Chapter 4: When Past knocks the door
Clothes are strewn about the room, creating a path from the door to the bed. Al and Natasha are nestled on the bed, wrapped in a cozy blanket. Natasha rests her head gently on Al's chest.
"What did you tell them?"
"Who?"
"Cartel! What did you tell them? that why you're here?"
"I didn't tell them anything. I left the gang, When i found you. I left the gang to be with you."
"You really wanted to be with me."
"I wished to spend rest of my life with you. But you certainly have other plans."
"I don't expect you to understand my situation but i just can't leave my family like that."
"I don't know how to convince you. I wish i had a way to make you stay with me."
"So, what you're gonna do now? Now, you can't go back. How you're planning to live?"
"I don't have to plan anything.."
"Why?"
"I have 400 million dollars."
"400 million dollars! How?"
"We had to smuggle 400 million dollars worth of weapons and drugs for osmow cartel. But we never did. We stole everything."
Natasha sits on the bed after what she just heard. What he did? He stole 400 million worth of drugs and weapons and came to her!!! Is he out of his mind???
"You stole 400 million dollars from Omrow!! Are you out of your mind?"
Natasha stands up and starts wearing her cloths.
"Not from omrow!! He died 22 years ago. His son Stephan is incharge now."
"Oh my god!! Al!! WHAT THE HELL YOU DID??"
"I thought we'd live happily for rest of our lives."
"You thought?? Did you really?? Al what have you done? I want you to return everything back to them."
"I cant. I am already in talks with some clients. Creek already sold some of it."
"Ohh god!! You did this with Creek??"
"Yes, he is my partner."
"I wanted to protect my family from their dirty game but you brought here a war Al. A WAR...."
"Nothings gonna happen."
"So, you think they are just gonna forget about 400 million dollars. Al, they will kill you. They will kill all of us."
"I wont let anything happen to you."
"You already did lot of things to hurt me Al. And i am not gonna let you harm my family.", Natasha takes her stuff and turns back to Al, "I want you to leave this town right now."
"But Rose."
"Just dont. This is the reason why i left you. You never wanted to get out of this. Your whole life is around drugs and crime.
I want to protect people I love. And you can never understand this. You know what, I don't want to see your face again, Al. I thought you changed but you will never change. i want you to leave and never come back."
Natasha turns and walks out of the room. Al tries to stop her but she ignores him.
"Rose!! Rose please stop!!", Al runs behind her but she leaves.
Natasha exits the lodge, settles into her car, and drives off. Meanwhile, Creek emerges from the opposite side of the lodge and makes his way inside.
Creek strolls through the corridor and comes to a halt in front of his room. He unlocks the door and steps inside, whistling a cheerful tune as he enters.
Creek enters his room and closes the door behind him. As he switches on the light, he notices a man in his mid-40s, named Stephan, sitting on the sofa. Four bodyguards stood beside Stephan, adding an air of intimidation to the room.
Feeling a sense of unease, Creek turns to leave, only to come face to face with Reg standing behind him. Panic set in as Creek took a few steps back, only to be met with a swift punch to the face from Reg.
A MOMENT LATER
Creek is seated on the floor, while Reg and Stephan are standing in front of him.
"You really thought you can run from me. You stole my fucking 400 million dollars. And you thought I won't come for you."
"I think you misunderstood us Stephan. We didn't stole it from you."
"Yes, you didn't. You are just selling it openly on the streets of the town instead of delivering it to fishers."
"You have no idea how angry fishers are! You created really big problem for us. Where the fuck's my stuff?"
"I don't know where's your stuff."
"Reg. Help this man spill some tea for me."
Reg switches on the ironing machine and brings it closer to creek.
"What the fuck are you doing man. I really don't know.... hey stop. I said stop."
Reg brings it closer to Creek's spine. Two bodyguards hold both of the creek's hands to keep him in the position.
"Reg stop man... Stephan i really don't know man."
Reg touches the iron to Creeks's spine.
Creek shouts in pain. He falls on the ground.
"Where is it?"
"I really dont know... Al knows about it. I have no idea."
"Al... he is with you?"
"Yes it was his idea the whole time. We were gonna sell it and split it."
"Well!! This is interesting. Where is he?"
Creek looks into Stephan's eyes.
________________________________________
The doorbell rings, jolting Al from his slumber. He groggily makes his way to the door and swings it open, only to find Creek standing before him.
"You bastard!!", says Creek
"What happened??"
Stephan and his team emerge from beside the door, guns pointed at Al. Al instinctively steps backward, fear evident in his eyes.
"Hello!! Al. I thought you were on a break. But you are here, betraying me. I trusted you."
"I can explain you."
"Ohh!! Yea, i am really eager to listen to your explanation. Let's talk inside."
Stepan, with a commanding presence, gestures for Creek to enter the room by swinging his gun. Creek complies, entering from beside Al. Reg then points his gun at Al, instructing him to walk inside as well. Once inside, they are joined by a bodyguard who promptly closes the door behind them.
Reg grabs Al's hair and pushes him on the floor.
"Where are my fucking 400 million dollars Al?"
"I don't know."
"You think i am a fool. I LOOK A FUCKING DUMB TO YOU. THAT YOU WILL TELL ME AND I'LL BELIEVE YOU.*
Creek is continuously sobbing in the corner.
"If you wanna die an easy death, then tell me."
"Why would i tell you? You are gonna kill me anyway. It doesn't matter."
Stephan points the gun at Creek.
"If you want this, then why waste time? Get ready to die."
"What the fuck! Al just tell him....", shouts creek.
Al is not even looking at Creek. Creek now knows that Al is not gonna help him. He is on his own.
"Dont do this to me man. JUST SAY SOMETHING... AL... please man. Just end it."
Stephan loads his gun.
"Al.. please.", cries Creek.
"Good bye pal.", says Stephan.
Creeks looks at Al for the one last time and closes his eyes.
"Stop! i know where's Rose!!"
Stephan keeps his Gun down.
"What??", Stephan is bit shocked.
"Yea! Rose's in this town. She's been hiding here for 22 years."
"Shut up Creek!! Stephan don't listen to him. He is lying."
"And you know what! It was their plan, they both did that together."
"You son of a bitch!"
Al stands up and charges towards Creek, intent on throwing a punch, but Reg intervene by swiftly delivering a blow to Al's face. The impact causes Al to stumble and fall to the ground.
"Where is she??"
"I know where she is. I can take you their."
Reg and Stephan exchange looks. Stephan walks close to creek.
"Take me to her."
Stepan looks into Al's eyes and smirks, "Its gonna be a hell of a reunion."
________________________________________
Alex sat in the dark hallway, still in shock after witnessing his mother cheating on his father. He desperately tried to push the painful memory out of his mind.
Suddenly, the door creaks open, causing Alex to stand up in anticipation. Natasha enters the house, her eyes meeting Alex's. She could sense his alertness and felt a bit nervous herself.
"Alex? Why are you still awake?", asks Natasha.
"Where were you?"
"I just went out to get some air."
"At parkinson's."
These words comes as a surprise to her. Tears escape out of her eyes.
"Why were you there?", continues Alex.
"Oh!!! Alex. What were you doing there? You followed me?"
"No, i didn't but why? How can you do this to dad."
This conversation is proving to be quite challenging for Natasha as she struggles to find the right words to say to him. Despite her efforts to console her child by reaching out her hand, Alex takes a step back.
"Please dont! Just don't touch me."
"Please give me one chance alex. Let me explain it to you."
"What are you gonna explain me, mom?"
Door bell rings.
Natasha looks at the clock, its 2:30am.
"What the!!!"
"Who's on the door?"
"I don't know. You stay inside. Lemme check."
Natasha go to the door and opens it.
Al is standing at the door with Stephan, Creek, Reg, and four bodyguards.
Stephan aims the gun at Natasha.
"Hello Rose!! Its been a long time since we last met."
"Stephan??"
Natasha gazes at Al and Creek, noticing the multitude of bruises adorning their faces.
"Aren't you gonna call us in?"
Natasha stands frozen in shock, gazing at Al, who avoids meeting her eyes.
"Didnt you hear him?? Lets go inside.", says Reg.
"You dont need to do this Stephan. Whatever this is. We can figure this out.", says Natasha.
"DIDN'T YOU FUCKING HEAR ME!!!", shouts Stephan.
Alex comes out to see whats happening.
"Mom? Who are they?", says Alex.
"Alex go inside!! I told you not to come out..."
"God!! He is your son? You're a mother.", says Stephan.
Stephan comes inside of the house. He walks towards Alex.
"Stephan stop.", says Natasha terrified.
"What! I just wanna talk to your son."
Stephan goes close to Alex and stops near him.
"You look a lot like your mother. Well! Let me introduce you to myself. I am Stephan. Your mother used to work for me."
Stephan turns to Natasha.
"Right Rose!"
Stephan turns back to Alex.
"Then one day she just disappeared. And look your mother has a life now."
"I never opened my mouth against you Stephan. I don't want to be part of this war anymore.", says Natasha.
"But look!! You fucking brought it back into your house."
Stephan points his gun at Alex.
"MOMMM!!", ALEX SCREAMS!!
"STEPPHANNN!!! NOOO!!! Stephan. Think before you do anything. He has nothing to do with anything. Let him go."
"Leave that for me to decide. Let's take this inside.", says to reg, "Close the door reg."
Stephan firmly grasps Alex's collar and leads him down the hall, with Natasha running alongside him. Meanwhile, Reg and four other bodyguards escort Al and Creek inside.
Stephan pushes Alex on the ground.
"ALEX!!!", screams Natasha.
Natasha rushes to Alex's side to offer her support. She sits beside him and notices that there is blood coming from a cut on his forehead.
"STEPHAN!! Dont you dare touch my family."
Arthur was sleeping in his room when a sudden noise from outside jolted him awake. As he turns to investigate, he realizes that Natasha is not by his side.
"Natasha?!"
Arthur rises from the bed and attentively listens to the noise emanating from outside. He cautiously makes his way out of the room.
Arthur enters the hall and was immediately met with a chilling sight - armed gangsters had infiltrated his home, with Natasha and Alex lying on the floor.
As he attempts to retreat, his hand accidentally knocks over a vase, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The gangsters swiftly aims their guns at Arthur, who raises his hands in surrender.
"Whatever money you all want, i am ready to give you. Just leave my wife and son alone. I will tell you where i keep everything."
"Ohh... what do you think I am. And. Wait a minute.", says Stephan and points finger at natasha to ask, "She is your wife?"
"Yes?", says Arthur.
"Ohh god!!", says Stephan as he laughed, "You really married this guy. Well! I dont want your money. I want my money back that your wife stole away from me."
"Dodge! Please escort this gentle man to his family.", says to one of his bodyguard.
A bodyguard approaches Arthur, pointing his gun at him and commanding him to go to Natasha. With a forceful push, Arthur is knocked to the floor. Stephan then orders Al and Creek to join Natasha and Arthur.
"Reg! Just look through this house and check if there is anyone else."
"There is no one else.", interrupts Natasha.
Reg goes upstairs.
"What's happening here natasha?", asks Arthur.
"Natasha? Who's Natasha?", Stephan asks intriguing.
"She's Natasha."
"Rose! You changed your name too."
"What you mean?", interrupts Arthur.
"Your wife's real name's Rose. She used to smuggle drugs and weapons for me.", replies Stephan.
"I think you are at a wrong place."
"No. Ask your wife."
Arthur looks at Natasha.
"I am sorry I hid that from you.", says Natasha, with her eyes down with guilt.
"What else you hided from me!!"
Reg brings Will and Henry down with him.
"Look boss what I found.", speaks Reg out of excitement.
Henry and Will are frightened. They scream and fight to get away from Reg. Reg brings Will and henry to Natasha.
"Ohh!!! Bingo!!!", shouts Stephan.
Will gazes at the Creek and recognizes Creek, the man from whom he recently purchased a gun. Feeling a sense of unease, Will attempts to conceal his face from Creek.
"I completed my promise Stephan. Now, please leave me. I don't even know anything.", says Creek.
"Yea sure!! You did great work Creek. You can go.", replies Stephan.
"Really!!"
"Yea!! Stand up and go."
"So, I am free?"
Al is looking at Creek in Anger. Al and creek exchange looks.
"Just leave before I change my mind."
Creek stands up and begins to walk away slowly. But Stephan lifts up his gun and fires 3 straight bullets into Creek's back.
BAM!! BAM!! BAM!!
Creek falls on the FLOOR and dies. A pool of blood slowly spreads around his motionless body.
SCREAM!!!
Natasha closes Henry's eyes as he cries out of fear.
Stephan quickly grabs Henry's hand and pulls him away from Natasha, who tries to stop him but is halted by other guards. Stephan then points his gun at Henry's forehead, leaving him terrified of what will happen next.
"Tell me where's my fucking 400 million dollar worth drugs and weapons.", screams Stephan.
"I don't know!! Stephan believe me. I really dont know that. Al just tell him. Jus tell him where's his stuff.", says Natasha.
"Stephan stop it. You can't do this.", says Al.
"Stop please. Natasha just tell him.", says Arthur as he is afraid of loosing his child.
"I will kill all of you tonight. JUST FUCKING TELL ME!!! WHERE IS MY 400 MILLION DOLLARS. JUST TELL ME. I AM GONNA COUNT TILL THREE."
"AL JUST TELL HIM. STEPHAN PLEASE. STOP.", begs Natasha.
"ONE...", Stephan starts the countdown.
Arthur closes his eyes.
"THEY DON'T KNOW!! THEY DON'T KNOW!!", screams Al.
"What?", asks Stephan.
"I stole it and hid it. They don't even know where the money is! When I was here for a deal. I saw Rose here. So, I decided and made this plan to rob you. They have nothing to do with this. Let them go.", says Al.
"Where is it?"
"Promise me you'll let them go. I'll tell you."
"Or I can just start killing each and everyone of them one by one until you tell me where is my stuff."
Stephan loads his gun and points it at Henry.
"You deserve a punishment. And death of this boy will be a good punishment for you. Here we go little guy."
"Please Stephan!! Stop I beg you. Al will tell you everything... take my life. That will serve him a punishment.", says Natasha.
"Please stop don't do that Stephan. I'll tell you... Stop.... I am telling you where it is?" Says Al.
"Too late. He'll have to die first.", says Stephan.
"I'LL GIVE YOU SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS!! STOP!! PLEASE!", screams Arthur.
"What? you?", asks Stephan.
"I can make six hundred million dollars out of your stuff."
"What?", says Al.
"What are you saying?", tries Natasha to stop him.
"We all are involved. We had this whole strategy to sell it in such a way that it will help us to gain 200 million profit. We'll give the whole amount to you. The whole thing.", says Arthur.
"You're just trying protect your family.", says Stephan.
"No. That's not true."
"Arthur, don't say anything that you'll regret.", says Natasha.
"No, let me speak. No one else can earn this much profit for you. You also know that. But I can.", interrupts Arthur.
"He is lying. He know nothing.", says Al and turns to Arthur, "What are you doing?"
"How?", asks Stephan.
"These small towns. These dealers. They all cut their own profit. When you'll round off these figures, it will somewhere be around 40 percent of profit from the main supplier to the consumer. That 40 percent profit is divided into several levels like smugglers, dealers, officers but what if they are not in a picture. What if we remove them from it. I can do that. I can give you the entire profit. Even if the 10 percent of profit is lost in the selling. There still is 30 percent profit left with us. That comes near to 600 million dollar. We will give you the entire amount of 600 million dollars.", says Arthur.
Stephan leaves henry. He turns back and thinks for a moment.
"Ok! You got a deal man. But 600 million dollars.", says Stephan.
"Yes. You'll get 600 million dollars. Only if my whole family lives.", says Arthur.
"Deal! You are very useful. But you know there are people who betrayed me and they must be punished to teach others a lesson."
Stephan lifts up his gun and shoots right into Al's head.
BAM!!!
Al falls on ground. He is dead.
----×----×----×----
Author's Note:
Hey everyone,
I hope you enjoyed reading the beginning of House of Lies! To get you fully immersed in this world of secrets and suspense, I've released the first four chapters together.
From here on out, the story continues with one new chapter every week — so stay tuned, because things are only just getting started.
Thank you so much for your support.
Enjoy the read — and welcome to the world of House of Lies.
— Aditya Srivastava