Chapter 118
Chapter 118
It was still sunny outside as the once cheerful office of the Spanish embassy was with its people, buzzing with new ideas and the daily rapport that the ambassador would discus on.
A strong contrast to the cold atmosphere with the presence of Almor’s leader seated in the front desk, in front of Ricardo, witch in front of him was a sited Rudolpho with Mariana as his wife and assistant, standing behind him to rapport to the country leader the reason of the visit to the south land, without getting a proper permission according to the country law.
Only Catalina and Stella were obligated to follow them inside the office too as per protocol, Hernandez would have to keep track of their meeting.
Caesar on the other hand was furious after Rudolfo negatively shaking his head at him, to deny his presence inside too, but he did not make a sound to express his opinion. So, he was left to inform Ahmed as well in case his presence would be necessary regardless.
Stella and Catalina went inside as well as he proceeded to, but Stella was the only one that sat at a couch nearby, while Catalina stand near the door, with her arms crossed, ready to give explanations to a very god-sculped figure, admiring him from behind in secret.
If he was pissed of not seeing her or the fact that she did not sit at the empty chair next to him, he sure did a good job not showing it.
Ricardo was the first to head start at the main point.
\-“Care to explain the main reason of your visit to the southern tribes with no formal request in advance, as per law required Rudolfo?” He said in his cold tone.
Catalina could see that his hair was shorter this time, probably he had a haircut recently that made his nerves on the back of his head visiable. She was the only one in the room to notice, how hard he was maintaining his cold killing appearance.
\-“I guess here is where I can explain. We got a last-minute invitation by the princess of the south tribe, woman invitations only to join them during the weekend, not as representants of the Spanish embassy, the diplomats in rescue or neither as tourist. As a measure of precautions, we even had some bodyguards with us, but that only as a procedure as you can also confirm yourself that no harm happened to us during our stay there.” Mariana started to explain.
\-“I already sent non-formal information, by phone to Ali, since everything happened so fast and I was waiting for Mariana to fill in with the important details before we could submit the rapport. I can also seat with Hernandez and Mariana, and we can go over the filling protocols papers so we can send that as soon as possible.”
Rudolpho stated as the calmest of all, trying to keep the balance between the sudden cold energy that was starting to form between them. Certainly, Ricardo’s cold face, void of emotions, was not helping them, but at least Rudolfo knew deeply that he meant no harm, otherwise if things had gone wrong, his other cousin, Omer would have barged in, in not such a polite matter as the gentlemen in front of him.
\-“Care to fill me now how deep your expedition went miss Mariana?” Ricardo asked sternly Mariana while maintaining his polite posture.
But Catalina’s nerves were over now, she felt a bit offended by the way he meant, and she knew where his point was directed at.
\-“Tsk… we barely went to visit a friend, mister Ricardo.” She said emphasizing the last words more as in purpose.
All the others turned her heads at her.
Ricardo smirked inertly, at least he shot his bird. By what he had known Catalina those last months, he knew that she would soon catch his bait, though he continued hiding that.
\-“Frends visit without informing the leading authorities and proper escort tent to be dangerous nowadays.” He answered her without turning his head.
Catalina rolled her eyes, since he knew that he was not looking at her, but to Ricardo this was not unexpected, she could not see her reflection from the window in front of her, that was seen by him only, due to the chair that had the reflective view.
\-“Even without your information, this info will spread at the elder council, and you know very well how my cousin will entertain this piece of information with the others, now we don’t want the Spanish embassy reputation ruined, thinking that you have change side and take the savages side, don’t we now?” Ricardo asked Rudolfo and now he started to feel the weight of Ricardo’s question. Indeed, the council tended to have creative ideas for those who opposed them.
\-“We did not go there to oppose anyone at all. Are you even listening to us? We were in a friendly visit to see the nature and meet the locals.” – Catalina said again trying to contain her fury now.
\-“What was the name of the head guy that accompanied them?” – Ricardo asked Rudolfo as he ignored Catalina, thing that she did not like at all.
\-“Ahmed!” Rudolfo confirmed.
\-“Good! I will take care of him. We have a contract that you are under my protection, but I will need a space goat for the council in order that we pass this in silence.”
Ricardo said to him that they were not discussing a person’s life but just normal causality.
\-“You don’t have to do anything to him. If there is someone to blame, blame me. No one else.” Catalina said coming closer to his chair now.
\-“Looks like someone is eager for a punishment.” He said to her now in a low voice, only to know the meaning behind it.
Just as she was about to retort back, Ahmed knocking and him coming back interrupted their discussion.
As soon as he was in, Ricardo raised at his feet as his action had already terminated this meeting.
\-“Ahmed, you are to report this afternoon at the central office.” He said to him and Ahmed mouth went dry. Nothing good comes out if the leader himself calls you in for reporting. They all knew that.
As soon as Ricardo finished saying that he rose from his chair. He nodded his head to the couple in front of him only and then left without sparring a single glance at the others.
The chase back just started.
He knew that is was only a matter of hours before the fish caught his bait.