The Plan

By Mario Arturo Ramos

In this world we live in, where dreams and fantasies exist, one of the many nights I spent building images that became my most faithful companions, this story of action, drama, and suspense was born with them. Everything revolves in one place, where each of the protagonists plays the winner, each one with a Plan to follow, different situations,

• Language: English
• Publisher: ibukku, LLC
• Release date: May 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685743673

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THE PLAN

Mario Arturo Ramos

All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of this work, nor its incorporation into a computer system, nor its transmission in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or others) without prior written authorization of the copyright holders is not allowed. Infringement of such rights may constitute an offence against intellectual property.

The content of this work is the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. All texts and images were provided by the author, who is solely responsible for the rights thereof.

Publicshed by Ibukku, LLC

www.ibukku.com

Graphic Design: Diana Patricia González J.

Cover Design: Ángel Flores Guerra B.

Copyright © 2023 Mario Arturo Ramos

ISBN Paperback: 978-1-68574-366-6

ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-68574-368-0

ISBN eBook: 978-1-68574-367-3

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my family as a symbol of gratitude for their unconditional love and support.

FOREWORD

Under a sun that prolonged its rays of light on a Friday weekend, when the transparent sky gave us its beauty wrapped in clear white clouds, scattered, showing the light of a divine blue in its glow, somewhere in a big city with a mixed population, but lace, elegant, upper class neighborhood, a society if we want to name it, better situated economically; a series of events took place where several situations with their own names came together. Perhaps the fact of turning in an environment with little economic need, where money is the fundamental basis of a society that loses values in a certain way, creates specific cases where the relationship with it causes problems that are difficult to avoid. People who get used to the fine language of life, where everything is built by money turned into power.

Money that makes us slaves of a certain objective, the one that always seeks to lead us to the idea that we will be happy if we achieve it in abundance.

Of course like everything in life there are exceptions, let’s not generalize, although for this story, this perverse objective begins to be created from ambition and greed to have a change in life, money being the central axis that moves a society mixed of social classes, because it is true, somehow we all want to have more and we reach a point of creating for ourselves, our own plan.

The beautiful Mirasoles, with its immense park that majestically crosses the city, filling it with beautiful landscapes, multicolored flowers and trees that make a presence with their height, plagued by the green of their leaves; toward the center, the main, wide, commercial avenue, which terminals join other districts. Many people around its streets, some sharing a coffee, chatting during business hours or vain things getting out of the daily routine, spending time, savoring a meal, a glass of liquor or just that, a coffee, on the outskirts of the so many restaurants with awnings in their outdoor facilities and tables around them, where a meeting becomes more welcoming with the breeze that nature gives us.

Illuminated signs, yellow taxis, limousines, private taxis, prestigious places for surnames of the same cut, colonial churches, people of a peculiar life, typical of that environment, a weekend of any day the clock keeps ticking and time does not stop walking.

In one of its blocks that marked the avenue, although little traffic, almost finishing one of its corners, before the traffic light that divided the street, is our Bar, a quite cozy place, very crowded, known for its comfort, hidden between the hustle and bustle of the main avenue, of buildings that surround the block plagued with commercial offices, separated by a short distance from those where there are quite luxurious housing apartments, as opposed to those with ocean views, ending with the old houses that occupy blocks that can be seen around them.

Two very nice little trees enclosed in a square grid, with metal decorations around them, the only ones on an entire sidewalk made of cement, helped to recognize the place.

In front of these, the entrance to the Bar, quite simple but very elegant, a gray facade that lit up luminous letters on its portal, a wide double-leaf glass door that anticipated another black one, also spacious, that could be seen when crossing, showing two subjects large, corpulent, dressed in a black suit, dark shirt and tie of the same tone, which distinguished them as security agents, the dark carpet from the first door, changed to a red one with gold decorations that invited to enter.

Along the way, walls covered in beautifully decorated wall-to-wall mirrors and two brightly lit crystal chandeliers graced the entire entrance. Once inside you could see the change of atmosphere, a spacious place full of dim lights, with some small ones that adorned the contour of the bar, well-crafted benches that expressed maximum comfort, its black leather seats with a swivel base, finished in aluminum with a round figure throughout its fall, crystal glasses that hung from a panel above the bar covered by elegant mirrors, on the edge, a gold metal finish that reached towards the other end.

Towards the back a whole variety of liquors to choose from, in the middle a not very large oval window which served as a bridge to the kitchen, the one where sandwiches and appetizers were prepared served to liven up a night of drinks.

A cook under the command of a Chef and an assistant worked on it, covering the best requirements for the room, which was divided into two parts.

On the other side, the tables made of fine wood, square, with a metal base, accompanied by large leather armchairs with gold buttons and, logically, the well-uniformed, presentable staff, provided the best service in an exquisite environment that respected the privacy of each one of them people who enjoyed the elegance of the place. Each one with their own problems, with their own feelings, with their joys and their misfortunes, each one looking for the perfect place as a refuge from themselves, for some, a place where they can really disappear for a few hours from their daily world.

Perhaps being able to hide from a bad situation or some experience in their lives that they don’t want to repeat, maybe just that, a bar to have a drink and have fun, letting laughter, music or conversation take over the moments; to stop with time, to feel that we are alive, that we can continue, for many all this, for others it could even become their last day.

Three pretty women attended the tables covering each area with their best smile:

Sandra with big eyes, long black hair, pronounced eyebrows, had left her law studies at a university due to lack of resources at home, since her father fell very ill, leaving her mother with the responsibility of her and her younger sister.

She had always excelled at school but never got a scholarship which she pursued during her years in school, she had to look for work and at the Bar they gave her the opportunity to do so, known for her seriousness, of medium height, she was in charge of the attention to the tables on the left.

Gladys, the one with short blonde hair, the most flirtatious of the group, her girlish face did not show how old she really was to be able to work especially in a place like this, she appeared to be a minor; wanted to raise money to prepare and follow her modeling dreams, and she was fulfilling it. She lived with her mother and younger brother, the one who supported her family since her father left the house, was in charge of the middle part of the place.

Finally, the third young Matilde, a beautiful brunette with an imposing figure, her beautiful carmine lips highlighted her angelic face more, her body was an envy, she attracted men a lot with her overflowing hips and her contoured legs, she had the experience of having similar jobs, but stayed here because the money earned was much more profitable and included tips.

She was the second of four siblings, two of them small, her parents were from humble backgrounds, they lived in a rather precarious house, her father a bricklayer who earned money every time he was called, without a stable job and when he didn’t, he took care of the children so that his wife could dedicate herself to washing other people’s clothes or selling the sweets that she prepared at night in order to survive.

Her older sister had found a job at a good family’s house, to take care of an elderly woman and only came home on weekends, Matilde finished school with hardships, she went out to find a way to help with the expenses, after some experiences, classmate from school recommended her and she kept the position, wanted to progress, raise her money, at the same time, be sure that her little brothers would not lack a piece of bread on the table at home, her position was to cover the entire right zone.

Each one with their own life story with their own needs, they had spent time working together which had served to establish a very good friendship between them.

They dressed very sensually, in a short-sleeved white blouse, a very feminine small red tie, as well as a very flirty vest, tight to the body, a miniskirt that specially joined the uniform, which exposed most of their legs and high-heeled shoes of the same color, marking the pace of their contoured bodies as they walk; they carried a silver-colored tray, where they fulfilled the orders of each client, a small notebook and a pen in the right pocket of the vest.

With them behind at the bar, Diego Valverde, the first bartender, had been working for a long time, although he was still young, he was an expert in preparing the best drinks, had the patience to teach Julio many things, which had just started working at the place becoming his new partner.

Diego had been married for two years, a happy marriage, with a lifelong neighbor named Ana who had given him a beautiful little girl barely 6 months old for happiness.

He lived pleasant moments, worked happily, and was excited to give the best to his family and especially to the little newborn.

The background music let the melody of a romantic ballad in English be felt, as the background of a warm and cozy atmosphere, accompanied by a dim light that enveloped the privacy of each one of those present, an ideal scene for an ideal night.

There were with a drink in hand and many lost ideas, many unpleasant memories, many of the things that took them there, to this Bar. It was not too late; the clear sky that recognized the sunset made it the right time to take a break, and a pleasant place that invited you to have a good time.

A peaceful Friday, a good day to relax, for many the end of a long day of work, the beginning of a weekend to rest, a day where plans begin, for many more things although for some, it would be the beginning and the end.

Those little trees in front of the premises would remain shaped like the memory of the entrance of a Bar, of a not very crowded and little noisy street, where many only looked for a moment of fun, of relaxation, others an effective change of life, a revenge, an accurate blow to its destiny, a different way of seeing life and its possibilities to survive, a life that is better enjoyed with love for ourselves, which means believing, trusting in our abilities as human beings, but unlike all this What they found was nothing like that.

Art: Beto Tritaris

COMMANDER

SERGIO MALAVERRY

Commander Sergio Malaverry, a tall and serious-looking guy, never gave anything up for loss, he was one of those who chased his victim until reached them without caring about anything, job was in his blood.

He dressed like a typical detective from an old movie, all gray in those long coats giving him an artist’s bearing, short lapels, white shirt and tie that matched the thick cloth coat, black pants that showed the lines of how well ironed, his shoes were tasteful modern style, all accompanied by a look that is always fixed and serious.

Commander Sergio Malaverry was a guy with a clean record on his police career, a very studious man, dedicated all his time to each entrusted mission, he did not miss the smallest detail; led his staff to raise awareness of each case they had to investigate.

Sergio Malaverry had chosen two men for this mission, men’s who were of his complete confidence, Captain Gustavo Gonzales, who apart from being his best friend, was within the institution a decorated police officer, of great capacity, the Captain followed all the steps that Sergio Malaverry indicated to him, he was his example, his friend, he had accompanied him on all the so-called risk missions, now this one would become one of those so-called and he could not fail to be present within his boss’s plans.

They had built the mission in a quite complex, apparently simple and effective way, aware that nothing is easy, it had to be carried out and they were willing to achieve it.

CAPTAIN GUSTAVO GONZALES

Captain Gustavo Gonzales, a prepared man and a good policeman, his loyal companion, had the peculiarity of using the phrase, Let’s finish this. Always with a cigarette in his mouth, a more casual and youthful chain smoker in the way he dressed, usually a shirt and jeans, he did not look like a detective, he contrasted with his boss, fashionable shoes and a vest that covered the weapon he was carrying.

Mischievous in his way of being, a conqueror, for him there was no difficult woman, that’s why when he touched on the subject he repeated:

I’ll get married when I find the woman who can give me an order and I obey, I’ll understand that as if I’ve fallen in love.

The discussions always began because of Gonzales impulse towards women, despite having had a relationship for many years with his Commander’s secretary, who was also a member of the police, leaving him tired of his macho behavior and inveterate love interest. Despite working together, Gonzales managed to get away with his conqueror’s whims.

For each assigned job, he prepared himself in the best way, this time it would not be an exception, always everything according to plan, respecting time, following the lines drawn by his boss, for that he had studied the place well, everything looked correct for finish successfully, without losing any detail, everything to the centimeter, including the demanding precaution to avoid what could happen in the event of an error.

LIEUTENANT ROBERTO MENESES

With them another detective, an undercover, who worked as a bartender, Lieutenant Roberto Meneses, fulfilled his risky mission behind the bar, Meneses was Sergio Malaverry’s key man, he had infiltrated as a bar worker with a career fake bartender At first he had difficulty preparing the drinks, but his ability to learn quickly had earned him the position.

The Lieutenant fulfilled a delicate part in this mission, he had managed to start working at the bar by his own means, managing to get the job after, at the beginning of the investigation, he presented himself as a man in need of work who had all the faculties of a great preparer of exotic and exquisite drinks, an experienced bartender.

Logically, Meneses had never worked in that profession, but with false documentation and quite a bit of skill, he managed to convince the owner of the premises.

Meneses was the married one of this triplet, he had two children and stable marriage, a serious person and dedicated to his home, a good father, a good husband, and a good policeman, he worked in the department since he left school, belonged to the police force it was his passion from a very young age. For this mission, the Lieutenant called himself Julio Oviedo.

THAT NIGHT AT THE BAR

It had taken ten weeks to put all the pieces together, apparently it would have taken longer without the cunning of Sergio Malaverry, the efficiency of Gustavo Gonzales and the ability of Roberto Meneses, all calculated, all the details for the operation to work successfully.

The policemen entered the place showing their identification badges to the security men at the door, a tall and corpulent man who was accompanied by another quite large one too, very few people outside, a not very busy street; the bar was quite exclusive and elegant. Inside the place the music could be heard, the murmur of the people who were talking, some at the bar were accompanied by liquor and cigarettes, a few couples, also a group of friends occupying the tables around the local space.

In two of them, one on the left and the other in the center, you could see two men sitting alone with their drink in hand, on the other side of the counter on the opposite side in the corner, another person alone, someone who in his anonymity recognizes Officer Sergio Malaverry, the one who was not in the plans of the police, a guy with a rough appearance, corpulent, a scar on the right side of his face, dark curly hair, brown skin, dressed quite casually, he was distinguished by an informal vest that matched the color of his pants, glasses with transparent mirrors that made him change his appearance.

The guy stared at the Commander’s face, followed him every step he took, and noticed that he was accompanied by another man with a very familiar face and they both went straight to the bar.

While the policeman advanced, the man without saying a word remained at the corner table clutching a cell phone in his right hand, very cautiously, first looking around, dialed a number, waited a few seconds until he spoke to someone with just recognize his voice:

Guys I’m here, but I found a surprise, a surprise that was not in my plan, I’m going to think about it, because it gives me the impression that they followed me.

On the other side of the line someone who seemed surprised asked him questions, the guy answered immediately:

You continue with your work, whatever decision I make, I call you, there is no time to explain, it seems that you know that I am here or maybe not, but this time I am not going to let you surprise me, if the plan change, I will let you know.

Without waiting for them to answer, he cut off the call, put the cell phone in his right pocket, discreetly and very cautiously of being observed, took out a revolver behind his waist, his vest covered him, he went back to locate Sergio Malaverry and his companion, with the weapon still without firing position and with his gaze fixed on the Commander, his eyes did not stop following him calculating the best moment, the precise moment to decide to attack.

The policeman, without suspecting anything strange, places himself in a place at the bar, also observing everything around him, things seemed under control, he speaks a few words with his partner and before sitting down they locate Meneses who was serving drinks to some clients to the other. At the side of the bar, Sergio Malaverry calls the bartender, looks at him and signals with his hand that he will be there soon, the other bartender who was attending approaches and offers them his service:

"Good afternoon, what do you serve? The lords? How can I help you?

Don’t worry; we are served by the other bartender,

The officer answers, but the man offers himself again:

I can attend to them; my partner is with other clients.

The insistence on serving them makes Gustavo Gonzales intervenes:

Look, don’t worry, we’ll wait for the other, you’re very kind.

The bartender understands and leaves saying:

That’s fine sir, we’re here to serve you, if you prefer to wait, that’s no problem, he walks away, while Meneses hurries to finish his request to get closer to his boss.

On the other side, the guy with a rough appearance, keeps the weapon in his hand trying to hide it, waiting for the precise moment to draw it and attack his target, without neglecting the place where the Commander was, he turns for a moment to look towards the entrance somewhat nervously; the person he is waiting for, will still take a while to arrive, he has not received any signal, he looks down to look at his weapon, giving the impression that he is asking for advice, thinks for a few seconds, raises his head, closes his left fist, holds with steady his revolver and closes his eyes:

I think the time has come.

In those moments in which the decision was close to his mind, cutting off everything that his thought had already written, in a very inopportune way for him, Sandra approaches:

Excuse me sir, What are you going to serve?

The girl asks, she sees the guy a little nervous; he doesn’t care about her presence and only pays attention to his gaze fixed on someone or something.

Sandra asks again this time adding a little more kindness:

Excuse me sir, what would you like to help yourself to?

The man turns around, and looks at her almost bitterly, perhaps impotence for those seconds that changed his decision to execute, he hides the weapon under his vest, and observes her:

Look, bring me something strong, I don’t know, recommend something to me, but I assure you that I do need something strong enough.

She doesn’t lose sight of him, because the guy seemed to hide something in his right hand, helped by the low light of the environment, Sandra answers:

Okay sir I’ll get you something strong as you suggest.

The guy turns without paying much attention to her and she backs away from him.

Meneses finishes with the clients and begins to approach his companions, the other bartender interrupts his path:

There you have a couple of new ones that seem like good clients, for a newbie you are lucky.

Meneses without stopping:

Yes, sometimes it happens, people like us without knowing them.

The Lieutenant near the Commander, is interrupted again, Matilde who came with a request is the one who approaches:

Julio (False name used by Roberto Meneses to hide his true identity, he called himself Julio Oviedo) Please two very cold local beers and a traditional pisco.

The young woman leaves her stewardess on the bar, looks at the Commander and his Captain next to her, gives them a smile and turns her gaze towards her bartender, Meneses rushes to fulfill the order, makes a sign indicating that he is attending and soon will be with them, Matilde speaks with him:

Today we have a lot of people; it seems that it will be a good night of tips, as we go there is money to raise.

At that moment Gladys approaches:

Julio (Meneses) please give me two Margaritas and order two ham sandwiches and I’ll come back for them, I’ll take the drinks first.

We’re going well tonight, right, says Matilde, turning to her partner.

I do hope to make a little money as I have a lot of payments this month, she replies.

Oh girl, are you going to talk about payments to me? Gladys smiles.

My rent is behind, my mother had to buy my brother’s notebooks and the rest dedicated to her medicines, the poor thing with her ailments has to control herself, but thank God she is much better, the pains in her back due to her illness have decreased a lot.

Julio (Meneses), complying with Matilde’s request, intervenes in the conversation:

There’s Matilde ready.

Matilde:

Thank you Julio, you are very fast, you don’t let me gossip for a moment.

They both smile at the same time, she accommodates her order and goes out to deliver it.

Gladys, who is waiting for her order, turns around, still with a smile on her lips meeting the eyes of Gustavo Gonzales who was watching her, he, fascinated by the girl’s beautiful face, takes seconds to blink, captivated by the young woman, who is distracted by a few moments.

In the other corner the guy already more sure of what he wants, prisoner of his own feelings, an uncontrollable rage that wells up from deep inside his soul, puts his hand inside the clothes, looking for the weapon, hides the body as best as possible, taking advantage of the dim light in that corner, he begins to slide his arm forward to aim at his target, Commander Sergio Malaverry.

At that moment, Gustavo Gonzales gets up from his seat and approaches to the young woman, Julio (Meneses) with the request fulfilled, hands it over: Gladys, there’s your thing.

The young woman receives him, takes her stewardess, and loses the detective’s gaze for a few seconds, when she turns to continue on her way, she finds herself face to face with Gustavo Gonzales, who, very close to her, demonstrates her fame as a conqueror:

Precious I am happy to have come to meet you here with your beauty, what is your name if I may know? I do not want to bother you.

The very flirtatious young woman holding the tray with her order and wanting to hide a brief smile from her answers:

Gladys, gentleman.

The Captain, impressed with the girl’s physiognomy, speaks to her again:

What a beautiful name for an angel like you.

Gladys, advancing slowly without being able to hide her taste for the gallantry of the experienced police officer, answers him very sweetly:

Thank you gentleman, I appreciate your words but I have to keep working.

The gallant officer leaves his mark once again, despite being on duty, he distracts from his occupation:

Don’t worry beautiful, he replies as watches the young woman walks out to her table, I’ll be here all night waiting for you.

On her way, she smiles at him and says to herself:

This man is not bad, I like him, is very handsome.

Without a doubt, the officer’s formula was taking effect; she advances and continues with her work. Gustavo Gonzales returns to the bar, sits down and comments to the Commander:

The truth is that this girl is beautiful.

Sergio Malaverry without much preamble answers:

I know of your weaknesses but we have come to a very important mission not to get women.

Gonzalez:

Commander is just part of life, I know we are on commission but you can also smile.

Slowly hitting his Commander’s back, they both look at each other with a brief smile.

While the guy with his sights on Sergio Malaverry is accumulating more nerves due to the waitress’s distraction, he quickly takes out the revolver, but the second he hides it again, really confused, between his pants and the vest, due to the latter’s movement, without taking his eyes off his target, turns from left to right, takes his cell phone out of his pocket, between his teeth, he mutters as if bitter with himself:

I don’t know if what I think is reality, but I can’t let them surprise me, I must act safely, What the hell went wrong? What happened?

Then he turns on the phone that he holds with that unbearable rage that he cannot control, in his hand searches for a call, realizing that no one had communicated, he becomes even more desperate, and looks up again, touches his head and puts the cell phone in his pocket.

Sandra arrives at the bar, approaches Diego, who had just placed the bottles in her place, and comments:

There is a strange guy at one of my tables; it seems that he is hiding something.

Diego listens to her partner and asks:

But why does it seem strange to you, what makes you suppose that? A lot of people of all kinds come here.

Sandra:

It is that he is a strange man, has a fixed look, does not move, looks quite rough, did not want anything in particular, and told me to choose the drink for him but to be strong.

Diego in the form of a joke continues with the dialogue:

My love, you’ve been working a lot lately, you’re already seeing weird guys, and maybe you were somehow attracted to him.

Sandra:

Don’t be silly, it’s just a comment and hurry up with the drink that I don’t think for this guy today was a good day, his eyes are so fixed that seems lost or that he is looking at someone or something.

Diego:

I’m going to prepare you something so strong that it will change his face.

Diego begins to do his work.

While Sandra and Gladys waited for their orders, in the corner the man full of interrogations in his mind, doubts, nerves and all the desire that he had to finish the plan vilely tortured him, the scenario was changed, that was not the panorama that he wrote in his agenda, now everything was different, found the Commander who came for him, drew it in his mind.

I’m going to have to get out of here but with another dead, because this time the damn Commander does not escape me.

With his hands on his face thinking and imagining the bad things that left the moment when life changes him forever, in that encounter with the policemen, the face of the Commander in charge of that intervention, the minutes that remained without the greatest loves of his life, his heart was squeezed with a known rage, helplessness, sadness, but he swore that this story of his life would stay no positive ending for the other side.

Damn, damn, he repeated over and over again.

His hands formed a fist that he clenched tightly, all over the place pain reflecting in his heart, hit the table but more than the table, the depths of the feelings of him.

Diego finished preparing Sandra’s drink:

Girl I give you the strongest drink I have prepared tonight, really that guy is going to fly as soon as he finishes, I hope that hold on, he flashes a playful smile.

Sandra:

Yes, I also hope that the drink will be good for him because has a face of few friends.

Diego:

Yours is coming out, Gladys, it’s coming out. Addressing her, who looked distractedly at the Captain’s conqueror, That gentleman has shocked.

Gladys:

"He’s nice, I can’t deny you, but I