Chapter 122 - The Problem - Mddos
Simon
I looked at the clock; it was five minutes to one in the morning. I couldn't sleep. "Simon, think!" The anxiety over what other surprises Roland had left us was going to turn my hair gray before I hit forty. I had overlooked something; I couldn't shake that feeling. We arrived from Arenal yesterday, and ever since we touched down in the capital, the bosses' calls hadn't stopped. There were six days left to find out if the Boss's threat was real or not. I would be out of the country for four days.
One thing was certain: that threat was real. I don't know how he did it, but if they didn't back out, he would make them pay dearly from hell. Those who decided to quit, according to the information in each folder, had to notify the lawyer. Anyone who didn't resign would become a target in his favorite game. Few people knew that back in his university days in the United States, he was a chess champion. He couldn't find a better name for his operation than... Checkmate.
Everyone had called, some to say they would comply, others to say they would wait, but half of them had decided not to believe such nonsense. They would stay in the business. I didn't want to imagine what would happen starting next Monday. For now, tomorrow I would visit the house in Blanco, Texas, and try to find the two women from the waiting room. On the other hand, I had a bad feeling about Dr. Mendoza's untimely and unusual vacation.
What a coincidence, and the strangest part was discovering that the assistant who had gone with the lawyer wasn't the same one. Once we got back from the estate at noon, I went to visit to organize a meeting with all the company managers, who were now part of the new society. I wanted to introduce ourselves to them as the new owners. When I asked about the assistant, another woman presented herself, and what a surprise to find out she wasn't the same short-haired redhead in the executive suit.
The girl in front of me was simple. I didn't say anything; I realized she was the same one from the airport. Her delicious fragrance gave her away, as did the subtle scent of her nervousness. Another thing was that the lawyer was hiding something from me. For now, I hoped her real hair was black and not red. That woman wasn't going to play with me... Let's see who catches the mouse this time. When you trip, follow me, or something unusual happens, I'll be ready.
I left a message for the lawyer with the real assistant, telling him I urgently needed an appointment to arrange the meeting with the managers for next week. On my way back home, I stopped by Alfredo's place and bought the most sophisticated and discreet trackers. If I ran into her again, I would be able to locate her.
I couldn't sleep; I was thirsty. I left the room and heard music in the study. When I got there, Cebolla was having a drink. The first time I saw him drink was during the few drunken nights we had with the Boss, which could be counted on one hand. For some reason, he usually avoided it.
"Are we screwed, buddy?"
"Screwed and then some. What are you doing awake? Your flight is at ten in the morning; you need to rest."
"You know your problem can be solved by talking to Diana."
"She kisses deliciously, buddy. Smells incredible, her skin is the softest... Seems like things went further... She's a precious girl, no matter what she's been forced to live through, while I've consciously built a hell in my life."
"Miguel..."
"No, Simon. I'm ashamed to confess what I've done. I don't have the courage to look her in the eyes and tell her that, because of a trauma, I've put my dick in some men's asses." I saw terror in his eyes. "Ironic, isn't it? I don't know how many I've taken down, nor how many women have passed through my life, but those aberrant adventures are what torment me."
"You have two options: take the risk or walk away. But the scene with the horse yesterday made it very clear you acted out of jealousy."
"Is it normal to want no one to touch her?"
"It would be if you feel something for her and have a committed relationship, but you're not giving her that chance."
"I'm an abomination."
"You're a man who made mistakes and is now aware of them." Ines entered the study; her comment made it clear she had heard us talking.
"I am someone who reads the Bible a bit. I don't know it by heart, but somewhere I understood that as long as you don't know about God's existence, you're ignorant. But once you know Him, you can't go back to sinning; otherwise, you will be condemned." Inés sat next to Miguel and took the glass of liquor from his hands.
"I am a very old-fashioned woman, respectful, but old-fashioned. In my view, intimacy is only between a man and a woman. I don't understand why overnight you came out saying you liked men when we all knew women were your thing. You've never told me."
I preferred to stay silent. Cebolla was about to break down and open up to us. He covered his face with his hands.
"Viejaaaa..."
He did it, he allowed Inés and me to see him in his most vulnerable state. He needed it, and we were there for him.
"Son. Only if you want me to understand, look at it this way. You've already talked to the lady, Simón told me. If you talk to us, it can give you the strength and confidence to tell Diana."
"I've only confessed it to Father Gabriel, my therapist, and just yesterday I told the lady."
"If you don't trust..."
"It's not that, I trust you two more than anything in the world, but every time I talk about it, I feel more disgusted with myself. The lady told me I needed to forgive myself, the psychologist insists on learning to accept mistakes and trying to leave them behind, and the Father said to let God into my life and He would take care of everything."
"Apply all three pieces of advice. I tell you, we love you. With love, it's easier to move forward. Now you know God, just live according to your conscience."
"She's a girl..."
"A girl much more mature than all of us combined. Don't you know what she's been forced to go through? I've never heard her complain. She always smiles, always gives thanks. She was rejected by her mother who almost killed her, blaming her for ruining her life by being born.
"And what decision did she make when she found herself pregnant from a rape? She was abused, forced under the influence of drugs to do whatever they asked because when she resisted, she was beaten. Diana decided to love her child and told herself that the baby was innocent and shouldn't pay for her misfortune. She isn't educated, has lacked everything, but she has so much nobility... She seems like another..."
"Another angel like Mrs. Verónica."
Miguel finished the sentence. I remained silent, listening to their conversation. Inside, I thought about my angels, who were in heaven. Clara and Joaquín were taken from me, and since then, I've completely closed myself off to the possibility of letting another woman into my life. I had lived through what they were experiencing, although with Clara, I didn't have that insecurity problem. Roland had it with the lady, and now Miguel was going through his own ordeal.
"Give yourself a chance. When you came to our house as a pre-teen, so closed off in your world, I told the Patron, he's like an onion. We have to peel him layer by layer to find his center. I told him to trust you because even though you didn't open up to us, for some reason, you allowed us into that hidden heart, which you've guarded so closely."
"Inés..."
Seeing a man, whom I've seen kill, torture, and instill fear in others, weak was a strange feeling. And not because his image weakened in my eyes, no, quite the opposite, I saw him as respectable.
"I was raped by my stepfather..."
I opened my eyes. I listened to everything Miguel was telling Inés. I would never have imagined that past of one of the most bloodthirsty yet righteous men in Colombia. I know killing is forbidden, but I felt we weren't that bad in that aspect. We killed twisted scum, worse than us. Although that didn't justify our actions, we had been murderers.
After several minutes, I listened to the secrets of one of my best friends. I understood that God somehow kept us united. What will His final purpose be? We didn't know yet, but from now on, I put myself in His hands to be an instrument of justice. I want to get out of this mess.