Chapter 132 - I miss you Roland - mddos
Veronica
I was with Isaac in the rocking chair, singing to him to sleep. I had talked with Diana about what happened with the attack and the frustration of my kidnapping. I was very scared; Simon and the guys wouldn't let that offense slide. I didn't want to see them get involved, but it would be more likely for fish to fall from the sky than to make them give up.
For now, my friend won't leave our side until things calm down. Since Simon's return, they've been locked up with Miguel and his trusted men; they're up to something. I fear it is what I was thinking, due to their loyalty to my husband, they will surely take sides in what was coming after Sunday. Ines entered the room.
"Did you take your medicine?" I asked, and she nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Diana is right; we are spoiling the child," she commented, smiling.
"I still think so, he goes from one arm to another," Isaac's mother also sat on the edge of the bed.
"He doesn't sleep at all, he stays quiet, look at him, his eyes are wide open," he seems to have quite light brown hair.
"Ma'am, I am his mother, he does the same to me too, during the day I have no problem, at night he becomes rebellious, he only sleeps in Miguel's arms."
"Let's hope they finish that darn meeting."
"You don't like it either, do you?" I looked at Ines and she shook her head.
"Sorry if I'm being nosy, but does that meeting have to do with the attempted kidnapping?"
"Absolutely, they are not going to sit idly by. When they come out, I will talk to them to find out what is going on."
"Mrs. Veronica!" Miguel called.
"The meeting is over," I said. I went downstairs with Isaac in my arms, and when his father saw me, he checked the time.
"Is my baby still awake?" His eyes lit up, and I handed him the child. "Give me a few minutes, I'll put him to sleep and be right back." He kissed his little head, and it melted my heart to hear him talk to him.
"Thank you for waiting for daddy to put you to sleep, my prince, I love you."
Not only did I hear him, but so did Diana, who had maintained a polite but distant relationship. She only spoke to him when necessary.
"Can we stay too?" Ines looked at Simon, and he nodded. Ten minutes later, Miguel arrived with the baby monitor to listen for Isaac if he woke up.
"Well, this talk is to put you in context about what is happening and what will happen starting Monday," Simon took the lead. "And also, so you don't make the stupid mistake of going out without telling us again." I made a face, and Diana lowered her gaze.
"Did you get that, Diana?"
Miguel was very rude, but she, with a very well-disguised calmness, nodded indifferently.
"Very clear, Mr. Miguel."
I raised an eyebrow; my assistant didn't even look at him, while he almost glared at her. The clash between them would be quite a spectacle; I liked her response, that little woman had the character needed to tame Miguel's inner beast.
"Ma'am," I looked at Simon.
"I already apologized, I won't do it again, I'm not reckless."
"No, just a little impulsive, you tend to be contrary, we'll be very busy, I don't want you to be another problem."
"I swear, I'll notify you even when I go to the bathroom."
"Very funny," Simon commented.
"Ma'am," Miguel got up from the couch and came to Simon's side. "In general terms, there are thirty-two cities, thirteen have signed their withdrawal from the business, they will hand over their lands, properties, money, and everything related to drug trafficking on Monday. Seven are undecided, and twelve will fight against the feds.
"Keep in mind, some cities are still undecided. That means if the Boss's decision was to go against them, the first thing they will do is come after you, just for revenge, and they have already let us know.
"That's why we have joined the international intelligence unit that Roland turned to dismantle and confront what's coming."
"What did Roland do?"
"Tomorrow we'll meet with Agent Luisa... I think... her last name is Johnson, to find out which cities made decisions and figure out how to track them down."
Simón looked at Miguel, who had a furrowed brow. It was clear they weren't telling me everything.
"Is that woman trustworthy?" Inés intervened.
"Roland trusted her. For my part, I've investigated, followed, and dealt with her. We can trust her. Besides, the U.S. government secretly joined ours and continued to support the operation, even after Roland died. That was my friend's will, and I'm going to fulfill it."
"How long will this nightmare last?"
"I don't know, ma'am." I looked at Miguel.
"What if we go to Blanco?"
"It would be complicated now. If we have her close, we can work better," Simón intervened. "I don't have many resources in a different country. I might have them over time, but for now, I'd be a stranger. In Colombia, we have connections, properties, people we can count on for any scenario. Cebolla and I could work better knowing she's under our care."
"Will we travel a lot?" Diana asked.
"Wherever we go, you'll come with us. I won't go through the same thing again," Miguel replied.
"Is this house safe?" Diana asked, to which both men nodded.
"Yes. We want to put you in the loop about what we'll be doing in the coming days. The routine will be different. If you need to do something, let us know to include it in the logistics—dates like Sunday mass, visits to the farms, Santiago's wedding, medical appointments for Isaac, Miguel, and Inés are already considered. If you want to do something and it's not in our schedule, let us know to see if it's possible."
"We'll be in a prison!" I said.
"It's for our safety. A large group of American agents will arrive tomorrow to confront the drug traffickers and support the agents in Colombia. It's a joint effort. We'll stay on as advisors and provide support to Agent Luisa if necessary."
"Can we meet her?"
"I don't know," Simón said. "I can only tell you that the news will talk. The cities that didn't surrender are the most problematic. For years, they've wanted to dethrone Roland from the top. They're only interested in power."
"Are you telling me the era of the Escobar and Cali cartel clashes could return?" I looked at Inés.
"Old lady, I hope the agents are discreet. We still don't know how they plan to do it. We're going to stay on the sidelines. The agent doesn't want to involve us to keep us clean. But it's possible that clashes will happen. Anything can happen." My heart pounded hard.
"I'll do whatever you say, but promise me you'll stay alive." My voice broke, and I impulsively ran to hug them both. "Don't leave me."
"Ma'am, there are things that are impossible to promise, especially in this world," Simón said.
"Don't say that."
I held them close. The mere thought that one of them might die made my pulse race, and their watches started beeping.
"Thanks for loving us so much." I hugged Miguel tighter.
"You two are all I have left of Roland. Don't act like fighting cocks looking for battles where you're not needed. Let those Americans do their job," I stepped back from them. "That's an order."
I turned and left the office. As soon as I entered the room, I couldn't hold back anymore and started crying at the edge of the bed. I wiped my tears and decided to take a shower. After drying off, I put on one of my husband's shirts. I had changed in the bathroom since it was the only place in the room without cameras. I got into bed, took my husband's ring, and kissed it. After a while, when I felt a bit calmer, I said my prayers, gave my blessing, and slowly closed my eyes, not without saying, "I love you, Roland. Until tomorrow, my love. I'll see you in my dreams."