16: The Long Wait
Author: Ayomiposi
last update Last Updated: 2024-05-12 01:43:34
Hidden in the woods, Olivia watched as Carlos was pulled out of the old, decrepit warehouse. The sounds of frogs and crickets filled the air, and the first light of morning began to pierce through the darkness. Tears streamed down her face; her mission was accomplished. Although every atom in her body wanted to rush to Carlos as he was loaded into the ambulance and tell him how sorry she was for all he had suffered because of her, she restrained herself and quietly left the premises.

'THREE WEEKS LATER'

In the late hours of the day, Carlos sat on his couch in his Manhattan residence, his phone in his hands. Pictures moved on the large flat TV in the background as he scrolled through several unanswered messages he had sent to Olivia over the past weeks, trying to reach her to know if she was safe.

Her safety was paramount to Carlos, and he felt responsible for Olivia. As he contemplated, he muttered to himself, "Something is definitely wrong. Why is she not responding to any of my
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  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   17: Decisions and Distractions

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  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   18: Into the Lion's Den

    'LATE IN THE EVENING, THE FOLLOWING DAY.' Carlos, exhausted from the day's work and stress, lay sprawled on the couch in his living room. His white T-shirt was partly wrinkled, and his black pants and brogues still clung to him. A sudden vibration from his pocket interrupted his rest. Pulling out his phone, he saw Toby's name flashing on the screen. Not wanting to deal with it, he dropped his phone on the nearby glass table and let it ring out. Moments later, as he drifted into sleep, another vibration jolted him awake. Frustrated, he stretched out his hand, grabbed the phone, and with a long press on the side button, switched it off before placing it on his chest and attempting to resume his rest. After a while, now in a deep sleep, a familiar sound rang out. In his half - conscious state, it felt like a dream to Carlos. The persistent and consistent ringing of his doorbell finally pulled him back to reality. Groaning, he stood up from the couch and called out as he approached

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   19: A Night to Remember

    As Carlos and Toby stepped into the mansion, they were immediately enveloped by the grandeur of the massive ballroom. The room was a breathtaking display of opulence: crystal chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, casting a kaleidoscope of light across the walls, which were painted a soft gold and adorned with intricate, handcrafted designs. Every detail seemed to be a masterpiece in itself, contributing to the room's otherworldly beauty.Carlos, momentarily lost in awe, scanned the room with wide eyes. His head bobbed around, unable to maintain any semblance of composure. Turning to Toby, he couldn't contain his amazement and frustration. "How on earth did you manage to get an invite to this party?"Toby, clearly enjoying Carlos’s reaction, responded with a nonchalant grin, "Well, the host is a family friend."Carlos erupted into laughter at Toby’s response, his disbelief evident. "You wish! Are you serious?" His eyes searched Toby’s face for any hint of deception.Toby maintained his

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   20: A Night to Remember 2

    "This is the celebrant, Senator Harvey's daughter, and her fiancé."Hearing this, the security team immediately called for medical assistance. Within minutes, paramedics arrived to tend to Abby and her fiancé. As they were being treated, one of the security guards approached Carlos and Toby, saying, "You two need to come with us. It's protocol. Until the senator's daughter and her fiancé wake up to confirm your stories, we can't be certain about what happened here. I hope you understand; we can't just take your word for it."Toby with an eyebrow raised, "What are you insinuating? Are you calling my friend a liar?"The security personnel responded calmly, "I'm not insinuating anything, sir. It's just protocol."Toby, his voice rising in frustration, retorted, "Protocol?..." But before he could continue, Carlos patted him from behind by the shoulder. "It's okay, man. The guy is just doing his job. Let's not make things harder for him."Toby, still fuming, replied, "There's nothing okay a

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   21: When Paths Collide

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  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   22: Beneath the Surface

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  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   23: The Woman in the Flames

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  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   24: Confrontations and Choices

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  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   

    The End

    Carlos stepped out of the SUV, his eyes fixed on the modest apartment building. The tension was palpable, a coiled spring ready to snap. Miguel and a few of their men flanked him, their movements swift and precise, well rehearsed from countless operations before. But this one— this was personal.Miguel gestured toward the entrance. "We’ve got the building surrounded. No one’s getting out without us knowing."Carlos nodded, his face a mask of steely resolve as they made their way toward the building. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of anticipation building in his chest. His heart pounded in time with his footsteps, but his expression remained calm, collected.They reached the entrance, a narrow hallway leading to Olivia’s apartment on the second floor. Carlos took a deep breath, steadying himself before he climbed the stairs, Miguel close behind. The air was thick with the humid heat of Mumbai, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, but he barely noticed. His focus wa

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    106

    A Few Months Later.....Carlos sat in the largest office of the company he now owned, the enormous windows stretching from floor to ceiling behind him. The room, once a place of ridicule and frustration, had become his empire— rebuilt in his image, every piece of furniture a testament to his power. Yet, despite the luxury, the carefully curated space, and the city bustling beneath him, Carlos found no peace.His hands gripped the arms of his chair, the tension in his knuckles betraying his thoughts. From this vantage point, he could see the chaotic movement of New York, the ant like people scurrying far below, unaware of the power struggles happening so high above their heads. His eyes were on the horizon, but his mind was far away.It wasn’t the money. It wasn’t the firm. Those were easy victories— too easy, if he was honest with himself. No, the real prize had always been elusive, slipping through his fingers no matter how tightly he tried to hold on. Olivia.The name alone sent a w

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    105

    A few days later....Carlos wheeled out of the elevator, a low hum from its descent fading as the elevator doors hissed shut behind him. The spacious office floor that had once been a place of ambition and humiliation now stretched out before him, utterly transformed. His eyes moved over the sleek furnishings, the modern lighting, and the polished marble floors, but his mind was far from admiring the décor. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room, every stiffened posture. Miguel, his uncle, stood beside him, tall and brooding with an unreadable expression. Behind them, Carlos’s men – all ex-military and highly trained – flanked him, their presence a silent reminder of who Carlos had become. The former worker, the man once kicked around and demeaned, was now their new boss. The heir of the Martinez empire.The low murmur of the staff hushed the moment Carlos's wheelchair moved forward with a faint electric whirr, the entire floor falling into silence. Heads turned, faces dr

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    A few months later.....Carlos sat quietly in the large, beautifully landscaped garden of the Martinez family estate. The sun, golden and warm, cast long rays through the trees, painting the glass walls of the house in shimmering reflections. This estate, known as the "Glass Fortress," was hidden deep within the woods, far from prying eyes, a sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world. The trees around swayed gently in the breeze, the air crisp and filled with the scent of pine and freshly cut grass. Carlos wheeled himself to the edge of the garden path, close enough to admire the serene beauty but far enough to avoid being touched by the world beyond.His fingers absentmindedly traced the cool metal of the wheelchair’s arms, but his mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts of his lost children and the ex-wife who had taken them. He had moments like this often, where he would retreat into the solace of nature, trying to find some peace in the rhythm of the forest, but peace always s

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   

    103

    The following night...Carlos sat silently at the edge of the stage, his guitar resting against his knee, watching as the last of the small crowd dispersed into the fading twilight. Andrew and Peter were packing up their instruments, exchanging a few light-hearted jokes, but Carlos wasn’t in the mood for banter. His mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t stop thinking about last night, about Miguel and everything he had said. He was torn between disbelief and a gnawing curiosity that had kept him awake most of the night.“Hey, you good?” Andrew’s voice cut through his thoughts. He was standing beside Carlos, his keyboard case slung over his shoulder. “You’ve been quiet since we finished playing.”Carlos nodded, though his thoughts were still muddled. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he muttered, avoiding Andrew’s concerned gaze. “Just thinking.”Andrew raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced but didn’t push. “Well, let us know if you need anything, man. We’re here for you.”“Thanks,” Carlos replied, his t

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   

    102

    The following evening.....Carlos’s fingers slid over the smooth strings of his guitar, his eyes shut as he strummed the chords with practiced ease. The rhythmic notes echoed through the park, melding into the cool evening air. Andrew sat beside him, his fingers dancing on the keyboard, while Peter tapped his drumsticks lightly against the cajón, filling the space with a steady beat. A small crowd had gathered around their makeshift stage, captivated by the music, swaying gently to the melody. It was a simple life, playing for strangers who’d toss spare change into their tip jar, but it was theirs. For a few hours each day, they were free. Free from the burden of life’s harsh realities, free from the pain and memories that haunted them all.As Carlos played, his gaze drifted across the crowd, briefly landing on a familiar figure. Miguel. The man from the night before. He stood just at the edge of the gathering, his broad frame silhouetted by the streetlights, arms crossed over his ch

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   

    101

    Several years later.The subway platform was as familiar to Carlos as his own skin by now, the dim, flickering lights overhead casting long, uneven shadows across the grimy floor. The night was biting cold, seeping through the thin layers of his old jacket, but he had long stopped minding it. After all, the chill had become a constant companion. Andrew and Peter were already setting up when he rolled up in his wheelchair, the squeaky wheels echoing slightly in the nearly empty tunnel. A few people hurried past, heads down, not sparing a second glance at the trio who were about to fill the subway with their melodies. Andrew adjusted his guitar strap, his fingers hovering over the strings, testing out a few chords. He glanced at Carlos, his face creased with the weariness of life. “Ready for another night, my man?” Andrew asked, his voice gruff but kind.Carlos offered a tight lipped smile. “I’ve got nothing better to do,” he replied, positioning himself beside them. His voice, though

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   

    100

    A few days later...Olivia sat on the cold, hard stool next to Carlos's hospital bed, staring at his motionless body. His face was pale, his breathing shallow, and the machines around him hummed and beeped rhythmically, tracking his every breath and heartbeat. The room smelled sterile, the faint scent of antiseptic in the air, and the bright, artificial light from the ceiling cast harsh shadows across his face.She crossed her legs, her foot tapping softly against the tiled floor, her hands resting on her lap as she watched him. Her mind drifted, but the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips remained— subtle but triumphant. It's done, she thought, her heart racing at the thought. After years of planning, manipulation, and waiting, her mission was finally complete. The mighty Carlos Wilson was lying before her, utterly helpless.A nurse entered the room, her soft footsteps barely audible on the floor. She smiled at Olivia, a kind but professional smile, and then turned her attent

  • The Ultimate Return of Carlos   

    99

    Nearly an hour later...Olivia’s fingers gripped the steering wheel as she turned into the driveway of their family home. The soft hum of the car’s engine quieted, leaving only the excited voices of her two children, Alex and Alexa, who were both animatedly chatting about their time at the beauty shop. Alexa had chosen a two sided pony, and Alex was still giddy about his hair trim. “Mama, look! Do you think Daddy will like my ponys? And nails?” Alexa asked, holding her tiny hands up to admire the glittery pink polish as the sunlight glinted off them. Her wide eyes sparkled with joy, and Olivia forced a smile onto her face.“Yes, sweetheart, Daddy will love them. I’m sure he’ll be so proud,” Olivia replied, her voice betraying none of the turmoil churning inside her. She parked the car, the engine’s quiet purr cutting off abruptly, leaving the driveway still and eerily silent.Alex unbuckled his seatbelt with the speed of a child who couldn’t wait to share exciting news. “I can’t wait