CHAPTER 15

Pablo

-.... Sir?

Me (coming back to me): ...uh, sorry, I...

By the time I turned my gaze once, twice, she had disappeared.

Me: I...I'm looking for Ms. Adriana Dos Santos. She gave me an appointment here and I....

-Pablo, come, I'm here.

It was Adriana calling me. I try to recover my spirits and go to meet her.

I stammered my thanks to the receptionist who looked at me intensely.

I can't really explain what has just happened.

I did not hallucinate. I did see Patricia, this girl who has intrigued me since her brother's birthday party. She gives off something I can't describe, something that inevitably holds my attention.

What exactly is this girl holding? And as usual, she didn't give me a single glance. While even in traffic, beautiful young women were giving me suggestive looks including this receptionist who was almost licking her lips. Without that, I would have doubted my existence.

I follow Adriana's steps to meet her.

She is in the waiting room of the hospital.

Adriana (looking at me): do you always dress like this when you want to go out?

I look down and look around to see what she is referring to.

Me: Uh, I don't really know what you're talking about, lady!

She lets out a sigh of resignation and gestures to sweep the air in front of her.

Adriana: Never mind! Can you serve as my driver for an indefinite period of time?

Me: Yes, of course.... But, the mission...

She cuts me off.

Adriana: The mission, we're going to discuss it and fine tune it. This is one of the most challenging missions we've ever had to do, which is why you and I will be spending a lot more time together. Also at home....

I wasn't listening to him anymore. I began to wonder if Anthony was right about the incongruous thoughts he was having.

The idea of having such a relationship with my mother revolts me.

Adriana: ..... I hope you understood me correctly.

Pablo: Yes, yes, I understand, Madam.

Adriana: Alright! Take me home.

As soon as she says that, she uncrosses her legs and picks up her things.

She leaves the waiting room and I follow her. Like a bodyguard.

Once in the central hall of the company, I catch myself looking for something with my eyes. I didn't realize it until Adriana herself pointed it out to me.

Adriana (holding her glasses): Did you lose something?

Me: Uh, no, no.

She doesn't look convinced but nods and keeps walking.

Once outside, a crowd of paparazzi is throwing themselves at us, or rather I should say her. I throw myself in front of her and cover her as best I can. We hardly manage to enter the vehicle.

Once the door is closed, I also settle on the driver's side.

Sitting, I turn to her who is behind.

Me: Sorry, ma'am, I didn't know there were any.

Adriana: It's not your fault, I didn't know myself. Bravo for your reactivity.

I just smile for any answer.

The voice in the GPS tells us which paths to take.

-Turn left!

-Turn at the traffic circle!

We have been driving for about ten minutes and we have just arrived.

-Turn right!

The view before me is indescribable. I don't have the words. It's like being in an imaginary book. But who lives in such houses!?

Adriana must have noticed the surprised expression on my face.

Adriana: This is my house, we've arrived.

I just keep driving and pull into this long driveway.

The guards of the house rush to open the big white doors of the house.

I keep driving down the driveway in front of us. There is a gigantic bloom. I wonder how much it must cost to maintain it.

This woman spends a lot. I knew it from the way she dresses, the luxury cars she drives, but I have before me palpable proof.

I don't know exactly how many kilometers this house is, but I think it's incalculable.

We finally arrive. There is an impressive parking lot of cars. All more beautiful than the others. A lot of new models. Versions that are certainly not yet released.

The lights are more than sparkling.

I get out and open the door and she gets out. Her stilettos echo on the floor to the rhythm of her supermodel walk.

I am standing against the car.

She turns around with a questioning look.

Adriana: What? You're not just going to stand there. (She waves her hand) Come on!

I follow her without really knowing what I'm going to do inside.

The center door is open, it's a miracle my mouth wasn't wide open.

This house is indescribable. All the rooms are overly large. When we talk about folie de grandeur, well! Adriana's name should be associated with it.

Adriana: I'm going to my room for a moment and I'll be right back, we'll talk in the office. You can ask for something to be served. The kitchen is in the back, first door on your right.

Me: Understood, Madam!

Adriana: Good!

She turns around and walks up the stairs.

Me in my costume, I look lost. I look like a five year old in an amusement park. I was in total awe. And if I hadn't seen it, I would never have imagined that anyone would live in this kind of house.

A maid came to me and asked me if I wanted to take something.

Me: No, thanks. I'm fine.

She turns around and I sit down in the main living room of the house. This house contains more than six living rooms. I'm a little headstrong because I have nothing to do. I pick up a magazine and start flipping through it.

A few more minutes pass while I wonder when exactly Adriana will come downstairs.

-Hey, who are you?

The voice at my back startles me. I turn around without knowing who I'm dealing with and I come across a young man in his twenties who scrutinizes me with his piercing eyes.

Felix

I just woke up and was going down to the kitchen to get a juice when I came across an intruder in the living room. I asked him who he was but he seemed to be mute.

Me: I asked who you are. Mom's new boyfriend right?

I have my hands crossed over my chest and am looking at this specimen. He looks like one of those models advertising sports products.

-Uh, I....

And then I hear my mom's voice behind my back.

Mom: Felix dear, it's an employee at work. We need to talk about an assignment.

Me: Ahhh, I see. But all he had to do was say so. I started by getting a bunch of ideas.

I relax and walk over to him.

I hold out my hand to him.

Me: Hey buddy, Felix and you?

-Pablo, nice to meet you.

He holds the hand I'm holding out to him

Me: Nice to meet you too.

Adriana: Yeah, it's okay. I have to talk business with him.

I give him a kiss on the forehead.

Me: See you later, mom.

I leave them in the living room and head out into the garden where I listen to some music.

Adriana

Pablo and I went to one of the offices in the house to discuss strategies.

I explain to him a little bit about how things are going to work.

The strategy is for him to go undercover as an informant. To infiltrate as a policeman would have been very complex and he might get caught quickly.

As an informant, he will be in direct contact with the police station and the information they have on us. He will also be able to destroy the evidence they have on us. They are a few steps away from tracing it back to us. And I will not allow for anything in the world that my image is destroyed, that the Mafia of Monte Carlo disappears and that I go to jail.

I didn't go through all this to have it all come crashing down like a house of cards.

I continue by explaining to him how things are going to happen and the various precautions to be taken.

Me: Can I be on first-name terms with you of course?

Pablo: Yes, of course.

Me: There you go, you have to put all your seriousness into this mission because not only are you gambling your future but also that of the whole mafia. If you get caught...it's dead.

Pablo: I understand, Madam.

I can see a huge determination and courage in his eyes.

Pablo: When does the mission start?

I push back in my seat and sigh.

Me: Tomorrow, it starts tomorrow.

For all answer, he flashes a mute smile.

Catarina

It is already nine o'clock in the evening and I am just eager to go home with my daughter.

In the doctor's office, I expose all my arguments so that he accepts that I go out with her, like a lawyer defending his client tooth and nail.

The doctor tries to dissuade me but in front of the mother that I am, who is crying intensely, he has no other choice than to give in.

Especially since Yolanda is much better.

The doctor sighs and gives in.

-It's okay, but if there's the slightest problem, come back to the hospital urgently. And don't leave her alone.

Me: Yes, I understand. Thank you, Doctor. Thank you, Doctor!

I get up and run to the room where my daughter is hospitalized to tell her we can go home.

She is with Patricia who keeps her company. We are all very happy. I have always hated hospitals and I had only one desire: to leave the place.

The nurses helped us to arrange her few things and the many flowers she received.

Meanwhile, I see the doctor chatting enthusiastically with Patricia.

I even hear him asking her when they will meet again.

It makes me happy for Patricia, who is never seen with a man, but at the same time I feel sorry for the poor doctor who is struggling for nothing. Because Patricia has the strength to ignore all the men who are interested in her.

Once out of the hospital, Yolanda and I say goodbye.

Me: Honey, I'm so sorry. You're going to apologize to your mom. But I know she won't take it the wrong way. She is a mother and she has been my friend for many years now.

Patricia gives me a hug and chats with her friend for a bit before we leave.

My driver drives Yolanda and me home while Patricia starts her own car to go to her house too.

Pablo

It's been a while since Adriana and I left the office for the main lounge.

She decides to go to the kitchen to ask for dinner to be served.

Meanwhile, I am immersed in the pile of documents she gave me to study from top to bottom all the clues I have to take into account for the proper conduct of the mission.

I hear the central door open and close. It must surely be Felix, this little messy one who is coming out.

I dive back into my documents and a few seconds later, I feel someone watching me.

I raise my head and there I fall on her again..... Patricia.