Bab 5: flamenco
✨Yuri✨
''Someone's in a good mood'' Kolya spoke from the kitchen as I closed the bedroom door behind me.
''Did you find Ricardo?'' I didn't comment on his mockery and poured myself a cup of coffee. It was four in the morning, I didn't get enough sleep last night because I was busy feasting my eyes on Angel's face.
She was the only girl I slept in the same bed that nothing happened more than kissing.
''Gregory and Diego's men are still searching for him'' my best friend narrated as he answered the crossword puzzle in today's newspaper. Kolya was like a kid sometimes, he had a bowl of cereal in front of him as he checked the net for answers in his puzzle in Spanish. ''Dyadya called. He wants you back in New York today.'' (Uncle)
''Did you tell him?'' I sighed when my friend nodded.
''Mariano Cruz called him and he asked for the details. I think you're busy ogling your playmate because you didn't have time to answer his calls'' Kola explained before I could even lecture him.
''We still have work to do in here'' I huffed. ''Did you get everything?''
He pointed to the shopping bags resting on the coffee table. Angel has too few clothes for herself so I asked Kolya to buy some for her. She doesn't even have a makeup kit except for the lip tint inside her bag. I've never met a girl who doesn't wear makeup these days.
''What about her background?''
''She's everything the record says'' he pushed a manila envelope to me ''I even called the company who hired her for this job in Seville and they confirmed it'' my friend narrated without giving me a second glance.
There was something about Angel that was intriguing to me. I saw it yesterday in her eyes, she wasn't scared about Ricardo and the way she hit him was too precise to put it in the self-defense category. Kolya looked for her since Vegas but only now that we have her full name did we only find something about her background.
There was something not right about the report Kolya handed me but maybe it was just because of the stress Ricardo gave me since yesterday.
''Did you call Ruiz?'' I asked again about getting into business before Angel woke up.
''The deal will take place in the port as we expected'' Kolya finally lifted his gaze from his puzzle. ''Ruiz will be handling the deal himself.''
''Good'' this deal should go smoothly. With Diego's help, we will have the complete shipment of guns just in time tonight. ''We need this to run smoothly.''
My best friend nods as I make breakfast for the sleeping beauty in my bed. Just like I expected, Angel woke up a few minutes before six a.m. she walked out of my room, still rubbing her eyes. She was still wearing her black denim shorts and a souvenir shirt from Seville.
Her hazel irises widened when she saw that I wasn't alone in the kitchen.
''Good morning'' she murmured sheepishly.
''Finally'' Kolya spoke before I could. ''I've been dying to meet you.''
Angel's face reddened ''same here.'' After their proper introduction, we ate breakfast and I noticed that Angel was awfully quiet.
''Everything alright?'' I asked when Kolya excused himself to answer a phone call.
''Yeah'' she smiled before sipping her coffee. ''I was just recalling yesterday's events.''
''He can't hurt you, I'll take care of him'' I assured her.
She only nodded but there was something else in those irises of hers.
''Yuri'' Kolya came back. ''We need to talk.'' His voice was calm but the urgency hidden in his words was clear.
''Excuse me for a moment'' I excused myself to Angel and went to Kolya's room. ''What?''
''Ricardo is dead'' Kolya murmured as soon as the door closed.
''That's good'' Angel was safe again. That man is dangerously close to hurting her yesterday.
''That's not it, he died from snake venom'' he showed me the photo of Ricardo's pale body. ''The report says that he was killed by a rare species of snake that can only be found in Asia.''
''So? What's the problem?'' I was starting to lose my patience in his rant out.
Kolya rolled his eyes ''we need to get out of Seville as soon as possible. This is an assassins M.O.''
''So what? If the assassins want to kill us he can do it whether we're here or in New York. Besides, no assassin would kill twice in the same place at the same period. It would only stir chaos on his part.''
My best friend sighs ''I guess you're right. This is the safest place for us at the moment I guess.''
I nod ''I'll head out with Angel, are you coming with us or what?''
''Take Ivan, I need to make sure Diego's coming tonight. Besides, I'm not good with babysitting'' Kolya scoffed. I knew he didn't want to get close to Angel, he was the first who took interest in her and he allowed me to have her – not that I already have – and I'm grateful for that.
When we walked out of Kolya's room, Angel wasn't in the kitchen anymore. I found her inside my room, sitting silently on the balcony while playing with her camera.
I placed both of my hands on her shoulder, she stiffened a little ''get changed. We'll have a stroll in the city.''
I knew girls take forever to get ready so I took my time and used Kolya's bathroom to have a shower. I would love to have a shower with Angel but I have to be careful to earn her trust. When I walked out, I was surprised to see her waiting for me in the living room.
''Ready?'' she asked, my eyes fist on her appearance. She wore the simplest of the clothes from the shopping bags. A white open loose top over black fitted sleeves shirt and gray denim shorts. She still used her sneakers even if we bought her a few shoes. ''Yuri.''
She called my name and that pulled me out of my reverie ''let's go?''
We walked out of the hotel while Ivan was tailing us somewhere. Ivan was good at shadowing, I rarely feel he was there. He only shows himself in times of need.
Angel took a few pictures of the scenery as we went along and I dragged her into a seafood restaurant by lunchtime.
''Don't you have a girlfriend back home?'' she asked when we finished our food.
I gave her a cunning grin ''why do you ask?''
She shrugged her shoulders ''nothing. Just curious.''
''I don't do relationships'' when those words came out of my mouth, her hazel eyes swirled with emotions that I can't read. I was good at reading people's actions and eyes but Angel isn't that easy to decipher.
''Figures'' she whispered. Silence embraced us, we were both lost in our thoughts as we finished the wine in our glasses. ''Let's walk outside.'' She invited me and I gladly took the offer just to kill this awkwardness between us.
She stiffened when I wrapped my arms around her shoulder but didn't protest.
''I need to go back to L.A. tomorrow'' she stated after a few moments.
''That's too soon'' I responded, pulling her closer to my side. ''Can't you extend your stay?''
''I can't'' she said softly.
I stopped walking. She was saying those words as if she's saying goodbye forever. ''When can I see you again?''
She was looking everywhere except on my face ''I also don't do relationships, Yuri.''
It wasn't nice when you're at the receiving end of those lines. She might say goodbye to me but I can always find her. I have all the resources and connections any human mind can possibly think about.
''Then let's enjoy the rest of your stay'' she looked up to me and beamed, her angelic face brightened. ''Let's start with this…'' before she could ask me, I lowered my head and claimed her lips for a searing kiss. She tasted so sweet and the wine we drank lingers on her lips. I'd never get tired of kissing her, and I'd never let her out of my sight again.
Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she gasped for air when I let her lips go. I pecked her lips once more before taking her hands in mine.
We walked and watched some of the street performers woo us with their skills. Some dance, some sang and some just played instruments showing us their expertise.
Angel dragged me to the old man who was playing his acoustic guitar and a little boy beside him tapped a Cajón. There are only a few people around them compared to the other performers but Angel seems to enjoy their show.
''Wait here'' Angel was gone before I could even object. She came back a few minutes later with a shopping bag in her hand. ''Want to see me dance?'' She gave me a million-dollar smile as she waited for my answer.
''Will you entertain me?'' I found myself indulging in her smile.
''Let's see. Hold this'' she strapped her camera in my body, removed her shoes, and took a flamenco skirt from the brown bag with matching flamenco shoes. She topped her shorts with the skirt and walked towards the old man and whispered something in his ears.
The old man beamed and so did the little boy beside him. They changed the beat of the music they're playing into a flamenco tune.
Angel tied her gray hair neatly before giving me a wicked smile. She tapped her foot, feeling the beat of the music and she slowly took the spotlight.
People cheered and whistled, mostly men when she held the skirt and started tapping her foot loudly, showing her toned legs for the crowd.
I was content with them gawking at her because her eyes were locked in mine. She took no notice of them and danced for me, helping the old man in return as the chapeau in front of us started to get filled with coins and bills.
She was graceful, perfect for my eyes and my mind was imaging different things I can do with that body of hers.
The crowd erupted in cheers when she bowed after the performance. She took the hat and handed it to the old man. She was given the smile and tears of that old man in return.
She was crowded by men on her way to me but she respectfully rejected them.
Angel was about to say something when we're standing toe-to-toe but I pulled her by her waist. Claimed her lips, marking her, showing these men that this girl was mine and no one can take what's mine.
''I'm guessing you enjoyed it?'' she said still breathless, her arms were still resting on my neck.
''Can you show me again later tonight?'' I watched as heat crawled on her cheeks that made me chuckle and kiss her again.
I've never had so much fun in a long time since Angel. Every minute I spent with her was worth it and memorable. Leaving her tonight was not easy but I had to. This is the reason why Dad sent me here, to complete the trade with Ruiz.
Gregory, Ivan, Kolya, Diego, and I are overseeing the area where the trade will take place. Diego's men are on standby in case something goes wrong.
The high-powered guns we are selling were brought carefully to the port a few days ago and the last batch that came today was being kept in Diego's warehouse.
Eleven o'clock and still no sign of Ruiz. We don't know how their transport would be. We waited for a few more minutes and a few motorboats roared from the waters.
''Yuri'' the Spanish old man spoke as soon as he set foot on the dock. His cold blue gaze settled on Diego ''ahh, young Cruz. How's your father?''
''I'm not here for a chit chat'' Diego spoke firmly. His family and Ruiz are mortal enemies since they both wanted to rule this country.
Ruiz chuckled evil ''let's get to business then.'' I gave the signal to Diego and he ordered his men to bring out the guns. Ruiz inspected each crate meticulously before showing us his uneven teeth in a smile. ''The documents?''
''The money,'' I spoke for the first time.
He chuckled again in amusement ''you got your father's wits boy.'' He signaled three of his men and walked to us with three briefcases in their hands, opening them to show us the money.
Gregory checked the money if tampered or fake or worst poisoned, when he was done, Kolya and Ivan took the other two cases. Kolya handed him the papers to Ruiz, those papers were a safety net in case they got held by the customs.
''Pleasure doing business with you'' Ruiz mocked.
''I can't say the same.'' I matched his sarcasm with half-truth in my words. We were about to part ways when we heard commotion on the earpiece. ''You slimy bastard!''
Ruiz just gave us a knowing smirk as he hopped in on his boat ''good luck, boy.'' Gunshots can be heard from all over the port.
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