back.

The side of my lips lifted up wickedly. This man really needs to mind his own business.

"I can handle myself. I don't need you to warn me about him every single time," I hissed. Nilingon ko siya habang inis pa rin ako. "He is way better than you."

I saw pain reflected through his eyes. Mabilis niya rin naayos ang emosyon niya. His jaw is clenching. Mukhang nasaktan ko ang ego niya.

"Right. I completely forgot that you're not the same Ivory I know," he muttered. "I hope you don't ask for my help when that man betrays you."

A sarcastic laugh released from my throat. "You should check your family first before you put the blame on others, Uno. I guess you also forgot that your father betrayed my family. If it's not because of him… I wouldn't be lonely in this f*****g world!"

"I'm here for you, Ivory! Why can't you see that I am willing to dodge the bullet for you!"

"If you are really there for me…" Dahan-dahan ako humakbang palapit sa kaniya. Halos maramdaman ko ang init nang paghinga niya. "You will free me and priorities my happiness over your sister's wreckless game."

His eyelids fluttered shut. "I told you that I need some time."

"Then you are not there for me," I snapped. Tinulak ko siya kaya halos matumba siya. Hinayaan niya lang ako gawin iyon. "Wala kang kwenta."

"They don't give me a chance to control my own inventions because Vivian is scared to let you on loose." I saw him swallow hard. My chest is slowly becoming heavier. "She knows that I will do anything for you because I'm in love with you!"

My eyes grew bigger. His words echoed my head for numerous time. Hanggang sa napailing na lang ako.

In a shaky breath, I managed to say something before I collapsed in front of him. He knew my weaknesses. I don't want to be weak in front of him.

"See you later, Uno," I said, almost in a whisper. "Mauuna na ako. I don't want to listen to any s**t from you."

"You seemed comfortable with him," he responded.

I saw how his eyes turned darker when we were talking about Hansen. His nose is flaring in anger.

"I will do everything to get him killed. I'll promise…"

His words are like a crawling disease spreading in my head. It keeps repeating over and over again. I figured that it wasn't a question. It is more likely a warning.