EVOLUTION HQ

After two weeks in hiding, I got a call from the Don telling me it was okay to come back. I have been in hiding for a crime that I was asked to do. A problem I was asked to deal with. A sin I was asked to commit. It was all for the good of the family and like a good soldier, I did what I was asked to do. And now, I'm back home. It feels great to be back. I headed straight to the lounge and after being welcomed back, I headed to the basement where I had my office. I missed walking through the corridors, I missed the smell of cigars and sweat. I missed the aroma of Mohammed's freshly brewed coffee as I passed by the make shift kitchen.

While I was thinking about all this, someone bumped into me and I recognized him as one of Arakis' men. He slipped a note in my hand and apologized for being a careless ass. Before I could even yell at him, he ran towards the door and slammed it after himself.

"Now that was fucking weird." I told myself as I read the note. I saw Arakis' clumsy handwriting penciled on a gray piece of paper.

"Shit gone wild while you were away. I'll be at your office later tonight. Make sure you're alone. This is important."

CLOVER'S OFFICE (11:00pm)

"What the fuck!"  I screamed as I woke up in my office. I had everyone leave the basement when I came back to the office. While waiting for Arakis, I fell asleep on the couch. I was startled to find him sitting near me when I woke up.

"Shhhh... He has ears everywhere," Arakis said, his voice trembling.

"Who has ears everywhere?" I asked, annoyed at Arakis.

"Koehler.." He whispered, then looked around him, making sure that no one was around.

I smacked his left ear and that settled him for a bit. I straightened up and walked towards the mini bar. After filling two glasses with whiskey, I handed him one then I walked back to my desk.

"Cut the drama, tell me what happened and why are you so afraid?"

Arakis started spewing incoherent words as his mind raced with his tongue. I raised my right hand ready to smack him again when he stopped, one hand over his mouth.

"Breathe. Keep calm and tell me everything." I told him, demonstrating to him how to slowly inhale from the nose, then exhaling through the mouth. After several cycles, he was ready to tell me his story.

I still can't believe what Arakis told me. It was horrible and terrifying! The whiskey was helping me calm my nerves as I took another sip. It took a lot of coaxing and threats to make Arakis tell me everything. He just left my office, less afraid than when he came. I've been sitting and thinking for an hour now since he left. I need to do something about this. But I definitely need to talk to Koehler and ask him if Arakis' allegations were true. If it were, he needs to get help. I stood up and walked towards the window. It was always great watching the first sun rays hitting the sky. It was already morning, I didn't notice the time until I saw the sun. The morning brightness was calming. But as soon as I felt relaxed, I remembered everything Arakis said.

"Fuck it!" I cursed loudly in my room. I called Koehler's secretary and made sure he was in his office. Koehler was a morning person and he made sure that his secretary arrived before he did. His secretary confirmed that the Don has arrived. I told her that I was coming and  instructed her to make sure he sees no one until I get there. I brushed my hair and smoothed my dress. It was time to face Koehler.

"He locked Seeyara inside the bathroom... we could hear her screams... we couldn't do anything."

"He was laughing like the devil."

"He made us fight each other. Me against Anton so he could make bets. He usually bets on Anton. And when he sees that I was gaining the upper hand, he would order me to lie down while I endured Anton's beating."

Arakis's scared voice kept echoing in my head as I walked my way to Koehler's office. I went straight to his room and I was determined to get some answers.

"Finally fucking time to have you back!" Koehler said as soon as he saw me. He looked grim. He was angry. But I know I should be determined to find the truth, even if it meant my death. He can't be doing shit with the family. I stood in front of him and began to speak.

"I know what happened-" Not able to finish my sentence, he cut me off, shouting.

"YOU DEFINITELY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED! YOU THINK I WOULDN'T FIND OUT?"  He screamed at me, with spit flying all over the place.

What the fuck? I asked myself. This is not what I had in mind. 

"Sit down." He said after a few seconds, a little bit calmer. He walked towards me and sat on top of his table. He was rubbing his right thigh then he said,

"I talked with the Pappaci brothers. Gino said you only gave him half the money. Knowing you and Vegas, I bet you blew it in the cockpit. What the fuck's with you and cock fighting?!"

"I...I..I...." not knowing what to say next, I calmly said... "I am sorry."

Koehler looked at me for a few seconds and sighed.

"I want you to go back to Vegas. And I want you to clean up this mess. The Pappaci brothers are planning to renege on the deal. I heard that they will not sell their casino." He walks back to his chair and sits, leaning his full weight. He looks at the ceiling then back at me.

"I want you to eliminate the Pappaci brothers. I want you to take over their casino and their strip joint."

"What if the heads of the other families find out about our move? Do you have their approval?" I asked him, knowing that without the approval of the commission, war will erupt among the families. War is always bad for the business.

Koehler smiled. He leaned forward and told me; "That's why I'm sending you back there. I'm not sending anyone but you. The Pappaci brothers thought we were not taking them seriously when you only gave them half of what we had agreed upon, and they're planning to kill you when you come back."

Koehler stood up and walked towards the window. He stared at the lawn for a few seconds before facing me again.

"No one threatens to kill anyone from my family!"

"But if they're planning to kill me, why send me back there?" I asked him, confused.

"They won't expect you to know about their plan. Set up a meeting with them and make sure that both Gino and Nick won't come out there alive. Oblivion's got my back on this operation. Take anyone you need with you. Don't come back without the casino and their strip joints in my name. We will take over their operations."

I nodded my head, staring at him. As my punishment, he's sending me off to the wolves. Maybe if I voice out Arakis' allegations, he would spare me and send someone else. Anyway, it was the reason I came here in the first place.

"Arakis told me that-" But before I could finish, he cut me off once again.

"You're lucky this is your only punishment. Go fly to Vegas. " He then waved his hand at me, like shooing a fly away from his presence. Holding back my tongue from cursing him, I stood up and made my way back to the basement.

At my office, I asked Seeyara to look for KL and Arakis. I instructed her to tell them  that we're leaving tonight for Las Vegas.

"You will be coming with us too." I instructed her before she left my  office. Seeing the plight I have ahead, I raised my glass to the empty room. "Viva Las Vegas!"

After an urgent message to meet Clover I head down asap. Walking into her office I take a seat "Good to see your back from hiding, heard you needed me for something... what's going on?."

"Take a seat!" I leaned back and explained the situation to KL.

"Remember the plan before? Where you and Anton will accompany me to Vegas to meet the Pappaci brothers? Well, we will still go to Vegas except that Anton is presently in the family's villa recuperating from some bug he caught."

"Plans have changed, we will eliminate Nick and Gino. We will meet with them 2 days from now. I want you to find a restaurant or a bar with not much customers. They are planning to assassinate me. But they will be in for a surprise. Once you find a good place, give me a call so I can set up the meeting with them."

I took out an envelope from my drawer then handed it to KL.

"You're flying out this afternoon and be our advance party. Make sure no one knows you're from Chicago."

After taking the envelope I wasted no time and did as instructed. I found a restaurant called Freddie's, it was about 2 miles from the strip. Finding a phone booth I contact Clover.

"Clover I found the spot we were looking for!... its called Freddie's. Place is fucking dead, but anyway its on dean Ave 2 miles off the strip. I got a hotel out here and staying out of sight so I don't draw attention. When you arrive we can go over the next set of instructions."

Heading to my room I throw myself on the bed and look around. I stay hidden and try to pass time while waiting for Clover.

    Arakis had not been doing well the past few weeks, Clover being the only real barrier between him and the boss before she left. The usual day to day stayed the same, but her absence had turned his life into a mad house. After they met to talk about what Koehler had been up to in her absence, he'd wandered off, landing in a rather dull looking tavern. He settled into a booth near the kitchen, the few guards he brought with him taking up a booth closer to the door.
    He spent the next several hours staring at a sandwich he had ordered but had not touched, instead having lit up cigarette after cigarette, smoking them almost as fast as he could breathe. He would often double over in violent coughing fits,  his asthma rearing constantly, only to be suppressed after some violent hacking and a stiff drink. By the time someone found him, he'd nodded off in his booth. He reeked of ash, and his complexion was as gray as the smoke he'd been choking down, his shallow breathing the only indicator that  he was sleeping rather than deceased.
    He slumbered for a few hours undisturbed save for the occasional, annoying sounding of a dilapidated grandfather clock that only stood thanks to the wall behind it. Time passes until, quietly, his sanctuary is disturbed. A lone intruder walks through the front door, eliciting a jingle from the bells that hang on it. His guards stand up, cutting off the visitor half way to Arakis, the commotion rousing him. He looks up groggily, recognizing the figure as one of Seeyara's people, and he waves them over. A note is handed to him and he scans it, Seeyara's handwritten summons eliciting a swear as he realizes he is to cut all the way back across town to see Clover again. He grabs his coat, dropping a half-dozen random bills on top of his uneaten sandwich and slips through the back door.
    Nearly an hour later, he slinks down to the basement, eyes nervously scanning the passages for any sign of Koehler. He reaches CloverLuxille's door, knocking twice before entering, looking tiredly at her as he gives the best imitation of a smile he can, his voice steadier than the rest of him as he queries, "Seeyara said you needed me -now-, but left me in the dark as to what for."

Seeyara is jumping and hopping in the corridor on her way to her room after accomplishing her duties. She is indeed happy today. CloverLuxille is back! She screams voicelessly while punching the air, being careful not to wake everyone up in the headquarters, especially Koehler.

Koehler!

Just the mere mention of his name sends shivers to Seeyara. She turned around and stared at his room located at the end of the corridor. She swallowed hard as she remembers all the pain she had suffered this past weeks.

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"No! He was lying. How could you believe that bastard!" Seeyara tells Koehler in her calm voice eventhough she wanted to scream at him for believing that incompetent man she hired for a simple job yet he failed.

Koehler turned around and faced Seeyara with his eyes burning.

"Are you saying that I am stupid enough to believe him without investigating?" Koehler threw the envelope at Seeyara.

"Look" He said authoritatively.

Seeyara looked at him before opening the envelope with her trembling hands. She scanned each photos of her together with different men. One was in the coffee shop in Chicago, a man and his tiger, another is a photo of her inside a bar, happily talking with a man in grey suit, and more photos of her dating guys everywhere. Seeyara looked at Koehler with a confused face.

"Are you following me because of this? These are all simple dates and nothing more!" She said in a low tone.

Koehler slammed his table before speaking.

"I've been chasing you since you came here. Did everything for you..for you to notice me!" He shouted.

Seeyara's jaw dropped and her eyes widen. "Ahhh..arhh..are.. you jealous?" Seeyara asked. Koehler's face turned red, he looked the other way before speaking.

"Ur... What are you talking about?" He said in an angry voice then threw another envelope at Seeyara. He cleared his throat before speaking again, "Those are the evidences of you... of your messy jobs. Eyes are everywhere, they saw you strangled a man in a dark corner in LA, shot an innocent man twice in Detroit. There are lot of evidences of your messy works and all you did was date here and there!"

"That was the reason I hired that bastard for!" Seeyara shouted. She shivered when Koehler is in front of her, looking at her without blinking, and grabbing her arms. "And you can't even hire a competent man!"

Seeyara was about to answer when someone knocked on the door. "Excuse me Sir, but Miss Seeyara has an appointment with Mr. Bruce in an hour." Seeyara nodded at one of her men and signaled him to leave.

"I apologized for all of my dirty jobs, I will fix all of this after my meeting with Mr. Bruce." Seeyara said in an apologetic voice.

"Hahaha!" Koehler laughed like the devil. "Do you think I will let you leave?" He said without looking at Seeyara.

"I already sent a man to fix this mess and as for you, you will stay here in the headquarters and will not leave until I say so."

"What? You can't do this to me!" Seeyara said in disbelief.

"Oh dear, yes, i can." Koehler called his men and grabbed Seeyara. "No! Boss, I promised I will clean all of this, just let me go! I have to meet Mr. Bruce!" Seeyara shouted.

"And another reason, you can't date ANYONE!" Koehler shouted back. "Bring her to the bathroom" He ordered.

"It is not a date, it is a business meeting!" Seeyara shouted as she tried to escape. She kicked one of his men but they were stronger. They carry her like a pig but she kept on struggling.

"Arakis, help me." She begged at Arakis when she saw him looking helplessly, while they were dragging her inside the bathroom. She looked at his face with wounds all over. "Boss, please. Don't do this." She begged.

"You will love this my dear and will thank me after this." Koehler said and laughed evilly.

"Boss, Don Oblivion just arrived" One of his men whispered. "I'll be there in a minute". He responded. "Well, my Seeyara, enjoy your little sanctuary. I will be back. Be good." Koehler's final words before he slammed the door and locked Seeyara inside.

"NO! BOSS, DON'T DO THIS TO ME!" Seeyara shouted as she knocked on the door endlessly, hoping that someone would help her. Tired, all Seeyara could do was to sat on the floor, crying. Flashes of Arakis' face was all she could see. All this time, she was never scared, not until this fateful day. She knows that all her effort will be useless. She can't escape. If only CloverLuxille was here. She thought.

----------------

Seeyara hugged herself, shook her head to forget all the things that happened inside the bathroom then ran to her room. She took her luggage bag and  pack her things. Once done, she went down the basement and saw CloverLuxille sitting at the bar.

"I am ready." She said.

I was talking to KL over the phone when Arakis arrived, followed by Seeyara.

"Ok, stay put, watch the place and stay in the shadows. I'll have someone get back to you as soon as I fill in Seeyara and Arakis."  I hang up the phone and sat behind my desk. Both Arakis and Seeyara were sitting on the couch. Arakis still had the jitters, while Seeyara was evidently excited about the trip.

"So here's the thing, I tried to confront Koehler about your allegations Arakis, but sadly, he found out about what happened in Vegas. I am being sent there to take over the Pappaci's casino and their other businesses." I looked at their face, and they were both listening intently.

"It would have been a simple job, but.." I watched as they hung to every word I said. So I continued.

"Koehler wants them dead. And the Pappaci brothers wants me dead too!" They then started speaking at the same time. Arakis was mad while Seeyara was shocked and angry. I raised my hand and asked them both to be silent.

"KL is already in Vegas. He found a place where I will meet both Nick and Gino Pappaci. He already scouted it. You both will come with me for two reasons. First, to keep you away from Koehler. Second, I would need your help." They both nodded, waiting for more instructions. Then I noticed Arakis's hand crawling towards the back of Seeyara, stopping on her right shoulder. Seeyara was too focused on what I was saying that she didn't notice Arakis's move.

"Arakis, please stop what you are doing and focus! " I watched as Arakis retrieved his hand and sighed.

"As soon as we arrive in Vegas, Arakis, you will join KL and scope the place from top to bottom. See where you can hide guns inside the place.The brothers will surely frisk me as soon as I enter the restaurant."  I turned to Seeyara.

"Seeyara, you will be go to the restaurant ahead of time. I'm sure you have a male friend in Vegas and ask him out on a date. You will be my primary back up inside." I gave them time to think. I stood up and walked to the phone and called KL. I updated him and told him that we will be flying in a few hours. I walked back to Arakis and Seeyara.

"Let's go!"

Waiting for the others to show I scan the room for a place to hide weapons. As I search from top to bottom I begin to get frustrated that in the entire room there is no where to put these fucking things. After countless minutes of searching I stop and look around one last time before spotting a painting on the wall.

As I walk towards it I say aloud to myself "Ok have to make a spot".

I remove the painting and look around all innocent like before punching a hole in the wall. "Perfect". I reply as I drop my piece into the hole and cover it back up with the painting. I take a seat at the bed and notice the painting is crooked. I throw myself back on the bed and stare at the ceiling.

"Its a good spot so I don't give a fuck, all I do now is wait for everyone." 

After arriving in Las Vegas, we went straight to the hotel where KL was checked in. Arakis joined KL in his room, while me and Seeyara occupied the room beside it. I told Arakis to tell KL to meet us in the lobby in an hour. I needed time to rest and calm down. I hate flying. I would rather drive for hours rather than board a plane. But the matter with the Pappaci brothers was urgent so I sucked it up and drunk a couple of shots before boarding the plane.

An hour later, me and Seeyara went down to the lobby to find both KL and Arakis. We sat down and went over the plan again. It was decided that Arakis and KL will enter the restaurant tonight after it closes. The restaurant was picked by KL earlier because business was slow, and it had few customers. KL and Arakis will try to hide a weapon under the center table or in the ladies comfort room where I can easily access it. Seeyara will head to the casino and try to hook up with someone and ask him for a date. Seeyara and her date will dine at Freddie's, the restaurant where I will meet with the Pappaci brothers. It was decided that I will set the meeting tomorrow afternoon. After the meet, and hopefully I have killed both Nick and Gino, KL will be my getaway driver and will transport me to the airport. Arakis will take out the Brother's bodyguards outside the restaurant, while Seeyara will take care of those who will be inside the restaurant. After a few minutes, we concluded our plan and we  went our separate ways.

"I'm going to meet someone." That was all I could tell them. Sully, an old wise guy from here, gave me some information which maybe crucial to our mission. I also made a phone call to Devon, the Pappaci brothers consigliere. I told him I would meet Gino and Nick at Freddie's at 2 pm tomorrow.

On orders from Clover I retrieve my gun from the wall and head down to the lobby as instructed. I made sure my gun was hidden on me real well so I didn't raise suspicion.

"Hey C looks like that flight was hell... still hate flying I see, I don't blame you."

The plan was set. I remained stationed outside in the car waiting to get Clover out as soon as the brothers were dead. I sat and waited for at least 20 minutes before hearing a few loud gunshots. People in the streets were in a panic running in all directions as I see the two brothers run out...I knew something bad happened.

In rage I exit my car and blend with the crowd as I run in the same direction as the papacci brothers. They get to the door of their getaway car as I pull out my pistol and unload a entire clip into the both of them covering the whole side of the car with blood. The driver of there vehicle peels out leaving the two lying on the ground as I look at both of their bodies and yell out "FUCKING PRICKS".

I get back in my car as Seeyara jumps in. She looked down and said "They got her!... she's... gone!."

"Seey, I know this won't take the pain away from losing a dear friend but the Papacci bros are dead!."

I peel off and floor it down the street. While driving I can't help but think about everything Clover did for me.

Seeyara went to the casino ahead of her team after Clover dismissed them. She is wearing a black rayon dress paired with a silver shoes and bag. She fixed her dress, pulled it straight, sighed deeply to calm herself then headed towards the casino. She left her newly parlored hair down, flaunting its golden, shiny, and smooth beauty. Hooking up with someone is easy for Seeyara, however, Clover's mission with the Pappaci Brothers bothers her so much. She is feeling something wrong will happen. 

"Shut all your negative thoughts." Seeyara murmured to herself while shaking her head. She took another deep breath before walking inside the casino. She looked around, men are everywhere, sitting on the couch with girls beside them, puffing tobacco, playing poker, black jack, roullete, etc, while others are leaving the place... empty handed. She decided to sit on the poker table where three men in a suit are playing. 

"Mind if I join you?" Seeyara asked giving her sweet smile. No one can resist her smile, it is one of her asset. The men nodded and checked her out.  An hour later, the two men decided to leave after losing over and over. Seeyara approached Mr. Poke, who won much of the game and slightly rub his legs.

"Mr. Poke, you seem so lucky tonight, do you still wanna continue?" Seeyara asked seductively. Mr. Poke gave her a naughty smile and whispered to her ear. "Well lovely, we can change venue, if you are up to." 

Seeyara tugged her hair before answering. "I love that idea. Can we go to Freddie's first and savor some local food. I heard they had the best steak in town. We have all night" Mr. Poke agreed without second thought and hurriedly left the casino.

Seeyara is sitting besides Clover's grave. She couldn't believe what had happened that night. She thought it was the Papacci Brothers they need to watched out for but something went wrong, and they were careless. She lay on the grass with her hands behind her head, looking at the sky calmly. Feeling the cold breeze that touches her delicate skin, she closed her eyes as memories started to flood inside her head.

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At Freddie's.

Seeyara convinced Mr. Poke to sat at the corner near the glass window inside Freddie's Resto. Her location is perfect... she will be able to see Clover once she's inside the resto and KL's car who is patiently waiting few meters away from them. She checked her gun inside her coat subtly while looking at the menu. 

"I would love to have a prime steak tartare and a glass of Hermitage. How about you dear?" She asked as she returns the menu to the waiter.

"I will have the same and make it a bottle of Hermitage instead." He said and winked at her. Seeyara bit her lip and smiled. 

The date is going well, Mr. Poke is fun to be with, he is a gentleman and have a good humor, which Seeyara likes best in a man. It has been an hour since they entered the restaurant yet CloverLuxille is nowhere to be seen. The two finished their food and currently enjoying the warm taste of their red wine while talking gibberish. Seeyara kept her attention to him though she is feeling uneasy as time passes by. She checked her watch and roamed her eyes around the area. 

"Are you okay dear? I've noticed you've been looking at your watch for a while now. Are you in a hurry?" Mr. Poke asked with a hint of irritation on his voice. Seeyara looked up to him calmly before speaking. "I am sorry. I need to go to the powder room. I'll be right back"

Seeyara walked slowly going to the powder room while scanning the whole restaurant. Clover should have been here, she kept on telling herself when suddenly she heard gun shots. People inside panicked and ran trying to leave the place as fast as they could. She looked at where she left Mr. Poke, he's gone. Seeyara turned to find where the gun shot came from when...

"Aw. I'm sorry." Seeyara apologized when she bumped into someone. The stranger hurriedly walked away without saying anything. She ignored the stranger and went inside the powder room....

Seeyara froze....she stood there for a moment, paralized, unable to move... Her face turned pale as she can see... clearly....

CloverLuxille...

soaked in her own blood...

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Seeyara opens her eyes, tears keep on falling... She can't remember how did she able to find strength to get out of that place. All she knows, Papacci Brothers were killed by KL.

"Well, sissy, we have succeeded in our mission. Papacci Brothers are dead. That is what it was all about right?" Seeyara get on her feet, wiping her tears, before she continue. "I'll miss you badly. 'Til we see each other. Sayonara!" Seeyara's last words before leaving Clover together with her favorite flowers.

Standing at a distance I notice Seeyara at Clover's grave. I stayed back and gave her alone time until I seen her rise to her feet and leave flowers. As she makes her way to the cemetery gates I respectfully hug Seeyara as she was having a tough time dealing with it all.

"Remember its not your fault!, we all have our days... when our number is called its over. I'm just going to put some flowers myself, this is not easy for me either. Get some rest ok."

I was hard seeing her so down but I hoped that her visit would help a bit.