Chapter 99: Don’t Die

"Isn’t this a bit much for one evening?" I asked, in confusion.

"One evening? Oh no, Miss Malissa. The gala is held on a cruise and will last for three days and three nights," Auntie quickly corrected me.

"What?" I exclaimed before turning to stare at Hayden accusingly.

Why…didn’t he tell me these things?

"I guess Master Hayden…forgot to tell you about this…" Auntie mumbled. I couldn’t believe how she was still coming up with excuses to protect Hayden.

How can he possibly forget to tell me something as important as this? Instead of just an evening event, I will be stuck on a cruise with him for three days and there nights…along with many other mafia bosses and members…

What is happening to my life again?

"You have to come along anyways. What’s the point of knowing and panicking?" Hayden said flatly before shrugging like he couldn’t care less.

"You could have at least told me…" I said in exasperation.

"Let’s go. Your complaints will give me a needless headache…" Hayden said, implying that it was my fault.

Unlike other days when Hayden and I travelled alone, today, there were many gang members accompanying us in their cars. We travelled in what was like a small parade of cars. Thankfully, I still rode alone with Hayden in his car. Hayden had refused to have anyone else drive for him and that helped me calm down about everything that was going on, somewhat.

I didn’t know any of the gang members that came along with us, apart from Luka. It was a long drive, but we finally arrived at the port where we would board the cruise ship for the three-day gala event. When we got to the port, I could already see the massive ship that was going to be used for the event. It was so big that no one could miss seeing it.

"Be careful and don’t die," Hayden whispered close to my ear as he stood at my side.

We watched as the gang members loaded our various baggage onto the cruise. I turned to face Hayden, shocked at his words. Please tell me that he’s just joking around with me.

"Huh?" I said, completely taken aback by his words.

"They’ll just throw you off deck and feed you to the sharks," Hayden said followed by a loud laugh.

I just couldn’t tell whether he was serious or if he was just joking.

"You’re joking, right?" I asked for confirmation.

"No. People go missing every year at the gala. So, always stay close to me," Hayden replied emotionlessly but his hand tightened briefly around mine, making me realize that there must be at least some truth behind his warning.

We boarded the cruise together and was immediately led to our rooms along with our entourage. Luka seemed very alert and was constantly by our side. The Torex gang had an entire floor of rooms to themselves, and I suspect that other gangs had similar arrangements. Security was tight for the cruise itself and so was the Torex’s own security measures.

I didn’t want to realize this, but everyone was heavily armed.

Suddenly, this whole gala seemed more like going to a three-day war instead of a celebration or gathering. Everyone was on edge and very alert to any sense of danger. However, everyone seemed used to it besides me, obviously.

I recalled Hayden’s words of warning again as the reality of what was happening seemed to sink in. Perhaps, there is no where that is safe on this entire ship. I pray that I make it through this whole ordeal. Furthermore, I prayed that no one from our gang goes ’missing’ on this cruise.

"Rest up. You seem so on edge and there’s no need to be," Hayden said to me when we were alone in our room.

If that’s supposed to comfort me, I wasn’t sure if it was working. As we are speaking there are around five men standing guard, fully armed, in front of our door. How am I supposed to be at ease like this?

Hayden, on the other hand, seemed completely relaxed as he lazed around on the red leather sofa that was in the room. Our room was like a suite of rooms. It had a bathroom, a working room, a sitting and dining room, and a bedroom. One bedroom.

I guess apart from being careful of the dangers outside, I also had to deal with the monster next to me as well…

"I’ll try…" I mumbled my response.

"Don’t worry. You should be safe enough. There’s a truce amongst the gangs regarding the safety of women and children. Kidnapping women for ransom like in the movies shouldn’t happen. That being said, stick to my side…always," Hayden said firmly.

"Ok…" I said as I nodded.

I was quite scared and ironically, being close to Hayden made me feel safe. Even if he didn’t want me by his side, I’ll stick by his side like glue for sure.

…n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The day was uneventful with the gang members and Hayden having their meeting in the meeting room that was on the same floor as our room. As ordered by Hayden, I stuck by his side and sat next to him through the whole meeting. The meeting was more like a debrief, where Luka explained and went over the details and roles for all members once again.

It wasn’t long until we had to prepare for the first night of the gala. Officially, the first night of the gala was known as the ’Grand Opening Welcome’. As the name implies, it is the first evening event of the gala.

"Nothing happens much on the first night. We just meet, greet and network with people. That’s it," Hayden explained briefly.

"I see…" I said in a whisper.

"In reality, it’s just like testing the waters for the more serious conversations that will take place on the second and third day. It’s also the perfect opportunity for representative from each gang to lobby the other representatives to support whatever they may want to propose in the meetings on the following days," Hayden explained like it as the most boring thing in the world.

--To be continued…