Aside from the unfinished signages and sheets of acrylics leaning on the side of the wall, the Rajahs have stocked the place with supplies of water and crackers.
Something to keep the men watching the building occupied.
I was in the room with 2 Rajahs who already made themselves comfortable on the tables. They had rearranged the tables together into makeshifts bed.
I leaned against the tinted window and looked at the building across the street.
I could see men walking around the corridors, hanging up their laundry on makeshift laundry lines.
On the rooftops, about 5 of them gathered to smoke while another group was drinking standing up.
The quiet night was punctuated by a loud laugh and scream as I saw a CF running down the corridor with his towel wrapped around his head. His friends laughed and soon more joined in the madness.
2 of them were running around naked while laughing.
The gates to the building is kept locked and the security booth is manned by the Malus. They only opened it to allow the van delivering food into the compound.
I checked the camera we set up on a tripod pointing towards the building to make sure it’s recording before walking over to the pantry.
As I pour hot water into my 3 in 1 coffee mix, there was a knock on the door.
The 2 Rajahs that were playing games on their mobile phone stopped and it’s as if they already have protocols in placed. No more karambit knives this time. From under the table, they each pulled out a 10 inch machete.
I removed the axe I brought along as one of them went over to the door.
I walked briskly over to it and whoever is outside knocked on the door again.
The Rajahs took their positions on each side of the opening and I gave them the signal to open it.
The door swung back and I was ready to throw my axe forward when I saw it was Yiling at the door.
Jackson : what the fuck are you doing here…. ?
Yiling : I came to take a look….
Jackson : come in !… were you followed !! ?
Yiling : no… this place is practically dead….
Jackson : You came alone…. ?
Yiling : Xiaoyu and Candy are waiting for me in the car….
The Rajahs shut the door and went back to their game while Yiling walked over to the window.
Dressed in a long sleeve white blouse and black work pants, she reminded me of the time I first laid my eyes on her.
The lights in the unit we were in is off but the spill of ambient light from the outside is bright enough for us to see what we were doing.
The same light illuminated the side of Yiling’s face as she stared at the building across the road.
She looked tired and seemed like she has a lot on her mind.
I offered the coffee I made to her and she accepted it.
Jackson : what are you thinking about.. ?
Yiling : a lot of things….
Jackson : can you share… ?
Yiling : I can’t….
She sipped the coffee and I told her there is no need to shoulder everything alone. The weight would crush her.
Jackson : Why are you trying to take on everything…. The secrets… the cloak and daggers…. The responsibility….who exactly demands so much from you ??
Yiling didn’t answer my question.
Jackson : are you doing this for money Yiling… ? for power… ? wealth ? …. To buy nice cars…. Fancy houses… why….? why are you doing this… ?
Yiling : you won’t understand…
Jackson : stop saying I won’t understand and help me understand !!
I asked her how much money is enough.
Jackson : You already have so much…. You have more than you can possibly spend…..and… and you can fucking…..
I lowered my voice a notch, afraid that the Rajahs at the back can hear our conversation.
Jackson : You can fucking predict lottery numbers….
Yiling gave a bitter smirk, as if I just told a bad joke.
We were both quiet for a while before I commented that I knew she is working for someone else.
Jackson : Who is your boss Yiling…. ?
Yiling : I am the boss…. Did you forget…. ?… I am…. The queen…
Jackson : No….. you may be the queen….but….i know… I can tell… there is still someone you report to…. You work for someone….
Yiling : hahah… you are overthinking things….
I made myself a cup of coffee as well before joining Yiling at the window.
Jackson : Don’t do this alone Yiling…. let me help…
Yiling : I wish I could…
Jackson : to what end…. ?…are you going to do this for the rest of your life… ? .. when does this stop… ?
Yiling : there is no end to this…. This won’t ever stop…
Jackson : what if…. You just let everything go…. ?
Yiling turned and looked at me, asking me what I meant.
Jackson : I meant just let go… just stop… after we deal with the Malus and Russell…. and ….and…. we go… just leave this place…. Go somewhere….
Yiling smiled wistfully and I could see in her eyes she allowed herself the luxury of basking in that thought for a few seconds before reality pulled her back down.
Yiling : Jackson …. We’re gangsters. ….. we don’t stop…. We cannot stop…. And we will never stop….
She returned the coffee mug to me and said she has already made arrangements for a technician to set up cameras on the front door for easier monitoring of visitors.
Yiling : They will be here in the morning to get it done…. I bought the security company that was awarded the job for this building…we will be getting a feed from their cameras as well…. Gate, carparks…. Everywhere…. I don’t want any surprises…..
Jackson : Yiling… I …
Yiling : Jackson …. Stop…. I know what you are getting at….but this is a lonely path to take…. Someone has to do it…
She turned to make sure the 2 Rajahs were not looking before touching my face and giving me a peck on my cheek before leaving.
Yiling : stay safe…
…………………………………………………..
11th November 2016
Friday.
After 2 weeks of keeping an eye on the Malus and their foreigners they are baby sitting, we managed to put together a grime picture of what they are up do.
Every couple of days, a truck ferrying more of them will arrive. Not a lot, but 2-3 more.
This only happens for the site in Kallang. The foreigners never left the building whereas for the Malus, the snuck out occasionally but never alone.
Not since one of their friends went missing.
They snuck out in groups of 2 or 3, which makes a smash and grab a lot harder now that they are on the alert.
The number of people in Tuas remained the same but they have more vehicles.
Almost 20 cars parked within the compound of the site.
There is a stark contrast between the discipline level from the men at Kallang and those in Tuas where Russell is hiding. The men I was observing are more relaxed.
And Declan painted a different picture when he shared with the group of us what they saw. Regular change of perimeter guards, checking the food delivery van several times even though it’s the same guy doing the delivery, they even do a headcount twice a day to make sure everyone is accounted for.
A plan was floated to hit both sites at the same time one week in, and we just kept refining it over and over again.
The plan of attack has finally been finalised and everyone is gathered at the castle ground, including the Rachel and the 10 Rajahs that will be joining us on the raid.
Both locations are in a industrial area. The traffic and activities would gradually die off come Saturday afternoon.
By 2-3pm, it’s practically deserted.
That would be the best time to strike.
The roads leading to the 2 sites will be blocked and starting from 4am on Saturday morning. All our men will slowly move into the holding area so as not to draw too much of a attention.
Yiling : Questions… ?
Yiling looked around the large white marquee tent that has been set up on the open field leading to the farmhouse and the garden.
Anyone seeing it from above would think we’re throwing one hell of a party but we are not.
The white marquee tent stretch almost a football field in length and it’s fully air conditioned.
It’s the only way to brief everyone at the same time, including almost a 100 La Bella Vita’s men.
Plenty of reclining chairs pack the back of the tent for those who want to catch a quick wink, but I suspect many will not sleep tonight.
Pulling off a hit of this scale, you would be dumb to think everyone can make it back alive.
There is a tense atmosphere in the air. You can feel it.
It’s like the eve of going to war, everyone seemed afraid.
Yiling : If there are no questions…. Help yourself to the food and drinks…. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow….
4 buffet lines lined the sides of the tent while beer and wine are flowing freely, but no hard liquor.
A band and a DJ have been hired to provide a bit of entertainment for everyone.
I helped myself to a beer and walked over to the Rajahs who were keeping to themselves in their group by the side of the stage.
Rachel : enjoying your last supper… ?
Jackson : hahah…. I like your sense of humour….
Rachel : this sucks… is this the best La Bella Vita can do…? You should have seen our family day….
The mere mention of her family day struck a raw nerve and she stopped talking about it abruptly. It had to be cancelled for obvious reasons.
Jackson : I look forward to attending the one next year Rachel….. if I’m invited…
She smiled at my forward looking comment and raised her glass at me.
Right about then, I heard the tapping of the microphone and I saw Kamal on stage.
Kamal : test… mic test….
Kamal said something to the tune of wanting to lighten up the atmosphere and he would like to invite everyone to take a trip back in time.
Everyone looked at him, unsure of what he is up to as he whispered something to the DJ who nodded and gave him the thumbs up.
I recognised the familiar tune immediately as Summer rain. The mambo jumbo remix of the familiar song seemed to have a hypnotic effect on quite a few of the men as they cheered and raised their glasses at Kamal.
Rachel : Oh my god… what is that…
Henry : hahaha.. you are too young to understand….
Rachel : what the fuck…. I went mambo jambo before ok ! I snuck in when I was 17…
There was another loud commotion and you could feel the atmosphere heat up a notch when Kamal gamely danced on stage joined by Seven.
Spreading their arms and doing the Mambo Jambo moves that corresponded to the tune, they ignited a wave of cries as more of the men came forward, cheering and doing the same dance moves.
The eye candies joined in shortly after, Candy, Xiaoyu and even Yiling were all sporting enough to dance with the men.
I could not help but laughed when the men pushed the girls onto the stage as the final part of the chorus started. Yiling confidently took the centre stage like that Ah lian up on the platform in the middle of Zouk and gamely led the entire dance floor through a old school rendition of the good old days.
I saw Hong running up from the side of the stage, the look of excitement is written all over his face. I still remembered the first time I saw him, he was wearing this shirt ’ I tea danced at sparks ‘ .
He shouted something to the DJ above the din of the music and I saw a subsequent nod from him.
As Summer rain ended and trailed off, the DJ addressed the everyone.
DJ : We have a friend here… who would like to take everyone….. further back in time…. !!!
The rhythmic chimes of bells sounded before an even more familiar tune stirred up more memories. This time round, even the Rajahs got excited as the old techno tune, Drive me crazy, started pumping out from the speakers.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment and was reminded of the first time I went into discotheques from a bygone era. Sparks, Fire, Canto, the awfully sweet mixers, the Tom and Jerry cartoon playing on the screen, the smell of cigarette smoke.
Everything came flooding in at once.
Yiling came down the stage and pulled Rachel up to join the madness and everyone gathered nearer the stage, dancing and cheering to the hypnotic tune and the heavy bass.
Like the peak of an explosive orgasm, I knew it was coming before the DJ did it.
They always do it.
I remember the first time I experienced it, it rendered me speechless, for I never would have believe something like this happened if I didn’t see it with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears.
As the singing part for the techno hit drew to a close, the DJ literally shouted into the microphone.
DJ : AND WHAT DO YOU SAYYYY ?>!!!
The dance floor erupted and I was surprised Yiling knew it too, so did the rest of the girls.
“ Oaei……Oaei…. Oaei Oaei Oaei !!! “
“Aiya….Aiya….. Aiya Aiya Aiya… “
“ Hiyah… hiyah…. Hiyah… hiyah… hiyah!! “
Henry ran onto the stage, rallied the Rajahs while Yiling displayed one of the most gangster behaviour I have ever seen her do. Something that in that split second, that is befitting her as a drug lord.
Standing defiantly in front of all the men, she led the final cheer,
“ Huat ah… Huat ah….. Kao Pei La !!!
I drained my beer as I looked at everyone cheering and partying before the big day tomorrow and I realised that earlier, I was wrong.
Come what may tomorrow, we are….. not afraid…
……………………………………………………………….
( * The gangster cheer mid chorus of ‘Drive me Crazy’ is something unique to local discotheques. Overseas readers who has not experienced the 90s party scene in SG might not get this reference * )
I went to get myself a refill of my beer and I watched more and more of the guys join in the party. It’s one of the few rare moments when I see everyone letting their hair down.
Needless to say, the girls are the centre of attention with all the men jostling to dance with them.
No they are not dress in tight short skirts with plunging cleavage showing off plenty of skin. Everyone is dressed in black for obvious reason.
Their skin may be covered up but their well maintained figure can be seen by all because of how tightly those long sleeve tops clung onto their body.
Candy hugged Yiling from behind and the men cheered as her hands went from the front of Yiling’s thighs upwards to her waist.
The cheering and whistling intensified as Candy’s hands slid slowly upwards and there was no indication of Yiling’s intent to stop her.
The heavy bass of the speakers thumped and Yiling leaned backwards to rest her head against Candy’s shoulder as her hands reached back to feel her up in the same manner she is doing to her.
Aaron appeared by the dance floor and you could see it in his eyes he was eager for his share of the action. He danced and gyrate awkwardly by Yiling, reminding me of the first few times I was in a club with my friends.
Trying to inch our way closer to the group of girl but after getting close enough, we were all too shy to make our moves.
The party stretched into a couple of hours into the night and although spirits are high, no one got piss drunk.
Drinks flowed freely but we are all adults here.
At the back of our head we know something big is going to happen in a few hours and being sober enough might be the thin boundary separating us between life and death.
Candy waved for me to join them on the stage but I declined.
Dancing is not my cup of tea and I can’t do it for shit.
I usually enjoy the visual treat and enjoy my drink at a good spot.
The girls stopped dancing and fooling around after a while and the men started to disperse as well.
Only a few remained on the dance floor mostly just tapping their feet to the music and talking to each other with Hong being the exception.
He looked like he is going into a trance, shaking his hands with beams of light from his ring like he was imparting some shaolin Kungfu to the audience.
Hong : Ai yo…. Ai yo mai. Yo !!! du ….. dut du…. Du…. ~~ !!
Everyone gave him a wide berth as he went on a 90s HIIT workout, splashing his sweat on everyone within a 2metre radius.
It was difficult not to laugh looking at him as he waved at Yiling to join him.
Rachel came over and asked me why am I not up there.
Rachel : You don’t dance… ?
Jackson : nahh… not my forte….
Rachel : Then what Is your forte…..?
Jackson : Doing nothing…. Hahah
She rolled her eyes at me and whistled towards Yiling who was talking to Kamal.
Gesturing at me, she shouted that I have yet to do anything yet.
Rachel : You look natural and good on stage…. Get up there… !
Jackson : No…. no…
Yiling came over and linked arms with me.
Yiling : Get up there Jackson…. Dance with Hong !!!
Jackson : what… ?!!!
By then, Hong as a 4m berth around him and no one dares to get close.
His shaolin fist dancing while shooting beams of LED light has evolved what looked like Ip Man fighting droids while wearing a iron man armour.
Hong : PwwwHHAAAHHHH… Du… dut… dut…..du…. Ong lai Kueh… ah Ong Lai keuh !!! Jackson !!! COME !!! join me…!!!
I shook my head and waved my hand as Hong spun and lose his balance for a second before staggering a little too close to the edge of the stage.
He came towards me and I put up my hands to stop him but it was not enough to stop his enthusiasm. The music changed and he sang while plastering his sweaty body against me.
Jackson : arnghhhhhhhhh!!!! Nooooo!!
I could see Yiling and the girls laughing an clapping their hands at the bottom of the stage as Hong tried to get me to dance with him to the new tune.
Hong : Together…. Forever…… and never to part…. ~~!!! Together forever we twooooooo ~~!!!
Jackson : ok… ok…. Hong… calm down… Hong !! anghhhhh!!
I just got side swiped by his sweaty arm pits before he started his mambo moves again while shouting the song lyrics.
Hong : To be together …… forever with youuuuuuuuu!!!! Wooooo…!!
I was shell shocked as I wiped my face and the laughter at the bottom of the stage grew while Hong took it as support for his dance and he waved to all his fans, reaching his palm out for high fives along the edge of the stage.
Yiling cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.
Yiling : Jackson !!!… do something or you are not getting paid this month !!! haahha
Candy : Jackson …!!! Dance !!!
I shook my head, standing like a block of wood on stage.
I really can’t. I mean I can grab the microphone and what, conduct another auction ?
Try to sell Hong’s sweaty top to the highest bidder ?
Yiling put her hand around Candy’s shoulder and shouted that Candy will give me a kiss if I dance.
I raised an eyebrow when Xiaoyu shouted that Candy will give me a blowjob instead and Yiling smacked her on her head.
It was obvious to me that I won’t be able to get out of this fix if I don’t at least do something.
I walked over to the DJ and said something to him. He reared his body back and raised and eyebrow before giving me the thumbs up. He adjusted something on his controller before stepping over some wires to the band standing by the side.
After the spoke with them he nodded at me and I thanked him.
I’m sure when you started reading this at the beginning, a question crossed your head. With such a tacky name like mine, why was there no mention of people making fun of me.
Surely there would be classmates and friends making fun of my name.
With such a close reference to the king of pop, it’s inevitable that my friends make fun of me.
Rather than let it affect me, I took it in stride and tried to make the most of it. I can’t dance for shit but some of the slower songs are easy to pick up and they proofed to be quite a chick magnet as well.
The music started to fade much to Hong’s disappointment and the DJ made an announcement.
DJ : Alright… ladies and gentlemen… we’re going to be treated so something very special tonight…. By…. Mr Jackson….. and he mentioned to me that he too….. would like to take everyone back in time…..
The DJ pointed a finger at me, indicating that the ball is now in my court and I could see the band getting ready.
The girls were right at the front of the stage and the men filled in the empty spaces at the back. I could hear someone comment that I’m probably going to sell them something with my bullshit sales speech but I’m not.
Jackson : hi everyone…. I would also… like to invite you all to take a trip….back in time….to the good old days of the nineties….
Looking back at the band who nodded at me, I tapped my feet in tandem with the beat of the song that is about to start.
There was a puzzled look on the audience face but the moment I dove into a rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘ you are not alone’, the girls screamed and went mad.
Yiling stomped her feet while Candy clung onto Xiaoyu while reaching her hand up to the stage, screaming my name, behaving like a mad fangirl.
It was an obvious over reaction but it suited the mood.
Rachel was sporting enough to join in the screaming and waving as well.
The men took a few seconds to react and they cheered as they swayed their bodies to the tune of the classic song that many of us grew up with.
Hong took out his zippo lighter and lit it, so did the Rajahs and the rest of the men.
With all of them waving their lit lighter above their head, it felt as if I was throwing a mini concert.
Jackson : Just the other night ….. I thought I heard you cry
I walked the length of the stage and Yiling and Rachel literally went mad, trying to grab hold of my trousers as they shouted and cheered. Spirits hit another high as I got flashbacks of my younger self singing this same song to the girls I’m going after.
Jackson : You…. Are not alone….~~~
Yiling pushed her way out of the crowd and went to the buffet table. She yanked some decorative flowers off the display and shouted for everyone to move aside.
Her men laughed as their bodies parted a part for her up the stage.
I continued my song as Yiling came up the stage with loud cheers of support from the men. She laughed as she presented the flowers to me.
I sang and while looking at her in her eyes.
Jackson : You are not alone….~~ I am here with you ~~~
She kissed me on my cheek and all the men started asking for one by pointing to their cheeks.
Hong : oeiii!!!… I want ley… I want !!! hahah…
Hong tried to coerce Xiaoyu for a kiss and she really planted one on his sweaty cheek much to his delight.
Yiling hugged me while laughing like a delirious drunkard before walking off the stage where she immediately gets cornered by Kamal, Seven and Aaron, all demanding their kiss.
She gamely planted one on each of their cheek before resuming her over the top fan girl act while laughing to the verge of tears.
Hong : whooooooooooooo… the KING!!! The KING!!!!! Ahhahahahah!!!!
As the song came to an end, I pointed the microphone at the men and woman in front of me and the entire group including the band the the DJ sang the last few verses of the song unplugged
I closed my eyes and gestured for them to sing louder with my left hand while my right pointed the microphone into the centre of the party as if I’m really a rock star.
I ended my song with a bow and I was a little embarrassed by the applause.
I can’t imagine doing something like this without the 2 pints of beer I had earlier.
Declan pushed his way to the front of the crowd and I handed him the microphone.
He took and went over to the band and the keyboardist vacated his spot to help him with the microphone after laughing and nodding at something Declan said.
Seems like Declan wanted his share of fun as well.
Looking all chic and full of swag in his shirt and vest, Declan bit onto his cigar as his fingers danced on the keyboard, banging out ‘ Great balls of fire ‘ by Jerry Lee Lewis.
I walked passed Yiling who was dancing with Candy to the addictive tune Declan is hammering out on the keyboard while singing into the microphone.
She turned and looked at me before shouting above the din that I deserve a pay raise.
Yiling : increment !!.. increment for you Jackson… ahahh !!
I laughed as I walked to get myself another drink.
As the clock drew closer to 1am, the party mood slowly tapered off.
The music stopped and everyone settled into their own groups, snacking on left over food from the buffet line and refuelling with coffee and tea instead of alcohol.
Hong seemed to be the only one that is disappointed that the party is over.
3am
I finished up what’s left of a steam bun and drained a thick cup of coffee before getting into the line of cars that has formed up on the castle ground.
The 1st convoy of 4 cars is due to leave and I’m right up front with Henry and 3 Rajahs.
Looking at the back of the line, I was reminded of the times when I was in the army. So many activities going on at the same time in pitch darkness and yet everyone knew what they were doing.
I put my car into drive and the 1st packet of vehicles left the castle ground, some heading over to Tuas, some headed to Kallang.
We will all approach the site from different direction, having a few cars pulling into the area at the same time will attract too much attention.
We’ve even looked into the parking locations for the vehicles. Some are meant to be parked 1 street away before making their way on foot to the staging area.
3.30am
We arrived at the signage shop that was used to observe the men across the road for the past 2 weeks.
Henry has been trying to reached his men on the phone since we left the castle.
Henry : They better not be fucking sleeping…
Jackson : Relax… maybe they’re eating…. Or in the bathroom….
Henry : 2 men go bathroom together for fuck ?
I kept quiet after seeing how agitated he is.
Henry stopped trying after a while and when we pulled into the dedicated parking lot of the signage shop, I could see the door to the unit is partially opened.
It was a sickening feeling.
As if someone punched me in the gut after a heavy meal.
Henry : fuck !!… get out of the car … now…. !
Even before the engine was shut off, Henry and the Rajahs behind me, opened the door and got out, spreading to both sides of the door.
The noise of the my old car engine is practically an announcement to the whole world that someone is here.
If something did happen to the Rajahs on guard, the people responsible should come out soon.
If not, the Rajahs inside the shop should come out and receive us at the very least and face Henry’s wrath.
I looked around the deserted factory floor as I stepped out.
The other units on the same level is deserted and there are no signs of life aside from a few lit signages and a altar glowing red that is dedicated to the worship of a toast deity outside a car workshop.
I pulled my axe out from the side of my car seat and Henry was trying his luck on the phone again.
My headlights were off the moment I pulled into the industrial area, I gestured to Henry that I’m going to switch it on and flood the insides of the shop.
If hostiles rushed out, they would be blinded momentarily by it, and we can go in with our backs to the light.
I flicked the switched the as Henry swung the door opened.
He rushed in silently with the rest of the Rajahs and I quickly went into join them.
All of us stopped a few steps from the door at the sight of what greeted us.
The Rajahs on duty were dead. They were beaten up badly before their throats were slashed.
The other Rajahs checked the unit before telling Henry that it’s empty. Whoever did this is long gone.
Henry : aRHGHHH!!!
He kicked and toppled a table before his eyes drifted to the building across the road.
Henry ran out of the unit joined by his men.
Jackson : Henry !! !! WAIT !!.. wait for the rest !!!
I left my car running and took off after Henry and his men who were flying down the stairs.
Upon reaching the road level, another group of men from both Rajahs and La Bella Vita had just arrived on foot having parked one street away. Seeing Henry and me running towards the building in question, they too drew their weapons and joined us.
When I got to the security booth, my heart sank when I realised it was empty. Even the main sliding gate meant for cars is unlocked. There seemed to be no signs of activity and life in the building.
They’re gone.
Henry shouted to his men to split up and check every floor.
I followed the men up to the 2nd floor and we kicked opened every door.
There’s no one. All that remained were used beddings, bags of rubbish and some clothes that were left hanging on the makeshift clothesline.
The toilets were empty as well.
Someone shouted from the 4th floor and we hurried up.
Inside a storeroom tucked at the corner of the building were 8 bodies. The putrid smell hit me even before I got close.
Some of the men must have died and they dumped their bodies there.
Henry : arGHHH!!! FUCK!!! …. FUCK!! FUCK!!!
Both our phones started ringing.
Henry answered and I could hear him telling Rachel what happened.
Hong : Jackson …. The men are gone…
Jackson : Our side too… the Rajahs watching the factory are dead….
Hong : All 4 of our men are dead too over here in Tuas….
Jackson : you been inside the place.. ?
Hong : Yes, we’re here now… they cleared out…. Nothing’s left…. Except 1 dead Malu….
Jackson : fuck…. does Yiling know… ?
Hong : Declan is on the phone with her now….
I hung up and suddenly I could see Henry glaring at me. I could feel it even before he said what he wanted to say.
Henry : someone betrayed us…..
Jackson :what are you trying to say… our men died too !..
Henry : Someone betrayed us…. And I can tell you it’s not us Rajahs….
Jackson : Are you saying we tip them off ? …are you mad… ? I want them as much as you do !!
Henry took a deep breath and gave the order to his men to grab the bodies of their friends from the signage shop.
Henry : What little men…. We have left… will never betray us… the leak… comes from your side….
Jackson : where are you going !! ?
Henry paused before turning to look at me.
Henry : This is not going to work…. From now on…. You are on your own…. We will no longer share any of our information with you…. Just stay out of our way… we’ll get the Malus on our own….
Jackson : Henry,…. !!… HENRY !!! ARGHHH!! ..
I kicked the door of the storeroom in frustration and regretted my actions as the grotesque smell of rotting bodies hit me again.
Jackson : fuck !!
I asked the rest of Yiling’s men to head back to the castle. Before I left the compound, my phone rang and it was Yiling.
Yiling : I heard what happened…. Leave that place immediately…. Come back to the castle…
Jackson : Ok… THe Rajahs…. They…
Yiling : It’s ok… I know…Rachel threw a fit and left with her men as well…
Jackson : Talk to them…. We can sort this out…
Yiling : You know how stubborn they are….there’s no way they will listen to anything we say now….
Jackson : Is it true…. The leak came from us…
Yiling : I don’t know….but I’m going to find out ….
I drove my vehicle back alone and I cursed and shouted several times inside.
So close.
We were so fucking close.
When day breaks and everyone gathered back at Yiling’s study, the mood is solemn and sober.
Someone betrayed us and tipped the Malus off.
The more I think about it, the more likely it seemed that the leak came from our side.
Yiling : I know everyone has questions….but I don’t have the answers….
No one said anything and we just listened.
Yiling : knowing that…. Whoever did this…could be…..among us… is really disheartening….
Yiling take turned looking at us in our eyes and said this is not about assigning blame.
Yiling : I give you my word I will do whatever it takes…. To find out what happened….and I will give everyone…including the Rajahs… an answer…
We all dispersed and I went back to the farmhouse.
Sitting on my bed, I tried to think who could it be that will betray us.
It doesn’t make sense.
No one liked the Malus.
The Rajahs wanted their revenge and I have seen first hand how far they are willing to go to get it, it doesn’t not make sense for them to fuck this up either.
I tried calling Rachel but she is not answering my call. In the end I dropped her a text to let her know we are trying to find out what happened, and in time to come, be in touch to sort this out.
Massaging my head, I exhaled and looked at the empty farmhouse.
Things have changed so much these few months.
Looking at the fridge and the table, it made me miss the old days where we would just gather for steamboat on Fridays.
I doubt anyone is in the mood to do shit like this for a while.
November came and passed and despite all our efforts hitting the ground, the Malus and the foreigners are gone.
It’s like they disappeared, or whoever is hiding them is going a damm good job of doing it.
My work days now revolves around the garden, and the shooting range.
Yiling has made arrangements for all of us to visit the range once a week at least to spend some time with Calvin.
I asked her why are we doing this.
Jackson : do you know something we don’t…. ?
Yiling looked towards the horizon and again, remained quiet when faced with my questioning.
Yiling : No harm picking up a new skill Jackson….. no harm picking up a new skill….
She mumbled a little absentmindedly to herself as she sipped her wine.
December 2017.
The Rajahs were getting attacked on multiple fronts. I don’t mean physical attack, I meant their businesses.
From environment agency picking on their food handling procedures, to tax officers raiding their office. It’s on the news and the name Rajah Holdings kept appearing.
It’s like someone was coordinating a smear campaign against them.
Still, they kept to their own.
I dropped Rachel a weekly message in an attempt to reconnect with them but it was always met with silence.
Then our men started disappearing.
First it was 1 or 2. Then 3 – 4.
They were gone. When people started not to show up for work, we went looking for them, but like the Malus, they disappeared.
27 men went missing from the castle in the month of December alone.
From people working in the security office, the perimeter guards, to the helpers in the cookhouse, they disappeared.
Initially we thought it was because they are afraid, they wanted out, or maybe they are tired of it all but no. They all disappeared without a word, leaving their belongings, their clothes, even their unclaimed pay behind.
Needless to say, this disappearance sparked of some panic in the castle ground.
Yiling tightened the security and urged all the men to stay within the castle boundary whenever possible.
January 2017
La Bella Vita welcomed the brand new year not with a grand celebration.
There were raids at 2 of our warehouses and had Yiling not shifted all the drugs away, the repercussions would have been severe.
Still, the warehouses contained a shit load of duty unpaid cigarettes and liquor and the men we have looking after it were all taken away.
Jackson : It’s Teng…. It’s him… he’s behind all this !!
Yiling touched the bamboo plants I introduced to the garden as I spoke with her.
Yiling : These are growing pretty well….
Jackson : Aren’t you concerned at all about all these ??!!
Yiling : I am. ! ….
Jackson : They are thinning the herd….. it’s a matter of time before Teng come for you in this very place …
Yiling : let him come….
Jackson :What are we doing Yiling…. why are we doing nothing !!!
Yiling : sometimes doing nothing is the best thing we can do….
28th February 2017
Tuesday
12pm
It was the last day of February.
I would have written it off as another boring as fuck day at work if I didn’t see Kamal driving the buggy like a mad man cutting across the compound from cookhouse over to the castle.
Something is up.
I could feel it.
I immediately went over to the castle only to see Kamal speeding with Yiling out of the garage in her car.
They didn’t return for the rest of the day.
1st March 2017
Wednesday
10am
Yiling called me on my phone and she told me to help her run an errand.
Jackson : what is it…
Yiling : Can you stock up the pantry… ?
Jackson : what ?
Yiling : the pantry…. …food, water, and everything thing we might need for a couple of days….
It’s been a while since the pantry was brought into the picture.
Something is definitely up.
Looks like Yiling is not going to take another chance of having a leak again.
Jackson : For how many of us… ?
Yiling took a while to consider before saying that she will not be involving any of the girls and her men, it will have to be something that Hong, Kamal, Seven, Aaron, Declan and I to take care off.
Yiling : I will be joining you guys…. The girls will remain in the castle… tell no one you are stocking up….
Jackson : ok…
I took my car out and returned with enough food and snacks to last all of us in the pantry for a week.
Plenty of ready to eat food that just needed to be heated up in the microwave.
I stocked up all the shelves and brought a few set of my own spare clothes into the pantry.
I dropped Yiling a text later that evening to let her know it’s done.
11pm
I was working out in the farmhouse when Hong came over.
Jackson : What’s up… ?
Hong : Boss asked me here…
Jackson : Why ?
Hong : No idea… the others are coming too….
Hong’s right.
The others started arriving. Aaron, Seven, Kamal, Declan.
Only the men.
I served everyone drinks and no one is the wiser what is going on.
11.30pm
There was a knock on the door and I opened it to see Yiling standing outside.
She’s dressed casually in shorts and singlet and in her hand, she carried 3 glass jars filled with walnuts. It’s like she was ready for a drinking session.
Jackson : hey….
She nodded and I asked her to come in.
I shut the door and offered her a drink but she declined.
Yiling : everyone’s here…. I want to have a quick chat with all of you…
We made space for Yiling and she set the stuff she brought down on the table.
Yiling looked at everyone around the table and said that she has something she wants to ask all of us.
With the glass jar set in front of us, Hong instinctively reached for one, popped the cap off and reached in to grab a few only to get smacked on his hand.
Hong : Owww !!
Yiling : It’s not for you to eat Hong !
Hong : Ok sorry… sorry….
He put it back and sprinkled his fingers to dust the bits off back into the jar and Yiling grabbed it away from him.
Yiling : I….. i….
Yiling chose her words carefully. She told the room that she has a very difficult decision to make and she wants all our buy in on how to make it.
Yiling : So in front of you…. There are 3 jars… the contain different amount of … of….. food….
Looking at Hong, Yiling asked Hong if he needed to pick 2, which one will he pick.
Hong looked at Yiling before glancing at the rest of us.
Hong : Is this… a trick question… ?
Yiling : No…. they contain different amount… Jar A, the least…. And Jar C the most…
Hong : ok… ok… I know… I know….
Hong picked jar A and Jar C.
Yiling : why… ?
Hong : Because just now I put my hand inside C, I know some of you particular about food mah… people touch and put back…. Don’t want to eat… so I choose C, then since I already take the biggest bottle, I paiseh to take B, so I went for the least….
Yiling : No… no… no… I don’t mean it like this… you got me wrong….
Seven pointed to A and pushed both B and C back to Yiling, gesturing to the contents and shaking his head.
Yiling : No Seven… I’m not asking you to eat them… I know you don’t like walnuts… !… it’s…
Aaron : what is this about…. You are being very cryptic about this….
Declan : Are you ok Yiling… ?
Yiling : I…. I don’t know how to put what I want to say in words…. But if given a choice…. Out of these 3 jars… you can … you can only choose 2…. All things being equal…. Which one would you logically choose…. ?
Declan : ok… I’m on a diet…I take A and B….
Aaron : I’ll take B and C…..
Everyone started talking at the same time about their choices and I could see Yiling’s frustration grow.
Yiling : No… no.. I don’t mean this… !!!
I interrupted the group and set all 3 jars on it’s side and I rolled it over to Yiling.
Jackson : I think what Yiling is trying to say is…..
I gestured for her to roll the jars back towards me. She did and as the 3 jars wobbled and rolled towards the edge of the table, I caught onto 2 of them.
I caught onto B and C. The bottle that contained the most nuts.
A went over the side, crashed onto the floor spilling it’s contents all over.
Hong : Awwwww….. that’s a waste…
I looked at Yiling and I told her that all things being equal, logic dictates that we save the 2 bottles with the most food in it.
Jackson : Then there is more to go around isn’t it… ?
Aaron cut in at that point, saying that was exactly what he wanted to say before I said it.
Aaron : I mean, seriously…. If you are going to let the food drop to the floor and waste it like this…. Choose the one with the least in it and let it drop…. Minimal wastage…
Kamal told Yiling that if we were to approach it from that perspective Aaron and i just shared, it would make the most sense to take B and C.
Hong : Hmmm… I don’t know… this feels like a trick question… is this tied to our performance bonus…
Declan : Oh come on Hong…. !
Yiling didn’t say anything as she just looked at that jar of spilt nuts on the floor.
Hong : Actually hor…if you roll to me ah… I can catch all 3…. Left hand right hand, then I use my leg like that…. KIAP!… catch the 3rd one…
Kamal : Diam la… ( shut up ) which part of catch 2 only do you not understand… ?
Hong : Why catch 2 when I can catch 3 leh ??
Jackson : Yiling… what is going on…. ? can you tell us… ?
Yiling snapped out of her daze and looked at everyone around the room.
Yiling : Is everyone agreeable with what Jackson said…. Save the 2 bottles with the most food….
The rest nodded slowly.
Yiling : ok………… ok….
She got up , thanked everyone for our time and walked away without a word.
Hong : It’s her PMS day I tell you… confirm…. Stay the fuck away from her….hahah
The group dispersed and I spent some time tidying up the place before getting ready for bed.
Just as I was about to switch off the lights, there was a knock on the door and I was surprised to see Yiling again.
She didn’t give me a chance to speak, she just blurted out what she wanted to say.
Yiling : Jackson …. What if I say…. I know something bad is going to happen…..and….
Jackson : and what… ?
Yiling : no matter what I do….there’s no way of stopping it….
Jackson : what nonsense…. If you know something bad is going to happen… stop it… just stop it…
Yiling : What if I can’t… ?
I pressed her for more details and she seemed reluctant to share. I don’t blame her. Especially not after the previous leak.
Jackson : I know you can’t share the details…. But… can you give an example… of what you meant by something bad…. Is going to happen…
I could tell she wanted to say something but could not find the right words to express them.
Jackson : Look Yiling…. simple…. If 2 hands is not enough to catch 3 bottles, you find 4, if 4 is not enough, you find 6…. If 6 is not enough you find 8…..and so on…. What is going on… ?
Yiling : Jackson ….. we only have 2 hands….and we can only save 2 bottles…. !!
Jackson : Yiling… what’s wrong with you… ? then we save the 2 bottles with the most walnuts…. Simple math…
I never expected Yiling’s eyes to turn red and a stray tear rolled down the side of her eye.
Jackson : why are you crying… ? don’t scare me like this…
She turned and left the farmhouse without a word.
12th March 2017
Sunday
5pm
Yiling gathered everyone in the study with exception of the girls.
Hong, Kamal, Seven, Aaron, Declan and me. 6 of us.
Yiling : hand over all your phones…..
All of us did as we were told.
Yiling : As of this moment….no one leaves the pantry…. No one….
We nodded and Hong asked Yiling if everything is ok.
Yiling : i don’t know…. I hope so….
9pm
Yiling appeared in the pantry just as I stepped out from the shower.
Hong was waving a stack of monopoly bills in the air having bankrupted Seven with his Mayfair hotel.
The pantry went quiet the moment Yiling entered.
You could feel the change in the atmosphere.
Something is definitely wrong.
Yiling looked rattled and nervous.
She’s afraid.
In her hands, she carried 3 envelopes.
Her eyes scanned the room for Kamal who was stirring his tea by the counter and I could see her eyes lingering a little too long at the armoury key around Kamal’s neck.
Yiling : guys…
All of us stopped what we were doing and we gathered closer to Yiling.
Yiling : guys…..i …
No one said a word as we waited for Yiling to compose herself. Her free fist is clenched tight.
Yiling : i… I don’t want to mince my words…. So I’m saying this upfront….and I’m giving you guys a choice to sit this one out if you want to….
Hong : Huh…. Why… what is it… ?
Kamal : Boss… what’s wrong… ?
Aaron : we won’t sit anything out …. Just tell us what is it… we’ll get it done…
Yiling exhaled and looked at the 3 envelope in her hand before setting one aside.
She opened the other 2, spreading it’s contents out on the large table we were gathered around.
Yiling : In a few hours time, there is going to be an attack…… not at us… not at the Rajahs….
Hong : Where is … where is this place….. it’s in the middle of a HDB estate….
Yiling : It’s a childcare centre…
Aaron : WHAT !!
Yiling swallowed a mouthful of saliva and as she relayed the contents of the envelope to us, it hit us hard.
It hit me hard.
It hit me so hard that I want to throw up.
Yiling : They are going to hit….. multiple locations at once…. And… and… we are spread really thin….
Jackson : Call the police… send in the fucking army !!! what the fuck are we waiting for…. People are going to die YIling !!
Yiling : I can’t !! We can’t !!
Her bloodshot eyes and her clenched fist told me she was doing all she could not to break down right there and then.
Yiling : Listen guys… we… we don’t know who we can trust….. Teng is in on this… and if he gets word that we know, he’s going to hit all the locations at once…. Bring forward the attack…
Jackson : What …..? he’s the fucking defence minister for god sake….
Yiling : He is in on this…. He is IN ON THIS !!
Yiling shouted out of the blue and you could see the frustration on her face.
Yiling : I don’t want to waste time… you guys will split into 2 groups… leave the castle at 5am and be at these location at 5.45am….. the attack will commence at 7am sharp….. and you will stop them…..
Yiling wanted us to get the men as fast as we can before they can warn their friends and spark off a chain reaction.
Yiling : we know for sure…. That they are taking the school and kids hostages, so stop them…. At all cost….
Kamal : We should stop everyone from going to school then !! these are fucking terrorists….
Yiling : we can’t…. we can’t….
Yiling explained that her sources revealed that explosives have been set at several locations, and any indication that the plan has been revealed might trigger an early attack….
Yiling : We have almost 20 locations… we don’t know for sure if they are going to hit every one but we will cover as much as we can….
Hong : CCB ! ( curse ) How can this happen ?? it’s not possible…
Kamal : Who… who’s taking care of the other locations…. ?
Yiling : You don’t need to worry about that… we just worry about this 2…. There will be people taking care of the other locations…
Aaron : This… this is madness…. No… no way…. I don’t believe this…. This is a joke right Yiling ?
Yiling was looking down at the pictures and print outs of maps on the table and I saw a tear drop wet the picture taken of a childcare centre’s exterior.
Kamal : This is… this is bullshit man…
Declan : Yiling… are you,…. Are you sure…. ?
Yiling : yes… yes I am very sure….
Resting her hands on her waist and speaking with her eyes red, Yiling told us that we’re going to be racing against time once it starts.
Yiling : remember…. We are on our own… this has to be fast…. Take them down fast…..
My throat felt dry and I find myself starting to get short of breath.
It’s like I can hardly breathe.
My heart felt as if someone had just stabbed a knife into it as I closed my eyes and I recalled the glass jars Yiling brought over to the farmhouse the other day.
Jackson : How… how many kids….are… are there…. ?
Yiling brought the 2 maps up on top of the piles of documents.
Yiling : about 70…..at Tampines…. And 60 in Pasir Ris….
I shook my head and looked at Yiling in her eyes.
Jackson : No… no… I don’t mean this 2….
I gestured to the 3rd envelope that was left unopened.
Yiling shook her head.
Yiling : Jackson …. Don’t…. it’s too far away…
Jackson : How many….?
Yiling : It’s too far away… we’ll never make it….
Jackson : HOW MANY !!…
Yiling looked away as the rest caught on to what is happening.
Yiling : 40…. In Hougang….
Kamal : Jesus….
Jackson : we’ll split into 3 groups…
Yiling : NO.. !… you’re stretched thin as it is…. I don’t trust the rest of the men enough to involve them in this !!!… and if you fail at your site…. More will die…
Hong sang into the chair, unable to believe what Yiling just revealed to the lot of us. Seven rubbed his head in frustration before grunting and kicking a chair over.
Yiling : chaos is about to descend on this country….. there’s no way to stop it…. But we can try to minimise the damage.
I went over for the 3rd envelope and Yiling held onto my hand.
Yiling : Jackson…. It’s too far…. You cannot make it…
Jackson : You don’t know that…. !
I shook my hand free from her grasp and held up the 3rd envelope in front of the other guys.
Jackson : We’ll wrap up Tampines and Pasir Ris…. And we meet at Hougang immediately….. as soon as we can…. All agreeable… ?
Everyone nodded.
Yiling looked at Kamal who knew exactly what she wanted.
Kamal loosened a button off his top and removed the gold chain he was wearing, handing over the armoury key to Yiling.
Kamal : They’ll hang us if they catch us with those Boss….
Yiling : Then take only the smalls ones….
Hong laughed.
Hong : will we ever get to use the big ones….
Yiling : in our lifetime…… I hope not….
We walked quietly behind Yiling to the armoury and she unlocked it with a combination of biometric identification and the armoury key.
The heavy metal door slid open a little and Yiling turned to look at us.
Yiling : I know this is a lot to ask you guys for…..but a plague is about to be hit this place…. A madness orchestrated by a mad man…. And…. And it’s unfortunate….. that we don’t have enough …..good men to stop him….
I walked over to Yiling and I reached for the metal door.
Swinging the heavy door opened, I looked at the long shelves and racks filled with a boy’s wet dreams.
Jackson : we’re not good men Yiling……
I paused as Hong caught onto what I’m about to say and he chuckled.
Jackson : we’re fucking gangsters….
………………………………………
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MrSandwich
Just read The Beast Within again and realised the date of the attack a the childcare is different than the one here? Is that a mistake?
Yes, made an error there.
Updated it already.
Thanks for pointing out !
The armoury is bigger than it looks from the outside.
Most of us would have seen the insides of one when we are in the army.
Walls of bare concrete with racks and shelves of weapons clearly numbered and arranged.
Yiling’s armoury is stark contrast to the utilitarian nature of the armoury we Singaporean men who served before are used to.
Fully airconditioned and completed with a mini bar. The shelves and metals racks stocked not only guns, but knives, spears and even a medieval armour.
There is even a replica of the sword used by William Wallace in Braveheart.
Yiling said we’re only allowed to take the small ones for obvious reason.
A metal rack by the mini bar held a variety of handguns but the one it held the most was glock 19. Something we were all familiar with after spending so much time with Calvin at the range.
15 pieces of them rest at 45 degree angle in a neat row.
Yiling pulled 2 up at a time and handed them over.
Everyone took theirs and lined up at the 2 gun clearing chamber bolted to the ground. We cleared the weapon, squeezed off the trigger before grabbing a magazine each from another shelf.
The stacks of magazines were already filled with 9mm rounds.
I followed the rest of the guys, sliding the magazine into the pistol. A large box held a variety of holster and Kamal reached into it, picking and handing out ankle holster to each one of us.
Yiling : don’t fucking get caught with that…. Ever…. Get out fast if you need to use it….. it’s going to wake the whole fucking neighbourhood….
The armoury is about the size of 2 squash court. It’s big but the racks are not tightly packed.
The door is set in the middle and so far we’ve only stayed at the ‘small’ end of the armoury.
I looked at the other end of the armoury and it made me wonder how in the world did Yiling manage to get things like that.
I’m talking military grade stuff including anti-tank weapons.
There’s enough stuff in here to make sure none of us ever see the light of day again if we are caught.
There was no time to lose and the lot of us immediately went back to the panty to go through the plans.
Declan, Kamal & Seven will be heading to Pasir Ris while Hong, Aaron and I will head to Tampines.
We do not know where the men responsible for the attack are staying but logic dictates that they are already somewhere in the vicinity. Perhaps with a direct view of the childcare centre.
Any cars loitering around too early will draw suspicions.
With the strike happening at morning peak, he traffic alone would hamper all rescue efforts.
Everyone will be caught with the pants down.
Those good guys will be doing what they can with one hand tied behind their backs while Teng pulls the strings behind the scenes.
Yiling : I have gotten my hands on 2 taxis…. And you will park at the loading and unloading bay beside the childcare….
Only 2 of us are to be present by the taxi, the 3rd guy will have to drop one street away.
2 of us in each group will play the role of 2 cab drivers exchanging their shifts to start a day’s work. They can take their time cleaning the taxi, chat a little by the cab without drawing too much suspicions.
The attackers will likely also not flag 2 cab drivers as too much of a threat.
The 3rd guy will approach the neighbourhood on foot disguised as a jogger.
The childcare opens at 7am, staff starts coming in at 6.30am.
Yiling : At 7am, the attacks island wide will begin. ….. there is not stopping, there’s no turning back….
If the men’s aim is to plant an explosive device, they would surely strike early, leaving the device before moving to another area. If their aim is to take the teacher and student hostage, they will likely strike between 7-7.30am.
There is no way to know how long the men would take to have control of each centre.
We also do not know how many men will be there.
The only thing we know would be to stop them at all cost.
The small medical centre we have at the Castle will be activated and on standby. The private ambulance will be parked at the mid midpoint between the 2 childcare we are heading to in case anyone gets hurt.
It would have sense for the attackers to strike immediately when the childcare opens to overwhelm the staff but they would also likely end up with very little hostages.
If they waited too long, the amount of parents dropping their kids off might be hard to handle.
I’m not a parent.
I have no kids but is there is one thing I can be sure about, is that if you try to harm the kids in front of their parents. They would not hesitate to do everything in their power to protect them.
Even if it means sacrificing themselves.
Even if it means taking a life.
Yiling : Too many parents and kids, it will be too hard to handle. They will want to make sure they get a good number of staff and kids as hostages before shutting themselves in….so… it’s a fine balance …. And it’s entirely up to them…
Kamal : what do we do after we take care of all the attackers….. from all the centres…. If possible…
Yiling : Run… you run and you hide…over here…..
Yiling pointed to a map of Changi neighbourhood.
Yiling : …. I have a residential unit ready by the hawker centre….stay low for a while…. Everyone will be out for blood….we have multiple routes to leave the country from this spot….. ferry…. And if necessary, by air….
Yiling reminded us that we should assume all law enforcement to be against us as long as Teng is in charge.
Yiling : I don’t know how long his reach is, I don’t know who is with us and who is not…..but it would be prudent to assume that they are all against us… Teng only needs the ear of the top few commanders…..and once the orders get relayed….. the men and women are just doing their jobs….
As much as possible, Yiling wants us to avoid any direct confrontation with law enforcement.
Jackson : why can’t you share these information with the prime minister…. Surely with proof , he will see that he has the wrong person in his cabinet.
Yiling : someone is trying to handle that now…. but it might not happen in time….
Yiling kept quiet for a minute before adding under her breath.
Yiling : Besides…. Who would ever believe….. that this will happen in Singapore….
………………………………………
13th March 2017
Monday
1am
We hydrated ourselves thoroughly, almost everyone has a bottle of water in hand as we sipped it slowly while lost in our own thoughts. There’s no need for anyone to tell us it’s going to be a while before we get to eat or drink one this all starts.
Declan started making instant noodles for all of us.
Hong is microwaving some instant chicken wings and skewers while Aaron washed a jumbo bag of salad.
Walking over to Yiling who was sitting by herself on a armchair, I looked at the 2 old Nokia phones she was twirling in her hand.
Jackson : is there no one else to send…. To the childcare in Hougang… ?
Yiling : We’re stretched thin…. Really thin…. If I have a choice… I want all 6 of you at one location…
I lowered my voice a notch and asked her about the men at the roof top.
Jackson : What about them… those men that took care of the Malus…
Yiling : Everyone Jackson ….. everyone is stretched….
Yiling revealed that they are going to hit us so hard, that it would take years for the economy to recover and for the government to pick up all the pieces.
Declan called out to everyone that food is ready.
The 7 of us sat around the dining table filled with simple instant food.
Declan : alright…. Eat up everyone…
There was a solemn mood as we helped ourselves to the food on the table.
It felt a little like the last supper we are going to have and there is some truth in it.
There’s no telling who might not make it back if anything goes wrong.
3am
I took a final shower before looking at myself in the mirror.
I’ve lost weight, my cheeks are a little sunken compared to the time when I first joined La Bella Vita.
My hair has been cut short, not because I’m chasing trend or style.
I just don’t want anyone to grab my hair during life and death moment.
4am
A fresh pot of coffee and tea sat on the dining table. Those that were drinking sipped on their drink silently.
Yiling tapped vigorously into her Nokia phone before pushing the cover shut.
She walked around the room, talking privately to each of us.
When she finally came over to me, Yiling told me to stay calm and rational, always.
Yiling : Jackson ….. I know in the heat of the moment… it’s difficult to make decision…. I hope you keep one thing in mind…..
Jackson : what is it… ?
Yiling : don’t die…
I smiled and asked her if she said that to everyone.
Yiling smiled and nodded her head.
She gave me a hug before whispering softly by my ears.
Yiling : Watch your back Jackson….. always watch your back….
……………………………………………..
5am
Yiling gave us new phones with preloaded sim cards. She is on speed dial and the numbers for the rest of us has been stored into the contact list.
Yiling : The moment….. I repeat… the moment you start making your way to Changi…. Those phones must go…. Get rid of it…
I put the phone in my pocket and wrapped my axe with newspaper and put it under the car seat.
We loaded up into 2 cars and took a 5 minute drive to another private house within the large estate.
Covered with canvas by the porch are 2 blue taxis.
5.15am
We pulled out of the porch and started making our way to our respective site.
The roads are pretty empty at that time and I saw Hong close his eyes and spread his arms out on the back seat.
He’s not sleeping that’s for sure.
He’s trying to calm himself down.
I turned to look at Aaron, I’ve never been out on a job with him before. I don’t know how he is going to be like.
He kept opening and closing his fist while staring straight.
Jackson : Aaron… you ok… ?
Aaron : Yes….
It was a short reply but immediately after that, Aaron took offence at me asking him that question.
Aaron : just worry about yourself…. I have been working for Boss far longer than you….
He just started rattling on non stop about his accomplishment as if he was desperate to proof his worth.
Aaron : I have seen everything…. Everything…. Anything you cannot possibly imagine….i have seen it…. I moved more than a ton of drugs through our causeway….. I’ve moved weapons by Arab warlords….i’ve seen bloodied fights… everything…. You worry about yourself…. Just worry about yourself !!
I looked at Aaron who was obviously agitated. He literally snapped at me.
Jackson : Aaron…. I’m just asking….
Aaron : No need to ask… no need to ask !…. I’m ok…. I’m fine… better than fine….i have seen everything…. You have no idea the kind of things Boss send me for….. Money… Drugs…..receiving guest that should not even be on our shores…… exiled politicians…. Every fuck thing I have seen and done…. You should see man…. Am I ok ? … am I ok ? … of course the fuck I am ok….. you worry about yourself….
I stopped talking and Hong sat up from the backseat.
Hong : Aaron…calm down…
Aaron : Calm down ? …. I am calm…. You worry about yourself…. You hear me… you worry about yourself….
He raised his voice in the car significantly at Hong while gesturing for me to keep my eyes on the road.
Aaron : Drive properly… !!.. keep your eyes on the road… worry about yourself….
The road in front of me is practically empty with exception of another taxi cruising at 60kph on the left lane.
Aaron : Boss should have sent all those grunts by the entrance….don’t know why she keep so many of them for fuck… paying them money every month and making us do things like this….
Jackson : Aaron….
Aaron : Keep your eye on the road…. Don’t Aaron me… I am ok !!!
He is definitely not ok.
As we pulled into Tampines Estate, I could fee Aaron clenching his fist to stop himself from shaking.
He’s scared. So am i.
Everyone is.
Jackson : Aaron….
Aaron : Jackson !!! For Fuck SAKE !!
Jackson : I’m scared….
My admission of fear stopped his tirade. I slowed down the taxi and turned into the carpark 1 street away.
Hong will be playing the role of the jogger.
Jackson : I’m fucking scared Aaron….
Aaron : Well..err…..err.. don’t…. don’t be…
He didn’t sound convincing at all.
I stopped the car and Hong gave both our shoulders a tap before getting out.
Hong : See you later guys….
Hong stretched and did some warmup before heading onto the discussed route.
I put the taxi into drive again and I told Aaron that I’m scared.
I really am.
Jackson : It’s taking everything I have not to piss in my pants right now…
Aaron : Don’t patronise me !!! I am fine… you worry about yourself !!!
Turning to look at Aaron, I could see the perspiration on his forehead despite a comfortable 24 degree in the car.
I reversed into the loading and unloading bay facing the Childcare centre.
The bright and neon light of centre stood out in the sleepy estate. Pictures and paintings by the kids that attended the school lined the walls.
There’s even a small community garden plot maintained by the school by the side.
Aaron : We are meant for bigger things Jackson !! big things !! big things you know…..!! do you !!
I nodded.
Aaron : Things like this should be handled by the grunts… those uneducated people… !!! Those .. those yellow ribbon rejects that boss takes in by the dozen !!!…. you know how much is La Bella Vita’s operating overheads a month !!! ? paying so many men !!! do you know !!!
I nodded and I put up my hand trying to calm Aaron down.
Jackson : Aaron… Aaron… look.. look…
Aaron : We are educated people Jackson !!!! we go to school…!!! We are better than this !!!
Jackson : yes…yes.. I know… I know….
Aaron : You know what… let’s go back…. I can rally up at least 40 men and we will fucking swarm this place….. what do you think…. We will fucking kill those fuckers eh… eh… ? shall we…. It’s early… it’s still early…. We can head back!! There is still time…. I just need to wake them up !!!
I shut the engine of the taxi and I asked Aaron to calm down and breathe.
Aaron : Don’t tell me to calm down !!! I am calm !!
Jackson : Ok… fine… fine….
I looked around the empty estate, worried that Aaron might draw unnecessary attention to us.
Aaron : You know what, I think I’m right… we need help…. Boss is wrong…. We don’t have enough people….
Jackson : Aaron …. Aaron….! Look at me….
He stopped babbling for a second and directed his shifty eyes at mine.
Jackson : It’s ok if you want to sit this one out….
Aaron : what are you trying to say ??!! har ?? you think I no balls is it… ? is that what you think… ??
Jackson : Aaron … no I don’t mean that…. i…
I never expected Aaron to reach for his gun from his ankle holster. I was about to reach for mine but I knew I won’t make it in time.
Aaron pulled out the gun and he looked angry and on the verge of losing control.
No he did not point it at me but he was gesturing all over the place with he.
I’ve seen him shoot at the range. He’s a good shot. I was still thinking that if it came to a shootout, I would want Aaron by my side but looking at the state he is now, i only hope he doesn’t hurt me in a moment of anxiety.
Aaron : I can do better than this… !! I’ll show you…. Ok !! I’ll proof it to you…. Bloody hell…. Terrorist arhhh ?? where… where ??!! I’ll fucking shoot them !!
Jackson :Aaron … put that away… someone might see us…
Aaron : Why.. ? you scared….?? Is it… ? are you scared???
I nodded.
Jackson : Yes Aaron… I told you earlier… I’m scared… even more so now that you are waving that around….
I looked around the vicinity again, worried some passerby might see us in the taxi.
Aaron : Scare for what… you also have one right… take it out….come on Jackson…. MAN UP…. Grow some balls !!.. take it out… we’ll fucking end them….!! Get it over and done with….