Aliyah's Room
I woke up all flushed, unable to shake off thoughts of him. "Why am I thinking about him? I should hate him; he isn't worth it. He's a criminal, and the law will catch up with him soon."
Downstairs, Aliyah joined her family for breakfast.
"Good morning, Papa. Good morning, Mama," Aliyah said.
"Morning, Aliyah," Juan replied.
"Morning," Isabella added.
Juan asked, "How was your sleep?"
"It was OK, Father."
"So, how was your date with Luis?" Juan pressed.
Aliyah shrugged. "It was OK."
Isabella intervened, "Juan, let the poor girl be. At least she went to meet him."
The meal progressed in silence, with only chewing and cutlery sounds breaking the stillness.
After breakfast, Aliyah excused herself, citing a need for fresh air.
In the gardens, Aliyah found Isabella sitting on a bench.
"Aliyah, hija," Isabella said, concern etched on her face. "You seem off. Be careful, Aliyah; your father is watching your every move."
Aliyah nodded. "I know, Mami. I'll be careful."
Isabella's expression turned grim. "What's bothering you, Aliyah?"
Aliyah hesitated. "Gabriel... he wants to help me. We're going to find a way out."
Isabella warned, "Be cautious, Aliyah. Your father won't hesitate to use force."
Aliyah's resolve hardened. "I won't give up, Mami. I'll find a way."
A maid approached, discreetly handing Aliyah a note.
"For you, Señorita," the servant whispered.
Aliyah's heart skipped a beat. The note was from Gabriel.
"Meet me in the old windmill at midnight," the note read. "Come alone."
Aliyah's pulse quickened. The game was afoot.
"Thank you, Mami," Aliyah said, standing up.
Isabella's expression turned worried. "Aliyah, hija, be safe. Your father—"
Aliyah interrupted, "I know, Mami. I'll take care of myself."
As Aliyah walked away, determination washed over her.
The rest of the day passed in a blur.
At midnight, Aliyah slipped out of her house, making her way to the old windmill.
The windmill loomed before her, its wooden sails creaking in the wind.
Aliyah's heart pounded as she pushed open the door.
"Gabriel?" she whispered.
A figure emerged from the darkness.
It was Gabriel.
"Aliyah," Gabriel said, his eyes locking onto hers. "I've found a way into your father's study."
"How?" Aliyah asked.
Gabriel smiled. "One of the maids is my relative, and she's loyal to me. She'll create a diversion while we search for the documents."
Aliyah nodded, her mind racing. "What are we looking for?"
"Anything that links your father to Luis," Gabriel replied. "Proof of their alliance."
As they spoke, the windmill's door creaked open. A figure slipped in, hood up.
"Who's there?" Gabriel demanded, his hand on the knife at his belt.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a young woman. "It's me, Sofia," she said, her voice trembling. "I've come to help."
Aliyah's eyes narrowed. "How do we trust her?"
Gabriel's gaze locked onto Sofia. "She's been working for me, gathering information. We need her."
Aliyah hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."
In Luis's warehouse...
" Were we able to get my guns?" Luis asked.
"Yes, boss, but there's a slight problem," Carlos replied.
"What problem?" Luis's tone turned cold.
"Charlie tried to double-cross you. Some of your guns were missing. He didn't bring them complete. His men are all tied up."
Luis's eyes narrowed. "How many are they?"
"Just two, boss."
"Okay, I'll meet you there. It's time to show these people who's boss."
Luis entered the small room in the warehouse, filled with blood and bullets. He lit an expensive cigar.
"What gives your boss the reason to double-cross me? Is he trying to get himself killed?" Luis asked.
"I don't know, I'm just an errand boy. I take goods to their rightful places," Kian replied.
Luis's brows furrowed. "Stop explaining yourself. Let both of you go; you brought my shipments, right?"
"You have no right holding us as hostages," Jewel said.
Luis finished his cigar, his eyes blazing with anger.
"You don't speak a word to me!" Luis punched jewel with a powerful blow, sending him to the ground.
Jewel spat blood from his mouth. "You're nothing, Luis Moreno. I don't fear you. You touch me, and you'll feel Charlie's riot."
Luis's face twisted in rage. "Raise him up," he ordered.
Cruz and Theo lifted Jewel, and Luis walked up to him.
Jewel spat on Luis's face. "Coward."
Luis pulled out his gun and shot Jewel twice in the head. Jewel dropped dead.
"Now, as for you..." Luis turned to Kian.
Ehmm, Kian…
"I'm sorry, sir; please pardon me. I'm just an errand boy. I didn't know about this," Kian pleaded.
Luis's expression remained cold. "I won't kill you because you weren't disrespectful like your friend. But I'm sending you to your boss with a package."
Luis turned to Theo. "Clean up this mess and wrap this idiot's body."
Then, he addressed Kian. "Yo, my boy Kian, I'll be sending you to your boss with this dead fool as the package. Tell him this is a warning from me to him: 'Prepare for your funeral, because I'm visiting soon. No one double-crosses me.'"
Luis's eyes narrowed. "You'll deliver this message exactly as I said it. Do you understand?"
Kian nodded frantically. "Yes, sir. I'll deliver it exactly as you said."
Luis handed Kian a small box containing a single bullet. "Give this to Charlie with the package. It's a token of our 'friendship.'"
Theo handed Kian a wrapped body. "Take this and don't look back."
Kian took the package and rushed out, trembling.
Luis turned to Theo. "Prepare the men. We're going to war."