Life is too short to waste it waiting. One moment you're doing something, and in the next second, everything is shattered into pieces. And, I'm not planning to wait for that moment. As long as I may live, I'm not going to stay and rot without doing anything with my existence.
This is the short vow I tell myself while sitting in front of the mirror, fixing up my makeup.
I'm not going to wait, nor make compromises. Juan might agree with my plan or not, I'll do it anyway. I'm under no man's jurisdiction. I'm a free woman and I'll do whatever I want.
I put on some red lipstick over the already faded one that I had before. Making out consumes a lot of makeup.
We're married. So what? Who says that in a marriage the woman isn't free anymore? He wants to follow my plan, fine. If he refuses he can stay home.
I put a few drops of perfume on my neck.
There's nothing in the world that can stop me from doing this robbery.
"It's a crazy idea!" Juan said the first time I presented him my plan. "No, it's wrong beginning to end. I can't let you do this, nor participate in such a thing!"
I rolled my eyes and looked at him. I could've never imagined that someone who pretended that he cares and loves me that much can be so denying of everything I was saying. "I'm gonna do it anyway, with or without you. This Friday. If you wanna come feel yourself invited, if not, just stay home and wait for me with dinner until I go back."
"Do you think I'm gonna let you go rob a fucking casino all by yourself?" Juan asked annoyed.
"That's how it seems," I said taking a sip from my glass of wine. "You never seem to supportive of my ideas so..."
"So you're gonna jump on the bathroom's window again?" The irritation in his voice was surfacing, no matter how hard he was trying to hide it.
"Yeah!" I replied trying really hard not to scream at him. "That's exactly what I'm gonna do if you keep acting like you own me. We're gonna rob that fucking casino together, or that will be my first robbery alone, because if you're not coming with me there, you shouldn't come with me anywhere!"
Was I too harsh with Juan by giving him an ultimatum? I don't know. But, since he was the one who took a leap of faith and let me lead the next robbery, he can also support me while actually doing it too.
I take one last look in the mirror. I'm dressed up pretty decent for a casino night. A long black and gold dress and a simple red clutch. But how else am I supposed to hide the guns that are now hidden behind the black material of my dress and tied on my legs with a small belt. The bullets are in the clutch if anyone wonders why I had to take that one too. And so is my ID and the invitation to a private casino party.
I had to call Rodrigo for this entire escapade. He was in Ibiza and by the happier voice in which he replied me, I think things are starting to get better for him too.
Juan said no from beginning to end, but even Rodrigo told him that he thinks it's time to shut the fuck up and listen to me. I loved that moment I can't deny.
But, if I'm worried about something, that thing is obviously him. I'm going to keep my word and really break up with him if he's not coming at this robbery with me. How I'm gonna do it and how I'll cope with the entire thing after? I don't think I'll ever know. As much as I hate to admit, I'm depending on Juan. No matter how hard I'm trying to act like a boss bitch and do things on my own, at the end of the day, I still need him by my side. And, the fact that at this end of the day, he might not join me, scares the shit out of me.
Before I went in the bathroom to get ready, his attitude was the same. Denying my plan and also my ability to do it alone. I guess somehow he was aware of my situation and feelings and trying to play on that. But, even if I'm not gonna to do the robbery and end up in a bar again, I'm not planning to let him win this argument. I guess he won enough times last summer, when we were doing things exactly how he wanted. I don't see the problem in the fact that our duo is in need of a female lead too.
I open the door and get the car's keys from the table. His permission for using it doesn't interest me anymore. I'll do whatever I want. And, one after the other, that car is from Rodrigo who also agrees with me.
"I still don't think it's a good idea," Juan says from behind my back, "but I'm in."
I turn around to see him dressed up in an all black suit. All I hope is that he haven't noticed the small "oh" that I tried to hide from the moment when I made it.
"Then don't come," I reply arrogant. "I don't need any negativity around me tonight while I'm gonna rob that place."
He laughs, then he turns to me and says, "I don't think I can miss spending such an important night without you."
"I'm not convinced," I mumble while stashing the keys in my clutch.
"I think I'm gonna hold this," he says taking the invitation.
"Who told you that you can come with me?" I'm trying to sound more irritated than I actually am.
"You haven't denied it," Juan smiles.
"Okay, fine, put your ass in the car, but I'm driving."
"Of course," he replies still smiling.
I hate this and in a way I also love this entire atmosphere that's floating between us. If tonight's robbery will be a success, I'm pretty sure that it's gonna be reflected quite good in bed.
We slept alone all these months and I can't deny that there are moments when I miss Juan. His warmth covering my body, his small touches, his nice gestures. My body was longing for his, but all the depression and guilt kept me from touching him. When we went outside the city to watch the sunrise was the first time we kissed for real in months. I wanted more, he wanted more, but we stopped. I guess being separated for so long created a sort of abyss that only a ton of alcohol and the adrenaline after a heist can cure.
I can't stop myself and take a look into the hallway mirror too. I'm fine. I don't seem like I'm going to rob a casino, just like any other regular guest of that place.
Truth to be told, I'm not sure if my plan will work or not. Chances to get caught are pretty big, but what is life if you don't risk anything? My time has come and I want to make the best of it.
I'm quite surprised when I get to the car. Juan is staying on the passenger's seat, pressing some buttons on the radio.
"Okay, this one you might like," he says while turning the volume up.
"Mhmm," I say with a smile recognizing the first tunes of 'I'll be there' by The Jackson 5. "I might."
The engines noise can't cover the song and I'm glad. It's one of my favorites and I don't remember telling Juan about it though. Somehow I guess he figured it out.
"You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I'll be there." Juan sings the first verses.
I'm trying so hard to focus on the road and keep my smile just internally. I don't want him to get too much credit for this moment because deep down I'm trying to keep alive that small side of me that's still angry on him.
"I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name and I'll be there."
He tries to reach for my hand, but I instantly pull it from out of his grip.
"Juan I'm driving," I say a bit disappointed by my voice that didn't sound as angry as I wanted.
"I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holding on."
"Juan!" I can't stop laughing while his hand is still trying to catch mine. "I'm not in the mood for games."
For a while he seems like he decided to listen to me.
"I'll be there to protect you,
With an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name
And I'll be there."
He sings better than I expected. And, unfortunately, this doesn't help with me holding my neutral face. My lips are automatically forming the shape of a smile and even if I'm not looking at him, I know that Juan is smiling too.
In the end of the song, I let him take my hand and swiftly kiss it, before I pretend that I suddenly need both hands on the wheel.
"I love you," he whispers along with the last tunes of the song. "Always."
"Me too," I reply taking my eyes off the road for a second to look into his.
And that was it. A simple exchange of glances sealed the connection between us. I know that everything will go perfect tonight, because we're again one with each other instead of two separate arguing entities.
"It's gonna be okay," he says like he can read my thoughts while placing his hand on mine on the wheel. "Don't worry."
"Thanks," I reply. "I know."
We spend the rest of the road in silence, accompanied only by the tunes of the music that's nicely playing in the background. None of us feels like saying something. But, what else is left to be said? We're back together again and this time it feels almost as good as in the beginning.
The casino is breathtaking from the start. A huge 19th century building hidden in the middle of a huge Japanese garden.
"This reminds me of something," Juan says while walking down the narrow path to the entrance.
"What?" I ask intrigued, because I don't remember to be in this place before.
"Of our future trip to Tokyo," he replies with a smile.
Damn, I forgot about that. And the only thing that comes out of my mouth is just an "oh". We've been through so much shit that our wedding night seems like a scene from a movie that was made one hundred years ago. That night we revived the tickets to Tokyo from Rodrigo, but I don't know why something in me tells me that we won't get to use them. Sometimes you don't have to have an explanation for stuff, you just feel them. And, in this world, where anything can happen the fact that we won't go on a trip doesn't surprise me anymore.
"Your invitation, sir?" The question comes from a tall man dressed in a dinner suit.
Juan hands him the invitation.
Why on earth he asked Juan for it? I mean, the woman can't hold the invitation nowadays or what? It feels like we went back one hundred years ago instead of progressing. But, I keep all these comments for myself while the man checks our names on the list and hands the envelope back to Juan.
"It's all good, enjoying the evening," he wishes us.
"Thank you," we reply almost in one voice, then Juan offers me his arm while walking in.
If the exterior of the building impressed us, the interior feels like a dream. Classic and modern are mixed together in a perfect harmony. There are installations of lights highlighting different corners of the rooms. Neon lights intertwined between old furniture. Chocolate fountains placed in some hidden alcoves next to giant marble statues. Diamond doorknobs and crystals chandeliers that we're reflecting the entire spectrum through the rooms. Artworks, sculptures, porcelain plates next to the latest gold cutlery made by an abstract artist we're all there to make your senses go mad. And, the main attraction, a huge marble fountain with champagne right in the middle of the main hallway.
"Wow." I hear Juan
To be honest, im quite surprised. I find it normal for me to be impressed by all this, but if upper class Juan says "wow", then it's definitely something that not even him have seen before.
"I think we can just steal one of those doorknobs and leave," I whisper in his ear.
"You don't say," he laughs. "But, if that's what you want, sure."
"Oh, shut up!" I say, gently hitting his shoulder. "Let's follow the plan, we have to find the main game room."
And it's not hard. I mean, everyone seems like is directed to go there.
I love the atmosphere of the casino and everything, but there's a small thing that makes me feel uncomfortable — the guests. All rich people, better dressed than our kings. Everywhere you look are just designer clothes, diamond necklaces and jewelry that cost a fortune. I guess some people are made for this world, while others will only admire it. But, there's also the third category, the ones who like to rob this class. And no, we don't rob them because we want to be like them, that would be impossible. All these robberies are just a form of revenge. Our families are dying in misery, hungry, with unpaid bills, scared of every goddamn knock in the door that it might be the people from that bank where you've just drowned yourself in credits to have something to eat. That's why we rob them, to make them feel a small glimpse from the pain that we're going through daily. Because they don't know, and will never know. But, we're here to remind them that life isn't always like a sweet dream. We, the robbers, are mostly here to let them experience the nightmare.
"Here it is," Juan whispers while we walk in an enormous room, as glamorously decorated as the rest of the house. "Now, let's get to action."
Our plan sounds much easier than it actually is. The main goal of this mission is to steal the money from the bar, the place where people are coming to buy tokens for the countless of games and machines inside the casino. How we're going to do this? Well, this includes a little fire. Because how else can you evacuate an entire casino full of people. Smoking isn't allowed inside, but this doesn't mean that you can't carry a lighter or a little amount of kerosene hidden in a small silvery flask.
"I think I'm going to the bathroom, love," I say barely holding my laugh. "Take care there."
"You too," Juan grins.
I know what I have to do. The only thing that I'm afraid of is that I won't be able to get back at the car with Juan. We already talked that he won't wait for me. In the moment when the alarm will went off and the people will start to run out, he'll have to grab the money and run to the car. I'll meet him a few streets from the casino and only after that we'll go home.
The best part of this plan is that we're going to keep all the money. No one else is implied in the business, no one is helping us. It's just us and all those thousands of euros are ours. We also agreed that we'll stay a bit low after this heist, because it'll definitely draw too much attention and all the guests at the party will be analyzed by the police.
So, as I'm going to the toilet, I'm making a short list in my head with places where we can spend the next few weeks. Maybe rent a house somewhere in Catalunya, next to the beach, or stay at a cottage in the Basque County. Anyway, even I feel that it's time to leave Madrid for a while.
The bathroom is full and I don't like this, even if I was expecting it. I'll have to deal with the fire as good as I can.
Some women throw me a few weird looks while I walk into a cabin. I guess not looking rich enough is also a problem. And, I'm quite complexed by my outfit now. My clothes were from a high end store and I'm really confused about what made them have those grimaces. I guess, it's simply my attitude. No matter how expensive I dress, I'll never be able to have that attitude of the people who have everything.
I can say I feel a bit safe in the moment when I close the door after me. No one is looking at me, or at least I don't see them anymore.
There's no time to waste. So, I take out the flask with kerosene and, with some toilet paper, I put it all over the cabin. This would be enough to start a small fire.
With a very satisfied look on my face, I empty the flask in the trash, then I light up a piece of cardboard and throw it in there over some toilet paper and the other people's used tampons.
When I see the small flame devouring the garbage, I know it's time to go.
I open the cabin's door and walk out of the bathroom nonchalantly, despite the looks that are being thrown at m.
The party will be over soon, bitches. I can barely hold my laugh.
In just a few minutes this entire glamours party will become a disaster, all this show signed by yours truly. I'm so happy in a way that I can payback for the fact that they laughed of me. I guess, I'll always be like this... If you annoy me, I might burn the entire place down just to show you that you shouldn't mess with me.
"Fire!" one of those bitches screams in the background. "There's fire in the bathroom!"
I'm trying really hard to hold my laugh and even put on a scared face. I still have to act like them, terrified, even if I'm now living in my sweetest of dreams.
I hear the alarm. The chaos unleashes. And I'm not sure whether I should start running from now or should I wait a bit more? I have no idea. All these months when I've been dealing with extreme situations, made me almost forgot how normal people would act. Not that I was too normal before meeting Juan, but in a way, this world changed my perspective completely.
"Get out!" the guards are screaming and now I know what I have to do. "Quickly, evacuate the building."
The water from the thousands of sprinkles in the ceiling hits me right before stepping out in the garden on a lateral door. I hope that Juan got the money, because everything goes according to the plan here.
"Look, sir, she was in the bathroom!"
Or not.
"I saw her walking out of that cabin right before the fire started," one of those bitches tells the guard who was at the door taking care of the evacuation. "I'm sure it's her, black and gold dress from last season."
"Fuck you!" I mutter.
But, there's no time for this. I have to run. My night at the casino is ending in a fiasco, as always, because for me things can't simply go right.
"Miss, stop!" the guard says.
But, I don't have time for this either. My feet are already taking me far from the screaming crowd, deep down, in the heart of the Japanese garden. I just hope I'll be able to deceive the guard and find a way out in time to meet Juan. Because, otherwise, I'm really fucked.
YOU ARE READING
Me Llamo Tokio (My Name Is Tokyo) - A Money Heist Prequel
Fanfiction"My name is Tokyo... But when this story started, that wasn't my name." Running from the wounds of her past, she finds her solace in a dull life, until one night will change it all. Thrown in the middle of a life and death situation, she's forced t...
