Star-crossed double-cross 21

Chapter 21 - Relax

Stepping out of the car, Lucian's tired feet once again assumed their arched position as the dazed young man rocked back and forth on lime green designer heels. With the pungent smell of fish filling his airways, he scanned the darkened area, littered with shipping containers, and realised he had been dropped off in what looked like the port or harbour area of Tokyo. There was an eerily quiet feel about the place, and given the air of mystery surrounding the impromptu meeting, for the first time in a long time, Lucian felt genuinely scared for his wellbeing.

He jumped as the driver's side electric window buzzed open. “Over there,” the driver barked in a deep gruff voice, pointing towards the waterfront.

“Why?” Lucian shot back, stepping closer and leaning down to look inside. “What am I doing here? And who am I meeting?”

“Over there,” the driver repeated, this time in an angrier, more impatient tone. He then closed the window and glared through the glass pane until the feminised boy felt uncomfortable enough to turn away.

A gust of wind blew in from the Tokyo bay, sending a shiver up Lucian’s nylon clad legs. Tugging on his long, designer coat with his gloved hands, the frightened boy attempted to cover his midriff, which had been left exposed by the little top and skirt he had been given to wear. It was an unusual choice of outfit. Described by the masked beautician, who had arrived shortly after his conversation with Mariana earlier, as a disguise to blend in as he made his way to the meeting dressed as Bianca. The outfit wasn’t the only thing she had done to conceal his identity. His long-extended hair was now tucked beneath a shoulder-length black wig. His makeup had been applied in a different style. But perhaps, most image altering of all, she had replaced his prosthetic nose. This new one, which was a completely different shape from Bianca’s, changed the shape of his face, making him look like an entirely different person.

Reaching the water’s edge, Lucian did a three-sixty before turning back to stare out over the Tokyo bay. What am I doing here? He asked himself as he stood there shivering with only the sound of the waves for company.

Five minutes passed, five minutes of worrying and imagining the worst, until the sound of a car engine came into earshot, snapping him back to reality. The sound of the chugging engine got louder, as did the brightness of the approaching headlights until the car stopped a few meters in front of Lucian. The engine turned off, and then, silence!. What was happening? Why was nobody getting out? Was he supposed to go over? These were just some of the questions firing through the confused crossdresser's mind as he stood there gormlessly staring on like a dear in the headlights.

(See image 21.1)

Wincing, Lucian brought his arm up to shield his makeup covered eyes as the car headlights flashed. Half blinded but taking it as a signal, he slowly minced forward on his flashy shoes. As he reached the front of the car, the back door slowly opened. Tottering forward once more, the frightened boy reached the backdoor before peering in through his thick eyelashes.

“Get in,” Raul commanded, who was sitting in the backseat with a drink in his hand. Relieved for a second to see a familiar face, Lucian smoothed out his coat and hopped in. Instantly regretting his hasty decision as the electronically controlled door clicked shut behind him.

“Good evening, Lucian,” Raul announced, taking a sip of his drink. “Firstly, I want to express how much I enjoyed your concert earlier tonight. And apologise for the necessary precautions in attending this meeting. But what we have to talk about is extremely important. No one can know.” He added before nodding towards the driver. Catching Raul's eye through the rearview mirror, the driver took the hint. Nodding back, he exited the vehicle, leaving the pair to talk in private.

“What’s this all about, Mr Jimenez? Please tell men! I’m feeling a little uncomfortable here?” Lucian spluttered.

“There is no need to be frightened,” Raul replied calmly with a half-smile. “You are safe here. But if you want to get straight to the point, let me be blunt. Lately, my employers have been having major concerns with the erratic behaviour displayed by Bianca Cabello. And due to some recent decisions, some involving you! She is now viewed as a problem and a liability. Therefore, as of tonight, she has been terminated.

“Err… that’s… erm… terrible news,” Lucian mumbled, shocked and confused by what he had just heard.

“Regrettable, yes. Terrible, no,” Raul calmly replied while looking Lucian up and down.

Suddenly feeling incredibly uncomfortable, Lucian instinctively leaned away, trying to distance himself as much as possible from the intimidating Latino man to his left. “But…erm… Mr Jimenez, if you don’t mind me asking, sir. Why are you telling me this?” He mumbled through his shiny lips.

There was a moment of silence as Raul looked away before it was replaced by a sinister-sounding chuckle. “You are a sharp one. I’ll give you that,” he declared, now fully composed once more. “And the answer is a simple one. If you think hard enough, I’m sure you can work it out for yourself. You see, the company needs a Bianca Cabello. Her brand name is worth millions. We just don’t need the one we currently have!”

It took Lucian a moment to react, allowing the words time to sink in. “What? You’re not suggesting... I… no… you can't expect me to… I…” Lucian blabbered before reaching for the handle and finding the door locked. "I think I need to go now, Mr Jimenez."

“You will take her place,” Raul suddenly declared, in such a nonchalantly way, that anyone who didn’t know the man would have assumed that he was joking.

Pressing his pantyhosed legs together and bringing his arms inwards, Lucian’s pretty face dropped.

"There’s some work to be done before you are revealed to the world but time is on our side,” Raul added, before pausing to take another sip of his drink and look down at his watch. “After all, the reports of Bianca’s car accident should be circling right about now. They will surely understand that she will need a little time to recover.”

“No! Please, I don't want this!” Lucian cried. The sudden outburst, causing the usually calm and composed Raul to jump slightly. “I won’t do it. You can’t make me.”

Leaning over, Raul gripped Lucian’s nylon encased thigh tightly, causing the feminised boy to cry out in pain. “What you want is unimportant,” the man calmly replied before squeezing even tighter.

Whimpering in pain, Lucian reached out to remove the larger man’s hand but had his long-nailed hand easily swatted away. “But I can see why you might be reluctant,” he added with a smirk. “Without the right incentives in place, how can a man hope to convince another man to do what he wants. Well, how about I give you a choice? Would a choice help you ease your fears?” Still whimpering, Lucian furiously nodded as tears began appearing in the corners of his darkly lined eyes.

“Very well,” Raul stated, bringing his face closer to Lucian’s. “Option one is simple. You again forget your place and refuse to comply. Santiago out there will put a bullet in your head, and I’ll book an earlier flight home.”

“Or there’s option two,” Raul announced, releasing his grip on the quivering boy's leg before giving it a little pat. “You accept my offer. You live a life of luxury that most people can only dream of while we continue providing your mother with the best health care available.”

A silence fell over the backseat of the car as Raul looked on expectantly. “One or two”? Raul roared, gripping Lucian’s leg in the same spot, this time applying even more force through the tips of his nails.

“Two!” Lucian screamed out amongst the howls of pain. “Option two.”

“Good choice,” Raul exclaimed in a cheery tone, releasing his leg. “I knew you’d come around. Now, let’s drink on it,” he added, before passing Lucian a glass of liquid from a shelf in front of him. “To Bianca Cabello and her continued success,” he added, before clinking his glass off Lucian’s and chugging down the liquid in one.

Nervously, Lucian brought his own glass up to his inflated lips. With his eyes locked on Raul’s, he took a sip, but an angry glare told him he needed to finish it.

The strong alcohol burned as it went down but Lucian would have no time to think about it as almost immediately the inside of the car began to spin. He tried to move, to scream, but his body refused to move.

“Don’t fight it,” Raul softly said as he lay Lucian’s head gently across his lap. “Just relax. You’re in good hands.”