MARCELO

I knew they would try to follow so I purposely chose the car which had no tracker in it unlike our other cars then I drove fast and took sharp turns until I lost them and reached my personal and secret garage, I switched to another car before driving to the address that motherfucker sent me.

He hurt Orla, made her cry and forced her to kiss him and who knows what else he made her do. Just that thought made me drive even faster as I skipped all the red lights not giving a fuck.

Half an hour later, I entered an isolated area where only a couple of houses could be seen, it was rather a posh area as I parked my car in front of a mansion.

Loading my gun, I stepped out and walked towards the front door which surprisingly was open and entering inside I was surprised further to see that it was rather a home than some headquarter or something.

I walked further inside cautious of my surroundings, especially how dim the lightings were as if to give a dramatic effect.

I heard some footsteps behind me and I swirled around and pointed my gun straight at whoever it was.

I heard a feminine gasp before I could see that woman clearly, her eyes wide open and she raised her hands in surrender. "I have no idea what the hell is going on but I have been asked to direct you to the living room by my boss."

I lowered my gun but kept it pointed towards her. "Have you seen my girlfriend here?"

"I think so. Even she tried to attack me earlier before asking for my help."

"Take me to her." I gestured with my gun for her to walk in front of me.

She gulped and started to walk and I followed behind her and a couple of seconds later, she paused in front of a door and gestured for me to go inside before walking away from there hastily.

I carefully pushed open the door again met by dim lighting but in the centre of the room was a spotlight, under which sat Orla tied to a chair and gagged. Her eyes met mine and relief and horror both went through them as a tear rolled down her eye.

My first instinct was to run to her immediately and pull her in my arms but I sensed the presence of someone else in the room. Someone who was standing behind her in the shadows.

I could make out the outline of his figure and I raised my gun, ready to shoot first and ask questions later but he chose that exact moment to step into the light and my movements faltered.

It's been fifteen years but I could never forget that lock of fiery red hair and those piercing grey eyes that have been haunting my nightmares ever since.

My grip on my gun loosened and it fell down with a loud thud. "J-Julian?" My voice shook with emotions.

A smile curved his lips, a smile full of evil. "Hello, Marcelo. Miss me?"

Orla's eyes jumped between us as if she couldn't believe it herself.

Then all of a sudden everything clicked. RX. That name could only stand for Rafael Xavier. His father's name. Why the fuck did I not think of it before?

"You were alive all this time?" My voice came out hoarse, not able to believe anything.

He clicked his tongue as he rounded Orla's chair. "Unfortunately for you, your father's bullet missed my heart by an inch and one of his men was kind enough to take me to the hospital when he found me breathing. I spent months in a coma and when I woke up, there was only one purpose in my mind and that was to destroy you."

"You broke your promise that day as you failed to save me or my father." He added further with venom dripping from his tone.

"I tried my best, Julian. I wanted to save you but couldn't but you could have at least come back to me once you were out of the coma, we could have--"

"I don't wanna listen to all that shit." He gritted his teeth. "I spent fifteen years building this organisation, planning my revenge and it starts with you dying followed by your empire crumpling."

This was not my best friend. The Julian I knew was sweet and kind. This man was simply driven by his need for vengeance.

He killed my men and he hurt Orla.

My eyes collided with hers and I gave her an assuring look.

Before I could reach for my gun, he pounced at me causing us to tumble back onto the floor as he punched my jaw.

I pulled out my dagger and tried to hurt him but fuck, he was stronger. He dodged my attack and delivered another punch.

This time I slammed my dagger into his arm making him groan and I rolled us over and punched his nose hard enough to break it.

He pulled out the dagger from his arm and tried to attack me with it, slicing through my shirt but I pulled back at the last moment.

It continued for quite some time until the dagger slipped from his hand and fell a few inches away from us and we both tried to reach for it, kicking and punching each other in the process.

We were both bleeding as we reached for it, my fingers brushing its handle and I finally managed to grab it and without thinking twice, I slammed it down in his heart.

His eyes were half-closed as he stared at me, a hysterical laugh escaping him which ended with a choked sob. "W-we...we-re...best fr-iends..."

I gritted my teeth, trying to control my emotions, and my bottom lip wobbled. "I missed you every day, Julian. Every day I wished you were here with me, wishing you were alive."

I reached for my gun and with trembling fingers pressed the barrel to his forehead. "I could have overlooked everything, each and everything, we could have started over..." I cocked the gun, my finger hovering over the trigger. "But you hurt Orla, made her cry, forced her and for me, she is above everything." With that, I pulled the trigger.

I didn't feel anything as his eyes fell close, his body going limp and him dying for real.

With shaky legs, I made my way to Orla whose cheeks were streaked with tears and I quickly removed the gag from her mouth and untied her and pulled her in my arms.

"I am so sorry." She sobbed.

I stroked her hair. "Everything is going to be okay now, my little spitfire. You are safe."

She leaned back and cried softly, "He tried to...rape me. I thought you might spare him knowing he was your best friend--"

"Shh..." I cradled her face in my palms. "Don't question my priorities, Orla. Everything comes after you. I could have never chosen him over you, especially after what he did. My only regret is not torturing him more."

Crying, she touched her lips to mine, her tears making the kiss salty. I tightened my hold around her, she was here now, she was safe.

When we pulled back, I kissed her forehead, ready to take her home but her eyes widened and she froze as she looked at something over my shoulder, a whisper escaping her, "No."

I was too late to react as I felt a sharp pain shoot through my neck as something pricked me and then everything turned black.

Chapter completion on: 17/3/23
Published on: 18/3/23

The drama has just started.