Section 18. 7:40 pm.
6 Phanda Ave.
Adriana walked down the street pavement, headed to her apartment. The streetlights spilled across the town like liquid gold; it illuminated the sidewalks that was crowded with people—most of them clocked off from work. She scrolled on her phone, her eyes half on the screen and half on the world around her. When suddenly, a sleek black SUV slid up beside her. At first, she barely registered it—then one of the pedestrians ahead of her stopped then turned around and began to walk straight toward her. The car doors opened behind her. Instinctively, Adriana tried to change her path, but he mirrored her movements. Panic prickled at her spine. She spun around… only to find Max and two of his goons behind her. Her heart skipped a beat. Arms folded, Max's gaze bore into her. "Adri! how long's it been? Two years… three?" he greeted. She didn't answer. Instead, she spat on his Claudio blazer. One of his guards moved faster than a thought, he slapped her across the face—pain exploded in her cheek as she hit the pavement. The guard whipped out his gun and aimed at her. "You little bitch, think you can j—"
BANG! … the guard crumpled, his head slammed against the pavement. Blood splattered across her face, warm and sticky. Screams erupted as people scattered, some vaulted over fences, fleeing the chaos. Max's gun flashed, "Fucking peasants." Max muttered, his eyes cold and vague. "Think they can run the show." He glanced at Adriana. "Sorry about that… didn't come here to hurt you." Adriana sniffed faintly. "Well… tell that to your guard." she said. "I don't think he's going to hear us anymore." Max muttered, cold as ice. Adriana rose, her gaze hard as steel. "Why'd you come here, huh?" she asked, Max's eyes glinted. "Glad you asked. Shit's about to blow, and Stephen… he's in the crossfire—whether he likes it or not… the past is creeping back to us, and you're no different."
"And what does this have to do with me?" she asked. "I'm telling you this because… we go way back, plus the ancient society hasn't forgotten about us. Just the other day, my team caught a glimpse of Lesley in CBD. You know why I'm here, Adri. There's no escaping it… Stephen and I should've done it a long time ago—but I fell short, you were there too. You know what has to be done." he replied. Adriana didn't flinch neither did she uttered a sentence—nothing, her stare was sharp as a blade. "Ok look, Crystal Avenue. Bereshit Road… that's where you'll find him." he said. Two of his men dragged the guard's corpse and tossed him into the trunk with brutal efficiency. "It was nice catching up with you, Adriana." Max said. She spat on the pavement. "Likewise." she replied. The SUV roared to life and disappeared into the night, Adriana left alone, she stood under the streetlight—unsure of her next move.
153. PINE STREET. 8:00 pm.
Jack's Liquor.
Antonio lounged on the upper deck of Jack's Liquor. The floor below buzzed faintly, but up there it was quiet, almost private. He sank into a velvet couch, as he swirled champagne in his glass. Red LEDs bled along the walls, the VIP area was bathed in a warm, moody glow. Then Amanda appeared at the top of the stairs, she carried a steaming bowl of curry. The aroma drifted through the VIP floor as she approached Antonio. Amanda cleared her throat "Toni, Tika chicken curry— just the way you like it." she said, she nudged the bowl at him. Antonio Tilted his head. Slowly, he shifted upright and took the bowl, his fingers brushed the rim. "Thanks, Amanda." he responded. Amanda perched opposite him. "So, what's up? You're not your usual self… could be worse than last week, even." Antonio swallowed a mouthful. "Yeah… it's bad." he muttered. "So… what is it this time?" she asked. A hard gulp ran down his throat. "It's Max." he said. "He's closing in… I don't think I can stay here much longer." Shock widened her eyes. "You're leaving?" she whispered. "And what about the girl?" Antonio scraped the last of the curry from the bowl and placed it on the floor. "Kathy? I've got no choice—and so does she. She comes with me." he replied. Amanda Lit a cigarette "And if she doesn't?" she asked. Antonio's gaze darkened. "Like I said… she doesn't have a choice either. If she stays… Steph will find out. And when he does." Smoke curled from her lips. "He'll divorce her." they said in unison. "So… where to?" she asked. He finished his champagne. "He thinks I'll go north… I won't."
"Oh? Where to, then?" she asked, Antonio set the empty glass aside. "One a.m." he said quietly. "Max isn't stupid, and he probably has a similar plan—to intercept us tonight. By the time they decide to come looking… we'll have already slipped under their noses." She passed him the cigarette. "It Might work." she said. He inhaled. "Might?"
"I don't know— but I don't think Max is stupid." she stated. Smoke drenched from his lips. "He's not." he murmured. "So, we play it smart… and end it in checkmate." Antonio's wrist vibrated—his stopwatch alarm cut through the silence of the VIP floor. Antonio pushed himself up. "God, sometimes I wish I hadn't taken that offer." he uttered, Amanda crossed her eyebrows "What offer?" she asked. "Oh? Never mind just talking to myself." he replied, "That shit can drive a person mentally insane, you know?" Amanda stated, "Seems so, but there's no turning back." he murmured, the red glow casted shadows across his face as he marched to the exit. Suddenly She stepped in front of him. "Hey… I love you, Toni. You know that."
"I love you too." he said. Antonio left the upper deck; the red LED bled behind him. He went downstairs, then slipped out into the shadowed streets beyond the bar.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 10:07 pm.
Katherine lay awake beside Stephen, sleep nowhere near her. Her gaze glued on the dresser mirror while his arms circled around her waist, he held her close—like it was all he knew how to do. Slowly, she slipped free from his arms. Careful and quiet. She rose from the bed and fled into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face repeatedly. Katherine stared at herself in the mirror—her eyes heavy with worry and her skin was pale as snow. A single tear traced its way down. "Oh God… what am I doing?" she whispered. Urgently she rushed back into room, she opened the cupboard and quietly dragged out a large bag. Clothes were thrown in—hers, then the kids. When she was done, she left it by the bedroom door. Meanwhile Stephen shifted in his sleep, Katherine froze. His eyes fluttered open and he yawned, as he rubbed his eyes. "Baby… what's wrong?" Katherine hesitated for a moment. Her words stumbled out. "I… uh… I was struggling to sleep." she replied, her fingers curled along her side. "Okay… just don't think too much, trust me I know." he said, his eyes already shut. Relief left her lungs in a quiet breath. Then Katherine slipped back into the bed, she let sleep claim her while the decision waited in the dark.