Chapter 94: Chapter 94

THE WHITE...

The consumer of souls.

There is a myth that says the devil in ancient times bestowed favors. It was like a kind of creditor, and people got into debt of their own free will. A few times later, when the devil came back to collect his share, people refused to pay. He, because he did not like to be deceived, burned their houses, their children and their fortunes.

I look through the windows. It's a beautiful day, as far as New York is concerned. I'm sitting at one of the tables in the three-story cafeteria right in midtown Manhattan, one of the best in town, by the way.

- Sir? – the attendant calls, with her soft, low voice, because she doesn't want to sound rude.

I look at the lady in front of my desk. Charlotte. Every day, she gets up early, takes a train from the station closest to her home and arrives at the service even before sunrise. Charlotte opens the cafeteria, cleans the tables and puts on her impeccable uniform. She smiles at every tycoon who enters the establishment, as they mean her tip at the end of the day.

- Yes - I answer.

- Have you decided what you are going to order?

- I'm waiting for someone.

Charlotte confirms with a nod, then goes back down. For my part, I look out the window again. It is a street made up of high-rise buildings, mostly from oligarchies; families with money and power who pass it on to their heirs. It is not enough to have money to build a building in this street, you need a cacique.

There's a hubbub on the stairs, so I unbutton my jacket and settle into the chair. First, the two security guards appear on the third floor, watching the perimeter. Both pairs of eyes lock on me as I sit alone on this floor.

Next, Vicenzo Mares climbs the steps behind his personal bodyguards. His eyes fix on me too, both angrily and curiously. He passes between the security guards and walks towards me, because I am sitting right at the table where he sits every day.

I could, I would even like to stand up and shake your hand. It's been a long time since a son of a bitch has caught my eye like Vicenzo has in the past few weeks. However, the English are not good at showing affection. And it is perhaps a quality, since we were the colonizers, not the colonized.

Mares is sitting opposite me, also unbuttoning the buttons of his jacket. He feels very important today, because he won the elections, being elected deputy. Unfortunately, Elliot Donneli didn't have much luck as he lost.

- I heard that you bought the buildings around the Mares Building – comments from Vicenzo.

- I bought?

- Well, a shell company bought it. I like to assume it was you - he leans back - So let's talk like men. What you want? Because apparently having Angelic isn't enough.

I can see his security setting up at strategic points around us to cover the perimeter. I would like to tell them that I am not dangerous, at least not today, but I don't think they will believe me.

- What are you ready to give me? I ask.

- I want to grow up in this town. I want my name to be longer than fucking Times Square. I would do anything to have that – says Mares – Anything – he repeats, both to underline me and to threaten me.

I push the chair back and stand up. At that moment, the two security guards place their hands inside their jackets, discreetly reaching for their guns. I walk to the window, still looking at the building at the end of the street.

- This building was built fifty years ago, when the patriarch of the Mares family came from Mexico, a refugee - I inform him. He knows what building I'm talking about – He bought the cleared land and built the building brick by brick. For many years it was the tallest building in the city - again I turn to Vicenzo - This building was the foundation of the Mares family.

- I know the story.

Congratulations, MP. Finally, a little preview.

- Do you like your hotel, Mares? I ask, and I'm so anxious for the answer that I smile.

- I love the hotel.

I don't like wasting my time. So if I've spent the last three days delving into the life of Vicenzo and everyone around him – including the girl serving coffee at his favorite café – I had a purpose. I had one, and only one, focus.

I never lose control. In fact, there was this time I beat Max because he stalked my wife before she even knew it was mine. And I also hit Daniel two days ago. Of course, that didn't mean much, since they're both alive and well. But what I mean is that I have determination.

I stare at Vicenzo for a long minute. After that, his arrogant expression begins to fade, as he realizes my game. And, being mine, no one else can win.

- You are going to buy the building – he deduces from it.

I shake my head.

- I will destroy it.

I don't appreciate having my car's paint scratched. I don't like people who come into my house with sand on the soles of their shoes. And I can't stand my wife being touched. Who the hell do they think she is? Public property?

And that's why, just that and nothing else, the building at the end of the street lights up like a Christmas tree. My back is turned, but I can watch the scene through Vicenzo's eyes. Red lights flash three times, all around the building, then, like fireworks, they explode.

The consecutive explosions cause deafening noises, but for me, they are music.

With each bomb that explodes, part of the building is consumed, collapsing onto the asphalt. I don't have to turn around to notice the dust spreading in the street. The bombs around the Mares Hotel destroy the entire building, leaving only crumbled concrete and fire. A whole story reduced to cement dust.

Vicenzo gets up slowly, incredulous and trembling, and goes to the window. He sees his family's hotel slowly collapsing, causing cries and despair in the street. We heard people screaming, then sirens went off.

The security guards looked at each other, not knowing exactly how to act, because this type of situation is not included in their codes of conduct.

That's why men like me and Vicenzo don't occupy the same level. He wanted Angelic, and the only way he could find to get her was to harass her. However, I measured my steps. As the consumer of souls, I visited every old friend and asked for the favors that were due to me. I even asked that the street be blocked, so that no car circulates at the time of the explosion of the building. Everything has been calculated. Absolutely every detail.

Vicenzo stops next to me. I have my back turned to the destroyed building, he in turn has the front. His eyes glaze over each wreckage as a lump forms in his throat.

I did what I did, and not because I was vindictive. I did it because I now know better than anyone that committed women are a no-go zone.

I care about Angelique. Vicenzo made the worst decision of his life when he touched something important to me. Therefore, today this hotel ceases to be yours. Under this goddamn sky, he'll never have peace again. I will be the shadow over your peace.

- I will buy the company from all its partners – I communicate, low and slow – I will make agreements with all its employees. I will surround you, and your only option will be to sell everything you have – he buttoned my jacket, preparing for my final remarks – And I will buy. I will annihilate your family name from this town. And that's not a threat, that's a plan. I'm more than willing to follow his every step, in case we don't understand each other - I move closer, making sure he doesn't lose my boundaries again - So I have to ask, do you understand me?

It remains to fix the wreckage of the building at the end of the street. The flames reflect in his eyes as Vicenzo digests my words. He heard me. I know it. After today, Vicenzo will keep repeating my voice in his head. So, with a weak, scattered nod, he accepts.

The elevator doors open to the penthouse, and the accusatory silence is the first thing that worries me. Angelique is not a silent creature. I enter the first room, looking at the ceiling to make sure the ventilation duct hasn't been drilled yet.

I'm glad to see it's not.

I find her kneeling at the coffee table, making the ugliest flower arrangement I have ever seen in my life. I remain in absolute silence, observing the scene with a certain curiosity. Angelic has no talent for decoration, and I can assume that from the combination of lilies and roses. But, anyway, seeing her take an interest in something captivates me.

Angelique gets up and adjusts the arrangement on the small table. I look at the curtains in the living room, which she has changed. Before they were grey, now they are brown. I'm really happy that she's been playing at home for the past few days, but I didn't want my home to be the target.

- Enjoy? I ask.

Angelique jumps in fear, turning to me with her hands over her heart.

- Hi - she said - I redecorated.

I perceived.

- Do you like the carpet? – Angelic continues – They had other colors, but none of them would match the curtains.

- And does this color match?

I purse my lips not to say what I really think of his decorating style. I'm glad she's happy. In fact, I love coming back to this apartment – which was once the emptiest thing per square foot in New York – and finding it here. Angelique is young, she is pretty, she is intelligent, she is radiant.

"I think so," she shrugs, returning to her arrangement.

Excellent. I paid a small fortune for the decorators, but it doesn't matter, does it? Angelic thought his arranging skills were better.

"Okay," I say.

I start walking towards the office, which is at the first door in the hall.

"I made some popcorn," Angelic said, suddenly throwing me to the ground.

I turn to her, finding those big blue eyes staring at me, waiting for me to say something.

- Pop corn? - I repeat. I don't have exactly what to say. I can't even remember the last time I heard that word – So… okay.

I walk towards the office, now with some trepidation. Maybe I feel the contrast between me and Angelic. I've spent the past few days digging into Vicenzo's life, buying off his allies, and paying people to blow up his properties. Meanwhile, she was redecorating and making popcorn.

I take off my jacket and tie, throwing them on the couch in the office.

The gap between Angelic and me could mean two things. Or should I stay away from her, lest I contaminate her life with mine. Or should I stay close, so no one else spoils the purity that's in her.

And when I say purity, I don't mean naivety. I don't think a naive girl spreads her legs for me that often, although of course I'm not complaining. When I say purity, I'm referring to the dark side of life that Angelic never knew.

Angelique turns on the television in the living room, which is in the next room. The noise, although measured, begins to annoy me. I'm not one to function well in the hustle and bustle, which is why I've never brought a woman to live with me. Now I've brought one, and I'm very inclined to put her in another apartment - one that she can redecorate, dirty and make noise.

Deep breath. The sound bothers me more and more. I grab the cell phone in my pocket, ready to text asking Angelic to turn off the fucking TV. However, the chances of her virtually ignoring me are high. Sometimes she even does it in person.

Hell.

I leave the office and go back to the living room. Damn, I need peace.

"Angel…" My words, as fast as they came, die in my mouth as I reach the end of the hallway.

Angelique is sitting on the living room carpet, in front of the television, wrapped in a blanket, smiling at the cartoon she is watching. And that might be the most ridiculous thought that ever crossed a man's mind, but I feel numb.

- Call me? She turns to me, still smiling.

Peace.

It is peace.

Not this dead silence. I'm not sure anyone will stand in my way. Not the superior feeling of loneliness. Not the darkness of an empty apartment, because no one was there to turn on the lights.

It is peace.

- Yes - I answer. I walk towards her. I kneel in front of Angelic and frame his face. The hair is gathered on the top of the head, which makes your features more visible. Its beauty has always been undeniable, but now it's addictive. I can't be near her without mentally noting every detail of her – What are you looking at?

- The Emperor's New Routine.

Why do I feel...melting?

I stay with Angelic's face in my hands, looking into her eyes. The sense of belonging that overwhelms me is strange, but also welcoming. It's as if I was facing a part of myself.

The world is a horrible place. Even a truckload of the most beautiful flowers couldn't hide the ugly side of humanity. And I'm not saying that because I'm pessimistic. I say this because I have witnessed the worst things one can experience.

However, even after seeing the worst side of life, when I look at her goofy smile, I see beauty. I see the beauty in the fact that she sees the beauty in a simple film. I see beauty in the red face and messy hair. I see beauty in blue eyes that have never seen anything truly cruel. So, in a clumsy way, I ask:

- Can I do this with you?

- To look at? She frowns.

I nod my head in confirmation. None of my enemies need to know that I'm about to watch an animation, do they?

Angelic makes room in the blanket she's wrapped in. I do what I've never done since I can remember: sit on the floor. I sit next to her, and while Angelic is watching the movie, I watch her.

Right now, I know I would do anything for her.