Olivetti: Inception

by Tamilore Odimayo

  Walter walked into room 1208. There were two Mexican men standing in the front door, with no visible weapons. Walter instructed two of his men to stand outside and two to follow him in. She was as beautiful as the last time he saw her. She was seated on a chair with her legs crossed. Her white dress hugged her body perfectly. Her skin was still as smooth as the last time he saw her. Her hair was a perfect blend of grey and black. Her heels matched the pearls on her neck and those on her wrists.

  “So you don’t trust me enough to walk in here, unguarded?” she asked sarcastically.

  Walter moved closer to get a better view of her face then signaled his guards to leave the room. There was no perceived threat. It was a basic hotel room with two twin beds, two side tables, a dresser, a TV and a small dining section.

  “Catherine!” he said with a hint of happiness in his tone. He gazed into her eyes. There was sadness and despair written all over it. She was happy to see him, but didn’t want to smile. She missed him. Every organ in her body was excited to see him once more. She was reluctant to show any emotion. Something serious was about to happen.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” Walter said as he moved closer to embrace her. She stood up then walked to the other end of the room, trying to avoid body contact.

  “I’m only here for business, Walt,” she said. “What are you here to talk about?” she added.

  Walter smiled as he observed her beauty. She never made it easy for him, in the past, he wasn’t expecting her to do so now. He grabbed a chair then sat on it.

  “I’m sorry for everything that happened,” Walter began.

  “Don’t toy with my feelings, Walt. You watched your family cause me pain. You didn’t even try to stop it!” she yelled defensively.

  Walter laughed. “Oh! You’re one to speak. My leg paid a price for your husband’s choice. My mother is in the hospital, suffering from poisoning and my brother was killed in cold blood. Did you try to stop that from happening, huh?” Walter added.

  The room was quiet. Anger and spite brewed within both. Tears began to flow down Catherine’s cheeks. Walter stood up, hesitated then hugged her. She struggled to free herself. Walter didn’t let go. He held her in his arms, tightly. After seconds of struggling, she finally gave in. She embraced Walter with more tears in her eyes. She missed everything about him. Her feminine instincts kicked in. Everything about him turned her on; his scent, his body build, his eyes, and his voice. Soon, old memories of their relationship began to quickly flash by—from the time they met till their last kiss.

  “Look, I’m not here to argue!” Walter began. “Then what did you come here to do? Commit adultery?” she laughed with tears in her eyes.

  “Not a bad idea!” Walter teased.

  “I’m sure you’d like that,” she said with a smile as she wiped off her tears. She sat down on the bed. Both were quiet. They stared at each other. He sighed. Her eyes suddenly widened. She remembered why she agreed to meet him at the hotel.

  “I have something really important to tell you, Walt,” she said. “I have something to tell you too. It’s really important,” Walter replied, interrupting her with his finger on her lips. The sexual intensity increased.

  “Walt, there is no time for this!” she replied. He was disappointed. He didn’t want to spoil the moment.

  “Be quiet Cathy! Let me talk,” Walter demanded in the authoritative tone she liked. She paused. She couldn’t control her hormones.

  “Little Pablo, your son, isn’t dead,” Walter said. She let the words sink in. “S…stop lying to me,” she said, almost in tears.

  “Don’t lie to me, Walt! It’s not right! You can’t keep hurting me!” she said, defensively.

  Walter walked up to her then knelt down beside her.

  “I swear on my father’s grave, your son…our son, little Pablo…is alive,” he said with joy on his face.

  Catherine was surprised. “You know he is your son? How? When? Why?” she asked, confused.

  “Shush!” Walter said.

  “I swear Walt, I wanted to tell you! But things went bad so fast. I discovered I was pregnant for your child right before I married Billy against my will. I figured it was best to keep it a secret till the right time comes, but then, your brother killed my son and I had nothing but hate for your family. I wanted you dead because you stood and watched it happen, without trying to stop your brother, but I couldn’t…” she paused.

  “I understand you sent someone to disrupt the assassin and that’s why I only got shot in the leg…” Walter replied, completing her statement. She was half surprised.

  “Yes, Walt! I was sad, but I couldn’t stand by and watch you get killed. I love you! I always did and always will, but please if you’re saying Pablo isn’t dead, where is he?” She begged in a sincere tone.

  “I don’t know, but I assure you, he is alive and safe. I spoke to my brother,” Walter said.

  “Who? Danny?” she asked in disgust. Walter nodded.

  “Are you sure he isn’t lying to get you to do his bidding?” she asked. They heard gun shots in the hallway. Walter jerked up.

  “What’s going on? What’s that?” He glanced at the door then glanced at Catherine.

  “Yes! That’s what I was about to tell you,” she said. She stood, briskly removed her heels, then switched to the flat shoes in her hand bag.

  “What have you done?” Walter asked. He felt betrayed.

  “I’m sorry, Walt! There’s no time to explain. We have to save your son or he will be killed!” She said as she grabbed his hands.

  “How can I trust you?” he yelled.

  “You can! Or you should! I’m not going to let Billy kill your son regardless of Pablo’s existence. It’s wrong to pay evil for evil. I know the pain of losing a son and I don’t want you to go through that,” she said as she opened a connecting door to a connecting hotel room. There were multiple gunshots in the hallway.

  “My son is here?” Walter asked, surprised. “What’s he doing here?” Walter said, alarmed, as he shut the connecting door behind him.

  “He’s trying to save the girl he loves. Reminds me of you!” she said with a smile on her face.

  Walter was confused. Tom never told him about any girl. He could hear them searching for himself and Catherine.

  “We have to keep going!” she said. “Where?”

  “Relax. I paid for all the rooms on this floor just in case we have to escape,” she said.

  Walter didn’t argue. He hoped she knew what she was doing. His gun was out, ready to protect her. Once the Cartels realize she’s helping him, she’d be dead too.

  “We have to get upstairs fast!” She said.

  Walter was immediately confused. “Why?”

  “That’s where your son is! Please don’t argue,” she added.

  33

  Tomarrived at the penthouse. “Check all the doors!” he yelled as they shot each door open. The rooms were empty. He could smell the fresh carpets on the hallway and could feel the air pressure. It popped his ears a little. The smell of gun powder emerged. There was one door left. They walked towards it, slowly.

  “Don’t accidentally shoot Nina, okay?” Tom said as Dean shot the door open. They heard a loud scream. It was Nina. Tom’s guards moved in front of him with their guns pointed out. They surrounded him, defensively. The luxury hotel suite was bigger than he had imagined.

  Tom gazed at the food then to the right corner, near the window, where Roberto Puccini was holding Nina. A gun was pointed to her head. She was terrified.

  “It’s really nice to finally meet you, Tom Olivetti,” Roberto Puccini said with a sincere smile.

  “Likewise!” Tom replied, calmly. He placed his gun on the table. The others had their eyes fixated on Roberto Puccini, with their guns pointed at him.

  “Tom get out! Walk away! He won’t kill me! It’s a trap!” Nina yelled. Tom’s face changed. He was confused.

  “I know. If he wanted to kill you, you’ll be dead alrea
dy. Isn’t that right, Mister…?”

  “Puccini…Roberto Puccini,” Roberto replied.

  “So it’s me you want. You have me! Just let her go!” Tom said.

  “What the fuck are you talking about, Tom? Get out!” Nina yelled, worried about Tom, despite being held at gun point.

  “She loves you!” Roberto said.

  “Did you see my card that said ‘watch out’?’” Roberto Puccini asked. Tom’s eyes heightened. Just then, Billy De Sanchez walked into the room with ten men. All had automatic weapons. They outnumbered Tom’s guards in both numbers and weapons.

  “Tom Olivetti!” Billy said out loud, laughing. “Tell your boys to drop their weapons. I don’t want blood in here!” Billy added. Tom sat down on a chair calmly and signaled his men to drop their weapons. Tom’s guards dropped their weapons. Billy’s guards took possession of their weapons.

  “Amigo! I thought you won’t go through all this trouble for a girl,” Billy added. Nina Owen was now confused. Tom didn’t respond.

  “Thank you, Roberto!” Billy said. He pointed his gun at Nina then pointed it at Tom.

  “I went through a lot of trouble to get you. You killed my friend, Purio Maccuzo,” Billy said in a frustrated tone.

  “He’s not dead yet!” Tom replied.

  “Well, you should have killed him. A man like that shouldn’t be alive, he has suffered too much. Thanks to you,” Billy replied.

  Surprise emerged on Roberto’s face. Just then, Walter and Catherine Sanchez walked in.

  “Tom!” Walter called out, alarmed that his son was in the middle of a heist. Walter dropped his gun on the floor, as a form of surrender. Catherine walked in front of Walter, as if shielding Walter from Billy’s guards.

  “What do we have here?” Billy said as he watched his wife shield Walter. He was disgusted. Walter stood beside Tom.

  “Look! Billy we can settle this without bloodshed,” Catherine said. “Shut up!” Billy said.

  “This wasn’t the plan!” Billy said. He grabbed his wife’s breasts with one hand to mark his territory. Walter wanted to fight back, but Catherine held her hand up, scared. She felt humiliated by her sadistic husband.

  “You tried to help him, huh? Prostituta!” he said as he hit his wife on the cheek with a sharp blow. Walter moved up to Catherine, defensively. Billy’s guards held Walter down. Tom observed his father try to protect the woman he perceived as the enemy. He was more confused than ever. Catherine groaned in pain. Nina was horrified.

  “You leave her alone!” Walter yelled.

  “You still love each other! Cunt!” Billy said. He spat on Catherine’s face. It was slowly beginning to make sense. Billy glanced at Tom. He smiled.

  “Oh you didn’t know?” Billy laughed. “Your dad and my wife have been fucking!” Billy laughed sadistically, with anger and disgust in his tone. Everyone stared at each other without saying a word. Tom glanced at his father and then Catherine, but didn’t respond.

  “Your father has been cheating on your mother,” Billy added. No one else responded. Tom stood up from his seat, unmoved by the guns pointed at him.

  “Didn’t your mother teach you not to hit women?” Tom asked Billy directly. The room became tenser. Billy’s face turned bright red. He hit Tom on his face with his huge fist. Tom’s guards became restless.

  “Stop! Stop! Leave him alone!” Nina yelled in tears. She couldn’t bare the sight of Tom in pain.

  “Don’t put your filthy hands on my son!” Walter added as he struggled to loosen the grip Billy’s guard’s had on him.

  Billy laughed. Walter grunted in frustration. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, Billy. I promise,” Walter added.

  “Hmm I changed my mind. I’m going to kill both Olivettis today! And let their women watch. After all, their family killed my only son!” Billy said out loud.

  “Pablo is still alive!” Catherine yelled. Billy’s countenance changed. He looked at Catherine then looked at Walter. He scoffed.

  “Is this true?” Billy asked. Walter nodded. He glanced at Tom. There was no surprise on his face.

  “So you knew?” Billy asked Tom. Tom spat blood out of his mouth. Billy dropped his machine gun on the table of food. He grabbed a piece of chicken.

  “This gets more interesting!” Billy said to himself as he took a bite of chicken.

  “So my son is still alive? Then where is he?” he walked up to Walter. “I don’t know. Maybe in some foster home,” Walter said in an authoritative tone.

  “Liars! All of you are liars!” Billy yelled out in a rave. Just then, an unexpected guest walked in. Guns began to shift directions. Some of Tom’s guards took possession of their guns and within seconds, Billy Sanchez’s guards were outnumbered two to one.

  “You should learn to make an escape plan in every situation,” Don Olivetti said as he walked into the hotel room. Walter was relieved.

  Billy was terrified. His legs wobbled as he gazed at Don Olivetti’s cold face. Tom’s guards stood around Tom, Walter and Catherine as Billy’s guards switched their focus to Don Olivetti’s guards.

  Roberto Puccini shot the glass windows twice. It shattered into pieces. They all gazed at him. He smiled then jumped outside with Nina. Tom’s heart skipped multiple beats. He rushed to the window. He looked down expecting to see a horrific splat on the ground floor. He sighed with relief. There was a rope. He watched them zip line, downwards.

  “You!” Billy said to Don Olivetti with intense hatred, expecting a dialogue.

  “I’m not going to waste words with you! Kill them all,” Don Olivetti commanded. Multiple bullets erupted in the air. Within seconds, Billy and his men were on the floor, dead. There was a pool of blood on the floor. The shooting stopped. There was a sudden silence. The room smelled of gun powder. There were bullet shells on the table.

  Catherine covered her ears. Walter came out of the shield his son’s guards made around him. Billy was lying on the floor gasping for air as blood gushed out of his mouth.

  A bullet was in his chest. Catherine walked towards Billy’s body, showing a mixture of fear, disgust and happiness, as she gazed at her husband on the floor. It was better than her happiest memory.

  “Billy Billy! The stupid one!” Walter said in anger. “You’re too disrespectful to be alive,” Walter added. He pointed a gun at Billy’s head, determined to end his misery. Don Olivetti observed his brother.

  “No! Let me!” Catherine said, as the sores on her face became visible. She took Walter’s gun.

  “I’ve been looking forward to this day for eighteen years,” She said. Billy’s eyes begged. “Fuck you!” She shot a bullet into Billy’s throat. He gasped for air. The bullet went through his trachea as blood filled his lungs. They watched him struggle in pain. Twenty seconds later, he died. The room was quiet. It was the most gruesome death they’d seen since Purio Maccuzo.

  “I’ll send my crew to clean up this mess!” Don Olivetti said as he tapped his brother’s shoulder, undisturbed by the blood on his shoes.

  “Glad you came here on time,” Walter said to his brother then gazed at his son. “You’re in big trouble boy,” Walter said to Tom as they left to the helicopter waiting for them on the roof.

  Nina struggled. Her five senses were overwhelmed with the sudden rush of adrenaline. She hoped Roberto had a plan. She held on to him, tightly, with her eyes closed, awaiting her death. It seemed slow. She couldn’t wait for her body to hit the hard pavement or the top of a car. Suddenly, a great force pulled them back up. It had to be a rope.

  “Shhhhh don’t be scared,” he whispered in her ears. She opened her eyes. She looked down. She was safe, but still terrified. She panicked then began to hit him multiple times.

  “Relax! If I let go, you die. It’s that simple,” Puccini said. Nina realized her folly. Her brain automatically programmed itself to make a plan B—how she was going to run once she landed on the ground, safely. She looked below her legs, observing the people beneath her.

  She c
ould hear the sirens moving in from a distance. People stared at them. They were stunned by the sight of a man and a lady zip lining down a tall building. She glanced at the edgy looking men beneath her. They didn’t look like one of Tom’s men.

  Her feet touched the ground. She struggled to detach herself from Roberto Puccini. “If you want to stay alive, stick with me. I won’t tell you this again,” Roberto Puccini said, holding her. She shrugged as three other men came towards them.

  Roberto took out his silenced 9mm gun. He shot their legs within a span of two seconds. The crowd watching fled.

  “What are you doing? This is a public place!” Nina yelled as she rationalized the consequences of his actions. She didn’t want to be seen as a murder accomplice. Roberto swiftly made his way through the curious crowd. They made a right turn at an alley. There was a grey BMW parked at a weird angle.

  “Get in,” he said, as he let go of her arm.

  “No!” she yelled back.

  “Fine! Suit yourself! Walk out of this alley and you’re dead!” Roberto said in frustration as he entered the car briskly. He turned the engine on. It roared. He smiled at his German muscle car. Two angry looking men ran towards her. She glanced at Puccini then glanced at the men. She sighed then ran into the car.

  Puccini smiled. “Don’t give me that look!” she snapped.

  “Seat belt!” Roberto Puccini said as he sped off, running over one of the men.

  34

  The Olivetti chopper landed on a helipad on Don Olivetti’s compound. Tom, Walter, Don Olivetti, Catherine and the guards got out of the helicopter. The propeller blew their hair furiously as they made their way into the building.

  “Get a hold of the security tapes and hotel records,” Don Olivetti commanded, trying to out shadow the noise coming from the helicopter.

  “Done that already!” one of Don Olivetti’s guard said.

  “Bodies?” Walter asked.

  “Leave the bodies. Let’s give our FBI friends some work to do. Just make sure all signs of our presence are erased,” Don Olivetti said as he walked into his mansion.