Authors: Veronica Melan
It was clear that Theodore was already picturing how he’ll cut them and imbed them into gold or platinum. After selling such a unique collection for an immense amount of money he’ll perhaps, become one of the richest jewellers, and would probably live a luxury life for another ten years. But that wasn’t the point. I only cared how much he was prepared to offer me, so his dream, written in capital letters across his face, would become a reality.
The man behind the counter kept on running his fingers over my stones, as if he was afraid that if he taook his hands off the pink diamonds, just like a mirage, would vanish.
“How much do you want for all of them, Mrs Moore?”
Hell, no! You, sneaky devil! It will be YOU who’ll tell me how much you want to pay for them.
“I'd like to hear your offer first, Mr Larsheld.”
The jeweller looked at me and then at the stones. Then back at me. The he swallowed.
“We-e-e-ll...” He drawled hesitantly, “I think I’d be willing to give you... let’s say... five hundred thousand. “
The disappointment on my face was very obvious and absolutely genuine. Theodore immediately reassessed the situation.
“Six hundred!” he announced.
I tried to keep the sulky look on my face.
“Six hundred and fifty?” uncertainly continued the greedy man.
Six hundred and fifty? Well, no! If these gems are diamonds and they are rare pink colour, I’m not going to play petty! More so, the Corporation will not take less than a million, and six hundred and fifty thousand is nor here nor there, if I can put it that way.
I walked right up to the counter and made a disgusted expression, which would usually appear when the person I was talking to was either a fool (which would not be appropriate to say aloud), or he was pretending to be a fool which was no less irritating.
“Mr Larsheld.” I began softly, “It’s not just the fact that these stones have no inclusions, they are also huge. Even after cutting, each one of them will be at least three carats in size. So let's be honest with each other - all I want for the entire collection is one million. It isn’t that much, admit it, Theodore. For you it’s almost a gift.”
There was a great actor, trying to get out of me! But the storming emotions, which I was experiencing at the moment, I couldn’t do a bad performance if I’d tried. I was very glad that the stones turned out to be rare and valuable, but I was also worried that if I don’t get enough money for them, I won’t be able to contact the Corporation and ask them to release Hulk. And if Hulk is not released, I’ll be very angry and unbearable.
Mr Larsheld’s pale blue eyes behind his thick glasses were staring at my shameless gren. And it wasn’t clear whether he was shocked by my statement, or he wasn’t surprised at all. I didn’t take my eyes off his, he was doing the same.
Well, let's see who will lose out more, Mr “Golden chains on the belly” - me or you?
“One million, Mrs Moore, it’s a lot. Even for this collection.” said the jeweller, finally, after clearing his throat
“What a pity, that it's a lot for you.” I sang, depicting boredom and frustration, “Then I'll have to sell them ... what’s the name of that posh shop? .... Oh yes! “Diamond Bay”!”
A randomly picked name from the same yellow pages made a huge impact on Theodore. Obviously it was a big company and, apparently, one of the most brutal competitors of my new acquaintance. He somewhat lost the healthy colour on his face, but I had to give it to him - he wasn’t about to throw in the towel.
“I think they will agree that one million for a bunch of pristine pink diamond is a true gift of destiny, don’t you think?” I kept pushing my way through the fortress. He’s shared his knowledge with me, now he is paying the price! I continued attacking him, using the information he had given me.
There was a pause.
Pink diamonds spread out on the counter beautifully glittered in the light.
“Eight hundred and fifty!” Theodore forced out his new offer huskily, but greedily.
“One million!” I rapped angrily, “And stop bartering!”
The jeweller was looking at me without blinking with his protruding eyes, resembling a fish that was about to explode, but yet didn’t want to lose a tasty and greasy mosquito, and therefore continued to hover above the water, trying to catch its prey.
“Nine hundred thousand!”
Oh, you meanie! I began angrily and quickly raking stones from the counter back into the bag.
You got me to the bones, fat bastard! If you don’t wanna buy my gems, I’ll find somebody else. You are not the only one who could appreciate their beauty and give me one million without any additional jitters!
The determination written all over my face, finally shattered Theodore’s desire to reduce the price.
“Alright! One million!” He squeaked, “I’ll pay by card or cash! But it’ll take more time to get that much cash...”
I stopped and smiled coldly.
“Transfer the money to my bank account then.”
And just like that, five minutes later I was out on the street a millionaire.
*****
I took a taxi to get home.
It was kind of strange, but now, when I got enough money, I wasn’t in a rush to call the Corporation. I felt uncomfortable, almost scared and circling around the lounge I kept glancing at the telephone. Well, everything is ready, just pick up the receiver and dial the number, but somehow I couldn’t psych myself up to do that.
What if something goes wrong? What if one million isn’t enough? What if I’ll be obliged to do something in return again just because I dared to call? What if they refuse to help me?
Thinking of numerous questions, I kept on circling around the room, feeling gloomy.
Hulk, what would you say to me in this situation? I mentally begged for the answer from the one who’d always find the right words, no matter how difficult the situation may seem. What would you advise me to do? I am alone, and I'm scared"
Everybody gets scared. I thought Hulk would answer me, even those who never show that they are. But only those who try to move forward, carrying their fear through everything, through every minute and never give up, can achieve something. And even if you stumble, even if something goes wrong - it’s still a result - the result of your move forward. But if you succumb to your fear, if you don’t make up your mind and make that step, even the smallest step, you will never see the end of the road.
But I have so much fear, so many doubts in me, I’m paralysed!
Don’t think about the final aim. Think about one step at a time, and then you will know how to take the next one... and the next one. That isn’t that scary, is it?
I didn’t know if I was talking to myself, or if it was a wise voice that came to me from the outside, but either way, this mental dialogue helped me calm down.
The voice was right - I shouldn’t be scared before I even make that first step. I’ll dial the bloody number and ask them a few questions, and before I hear their “yes” or “no” nobody will make me do anything.
Even if I hear “no” I’ll still know that at least I’ve tried.
Not pressuring myself into doing anything right now, I sat on the sofa for a while, and then went to the kitchen to make some tea whilst getting my head together.
*****
He didn’t know why he came here.
The dark cellar was a narrow room, located underneath the mansion, lit by a few lamps. The entire wall was covered in different types of weapons. There was everything that he ever managed to find, buy or trade in Tally; pistols, machine guns, a box of grenades, rifles, a collection of knives, several chemical and smoke screens, and even a grenade launcher. There were also flares, body armour, knuckle dusters and a bunch of other small things that could be useful in a fight.
Or escape.
Hulk was standing still, staring at the ammunition, trying not to think about what he was trying not to think. After all, he is not that foolish to break through the secure perimeter of “Area 33” or through the armed cordon at the front gate, is he?
Of course, not. And who knows why his brain has already started to embrace the idea of how exactly he can get around the central towers, sneak into the security centre and turn off the voltage...
His biceps tensed involuntarily, and black t-shirt tightened around his muscular shoulders, strong fingers clenched. Hulk’s grey eyes continued to study the array of weapons, picking them up, noting and sorting any possible usage according to the situation.
Is he foolish enough to risk everything he’d achieved in the last four years?
(The ranch would explode beautifully; he would take care of it. Just for fun)
But he isn’t willing to kill couple of innocent policemen, is he? (Although, it was doubtful that anyone would even notice a loss of a couple of dozen brain dead cops. What a nice feeling that would be to thin out their number with something like Minimi. That type of pleasure could hardly be compared to anything else)
But of course Hulk didn’t think about that even if his lips were curved into an unfriendly grin.
No, he didn’t.
He just came here to stand around, to look, and to refresh his memory.
Is he silly enough to find Drake and meet him face to face despite the possible outcome?
Maybe, not. But Hulk was fed up with waiting. He’d been waiting for a very long time now and Drake didn’t come. So, perhaps, it was time to take the initiative into his own hands?
Suddenly, something distracted Hulk, and smote the previous thought. Everything was quiet in his mind,
After a few seconds Shereen’s troubled face appeared before his eyes as if she was calling for him and asking something. Hulk listened to his inner self. Damn it... She looked scared.
What’s going on in there? He clenched his fists feeling powerless. Whatever she needed, he couldn’t help her from here, but yet Hulk closed his eyes, cleared his mind, took a deep breath and tried to imagine Shereen’s face again.
What’s going on, girl? Is everything alright with you?
There were no answers, just the feeling that she was worried and feeling lonesome. Before he could let himself feel angry and start cursing, Hulk tried to calm her down mentally, telling her that he is still there for her, that she isn’t alone.
But then he swore out loud.
What’s the point of trying to break through the distance using just thoughts? If that was ever possible, he wasn’t taught how to do that. Drake would probably be able to appear in someone’s mind if he wanted to, but Hulk could only hope that Shereen managed to feel the distant presence by her side.
But in his current presence he’ll just have to wait, because if he makes a mistake now, his girl will be doomed with loneliness forever. And that must never happen.
That’s why he was just standing here and observing. It’s just some weapons and he is not touching anything.
Can you see it, Drake? Not touching anything.
*****
I couldn’t believe that I was in this car again; the car, windows of which were tinted so much, that I couldn’t see a thing behind them. The car owned by the Corporation.
And, yes, that could only mean only thing - I made a call.
I did it.
And exactly as I guessed, they didn’t want to talk over the phone, just asked me not to make any calls after our conversation and that no ID is necessary, just a retina scan will be enough, blah-blah-blah...
Ok. I’ll do as you say.
I was riding in silence, drowning in suspense of something unpleasant ahead.
But why unpleasant? I still don’t know what result this trip will bring. Maybe it would be a good one? Or even great?
But my memory which had already recorded a memo film, was tactfully reminding me every five seconds how this precious ride ended up when I was in this care once before.