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The Ultimate Return of Carlos 46
Carlos then glanced at the bartender who stood a few feet away, wiping down the counter and paying them no mind. His attention returned to the ring in his hand, the glimmer of it catching the dim light of the bar. It wasn’t flashy, but it had a timeless elegance, something that symbolized love, endurance, and the passage of time. Something that, hopefully, would mean just as much to Abby as it had to his parents. "Still can’t believe you’re about to do this, man," Toby said, leaning back on his bar stool, swirling his glass and taking a sip of his drink. "I mean, Abby’s amazing, don’t get me wrong. But I just can’t picture you settling down. You? The same guy who swore marriage was a trap?"Carlos let out a low chuckle, slipping the ring back into his pocket. "Yeah, well, life has a funny way of proving you wrong." He looked around the bar, taking in the low hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the soft background music. "I wasn’t planning any of this. But with Abby... i
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 47
Carlos squinted as sunlight crept through the thin curtains of his room, the faint sound of birds chirping in the distance blending with the mechanical hum of his alarm clock. His phone buzzed beside him, vibrating incessantly until it stirred him from the depths of his half-awake state. Groggily, he reached over to silence it, his fingers brushing across the smooth surface of the screen before the buzzing stopped. His body sank back into the mattress, the familiar warmth of the sheets urging him to close his eyes for just a little longer.But then his phone buzzed again—a WhatsApp notification this time. His brows furrowed slightly as he brought the phone closer to his face, squinting at the bright screen. It was a message from Toby, reminding him about the evening’s job.“Don’t forget tonight. Might leave town for a bit. Not sure where yet. Will update you once I know.”Carlos stared at the message, the reality of what was to come slowly settling into his consciousness. He let out a
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 48
Toby’s cousin, Mark, stepped out from the shadows, followed closely by his associate Gazan. Their arrival was abrupt, making the air feel heavier. Toby, already on edge, couldn’t help but blurt out, “Damn, Mark, you scared the hell out of me!”Mark smirked, his eyes flickering between Toby and Carlos, before he spoke in a calm but measured tone, “You’ve gotten jumpy, cousin. Didn’t mean to spook you.”Toby quickly recovered and turned to Carlos, gesturing towards Mark. “Carlos, this is Mark, my cousin. Mark, this is Carlos, the friend I’ve been telling you about.”Carlos and Mark exchanged a quick handshake, firm and deliberate. Mark’s grip was strong, the handshake feeling like a subtle test. He peered at Carlos for a second longer before saying, “So, you’re the one looking for extra cash on the side, huh?”Carlos met his gaze squarely, giving a small nod. “Yeah, that’s me.”Mark nodded approvingly, a slight grin playing at the corners of his mouth. “Good. Nice to meet you, Carlos. I
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 49
'AT THE DROP SITE'Toby's boots crunched against the gravel as he hopped out of the truck, his body still tense from the ambush hours before. His eyes scanned the forest around the glass penthouse as the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the trees. The air smelled fresh, but the tension between him and the others was palpable. He glanced at Carlos, who had a blank look on his face, clearly deep in thought. Mark and Gazan were already moving, their movements deliberate as they barked orders at the men unloading the cargo.The sleek penthouse stood as a sharp contrast to the chaos of the night— a modern marvel of glass and steel hidden away in the middle of nowhere. Toby took a long breath, watching as the other men carried the heavy crates into an underground store below the building. The place was quiet, too quiet for Toby’s liking after the gunfire that still echoed in his ears."Can you believe that shit?" Toby finally broke the silence, his voice bitter. "My head almo
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 50
The trees whipped by as they hurried down the narrow, winding path, their boots crunching against the dirt with every step. The sun had climbed a little higher, casting long shadows across the ground, but the quiet of the woods remained unsettling. Carlos could still feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. His mind was running a marathon, filled with thoughts of how he would explain his absence, how he would make up for the lost time, and most importantly, how he would keep his life from spiraling any further out of control."Hey, we better pick up the pace," Toby urged, glancing back at Carlos. "The nearest station isn’t exactly around the corner, and you’re cutting it real close."Carlos glanced at his watch again, gritting his teeth. "I know, man. But running? After all that? My legs feel like bricks."Toby stopped walking, turning back to face him. "Do you want to make it back or not? We can either keep up this pace and you risk losing your job, or we hustle and at least ha
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 51
Stepping into his office, Carlos felt the weight of the morning bearing down on him. His shirt clung to his back, still damp with sweat from the mad dash he'd made to the office. He could feel his pulse in his throat, the remnants of adrenaline still coursing through his veins. His breathing was heavy, but what greeted him inside made his chest tighten even further.Alisha and Tommy stood by his desk, their faces tight with impatience. Alisha’s arms were crossed, her eyes boring into him, while Tommy leaned casually against the desk, but his relaxed posture didn’t fool Carlos. His gaze was sharp, waiting.Carlos felt the walls closing in. The air in the office suddenly felt stifling, suffocating. He swallowed hard, forcing a weak smile as he tried to ease the tension.“Morning,” he said awkwardly, running a hand through his damp hair. "What brings you two in here so early?"He knew exactly why they were here. He could see it in their faces, feel it in the way the atmosphere bristled wi
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 52
Carlos's heart pounded as Derek uttered the name, "Alisons." His breath hitched slightly, hoping this was enough to save them both.Alisha's sharp eyes darted from Carlos to Derek. She didn't blink, didn't move for a second, and the silence felt unbearable. The entire room was tense— like a tightrope stretched to its limit. Tommy stood by, arms crossed, watching the entire scene unfold. His expression was unreadable, but it was clear that he was calculating his next move. He wasn’t one to get involved unless absolutely necessary, but when he did, it usually meant the situation had escalated beyond repair."Alisons?" Alisha repeated slowly, letting the word hang in the air. She had this dangerous habit of playing with her prey before striking.Derek shifted uncomfortably, and Carlos could feel the weight of his gaze. He prayed Derek would stay firm, that they’d get through this together. But Alisha wasn’t done. She leaned in closer to Carlos, her perfectly manicured nails tapping rhyth
The Ultimate Return of Carlos 53
'A FEW HOURS LATER'Carlos's eyes snapped to the door as a sudden knock broke the calm of his office. The day was winding down, and he was just about to finish up. Seated at his desk, the stack of paperwork in front of him had started to blur, but now, his focus sharpened. The knock wasn’t just unexpected; it carried a weight that cut through his end of day exhaustion. When he looked up, there was Toby, standing at the entrance with a lopsided grin, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.Without waiting for an invitation, Toby sauntered in, closing the door behind him with a soft thud. His movements were fluid, casual, like a man with nowhere to be, and yet, there was an urgency to his presence. He approached Carlos's desk, hopped up onto it with a light tap of his shoes against the wood, and folded his arms, eyeing Carlos as if he knew something Carlos didn’t."I heard about what happened this morning," Toby said, his tone carrying much concern. "Alisha?— and Tommy from HR, huh? This guys
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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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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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