Chapter 3

Major Lorenzo Point of View

“ Major Lorenzo the crates are empty.”

The entire command center seemed to disappear leaving only the crushing weight of the words echoing inside my head . The air is suddenly thin and my heartbeat turns violent .

That gold is worth trillions .

I fail to even utter words in response to the devastating news . The soldier at the other end of the call repeats himself assuming that I did not hear him . He tries to explain what happened when they got to a location that was supposed to store the government gold and keep it safe . But all I hear is a siren ringing in my head .

Reina has thrown my hard work out of the window . All my sacrifices will be in vain . This is going to put an end to a career I tried so hard to build without corruption.

Rage flows through me like hot lava . As a flash of irritation runs throughout my body . I will ensure that she lives to regret this for the rest of her pathetic life . That is a promise I will keep to the ends of the world .

The cellphone falls from my hands while I drown in disbelief mixed with resentment. I have failed the mission assigned to me. I have failed my country .

Truly having Reina as a mother is the worst mishap one can encounter in a thousand lifetimes.

“ Major Lorenzo, the general wants to see you right now .”

One of the solders informs me , snapping me out of my world of despair.

Everyone in the commanding center stares at me . Most of them feel pity for me because everyone knows how personal the general takes missions . Especially, the ones involving government asserts . There are his personal favorite.

As I walk through the corridor that somehow looks longer today , I already know the outcome of the meeting. Today I will be entering that office for the last time as a Military leader .

As I walk towards my doom , every steps fells heavier than the last. My heart bounds louder in my ears . I cannot believe that this is really happening to me . That man detest failed missions with all his heart so I certain this meeting is my dismissal.

When I finally get to his door I only knock once and he already commands that I enter his office. He has been eagerly waiting for me , I can tell by his aggressive tone .

I pull myself together as I end his office even though they is a storm raging in my mind . Like a solder I try my best to compose myself suppressing all the rage against Reina and fear of losing my job .

As per custom I salute general Enzo . Composed as I could ever be .

For a moment he just stares at me without uttering a word . Disappointment written all over his face . He holds an expression I will never forget in my life .

He has always welcomed me with a smile as his golden student. I even recall the very first time he recruited me from the army to join the military intelligence unit. He was so confident in me and my abilities . Hence , he instantly became a father I have always wanted . He became my driving force to not fail anything he assigns me .

“ Do you have any idea how much the government has lost today ! “ the general breaks the silence in the room .

Unable to face him I drop my head . I cannot even bring myself to say the amount lost . I am unable to even ask for forgiveness .

I listen to him as he rants . He boils with anger pointing out my mistakes . His frustration fills the room as he elaborates further about how politicians , ministers and even the president is breathing down his neck .

To make matters worse every news channel has the same headlines “ Government loses Gold under their nose .” , “ A country about to go bankrupt.”

I just stand there frozen not knowing what to say . People are angry and they need answers I can not give .

“ What really happened son ? How did you mess this up ? “ The general changed his tone and lowers his voice . Something I was not expecting .

His lowered tone however , does not change anything as I am still unable to give answers. How do I tell him that mu family is responsible for everything ? Where do I even begin ?

“ Sir I will make that the mastermind this illegal operation is caught .” I finally say something.

“ Do not worry son I already know how you will do that .” he quickly responds to me .

I lift up my head ready to listen . Eager to make it up to him . I am ready to do anything to redeem myself for my country .

“ We need an inside man . And you are the perfect candidate .” General Enzo boldly speaks.

Air quickly escapes from my lungs like prisoners during an unplanned escape . Lightning crackles through my veins and time slows down . Leaving the family is one thing but betraying the Malika family is suicide.

“ Sir , I have already thought of other ways we can capture them .” I lie . I have not thought about anything productive.

Sweat from my forehead even though I am trying my hardest to compose myself and not show any emotion .

“ Major Lorenzo, this is a command ! It is not a request .” his tone changes from calm to firm and aggressive. “ You are the only one whom your family will not suspect .”

His words fall on me like a ton of breaks . The world around me spins . General Enzo knows the truth I tried so hard to hide . If he knew all along why would he trust me so much ? Or did he just find out ? Shock shakes me to the core .

This is again prove that everything the Malika family touches perishes .

How will I survive this ?