CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
(The Plaza)
"Mike, how's the investigation going?"
Aquilina sat at a secluded area of the Meir Plaza in her DBX with the door open.
Looking out the window, the horizon showed the fair pastel colours of sunset. It was a calm and serene atmosphere. Yet, her nerves were far from calm.
She drew her attention back to the call as Mike, her brother, began to speak.
"The assassins are giving us no information, Aqui. Whoever trained them did very well," he sighed.
Even from the tone of his voice, Aqui could detect that her brother was distressed.
"I see..." she responded with her voice trailing off.
"Ma Kore?(What's up?)" Mike asked, sensing she had something in mind.
"Would you mind if I come over to help? I also need to investigate something."
"Aren't you busy these days taking over from Sal?"
"Oh, don't worry. For this, I have time." Aqui reached over and pressed the button which lit up the Video Screen in her car.
"Alright, achoti(my sister), I'll see you soon."
After Mike had hung up, Aqui forwarded the video she had recorded. She often kept a hidden recorder on her.
She saw the footage of her entry into the QRS Building of the Plaza, the meeting she had just had, and finally, there it was.
A clear image of the woman she had met whilst exiting.
She examined every one of her features, taking out a pen to note some details.
It's time to find out who she is.
Previous Day:
"I'll try to move in by tomorrow," Javier said as Aqui escorted him to the front door.
He was done touring her place and had informed her that he was going to stay with her.
She had been a bit withdrawn after her earlier phone call. Yet, she gave him a slight smile.
Probably things are improving already, Javier exulted in his heart opening the door.
"Then, I will text you the codes."
"Vale, querida(Alright, dear)."
"Would you want me to prepare you anything?" Aqui inquired shyly, not quite meeting his eyes.
He looked at her with his intense violet eyes for a long moment without answering. She finally raised her head to meet his gaze after noticing his silent stare.
"What is it—?"
But she was cut short when he engulfed her in a tight, warm embrace. It had been so unexpected causing her to gasp.
Eyes wide and mouth agape, she stood still for a moment. His arms were wrapped tightly around her.
And before she knew it, she was embracing him back.
"I will love anything you prepare, angelito mío(my little angel)," his voice came as a silent whisper—his lips close to her ears.
He then drew back and smiled before stepping out the door.
What just happened?
Aqui wondered when the door shut firmly behind him, making a beep echo through the building.
She had been caught off-guard by Javier's actions. Aqui shook her head and forced herself not to dwell on it for long.
Her mind finally wandered back to the phone call she had received moments prior.
~~~
"Hello?" She had responded walking away from Javier in her room — well, their room.
She didn't hear any sound or reply except the silent breathing of someone as she neared the balcony.
Quickly checking the screen, she found the caller was 'Unknown'.
That was strange because she had an excellent background checker on her phone—due to the WACO.
"Who is this?" She queried, a slight frown on her face as she leaned against the railing.
The person on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment before exhaling loudly and finally replying.
"Sono io(It is I)."
Aqui felt her body grow tense with her heartbeat rapidly increasing — that had become her natural response to that person.
"Tarquin," her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Aquilina," his deep voice didn't sound as chilly as it had been during their last encounter.
"Wh-Why are you calling me?" She broke into a cold sweat.
"We need to talk."
His answer was straightforward and his voice emotionless, nonetheless.
Aqui massaged her temples in frustration.
What could this be about?
"Meet me at the Meir Plaza by 3 PM tomorrow. At the QRS building. Piero will be there to lead you to me."
He did not give her a chance to respond before ending the call.
What now?
—————
When Javier entered Aqui's house, or rather, their home the next day, he wasn't surprised to find the place empty.
His aides were going to arrive in no time with his belongings. Yet, he couldn't deny that he still felt the void and the disappointment.
Aqui had sent him a text with the codes. And explained that she had had to leave. But would return soon.
Oh well, what can I do about it? He reasoned with himself as he began to tour the place.
(What the kitchen and dining area looks like—without the food, of course)
As he tried to find out where he will place what, he noticed something on the dining table. Or rather, several things — dishes, to be exact.
He walked towards it and found a note which read,
I didn't know which you would prefer. Please, do help yourself.
Aquilina
The sight of that caused a warmth to permeate his heart and a smile to stretch across his face.
She does care... in her own way.
——-
When the sun had risen the next day, Aqui knew she had to meet with Tarquin.
After much deliberation, she decided to call and ask her assistant, or rather, Sal's assistant to cancel every appointment for the day.
She knew Javier was going to move in that day.
Moving fast, she prepared several dishes she hoped he will like and placed them in food warmers on the table before leaving.
Aqui then left him a note and texted him the codes. She had hoped to be around when he arrived. But, that was not going to happen. He was to also arrive around the same time she left.
On arriving at the Plaza, Aqui breathed a silent prayer before heading out to the QRS building.
Millions of questions flooded her mind as she was ushered to the meeting place by Piero, a close aide to Tarquin.
She had met the man before. A slender-looking fellow who looked fairly harmless. Yet, she knew looks could be deceiving so she stayed on the alert.
When she finally arrived at the private room, Tarquin himself ushered her to a table and offered her a seat.
The table was lavish and the setting extravagant. She was amused to find dishes she enjoyed thereon. Pita bread, tahini, and other Mediterranean dishes as well.
So, he remembers, she thought to herself.
Yet, that didn't alleviate her concerns. Especially, with the question he started with.
"Why did you hide everything from me?"
—————-
Hi wonderful fam!
I'm so sorry for the long wait. I hope you're all doing well.
Kindly let me know, what did you think of this chapter? What are your thoughts on Tarquin? I must confess, I love his character.
And, how is life treating you all? Things haven't been very easy for me. But God keeps me going.
Much Love,
Phela ❤️❤️❤️