Chapter 57
FRIDAY came, and Maria woke up early to prepare for her first day at Charmant Delicacies as a waitress. It’s been four days since Connor brought her to the restaurant to be interviewed by his twin sister, and after they agreed that Maria will submit her requirements after her hearing, Claire told her to start on coming Friday.
At first, Maria thought that Claire would insist on getting all her requirements before starting her job. Because if she did, Maria would be in another trouble again. She doesn’t have any authentic documents that will prove her identity. Wendy got her a fake birth certificate and other clearances before, and she won’t risk submitting them to Connor’s sister. She’s sure that she’ll find it out soon that those were fake and she might fire her right away.
“I won’t let it happen now,” she said as she checked her reflection in the mirror wearing her uniform. Though she’s wearing black stockings, her skirt is a bit shorter for her long legs.
“Mommy, are you going to work now?” Sara asked her, eyes were still half-opened. She yawned as she sat up in bed.
“Yes, baby.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Aunt Wendy will be here with you while Mommy is at work, okay?”
Sara nodded. “Is Uncle Euclid will be here too? I haven’t seen him lately.”
Maria caressed her daughter’s hair. “Uncle Euclid needs to get his job done at their office, but Uncle Fred will be here to play with you.”
Sara pouted her lips. “I don’t like him.”
“Why?” Maria asked with a knotted forehead.
“He’s so talkative and noisy,” Sara said and sighed. “I wish Uncle Euclid will come over soon.”
She smiled. “I’m sure he will—”
“Maria,” Wendy peeked on the door. “Agent Fred is here. He said he has something to tell you.”
“Okay,” she said and glanced at her daughter. “Wendy, can you stay here with Sara while I talk to Agent Fred?”
Wendy’s brows furrowed, but she stepped inside the room and went to bed with Sara without asking questions. Maria knew that Wendy wanted to ask many questions but chose not to because she knew that it was what good for her and the people around them.
“Good morning,” Fred greeted him with his usual chirp tone. “I’ve got some bad news for you, Magdalene.”
“I told you not to call me in that name while we’re here,” Maria countered. “And, don’t tell me that you didn’t bring what I need?”
Fred smirked. “You know, I’m starting to like your bravery, woman.” He walked towards the dinner table and placed a small black duffel bag. “Euclid doesn’t like the idea of you carrying a gun.”
“I told you not to tell him—”
“And, do you think there’s no way that he could find out about it?” he smirked. “It seems that you forget that Euclid is our Agent in Charge, he might be a dumbass sometimes but he’s smart on figuring things out quickly.”
Maria shook her head. “So what now? What you’ve got for me?”
Fred opened the bag and took out a tiny Beretta pistol. “Euclid said that this gun would fit on the side of your legs unnoticed.”
Maria knotted her forehead. “I thought he disapproved my request?”
“I never said that he disapproved, I said that he doesn’t like the idea,” Fred said as he assembled the gun on its holster. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”
Maria hesitated to answer. “I don’t have plans on pulling the trigger, I just wanted to feel secure.”
“Terrible things are often inevitable, you’ve got to be prepared to face it.”
Maria swallowed hard. “I’m prepared to face them.”
*
Euclid waited in the restaurant corner for Maria to serve the meal of the old lady behind his table. When he found out through the CCTV that Maria demanded a gun to Fred, Euclid’s suspicions rose that she’ll be meeting with somebody to her first day at work. That’s why instead of prohibiting her, he chose a unique pistol that suits her personality.
Even though Maria wasn’t open to him about her plans, Euclid has his own ways to know it without fighting with her. But, he still felt worried about her. If it was Mr. Fortuno that she’s meeting with, he’ll undoubtedly bring his men with him and won’t leave without Maria.
“Here’s your order, sir. One antipasto salad and a cocktail coffee.” The pretty waitress put his orders on the table and politely leave.
Euclid watched the woman walk away. He wondered if Maria was surprised when Fred told her that he chose a gun that she can hide between her legs under that skirt.
“Status?” Euclid whispered on his collar.
“Affirmative,” Agent Stone replied. “She looked a little bothered.”
Euclid looked at his watch. It’s past six p.m, and the night is about to fall. “Keep an eye on her—” He paused when his eyes caught the man entering the restaurant. “We have a guest.”
*
Maria clutched on the ends of her skirt. Her legs are sweating under her dress even the whole restaurant is air-conditioned. She heaved a sigh and calmed herself. But, the cold metal pressed against her skin doesn’t do any help.
“Maria, are you going off now?” the head waitress asked her when she saw her standing in front of their Bundy clock.
Maria nodded. “Y-Yeah…”
“Okay. Make sure to return your card at the holder before you leave,” she said and went back to the counter. But a few moments after, she called her name. “Before you time out, can you serve this order to table number 18? All our waitresses are busy serving.”
“Sure.” She took the tray on the kitchen counter and walked towards the dining area. She glanced at the receipt number and looked around the sea of tables. “Table number eighteen—” She froze at her feet when she saw who is the man sitting at the table. “What is he doing here?”
*
FROM one corner on the street, Euclid watched Maria walk out of the restaurant with haste. She clutched to her bag and looked sideways as if anticipating for somebody to approach her.
Euclid was about to get out from where he was hiding when he saw Chief Alvarez appear from a light post a few meters away from Maria and waved his hand at her. When Maria started walking towards him, Euclid began to feel that this night would be far different from what he was expecting.
He followed them as they turned around the corner and slipped to an abandoned alley with a dead end behind the Paragon Hotel. Euclid hid behind the pile of logs when they stopped, and Maria started talking.
“I wasn’t expecting that you’d come here,” Maria said in a neutral tone. Her hands kept on the bag, hung on her shoulders.
“They told me to meet you here, Casey,” Chief Alvarez said. “Or, should I say, Maria?”
Maria laughed. “D’you think it matters now?”
The chief took a step forward. “Give me what I need now.”
But Maria stepped back and shook her head. “Not so fast, Chief. I want to confirm something first,” she said and looked straight in the man’s eyes. “Did you kill PO1 Chris because you found out that he’s communicating with me and he knew that you have transactions with the Decagon?”
The chief laughed. “Is it important?”
“It is,” Maria said. “And, you’re also the reason why my friend Anne was killed in Cebu by the Decagon’s men. You pitched them about her plans on escaping and starting a new life.” Maria’s voice cracked, and tears started to fall from her eyes. “He trusted you, but you betrayed her!”
Euclid clenched his jaw. So Chief Alvarez was the reason why they failed on that mission. But, how did he know about their investigation?
“She’s a tramp, a useless whore that sold her soul to demons. She even did what I told her to do, right?” Chief Alvarez laughed. “She’s stupid, just like you. And useless tramps like you should be killed—”
Maria aimed the gun at the chief. “You know what? I think the same way against you.”
The chief looked surprised. He was about to raise his hand but changed his mind. “You can’t pull that trigger—”
“She can.” Euclid stepped out from his corner and aimed his gun at Maria. “She planned for this.”
***
