They sat in the front of a long limo. Cezar, no doubt, was in the back. They drove into a desserted harbor stop. Shane could see three cars waiting ahead. She calculated roughly how many people they had. And knew they were probably outnumbered. Cezar got out and Shane was told to follow him forward to the middle of the dealing place. A man well into his 50s stood there with three guards. Cezar held a silver suitcase. The look on his face was dead serious.

Cezar: Long time no see.

Old guy: Yes, we’ve delayed this meeting for quite a while.

Cezar: It wasn’t deliberate I hope.

The old man shook his head and chuckled.

Old guy: Of course not. We’re all busy people trying to make money in the world.

Cezar: Show me what I want.

A man with glasses opened a suitcase containing a chip.

Old guy: My share?

Cezar opened the case to reveal the money. They exchanged their things and without another word Cezar was heading back to his car. Shane followed close behind him. She was watching the men behind them. She was puzzled when the old man started talking again.

Old guy: Tsk tsk tsk. Cezar, you think a trick like this could fool me.

Cezar turned around.

Cezar: I was merely getting back what was mine.

Shane heard gun shots being fired.

Cezar: Let’s get out of here!

The driver had already started the car and was driving towards them. Shane saw the old man pull out a silver pistol. The limo still had a couple of meters to go before the door reached them. Shots were fired back and forth. All Shane knew was to get Cezar out of there alive. She never thought she’d be trying to save the man that she wanted dead. Maybe it was because she knew how important he was to Carmen. Or Bette’s order.

At the party, Carmen was looking all over for Shane. She checked everywhere, the pool, the rooftop, the kitchen. Everywhere. She started to get worried. What if she left? Carmen couldn’t find her father either. She paced around the anteroom.

Shane: Sir, are you okay?

Cezar: Yeah, you?

Shane nodded. She felt a bit light headed, but otherwise she didn’t have a reason not to be feeling bad.

Cezar: Hey! Shane, look at me. Stay awake.

Shane had fallen to the floor of the limo just when Cezar finished asking how she was. She touched her side, the red liquid oozed out into a puddle around her. She understood why Cezar had asked. the red stains coming from her side and chest had seeped through her tux.

Cezar: Get us home now!

Shane could feel Cezar yelling and pressing his hand on her wound to try and stop the bleeding. How come she couldn’t feel the pain? Was it too late for her? She still needed to watch Carmen dance. Carmen. She needed Carmen. Shane struggled to keep her eyes open. The car door opened and she was carried out of the car. Where was she again? Shane felt a pair of warm hands touch her cheek. Carmen? Tears were splashing down on her face. She reached up and tried to touch the face she couldn’t see clearly anymore. No words came out of her mouth. She couldn’t hear the comotion going on around her. Carmen was pulled away by her father. The nurses and doctors at the house got Shane onto a stretcher. They rolled her into the infimary. All the equipment in there was state of the art.

Carmen: Shane! Can you hear me?

Carmen was reaching out to try and touch Shane, but Cezar held her tight.