Drake Johnson's POV

I observed the lit shops and bars and the people who walked past me as I walked down the cold streets of Spain.

I checked my cellphone and it was 12:07am, realizing how late it was I decided to check for hotels around.

Clicking my Maps app, I had a change of mind. I'm too disturbed and lost in thoughts to settle down.

I decided to clear my head and relax before lodging in an hotel. Looking across the street, my gaze fell upon a chilled bar that was calm for me.

Without thinking twice I crossed over. A thermal sensation filled my body as I stepped into the bar.

The place was filled up with all sorts of people and half of them were already drunk.

Looking away from the wasted group I turned to the bar stools by the counter.

Settling down on one of the stools, I dropped my bag on the floor beside me then I held my troubled head in my palms.

"You don't look good." I raised my head to see a skinny curly head grinning at me.

"How do you know I don't speak Spanish ?" I squinted as I sat upright.

"You don't look like someone from here." He shrugged as he used his hands to comb a handful of his long curls behind his head.

"Oh." I sniffed as I rested my cheeks against my palm.

"You want double shots ?" He asked me as he took a drink shaker in his hands.

"No thanks, I'm not the type that drink away my sorrows." I waved him off as I took out my phone from my pocket.

"So you walked into a bar just to have a seat ?!" He gave me a sarcastic look as he shook his head.

"If you must know I came here to clear my head." I defended myself as I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Señor, you don't clear your head in a bar." He chuckled to himself as he put some ice in a glass cup.

"You won't back down, won't you?" He nodded his head with a mischievous smile.

Realizing I've lost the argument, I let out a huge sigh. "Fine, what do you have ?"

"Hold on." He poured little portions from a bottle of campari and vermouth drink into the drink shaker, and added a little amount of orange juice.

He smiled as he shook the shaker then he poured it into a glass cup, the liquid was sparkly red and the ice cubes made it look nice as it filled the cup.

Pushing the cup to me he gave me a knowing look, I looked up at him with an unsure look but he gestured for me to have a sip.

I shook my head and took the glass to my mouth, it smelt really nice but it's scent is nothing compared to it's taste.

It was moderately bitter and sweet at the same time, the bitter taste of the campari and burning sensation of vermouth was complimented by the sweet taste of the juice.

"Wow, that's really good." I said as I dropped the glass with the rest of it's contents on the counter.

He chuckled as he moved to the other end of the counter to attend to other people.

I looked down at the red drink as I twirled the cup making the ice cubes click against the glass.

Even if I just had a good drink, my unhappy state wouldn't let me enjoy it because I usually get a sick feeling in my gut which makes me reluctant to eat or drink anything.

I pushed the cup aside as I itched the back for my head. "So what brings you to Spain ?" The bartender came back again with extra energy.

"What's your deal with me ?!" I growled as I looked up at him.

"I'm bored." He shrugged as he rested his arms on the counter.

"You work in a bar, how could you be bored ?!"

"It doesn't go past the booze and music so don't come at me."

"So go talk to others, not me."

"I talk to only sane customers, you're the only sane one on this counter." I looked beside me to see a trail of wasted people misbehaving due to drunkenness.

I simply shook my head and rested my gaze on the drink before me.

"So what are you doing here ?" He asked me again with a chuckle which deepened his accent.

"I'm looking for someone." I didn't want to go into details.

"Ooh, you met online date ?" He wiggled his brows at me.

"No." I was concise because I didn't want to tell my life to a bartender.

"So how..." He was interrupted by two hefty men that walked into the bar.

They stopped by the counter behind me and began exchanging words in Spanish with the bartender.

Immediately they went to their table, the bartender took some drinks on a tray and rushed out from behind the counter. I watched as he paced toward where they sat and took a seat with him.

He seems to know them well by the way he laughed and spoke with them. I shook my head as I turned my head away from them.

Then it dawned on me that I was yet to inform my mom I've landed. I opened up my phone and I already got two text messages.

I texted words of assurance to both of them saying I've gotten to Spain and I'm safe, I was about putting the phone away when I got a call.

It was Kelvin,I contorted my face as I wondered why my uncle would be calling me.

"Hey Uncle." I said into the phone as I placed it in my ears, I could hardly hear him because of the music.

"Drake, are you out of your mind ?!" I could feel him seething as he spat those words.

"What have I done now ?" I rolled my eyes as I reached for my drink.

"Are you in a club or something ?!"

"Bar." I was nonchalant because he lost me when he began seething at me.

"Are you par..., Never mind. What are you doing in Spain and what's the whole story I'm hearing about Skai ?" His tone reduced but he was still annoyed.

"You already know the story and yes it's true." I said before taking a sip from my drink.

"Drake you are putting your life at risk! You just can't pull these stunts and expect us to be chilled about it." His angry tone came back in high volume.

"Your mom was so worried and scared she called me to go over to Spain once she doesn't get word from you."

"What ?! But she knows everything and I've texted her already." I was tired and frustrated already as I rubbed my temples.

"Drake come home and leave the cops to do their job."

"Uncle, I've had a long tiring day and I'm not cut out for all this."

"What is wrong with you ?! " He snarled once more and a huge part part of me wanted to hang up on him but I can't afford to bear the consequences.

"Uncle."

"Drake, please..."

"Uncle, no please hear me out."

"I appreciate the concern you and your family have towards me. I know it's not safe out here but you have to understand I just can't sit back at home and wait for something."

"You and my dad taught me that if I want something, I should go get it. I want Skai back and I'm gonna get her irrespective of the harm." I looked straight ahead of me into the bar cart filled with drinks.

"But you're going to..." My uncle tried to stampede me but I got the attention back to myself.

"No Uncle, I'd be just fine. I went to college immediately after the loss of my brother and my dad, I've been taking care of my family since then while running a multinational company, so have I ever failed you ? Or given you any cause to whimper ?"

I heard him exhale deeply before answering."No."

"Exactly, Uncle I'm not gonna mess this up, well it's already messed up but I got it okay ?"

"Okay Drake, what about your safety ?" I rolled my eyes because I was already tired of explaining.

"I'm always with the cops over my shoulder, so I'm good." I shouldn't have lied but I had to lie to get him off my back.

"Okay then. Son ?" I braced myself for any touching statement he was about to make because he doesn't call me son except he's about to say something deep.

"Yeah ?"

"You know I care about you right ?"

"Hmmhmm."

"It'd break me if something bad happens to you and I wouldn't be able to stand that so please be careful and come back home safely."

"I promise you that."

"And bring Skai too."

"That's the goal."

"Okay, I have to go now. I need to call your mom and calm her down."

"Thanks, please send my apologies." I ended the call.

I was about getting up from my seat to head outside but I realized I haven't gotten a hotel to lodge into.

Sitting back into my seat, I opened my Maps app to check for hotels nearby. They were all far away from here which means I'd have to get a cab.

I groaned loudly because I was tired, I'd have to look for a late night cab and look for a place to sleep. Feeling lazy I decided to hang in here for a while.

"Señor,I'm back." The ever joyful bartender made his way behind the counter.

"I thought you talk to only sane people."I cocked my head backwards referring to the men he was with as they walked out of the bar.

"Oh, amigo. Those aren't ordinary customers, their tip is twice my salary." He had his eyes widened as he bent his head towards me.

"Why do they give you so much ?"

"Because we have the same hometown and I listen to all their silly business." He shook his head as he reached for the empty glasses on the counter.

"What business ?"

He looked left and right before bending his head to look at me."Drugs, trafficking, basically everything illegal."

"And they tell you all of it ?"

"Yeah, they've know me for six years now, they tell me everything that goes down at work besides I give them good drinks."

"If I were a police, I'd have cut down their empire but I can't snitch on them because snitches get stitches. Man I feel for her."

"You could save your sanity and quit listening." I pushed my glass towards him so he could take it away.

"And miss..." I remembered him saying something about feeling bad for someone so I cut him off.

"Wait, you said something ?" I narrowed my eyes as I held my hands out to him.

"I've said a lot of things, be specific." He laughed a little as he took away the glass.

"Something about feeling for someone ?"

"Oh yeah." He paused and he waited for some men get up from the counter and stagger towards the exit.

Immediately they were gone, he focused his attention on me. "They abducted two people, they're going to kill them tomorrow."

My heart sank as those words hit me, making remember the unpleasant state of Skai.

"But why ?!"

"They said something about a conspiracy and a love story gone wrong, I don't really know I didn't keep up." He said as he wiped the counter with a napkin.

"Conspiracy ?"

"Look, I can't tell you everything." He shook his head as he dumped the napkin.

"Whatever." I tried to stand up and reach for my bag.

"Where are you going ?" He had a concerned look on his face as he rested his hands on the counter.

"I can't sleep in a bar." I replied as I picked up my bag.

"You're leaving ?!"

"Yes,I have to find a late night taxi coz all the hotels are far from here." I said as I gave him a scowl.

"You'd end up sleeping outside, late night taxis can't be seen out here, give me ten minutes to round up my shift, I'd give you a ride." He smiled as he took a tray filled with drinks in his hands.

"Uhmm... thanks." I was overwhelmed with his kind gesture as I sat back down in my seat.

He nodded as he walked to the end of the bar to attend to other things while I rested my hands with my head on the counter.

°°°°°°°°°°

"Señor Señor Señor." I felt someone tapping my arm which made me wake up from my slumber.

I realized it was the bartender as I tried to make a clear focus with my eyes.

"You slept off." He chuckled as he put on his jacket.

"I'm aware...are you done ?"I asked him as I stretched.

"Yeah, vámonos (Let's go.)" He made his way to the exit and I picked up my bag and trailed behind him.

"It's late already, you could take me to any motel that you know around." I told him as I closed the door behind me.

"Not to worry." He shook his keys in the air as he made his way to the side of the bar.

We walked to the back of the bar, it was dark and lonely. We were the only two who were trudging along the back.

"Not to worry, I park at the back because of hoodlums who like to steal car parts." He made his way to a vehicle that was covered with a tarp.

He removed the tarp which revealed a small rusty Camry, it looked like those cars I used to draw as a kid.

"Yeah yeah, Mi coche(car) not fine and so are you. " He opened up the car and stood right in front of his seat.

"Excuse me ?" I arched my brow at his statement.

"You don't look fine at all amigo, your cuts on your even sad face." I shook my head at him as I reached for the car seat in front.

We both entered into the car. For a car that doesn't look good on the outside, it smelt pretty good and the interiors were well taken care of.

"So why you sad ?" He asked me as he reversed out of the back.

"Someone took something from me and I'm looking for it." I rested my head on the head rest as I placed my bag on my laps.

"Oh the lady uhn ? How did she leave ? Don't tell me she ran away." He has a serious face as he threw questions at me while making his way to the main road.

"Of course not, she was abducted. Her Ex took her."

"What ?!"

"Yeah, he brought her all they way to Spain and I need to get her before he kills her." I rubbed my eye bags as I rested my hand on the door.

"Sorry man, you'd get her back. Are you working with the police ?"

"Yeah."I sighed as we sped into the poorly lit road.

"There are so many bad people you know ?" He said as he tapped the steering.

"Tell me about it." I rolled my eyes as I dropped my hand on my thigh making a slapping sound.

"You know your story sounds familiar." I swiftly turned my head to look at him.

"What ?"

"Remember those men from the bar ?" I hummed in response to his question.

"Well they told me something like that. They've been telling me about a plan they have against their master." I shifted in my seat as I looked at him with interest.

"They said something about him not treating them right, that he was a total moron." He said as he came to an halt in front of the traffic light which turned red.

"So as soon as he landed in Spain, their new boss took over and their old one is... let's say on the edge of his life." He shrugged as he looked up at the light.

"So how is this similar to my story ?" I asked as I contorted my face in annoyance.

"Oh yeah, another reason they hated their former boss was because he was bent on getting his old lover."

"He spent all his time on her and from what they told me, it's like they lost a lot of business because of that." He zoomed as soon as the light turned green.

"He's truly a moron." I chuckled at how foolish he was, even if I had the worst break up I would never leave my company to suffer.

"I know right, they are probably the ones they abducted." He chuckled as he reduced his speed on the road.

I relaxed back into my seat as my smile evolved into a straight face as I looked out at the window.

I was admiring the starry night when the shocking revelation dawned on me.

"Stop!" I shouted as I jumped in my seat as my new friend immediately hit the brakes.

"Qué pasó !(what happened ?!)" He shouted as he frowned at me.

"Uhmm.." I gestured my hands towards him as I tried to remember his name.

"Santiago." He said as he shifted in his seat.

"Yeah Santiago, I think your story and my story are the same." I put my hands out as I spoke.

"What ?! No way, don't talk like that. Those people are the worst people to have as your enemy not to talk of being abducted by them." He waved me off as he turned to face the steering.

"No, No I'm sure about this and yes I know how dangerous they are. They've done crappy things to us and we are still..." I exhaled deeply because I was talking too fast and I needed to calm down.

"Santiago, my girlfriend was taken by this same man who focused all his attention in making life miserable for us."

"You have to believe me, this is the same dude." I clapped my hands at each words I spoke.

"Did he also get boycotted ?" He asked me as he gave me a doubtful look.

"I don't know about that but I do know he works hand in hand with a lady and they're gonna kill her soon." I pleaded as I put my bag over my shoulder.

"Wait a minute, they told me about a new lady who's also taking charge." He now had a serious face as he faced me.

"Exactly! Look we can't be too sure about this but we need to find out." I drew closer to him.

"So what would you have me do ?" He asked me as he shifted his head away from me.

"Do you know their base ?"

"Yeah, so ?"

"Take me to the place where those men work."

"What ?! Are you insane ?! No." He refused as he turned away from me.

"Please Santiago, I need this favour." I begged.

"That place is dangerous even if people go in there, it's still not my type of place." He shook his head as he remained adamant.

"Fine, I'd go by myself just give me the address". I shifted away as I brought out my phone.

"And send you on a suicide mission,Heck no!" He snarled as he crossed his arms.

"So make up your mind man, are you going with me or not ?!"

"I'm sacred man, I've had good reputation with them for a long time I don't want to be in the bad books." His face was looking so sad like he was about to cry.

"There's no such thing as having good reputation with bad people besides we are just gonna check to be sure."

"How ?"

"Leave that to me, just take me there." I assured him as I looked deep into his face.

"At least let's call the cops, that's the only way I know we're safe.."

I groaned as I dialed Edna's number but for some reason it wasn't going through, I gave Santiago an annoyed look before trying it again and it came out with the same result.

He looked uncertain for a while as he shared looks between where I sat and outside the window.

"Okay let's go." I smiled widely as I shifted back into my seat.

At once he began driving into the dark as we approached the supposed den where Skai might be kept.

After a while of driving we arrived at a club that was booming with music as people trooped in and out.I was amazed by the crowd of people that went in and out of the club.

"Surprised aye ?" Santiago chuckled as he removed the keys from the ignition hole."It's the best in town, people drive across town just to have some vodka."

"Look!" I pointed to the same men who were at the bar. They were standing outside of the club and they were having a conversation with other men dressed like them.

Santiago immediately ducked his head. "They can't see me here, they'd know I'm up to something."

"Do you have a hood or something ?" I asked him as I put my hood over my head.

"No just this jacket." I opened up my bag and threw one of my hoods at him.

"Ooh nice quality." I rolled my eyes as he trailed his hands on the material of the hood.

"Put it on and meet me inside." I said before getting out of the car. I avoided eye contacted with the men as I made my way to the entrance.