155 Unburdened and Rescue Operation

"That's what happened." Dennis was tired after recollecting the entire story and lay down again.

"I just realized my foolishness. I wish I can turn back time," Diane said, felt the past that estranged her from Janice and from her relatives had shackled her for years because she didn't want to let go. She saw herself likened to a person carrying a heavy sack she thought was worth carrying but when she opened the sack it was full of rotten potatoes. Anger, hatred, bitterness were the rotten potatoes she carried.

It was time to throw the sack away and be set free, she decided. After realizing this, the peace she felt from being unburdened reflected on her countenance.

Then she recalled her statement to her aunt about bridges. She chuckled remembering her tactless remarks. Yes, no need to revive the ashes of the burnt bridges, rather build a brand new one.

It was also time to open herself and fall in love again. Not just a relationship for a time but one that was built out of love and would last for a lifetime. Then her mind shifted and envisioned herself with John holding her hands as they strolled together. Oh, this thought made her eyes grew wide. Diane was totally shocked that it was John and not Dennis she saw herself with.

Then she gazed upon the face of her prison mate.

"Dennis, why didn't you tell me all of these years ago. Things would have been different, you know." Dennis turned to her and their eyes met. They smiled at each other, reflecting the peace each one felt.

Dennis felt at peace after revealing everything to her. This released him from the things he held for years. He always trusted it was best to keep it hidden for the sake of protecting her but it made his heart callous. He didn't even flinch when he killed those men molesting Lisa. But telling Diane helped not only her but most of all himself. He felt his heart became light.

"If I told you years ago, would you listen and believe me?" Dennis said, his eyes were still on her.

"I'm not sure, maybe not but how would we know when you didn't try?" Diane asked and pouted.

The two of them laughed heartily.

"But maybe this is what people call 'the right time'. I think the result would have been different if I told you earlier. I believe this is that right time, us to be here together with nothing to do but talk to straightened things out," Dennis said.

They smiled at each other generously.

"Ah, life. So unpredictable," Diane said. "After we leave this place, I'll go to Janice and reconcile with her," she declared.

"I'm happy to hear that. If death comes to me now, I'll be at peace to die that you already know the truth and you won't hate me anymore," said Dennis.

"Dennis, you won't die. You said those wounds are only external. We'll go out from this place alive," Diane said firmly.

"Yes, I know John will come."

"I envy that guy. You trust him so much but I'm happy you've found a good man," Dennis said, looking up on the ceiling.

"You're also good," Diane said.

Dennis slightly smiled. "In the previous years, you thought otherwise."

"That was before." His statement shamed Diane.

"No need to talk about the past but I'm contented that I was able to protect you."

His words moved her. This man suffered for her sake and she only marked him as evil and adulterous before.

"Do you think Gallante will bring you out?" she asked.

"He can't bear to leave me here. I'm his only male heir. He's actually in the process of changing my family name to Gallante. Once he let me go I'll bring you out with me."

"Will he let me go with you?"

"I don't know but I will surely insist."

They sat in silence. Dennis hoped what he said would happen soon. Diane hoped John would come soon.

John and Paul stood inside the hall as the bidding started. This time, wines and delicacies were offered abundantly. They were on guard for such drinks served in this kind of place. Thus, they dare not touch it but the servers kept coming. Was this part of Panther's strategies to put a chain on these influential men's necks? And use their videos to blackmail them to do their bidding?

To end the servers relentless hospitality, each one of them took one and bit it but when the servers had left, they secretly spat it out in their hand and hid it in their pockets.

Richard sensed it was time for him to do his job. He excused himself to the bathroom and climbed up on the cubicle's walls up to the ventilation on the ceiling. He opened the vent cover, went up and covered it.

Richard read the map Lisa had drawn and set the countdown. The success of this rescue operation relied mainly on him. He had to accomplish his task in less than 15 minutes. He left his coat behind and crawled his way as he peered in every room to know if he had arrived at his destination. Rather, he saw nude men playing or entwined together with naked girls in every room until he reached the security room.

He removed his bracelet and straighten it. It became a tube for blowing darts and he inserted a pin wet with a sleeping spell and blew it out to the security men inside. Each one touched the skin where they were hit, thinking a mosquito biting them but a second after they fell on the ground, sound asleep.

He sent a signal to Paul, who passed the signal to the rest.

They distorted the security cameras in the garage with their stun guns before opening the secret door and also hit the one inside the lift before going in. When the lift reached its destination, Leonard threw an electrically charged ball to the camera in the hallway before stepping out.

Inside the den's security room, Richard saw the distortions but it got restored a minute after. They only did it to avoid any loopholes.

The Interpol walked in a barn and saw naked guards who were enjoying their time with the girls. They aimed their guns at the guards' heads and made them wear their clothes before letting them lie on their bellies on the floor to be handcuffed. They distorted the security cameras as well and were able to enter the den's kitchen. A few of the Interpol men led the cooks and other personnel out from that place and guarded them outside. The rest continued to follow the map.

The SWAT team had a small encounter with Panther's men outside the small house where John and team went, but no one inside the den learned of it.

Richard had successfully dislodged the cameras' connections to the security room. He swiftly went up to the vent and out of the bathroom. He did all this in less than fifteen minutes. Richard placed a headphone on his ear and danced his way out of the bathroom all the way to the hall. The guards did not suspect him.