I’m not a very good judge at these but they were enjoyable reads. Good job.Victor woke up in a cold sweat days after his match against Alexander Cage. Phone buzzing on the nightstand next to his bed, he quickly answers it...
Victor: "Hello?"
Andre: "Man you coming down to the club today, there's a whole bunch of key figures saying that you had a press conference today."
Forgetting he had prior engagements today, Victor looks at his watch and sighs....
Victor: "Damn bro is it really 3:30 in the afternoon?"
Andre: "Yeah, you okay cause I can handle this if I need to."
Victor: "Yeah go ahead and take this one bro, I gotta figure some things out."
Andre: "Alright, you sure you okay?"
Victor: "Yeah I'm good man I promise."
Victor hangs up the phone and begins to move around. Heading to the bathroom he stands in front of his mirror looking at himself. Shaking his head, he reaches down and splashes water on his face. He then goes into his closet and picks out a suit. Getting dressed he heads down from his penthouse to the parking garage. Getting into his Maserati he drives off heading down Main St. towards the local coffee shop. As he steps out he bumps into a beautiful Puerto Rican woman.....
Victor: "Sorry, I didn't see you there."
Woman: "Its okay I should've been watching where I was going I was just in a hurry."
Making eye contact the two realize they know each other......
Victor: "Angel is that you?"
Angel: Victor! Oh my gosh how have you've been?"
Victor: "I've been good and yourself?"
Angel: "Oh just working for this big investment firm. How about yourself?"
Victor: "Well I own Vision's nightclub and other business endeavors. You should come by so I can buy you a drink."
Angel: "I might have to do that. Need a little stress reliver since my sister was murdered."
Victor: "Murdered, what was her name?"
Angel: "Maria Rodriguez!"
Victor's eyes get big as he begins to quiver a little. He then tries to find out more information....
Victor: "Have they got any suspects?"
Angel: "No not yet they found her body in the river but no prints or anything. Its weird cause her boyfriend has been missing too."
Victor: "Damn, well if there's anything I can do just let me know."
Angel: "Thanks Victor, that drink will be the start and we will see how it goes."
Victor: "Alright I'll see you soon."
Victor and Angel hug as they go their separate ways. Watching her walk away he then grabs his phone and texts everyone to meet at the warehouse for a meeting...
20 minutes later.........
The crew arrives at the warehouse for the meeting. Victor speaks........
Victor: "We have a situation, It seems the girl we killed the other day is the sister of Angel Rodriguez."
Andre: "You mean Angel from the block Rodriguez?"
Victor: "Yeah, I just ran into her at the coffe shop and she said they are investigating the murder but have no leads as of right now."
Tommy: "Fuck!"
Tony: "So whats the plan?"
Victor: "Nothing changes, we keep doing what we are doing and there wont be any heat."
Andre: "What about Angel?"
Victor: "Leave her alone. If it gets out of hand I'll take care of that one."
Everyone stands up and leaves the warehouse. As Victor is getting into his car he gets a notification on his phone from the EAW. He opens the message and sees he has a match against Lucas Johnson. Smirking he closes the message and opens the next. The next message is Lucas Johnson talking about his upcoming match and how he calls himself the Emperor of Showdown. Laughing, Victor closes the message and drives off to the club to get ready for tonight.....
7 hours later..........
Victor is standing on the balcony overlooking a packed house at Visions. Smiling with delight he heads down to the bar to get a drink. As he heads down the stairs he spots Angel walking into the club looking amazing. Adjusting his suit he walks over and greets her.....
Victor: "I see you made and might I say you look amazing."
Angel: "Why thank you Victor and I love the look of this club."
Victor: "Well let's get you that drink."
Bartender: "Hey boss, you having the usual?"
Victor: "Yes and a Grey Goose Martini for the lovely lady."
Angel: "You remembered my drink."
Victor: "How could I forget."
The night goes on smoothly as Victor and Angel reminisce about the past. Eventually they leave the club and head back to Victor's place for a nightcap. In the middle of the night Victor wakes up and looks over at Angel. Staring he then puts his hands on his head as if to question his intentions. He then looks at his phone and sees its 4:30 am. Getting up he heads into the living room and looks out the window overlooking the city.....
Victor: "Most people dream of one day having the riches and lifestyle I have. Some people work a lifetime and still don't reach that goal. I was luck enough to reach these goals through hard work and determination and building a street cred that makes the everyday gangster look like a childs book. Peoples dreams have become my reality and now I have to once again claim the throne of being the best and most feared. This week on Showdown I face another unknown wrestler in Lucas Johnson. Last week I lost to Alexander Cage because of my mere stupidity and arrogance. I let the match slip out of my grasp at the end and I won't let it happen again! You see Lucas your talk about being the emperor or whatever it is you want to call yourself honestly is comical in a sense. You talk about how your royalty and I don't deserve to be in your presence it kind of reminds me of the movie Elf where we have a grown man thinking he's some sort of person from a fantasy realm. Plus you talk about this castle you live in New York, but I've owned these streets and this city and I've never even heard of your weirdo ass. Honestly looking at the match card was the first time your name has even came accross my periphial, but enough with the slander and bullshit. Come Saturday at Showdown, two men will enter in that ring but only one will be crowned victorious. I vow that win or lose you will feel pain and despair and that royalty you claim that you are will be a mere glimpse of the past as I show you what your future is here in the EAW. Prepare to meet your Judge, Jury and Executioner and ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME!!!"
Victor continues to stare out the window as Angel comes behind him wrapping her arms around him. He embraces her arms as they both stare out at the city lights. The camera fades away..........
Location: Saint Antoninus Catholic Church
Time: 4:30 am Saturday Morning
The scene opens as Victor is heading down 337 S Orange Ave, Newark towards Saint Antoninus Catholic Church. While driving he gets a on his cell from Vincent Moretti.....
Victor: "How's everything going Vincent?"
Vincent: "Thought I give you a heads up. After about 6 teeth and 5 fingernails later, Mr. Finch finally gave up all his information about his business. We got delivery routes, dates and times. Plus we got all his stash house areas and where he cleans his money too."
Victor: "Good deal and what about his connect?"
Vincent: "Yeah he's in good with the Columbians, but I got some guys working on that to smooth over relations so we can move forward with the takeover."
Victor: "That military a**hole was in good with the Columbians. Damn he was good no doubt."
Vincent: "Me and some of guys are heading out to Chicago first thing in the morning to get settled and get things running. I'll let you know when we land and keep you informed on the day to day."
Victor: "Sounds good brother. Be careful and god bless."
Victor hangs up the phone just as he pulls up to the church. He gets out and walks in heading straight towards the confessional. Once in the booth he speaks to the priest......
Victor: "Father I'm here to confess my sins."
Father Jacobs: "Tell me son what do wish to confess?"
Victor: "Father my life hasn't always been perfect, in fact growing up I never knew I would be in the position I am today, but I can't change that anymore. This life I live I strived and worked harder than ever to achieve, but I still fill empty."
Father Jacobs: "It sounds to me son you are hiding or running from something. Tell me more."
Victor: "Well father I have done things I am ashamed of. I have hurt a lot of people, but in my line of work that comes with the territory. You are either the wolf or the sheep. I chose to be the wolf and now I'm the leader of the pack and with that comes great turmoil and heartache. I need to know if God will forgive me of my sins one day."
Father Jacobs: "As long as you confess him as your Lord and Savior, he will forgive and bless you all the days of your life. You see we as humans are not perfect nor are we saints, but God knows that and all he wants is us to try and be perfect. Try to make the right choices and spread his word amongst the people. Son I don't know what it is you do and I'm not asking you to unveil everything to me, just be humble and steadfast and what ever it is will soon come to past."
Victor: "Thank you father and god bless you."
Victor stands up and heads out of the confessional. as he walks away, Father Jacobs steps out trying to get a glimpse of Victor as he leaves but all is sees is the back of his coat as he walks out the double doors. Once outside Victor stands at the top of the stairs. Looking both ways down the empty street, he walks down and gets into his car. Once in his car he gets a update on his phone from EAW network. He opens the update and sees the interview with Alexander Cage. He watches it and smirks. Once its over he shuts his phone and starts the car. The rumbling of the Maserati engine screams as he revs it over and over before heading north on Orange Ave. He takes a right at the stop light and continues to drive for a bit before reaching a cemetery. Driving around the cemetery he stops at a specific area and parks. Getting out of the car he lights a cigar and heads towards a plot. Once at the plot he stops at a headstone that reads "Here Lies Christopher Big Baby Williams". Victor kneels down and speaks......
Victor: "Damn bro I know its been a while since I last saw you but the pain of you being gone hurts still. Waking up in cold sweats and breathing really hard, I just realize that it should be me in that grave and not you. You saved my life, but I had to watch you die in my arms, but I told you that this empire we started I wouldn't stop building until we was on top. I made that promise to you when we joined this game and I kept my promise when you died. Its just harder now but I'm still here surviving and fighting for what's ours. I stopped by Mom's the other day and gave her some money like I promised I would. she's doing good, missing you though but doing good. Baby sis is doing her thing at Penn State, making moves. I miss you bro, really I do. This was supposed to be me and you doing this. When you died in my arms I felt like I died that night to bro. I never have forgave myself for setting up that deal. I knew it was a bad idea and you knew too, but you had my back from day one and if I failed then you failed but we would never leave each other high and dry. I wish I could take it back but I know I can't now, all I can do is move forward and keep the Vision and dream alive, but I promise you your name will live forever. Ride or Die till the wheels fall off my brother. Rest In Peace......"
Victor stands up and stares at the headstone. He then take his phone and turns it on live recording making sure he adds EAW Network and others to his live stream.....
Victor: "Fight Grid. Newark, New Jersey is where I will face an Unknown enemy Alexander Cage. I find it ironic that this unknown opponent questions my will to fight, my fortitude so to speak. He says that he's the perfect storm and plans to bring all the destruction and pain that involves a storm. What he doesn't realize is there is no storm capable of being more destructive or painful then the life I have grew up to see. You see Alexander I could careless about you skill, your experience, your will to fight. I honestly hope all that you say about yourself is true cause I want the best Alexander Cage money can by, so that when I beat your a** in that ring, there won't be any excuses. You see Cage, I'm not your son and I won't be your b**ch in that ring and yes we may be an undercard, a filler, but by the end of the night we won't be just some names on a program. When you speak my name, you better speak with conviction, with soul, with power. My name shouldn't be taken lightly and my skill should be feared. I don't play nice with anyone and I always get what I want and right now I want your head on my mantle. Come Saturday you better be praying to your Lord and Savior cause in that ring I will be your Executioner and after all is said and done. ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME! See you soon Mi Compadre!"
Victor smirks at the screen as the scene fades away.................