Chapter 25
CHARLES WAS obviously bothered throughout the whole trip with Wynter to the mission. He had been like this for the past few days. He's always in a daze, he's always on cloud nine. And that's all because of that one call from Gab.
“You know… if you're not up for this, I'll just drop you off at the nearest cafe then eat and relax and stuff like that,” said Wynter as she read the magazine next to him.
They're riding a limousine on the way to a gala. That's where their second target was said to be. Well, that second target wasn't there to party but to blow up the party.
Both Wynter and him were wearing evening wear and are both tasked to represent their family so they have to look good.
“I’m fine, Wyn—”
“Oh cut the sh*t off.” The woman finished reading and then returned the magazine to its container. “We both know you’re not fine.”
Charles let out a sigh. “It’s your brother.”
“Pretty obvious.”
He looked at his friend seriously. “Did you know that he called me?”
Wynter wasn’t surprised at all. “I heard from Narae that he asked for your number.”
Charles nodded then closed his eyes and leaned back slightly. “He was asking me if we have ever met.” He let out a humorless chuckle. “I wanted to tell him yes. I wanted to explain everything to him. I wanted to say what I was feeling for him—what he was feeling for me but…”
“But you can't.” Charles just nodded at the end of what he was going to say. “You’ll get through this. You both will.”
He sadly smiled, opened his eyes, and looked at his best friend. “The reason why you didn’t want me for him before was because of this life, right?”
She nodded her head. “I don’t want what happened to Autumn to happen to Hermano. I may not show it but I was scared as hell when I saw my little sister’s condition. That's why I seriously accepted this part of my life, right?” He remained silent. “Then I knew about Gabby’s existence. I promised myself that I’ll protect him whatever happens. Then all of a sudden, I will know that there is something between you and my brother. I lost it.”
Charles withdrew his stare at his best friend and once again laid his back against the chair. “I get your point. That's why I was so grateful to you when you let me talk to Gab again. Well, I wasn’t comfortable with the fact that we were arguing—”
Wyn softly chuckled. “Neither was I.”
Charles smiled. “But it was all part of the plan. Bugs were planted in your office and some at your condo unit. We even let someone enter the LD just so Igor and his team could feel at ease." He glanced at his best friend. “We got suspended when we killed him and his men.” Wynter shrugged. “But it was all worth it. We got him safe, and I was with him.” He closed his eyes.
“But more threats came in, a lot more trouble.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“How are you feeling so far?”
Charles sadly smiled. “I feel exhausted. I feel like sh*t.”
He heard his best friend sigh. “We’ll get through this.”
“I don’t care how long I’ll have to wait, Wyn. As long as I end up with him, everything will be worth it.”
Wynter felt happy when she heard her best friend say those words. She is sure that her friend will love her older brother sincerely and truly. Wynter let a small smile escape her lips. That love is very much difficult to find.
The two remained silent until they reached their destination. Fancy red carpet, elegant evening gowns, lavish tuxedos, and suits. The party host was obviously rich and powerful to be able to invite so many rich and well-known guests.
Charles got out of the limousine first and then Wynter was supposed to get off. They put on the masks they were holding at the same time. Wyn grabbed his arm and when he was sure that they were all right they walked into the palace together.
Both of them would smile when someone looks at them and greets them. But as they walked to their respective seats, the two of them became alert and proceeded with their first move. Check the surroundings.
Charles’s phone vibrated so he took it out only to see a message from Light Xing.
‘Coms in.’
He looked at the best friend then signaled. She nodded slightly and then took something from her purse, he did the same thing as he took out the thing inside his coat pocket.
When they successfully wore their earpiece, Charles spoke, “We’re in.”
“Code.” It was Light’s voice, his long-standing right hand in missions.
“Dangerous Kisser,” he replied to him.
Wynter spoke to him next, “Wildest Player.”
“Eagle Eye.” It was Khrysgen Darwin’s voice, their sniper.
“Cherry Bomb.” He heard Kathleya Darwin’s voice, their bomb disposal technician.
“And Shining Armour in.” Light Xing was the last one to give his code. “Kath, there are four bombs in the palace. I’ll send you the coordinates.”
“Roger that,” Kath replied.
“I can identify three snipers. One from a building across mine, one thirty-five degrees on my West, and the other’s on my East,” Khrys informed them.
They heard Light tap before he spoke, “The target's ally is the one on your Westside. The rest are just the security of the party host.”
“Should I take him down?”
“No. Let the host’s snipers do their job,” Charles told them. “We’re here to capture Sakima Lavoie, that's all.”
They were all silent until Kathleya suddenly spoke, “I do have a question though.” No one answered but they all knew that they were equally waiting for the lady's question. “Why the hell am I wearing a cocktail dress?” The irritation in her voice was pretty obvious.
Khrysgen laughed softly. “You’ll be entering the palace, sis. The dress code is a must.”
They heard a grunt from the annoyed lady. “Lucky you, you can just wear a black suit.”
“But I’m being toasted here, so I can't say that I’m really lucky.” Khrys laughed again. “What kind of weather is this? Doesn't go along with me. ”
Charles and Wynter were silent as they listened to their groupmates who were twins. They thought that even Light would just keep quiet but why did they even hope?
“As for me, no complaints here with my place and clothes. I have my own air-conditioned room, wearing sweatpants and a shirt, and of course, eating snacks.”
Sabay na lang silang napailing ni Wyn. His former bodyguard and now his right hand and tracker loves to piss people off. So they weren't surprised when the Darwin twins continued to complain and Light was completely pissing them off.
When the party started their group became silent. All lights went out except the spotlight focused on the party host, Sakima Lavoie’s main target.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for accepting our invitation for today’s event.” The old man continued to speak but both of their attentions were not on him.
“Two armed men, ten o’clock,” said Wyn.
Charles continued the search until it stopped at three people standing a few meters away from them. “I found Lavoie.”
“Done defusing three bombs,” Kathleya informed them. “Sh*t! Lots of civilians are near the fourth bomb.”
“Calm your nerves, Kath. What do you have me for?” Light uttered arrogantly then began to type fast.
“Now, for the main event, everyone please meet—” The host stopped speaking when people screamed and gasped.
A fire sprinkler went off, making the guests beneath it really wet. They heard Light's soft chuckle from the earpiece.
“Thanks, Lighthouse,” said Kathleya who seemed to have defused the fourth bomb as well.
“Aren’t I freaking awesome?” Light boasted. When he had finished laughing he spoke seriously, “Looks like Mr. Leader of the Terrorists here has finally found out that the bombs were deactivated by magic.”
Charles looked at Wynter. “I’ll handle Lavoie—”
“And give me his guards.” They nodded at the same time and were about to start working quietly when Sakima's men suddenly pulled out a gun.
Wynter quickly grabbed the silenced gun placed in her thigh holster and shot the hands of the men holding the gun. While she was at it, Charles made his way to Sakima and swiftly disarmed him.
He got busy with the leader of the terrorists and Wynter with the three men so they did not notice that there was another man who was ready to shoot Charles but Kathleya immediately disarmed the man.
As the guests rioted at a series of fire sprinklers that suddenly rained down because of Light, Kathleya, Wynter, and Charles quietly took the opponents out of the palace.
After numerous kicks and punches, Wynter and Kathleya were able to put the enemies to sleep. Charles, on the other hand, was now cuffing Lavoie.
“Equila, pick up these men outside the palace,” Wynter ordered.
“Si, senorita,” it was a voice of a man, who immediately disappeared on the other line. Just as a bus arrived, some people got off there and picked up Lavoie's men, including some who were shot by Khrysgen, who was also just opposite the palace.
“Mr. Leader here will come riding with us,” Charles informed Dian Equila’s men, who immediately listened and returned to the bus.
“And mission two is finally completed,” Light said while still clapping. Both Wynter and Charles just shook their heads and then entered the limousine with Lavoie and Kathleya.
EXHAUSTED AS hell, Charles dropped his body on his bed. His day was exhausting but he couldn’t make himself sleep. He sat up and reached for his folder. He read the last mission again and until now he could not believe it.
Charles was about to call his dad to finally ask for the reason behind the mission when his phone rang. Surprised by just seeing the caller’s name, he quickly tapped the answer button.
Charles cleared his throat before hiding the excitement he was feeling. “Mr. Cortez, do you need something?”
(Is formality a necessity?) He laughed softly and Charles smiled but immediately stopped himself.
“You’re my best friend’s brother. Other than Mr. Cortez, I have no idea how to address you,” he lied.
(How about calling me Gab?)
Charles was slightly taken aback. “O-Okay, Gab. D-Do you need anything? ”
It took a while for the person he was talking to answer. (Nothing really. I don’t know why but I just want to hear your voice. Anyways, I might be disturbing you so I’ll end the call now.)
Charles wanted to stop the young man but he thought it might be more dangerous so he said goodbye. “Is that so? Uhm… okay. Bye, Gab.”
(Bye.)
When the call went off, Charles put down his phone on the table next to his bed. And unlike a while ago, he was able to make himself sleep while grinning.
