The Victimless Crime

Chapter 26: Stage Rehearsal

Going home is the next easy step to do so. That's what it's supposed to be. However, before Oli and Locke plan to head out, Oli gets a call from her sister.

"Don't go out," her sister said through the phone.

"What? Why?" Oli glances at Locke.

"Just act normal and turn around. Some men are waiting outside. You see that black van?"

Oli then casually looks through the glass and sees two black vans just right across the street.

Without getting flustered, she turns around and smiles at Connor. She walks over to Connor and looks through the catalogue.

"So, what do we do?" She asked.

Locke walks over to Oli. "What's going on?"

"It seems we're being followed," Oli looks through the catalogue.

"That's no good. You can use the back door," Connor stands beside you pretending like he's showing you a few things on the catalogue.

"Yes. Use the back door. Charles is waiting there in a van. Make sure you bring Lino," Alisa says through the phone before hanging up. Oli shoves her phone back in her pocket and glances at Locke and Lino. She immediately informs Locke of it and in no time, the three of them (Oli, Locke and Lino) follow Connor through their office room and to the back door.

Locke goes out first looking from both sides of the sidewalk before walking towards the van waiting a few steps away from the door. Charles peeks out the window and immediately waves them before going back in. Locke walks over to the car followed by Oli and Lino.

Before anything else, Charles steps on the gas and takes them away from the place.

****

It took an hour or two before Charles began driving off road into the forest and reached a house in the middle of the forest. A kind of vacation house used for rich people. A modern and cabin like theme designed all over the place. They all head in and that is the only time they all manage to sigh in relief.

"Alisa will be here in a while," Charles said as he turned on the few lights.

As he does, Oli managed to see more of the familiar modern cabin looking place. The place where she once set foot in, but with a different set of people. Charles notices Oli looking around as if remembering every bit of memory that showers in her. Though, he's not forgetful that those memories that are running down on her are not good at all. Some of it being something that eventually wounded her and led her to be someone who is scared to tell people to be able to protect their well-being.

Charles comes closer to Oli and gives her a soft pat on the back. Oli glances at him and replies with a smile.

"I'm fine. Don't worry," Oli said, knowing already why Charles went closer to her.

Locke on the other stands a few steps behind as he watches the two share a meaningful look with each other. Lino nudges his shoulder and smirks at him when Locke turns to give him a questioned look.

"It's not what you think," Locke scoffs and walks forward to the living room.

It took a few hours before everyone else including Alisa settled in the house. After Lino gave a few more details regarding the auction, Alisa began looking through the information and more that could be of help regarding it. While that is happening, Locke is just sitting on the couch that is across the wide balcony that has a complete view of the forest. Though, it's not the forest he's looking at, but the man and woman just outside the balcony and talking.

"You like her, don't you?" Locke's thoughts are caught off by Lino. He looks up to find Lino sitting on the couch just beside him.

"I said, it's not what you think," he retorted back.

Lino chuckles. "I sure think it is. I'll give you fifty bucks to tell me that you never even once liked her at all....even just for a slightest thought of holding that hand,"

Locke glares at Lino. Lino only smiles in amusement as he waits for Locke's answer. When Locke simply looks away without giving him answers, it is enough for Lino. Lino laughs out loud.

"It doesn't matter what I feel," Locke breaks him off.

Lino's eyebrows raised in interest. "And why is that?"

Locke looks back at him again and sighs. "I know what you're doing. It's not going to work,"

"What do you think I'm doing, dear Locke?" Lino chuckles and leans back. He makes a quick glance at Charles and Oli who are talking to each other.

"I'm just saying. You've got to step up the game," Lino added.

"Step up the game," Locke frowns and looks at Charles and Oli.

"Like stand out in front of her...as a man. It's never a good thing to let that burn inside, you know. Look at me? I know she'll reject me cold, but I still tried for a little bit of hope,"

A small smile slips on his lips. Who would have thought that Oli has his ways to just charm these dangerous men...including him? Though, the thought of liking Oli has long been gone from his head. It really is just a flying feeling he had when he and Oli were married for that short time. It really isn't something he's feeling right now. It's over. It's really just in...the past.

He looks back again at Oli who seems to be smiling about what Charles said. He may not admit it, but there's a tang of bitterness at the back of his throat when he sees Oli just smiling (like how he used to smile at him) towards Charles. Lino, who is observant as ever smirks and leans forward.

"What makes you think you don't have a chance?" Lino chuckles once more and stands up to leave the living room.

Though, he stops when Alisa comes from the hallway with a messy bond.

"Finire, amore?" Lino comes closer.

Alisa simply brushes past him and walks to the couch. She puts down her laptop and walks over to Charles and Oli to call for them. Not for long, Charles and Oli walk back in and take their seats on the couch.

Alisa settles on the couch where everyone else can turn to look at her. She opens her laptop and looks at each one of them through her eyeglasses.

"So...here's the plan,"      

Translation: 

Finire amore = finish, love?

Author's note: 

Sorry, sorry if its too short..but I swear...this is important.  Let's say its the calm before the storm hehehe

Next Chapter (27): 

"Play gone wrong?"