Chapter-36

The plane lands smoothly on the runway and the staff gets to work making arrangements for our deport. I look outside through the window and see a convoy present for our felicitation. My eyes shift around and I see more men dressed in casual but the stiffness in their body posture and their continuous moving eyes analysing every corner gave away their facade.

They are trained men which he has employed to keep everything under check.

Fucking rookies.

Can't even do one job properly. I stand up buttoning up my blazer, I tell angleo.

"Let's begin the shit show."

He stands up and starts walking behind me.

I make my way past the plane and swiftly move down the stairs putting my foot finally in Russia. A smirk adorns my face as now it's payback time. This fucker had me stressing out during the last Mafia ball. Now I'll show him how you push people to the edge. The payback will bring sweet coolness.

I look in front at his men standing and waiting to welcome us. I make my way towards them. As I reach them, the man leading them puts his hand out for handshake.

I cast my eyes down on his hands and then back at him. Releasing a huge sigh, I mutter

"I don't remember Xavier looking like this."

The man visibly shrinks after hearing my words. His hand still hung in the air.

It is essential for the capo to be present to recieve all the mafisio capo. This fucker couldn't even follow through the first step.

"Do you angleo?"

"No capo."

Angleo keeps his answer crisp and now he comes in front alongside me. He puts out his hand and follows the curtsy of shaking hands.

"The master was a bit preoccupied so he couldn't reach here to recieve you all."

"Well the meetings have just begun. Hope your master gets unoccupied otherwise it'll be difficult for him to even make it up to the ball."

I say openly giving out the threat. I see some of his men cower in fear while some men clench their jaws.

Too bad they can't lay even a finger on me or my men.

They look straight ahead knowing that they can't mess with me otherwise their position as a host will be in jeopardy.

While they all shrunk under the weight of my words, my men seem quite delighted by their predicament. They hold their chins up with smug faces, looking straight in their eyes telling them it's the time they pay what they started.

"Let's go boys."

I say to my men but is halted by a voice.

"Not so soon Mr Accardo. Afterall as a good host I should be the one fecilitating you."

I turn to my left and see that son of a bitch's face. He walks forward followed by a group of man. Moving swiftly he comes face to face.

Extending his hand forward he says.

Now that the host his here he will handle all your grievances.

I just look down at his extended hand, then clicking my tongue in exhaustion I utter.

"See Mr Ivanov, I don't know about you Russians but we are very particular about timings. Punctuality is followed back in Italy."

His eyes darkens and he clenches his jaw. That's the look I like in his ugly face.

Finally relishing in my jibe, I extend my hand forward. Giving a cordial handshake to him.

His expression shifts and a pleasent smile graces his face as he says.

"Don't worry Mr Accardo we will not give you any more chances of complain. You will enjoy the ball. Trust me."

"I hope I do otherwise I am man known to destroy the places that donot tend to my taste."

"And I am a man known for his surprises. This party will surprise you and surpass your expectations. You will enjoy plenty."

There is a sick smile on this bastard face like he has something over me and it is not sitting right with me.

With a sour expression I say

"See you soon, Mr Ivanov."

"See you soon, mr Accardo."

He replies back.

................................

"Angleo undress him and pass me his uniform. "

I say pointing at the unconscious man lying on the floor.

Poor fellow just came to deliver food and probably got caught in my plan.

He looks at me like he wants to punch me for making him do all this petty work. Still sighing he gets onto work.

As he is done, I take the clothes and go to the bathroom immediately changing into the waiter's attire.

I come back and pull the food trolley along with me. I take a folder lying on the desk near by, lift the cloth of the trolley and slide the file in.

"But capo atleast tell me where are you going. We are in Russia, enemy's territory. Mafia ball is being held tomorrow night. Today we have to attend the meetings. It's been just a day since we came and we don't have men out there to protect you. You should.....

"Angleo I'll be back by night. I have attended all the meetings that required my presence. And Mafia ball is tomorrow night not today. So don't worry. You go on and attend rest of the meetings on my behalf. And you out of all should know that I don't need protection. This is just fine."

I say and take a knife putting it in my sleeve.

"But where are you going?"

He asks stressed out.

"Just some important work."

I turn back and reply with a cheeky smile.

I move the trolley as I make my way out of hotel room. Keeping my head a bit down to escape the cameras, I quickly move towards the kitchen along with the other waiters.

I enter the kitchen and see the utter chaos unfolding. The pile of utensils, chefs yelling, all types of aromas mixed in the air.

Sneakily I push the trolley with the others. Taking the folder along with me while I move swiftly between the crazy russain chefs yelling on each other.

Reaching the back exit, I clock the handle down and move out.

I hastily walk away from the hotel. My hand removing the waiter's bow and keeping it in my pocket. I secure the folder inside my coat.

Can't look like a waiter outside.

I move through the small alley, finally reaching the busy moscow roads.

My eyes moves from the busy roads to the big hoardings having different brands advertising in Russian.

A feeling of thrill rushes in my whole body as I feel fully alive.

"I am in baby."

I say and quickly walk across the road.

........................

The sun is slowly setting. The skyline looks like it has been painted orange. I quickly walk up the small meadow.

It has been few hours since I was out.

Seeing the house on top of meadow was my only motivation. I am very close now.

The man swiftly follows me as I move up the meadow. I am aware about his presence for quite some time now but still decided to act unaware.

I hear his paced footsteps as I reach closer and closer to the house and

suddenly I feel him positing the barrel of a gun against the back of my head making me halt.

"что ты здесь делаешь"

(what are you doing here?)

The person says something in Russian.

"I don't understand russain."

I reply back.

"What are you doing here? This place is off limits."

He says

"I am here to meet Dmitri."

"How do you know about him?

And why do want to meet him?"

He asks

"I think that I'll tell him when I see him."

I reply.

"Don't try to be smart and answer the question."

"See that's where you went wrong. I really don't like being disrespected."

I say and in a swift movement turn around.

Twisting his hand, the gun drops on the ground as he yelps. I kick his leg and he falls on his knees.

I shake my arm and in a smooth glide a knife reaches my hand.

The gun is lying on the floor and so is the man with a knife on his neck.

"Now tell me where this Dimitri lives otherwise."

I push the knife deep to his neck a drop of blood flows out.

"Well if you want to meet him, you have to leave him alive first."

He says with his hands up in the air showing that he surrenders.

I immediately takes the knife off of his neck and move away from him. But still being cautious I bend down and take the gun in my hand, pointing it in his direction.

"Atleast tell me what you want from me before killing me?"

He asks

"Well nothing much just find where this girl is?"

I say putting the gun down and taking out the folder.

I hold the folder out for him.

He takes the folder and opens it.

"Can you do it or not?"

I question

"I am a detective. This is my job, Mr Accardo."

He says smugly.

"Oh so you finally recognised."

I mutter smiling.

"Of course, your hand tattoo."

He says pointing at my hand.

"You made sure to let the whole world know what you are upto and as a detective information is what keeps me in the game."

He says smiling.

I chuckle looking at my tattoo.

"Sometimes you need the world to know who is handling it."

"Now geeting back to work. I want to know a year track record of her by tomorrow night."

"Oh how kind of you to spare me this much time."

He mocks

"Well be glad I am sparing your life."

I say clicking the Gun and the magazine falls out.

Taking it my hand I throw the gun back to him.

"Now get your ass back to work Dimitri. I am a punctual man."

I say and start moving down the hill.

"But how will I send you the information."

"It's all in the floder."

I say and keep moving

................................

"Will you even tell me where you went?"

Angelo asks for the umpteen time.

I fix my tie and tell him

"Angleo, we are leaving for the ball. Stop yapping and focus on it."

"Stop yapping. You were gone yesterday for so many hours and came back today in the morning. You know how to dangerous it is. And you are just casually dressing up for ball."

"Angleo I came back right. And I told you I had some work. Now let me get ready for the ball."

I say and move past him to take my watch lying on the table.

Taking the watch I put it on my wrist

"Honestly you stress me out capo. Your nonchalance is going to blow off my brain someday."

"I think you need to take a chill pill angleo. Everything is fine. Start meditating it'll help you."

I say while fixing my blazer.

"I also think I need to meditate or take drugs."

He says pressing his temples.

"Now stop stressing and let's go after all we are punctual."

I say and we both move out of hotel room to reach the ball.

Outside my room I see my men waiting for my arrival.

As I enter some walk in front of me while other behind following the protocol.

We all move out of the hotel and sit in our limousine.

Whole way angleo was budging me about me disappearing for a whole day.

I just explained to him and he again got worked up. Honestly I am tired of him. So instead of listening to him about what a capo should do, I look out of the car.

I take out my phone to see the notification I was waiting for so impatiently. But there is no sign of dimtri sending anything.

The deadline is today's night and he has still not send anything.

In a few minutes we reach the ball destination. I immediately get off the limousine. Angelo soon also gets off.

I look at the entrance of the grand hall in front of me. On the entrance stands Xavier with his men greeting all the incoming guests.

"Let's get over with this stupid ball."

I say and move towards the entrance.

"Welcome Mr Accardo."

Xavier utters

"Finally on time Mr Ivanov. I see you take my advice."

I reply cheekily.

"Of course, I do. I told you we will be punctual. I am a man of my words.

You will be blown off by today's ball."

"Well that the time will tell. Mr Ivanov."

I tell him

"It sure will, Mr Accardo."

He replies back.

We both share a handshake and I move in. Seeing the big chandeliers, food court, bar and agreements over my every table. The ball is filled with Mafia men, following them are all the stressed lawyers reading every clause of various agreements making sure to not sign any false agreement.

"Strange, no guns or artillery here. Mostly mafia's display their power in such balls."

"This Xavier is always a step ahead. He must have something going on."

I say and grab a wine glass.

I take out my phone and look to see if dimtri send any information. He should have by now. It's almost time. Was he not able to find anything about her.

If he is not able to do it. Then who?

He was my last hope.

"There you are Lorenzo."

I turn to see my dear friend and American mafisio capo Aiden.

He comes and takes me in a hug.

"Long time no see man."

I reply back.

"You know how the things work in this side of world. But you tell you have been keeping your side of economy strong while we all are crumbling."

He says

"Nah man you know how it is. We also....

I am interrupted by the sound of Xavier

saying

"Ladies nad gentlemen, may I have your attention. I know we all are going through tough times. With the govt. Agencies pushing at us and dismantling many of our ports. We are undergoing a state of huge trouble. Therefore this Mafia ball was pushed an year earlier. But these three days have been really helpful. We all devised new methods to tackle this situation."

"So it's a toast to us The Mafisio."

"To the mafisio."

All the men say in unison raising their glasses.

My phone's buzzes and I take it out.

Dimtri's messages.

I hurriedly open it to read.

Finally I'll know where she is? What she is doing? Whether she is fine or not?

"On this special occasion I want to introduce you all to my wife."

I hear Xavier say in the background and the men holler hearing him.

But paying him no mind. I open the pdf Dmitri send.

Kuhu Oberoi with a picture of her.

Current location: Russia

Occupation: Doctor at Central hospital

Spouse: Xavier Ivanov

Children: One, nikaloi Ivanov

My blood freezes as the read the information and my heart comes to a stop. Chills are going through my body.

That is when xavier says

"Meet my wife, Kuhu Ivanov."

He brings out kuhu. Standing alongside with him in a beautiful gown. Her hair open and eyes a bit worried looking at the audience.

The room bursts into cheers as everyone congratulates them. Standing over the podium with lights focusing on them.

While I stand down watching my angel stand there with another man. My heart is still and I can't hear anything anymore. I feel something twisting in my stomach. I feel like puking as a peircing pain strikes me.

I feel those shitty things coming into my eyes. What are they called?

Tears

Yes those fucking tears.

I see her eyes scaning the crowd. She looks uncomfortable being watched over by so many people. And as she is scaning the crowd her eyes land to me.

They stills.

Her brown eyes gazing deep into mine. For a moment I feel everything else disappearing.

At this moment I am complete.

It's just me and her.

My eyes and her eyes.

My yearing and her yearing.

My agony and her agony.

Her eyes soften as they gaze deep into mine. I want to grab her and hide her in my arms.

I just want to hug her man. Just to feel her body. Just want to smell her sweet fragnance.

I want to immerse in her completely and fully.

So much so that I am freed of my existence.

Till all that I am is her.

Xavier says something in her ear breaking our moment.

She looks at him and then back at me. Her breath picks up and eyes turn teary. She stumbles back. I move forward as if I'll protect her from the fall.

But it's not me.

It's that fucker Xavier. He grabs her by her waist stabilising her.

His hands around kuhu's waist, my kuhu's waist. That's all I am able to focus on.

A feeling of wanting to wreck everything apart fills me in. My blood is boiling. I want to tear his hands apart for even touching what's mine.

Kuhu belongs to me and I'll make sure of it.

...................

This is the longest chapter I have written.

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Stay safe and stay blessed.