5

Mauricio helped Deanne climb into the helicopter. Since they rose above the ground, Deanne seemed lost. It's better that she is not asking questions. With one last glance at Deanne, who had managed to settle with his help, Mauricio looked from the transparent glass of the helicopter. His city, the central city, twinkled with millions of colored lights below even at that hour of night. Although Elbert had started their gang, he was the main person behind every task the gang accomplished. So, when the time came the gang was his, its networks belonged to him and the city …. I will not let Elbert snatch everything from me over such a silly thing, even if it means I have to compromise my principles for once. Mauricio looked at Deanna again. She had her shoulder length hair scattered over one side of her face and her lips. As she breathed slowly, her hair was getting blown lightly. Her eyes were closed. Mauricio reached out and removed the hair from her face and arranged them carefully on her shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Deanna asked slowly. She was facing him, and he saw tear stains on her caramel-colored cheeks. Her eyes were soft, ready to cry.

"Meaning?" Mauricio asked in an emotionless tone.

Deanna did not tell anything further, only kept watching him. Tears ran down her eyes. Sheltered from the cold, unfrozen, her tears ran free. She blamed herself for not listening to Reece. She blamed her father for not coming to her. She blamed Bertin for not being able to save her. She blamed herself for not recognizing Mauricio for who he was in reality.

"Your father had taken something important from me. You are my insurance for that matter. As long as he has the thing, I have you. If he returns the thing, you are free to go." Mauricio said while looking down at the city, as they flew over it.

"And if he doesn't?"

Mauricio laughed, "Well... Then you are mine, I guess. Given the way things were proceeding before Bertin interrupted ….." his gazed dropped down, at her lips, "you are going to like being with me." Deanna was embarrassed now from all that had happened between them. The way I had thrown myself at him…. Deanne slapped herself internally for her ignorance. Looking at her unpleasant expressions, Mauricio teased her, "Don't tell me that you are now repulsed by the idea! Because..." Mauricio turned towards her; he put his hand between her legs and rubbed her, "…. I know you want it." Deanne's eyes were wide open. Despite the jeans, she could feel the heat pooling down there from his touch. She tried to push away his hands, but he didn't back off until he had had his share of fun.

"You did not tie me." Deanne bit her tongue as soon as the statement left her lips. Mauricio's eyes glinted dangerously. He raised one of his naturally perfect eyebrows and a lascivious smile played on his lips. "Bit of a bondage lover, I guess!" he said teasingly.

"I… I mean…. Are you not worried that I might attack you or try to escape or something?"

The helicopter was just inches above the ground and upon hearing Deanne's words the person before them laughed. Mauricio gave her another amused look.

"What?" Before anybody could reply to Deanne's question, Mauricio got the gesture to get out. Deanne walked out behind him. She was shocked at what lied in front of her. The entire city looked tiny from where she stood. She realized that she was standing on top of the tallest building in some vicinity. "Where are we?" she questioned as she took in the view.

"My home, in Northern City." The helicopter took off behind them. It was still dark. Once the calmness had settled around them, Mauricio pointed forward. "Can you see that giant sprawl of golden lights? It is the Vasquez Mansion, Southern City." Deanne looked in that direction longingly. Where are you dad?

"This tallest tower is yours?"

"Yeah, Vilardi Towers. Now come on, enough of sight-seeing."

"You live in all of it?"

Mauricio glared at her. "I am not stupid like your father. All 129 floors below are let out for commercial purpose, and I live on 130th floor." They stepped into the elevator and Mauricio pressed 130. "Stop!" Deanna closed her mouth as Mauricio asked her to stop. She was getting information in bits and pieces and that was making her more curious. As the elevator doors opened at 130th floor Deanna saw complete darkness in front of her. Mauricio stepped out first and the lights of the patio turned on. Walking down a few steps he stopped by a pair of large metal doors. He pressed his finger on a glass paneled display beside the door and something clicked. The metal doors were slid open to reveal a much large room. It must be the hall. Deanne thought while peeking into the room from behind the back of Mauricio.

"Welcome to my humble abode!" Mauricio stood aside by the opened doors and extended his hand, welcoming Deanne in. She looked at him in disbelief. She was having trouble framing the proper image of Mauricio in his head. One was of when he was all getting rough on Bertin and her in the alley – complete thug. And another was of the complete gentleman in the pub and now in front of her. At one point he had looked brutish with bad mafia vibes that made her think of running far away from him. And at another point when he was so kind and gentle, she wanted to run towards him. Her thoughts were muddled – confused.

"You are not going to get in?"

"Are you sure I am your hostage? Because….." she walked into the room and looked around, "it just doesn't feel like it." Deanne murmured while looking around the room. It was a bit too white for her taste. The room was scantily furnished with a white couch and a white table. There was a white furred rug underneath her feet. Except that there was nothing else. No photos on the walls, or paintings or television. It was just a large white room with one door on each of the two opposite facing walls. The room had a very cold vibe. Deanne shivered from within. There were no colors to mute the white and her head was already hurting from everything shining so bright.

"To your left is the bedroom and to your right is the kitchen. If you wish to freshen up, you can use the bath in the bedroom. And feel free to explore." Maurice explained. Deanne turned towards him. He was still standing at the threshold, just outside the doors that had slid open.

"This place already hurts me. How do you live here?"

"Like a hostage." Deanne heard a beep and the doors were shut confining her within the room before she could reach for it.