Mateo's p.o.v
"What the hell do you mean he escaped, Sam?" I flared up, bellowing at Sam on the phone. How could you let that happen?"
Sorry boss. I assure you...," I interrupted Sam before he could even finish.
"His head is all I care about. Do it and get it done now!" I disconnected the phone and checked the time. "Why the hell isn't that bitch here already?"
I then checked my wristwatch. "She's got twenty-four hours left before the beast in me comes out roaring."
A knock came at my door in my other house, which was different from the main mansion I had been staying for a while now.
"What is it, Octavio?" I furrowed my brows as I opened the door, still infuriated at Sam's failed mission. "This better be a good one. I am pissed at the moment and if you don't have better news, it's best you save yourself from..."
"Boss, it's done," Octavio said, his unusually deep voice like thunder on a summer day. "We've got her mother."
My expression remained impassive, but a flicker of interest danced in my head and I commanded Octavio to come in. "Tell me more."
Octavio launched into the details, his words spilling out in a rapid- fire sequence. "We went to the apartment like you ordered, but we didn't find the girl. We found her mother instead."
I dipped my chin slightly and nodded. "Good work, Octavio. What's her mother's condition?"
Octavio shrugged, his massive shoulders rolling like boulders. "She's a little shaken up, but she's okay. We treated her nice, like you said. She's currently at one of your motels receiving a nice treat."
"Very good, Octavio," I tapped his shoulder. "Do one thing. Don't take her to the main mansion, the headquarters. Not yet at least. I'll let you know if you have to, but for now, I'll have to see her first."
Octavio nodded and was about leaving when I stopped him. "And what about the girl? Does she know yet?"
Octavio's face split into a cruel grin. "Oh! Yeah. We made sure she got the message. We left a note and some flowers to assure her, her mother is in safe hands."
I felt a hint of satisfaction all over as my expression turned glacial. "Excellent work Octavio. You've done the Morales proud and you shall be rewarded."
"Thanks, boss."
My gaze lingered on Octavio for a moment before I nodded dismissal.
"You're excused, Octavio. Keep an eye on her mother and make sure she doesn't suspect anything before my arrival."
"Don't worry, boss. That will surely be taken care of," Octavio reassured me with his determined expression.
After Octavio left, I arranged for my S.U.V and this time. I'm determined to go alone. I don't want to create a wrong impression and if I fully want my revenge, I have to be strategic about it.
I arrived at the motel and after commanding all of my guards to leave, I entered and on my way to where Jasmine's mother has been held captive. There, I found her seated on a couch in one of the rooms.
"Hello, Ma'am. I'm Mateo, Jasmine's... um, boyfriend," I said, stretching my hand for a shake.
She felt startled for a minute, but gained composure after.
"Oh, hi," she took my handshake." Her boyfriend?"
"Yes, Ma'am," I looked around and try to decipher her facial expression before speaking again. "I can understand your thoughts, Ma'am and I am really sorry about the whole situation. I just wanted to surprise you. I mean Jasmine has told me a lot about you and I just couldn't wait any minute longer to see you!
"Wow, I'm sorry. It's just that I have never seen my daughter with any man and neither has she ever told me she has a boyfriend or something," she said, her facial expression changing into a smile in a jiffy. "Nice to meet you, Mateo. I'm Barbara by the way"
"But why isn't she here yet?" she asked, wondering.
Oh! She'd soon be here. She has another surprise for you."
She nodded . "Well, I guess she wanted to make this a surprise for my upcoming birthday."
A mischievous smile formed on my lips. This should be interesting!
I adjusted my smile, making sure it was charming and endearing. "Happy birthday, Barbara!"
"Thank you, Mateo," she smiled. "It's actually tomorrow."
"Right," I nodded and laughed in all the right places, playing the role of the doting boyfriend.
I had received a message from an Intel after many attempts to reach Jasmine and her, failing to show up or reply me at least, trying to play too smart.
Jasmine's mother's location had been revealed to me and I knew I had to teach that "not so smart, girl" a lesson. A big lesson she'd never cease to forget.
Barbara had been seen on her way home from work by one of my Intel, who had been tracking Jasmine. In no time, I put a call through and ordered my goons to get and bring her to me, but not without leaving a message for her daughter.
"Oh, thank you, Rafaela." I thanked one of my maids at the motel after bringing in a jumbo meal that includes some chicken breast, strips cooked with peppers, tortillas, rice, beans, sour cream and wine, placing them on the table.
"They are for you, Ma'am," I said pointing to the meal Rafaela had just brought in.
She paused and looked at the meal for a minute and proceed to reach for her pocket.
"Oh my God, my phone!" she cried after searching the pocket of her gown. "I can't find it."
"Oh no, ma'am, How did it happen? Do you remember when last you saw it?"
"I don't know, I must have forgotten it at home or in the car or dropped it somewhere," she continued to pat herself, rummaging through her gown pockets. "I need to call Jasmine. She hasn't call me today and it's just so unusual."
"That's no problem, ma'am. You can use mine while we look for yours maybe in the car."
I gave her a phone and she hurried to dial Jasmine's number, but as she did, her face fell forlorn.
"Everything okay ma'am?" I asked Barbara.
"She's not picking up. Her number is switched off."
"Right," I snapped my finger, hitting my head as if trying to remember something. "She had actually told me her battery was almost down when we spoke about an hour or so ago."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, ma'am. And honestly, I don't think I can forgive myself for ruining the plan. She was actually planning to introduce me to you tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait to see you. I really love your daughter Madam Barbara," I held Madam Barbara's hands. "And... I honestly can't wait for tomorrow, for her to officially introduce me to you."
I left Barbara's room to the outside area of the motel.
"Listen Octavio, I want you to organize a birthday party and you will decorate the mansion and make it as filthy as possible. You and as many others as possible, make sure every room in the mansion is decorated. There should be no exceptions, not even my room," I purred, a sly tone creeping into my voice.
"But, boss...?" Octavio tried to speak, but I cut him off on the phone.
And of course, you don't have to worry about the cleanup. A maid is all it takes!