Bab 6: CHAPTER V
"Be honest, how do I look?", Louella asked for about the fifth time.
"You look great Lou. Honestly, your showing of that scar nicely", Bella said grinning from ear to ear.
Louella took a deep breath. She wasn't ashamed to admit that this was probably her first date since her university days. She was one of those people who believed in waiting for the right guy and only going out with who she thought could be him. She had that feeling about Marco, and she wasn't going to sit around waiting for him, except of course he was smart and didn't need any pushing around to do what he thought was right.
Him asking her out was proof of that theory.
She wondered again where they were going, but he refused to spill. Smiling at her in a mysterious way he simply brushed of the question, not in the ways he used to brush her off- rudely, dismissively, objectively- yes, not like that. Now he brushed her off gently as if he wanted to tell her but also wanted her to find out for herself. It was sweet.
She had taken the only obvious solution and dressed casually. It was cold, so a simple dark blue turtle neck and a pair of light blue jeans with some trainers and a jacket for incase. Since they don't use phones in this mafia- security you know- her purse only had necessities.
Wow, she thought. She was in the Mafia.
Not long ago she was only here to help them get the stupid murderer and be on her merry way. But now, after she had fought battles with them, lived with them, that just didn't work for her. They had become something like family and besides they accepted her, hell one of them wanted to date her! She didn't think she'd be able to walk away after they caught the murderer. She was stuck here and she was damned happy about it. Now, who to tell? Ah, no time, it's almost time for her date.
He was nervous, too nervous for his liking. Why was he nervous? It's not like she was dangerous or anything. She was one of them! Till they caught the murder, he thought with a pang. Now is not the time for that. Now was time to think about his date.
And he was smiling all over again.
His plan for the day was simple, and he hoped she liked it. He would take her out of course, away from the den and the fortress but to somewhere remote where they wouldn't be disturbed. After the drive they would hit a movie or a restaurant whichever, and based on her choice they would either go to a restaurant or go to a park, his favorite park. All while talking, to each other, about each other.
And he was smiling all over again.
His outfit was also simple yet picked carefully by Jane. A bright red polo that clung to his biceps every time he raised his arm or swung it. And a pair of black jeans finished with some simple black boots. He wondered over and over what she would think of his outfit, what would she say, or would she just smile and say nothing? That wasn't likely.
Oh shit, it was almost time. He rushed out of his room and hurried across the hall- how convenient- to Louella's room. He knocked on her door and waited a moment.
Finally, she opened it and he couldn't not smile, because she looked… she was just… wow. Dressed in a dark blue turtle neck that complimented her long curls and beautiful face so nicely. He was going to swoon just by looking at her. Stop this nonsense, Marco. You're just taking her out to make up for your uselessness. If you swoon, what will he say? He held out his hand to her and smiled anew.
"You look stunning Louella", he said. Polite. Be polite, don't get feeling tangled up. Wait, what feelings?! Dang it.
He watched her blush slightly, her dusky skin taking on a red undertone, "I look okay. And you look great",
He wanted to say something about her denying his complement, but thought better of it. He only shook his head and moved along, taking her hand swiftly but gently and pulling her too. He had already decided he didn't want a scene so he was leading her towards the back door. Afterall there were some who didn't know these two were going out together… no not some. Just one. Jessi.
"I told you they were going out!", Bella's voice rang out.
She could be seen at the bottom of the stairs holding Jessi's hand and pointing up at the two, her eyes twinkling.
"How could you Marco!? After all that we shared", she nearly yelled.
Jane appeared then, saving Marco from saying anything, "We all know that the most Marco had for you was an intense disgust. Now stop disgracing yourself and get out of here", Jane snapped a look of annoyance on her face.
Everyone turned to her and Bella started laughing followed by Louella and finally Jane. Even Marco couldn't hold in a few laughs.
"Alright, she won't stay gone for long. You two should hurry up"
They thanked her once and sped off, Marco led her towards a new looking car. He knew she wouldn't recognize it. It wasn't among the ones they had taken for the mission. Nope, this was his special and personal car, only ever taken out for special occasions. Such as this.
"Wow… this car sure is beautiful", she mumbled as he opened the passenger seat door for her.
He grinned, "This is my car. It's a Volvo. Do you speak car and driver?", he asked as he took his seat.
She laughed. He was beginning to love that sound. "Ah, no. I don't, but I do know what a Volvo is. It's beautiful"
Somehow, he loved the fact that she appreciated his car. Making it more special. He grinned, today is going to be fun on a whole new level.
"Are you finally going to tell me where we are going?", she asked.
He sure liked to drive fast, once they got on the free-way his speedometer hadn't gone below eighty. Her window was wound down and the wind was wiping through her hair, probably tangling it in the process. She couldn't care less as she listened to him laugh.
"Yea, I guess you can know. I was just planning on taking you for a drive around, stop at a restaurant or a movie- which ever you prefer- and then probably go the park, or something", he said very quickly.
Oh, my goodness, he's nervous! That's so weird… in a cute way. Jeezuz what am I saying?
"A movie would be cool, and then we could go to the restaurant after, then the park!", she suggested and watched him smile and nod.
"So, can I get to know you?", he asked slowly
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
"How old are you?"
"Twenty- six"
"Your birthday is?"
"Oh, March first"
"Favorite color?"
"Blue"
"Food?"
"I don't have one"
"Your family?"
"I'm an only child, just me and my mom"
"Your mom?"
She laughed now and looked out of the window," She claims she doesn't know where my dad is. But I think she just doesn't want to tell me. One of these days, I'll confront her."
"Well, it's just me and Bella, and our adoptive father. I never thought to ask if he was married", Marco said.
Oh, right. The stuff with his mom.
"So what movie are we going to watch?", she asked
"Ah… its horror actually. Can you manage it?", he asked slyly
"Of course, I can… to an extent anyways", then she thought to ask, "What movie is it?"
He smirked, "Inside of the Outside: the hunt is real"
She shuddered, "Even the name sounds whack. Jeez, I'll watch it."
He laughed, "I knew you would say that. The movie starts in an hour think you can hold out till then?", he asked still smirking.
She held up her head, "Of course I can. Just you wait, you're the one who will be running out of the theater"
"Is that a bet?"
"Sure, as hell it is"
"What do I get if and when I win?"
"That's your call. If and when I win however, you owe Bella a girl's night. No guys allowed, period"
"Hm, okay. When I win, you're going to be sorry", he mumbled
"I doubt it. Get ready Marco, you'll owe me and Bella a girl's night", she said laughing
He laughed too and that was the end of that conversation. Not long after they pulled up at the theater and Marco took her to get buckets of popcorn. It was so sweet of him, but she blushed like a beetroot when he asked her if she was okay with sharing. She said yes of course. But jeez, way to boggle her senses Marco.
The ad for the movie looked as scary as the ding dang movie its self. She couldn't even properly describe what it was she saw on the cover or on the flyer she was given, but damn was it scary. What possessed her to make this bet again? Of right. Stupid rush of adrenalin.
"You sure you want to watch this?", he asked grinning slightly
"So, you can win the bet. I'm going to watch it alright, count on it", she said. He laughed.
When the movie was about to start and their popcorn was purchased and drinks ready, Marco put his arm around her shoulders and stirred her into the showing room. It was enough to drive her senses berserk again.
"Where do you want to seat?", he asked her
"At the very top!", she said letting the excitement pour into her voice
He nodded, smiling, "Sure"
It turns out they were the only ones who choose to seat there. Hell, only about six other groups where in the large room. Just as they got to their seats and settled down the lights began to dim. And Marco whispered close to her ear.
"If I win… you owe me… a kiss"
Damned stupid adrenalin. Why had he said that? He wouldn't be able to see it through, would he? He didn't know what to do. I mean, he wanted to. Badly but he wasn't sure why, and he didn't know if she wanted to kiss him either. She hadn't said anything, was that because the movie had begun? Probably not, if she wanted to say something she would have, wouldn't she? Gawd damnit. He wasn't even watching the ding dang movie.
He couldn't help himself, when she squealed during a particularly scary part, he slung his arm around her shoulder. He expected her to pull away, but when she rested her head on his shoulder and sighed slightly, he felt on top the world. He was actually pissed when the movie ended.
She sat up and smiled, her eyes tight, "That movie truly was something, huh?"
He smiled too, "Um, yea. I guess it was a tie huh?", he whispered
She nodded, "I guess we should each give the other what they want now"
He nearly fell back into his seat, "You- you want to?", he stammered staring at her. Her head was bowed but he knew she was blushing, she had to be, his own face was heating up.
"It was your idea", she mumbled
His brain was going in overtime. He was both thankful and annoyed when his phone rang, distracting both of them. She looked up suddenly and their eyes met. She blushed and looked away.
"You should answer that"
"What… oh, yea. Um, I'll be back"
He left quickly, going into the men's room and glancing at the caller ID. It was Poppy. He cursed before answering.
"What is it, Poppy?"
"Its, Louella. She isn't who she says she is"
That was a blow. A liar? No, that couldn't be right. Something was amiss.
"Explain. Now"
"Okay, so the files you gave me to decrypt? One of them was a picture, so I started with that and it's a picture of her. I checked the details, and its from a few weeks ago. At the bottom of the photo is written- 'To mom, from Ella'. Its too much of a coincidence."
She waited for him to say something but he didn't so she went on, "Then I went on to decrypt the documents that came with it. One of them was a birth certificate, Louella's. Another was an invoice stating payment of fees, the name of the person who paid was called David Rossi"
"And?"
Poppy was sniffing now, "Oh Marco. I'm sorry, I know how much you like her."
"Who is he too her?", he asked, no feeling in his voice.
"It's her father"
If that wasn't a sign from Gawd, what the hell was? But hadn't she said she was going to confront her mother? About her father? She had sounded honest, and even if she was lying and she knew who her dad was, she definitely didn't know he was the murderer. That he was sure of. But if she didn't know, why lie?
"Marco? There where also divorce files. His name and a woman's name, Margret Jade. I don't know if that is her mother, but you need to find out everything from her! Absolutely everything, she might be the traitor a spy a- "
He heard muffled shouting on the other end of the phone and then heard his sisters voice, "If you believe any of this crap then you're an idiot. Lou isn't a liar. Sure, there is something wrong somewhere but she doesn't know anything"
"Bella, I don't know what to do"
"Go talk to Dad you, big idiot! That's the obvious thing to do"
"He- he might ask me to kill her"
There was a silence on the other end then Bella's voice rang out clearly.
"She- she isn't guilty, he won't… he won't. I don't have any other friend my age. He, can't. She's innocent" and then the line went dead.
He walked out of the men's room in a daze. What the fuck am I supposed to do now? I can feel it, feel it in my heart that she is being honest. Or is that just because I like her?
No. I have to treat this like any other situation. Get the truth out of her, or as much information as is possible. That's right, just like any other situation.
He went back to his date and fixed a smile on his face.
"Sorry, it took so long. They wanted to know what we were doing", he said lightly taking her hand as casually as he could manage.
Of course, she noticed something was wrong. Jeez, he leaves in the middle of a heated discussion and comes back as if nothing happened. She had every reason to believe that that call had been about something else. If it wasn't why hadn't he come back sooner and given her the phone or something, yup. Something was off. And what was with the sudden interest in her family?
"Wait so you mean to say, you've never met your dad?", he asked sounding like he was faking interest.
She smiled, "Yes. My parents where already divorced by the time I was conscious enough to realize"
"And what's your mother's name?"
"Margret. I don't know mt fathers name"
"Margret… what was her maiden name?", he asked not looking at her. He hadn't looked at her since they left the theater.
"Jade. She gave me my dads name. Rossi"
"I know your last name Louella", he snapped
She backed away a little. Before her temper snapped, "What is wrong with you?! You came out of there literally a changed person"
"There's nothing. I have some where urgent to be before we eat.", h said and walked on ahead of her.
He was back to cold Marco. She didn't speak again.
He felt like a first-class bastard.
Why on earth was he being so short tempered? He knew, and he knew that he knew. He was freaking scared. Scared, that his father would give him orders to kill her. He felt like she was innocent and Bella obviously believed that. She knew something was wrong as well, her snapping back at him earlier was proof enough of that. But right now, the car was silent. And he hated it. But what could he do? It was all his fault. They arrived at his father's office.
It was a huge building, and like the fortress, it was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles of nothing. But while the fortress was white, this was black with no windows at all. No light flooded from inside, yet it was near evening. He opened her door and waited for her to absorb the shock of the building, before taking her hand in his and leading her inside.
"Halt
He sighed and turned to see his father's men, "I have to speak to Mr. Rodriguez"
"Oh, Alpha. You may go. She stays"
He looked down at Louella for a moment, her head was bowed and her hand was shacking slightly in his, "No. She goes with me"
They nodded once. They couldn't disobey his orders; they couldn't disobey hers for that matter either. The Alpha, all the way down to Kappa, ranked directly below the boss. They were bound by death to obey. Or be sent to their makers.
He walked briskly, not giving her a chance to ever fully catch up with him. Finally, he stopped in front of a pair of double brass doors. He pushed them open with one powerful thrust.
"Father"
"Sniper, what seems to be the problem?"
He released her hand, knowing she won't follow him and approached his father's desk. The man looked up as he approached.
His eyes were the first thing to be noticed, there where a piercing blue. Bright and deadly. In those eyes you could almost see the faces of every person- man, woman, child- that he had killed over his years. Every other part of his body dulled in comparison.
"Its… her"
"Ah, is that our newest Kappa? Come child", he said raising his voice so she could hear. She looked up once and hurried over.
"What's your name dear?"
"Louella, Louella Rossi"
"Ah, Rossi. Your father was a wonderful man. Till he decided to offend me"
"My…?"
"Yes child. Your father. Wonderful with his sword, suits him too"
Louella's eyes were wide and Marco felt like an idiot. Of course, his father knew. He knew everything, and Marco felt like a fool. He had ruined his date with a nice girl all because he was not sure she was being honest. He was truly a fool
"So", she turned to Marco and he winced, "Instead of asking me flat out you decided to believe I was a liar and lash out on me"
He couldn't answer, so she turned back to the boss, "Your son is an idiot"
Only Marco could see the mirth in his father's eyes, "Oh yes, I know he is. And what are you going to do about that?"
"I'm going to cut him down to size. Again", her eyes where murderous. Only now could he see how much she resembled the murderer.
"I like that plan. You understand we are going to have to kill your father"
She nodded, surprising both men, "Yes. I know"
"You should really keep this one Marco. She shows promise."
They both recognized his tone of voice. He had dismissed them. They both turned around and began to walk away, but he called Marco back.
"Yes"
"What did I tell you when I took you in?",
"You told me I wouldn't get many nice words out of you"
"Good, I said Many, not none", he clarified, "Now I'm telling you this- don't let that one go"
She was livid. Especially when they got back to the den and realized the only ones who had believed in her innocence where Bella and Carl.
"Y- you all thought I was guilty", she mumbled as they surrounded her, Marco had disappeared. Good bloody riddance.
"I'm truly sorry, Lou. We were looking at the facts!", Jane said, she had tears in her eyes.
"Jane is right, we were prepared to take and execute orders", Jonny said.
"So, in other words, you were ready to kill me"
"Yes, little boyfriend stealer", that comment was from Jessi.
Enough of this rubbish. Louella took one long look at her and delivered a wonderful blow to her made-up face.
"You need to learn to shut up", she snarled and stomped away, no one stopped her and no one said a word.
"You're an idiot", Bella said
Marco was seated by the pool, his head in his hands. He hadn't even been able to tell her how sorry he was, she hadn't spoken a word on the way home and he had been too ashamed to break the silence.
"I've heard that a few times"
"You should be properly ashamed of yourself. Some nice girl come along to help us catch her own father! She could have pulled out when she learned it was her father, but she stuck it through"
He kept silent. His eyes were burning.
"You owe her a mega apology"
He nodded, "I need your help, Bella. I can't screw up again. She's too important"
Bella looked at him sadly, "I'll help. But get your act together. I'm going to comfort my friend"
And she walked away from him, heading towards the house.
How had he managed to screw up so badly?
His associate was right. It was a good time to go away.
As the Moonlight Murderer got home from his two-week hiding place and saw the blood all around his house, he was thankful. But now he knew he was never going to be even the least bit of safe again.
Why?
Simple, they knew. And his own flesh and blood had joined the mafia. And he didn't know because he was that good, but because of the message they had left- in some one's blood- on his walls.
WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE
WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH
AND WE WILL KILL YOU WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone