Real.Doc - Part 2 - Joe (English Version)

The most precious eggs

The drive back to the mansion was slow, almost agonizing. I found myself filling the silence by talking to the taxi driver about the supposed "joys" of being an actress. It wasn't like I was acting now, but the words were easier than acknowledging the truth of where I had just come from. The driver seemed intrigued by my rambling, but I could feel my own disconnection from the conversation.

Before the taxi even stopped in front of the mansion, I saw Jase standing at the door, waiting. With him were MaryAnne and Rony. The moment we pulled up, Rony hurried over to pay the driver, urging him to leave quickly. I slipped out of the car, barely noticing the interaction, my mind elsewhere.

Jase's face was full of worry, and as soon as I stepped inside, he asked, "What have they done?"

"Nothing," I lied, walking past him.

"You're hurt."

"I don't want to talk about it," I snapped, cutting him off. 

To my surprise, MaryAnne was the next to speak. "Where's Cao?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"He went after you," she said, her voice tight with worry, "and he hasn't returned. You didn't see him?"

"No, I didn't.

The sound of a car engine interrupted us. We all turned to see Cao's car pull up the driveway. A wave of relief washed over me, and with that, the tension in the room seemed to deflate. Without saying another word, I headed upstairs to my room, needing the isolation of a hot shower.

The water ran over my skin, washing away the grime and blood, but not the memories of what had happened. The bathroom door creaked open, and I knew it was Joe even before he spoke.

"They said you don't want to talk," he said, his voice low, careful.

"Still don't," I confirmed, not turning around.

"Is that your blood?"

"It is," I replied shortly.

"So they definitely stepped up a notch this time."

"Definitely," I admitted, feeling the heaviness of it all in my chest.

After a long pause, he finally spoke again. 

"I'll wait for you outside. Let me know if you need anything."

"Okay."

When I emerged from the bathroom, a tray of food was waiting for me on the bed. Jase, always Jase. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I saw it. Wrapped in a robe, a towel still covering my damp hair, I sat down and began to eat. Joe watched me silently, his expression a mixture of concern and patience. It was almost comforting—until Rony entered the room.

"Hey, man. Do you mind if I have a word with Lilly?" he asked, the formality in his voice putting Joe on edge.

Joe barely had time to leave before I turned to Rony, my anger bubbling up.

"Where is he?" I demanded.

"Waaait..." Rony raised his hands, trying to calm me down. "He wants you to know there's been a mistake."

"Does he have it?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Rony hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "It's in her possession."

"We need to get there now."

"I agree."

I quickly threw on whatever clothes I could find, not caring that my hair was still dripping wet. In the car, Jase and Joe sat quietly, tension hanging thick in the air. They knew better than to push me for answers now.

By the time we arrived, it was clear that they had been expecting us. Cesar stood pale at the entrance, his usual bravado stripped away.

"We'll only talk to her," he said, his voice lacking its usual command.

"And Rony," I added firmly.

Cesar hesitated but finally nodded. 

"Fair enough. Come."

We moved to the kitchen, leaving Jase and Joe in the living room, where they exchanged uncertain glances. Inside the kitchen, I didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"Where is it?" I asked, my voice cutting through the still air.

Cesar stared at me, his confusion evident. "Where is what?" he asked, clearly lost.

Before I could answer, Shannon entered the room with a grin that sent chills down my spine. She carried a jar, covered by a cloth, as if presenting some kind of twisted magic trick. With a flourish, she removed the cloth, revealing its contents.

"What the FUCK is that?" Cesar shouted, his voice filled with horror as he stared at the jar.

"The most precious eggs in the whole wide world," Shannon said with a smile, her voice dripping with malice.

"What?" Cesar stammered, his face twisted in confusion.

"You wanted to be a daddy, now you, if you still want it," Shannon said, her tone almost mocking. "Or we could do something else with 'em" she trailed off, leaving the suggestion hanging in the air.

Cesar's expression turned to disgust. Without hesitation, he grabbed the jar and smashed it onto the floor, sending shards of glass everywhere. Before anyone could stop him, he shoved the contents into the kitchen disposer, grinding them to dust.

Jase and Joe rushed into the kitchen at the sound of the glass shattering.

"No! Are you stupid?! Do you know how much money we could have made?" Shannon screamed, her rage palpable.

Cesar's patience finally snapped. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" he roared, his voice shaking the room.

Jase, still unsure of what was happening, turned to me. "What's going on?"

"We're leaving," I said calmly, standing up to go. I was done with this place and everyone in it.

But just as I reached the door, Cesar came running after me.

"I didn't know," he pleaded. "I mean, I knew, but we were supposed to call it off."

"Supposed to?" Rony asked, narrowing his eyes.

"And we did! Well, I did. But the number changed and..." Cesar's words were frantic, almost desperate.

"All right," I muttered, turning to leave again.

"Lilian," he called out once more. There was fear in his voice, a fear I had never heard from Cesar before. It stopped me in my tracks. I turned, my anger simmering beneath the surface.
"You're in grave danger now," he said, his voice trembling.

In all my years, I had never seen Cesar this terrified. It unnerved me, but I wasn't about to let him see that.

"What do you mean?" Jase asked, stepping forward, sensing the shift in tone.

"We'll explain in the car," I said, my voice cold. "Let's go."

Before we reached the car, Rony's outburst startled everyone. "Fuuuuuuuck!" he shouted, his voice full of frustration.

Inside the car, Rony wasted no time. 

"Tell the house we need maximum security," he instructed Jase. "And ask them to trace our route to ensure we get home safely."

Jase didn't ask any questions. He just did as Rony said, quickly relaying the instructions over his phone.

As soon as we arrived at the mansion, a chill ran down my spine. Someone was already there.

"Did you tell them to increase security like I asked you to?" Rony demanded.

"It's Françoise," Jase replied. "He brought his own security."