Mayhem

TAKAHASHI

Allan Cortez has begun his speech. I smiled, silently ticking down the minutes before the surprise performance which I had prepared would take place tonight.

Tonight, would be a special one. I was almost too giddy with excitement, it was a little bit of a struggle to keep my composure.

For the nth time this evening, I heard the ear-piece I was wearing cackle to life.

"Anata no aizu de, Boss," the smile on my face deepened upon hearing those words from my underboss.

Everything was ready. I was to give the signal and, ta-da, the greatest performance that will ever be written in history under my name was about to take place.

There was a round of applause which was a result of Allan Cortez's introducing me for my speech.

I gladly took his place on the podium.

"Thank you. Thank you for the warm welcome. My people and I are grateful," I said, making sure to gesture to my Capos who were assembled behind me.

"You have given us food and wine and you have given me an extremely beautiful bride, Mary Serrano," I caught sight of my fiancé, calling her to me. She was hesitant as she got out of her seat. I waited, noticing Margaux Cortez giving her flying kisses. This appeared to have lifted my fiancé's once somber mood. Gradually joining me on the podium, I gently pulled her towards me, carefully planting a kiss on the side of her head, sensing her discomfort.

It somehow stung but I was well aware that she was not too happy for the arranged marriage. She didn't have to say it out loud, however her actions were enough to let me know how she really felt about the whole set-up.

I didn't mind her silent rejection though. On the contrary, it made me want her even more.

It was one of the things most people didn't like about me. I often tend to love the hatred, dislike, and such expressed to me. I prefer it when there are oppositions.

Hence, with Mary wanting to shoo me away,the more that I want to keep her by my side.

Placing my concentration back to the audience, I went on with the address.

"You have given me all this and for that I couldn't be more grateful."

Remembering the champagne glass which I was still holding, I decided to hand it over to Mary before proceeding.

"I don't want to be the only one on the receiving end of all these," I felt the ear-piece about to cackle to life once more. I feigned an innocent look, gesturing towards Allan Cortez who smiled jovially upon the recognition.

"We are ready when you are, Boss," Uyazumi's voice rung out in my ears,loud and clear. He was the one whom I assigned to take charge while Daisuke and Myojo went to the Golden Island's headquarters.

It was only a matter of time and the real party will soon take place. The idea thrilled me, I was reeling with excitement.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my men gathering in the balcony, getting into position.

"You deserve some things too." I said, ending my speech, pulling Mary close so I could whisper something in her ear.

"Hide," I said pushing her towards the nearest table as the rain of bullets began.

"Wha--" The look of utter horror on Allan Cortez's face was satisfying to witness. Before his bodyguards could do anything, they were shot down and left Allan vulnerable.The horrified look on his face was now mixed with anger.

Gazing at his expression, I was certain that he was probably wondering the inevitable question of why.

Why did I do all of these?

Simple: I wanted more power and Allan Cortez was standing in my way. I need to eliminate all the threats and make sure that, in the end, I will win.

"What is this madness Takahashi?" I merely smiled hearing the hidden plea on his somewhat steady voice, pulling the trigger, shooting his left leg.

"Dad!" I faintly heard Margaux's voice and apparently he did so too. The terror on Allan's face deepened, his attention snatched by his daughter's sudden cry.

I let him limp away, following his moving figure with my eyes. The rain of bullets was beginning to cease. I found that Margaux Cortez was making her way towards her father too.

I can't help the smirk from forming across my lips as I watched the scene unfold before me.

Ah, the father and daughter, what a sight to behold.

"Margie!" Allan shouted "Run! Go!" He was desperately pleading for her to save herself.

I continued to watch in amusement Margaux Cortez' reaction, the pain and the fear evidently seen on her face.

Finally having the resolve to end Allan Cortez's suffering, while he went on to limp, heading in the direction of where Margaux was, I made my way towards them, making sure to stop a few inches away.

"To the Golden Island," I said as if it was a toast, raising my gun, pointing it point blank on Allan Cortez's head, pulling the trigger without any hint of hesitation.

--

TAKAHASHI

~At present~

The sound of gunshots reverberated in the once quiet evening outside the Cortez's mansion. It seemed to have come from the garden.

I let Uyazumi lead the way as I was still seething for what Margaux Cortez has done. She dared to fire a pistol towards me. I had my hands covered and secured by a cloth, stopping it from bleeding. The bullet merely grazed through, but it was enough to spill out some blood and caused a somewhat numbing pain on my hand.

Trudging with the few other men, I was imagining how to kill Margaux upon getting hold of her. I will make sure to make her howl in too much pain before finally ending her life.

I allowed myself to muse over a tiny detail, whether to use a gun or a samurai sword in finishing her off.

I need to make her pay for causing the injury in my hand and for pointing a gun towards Mary, my beautiful wife to be.

Nevertheless, I was certain that she had no intentions of killing her. She and Mary were best of friends. I'm one hundred percent confident that she would never cause her best friend's demise.

But then, I have heard the old people say that grudges can make you do things you wouldn't normally do. With that line of thinking, I have considered the possibility that Margaux could and would have shot my fiancé despite her better judgment.

This seemed to have fueled my desire to have her suffer an immense torture, making sure that she feels the wrath of a Ryuji.