TRAPPED: Hideo Colombo Book 1

3RD PERSON POV

“Boss, Mr. Latorre is already here.”

A man wearing a black polo shirt said as he approached his boss. His big boss was sitting in front of a large table, playing blackjack, while he was accompanied by four older men.

The man in his thirties looked up for a moment. His body posture is good, and he has a beard on his face. He was wearing a black long-sleeve polo shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. As he leaned back in his chair, he had a large cigarette between his fingers. A few moments, he looked up the stairs and saw the old man coming down there. After a while, he turned to look at his bodyguard and nodded to give him a signal.

The man turned his attention to the four old men and the dealer that was on the other side of the table. Later, he also glanced at the card in front of him. He lifted it slightly and peered, then he suddenly smiled foolishly and finally took the card and threw it in the middle of the table.

“I’ve never really won this game when you’re my opponent, Mr. Colombo,” said an old man. He shook his head, but there was a smile on his face. He also took his card and threw it in the middle.

“I’m just great at this game, Mr. Hernandez.”

“Next time, let us win, Hideo,” said the old man and laughed a little. Like his other opponents, he has also lost several times in that game when Hideo was the opponent.

“I’ll think about it, Matías,” said Hideo. He smiled foolishly again and signaled one of his bodyguards to come to him.

When his bodyguard got close to the table, he immediately collected the poker that he had won.

Hideo stood in his place. “Well, gentlemen… this game is over. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

The four old men nodded before Hideo turned and walked away from the table.

“Mr. Latorre was still in the VIP room, boss,” said Hideo’s bodyguard.

He didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he just continued walking until he got out of the casino and headed to the parking lot.

***

Bernard was shocked when he entered his car and suddenly a lighter lit up next to him. His eyes widened as he turned his gaze to the seat next to him. Even though it was dark, and he couldn’t see the man in the fedora hat properly, the old man knew who it was.

“H-Hideo.” He stammered the man’s name and backed away slightly in his seat. He even swallowed.

“Long time no see, Bernard!” said Hideo. After a while, he smoked the tobacco and released thick smoke into the air.

The old man coughed as he inhaled the smoke. Since the entire car was closed, the smoke of the tobacco that Hideo was smoking accumulated inside.

“Hideo-”

“Hideo! Hideo! I heard you say my name twice, Bernard. Don’t you have anything else to say to me?” the man asked, while his eyes were still focused on the front of the car.

A few seconds of silence prevailed inside that vehicle. Later, it was Hideo who turned to the frightened old man.Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“Looks like you’re hiding from me.”

Bernard shook his head quickly and pressed himself on the side of the door when he saw the strange anger in Hideo’s eyes.

“N-No. Of course not!” Bernard stammered again.

“Didn’t we talk about my money?” Hideo said emphatically, as his gaze on the old man was sharp. “It’s been over a week, Bernard. You did not keep your word. And you know that’s what I hate the most.”

The old man swallowed again. Because of the extreme fear he felt at that moment, he didn’t know how to open his mouth to answer Hideo’s words.

Hideo Colombo was known as a tycoon throughout Europe. He has many big businesses, not only in Italy but also abroad. There are reports he is also the leader of a group that sells or imports illegal products into Italy, but this has not been confirmed. Hideo is also feared by other big companies. Because regardless of who opposes him, no one can defeat him. And Bernard’s only mistake now is why he borrowed a large sum of money from Hideo just to save his sinking business. And now Hideo is charging his debt. He had no money to give. Bernard feels too much fear in those moments. What if, like other entrepreneurs who borrowed a large sum of money from Hideo, after they failed to pay, they vanished and were never seen again? What if the same thing happened to him?

“Please, Hideo… just… just give me another time. I’m working on a way to get money to pay you.”

“Really?” asked Hideo sarcastically.

“Just give me another chance, I promise-”

His sudden laughter caused the old man to stop speaking. “How many times have I heard those promises from people like you who don’t know how to keep their words, Bernard?” he shook his head, then pulled out the gun stuck at his side.

Suddenly, Bernard’s eyes widened, and his heart was filled with nervousness and fear. When he felt a tightness in his chest, he suddenly held on to it, and he struggled to breathe.

Hideo just smiled. He stroked the shiny gun as he stared seriously at the struggling old man.

“I told you, Bernard, if you don’t pay your debt, your life is in return.”

Bernard’s chest became tighter, making it harder for him to breathe. Until he slowly leaned against the side of the door.

Hideo slightly blew the muzzle of the gun he was holding, then he looked at Bernard again. The old man was unconscious. After a while, he let out a deep breath and brought the tobacco to his mouth. He blew thick smoke into the air again, then opened the door next to him and got out of Bernard’s car.

“Let’s go.” He told his men and got into the black BMW that was next to Bernard’s car.