A Proposal
Chapter 55 A Proposal
“Don’t tell him anything!” Raven shouted on the phone.
“He has killed Carlos. Don’t you dare tell him where his family is or he will find and kill them as well.”
“What is she talking about?” Alfredo asked. He heard Raven loud and clear, but he wanted to find out.
“What did she just say?” Alfredo asked.
“Nothing, just tell me where Carlos damn family are!” He said.
“Before I do… Tell me what you want from them?” Alfredo asked.
“Why do you need to know that?” Ramos asked, his voice growing tense. “I’m the one who’s in charge here, and I’m the one who decides what happens next. So I ask the questions, and you answer them. That’s how it works.”
“I just want to understand your motivation,” Alfredo said. “It seems like there’s something more going on here, and I’d like to know what it is.
Can you continue?
“Why do you want to know where Carlos’s family is? What is it you want from them?” Alfredo asked.
“That ain’t your goddamn business alright? I don’t get to tell you anything. So you be a good boy and tell me where they are or I’ll kill your informant and kill Carlos.” Ramos threatened.
Alfredo hesitated for a moment, thinking about what to do.
If he tells Ramos where Carlos’s family is, they would be in danger.
He can’t guarantee their safety if he discloses their location.
Then he made a decision.
“If you are not going to tell me why you want Carlos’s family so bad, the. You leave me no choice.” Alfredo said.
“What do you mean?” Ramos asked, confused, he wasn’t expecting that.
“If you don’t tell me why you want Carlos family so bad, I’m sorry I can’t tell you where they are.” Alfredo said.
Ramos looked like he was about to explode. He was clearly not used to being challenged, and he didn’t like it one bit.
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re playing a dangerous game, and you’re going to regret it.”
“Maybe I am,” Alfredo said, holding his ground. “But I’m not going to risk someone else’s life by giving you the information you want.
“So you are going to risk the life of your informant for a bad man like Carlos’s family?” Ramos asked.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect his family because that’s what he wants.
I know that you will kill him anyway, but I won’t let you hurt his family.” Alfredo said.
“And about my informant. I gladly hand her over to you. You can do whatever you want with her. She’s of no use to me again.”
Ramos was surprised by his words. He had thought he would reveal Carlos’s family location but Alfredo refused to budge which only pissed him off.
“Are you sure about that?” Ramos asked.
“I’m sure,” Alfredo said, his voice firm. “I know that this might not be the outcome you wanted, but I’m not going to give you what you want unless you tell me why you’re after Carlos’s family. Until then, I’ll do whatever I can to keep them safe.”
“You know what? I think you’re bluffing,” Ramos said. “You don’t have the guts to do what’s necessary to protect the people you care about. You’re just all talk.”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
“You think so?” Alfredo asked, a challenge in his voice.
Ramos looked at him, his eyes narrowed. He was trying to read Alfredo, to figure out if he was bluffing or not. But Alfredo’s face was unreadable, his expression as calm and steady as a stone.
“I’m not going to take that risk,” Ramos said finally. “I’m going to get what I want one way or another. And I’ll start with your informant.”
Alfredo sighed, feeling a sense of defeat. But he knew he had to try one last time.
“You can’t keep people under your control forever.
“Oh, but I can,” Ramos said, a smug smile on his face. “You don’t know the resources I have at my disposal. I can make anyone bend to my will, no matter how hard they resist. You can’t stop me.”
Alfredo shook his head. “You’re wrong,” he said. “People can’t be controlled forever. Eventually, they’ll find a way to break free. You can’t keep everyone under your thumb.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Ramos said.
“People can be controlled, as long as you know how to manipulate them,” Ramos said. “Fear is a powerful tool, and it can be used to make people do just about anything. I’ve seen it happen over and over again. You underestimate my ability to control people, but you’re wrong.”
Alfredo felt a sense of dread. He knew Ramos was right – fear was a powerful motivator, and it could make people do terrible things. He thought of the people Ramos had already hurt, and shuddered. He couldn’t let that happen to anyone else.
Can you continue?
Ramos realized that Alfredo wouldn’t budge so he decided to try something else.
“Why don’t we try something like this. You give me Carlos’s family and I’ll give you Raven and her father huh?
You see that’s a perfect trade. You give me what I want and I give you what you want and everybody is happy.” Ramos said.
“Ramos, you must think am stupid that I would believe any word you say. I know that you are all talk and you are not someone who keeps your word.
So don’t you dare play smart with me, Ramos. I know you so well.” Alfredo said.
Ramos clenched his fist in anger. “How dare he undermine me?” he thought.
“You’re making a big mistake, Alfredo,” Ramos said, his voice low and threatening. “I’m not someone you want to cross. You need to realize that and start playing by my rules, or else you’ll regret it.”
“I’m not playing by your rules,” Alfredo said. “I won’t let you hurt anyone else. I won’t let you win.”
“You’re being stupid, Alfredo,” Ramos said. “You’re putting your own principles before the lives of the people you care about. You’re being selfish and naive.”
“I’m not being selfish or naive, Ramos,” Alfredo said, his voice calm but firm. “I’m simply refusing to compromise my morals in order to save the people I care about. I won’t participate in your game. I won’t give you what you want.”
“And what if I don’t give you what you want either?” Ramos asked, his eyes narrowing. “What if I refuse to release Raven and her father, unless you give me what I want?”
“I will fight to get them back,” Alfredo said.
“I admire your conviction, Alfredo,” Ramos said, and for a moment, he almost sounded sincere. “But I’m not going to back down, either. I’ll do whatever it takes to get what I want. And I’ll stop at nothing to get what I want.”
Alfredo took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. He knew that he couldn’t let Ramos intimidate him. He had to stay strong and stand his ground.
“We’re at an impasse, then,” he said. “But I’m not going to give in.
Ramos was quiet for a moment thinking about what to do. He knew that Alfredo was smart, but he wanted to prove to him that he was smarter.
Then an idea came to him. “I have a proposal for you. Something that might be a way to break the impasse.” he said.