Chapter 123 - Turbulence - Fedds
Simón
It was incredible how we felt and thought now. We weren't even a shadow of who we were a few months ago. It felt like there was a before and after since the arrival of Mrs. Veronica. Now Diana had joined us, a girl who taught us nobility, bringing new things every day, showing us that you must get up as many times as necessary if you want to seek your well-being. And that was nothing more than feeling happy and grateful for what life had given you.
"You haven't said anything, Simón," Miguel's words pulled me out of my thoughts. Inés was hugging him.
"Now I admire you more," he tried to laugh. "We're different; we try to do things not just as society and divine laws dictate, but we do what makes us happy. That's what it all comes down to. Take your time to organize your thoughts, but give importance to what you feel in your heart and mind.
"Don't deny yourself the experience Roland had when he let himself be overcome by love. It doesn't matter if it lasts; what's important is how you feel it. But don't hide who you are from her; she needs to know your troubles, your demons, your experiences." I saw him shake his head. "That's why I mentioned the two options: you fight or you let her go. It's clear that Diana has an interest in you. Don't play with her feelings."
"Then I'll let her go."
"That wasn't what Miguel wanted to hear," said Inés. "But I'll respect your decision. Just don't make her suffer and be clear. Tell her you're not interested, so she won't get her hopes up and can look elsewhere."
"It's already too late for that," I intervened.
"We women always value the truth, no matter how harsh. We still appreciate honesty."
"That I can do. For her sake, she wouldn't be happy with me."
"That's your perception. It's a shame you can't see beyond that." Inés stood up. "I love you both. I have nothing more to say. Rest well." Before leaving, she added, "Miguel, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you don't regret your decision."
"This is the first time Inés has been disappointed," I said.
"I'm really sorry, but I can't hurt Diana. I wouldn't forgive myself. She's the mother of my child, the only one I'll have."
"Well, she's a beautiful woman."
I saw him smile, his eyes sparkling. This guy was as smitten with that woman as Roland was with Mrs. Veronica.
"Yes, she's a lovely young woman."
"You know she's young and beautiful. At any moment, she'll attract other men's attention." He clenched his jaw. "Don't make the same mistake as yesterday if you're not willing to fight to be by her side. Don't ruin her chance to have a serious relationship with a future suitor."
"Goodnight, Rata. Thanks for listening." He got up from the couch and hurried out.
After a five-hour flight from Bogotá to Houston, TX, we waited for our connection to San Antonio, another hour of flight, and then rented a vehicle to head to Blanco, Texas. I understand you, old man, you sought a low-profile town. I spoke to the Roland in my head.
"Boss!"
It was the first time Mojón went on a direct mission that wasn't training, specialization, or fun. The kid had a sharp mind, very similar to Roland's.
"Tell me, have you gotten over the scare?"
Even I got scared; the flight had severe turbulence. Seeing him pale wasn't something you saw every day. The poor guy had turned yellow, glued to his seat. I didn't make fun of him because I almost choked from fear myself.
"Don't pretend to be tough with me; even you freaked out." I burst out laughing.
"I don't lose my cool, man. But I did get a little scared. What did you want to ask?"
I looked at my laptop, checking all the house cameras. The lady was in the office with her assistant and legal representative working. I had noticed that she immersed herself a lot in the businesses, requesting reports and studying them late into the night, Inés busy with her tasks, Cebolla in the basement, and Rasca culo conducting surveys and helping the lady. I looked at Mojón.
"What will happen to us now that our part of the cartel is going to be dismantled?"
"What's your degree?"
"I studied marketing and advertising."
"What do you think will happen to you? Remember, you now have a stake in the businesses."
"Are you going to give me a job in that? I've never practiced it." We smiled. "It feels amazing to be a shareholder."
"Roland wanted a change of life for all of us. After the meeting with the business managers, and after what's coming next week, I'll talk to each of you. If you want to change, the doors will be open for those who want to straighten their path. You're among the five closest men to the boss. I'd like you to stay with us, whether as a shareholder or not."
"Thanks, boss. I'm not going anywhere. I'll never leave my old lady."
"Arnold," they called for boarding. "We don't know what's coming."
"Hell, Rata. If they don't take the opportunity given by the Boss, I assure you his ghost will bring hell to earth. Will we help with that?"
It was a good question, but now I was so engrossed in figuring out who killed Roland or what happened around him.
"I can't guarantee anything, let's wait and see what this trip brings us."
"Rasca culo says the Boss isn't dead, he insists on it, he won't let go of his shaman feelings." I frowned. "You know he's got that weird gift of sensations and visions. They don't believe me, but he's a hidden witch."
I laughed, this kid was a pain in the butt, but we all appreciated him like our little brother.
"I saw him, Mojón, believe me, no one can hold their breath that long, and I spent over half an hour next to his body in the morgue."
We boarded the plane. My companion spoke the language perfectly, I had studied in this country for several years, in fact, we all spoke English fluently. Two hours later, we were renting a car to get around. The weather was like the coast in my country.
"We need to buy a couple of hats, some cowboy boots, and plaid shirts, we stand out. If it's a small town, they'll be more traditional."
"You're right."
We entered a shopping mall and equipped ourselves with three sets of cowboy outfits. I called the builder who had contacted Cebolla, and we agreed to meet tomorrow first thing. He promised to send me the address to my phone, I entered it into the GPS, and then we headed to Blanco. We arrived at night and decided to stay in a hotel.
Tomorrow was the meeting with the man, and after that, we would go look for the address of the last residence of the woman who was in the clinic's waiting room. I entered my room, Mojón stayed in the one next door, wanting to rest. I called Cebolla.
"How are things at home?"
"Good, no problems. The lady had a visitor, she didn't like it, but you know how she puts men in their place."
"Isaac."
"My son is on my chest, I just put him to sleep."
"Good, talk to you tomorrow."
I woke up with some slight nerves, took a shower, and smiled when I looked in the mirror. The cowboy look wasn't bad at all. I'll be turning thirty-nine soon, "I'm getting old." We had breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. My companion was a big eater, and we headed out with plenty of time to the house where the gentlemen were going to live, but for a long time, we had only been looking at land after land.
"This place is hot."
"If you want, turn on the air conditioning."
"The Boss was going to live in the middle of nowhere?"
Mojón was looking out his window. We had been driving for half an hour since we left the main road.
"You know he loved the countryside, the world of cattle ranching was one of his passions. I'm not surprised he wanted to become a cowboy."
"He chose the perfect place."
I looked at the GPS, we were almost there, and indeed we spotted a mansion very much in Roland's style. It was a ranch... an immense estate. We got out, the builder was waiting for us, we greeted him.
"Good morning," I said in perfect English.
"Nice to meet you, I thought Mr. Roland himself would come." I didn't correct him.
"I'm his right-hand man, Simon..."
"Yes, when you called yesterday, I checked the authorized names, Simon Moreno, Miguel Garcia, or Veronica Vasquez."
"Good, since we're authorized, let's get to it."
He showed us the estate, a luxury in his style, each creation was a work of art. The ranch would not only function as a home but also as a workplace. It had all the equipment to start his thoroughbred breeding, as discussed by the gentleman. It wasn't just the main estate; the other three houses were built a bit further away. He showed us the stables and the barns, which were immense.
We also learned that this land belonged to Mrs. Veronica. There was only one neighbor, who bordered the end of her land. We also found out that the two neighbors on the sides had recently bought their land and had hired him to build their ranches. "The proportion of ranches was very different from what we had in Colombia."
"Here, I give you the keys to all the doors of the house. These are for the cabin to finish your honeymoon."
"Cabin?"
"Marlon said it's to finish spending the days with your wife." I frowned. "It's near the creek. That's all, it was a pleasure working for you. I hope to continue getting this kind of contract. Now I'll leave you, I have to inspect the other two projects."
"Thanks." The house was to the lady's taste.
"Are you thinking of moving here?"
"It needs to be furnished, but that's not the problem now, I'll talk to the lady when we get back."
"Rata, it would be a good place to hide if things get hot in Colombia."
Several cars with construction materials passed by. I had a strange feeling of being watched. The land was perfect for cattle, it was a beautiful place. Mojón was looking everywhere.
"I think I'm starting to get Rasca culo's nonsense, I feel like we're being watched..."