Mason continued as a discreet hunter, trailing Emeline over the next two days. He studied her movements, observed the places she frequented, and waited for the perfect moment to approach. Mason was determined to use Emeline as a bridge to reach Aster and Damián.
Night fell under a cloak of rain and cold as Mason, carefully disguised, waited for the right moment. As the crowd gathered under umbrellas and the night lights reflected in puddles, Mason chose the perfect setting for his approach.
Emeline walked hurriedly, trying to escape the cold seeping through her clothes. The constant sound of rain formed a melancholic soundtrack. It was then that Mason, with precise movements, seemingly accidentally bumped into Emeline.
Surprised, Emeline raised her eyes, her instincts on alert at the unexpected encounter. As Mason revealed his true intention, a shiver ran down Emeline's spine. Her eyes widened in shock, and she felt her heart pounding.
"This is a robbery," Mason announced, maintaining a serious expression. "I don't want to hurt anyone, just your personal belongings and money. Cooperate, and no one will get hurt."
Mason's voice carried a threatening tone, intensifying the tension in the air. Emeline, though apprehensive, tried to stay calm and followed the instructions, believing her safety was at stake.
Walking down the wet street, Mason continued to maintain the facade of a criminal searching for valuable items. He pressed Emeline with questions, seeking information about what she might have at home. Unknown threats loomed over Emeline as she tried to cooperate to ensure her own safety.
During that approach, Emeline experienced a wide range of emotions, including expressions of fear and distress.
Mason, upon reaching Emeline's house, her mind swirled between fear and confusion.
Mason, maintaining the illusion of a criminal, found the opportunity he had been seeking to establish a meeting point. The tension in the environment was palpable, and Emeline was about to get even more involved in a plot that surpassed the limits of her understanding.
Emeline, seeking to calm the situation, looked at Mason's fake belly and tried to address the situation empathetically.
Emeline: I can understand; you're alone, and you're pregnant, but it doesn't have to be like this. You can walk away, and we can forget that this ever happened.
Mason, for a moment, let an expression of regret show, as if lamenting the circumstances.
Mason: I'm sorry. I really didn't want to do this, but you're the easiest way for me to get to Damián and Aster.
Emeline, realizing she was just bait in a trap, began to despair. The understanding that she was being used as a pawn in a dangerous game increased her distress.
Emeline: (desperate) Please don't do this. I don't want to be a part of this.
Mason, maintaining a cold posture, decided to immobilize her temporarily. He took out a small vial from his pocket containing an odorless liquid with the molecular formula CHCl3.
Mason: It's not personal. It's just a means to get what I need. Once everything is settled, you'll be safe.
However, before Emeline passed out, Mason said, "I don't want to cause harm; just ensure that everything goes smoothly," he said calmly. "Don't resist; just inhale, and you'll have a peaceful sleep. Don't worry, you'll be safe."
Caught off guard, Emeline inhaled the substance, and within seconds, despite the apparent threat, drowsiness began to envelop her, her eyelids growing heavy.
The scene slowly faded before Emeline's eyes, while Mason, now in possession of a temporary means to control the situation, advanced toward the crucial point of his mission.
Mason took a deep breath, his nimble fingers sliding over Emeline's bag in search of a means of communication. His scrutinizing gaze fixed on the device she used for calls, and he carefully took it out. It was the crucial moment— the moment he decided to surrender to the authorities and connect with the CIA agent.
With the bag open in his hands, Mason examined the phone, feeling the weight of the decision he was about to make. Carefully, he positioned it in front of Emeline's face, unlocking it. The screen lit up, revealing the digital labyrinth that could lead him to Damián and Aster.
Opening the contacts list, Mason hesitated. His eyes scanned the familiar names, Damián and Aster, as tempting options before him. A choice would define the next step of his journey, but uncertainty enveloped him like a shadow.
Doubt made him pause for a tense moment. Mason questioned himself about which of the two contacts would be more relevant to achieving his goal. Damián and Aster were distinct links, each representing a unique piece in the intricate puzzle of his quest for personal redemption to face the justice of his world.
Finally, Mason took a deep breath once again and made his choice. His fingers touched the name at the top of the list, revealing Damián's number.
The call was initiated, the sound of the ring echoing in the tense silence of the moment. Mason held the phone firmly, anxiously awaiting the response from the other end of the line. The decision was made, and now he would face the consequences of that choice, navigating the uncertain waters of a complex and intertwined destiny.
**Lady Elizabeth: ** (smiling) Damián, darling! I have great news! My assistant is receiving calls from famous stylists. They want you to wear their clothes and jewelry!
**Damián: ** (returning the smile, but with a hint of concern) That's wonderful, Lady Elizabeth. I'm not sure if I deserve this recognition.
**Lady Elizabeth: ** (excited) Yes, yes! You, young man, are amazing. I'm so happy to see you getting recognized.
[Damián's phone rings, interrupting the lively conversation.]
**Damián: ** (Answering the phone, changing his expression.)
Hello? Emeline, something happened?
**Astra (Mason): ** (On the other side, like a shot at point-blank range, he hears.) Actually, I'm not Emeline. I'm Astra, the hacker you met on the flight to Australia. Mason Gruber, to be more precise.
[Damián's expression changes, and he excuses himself to Lady Elizabeth.]
**Damián: ** I need to handle a work matter. I'll be back soon.
[Damián withdraws to a more discreet place to continue the conversation.]
Damián: (Damián's expression changes instantly, concern replacing the smile.)
Mason Gruber? What have you done with Emeline? Where is she?
Astra (Mason): (calmly) Relax. Emeline is safe in her house. I just need to talk to you.
Damián: (Getting tense) Talk to me? Why should I trust you?
Astra (Mason): (sincerely) I have an important statement. This is not a threatening call.
Damián: (Cautious) Speak up, but know that if anything happens to Emeline, I…
Astra (Mason): (interrupting) I don't want to hurt her. I just need your attention. I'm waiting for you at Emeline's house.
Astra (Mason): (sighs) Come quickly, then. And be fast. I decided to call you because I know you're involved in all of this. Emeline is safe.
Damián: (explaining) Mason, you're doing something risky, something that can change many things.
Astra (Mason): (Firmly) Come now!
Astra (Mason): (providing instructions) I'm waiting. Come with the other agent from the mission.
Damián: (serious) If anything happens to Emeline…
Damián: (on the phone with Aster, tense) Aster, we need to talk now. I got a call from the hacker, Mason Gruber. He has Emeline.
**Aster: ** (Surprised, with a hint of guilt.) What? How did he manage to reach her?
**Damián: ** (takes a deep breath, carrying the weight of the past.) I don't know, but he's demanding that we go to her house now! He wants to meet us there.
**Aster: ** (determined, expressing responsibility) Mason Gruber…
I knew I couldn't ignore this situation for much longer. I should have stopped him when I had the chance. The hacker is my responsibility.
Damián: (serious, understanding) This is our chance to deal with him once and for all. He's at Emeline's house, and we need to act fast.
**Aster: ** (recalling the past, with a hint of guilt) Mason pursued Clarice and Taylor, thinking they were them. I should have stopped him before all of this.
Damián: (understanding, trying to ease Aster's guilt) Aster, this is personal for both of us. I hope to find Emeline safe and put Mason out of our way.
**Aster: ** (decided) Let's head to Emeline's house immediately. We won't let him harm Emeline.
**Damián: ** (decisively) I'm waiting for you, right in front of the Kadman mansion. Stay alert, Aster. Let's handle this together, as we should have done from the beginning.
Aster and Damián are in Aster's car, a luxury vehicle with a powerful engine. Tension hangs in the air as they quickly head to Emeline's house, where Mason is holding her hostage. Aster, with his experience as a CIA agent, is determined to handle the situation.
Aster: (focused, looking in the rearview mirror) Damián, stay prepared. We don't know what to expect when we get there.
Damián: (holding firm) I'm ready. Let's get this bastard.
As they approach the house, they notice signs of movement inside. Aster, anticipating possible ambushes, skillfully maneuvers through the streets with agility.
Aster: (focused) Damián, I need you to stay alert. Mason might have set up something.
Damián: (observing around) I'm keeping an eye out. Let's end this.
Mason, now wearing a sweatshirt he found in Emeline's wardrobe, was in the shadows in her living room. He opted for a sweatshirt, a more neutral choice.
While remaining in the shadows, he recalled his skillful escapes around the world. Tokyo, where he eluded the watchful eyes of the Japanese police; Paris, during a joint Interpol operation; Moscow, where he quickly changed appearance to evade Russian authorities; London, where he blended into the catering team to steal valuable data; and the United States, where he crossed the border to Canada, escaping the clutches of American authorities.
Tension hung in the air as he prepared for the confrontation with Damián and Aster.
Wow, he would surrender; his time had come to go to prison. However, deep down, he didn't rule out the possibility of being taken down.
In his heart, there lingered an acknowledgment of the potential consequences – the stark reality that he might face the ultimate outcome of his actions.
However, even if he felt powerless with emotions, he needed to do the right thing.
Planning, choice, and sacrifice…
For the first time, he understood that life has the power to be fulfilled through promises that are hated.
The tension was palpable as he prepared for the imminent confrontation with Damián and Aster. Mason was aware that this meeting could irreversibly alter the course of events, and his carefully planned actions until now would culminate in this decisive moment. Deep down, he didn't rule out the possibility of being taken down, but still, he felt the need to act correctly.
Upon arriving at the location, Aster and Damián found the door ajar, and upon entering, Damián and Aster were already on alert, carrying melee weapons. In the dim light of the room, they found a young man sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of wine, with long honey-colored hair and eyes hidden in the shadows.
Damián: (observing Mason suspiciously) Who are you?
Mason: (with an ironic smile) You can call me Astra. I'm here to surrender.
Aster: (Staring at Mason, recalling the past.).
Mason: Seriously, what I want is simple. I want to come back; I'm surrendering. But before that, I need to ensure there are no misunderstandings. (pointing to where Emeline was) Emeline is fine.
Aster, acting as a CIA agent, upon finding the criminal who changed his whole world, couldn't contain himself and attacked Mason.
Aster's blow hit Mason hard, knocking him to the floor of the living room. The impact resonated through the silent room, while Emeline, unconscious, remained unaware of what was happening.
Damián, acting quickly, ran towards the two men in conflict. Fury consumed Aster; his blows continued to rain down on Mason mercilessly. The furniture in the room became collateral damage in this personal battle, being toppled and pushed aside.
Damián, experienced in confrontational situations, reached Aster and grabbed his arm firmly. "Aster, stop!" shouted Damián, but blinding rage still clouded Aster's eyes.
In a final effort, Mason managed to push Aster away, allowing Damián to intervene more effectively. The two, a CIA agent and a long-time criminal, found themselves separated by Damián's force.
"Aster, calm down!" ordered Damián, holding Aster's shoulders firmly to prevent him from advancing again.
Aster, panting and with eyes full of anger, finally began to regain awareness of reality. He looked at Damián, his expression transforming from fury to confusion and, finally, to a mixture of questioning.
Damián, realizing the intensity of the moment, stood between the two, acting as a physical and emotional barrier. "This won't solve anything, Aster. We need to handle this in a more controlled way," suggested Damián, trying to calm the boiling emotions in the room.
Mason is still believing he's on an ultra-secret CIA mission, in the presence of Aster and Damián. Unaware that he's actually involved in a twist of fate, he's determined to surrender, admitting his actions and believing he disrupted a crucial CIA operation.
He says, sincerely, "I don't have significant explanations; I know I disrupted a very important ultra-secret CIA mission. I know this isn't a magical delusion; this world is real. I'm here to surrender and go to prison."
Aster and Damián, surprised by Mason's confession, exchange glances and begin to ponder how to act in the face of this turn of events.
Damián enters the room where Emeline is unconscious, observing her closely. He checks her vital signs and, when he returns to the living room, urgently asks, "What did you use on her?"
Mason answers without hesitation: "A CHCl3 molecular formula."
Aster, with a serious look, intervenes: "What happened when you arrived in this world? Start from the beginning, and don't lie. We're here to understand everything."