THE ISLAND WOLF - EPISODE 52

Two Years Later and Avril and Alejandro are not married. He never even spoke of it to her. They were much closer than before and Alejandro laughed like a kid whenever Avril told a joke. They were close to the extent that Avril confided in him about Dakar, and why she loved that wolf bracelet a lot. Alejandro was not surprised when he heard about him. He said he was in the Mafia, and had come across things that defied explanation.

“If you want, we can go trace him. Find the island again,” Dakar muttered into her ear one evening by the poolside. They were in the poolroom on his floor, laying on the lean-on bench, with Avril wearing a bikini and Alejandro only shorts. She was sitting between his legs and leaning on his chest, while he smoked cigar as usual. They had just got out of the pool.

“I doubt he’s still there. It’s been two years,” she replied.
“He stayed there for how many years again?”
“Fifty four, before I left.”
“Could still be there,” Alejandro said.
“And what would happen to you? Can you handle seeing me with another man? Remember, I love Dakar,” Avril stated and looked at his face. He shrugged and removed the stick from his mouth.
“I could kill him and take you back if I become too jealous,” he joked and Avril laughed.
“You can’t kill him. He won’t let you,” she said.
“Silver bullets could do the trick.”
“Alejabdro, let’s be serious. What would you do if I get back with Dakar?”
“You will be with him in the day time. You’re mine at night,” he joked again and Avril palmed her face and laughed hard.

“Oh, I just remembered. Xiào Wéi and I need to kick some arses. There’s this girl that’s threatening her to leave a man. She needs a little beating.”

She hurried off the bench and walked to the table. She wore her bathrobe and tied up her damp hair in a loose bun.
“Don’t land anyone in the hospital like last time.”
“I won’t. I promise,” she said and walked back to him. She placed a quick kiss on his lips and ran out of the room.

Avril Henderson was now twenty two years, and she was not less of a beauty. She was a full grown woman already, and all her features were highlighted. Her skin was firmer. Her bones stronger and she got a change in her voice.

“Hey, baby girl,” Feliz cooed as she walked down the stairs after dressing up.
“Where’s Manny?”
“Outside. Need him?”
“Yes. He has to help me deliver something to Jerks tonight. I can’t go,” she answered.
“To Jerks? Who?”
“Some guy who has been a regular customer. He keeps insisting we meet at Jerks, and I don’t trust him. He’s a crackhead,” Avril answered.
“I’ll go with Manny. What’s in for us?”
“Feliz, I didn’t ask you to accompany him.”
“You’re so hardheaded. Just a little spoiling wouldn’t kill you. Take us to Money-leggs,” Feliz cooed.
“You go there with Alejandro all the time.”
“As guards, not guests.”
Money-leggs was a big brothel that belonged to El Cando. As the name implied, you needed money to get the legs open.

“Okay. If I get the money from the deal, I’ll take you both there. Together with Bernardo,” Avril agreed. Feliz smirked and she huffed at him before running out of the house. She took a small car and drove into town. As she passed by, she saw three men harassing a girl not more than fifteen years of age. She was screaming and trying to shove them away. But they were laughing and pulling her in different directions.
“Lucky day for you, girl,” she cooed and pulled over. She stepped down from the car and the three men moved back.
“What did you stop?” she asked and stood akimbo. They stared at her and gave each other glances before walking away hurriedly.
“Hey! At least let’s throw a few punches!” Avril yelled after them but that seemed to make them walk faster.
“Thank you,” the timid girl said.
“What’s your name?”
“Marie,” she answered.
“If anyone tries to hurt you again, tell me Alejandro’s woman would have their heads. I’m your guardian angel now,” she said and smiled at her.
“Thank you.”

Avril brought out her wallet and pulled out some money for her. She also removed her chain from her neck and hung it over the girl’s neck.
“Take this, and don’t let anyone take it away from you. Don’t forget, I’m your guardian angel,” she cooed and patted her shoulder. Marie hugged her and waved at her as she drove back into the dusty street.

Finally, she reached Xiào Wéi’s pub. She worked as a bartender. As she entered the crowded room filled with the smell of alcohol, she sighted her friend by a table at the corner. She moved through the crowd to the counter and sat on a stool. Xiào Wéi returned after about a minute.

“Hey,” Avril called to her.
“Girl, you’re here already? My shift isn’t over until fifteen minutes from now,” she said.
“I can wait. Get me something to drink. Something cold and sweet. A little alcohol.”
Xiào Wéi went ahead to mix up the drink for her.
“Is Chidi back yet?” Avril asked.
“No. I’m scared for her.”
“I am too. El Cando did not do her good. She’s smart, but still, anything could go wrong. What if she’s busted?”

Chidi had accompanied El Cando to China for a drug deal. She was to pose as a stripper in the club but end up stealing the package from the man who bought it, back to El Cando.

After the drink and Xiào Wéi’s shift was over, they headed to the girl’s studio apartment. They knocked on the door and she unknowingly opens.
“Hey there!” Avril hailed at her. She looked at Xiào Wéi and back at Avril.
“What do you want?” she asked with a glare.
“Just to talk. I heard you were threatening to hurt my friend. Just wanted to see you do it.”
“She wants Chen. Too bad, I got Chen. But baby girl wants to put me out of the picture,” Xiào Wéi cooed.
“Awwn, so cute of her. Get the hell outta your room!” Avril ordered and pulled her out. She threw her on the ground and turned to face her.
“Please, I did t threaten her,” the girl pleaded. She had no idea Avril was close to her, because she hardly knew her. All she knew was that Chen was with her, and she wanted Chen. He was a very handsome Chinese man, who had money.

“Oh, so now you’re lying? Weren’t you informed? I hate lies!” Avril kicked her and Xiào Wéi bent down to pull her head up.
“You look pathetic. So, we won’t hurt you much. Just don’t try to do anything funny regarding Chen. Or else, we’ll take you to Alejandro’s mansion,” she spat and let go of the girls shirt. Avril blew the lady a kiss and walked away with Xiào Wéi.

“I wanted to beat her well. But she didn’t even put up a fight. It’s boring to fight someone who’s not defending herself,” Avril chuckled as they entered the car. They drove back to Alejandro’s mansion and went to the garden. Nana came out of the house and walked to them.
“Been waiting for you,” she said.
“Sorry, we went out. What’s up with you?” Avril asked.
“Nothing. Bored, that’s all,” Nana answered.

After she recovered from that incident that landed her in the hospital, she had been staying with Avril almost all the time. She was no longer Arturo’s woman, because she vowed never to go back to the man who made her unable to have kids of her own. It was truly an iron rod he punished her with that day. Her uterine wall would not be able to hold eggs after fertilization. So she couldn’t have natural kids.

“Alejandro wants to see you,” Nana added.
“Okay. I’ll be right back,” she said and went into the house. She went to their floor and entered the room to see Alejandro packing a bag.
“Jandro, where are you going?”
“Get your things, we’re leaving now,” he said.
“Leaving to where?” she asked.
“Italy. We have to attend a meeting with The Vincaso Family. They need my help,” he stated.
“Okay. But, when are we returning?”
“Probably next week.”

Avril heaved a sigh and went to pack up. She took Alejandro’s ring and wore it.
“What would I be doing?”
“In my room,” he answered and she raised a brow at him.
“Just that?”
“Yes. They are boring women there. I want my own woman with me to avoid unnecessary drama.”

“Let my friends come with me. I don’t want to be bored in the day time,” Avril pleaded. He looked her over then sighed.
“Okay,” he said and she squealed and ran downstairs to tell the girls. She met Chidi there, looking so exhausted. She had just returned from China.

“Hey, babe. Welcome back,” Avril hugged her. She told them about the trip to Italy and begged Chidi to tag along. She said it was for vacation and not work. Finally, they all agreed to go. And in two hours, they were en route to Italy in Alejandro’s plane.

They arrived long hours later, and were ushered into a hotel owned by the Vincaso Family. Alejandro went down to the club downstairs to meet some of his friends from the Italian Mafia. Avril and her girls were in a different room unpacking. Suddenly, they began to hear gunshots from below and shouts. They were startled and waited for the gunshots to stop before running downstairs. People were sprawled on the floor in the club. And at a table by a corner, were men on the floor or with their heads on the table. Bullets were in their bodies and on the table too. They were the target and the bullets had rained on them.

Avril sighted Alejandro at the end of the table, with his head on the chair.
“Alejandro,” she called and ran there. Her friends followed her.
“Jandro?” she called as she reached him. She held his head and her heart fell. Blood was all over his chest and bullet holes in his neck. Alejandro Mateo was gone.