Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Chapter 45:
Explosive Chemistry ‘He is alive.
He is alive.
The words kept ringing in Carlos’ head while they settled in another room following Hugo’s interrogation. His chest was congested, and he could barely breathe at the possibility. Yet, he also thought back to his uncle Ethan’s words. At least Kate’s parents saw his father’s remains, and Ethan considered it was his father resting inside a coffin. Looking at his head of security, he whispered, “What if I have my father’s body exhumed?” “That’s up to you, sir. At least, it would clear up your suspicion, but Hugo could also be lying.” Lemuel suggested. “It’s a lengthy process, considering what is left of your father’s corpse by now, and it may cause emotional trauma, disturbing your father’s resting place. However, DNA tests can still be on bones.” Detective Bernard responded. He then promised him they would look into it further. “We have already tracked down the attorney who notarized the document. Maybe we can get information from him.” “I don’t know if I can wait. I can’t rest easy knowing the probability that my father may still be alive? So I want answers. I want the DNA test done,” Carlos replied. “If Hugo is lying, then it’s just money and time wasted, but if that’s not my father buried next to my mother, then 1 should stop at nothing to find him, dead or alive.” Looking at detective Bernard, Carlos asked, “Can you help me with this?” “Of course, I will course it through officer Baker in New York,” detective Bernard acknowledged. “We’ll need your signed approval for the procedure.”
They were about to leave when they heard a knock on the door. Officer Laurent, the French police officer in charge of Carlos and Alexander’s safety, walked in, saying, “I’m feeling sick. I’ve been going in and out of the toilet for thirty minutes. I think the water here made me sick.”
“Detective Martin offered to cover for me until I feel better. He happens to be here,” said officer Laurant.
A hiss left detective Bernard’s lips, and he replied, “Very well.” Carlos left prison with all four of his bodyguards, two still from New York police, and a new French Police named Jules Martin.
***
That evening, Carlos and Alexander had a celebration party to attend, arranged by the French Open organizers. Amongst the attendees, Alexander and Carlos stood out the most, and this was because of the amount of security that followed them around. Carlos had four, while Alexander had two.
Throughout the event, Lemuel stood behind Carlos while the others were spread across the Wand ballroom of the Hotel Peninsula. One was oni standby inside an SUV.
Carlos al Alexander were seated with Erik Berg, his girlfriend, two other players, and their
favorite umpire. There were two seats left vacant at their table, and just as Carlos was in deep thought, still thinking about his father, he saw Hannah Dil from the corner of his eye. “Hi, Carlos. Is this seat taken?” Hannah asked. Her eyes gleamed, and her lips thinned into a smile.
“Yes.” Pointing to his bodyguard, Carlos replied, “Lemuel needs to sit once in a while too.”
“But ”
“Savannah? There you are? You asked me to save a seat for you?” Carlos called, seeing how Savannah walked in just in time.
“She asked you? But we just walked in together!” Hannah protested. Carlos saw the protest in Savannah’s face, but he insisted, saying, “Come on, Savannah, I have kept this seat for you for half an hour. Besides, Alex has something to tell you!” Turning to his friend, Alexander gave him a death glare. Carlos just shrugged. He turned to Hannah and said, “There is an empty table at the end, Hannah. You can sit there.”
Ultimately, Hannah left bitterly, and Savannah approached their group. Carlos immediately got up and offered the chair next to Alexander.
Savannah cast an angry look at Carlos, saying, “Really? I just saved you from sitting next to Hannah, and you are throwing me to sit next to him?” “He has something to tell you,” Carlos maintained. “And thank you for helping me.” “I don’t have anything to say to you,” Alexander said to Savannah. “Well.” While taking her seat, Savannah narrowed her eyes at Alexander, saying, “It’s typical of you not to say anything when it matters, right? You are good at that.”
Carlos did not miss how Alexander clenched his jaws, turning red at Savannah’s words, and then a staring contest happened between the two, not the pleasant kind.
“You two look like you have a lover’s quarrel,” Erik remarked from across the table.
“They do. And they do this very often,” Carlos suggested.
“We are not lovers. I would rather die than be with Alex,” Savannah remarked, her face forming a sneer. “I highly doubt that,” Alexander slipped, making everyone around the table look at them. “Woah! Woah! Is there something going on between the two of you?” Carlos teased.
“No!” Both Alexander and Savannah said at the same time, their eyes throwing daggers at The Devil.
“I think the two of you have good chemistry,” Erik’s girlfriend remarked.
“What?” A protest escaped Alexander’s lips. “The only chemistry we have is the kind that explodes into a bomb!” Remarked Savannah, leaving the entire table laughing at her remark.
“Nice!” Carlos said, chuckling, “An explosive chemistry.”
The heat was on between Savannah and Alexander. For minutes, while listening to speeches
from the tennis association leaders, they were both at it, arguing while sometimes just glaring at each other. Alexander kept sending Carlos mental messages with his eyes, but The Devil ignored him.
After savoring dinner and entertainment, the event was near to its conclusion. It was always a practice for Lemuel to take Carlos out before everyone else. It was easier to manage, especially with a few fans turning up in surprise.
“Are you heading out?” Savannah asked. “Can I go with you guys? I’m tired. Can you drop me at my hotel?”
“You realize going with Carlos means going with me, right?” Alexander pointed out. Savannah glowered at Alexander, saying, “This has nothing to do with me hating you. I just want to get out of here. You are too conceited. You aren’t even that good-looking.” “Stop,” Carlos warned. “Enough arguing for tonight. Let’s go.”
After excusing from everyone, including the tennis organizers, their party left with Lemuel and two of Alexander’s bodyguards. At the door, Lemuel met officer Jules Martin. He said, “I can’t find Fred and Ray.”
A frown easily formed on Lemuel’s face when he tried to contact his colleagues. Speaking through the earpiece, he checked on them. “Rey? Fred?”
There was no response.
Lemuel was about to direct everyone to the hotel lobby when Jules suggested, “The lobby is packed with fans. Let’s just go directly to the parking lot. Maybe the two are there. Drake should be there, ready with the car?” “Yes, I just spoke to him. He is there,” Lemuel confirmed.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
They all made their way to the lift, with Savannah still tagging along. While at the elevator, Carlos kept glaring at Alexander. His eyes suggested for Alexander to finally talk to Savannah about the past.
It was at the parking lot when Alexander ultimately found the courage to say, “I’ll take you to your hotel, Savannah. You can ride with me. Carlos and I ride in different vehicles.”
“Over my dead body!” Savannah retorted.
“Don’t be stubborn,” Alexander said, grabbing her by the arm and guiding her to the parking area across the lift. They were all a few meters away from their vehicles when, out of nowhere, a black car sped in their direction and skidded to a stop, attempting to hit Lemuel. Lemuel leaped onto the pavement, saving himself from the impact, but what happened next was not what Carlos expected.
Jules Martin had his hand up with a gun pointing at Carlos. He commanded, referring to the black car. “Get in, Carlos Ronaldo! And we will leave your friends behind!”
“You are all we need!”
BANG! “Aaaah!” Savannah screamed.