Don''t Die


    “Isn’t this a bit much for one evening?” I asked, in confusion.


    “One evening? Oh no, Miss Malissa. The g is held on a cruise and willst for three days and three


    nights,” Auntie quickly corrected me.


    “What?” I eximed before turning to stare at Hayden usingly.


    Why…didn’t he tell me these things?


    “I guess Master Hayden…forgot to tell you about this…” Auntie mumbled. I couldn’t believe how she


    was stilling up with excuses to protect Hayden.


    How can he possibly forget to tell me something as important as this? Instead of just an evening event,


    I will be stuck on a cruise with him for three days and there nights…along with many other mafia


    bosses and members…


    What is happening to my life again?


    “You have toe along anyways. What’s the point of knowing and panicking?” Hayden said tly


    before shrugging like he couldn’t care less.


    “You could have at least told me…” I said in exasperation.


    “Let’s go. Yourints will give me a needless headache…” Hayden said, implying that it was my


    fault.


    Unlike other days when Hayden and I travelled alone, today, there were many gang members


    apanying us in their cars. We travelled in what was like a small parade of cars. Thankfully, I still


    rode alone with Hayden in his car. Hayden had refused to have anyone else drive for him and that


    helped me calm down about everything that was going on, somewhat.


    I didn’t know any of the gang members that came along with us, apart from Luka. It was a long drive,


    but we finally arrived at the port where we would board the cruise ship for the three-day g event.


    When we got to the port, I could already see the massive ship that was going to be used for the event.


    It was so big that no one could miss seeing it.


    “Be careful and don’t die,” Hayden whispered close to my ear as he stood at my side.


    We watched as the gang members loaded our various baggage onto the cruise. I turned to face


    Hayden, shocked at his words. Please tell me that he’s just joking around with me.


    “Huh?” I said,pletely taken aback by his words.


    “They’ll just throw you off deck and feed you to the sharks,” Hayden said followed by a loudugh.


    I just couldn’t tell whether he was serious or if he was just joking.


    “You’re joking, right?” I asked for confirmation.


    “No. People go missing every year at the g. So, always stay close to me,” Hayden replied


    emotionlessly but his hand tightened briefly around mine, making me realize that there must be at least


    some truth behind his warning.


    We boarded the cruise together and was immediately led to our rooms along with our entourage. Luka


    seemed very alert and was constantly by our side. The Torex gang had an entire floor of rooms to


    themselves, and I suspect that other gangs had simr arrangements. Security was tight for the cruise


    itself and so was the Torex’s own security measures. I didn’t want to realize this, but everyone was


    heavily armed.


    Suddenly, this whole g seemed more like going to a three-day war instead of a celebration or


    gathering. Everyone was on edge and very alert to any sense of danger. However, everyone seemed


    used to it besides me, obviously.


    I recalled Hayden’s words of warning again as the reality of what was happening seemed to sink in.


    Perhaps, there is no where that is safe on this entire ship. I pray that I make it through this whole


    ordeal. Furthermore, I prayed that no one from our gang goes ‘missing’ on this cruise.


    “Rest up. You seem so on edge and there’s no need to be,” Hayden said to me when we were alone in


    our room.


    If that’s supposed tofort me, I wasn’t sure if it was working. As we are speaking there are around


    five men standing guard, fully armed, in front of our door. How am I supposed to be at ease like this?


    Hayden, on the other hand, seemedpletely rxed as hezed around on the red leather sofa that


    was in the room. Our room was like a suite of rooms. It had a bathroom, a working room, a sitting and


    dining room, and a bedroom. One bedroom.


    I guess apart from being careful of the dangers outside, I also had to deal with the monster next to me


    as well…


    “I’ll try…” I mumbled my response.


    “Don’t worry. You should be safe enough. There’s a truce amongst the gangs regarding the safety of


    women and children. Kidnapping women for ransom like in the movies shouldn’t happen. That being


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    said, stick to my side…always,” Hayden said firmly.


    “Ok…” I said as I nodded.


    I was quite scared and ironically, being close to Hayden made me feel safe. Even if he didn’t want me


    by his side, I’ll stick by his side like glue for sure.


    …


    The day was uneventful with the gang members and Hayden having their meeting in the meeting room


    that was on the same floor as our room. As ordered by Hayden, I stuck by his side and sat next to him


    through the whole meeting. The meeting was more like a debrief, where Luka exined and went over


    the details and roles for all members once again.


    It wasn’t long until we had to prepare for the first night of the g. Officially, the first night of the g


    was known as the ‘Grand Opening Wee’. As the name implies, it is the first evening event of the


    g.


    “Nothing happens much on the first night. We just meet, greet andwork with people. That’s it,”


    Hayden exined briefly.


    “I see…” I said in a whisper.


    “In reality, it’s just like testing the waters for the more serious conversations that will take ce on the


    second and third day. It’s also the perfect opportunity for representative from each gang to lobby the


    other representatives to support whatever they may want to propose in the meetings on the following


    days,” Hayden exined like it as the most boring thing in the world.


    --To be continued…