Monday, March 19, 2012

Chapter 23 continues

     Charles and Bengiman sat on the sofa in the town villa after driving the past hour down to Buenos Aires at Xation's insistance. Charles was extremely nervous, it was almost 5 o'clock and both men found themselves on edge. Charles stood, pacing back and forth in the living room, wondering why on earth he had been summoned down to the city. When Hays and Xation entered, in poor spirits, Charles soon had his answer. "I am glad you both could come down here to meet with Hays and myself." Xation said as he shook both men's hands.
     "What's this all about then?" Bengiman asked giving Xation a disapproving look.
     "Come.., sit." Xation said to Charles, who did not sit back on the sofa as this was where he first had sex with Felina, so Charles chose to sit, instead, over in a chair by the fireplace; which on this hot, late Spring day, in January, was cold, going unused. "Now.., this situation, that has arisen, requires, immediate, drastic measures to correct.., and keep my company intact." Xation explained in brief detail what was occurring "And the solution to my problem lies in your hands., so I have brought you both here today.., for I am in need of your help."
    Charles and Bengiman gave each other a concerned look as Hays sat on the sofa next to Bengiman going through a file in his briefcase as Charles asked Xation "What do you need us to do?" even as the words came over his lips Charles had a very bad feeling about this.
    So it was Xation explained the situation, in great detail, to both of them and when Charles realized Xation wanted him to virtually go and execute these two men, he was shocked into a temporary silence. After a moment, as many thoughts raced through his mind as he sat there, Charles stopped Hays and Xation mid-sentence and said "I am sorry..," Charles shook his head "I have become confused.., I thought we were friends."
     "Friendship has NOTHING to do with this!" Hays retorted.
      Xation gave Charles a concerned look telling him "Charles.., you are my friend., that is why I am coming to you! I need your help."
     "And what if I refuse and say.., no." Charles replied as Bengiman only rolled his eyes.
     Xation gave Hays a look as cold as the grave, then he sighed rubbed his temples as Hays stood, crossed the room, handing Charles the file, though Charles took it in his hand, he did not look at it, nor did he acknowledge the file, or Hays in any way. For Charles had seen all this before, and knew all the information contained within, though he did not know the reward for his capture and return to America had gone up to $500,000. Though this fact would not have impressed him. Then Hays looked down at Charles who quietly sat there, many thoughts racing through his mind as Hays said "Listen.., if you want to be any kind of a friend to Xation.., then you will do this, to help him protect his business." Hays let out a deep a sigh then gave Charles a slap on the shoulder saying "Or.., we can send you back to the States.., where you will most definitely end up in prison, just like your old friend Azir." Charles maintained his composure, but if he were less of a man he would have punched Hays in the face, and knocked a few of his perfect white teeth out of his mouth just for mentioning the name of his compadre in crime, but under the circumstance Charles said nothing, only sitting there quietly seething, Bengiman too sat there in silence watching the scene play out before him as Hays continued "After all the lives you've destroyed, Charles, what's a few more."
     This comment was just too much for Charles to take, he wanted, so bad, to stand up and knock Hays down to his knees, but Charles, maintained his composure as he looked up at Hays, all his words filled with venom and rage, as he explained "First of all.., medicine is an EXACT science.., and I, unfortunately, have not always been exactly right in my treatment and dosage of patients.., Hays.., Though I can tell you all, with out question, I may have lost eight of my patients, but out of those tragic cases, I have helped hundreds of people in the course of my duties as a trusted physician." Charles stated with great acuity as he sat up a little straighter in his chair, telling them, while he glared at Xation for this most unwelcome indignation of his professional character. "As for the last two.., that was NOT my fault,  those killings.., I only committed to protect Felina, as well as you.., Xation."
     "What..?" Bengiman said wondering what other person Charles was referring to, he was well aware of the knife but he had no knowledge of the nine iron, still not knowing about the attack on Maui the previous year. " Two.., what's he on about?" Bengiman said giving Xation an uncertain look.
     "Never mind." Xation said brushing off his question as he realized this was going to be more difficult than he imagined.
     "So this is what you want to do.., Xation, give me no choice but to help you.., or you would turn me in, send me back to prison?" Charles said the light of fury in his eyes igniting, like gasoline over fire.
     "No!" Xation exclaimed, stating "This is not what I want to do.., not at all.., but this is what I NEED to do, and you will help me, or I will be forced to destroy you." Xation said and when he spoke the words 'destroy you' the look in Xaton's dark eyes was as cruel and fierce as a servant of Satan himself, Charles could feel the flickering flames of hell engulfing his agonized heart and he knew there was no turning back. There would be no escape for Charles, nor his newly appointed victims. "So what do you say?"
      Charles remained silent, bowed his head, closed his eyes, as if in silent prayer, he was ruminating on how he could possibly work this situation to his advantage. So, as Hays and Xation, as well as Bengiman, waited on bated breath, Charles looked up as the feeling rushed that he was low indeed, full of despair, wishing he were dead he finally spoke and said "Fine.., I will take care of this matter.., however, I only have one condition."
     "Anything.., thank you Charles, I will gladly compensate you, anything you want!" Xation said elated as he stood going over to shake hands with Charles, who sat there motionless.
     "Oh Xation, you think it will be that easy?" Charles laughed then he looked up at Xation as he stood to his feet coming eye to eye with his 'friend' telling him "I want you to call your sister Felina.., I want to be with her again."
     The look on Xation's face went from jubilation to frustration as he did not want to speak to Felina, for Xation still harbored much ill will in his vicious heart against her, but he had no choice really for no sooner than he could respond Charles had pulled out his mobile phone and immediately dialed Felina's number. "Wait." Xation said trying to stop Charles from making the call but it was too late.
     "Felina?" Charles said as he rose up from his chair, his face radiant as he smiled wide at the sound of her voice."I'm sorry to be calling you in Spain so late, but I have some wonderful news.., I would like very much for you to come to Aruba with me for the next 2 weeks, Xation says it's okay!" Charles, his eyes turning a brighter shade of blue, at the thought of being with his most dearest, beloved Felina once again enraptured his heart and mind, for Felina could always make Charles feel, in a word, Divine. "Sweetheart.., someone here wants to say hello." Charles said handing the phone over to Xation, who had not spoken to his sister since she threw his beloved down the stairs.
     Xation took the phone from Charles recalling the last thing he had said to his sister 'Now you be a good dog and fuck off!', reluctantly Xation opened up his mouth saying 'Hello, Felina."
     "Xation? Is that you?" Felina said her poor, tortured heart melting at the sound of her brother's voice, as her eyes welled up with tears as she trembled in her bed listening to the sound of her brother's breath.
     "Yes, I am right here." Xation said as he walked out of the room so he could be alone in conversation with his sister, whom he had missed terribly.       
     

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