The Ultimate Return of Carlos

5: Debts of the Past

After a week of a relentless search, Carlos and the private investigator remained locked in a frustrating pursuit of Olivia's elusive trail. Despite their efforts, the mystery surrounding her disappearance deepened, leaving them with more questions than answers. Determined to break through the veil of uncertainty, the investigator proposed a bold move, for Carlos to join the search at the station area in front of the Noir Nebula club.

As Carlos immersed himself in the bustling surroundings of the club's vicinity, he couldn't shake the feeling that every passing moment held the potential to unveil the truth. Hours stretched on, tension mounting with each fruitless attempt. However, fate took a surprising turn when Carlos spotted a familiar face emerging from the club's entrance, one of the enigmatic men who had warned him to abandon the search.

Inside the tinted SUV, Carlos swiftly tapped the investigator, directing his attention to the unfolding scene. "That's one of the men that came to threaten me at the bar area. I can't forget that scar on his face."

The investigator, meticulous in his approach, sought confirmation. "Are you sure that's our guy?"

Carlos, unwavering in his recognition, responded without hesitation, "Yes, that's our guy."

With strategic precision, the investigator disembarked from the vehicle, discreetly trailing the scar faced man. The air became thick with anticipation, and after a few suspenseful minutes, the stillness shattered with the eruption of gunshots and distant screams. Panic engulfed the surroundings as people scattered in fear, having witnessed a violent episode.

Amidst the chaos, Carlos and the assisting investigator exchanged uneasy glances, the distant echoes of gunshots still reverberating in the air. Feeling a surge of adrenaline, Carlos knew he had to find out what transpired. Ignoring the palpable tension, he stepped out of the SUV, cautiously moving towards the commotion.

People rushed past him, their faces a mosaic of fear and confusion. Carlos strained to see beyond the panicked crowd, searching for any sign of the investigator who had followed the scar faced man.

What greeted him was a scene beyond immediate comprehension. The chief investigator lay lifeless on the floor, an unexpected casualty in the pursuit of the scar faced man. Panic seized Carlos as he scanned the chaotic aftermath, realizing the scar faced man had vanished into the turmoil.

And with adrenaline fueled urgency, Carlos darted back into the SUV. He stumbled over his words, hastily conveying to the assisting investigator what he had witnessed.

"The chief investigator is dead, and the scar faced man is nowhere to be found," Carlos blurted out, his voice betraying a mix of shock and terror. The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the confined space of the vehicle.

The assisting investigator, visibly shaken by the news, quickly assessed the perilous turn of events. "We need to get out of here," he declared, his tone edged with urgency. "This is far more dangerous than we anticipated."

As the SUV peeled away from the scene, Carlos struggled to process the abrupt shift in circumstances.

Regrouping at Carlos's apartment in Manhattan, the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of loss and danger. Carlos, the assisting investigator, and his friends deliberated on their next move, acknowledging the perilous nature of the search for Olivia that had resulted in the death of a comrade. They concluded that involving the New York Police Department was the safest course of action, providing them with all the information they had gathered on the matter.

After a few days, Carlos received a text message from an unknown number, delivering unexpected information. The message stated, "I'm truly sorry for your loss; it was such a tragedy, one which no one wanted nor anticipated. I'm texting to let you know that Derik didn't kill your friend. Please stop looking for me. And don't call or text this number; you won't get a response."

In response, Carlos immediately expressed his concern and willingness to help Olivia if she was in trouble. However, his messages went unanswered.

'NEARLY A YEAR LATER.'

While shopping for groceries at a nearby shopping mall in Manhattan close to his apartment, Carlos encountered a figure that jogged his memory. Unsure if he was seeing right or if it was just his mind playing tricks on him, Carlos cautiously followed the figure for a closer look, and behold, it was Olivia. The sight of her was like seeing a ghost, prompting him to leave his cart and approach her to talk.

"Hey miss, Olivia, right?" Carlos inquired.

Olivia, recognizing Carlos, responded with a negative head shake, stating, "Nope, you must have gotten me confused with another person. I'm not Olivia."

Undeterred and convinced of her true identity, Carlos persisted, "There's no way on earth you're not Olivia, and I'll be damned if I let you slip away from my hands again. You and I have unfinished business we have to settle, and you have questions to answer."

Olivia, growing uneasy with Carlos's persistence, maintained her denial, "Please step away from me, Sir, before I call security on you."

Still undeterred, Carlos continued, "I know it's you, Olivia. What happened? Tell me. I need to know; someone died. I deserve an explanation."

Olivia, glancing around nervously, whispered, "You need to leave. I'm not who you think I am."

As Carlos tried to comprehend the situation, Olivia quickly walked away, blending into the bustling crowd of the shopping mall. Despite Carlos's attempt to follow, he lost sight of her.

Feeling frustrated and defeated, Carlos abandoned his grocery shopping, leaving his nearly empty cart behind in the mall. Lost in his thoughts, he made his way to where he had parked his vehicle, seeking refuge from the overwhelming situation that unfolded in the shopping mall encounter with Olivia. As he settled inside his car, the weight of missed opportunities and unanswered questions lingered, haunting his thoughts.

The sudden urgency of an urgent knock on the passenger side window jolted Carlos back to reality. It was Olivia, and though her words were inaudible from within the vehicle, he could read the distress in her eyes. Without hesitation, Carlos opened the door, allowing her to join him inside.

As they settled in the confined space of the car, Olivia finally opened up to Carlos about the dangerous reality she was facing. "There are dangerous men after me. My dad owed them a significant amount before he passed, and now, they're relentless. These men are not to be reasoned with; they're very dangerous. I didn't want to involve you in my mess, that's why I left that night."

Curiosity and concern etched on his face, Carlos inquired about the staggering debt, "How much are we talking about?"

Attempting to keep the conversation brief, Olivia replied, "I just came here to tell you to stay away from me. If by chance you see me again, which I doubt, stay as far away as possible. These guys are always watching me. If they think there's any sort of relationship between us, you're a goner."

Olivia tried to exit the vehicle, but Carlos had already locked the doors. Frustrated, she turned back to him, "Open it."

Carlos, unwavering in his concern, refused, "No, you're not going anywhere. You need help, let me help you."

Olivia, desperate to escape the situation, pleaded, "You can't help. Please let me out."

Carlos persisted, "I'm sorry; I can't and won't until I know you're safe. How much debt are we talking about?"

With a heavy sigh, feeling trapped and burdened, Olivia reluctantly revealed, "Over 200 million dollars."

Carlos, shocked by the enormity of the debt, exclaimed, "Two hundred million? How?" His eyes widened in disbelief.

Olivia, with a heavy heart, continued her reluctant revelation, "My father was involved in some high stakes dealings, and those men he owed are not the forgiving type. After his passing, I found myself inheriting his debts."

Carlos, grappling with the magnitude of the situation, insisted, "You can't face this alone. We need to find a way to resolve this, together."

Olivia, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and resignation, countered, "You don't understand. These men are ruthless. They've already taken someone's life because of me. I can't let them harm you too."

Determined to help Olivia, Carlos pressed on, "We can seek legal advice, protection. There must be a way to untangle this mess. But running away won't solve anything."

Olivia, her gaze fixed on the memories of her troubled past, whispered, "There's no escaping them. They're like shadows, always lurking. I thought disappearing that night would keep you safe. Now, they might have seen us together again. You may be in danger now because of me."

Carlos, empathetic yet resolute, affirmed, "I can't just abandon you to face this alone. We'll figure something out, together. Trust me."

Olivia, torn between the desire for safety and the growing connection she felt with Carlos, hesitated before reluctantly nodding in agreement.