Chapter 2 - The Celebration of FoolsForty-eight hours later, across town in a flashy, overpriced seafood restaurant in the Providencia district, Sergio was pouring tequila into frosted glasses with a manic grin.
—To freedom, baby! —Sergio shouted, clinking his glass against Mariana’s—. And to the old lady finally learning her place. No more nagging, no more judgment, and best of all? Three million pesos in cash, liquid, ready for my new import business.
Mariana forced a weak smile, though the image of her mother’s bruised cheek and quiet, unblinking eyes kept flashing behind her eyelids.
—Do you really think she'll be okay, Sergio? She went to the cemetery with her suitcase... she looked so small.
—Oh, please! —Sergio scoffed, waving a hand dismissively as he swallowed his shot—. Your mother is a survivor of the melodramatic school. She’ll stay with some old church friend for a week and then get over it. Besides, the house is ours—well, legally speaking, it’s in the buyer’s hands now, and our cut is secured. Relax! We won!
What Sergio didn't know—what neither of them knew—was that the "buyer" wasn't a stranger.
The buyer was Mateo Silva.
And Mateo Silva had spent the last ten years waiting for Roberto Cárdenas to give him a very specific phone call.
At that exact moment, sitting in a leather armchair in a penthouse overlooking the city, Mateo stared at the newly signed deed on his mahogany desk. His phone buzzed. It was a text message from an unknown number.
“The bird is in the cage. Execute Phase Two.”
May you like
Mateo smiled coldly, lifting a glass of scotch.
—Rest in peace, Roberto —he murmured to the empty room—. Your debt has finally been collected.
