Chapter 30: Criminal scheme
2223words
When he stepped into Sevano's room, a big smile adorned his face, making the atmosphere instantly brighter. Sevano, who was busy with the paperwork on his desk, immediately got up from his chair as soon as he saw Nick enter. He approached Nick with swift steps and bright eyes.
"It seems like you're in a very good mood today," Sevano said in a caring tone. "What's wrong? Tell me."
Nick smiled slightly, yet his heart trembled at the question. I was reminded of Ramona.
The two sat facing each other, still with Nick smiling broadly and his eyes twinkling.
Nick finally let out a deep sigh before saying in a steady tone, "It seems like I'm really in love with Ramona."
Sevano, who was busy tidying up the files on his desk, was a little surprised to hear the confession. His eyes looked at Nick in disbelief, as if what he had just heard was just a joke made by his friend.
"Don't be kidding, Nick. Are you serious?" asked Sevano in a flat tone, still trying to understand what was happening.
Nick smiled faintly, his eyes radiating confidence. "He even wants to speed up his marriage with me," he continued, his voice full of happiness. "Aren't I really lucky?" Nick asked in a light tone, but his face exuded excitement that could not be concealed.
Sevano observes Nick's face closely. There's something in the way Nick talks and his smile shines, something that Sevano has a hard time denying—this friend is really in love. However, behind that, there is a feeling of doubt that cannot be ignored.
"And you believe that?" Sevano finally asked, trying to trace Nick's mind further.
Without hesitation, Nick nodded confidently. "Yes, Sevano. I'm sure. Ramona really loves me."
Sevano exhaled deeply, then took a cigarette from his coat pocket. He turned on the lighter with a slow motion, trying to ease the anxiety that began to creep through his mind. Cigarette smoke slowly escaped from his lips as he looked at Nick with a sharp gaze.
Seeing Nick who was so bright, Sevano couldn't lie to himself. She had to admit that her friend was indeed in love. However, something on his mind still urged him to be careful.
"Do you remember who Ramona is?" Sevano asked again, his voice now more serious, trying to remind Nick if something was missed.
Nick nodded again, then calmly pulled a cigarette out of his shirt pocket. He lit his cigarette and enjoyed the first smoke that came out of his cigarette. "I remember, Sevano. And I don't care about the past. The important thing is that he now loves me."
Sevano just sighed again, his eyes couldn't be separated from Nick's face which looked so confident and happy. He doesn't know whether to be happy for his friend or instead feel anxious about what might happen.
Nick looked at Sevano with a calm but meaningful look. In a low voice, he said, "I know your anxiety. But if I tell you one thing, you'll definitely be surprised."
Sevano raised his eyebrows, his curiosity clearly depicted. "What is it?" he asked flatly, though his mind had begun to spin the possibilities.
Nick smiled faintly, smoking his cigarette deeply before leaning his back on the sofa casually. "Initially, I was also suspicious. I'm not sure about any of this. Who doesn't know that he works for Hunter? In fact, he became a spy in your company," said Nick, pausing for a moment to see Sevano's reaction. "But one surprising thing made me believe even more that he was really on our side. He wants to destroy Hunter."
Sevano looked at Nick with a look of disbelief, his eyes narrowing full of analysis. "What do you mean?" he asked, still trying to digest Nick's words.
Nick exhaled his cigarette smoke slowly, then continued, "Ramona admitted everything in front of me. He admitted that he worked here as a Hunter spy. He also admitted that his marriage to Hunter failed five years ago."
Sevano leaned forward, indicating that he was genuinely interested in the direction of the conversation. Nick continued, "He even offered me something to prove his sincerity. At first, I was hesitant. But I decided to test it."
"What does he offer?" Sevano asked, his tone starting to get serious.
Nick smiled faintly, enjoying Sevano's full attention. "I asked him to look for information about Hunter's arsenal reserves. That would be a test of his sincerity. If he is really on our side, I will know how loyal and sincere he is to me later in the day."
Sevano seemed surprised by Nick's well-thought-out plan. "You really believe him that far?"
Nick nodded, his face full of confidence. "Yes, Sevano. If he succeeds, it will be proof that he not only loves me, but also wants to see Hunter destroyed. We just have to wait and see."
Sevano took a deep breath, the cigarette in his hand was almost gone, but his eyes never left Nick. He didn't know whether to support his friend's optimism or remind him to be more careful. But one thing is for sure: the game has just begun.
Conversation at Ramona Apartment
That morning, the atmosphere of Ramona's apartment felt warm after they finished breakfast together. Esther, with her innocent face that always exudes sincerity, looked at her mother. "Mommy, what if I just stay here? So that I don't trouble Mr. Hunter," he said in a hopeful tone. "I can help you clean the house, study diligently, and go to school on your own on the school bus. How's that, Mommy?"
Hearing that, Ramona's heart immediately escaped. Her son's words felt like a dagger that slowly pierced her heart. Hunter, who was sitting across the table, couldn't hide his feeling of tightness. He straightened his body, looking at Esther with his characteristic cold gaze. "Are you going to renge on our deal?" he asked in a low but sharp tone.
Esther, who noticed Hunter's change in tone, hurriedly shook her head. His sweet smile cracked, trying to dilute the atmosphere. "Mr. Hunter, we can still work together," he said politely. "I just want to get closer to Mommy, also so as not to trouble you."
Hunter didn't answer right away. Esther's words seemed to echo in her head, making her unable to avoid the fact that the child was older than her age.
Ramona, who was sitting next to them, tried to dilute the atmosphere. He smiled, although his heart felt a little sore. "You guys made a deal without Mommy?" he teased, glancing at his son with a loving look.
Esther glanced at Hunter for a moment, then turned her gaze back to Ramona. "It's about a man, Mommy," she replied in a mature tone that made Ramona unable to help but laugh.
Gently rubbing the top of Esther's head, Ramona said, "You really are an amazing child." But behind that gentle smile, an uncertain feeling filled his heart. On the one hand, he was proud of his wise son, but on the other hand, he realized that all of this was just the beginning of the difficult decisions he had to face.
Hunter, who witnessed the interaction of the two, was simply silent. The look in his eyes turned softer, but there was still tension left. Although he tried to be firm, in his heart, he knew that the warmth between Ramona and Esther was something he could not resist.
Even Hunter admitted that he felt warmth when he was with the two of them. Hunter is only afraid that he will be confused by his own feelings.
"Esther, go to the room first," she said goodbye to Ramona and Hunter.
Now only the two of them are left at the dinner table. There was only silence and a slight sense of awkwardness.
Until Ramona said, "Am I not so evil? I can't be by his side, I can't see his growth and development, I just let him be with other people." Ramona muttered which even made Hunter squint his gaze at Ramona.
"Someone else?" asked Hunter making Ramona raise her head, look at Hunter and try to control her emotions.
"Am I wrong? He's just my son!" he pressed and insisted Ramona on Hunter.
Hunter smiled sideways as he turned his face to the side.
"The DNA results tell me that if he's my biological son and I'm his biological father, you're kidding? You seem to want to provoke my emotions," Hunter said whose confession just now made Ramona's heart flutter very warmly.
Hunter acknowledged Esther as his son? Please anyone wake up Ramona if she is not mistaken. Please ask Hunter to say that a second time. Ramona wanted to hear that remark.
"What did you say just now?" asked Ramona again, making Hunter immediately realize that what he said just now, did not cross his mind or mind, it was just spontaneous as a form of reaction to his annoyance when Ramona said that Esther was with someone else.
Hunter just stood still and immediately left the dining table.
"Esther, let's go back," she called to Esther.
"Yes, sir," replied Esther from inside her room.
Ramona suppressed her smile and immediately got up from her chair looking at Hunter, "I'll repay your kindness." Hunter looked at Ramona sarcastically.
"But remember, I won't give up your son if you still continue your marriage to Nick!" Hunter pressed softly with a flat but fixed gaze on Ramona.
Ramona was only silent before Esther came to her senses.
"Mommy, I'll go home first, take care of yourself here, don't forget to eat on time and inform Mr. Hunter if something happens, he will definitely come to save you," said Esther, making Hunter a little incredulous when her son was really good at speaking like an adult man.
Ramona smiled and squatted down in front of her son, "Yes honey, Mommy will take good care of herself. Mommy will be fine here. Please take care of yourself too, don't trouble others while you are able to do it yourself," Ramona told her son.
Esther glanced at Hunter and said, "But Mr. Hunter never allowed me to do everything myself, he was always by my side and watched me well." Ramona looked up at Hunter who immediately turned his face away from Ramona's gaze.
Ramona smiled and stroked her son's hair, "We'll repay him later, agree?" Esther nodded steadily and immediately scattered into Ramona's arms.
Hunter slowly looked at them, his heart was really pomegranate now, there was a sense of happiness, sadness and anxiety and fear that was so intense from within him.
The question for Hunter was, was he anxious and afraid that something would happen to Ramona or was he anxious and afraid that Ramona would eventually belong to Nick?
Hunter immediately dismissed all of these guesses. He had to ask himself everything.
Esther unraveled Ramona's embrace and held Hunter's hand.
Hunter just looked at Ramona, as if he understood, Ramona just nodded and then ushered them forward.
Every time she saw her son leaving with Hunter, Ramona's heart quickly became claustrophobic like a stone. It wasn't even like being hit by a spear.
'I'm sorry, but I have to do this in order to be free with my son,' Ramona thought to herself and closed her apartment again.
During the day Ramona was ready and neat in her clothes, she was preparing to go to Nick's office.
As soon as Ramona arrived in the lobby, she saw Nick sitting on the sofa waiting, as usual, she must have been waiting for him.
Ramona immediately approached him, "Why don't you call me?" asked Ramona as she stood in front of Nick.
Nick immediately stood up with a big smile, "I just came." Ramona immediately held Nick's arm.
"I want to tell you something," Ramona said with a very wide and beaming smile.
Nick who could already guess what Ramona was going to say just nodded and the two went straight to the car.
As soon as she got into the car, Ramona immediately pulled Nick's tie and crushed the sexy lips, Nick was a little surprised but he returned the compliment while holding Nick's slender waist.
Ramona paused her slap and looked into Nick's eyes, "I already know where Hunter's arsenal is located." Nick lit up, he knew that Ramona would be sincere with him and wanted to see Hunter's destruction.
"Really?" Ramona nodded and pulled Nick's tie back on, gently stroking the sexy lips a little wildly.
Nick pressed Ramona's back no less wild than his current pang. Nick will not hesitate anymore, this time he will marry Ramona, putting Ramona as his top priority.
Ramona pulled herself into Nick's eyes, "How, are you sure of me?" Nick nodded, making Ramona smile and giving Nick a brief kiss on the neck.
"Therefore, let's destroy Hunter!" Nick nodded confidently.
