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Chapter 34
Couple of days passed on by here in Nadi. For the most I just relaxed as much as I could, even though I was coup up in the villa. In the meantime, however the wire transfer finally went through as planned. In the last 48 hours Strike's family farm was completely paid off. Her family wont ever have to worry about making any payments or money problems.
The Bank manger was really good too in covering his tracks. He basically made it look like that the Silver keep national bank made a huge bank error in their favor. And if anyone would try to trace it back to the original transfer, it would get spider into all sorts of twist and turns all around the banking system in the pacific.
So, I was able to rest easy after that. I looked through my cash reserves only to notice that I still had quite a huge sum of it. I mean I had close to five thousand dollars in cash in my wallet. I wasn't really sure on what I should spend it on. But a suggestion from Pop's told me that I should at least enjoy myself here on the Fiji Islands.
From what he told me there were a lot of things to do from water recreation to inland travel and around the islands. But I guess he was also hinting at the fact that I should at least and try to enjoy it with someone of the opposite sex. I knew what he was getting at from that point on. So, after Pt and breakfast, I decided to call that Alexis chick.
Sure, enough she answered almost in a tired fashion. I could only imagine what she was up too last night. But we made arrangements to meet up with her and possibly her friends to see if she wanted to hang out and do some stuff.
Once I gave the ok to Pop's that it was on, he made some arrangements for travel. So, he out fitted me with a small but durable SUV. The only thing that this thing had that really stood out was its color. Holy crap I've never seen a bright orange yellow car. But it was gassed up and good to go. I dressed in mostly loose-fitting clothes, i.e. a t shirt and cargo shorts, with a good pair cross trainer shoes. I made sure I loaded up in sun block and have a small cooler full of bottle waters and some snacks.
I loaded up the location of the resort on the GPS and I was off. In hour and half of steady driving and no stops I finally made it to the resort. I was about to pull out my phone to let Alexis know that I've arrived. But she was already waiting up for me in the front. Oddly enough it was only her as she gets into the passenger seat with a bright smile for me and a hug.
"Hey sexy great seeing you again."
"Um, uh hello Alexis, um where are your friends?"
"Oh, they mostly wanted to stay in today, since they binged out drinking and dancing the night away last night, so they all got some huge hang overs."
"I see, I guess its just us then."
"Yeah what would you want to do today Mark?"
"Well I really want to check out this park over by the capital city of Suva."
"Ok you lead the way and I'll follow."
Soon enough we were gone. It took about a couple of more hours due to the driving, but by 09:00 hundred hours we were there. Of course, I paid the admission which was once again was cheap. Then we started off on our hike through the park. To say the least it had its loads of tropical plants, trails, wildlife, water falls, and other tourist spots. But I also find it to be a really good workout. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for Alexis, who looked really burned out. And only after walking for like an hour. So as a nice gesture I gave her a piggy back ride all throughout the park. When we reached towards the small water falls, and pools I made the suggestion that if she wanted to take a dip. She wasn't having it, but I wanted to go in at least for a good ten to twenty minutes. She was cool enough to take some pics of me swimming about and relaxing by the water fall. To me this was great since the cool waters did soothe my muscles. But after swimming for about thirty minutes I could tell that Alexis wanted to move on.
So I got out and dried myself off and went our ways out of the park. We started to go out and into the small capital city of Suva. For an hour or two we toured the area looking at the various shops, crafts, and even some of the museums. I could tell that Alexis wasn't the physical fit types, even though she was height and weight proportionate for her size.
So, we had to stop every once in awhile so she could catch her breath. I made sure she was well hydrated and even got her a few snacks to keep her going. But I still wanted to continue on seeing throughout the island. So once again I carried her piggy back style back to the car.
Alexis from my back side tried to start a small conversation with me. "Hey Mark, I'm sorry if I've been such burden on you for carrying me around." I kept moving forward, while still adding to the conversation.
"Hey its ok, it really is no problem at all."" Beside I could use a good workout. "" But on nice side of things you're a really light person to carry."
Once I got her back to the car, we sort of talked it over to see what we should do next. Apparently, she still wanted to go on another tour. So, she checked a few hot spots on her phone. We settle on the Coral cost tour. On the south side of the island. I actually like this one sense it involved a little bit of swimming in the ocean, mainly snorkeling. Which was really awesome to see all the colorful life in the water.
A part of the tour also included going up the river to checkout some villages and a few water falls. The only down side was that this tour did take good part of the day up. So, by 18:00 hours I was really famished.
Once again Alexis got me to try something a bit new. The dish this time was a sushi place in the capital. I for one never really indulged on this type of food. But the way that Alexis described it to me, I wasn't really too sure if I wanted to. I mean the idea of eating raw fish was an unsettling idea. Yet Alexis did reassure me that it was going to be great. To ease me up a bit she orders mainly rolls and fried stuff to coax me into trying it.
I took a few experimental bites into it only to say out loud without really thinking, "hey this stuff isn't half bad." To which Alexis giggle a bit me. In an instant I started to wolf this stuff down. Even the raw stuff was really good like the tuna, salmon, and mackerel. The only problem was that they seem to serve very little of the stuff, well at least in my opinion. So, I made no qualm on ordering several more plates.
After chowing down on some good eats, I paid the bill of about a hundred dollars and we were off yet again. As for the night life, Alexis decided on taking to a dance club within the town. Again, I never done this stuff before, but I was open minded. The great thing about it was the fact that the club played a lot of music that I was familiar with, especially in the edm department. Once again when it came to dancing, I just went with my own feelings. To say the least Alexis, seem a bit impressed by it. Again, I danced the night away for about three to four hours. Basically, to the point where Alexis was about to drop. So, I made sure that I carried her once again to the car and drove her back to her hotel.
I made sure and escorted her back to her room along with a hotel attendant. As for me the night grew late and I knew I had to be back to the Villa to get in a good night's rest in order to repeat for tomorrow. So, I drove back and hit the hay as soon as I got back.
Two and a half weeks go on by.
Alexis summer is sitting with her friends over in the Cantina reminiscing about their time here Fiji. In a few hours they have to board the bus to take them to the airport to head on home in the states. Poor Alexis is doing her best to get awake, while nursing on a cup of coffee.
"Had a busy night last night Alexis," Ashley added.
"Yeah you can say that."
"We know, in fact we all saw you leave the party a bit early with Mr. tall dark and handsome," Nicole added on.
"Look guys its not what you think, I mean its sort of like that but not in that way."
"Oh, we know what you mean Stacy egged on."
"No, its just that Mark wanted to do a little bit of star gazing and some night walking."" I swear I tell you guys this, since were bff's."" But he completely wore me out over and over." All of Alexis friends were just smiling wanting in on the juicy details of Alexis guy friend. Of course, they all eased up a bit when a couple of other ladies came in to sit about two tables away from them. They were hoping that they were the only people in the Cantina in the early morning.
From the looks of it alone they looked a little bit older to them. One of the ladies sported some rather fiery red hair, while the other had a more auburn look. When it seems that they weren't ease dropping on their conversation they went on.
On the other hand, both Scarlett and Cover girl entered the Cantina going over their game plan for today." I can't believe the kid gave us the slip like that," Scarlett went on.
"How do you suppose he found the tracking chips, "Cover girl added.
" I don't know, but I can't believe that we went on a wild goose chase throughout the south china seas till we found that crate."
"So, do you think there's any chance that he's down here in the Viti levu, I mean we've checked all the other islands in region," Cover girl added on.
"Well the travel logs of the charter flights from Guam seem think so, since most were in coming to Suva," Scarlett responded.
"Well we better find him quick, his liberty is almost up in the next 72 hours."
A couple of tables over Alexis is going on about Mark to the rest of her friends. "Like I said he completely wore me out every day that I was with him." Once again Alexis friends are laughing and smiling thinking about some promiscuous activities. "Again, guys it's not what you think, he wanted to try everything here on the island, from swimming, to snorkeling, to kayaking, to even hiking."" I mean he has more energy than what most people should have."" Don't get me wrong he did know how to treat me right." "But he is also a kind hearted and a really nice guy."" Almost a little bit too nice for me, but we did have a lot of fun. "" I've just never walked and exercised so much in my life."
"Wow he actually does sound rather dreamy," Ashley added. "But then again that guy is built like a tank."" What is it that he does again," Ashley asked?
"Oh yeah that did come up once when were having dinner a while back, as Alexis went on." "Now what was it, ah now I remember."" He said that he was in service, I think he said was in the army and what was it again."" Oh yeah, he said that he was a scout sniper," Alexis said out loud.
Loud enough for both Scarlett and Cover girl to pop up their heads as to what just heard. As Scarlett started to look over her shoulder to see who said that. Cover girl herself started to focus on the one person named Alexis that knew private Mark. Scarlett got up first while telling Cover girl to wait here to see if she could get some intel on these teeny boppers.
"Excuse me ladies I'm looking for a friend of mine?" Alexis and all of her friends looked up to the ginger before them.
"Um what does your friend look like," Alexis added.
"He's about six feet tall with some light brown hair, also he built like a body builder."
"Sorry I don't think I've seen anyone like that," Alexis added.
Scarlett then tried a different approach, she pulled out twenty dollars seeing if they will spill the beans on Private Marks whereabouts. Of course, the reaction she got was not what she was expecting.
"Twenty bucks what do you take me for a rug muncher," Ashley said insultingly. To which Scarlett took it as an insult ready the pound the crap out of her, but not before Cover girl got up to held her back.
"Easy there Scarlett."
"Let me go so I can teach this brat some manners."
"Ok Scarlett just cool it ok, let me try." Cover girl then walked over a bit casually to the girls who were just laughing at Scarlett.
"Hey ladies I'm sorry about my friend over there, were just trying to find someone that is close to what you describe as to that guy you mentioned earlier." Ashely then spoke up for a moment a bit surprisingly to her friends.
"Hey aren't you the famous Courtney Krieger?"
"That be me," Cover girl added.
"Wow I wouldn't think I have ever meet a famous cover model like yourself."
All of Ashley friends then looked at her a bit surprisingly thinking what she is getting at. Ashely continued on and said, "yeah you guys she a famous cover model from Chicago."" Hey can I get your autograph, it will really mean a lot to me."
Cover girl stood there thinking that now she has them in her grasp hoping she could get some intel about Private Mark, so she went along with this one girl using her once famous status from a while back.
"Sure thing," as Cover girl got a pen ready." Who do you want me to make it out to?"
Ashely then smiled a bit mischievously saying, "yeah you can make it out to my mom." "You were her idol when she was in middle school I think," as she started to laugh out loud to this old relic before her. Her friends then followed suit laughing at Cover girl.
Cover girl's smile went away quickly, when she backed off a step or two while motioning with her finger for Scarlett to come over. She tried being nice and cordial, only for these teenagers to be insulting, especially about their age.
"I've tried being nice to you ladies, but me and my friend we're going to have to teach you some manners." "Now I'll ask again we are looking for friend of ours that matches the description you describe. "" You either tell us now, or we're going to kick your fucking teeth in, Cover girl said with fury in her voice.
Ashely and Alexis along with their friends got up ready to throw down with these old ass skanks. Alexis then said mockingly bring it on grandma. Both cover girl and Scarlett cracked their own knuckles ready to give these teenagers a taste of fear, when they cross a couple of well-seasoned Joe's.
A few minutes pass on by when both Scarlett and Cover girl are now exiting the empty Cantina. In the back ground we're two very frighten young adults as they held on to a couple of their friends who we're uncurious from a couple of broken noses and bloody up faces. When they see one of them leaving off in the distance. One of them started to seek out help from the resort staff. It didn't take long for Cover girl and Scarlett to exit the resort at hand, especially since now they have some new information on the whereabouts on where Private Mark is hiding.
On the way up in their mini coupe, Scarlett sounded off first. "I swear the youth these day don't know how to act and behave, I personally blame MTV."
"Humph, well at least we got some good intel out of them, for sure Private Mark is here in Viti levu."" I'm all ready set up the G.P.S for the city of Nadi."" We should arrive in a couple of hours," as Cover girl insisted.
A few hours or so passed on by when Mr. Loto was helping out with grocery shopping with some of the house staff in the shopping district of Nadi. His orders were rather simple in finding some fresh cut beef and tuna for tonight's dinner back at the villa. It was Mr. Post favorite to have on hand, especially to show his hospitality for his young friend Mr. Mark.
To Loto seeing his young friend Mark did bring a lot of happiness and joy to his old Master's heart, since his boss doesn't have much time left. And for him to get to know of young Mark, was especially pleasant. Such a nice young man, who actually cares more for others than of himself. He could see why his master enjoyed his company.
As Mr. Loto was finishing up with the shopping him and some of the staff started to head towards their car, when all of sudden he was approached by two ladies. To him one of them had fiery red hair while the other was some what browner with a little red. For all he knew they could've been some tourist who seemed to be lost or looking for something. At least that's what he thought at first.
"Excuse me sir I was wondering if I can a little moment of your time," Scarlett asked politely. "
Of course, my dear how may I help you," Mr. Loto responded.
"I was wondering if you may have seen this man," as Scarlett held out a photo in front of Mr. Loto.
Of course, one Mr. Loto saw the photo in question he knew it was none other than Master Mark. Mr. Loto first sounded off to the rest of the villa staff with him in his native language to go to car with the groceries at hand. The staff did as they were told no questions asked.
He kindly and respectfully said no to the woman with the red hair. "No, I'm sorry I haven't seen this person before."
" Are you sure," Scarlett asked again.
"I am very certain my lady, that I have not seen this person before."" But if I can ask, what is this person to you?"
Cover girl then answered before Scarlett could," he just a friend of ours that we are trying to catch up with."
Mr. Loto just nodded to both of them saying, "I see."
"Well in case you do run across into him, please just give us a call our number is on this card," Cover girl added.
Mr. Loto just nodded to them as he took the card with him as he left the both of them. as he walked back to the car he did looked over his shoulder to see where those two women went next. Sure, enough they were showing the photo to the next local or tourist in Nadi.
As they rode off back to the villa Mr. Loto made a personal call to Mr. Post personal cell, with sudden urgency.
Meanwhile back at the villa Mark is enjoying a nice dip in the pool for the early morning hours. After that he decided to lay down and relax on one of the many hammocks located near the beach. The breeze off the shore line alone was his own personal air conditioner. He lay there for a good couple of hours swing back and forth, while enjoying a fruit juice cocktail. When he got bored with that, he decided to seek out Pop's to see what he was up to.
To him it was rather ashamed that Alexis couldn't come over, after all she was most likely boarding on a plane to go back home in California. Mark liked her, but only as a friend. In a way he picks up very quickly that Alexis was trying to be more than just friends with him. Luckily for him she did call it off, since she seemed to be a bit more honest about it. She admitted to him that she was sort of a bad girl, with a party attitude and mentality. While I'm more of a straight forward kind of guy, with loads of responsibilities and priorities. Also the fact that she could hardly keep up with me physically was a bit straining and stressful on her.
They only person I could think to keep up with me and more would be Strike. I hope she's doing ok back at the pit. I hope that anonymously saving her farm would be less stressful to her. In the back of my mind, I kept telling myself that I still got to do some shopping for my friends back at the pit. I mean I only got about three days left on my liberty pass.
But I brush that aside when I went towards the patio area to find Pop's sitting there in the shade and relaxing a bit. He notices me, while waving to me to take a seat near his table. I too chose to sit underneath the shade of the outdoor patio.
"Hey Mark how are you today," as Pop's said with his signature gravely voice.
"As always Pop's I'm doing fine." I leaned back on my chair while letting the cool salted breeze of the ocean hit me in the face. We were silent for a few minutes, till Pop's started off again.
"I see you are starting to sport a nice tan on you Mark." For a second, I started to look over myself to see what Pop's was talking about. But sure, enough I did look over my arms, legs, and chest to see that I was looking a bit golden brown.
"Yeah, I guess this happens when you're in the sun as much as I was. ""I mean I still put on a hefty load of sun block on every time that needed."
Pop's just chuckled at that as he continued to look towards the ocean. Mark then decided to open up next.
"I don't know about you Pop's but I'm really starting to like it here."" I think I would like to retire here and have a place just like this, whenever I get out of the service."
"I have to agree with on that one kid. Viti Levu has that certain effect on everyone that comes here."
Before Pop's could go on his cell phone started to go off. He picked it up to see who was calling him. As he screened the call it turned out to Loto. So, he gets up letting Mark know that he has to take this call, and that he'll be right back.
"Hey Loto were you able to find the stuff at the store for today?"
"Uh yes Mr. Post we were able to get them items for tonight's dinner."
"Very good then, I think this will be nice sendoff dinner for Mark."
"Well speaking on that sir, I have rather urgent news to share with you."
"Go on Loto."
"Well sir, there are two women who seemed to be looking for Master Mark."
"I see can you describe them for me."
"Well sir both of them had to be in their early thirty's"". But one of them had very fiery red hair, while the other had browner hair with a little bit of red."
"And these two women were only asking about mark, is that correct," Pop's inquired?
"Yes, they had photos of him, they seem to mention to them as their long lost friend."
"That's fine Loto, look change of plans I want you to head to the marina and get the boat ready to cast off in hour."" You' wait for me till then is that understood?"
"Yes, sir I understand."
Pop's with a worried look on his face cursed out loud to himself. "Shit those two work fast."" But then again, we were able to lose these two for almost three weeks so not bad I suppose." But Pop's brush that aside since he doesn't have much time. He has to get Mark on his way back to Guam.
Mark was sitting by patio just enjoying the view, when he started to see Pop's coming back to join him. he was about to ask him about the other atolls around the island, but Pop's beat him to the punch. In fact, his demeanor seems to change entirely of that of seriousness. So, Mark quickly asked, "what's wrong?"
"Mark, I need to go to your room and pack your things, we got to get you back to Guam."
"Guam?"" But I still got about three days left on my liberty." "Why all of sudden, what's the rush?"
"They are looking for you."
"Who is?"
"Scarlett and Cover girl, they are here in Nadi, and it's only a matter of time before they track you down to the villa."
"Awe man are you serious, how did they figure that I was here?"
"They most likely found the tracking chips on some freighter, and back track the last known data to Tamuning city and cross checked with any locals to see where you went."" If that didn't work then they checked all the out going flights, from the Guam international airport."" I think that about sums it up." "Any ways go a head and pack your pit gear and be ready to go in five."
Mark understood from then on to just follow Pop's orders, but he also felt that in some way he was cheated from the rest of his vacation, by those two. He quickly got out of his vacation clothes and changed in his pit gear.
As soon as he did that Pop's was ready with the car, only this time it was in an suv with really tinted black windows. Once I got in the car we were off. I thought we were heading towards the Nadi airport, but not at all. Instead we went off towards the marina. Once I was there I then boarded a speed boat. I was wondering what this was all about. I thought it was a bit much. But according to Pop's he really wanted to lose those two. After all they could be at the villa asking about me right about now. And Pop's was really one of those types that didn't want to be seen by those two.
He basically explained to me that they would just ask all sorts of questions. Especially with a former staff member from the pit. We rode out in the boat for about thirty minutes, till we docked at a private island. Apparently, the island was owned by a friend of Pop's. it basically one of those leisure places that was privately owned. But Pop's also told me that he was being paid to watch the place every other week or so.
Once there we boarded on a small air plane to fly me out to Suva international airport. While in route, Pop's set up a private plane to take me back to Guam. At the airport near the tarmac I was about to say my goodbyes to Pop's.
"Well Mark I guess this is it, it's a pity we couldn't enjoy tonight's shove off dinner".
"Hey its ok Pop's I mean nothing last forever, but I really had a nice time out here."" Maybe next time or next year we can do some more catching up."" I really like out here in Viti Levu".
Deep inside Pop's he really did like being Marks friend, but something told him that he had to tell Mark the truth about him. "Mark, I don't how to say this but I got something important to say to you." Mark's content mood completely changed, when he saw how serious Pop's looked to him.
"Yeah what is it?"
"If you decide to come back to Nadi, I won't be here."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well for one the Joe's lost track of you this time."" The next time they will be more through and vigilant in tracking you down."" So yeah you are that import to them." "But more importantly, I not longing for this earth."
"Not longing for this earth, what do you mean by that."
"I guess I can't sugar coat it for you Mark."" But to tell you the truth I'm dying."
"What!?"" No way you look as health as a horse."" That's a pretty sick joke to pull on me."
"I'm not joking with you mark."" I only have maybe nine months to a year left."" I got some serious cancer in my lungs, and pancreas. I…I. meant to tell you a lot sooner but this had to happen."
I looked over to Mr. Loto to see if Pop's was serious, but the look of face did tell me that Pop's was telling me the truth.
"Awe man I can't lose one of my best friends like this," as Mark started to whine and almost cry.
In which Pop's came a bit closer to give him hug. "Shhh, it's going to ok Mark."
"How, how is it going to be ok, you're going to die."" I can't lose my best friend like this."
"You're wrong about that Mark, you'll make newer and more friends."
"No, I won't, they don't even trust me to be out on my own."
"Mark they are only doing this, because they truly care about you, beside I think a special someone is waiting for you to comeback." "But I'll tell you what, if you decide to come back to Nadi on Viti Levu, I'll have something waiting for you at the villa."
"What, what is it?"
"You're going to have to figure that out once you come back."" Now I think your ride is ready to go."
Before long I was off back to Guam, thinking about a lot of things. But mostly about friend Pop's. "I going to really miss you buddy".