Chapter 9 Fireworks
What was he doing with my picture? She thought to herself.
At that point she had something else to take care of so she kept the laptop aside but made a mental note to probe into it later.
With shaky hands she managed to get the briefcase open and – Bingo!
It contained a display of expensive watches, most of them custom made. They were limited edition products and Kate knew how most men were addicted to watch collection and apparently, Quisito was no different.
She began taking out the watches one by one, careful not to drop anything. There were about twelve watches and by the time she was done picking, her hands were full. She walked out of his room into hers, using elbows and legs to close and open the doors.
Thankfully he was still eating, and she could easily tell it by the laughter and discussion that came from the table.
Kate wrapped the watches in a piece of cloth and shoved the whole thing into a plastic bag and stuffed the balance space with waste papers. She walked out of her room with the bag, careful not to run into any of his men, who were practically everywhere. She successfully journeyed to the backyard of the mansion unspotted and also picked up gasoline on her way.
In the dim lit backyard, she laid out a piece of paper on the ground and dumped his watches on in. After putting her bag aside, she took out her phone, found Quisito’s number from public catalog and dialed it.
When she heard two rings, she cut the call. Immediately he called back but she switched it off with a malicious smirk, before sliding it back in her pocket.
Quisito had a very bad feeling about the missed call because ‘KATELYN WINSTON’ was the name that appeared as the true caller ID. He excused himself from the table and after hastily washing his hands he ran upstairs to check on her in her room, but she wasn’t there.
His pulse raced when he entered his own room and saw the misplaced laptop and the open, empty briefcase. He suddenly grew worried because only he knew the truth about those watches and he never thought that Kate would ever think of touching his belongings.
He pulled at his hairs and let out a growl before barging out of his room and running across the corridor like a mad man.
“KATELYN WINSTON! I WANT YOU HERE RIGHT NOW” he yelled and the entire mansion shook, but he got no reply.
Breathing heavily, he was about to go back into his room but a servant stopped him mid-way.
“I saw Kate going down the backyard...where we usually burn stuff” the servant told him and immediately his face twitched.
“FUCK” he cursed and brushed past the servant, praying that he could reach her on time.
He reached the place next to the stairs that lead to the burning ground and there in the dark he caught her silhouette.
“KATE” he screamed, silently pleading her to stop what she was about to do.
Her head turned to the direction of his voice and she understood that he had found her. Smiling at him like a maniac, she poured gasoline on the watches on the ground.
“NO KATE, DON’T DO IT” he shouted, while sprinting down the stars. His order was laced with a tone of plea, but she failed to listen to him because she thought he was trying to save his priceless collection of watches.
She pulled out the lighter and instantly set the whole thing on fire.
“KATE, MOVE AWAY FROM IT” Quisito barked, closing the distance between them in inhuman speed.
Wait.....whattt? She was confused. She stared at his rushing form with apprehension and then looked down at the burning stuff. That’s when she noticed something.
Fire wasn’t supposed to crackle like....that.
The embers kept rising and she was standing way too close to it. Before anything could happen, Quisito pulled her with him to a nearby pillar, placed her against it and covered her body with his, shielding her from the fire.
She was about to ask ‘Why’ but the word died in her mouth when she heard an explosion in the fire. Within moments, a series of explosions followed and soon it was like fireworks behind him.
She flinched back in fear when a burning piece of metal flew and struck him on the shoulder. But he stayed there completely unfazed, his eyes reading every detail on her face with a ‘this is what happens when you don’t listen to me’ expression.
The explosions lasted about five minutes and she had to cover her ears for most of the part because of its deafening noise. Gradually the fire died down but before removing himself from on top of her, he looked behind him to make sure that nothing was left in the fire to burn or burst.
By this time half of the people in the mansion came down to witness what had caused such a loud noise. At the flick of his fingers, Quisito’s men brought a container filled with water. He took the water from them and poured it on the remnants while the maids enquired about Kate’s wellbeing.
She was unhurt – Physically, but her insides were in turmoil.
He saved her – Even after she destroyed his belongings. Her mind was bombarding with questions when Quisito took her back into the mansion, her hand safely molded in his grip.
“I’m...sorry” she whispered in a baby voice as they began climbing the stairs.
Quisito spoke in a stern voice, when they reached upstairs “Kate...those were gunpowder and dynamite combined watches designed specifically for my enemies. Do you have any idea what would have happened if I hadn’t reached you on time?”
Her breathing became erratic and tears pooled in her eyes but Quisito continued. “Never. Ever. Enter my room without permission. I don’t want you putting your life in danger again. Understood?” He asked looking at her, as they paused before her room.
She nodded, making tears trace a path along her slightly pink cheeks. Kate flinched lightly when he lifted his hand towards her face and used his thumb to wipe away the tears off her face.
He let go of her hand and without another word, she went in and closed the door, her eyes trained on the floor the entire time.
She couldn’t believe it – He wasn’t mad at her for sabotaging what may have caused him millions to make but was angry for putting her own life in danger.