Chapter 21: You can contact me
2087words
Upon arrival at the headquarters, Hunter headed straight to the meeting room, where Liam, his confidant, was already waiting. At the table, Sevano's ledger that Ramona had just obtained was wide open. Without wasting any time, Hunter handed over the list of customer names that Ramona had gotten.
"These are all the names on the ledger," Hunter said in a stern tone, though his eyes implied fatigue.
Liam took the list and immediately headed for the large whiteboard in the corner of the room. With a marker in his hand, he began to write down the names of the customers from the list one by one. The whiteboard was slowly filled with rows of names, forming a pattern that would later be used for the presentation of their plans.
Hunter stood behind Liam, his hands folded in front of his chest. His eyes were keenly attentive to the names, trying to look for patterns or connections between them. Occasionally he gave directions, "Separate the names that have big deals. Mark someone who has dealt with Sevano more than once."
Liam nodded, following Hunter's instructions carefully. The tension in the room felt real, but their focus was unwavering. Hunter knows that Sevano's ledger isn't just a list of customers; It is key to uncovering a larger network. And now, with Liam's help, he will make sure that every name on the board will be thoroughly researched.
Hunter let out a deep sigh. Although his mind was still disturbed by his argument with Ramona, he knew that this step was too important to postpone. He stared at the whiteboard determinedly, as if ascertaining himself that this was just the beginning of a much bigger plan.
Hunter listened intently as Liam, with a furrowed forehead, stared at the whiteboard that was now full of names they had composed. Liam twisted his body, staring at Hunter with a serious look.
"Didn't you say last week that you saw Nick doing a deal with the Black Dog in the harbor? But why aren't their names recorded in Sevano's ledger?" asked Liam in a sharp tone, trying to dig into the irregularities they had ignored all along.
Hunter nodded quietly, letting the question settle in his mind. He himself had been thinking about it for a long time, but he still hadn't found the exact answer. Without saying anything, Hunter stepped onto the sofa in the corner of the room, dropping his body onto the backrest with obvious fatigue.
He took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with the silver pickaxe he always carried. A long sigh came out along with cigarette smoke billowing in the air. "I'm not sure," Hunter muttered quietly, more to himself than to Liam. "If Nick and Black Dog have a close relationship, it must be something more than just a client or a regular co-worker."
Liam watched Hunter closely, then stepped over to a small table near them. He took the high-quality alcohol bottle they had opened before and poured the golden liquid into two crystal glasses. Liam handed one of the glasses to Hunter, then sat down on the chair across from the sofa.
"Maybe there is something they are hiding. But what is it, and why doesn't Sevano record their transactions?" said Liam, taking a small sip from his glass.
Hunter observed his cigarette running low. "Maybe Sevano deliberately erased their name to protect something bigger," he muttered, more thoughtful than statement. He looked at Liam with slightly narrowed eyes. "Or... There may be other people playing this game from the shadows, and we don't know who they are yet."
The atmosphere of the room was filled with heavy tension, accompanied only by the soft sound of alcohol being poured and the sound of Hunter's breathing as he pulled out his last cigarette before turning off the butt in the ashtray. Hunter knows that Liam's question is the beginning of a new puzzle that they need to solve immediately before things get more complicated.
"Then what are your plans right now?" asked Liam, wanting to know what steps Hunter would take.
Hunter stared at Liam intently before saying, "We can take advantage of Ramona. We encourage him to join Nick's group again." Liam instantly changed his expression to sad, more to anxiety.
"Isn't that too dangerous? She's a woman? You know for yourself how your cousin, who is cunning and can do anything to trick a woman, are you sure you want to send her there?" asked Liam again, trying to ask about Hunter's big decision that was so risky for Ramona.
Hunter was silent, his brain was filled with Ramona at this time. But that did not close his heart and intention, to put Ramona under his pressure.
Hunter immediately got off the sofa and stepped on his cigarette butt, "Just focus on finding where his mother is being treated. I'll take care of him in my own way." Hunter then just left Liam with all his anxiety.
Liam could only let out a big breath and muttered, "On the one hand he cares so much about Ramona, even so much care. But why on the other hand is he trying to show his cruel and cruel attitude? He even pushed Ramona into the villain's pit for his revenge. Isn't his attitude too exaggerated?" muttered Liam, who was surprised by Hunter's thoughts.
The next morning, Ramona was ready with her appearance that she was going to go to the office. His gaze was so gloomy because he missed his son so much.
Suddenly the door opened so loudly.
"Come with me," Hunter asked to make Ramona immediately get out of her seat.
"Where's my son? Let me meet him first," Ramona said pleading.
Hunter narrowed his eyes sharply and replied, "I'll see you guys after you've done my duty." Hunter was about to turn around but was stopped by Ramona's words.
"Until when do I do all your duties and can live freely with my son?" asked Ramona, making Hunter turn around and his gaze was so fixed but implied his anger at Ramona.
"Until my revenge is done and I can make sure you guys won't make trouble in my life," Hunter pressed firmly, making Ramona clench her fists tightly.
Hunter immediately ran away from the room, forcing Ramona to follow him in order to meet his son today.
This was where Ramona was now, standing in the middle of the vast basement of Hunter's headquarters. The place was full of an aura of power and danger, a reflection of who Hunter really was and the dark world he ruled.
On one side of the room, there was a boxing ring with a brace that looked shabby, showing the scars of countless fierce fights. On the other hand, the cold concrete walls were filled with a wide variety of weapons, neatly arranged as if they were on display in a war museum. There are pistols from classic to modern models, assault rifles, even swords and daggers with intricately carved handles.
The metallic aroma, sweat and thin smoke from cigarettes filled the air, adding to the tense and secretive atmosphere.
Ramona stood still, her gaze sweeping over every corner of the room with a gaze mixed between admiration and tension.
Until he woke up from his daydream when Hunter threw a boxing glove at him.
Ramona accepted the gloves with a confused look on her face, staring at Hunter who was climbing into the ring.
"Hurry up and get up here," Ramona frowned confusedly but she put on her gloves anyway and climbed into the ring.
Hunter shows a standing position with his legs slightly open, one leg in front and the other in the back, knees slightly bent. "This is called stance. Front legs for attack, back legs for balance. Your weight should be even, but be ready to move forward or backward at any time."
Ramona was just silent reluctant to imitate or follow the instructions from Hunter, she just kept quiet and watched.
"Hurry, do as I just exemplified," Ramona just kept silent.
"What if I could knock you down in one fight?" Hunter smiled lightly as he turned his face to the side.
"That's impossible, but I'd appreciate it if you could do it," Ramona shook her head in decline to appreciate it.
"I want my son to be in your mansion, stay with me, I'll do all your work," Hunter was silent and then nodded in agreement.
With a quick movement, Ramona stepped to Hunter's side, dodged his defense, and launched a sharp hook towards Hunter's jaw.
The punch made Hunter lose his balance. He fell to the ring floor with his back touching the canvas. Ramona stood on top of him, his hands still clenched, his face full of triumph.
Hunter was a little surprised by Ramona's incredible ability to him. That's amazing.
"Keep your promise to take my son to the mansion," Ramona said before stepping off Hunter's body.
Hunter pulls Ramona's hand until it falls on top of her, Hunter then reverses their position by dropping Ramona to the side then Hunter overlaps part of Ramona's body, eroding the distance between the two.
"What are you doing?" asked Ramona sharply as she pushed Hunter's chest out of the way of her body.
"Never think you can have a place in my heart. You're just part of my plan. If you start to think we have something more, I suggest you throw those thoughts away immediately," Hunter said in an emphasised tone with every word, pointing out his limits to Ramona.
Ramona who heard the warning could only smile sideways, not wanting to lose, Ramona replied, "You're not special enough for that. Don't think all women want you. Of all the men I've met, only you are the one I most hope for not to be in my life. This is just a coincidence. After all is done, I'll leave anything related to you to live quietly without the hustle and bustle of you." Press Ramona relaxed and calm but able to provoke Hunter's emotions.
Hunter immediately rose from the top of Ramona's body with sharp squints of eyes circulating around his room.
Ramona exhaled deeply, staring at the black ceiling while enjoying the smell of iron in the room.
"I have a new mission for you," Hunter said prompting Ramona to get up and stand up to take off her boxing gloves.
Hunter threw his gloves and got out of the ring, turned on his thermostat and sat down on the couch.
Ramona got off the ring, put her fantofels back on and grabbed her bag.
Hunter threw the brown envelope on the table, and with all the hatred in Ramona, he took the envelope to see its contents.
"Nick Hitosime, he's one of Sevano's regular customers, but it's not listed in Sevano's ledger, find out what's going on between the two of them," Hunter looked at his watch.
"It's likely that he's going to Sevano's office today, looking for opportunities to be able to get close to him, you just have to find out what his activities are," Hunter continued.
Ramona threw the brown envelope back on the table and immediately walked away.
Hunter stopped Ramona again and said, "In desperation............... You can contact me." Hunter said with a hint of prestige.
Ramona smiled sideways at the message and muttered, "Even if I have to die, I hope I don't need your help." Hunter stared intently at the departure of Ramona who left the dungeon.
Hunter broke his still-lit cigarette with a great sense of anger in him.
Hunter then contacted Liam to say something.
"Hello,"
"Keep an eye on Ramona. He's going to start approaching Nick," a sigh came from the other side of the phone.
Before hearing Liam's answer, Hunter immediately turned off his phone.
He sat still and tried to calm his mind at this time.
