Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Zuleica’s word stung hard on Catalina. It made her reflect on many things that happened to her during the stay in Almor.
Even Mariana could easily tell how much better the youth program that Ricardo brought from abroad was helping teenagers benefit from this a lot, interacting and tolerating each other every day better. Now they were socializing more and integrating into the western ways, despite their traditional beliefs.
Even she and Stella saw the difference in the kids they were teaching at school, trying to help them think outside of the box, teaching more modern ways of learning and what progress they have made so far.
\-“Darling, you have no idea what an amazing trip we had. I think this was one of the best decisions we ever made.” – Marianna said to her husband, thrilled about their unique experience, while her voice brought back Catalina’s attention at the present.
After a tasty breakfast with the southern and Catalina’s swords sparring with Tolo for fun, they decided to end their trip to go back to the embassy. With all the contact that Marianna and Zuleica make with each other, positive hopes for their integration and protection from the internationals were rising in the horizons.
They were accompanied badly by Tolo and Zuleica’s warriors the same way they came, with all the others being blindfolded, while not the three girls. Only when they were inside the embassy was Ahmet finally breathing fine. All this time he was worried that something could go wrong on their way back, even after seeing how polite the southern were with them.
Caesar was the first to wait for them at the hall, hugging both Catalina and Stella, saying how busy he was with the construction that prevented him from accompanying them too. Stella started sharing amazing details with him from their trip and how much fun they all have, but Ahmed rolled his eyes and went inside the kitchen to meet his mother instead.
\-“And you have no idea what troubles it can bring us as well. Ricardo is on his ways to have a chit chat with us.” Rudolfo said and everyone heard.
\-“Oh, does he?” Caesar said in a nonchalant voice.
\-“Well, protocol for national security, nothing that I did not expect when you took this decision. Soon is time we face the consequences of our choices I guess.” He said half smiling at Catalina, knowing the real reason, why Ricardo himself was about to greet them with his presence.
\- “But it was me who arranged everything, so you don’t have to take the blame Mr. Rudolfo.” – Catalina added, knowing fully well this was something unacceptable in Almor, according to traditionalist laws. Meeting the southern without proper permit from the local authorities, would bring a lot of headaches, that’s why was “silently forbidden”.
\-“Now my dear, let us not stress about who will take responsibility. Think about this as a formal meeting, from an authority representant to the Spanish embassy. We don’t have to dramatize this and think too much.” Rodolfo said to ease her, but Hermandez, who was hearing him added:
\-“Yeah, right. With Ricardo, the Greek person in person, as the representant authority.”
And both men laughed with each other, being fully aware that if this guy came around, there were no jokes around.
\-“But we did nothing wrong, no intel information was shared between us. We were practically like tourist in some remote area that happened to have beautiful natural landscapes.” Stela said innocently, but Catalina knew that there was more to this urgent meeting with him.
After all, after their last meeting…
\-“ …..Catalina, did you hear me, hello?” – Mariana asked Catalina who was lost in her thoughts.
\-“Sorry, what?” Catalina asked embarrassed now, for not listening to what she said.
\-“I said, should we all go up fist and take a bath or are you going to stay down here?”
\-“Yes, it’s better we go up first. We can come latter down when…”
And they were about to go and change their words and were interrupted.
Even the air became colder as if preparing them for a sudden aura change. Someone was about to come in. His presence was louder than the guard that came in to announce his presence.
As soon as his steps were in the hobby, he already sensed his prey. The one he came to see face to face, that was longing so much.
But his face showed nothing to the outside, his eyes kept in one direction and one direction only.
And she knew who his piercing gaze was, that was hidden behind his dark sunglasses.
\-“Mister Ricardo, we were waiting for you. In fact, we were all heading now inside the office too, if you want to start our meeting right away. – Rudolfo said to him in his professional calm voice as always.
All the others were focused on his straight posture, dressed in his signature navy blue suit, screaming old money.
\-“This way please, mister Ricardo!” Hernandez said to him, motioning to their office to seat and talk, but Ricardo’s icy voice cut him, enough to make everyone tremble:
\-“This is what I am here for! Let’s start immediately.”
Behind him were two other men in black that did not come in, they were just waiting as if they were in high alert, enough to intimidate with their presence only.
\-“Of course, let us leave the ladies their time to rest as they just came some minutes earlier, meanwhile I and Hernandez will be present. Marianna also can give us a better description about it.” – Rudolfo said as he pointed to his wife to follow them also. She would have to do what she planned earlier.
\-“I only want present all those who left for the weekend trip!” – He said in a plain business voice, void of any emotion, without sparring anymore any glance to anyone.
And then he headed to the office direction, with Hernandez showing him the way as he always did.
Caterina gulped hearing his request. She was very sure what this meeting would all be about it. And it would be just a ride in a park. The day had yet to finish.