Chapitre 9

I wake up with a bitter taste in my mouth, typical of nights too short like the last one.

Feeling heavy in the head, I get up and fill my traditional Italian coffee maker with a double dose. The day will be long. I’m waiting for the sweet sound of the water boiling, and gurgling to tell me the coffee is ready. I especially love the smell at that moment, which fills the kitchen.

I also throw several tablets of effervescent C vitamin in a glass of water to boost my energy.

Once the caffeine is swallowed, I put on a training suit and my sneakers to go out for a jog.

I don’t feel for it, unlike some mornings, but force myself to go beyond my physical limits. I avoid listening to the laziness of my body that’s rather demanding to return to a cozy bed.

I go running along the boulevard de Rochechouart to the square of Antwerp and back home.

A quick shower gives me my energy back. A well-groomed shaving makes me look like a good-looking young man again. I smile at myself in the mirror and decide that this day would be a great day --If I didn’t wish it so myself, who else would do it for me?

Yesterday I called Benjiro Marakami to meet him in the morning, at nine o'clock.

So I don’t linger more than necessary at home and set out for the office, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the cool morning, the sight of shopkeepers who are opening one by one their shops in peace, greeting me, some with a happy ‘hello’, others just with a brief nod.

Marjorie is already there too.

‘I arrived earlier than usual to be sure that you had printed the corrected contracts and to answer your possible administrative questions.’ she says with a large smile when I come in. She’s really amazing this girl.

Benjiro arrives on time. Marjorie introduces him into my office very officially, as if I was the head of a multinational business. That makes me smile inside. I try to keep a more neutral face, more businesslike.

I get up and greet him with a handshake. His is firm, frank, energetic. I like it. He’s looking straight into my eyes with a large open smile.

Marjorie has already prepared a coffee for each of us. Once she’s served us, she delicately closes the door behind her. Discretion is also one of her qualities that make Samy and I appreciate her.

‘So these are the terms of your contract, as we went through together yesterday,’

I announce to my new team worker. As soon as the sales increase, your premiums will do it too. Take the time to read everything and if it's good, you sign it here’, I add handing him a pen.

I continue :‘By the way we need to fill in the starting day. If you agree, it could be today. So we train you on our flagship product, which we believe in very much to attack the Asian market, Japan first and China then. Can I make appointments over there for next week? No problem on your side? Do you have a valid passport?’

‘No problem and yes I have a passport. I am perfectly ready," Benjiro replies. ‘It will be my pleasure to finally have the opportunity to see the country of my ancestors. Last time I was too young to remember’, he says with a broad smile up to his ears.

Benjiro quickly goes through his contract, grabs the pen handed to him and signs at the bottom of the page.

We both stand up and shake hands again to conclude the deal, smiling at each other.

‘Welcome to BYGS’ I conclude.

‘So I'll take you to our leader of the games. The first thing to do is play with it until you’re really familiar with it and enjoy it personally. That’s important.’

Benjiro is laughing: ‘ So cool to be paid for playing.’

I really like his openness and frankness. A good team player. I’m already fond of him.

I took the right decision to hire him.

I go on : ‘Then put yourself in the shoes of the potential buyer. Prepare a plan to open the markets there for us according to your experience and knowledge of the culture and habits over there.’ He nods reflectively.

‘For my part I’ve already contacted some distributors but I was waiting for a trustworthy translator like you, especially able to help us with the customs of the country not to make missteps.’ I conclude.

‘You know I already started playing with it yesterday. I bought it when I knew I was going to see you for the job. I like to know what I'm going for. I really like the game. You get quickly addicted--it’s fun, really’

‘I’m glad to hear. What do you like in it?

‘It’s constructive and not destructive as many others. Without being too stupid so to speak. Games are either too complicated or too simple. Here, the missions we accept make us real heroes so we are super motivated. Therefore you want to continue, succeed and free others. No, it's great really. I mean it. It should work in Japan, it smacks in their values: honor, word given etc.’

‘Thank you. That's how it was designed. So follow me and take the opportunity to ask questions of our experts. They created tips and shortcuts. That will save you time.’

I take him to his new office, introduce him to his colleagues, and leave him to their care. I’m delighted with my new recruit, to see him so pro and so committed already. Yes, the future looks good for his project.

Next day in Spain.

I made many phone calls and fortunately I manage to find 2300 kg cannabis again so I’ll be able to ship it tomorrow. That way the Dutch will never find out I was the one who messed up at the border. Ok, this production is of a lower quality but nobody will know. All these junkies are easy to deal with eventually, and the Dutch are really high themselves most of the time, taking their own shit so I’m quite sure they won’t notice.

I just need to pay for those products. That’s really painful-- to pay twice for the same thing.

Thinking of all I lost yesterday, I feel again to calm my nerves and anger on my stupid son till I see him cry and crawl and ask for mercy. But no. I control myself.

This time I’m the one taking care of the transportation.

I use my regular channels. I pay them well, but that way I never have any trouble.

They know what road to use, which guys to bribe and they are well organized, not like that silly truck driver. By the way I have to send someone after him so he won’t talk any more. Damn it! Hope it’s not too late. He’s the kind of guy who can easily talk under pressure. And I don’t feel for being locked up in jail. I’ve managed to avoid it so far and intend to keep it that way.

Damn it! What’s wrong with my account now? I can’t get through to pay for my products. This bloody system keeps telling me that I don’t exist. What’s the F…! Bloody technology! Ok. Let’s restart my computer and relax. It doesn’t help to loose my temper.

Damn it! No change! They’re refusing my password-- they don’t recognize me. Weird really. I got a bad feeling .

I can’t go to Switzerland to sort it out, too risky now and I need a solution.

I can’t use my regular business account either. The phone is ringing but I don’t care. This is far more important.

Oh no. The Dutch keeps phoning.

‘Guillermo yes.’ I answer shortly as usual. I hate to loose my time in unnecessary bullshit talk.

I know very well why they’re calling.

‘What’s up? Where is the shipment? You’re late. It was supposed to arrive yesterday. No news. Are you the one who got problem recently, you know what I mean? ‘ Freddie asks straight away.

I reply coldly: ‘ Of course not. Who do you think I am? Do you know who you’re talking to? You’re insulting me!’

I’ve learned the attack is always the best answer otherwise they have no respect and you’re dead.

‘No offence. But you could call.’ is his only answer.

‘Yes… just a little set-back.’ I try to sound bored. ‘Just wanted to make sure you’ll have the best quality that’s all’, I dare lying bluntly. Again the only way to be respected and survive in this world is to lie.

‘Ok. We’ve already paid you, so make sure we get our products’, he adds a bit threatening and hangs up.

Wow. I got a strange feeling growing slowly but surely in my stomach. I don’t like the turn things are taking. I’m the boss here. I don’t accept being threatened. Who do they think they are?

I call after Isabella. She’s the one filing my papers. I need to double check my codes in case I have a memory issue here now.

‘Isabella,’ I scream so she can hear me on the other side of the house.

She must have heard in my voice that I’m upset because she arrives straight away.

‘Can you give me the papers for my account in Switzerland. I need to check something’.

Without a word, she goes directly to the safe cupboard, pick up a binder in it and open it to the right page. She is a woman of order after all.

I check the username, it’s correct. What shall I do?

I’ll call them and explain the situation. The guy is incompetent of course and put me through another person. I’m loosing my time and my temper.

‘My account can’t just have disappeared. You’re kidding me’.

Finally I got someone who seems to understand what I’m talking about. He asks me to wait a bit more. Do I really have an option?

‘Sorry sir, for keeping you waiting. What I could find is you transferred everything you had, a few days ago and closed your account.’

‘I beg your pardon? Who asked for a transfer?’

‘You did obviously Sir’. His calmness and politeness start to get on my nerves.

‘I was not in Switzerland lately how could I close an account?’

‘It’s very easy to close when there is no money left, sir. You did it on the internet as far as I can see in the historical part.’

‘What about the transfer then? Where did the money go?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t answer that question, sir, on the phone. We have the secrecy policy. But you’re welcome here any time that suits you to meet your counselor.’

‘Wait a minute. You mean you don’t need to come personally to close an account?’

‘No sir, only to open one.’

‘And the last transfer? There was a lot of money I suppose someone had to come personally to do such an important one.’

‘I told you sir, I can’t answer you I’m afraid.’

‘Ok. Can I have an appointment for next week?’

‘You’ll have to call your counselor sir. It’s too late for today. The agency is already closed’, he replies calmly but I can feel he’s slightly afraid of my coming reaction.

‘Thanks’, is the only thing I utter before I hang on.

I feel to scream in the phone to tell to this idiot it’s a matter of life or death but I know it’s useless. We’re living in two different worlds.

I’m trying to think clearly but my ideas seem to go round and round and get nowhere. Who’s playing me a trick?

Ok I’ll take from my other account the one in Guatemala. But it’s more complicated there.

Now let’s finish and pay the producers.

Hell! There again I’m not recognized.

‘What the hell is going on?’ I explode, ready to throw away the bloody computer.

Again my username and my password don’t match. Is it a coincidence? Somehow I don’t’ think so. Something weird is going on, I can feel in all my body, from stomach to head through my lungs.

I feel like life is not real anymore, I’m in the middle of a nightmare and will soon wake up. Something is totally out of my control. Or someone somewhere is pretending to be me.

How can I pay for the cannabis? Maybe I can ask to pay them back afterwards. But it doesn’t work either since I’ve already been paid for it.

My head starts aching, I feel almost dizzy and sick.

Isabella is standing by the window. She looks stiff, pale and worried.

‘Someone is having fun with my accounts.’ I say bluntly.

‘How much is it about?’ she simply asks.

‘You don’t even want to know.’ I reply and leave the room.

I need to think but I can’t. I see red at the moment, which I know is the worse thing to do, because it doesn’t help at all. I feel to kill everyone around.

Ok. I might use the money from my import-export business but it’s never going to be enough and I don’t want any connection with my traffic. That’s the sure way to finish in jail one day.

I take my mobile and phone a friend.

‘ Hello Alberto. It’s Guillermo. I never ask you any favor. But this time I need you Man. Could you lend me 6 million euros for a month?‘

He starts laughing.

‘You’re the one everybody is talking about?’ he wonders.

‘What do you mean?’ I say, pretending not to know the answer in order to win a bit of time to think of my answer.

‘The big catch at the border. Don’t tell me you haven’t read the news. I see it’s you then’ he adds after a second.

I realized that was stupid not to tell him the truth.

‘Man, I can’t right now even if I could. I’m marrying off my daughter, big expenses. Sorry.’ Is his answer.

‘Ok. Thanks. Please don’t tell anyone else or I’m dead.’

‘Ok. But you’re in trouble man. They’ll find out one way or the other.’ he replies without emotion.

Wow. Friends don’t exist in this world. I’m all alone. If I could just understand what the hell is going on, who is after me. Not knowing turns me crazy…

The phone again.

This time my Moroccon supplier Ahmed.

‘Guillermo, I’m sorry but I just had a better offer and couldn’t wait for your payment.

So find another supplier’.

I’m stunned and almost fall while sitting down.

‘You can’t do it! You know me Man. I’ll kill you’

‘Just try!’ are his last words.

What the hell is going on? My life is kind of taking a new weird path. Everything I’ve been building up with patience is kind of falling apart. I’m loosing control somehow. I see my contacts are not afraid of me anymore. This is not good at all for my future. Let’s surprise them all.

I go down in the cellar and pick up the guns and plastique I’ve got.

I catch Raphael and my guards. Every one seems to wake up to the call for blood. They know me and see there’s no need to ask questions. They just follow the boss and feel something vital is going on.

`Let’s go for a ride. Take all the ammunition you have guys’.

We get on two cars and drive away. Fortunately Ahmed doesn’t live too far away.

I Explain my plan in the car. Raphael will just be the driver. He’s too naïve to be trusted on this one but I still want him to see what is expected to be done in our mafia circle. Pride and honor are no empty words.

Arriving close to Ahmed’s home, we park a bit away.

We silently split ourselves in two groups. Some of his guards are watching his house.

We can hear a gathering of people inside his villa.

But before anything I need to find out where the drug is stored.

I go and attack one of the guard from behind, cutting his throat with a knife. He silently falls on his knees dead. The other one is attacked by one of my guards.

I discover three sports cars are parked in the yard.

I got it!

They’ve planned a Go Fast action to drive the dope and escape the police. Good idea! We’re going to do it instead and drive the load to the Netherlands.

I laugh inside. Excellent revenge.

We need to check the drugs is already in the cars.

We go around. Good.

Now the keys.. That’s another story. I planned to bomb his house first.

Now I need to get the keys …

I gather my men and explain our plan.

Luck is with us again. Ahmed’s daughter is coming out.

I grab her and force her to follow me inside again. Ahmed is pale and understands the situation right away. No need to speak.

His three companions are about to fire at us when we enter the room but Ahmed stops them.

‘Obey him’ he says. ‘I don’t want her to be harmed.

‘Drop your guns all of you… ‘ They all do nicely.

They are no threat really. Just drivers.

‘Give me the keys of the Ferraris.’ I order.

My men take them from the floor.

‘Ok. Now turn around all of you, hands on your head.’

They all do it gently. Unbelievable.

‘Stupid guys’ I think while I give the sign to fire at them.

They all fall down as empty puppets. The girl screams at the slaughter. So I have to shoot her too.

Anyway we had no other option.

Time to run to the three cars.

‘Speed and surprise is the key in this kind situation. Ahmed never believed I could react so fast, see son?’ I explain to Raphael.

He’s all white, goes out of the car to throw up.

I pat him on his cheeck, and order him to drive home. I think he’s had enough for today.

I stay to give orders to my three guards for the delivery. They need to stop in a shop and buy burner phones not to be traceable by the police. They have to throw them away at the end of the mission before coming back by train. They know all about it. It’s not their first Go Fast.

I see them drive away, feeling much better. The future looks brighter again. They know their business.

‘Let’s finish’ I say to my remaining guard, a former soldier with the right expertise.

While he lays the explosives and rigs them to blow I check Ahmeds' office. He must have just finished handing out cash for the Go Fast because he left his safe open. I grab a pillow off a day bed, pull off its' cover, and stuff it with the contents of the safe. My guard sticks his head in the office and says, "Timer is set. Two minutes." I say, 'Good. We go.'

Two minutes to get far enough away so we are not connected to the murders, theft, and bombing. That way no trace of anything. It will look like a terrible revenge between dealers and producers; no one really cares.

They didn’t notice the two figures hiding behind the gate as they disappear.