On the last night before the heist, everyone is on the edge. They had spent the entire day going over the plan, making sure they all remembered it perfectly well. It is important. They are going to enter the lions' den the next day and they cannot afford to commit mistake. It's not the same as the Royal Mint. Going inside the Bank of Spain can be the end of them all.
Martin setup a nice fire in the grounds so they can all gather around it and have drinks. He wishes that Andres is with them but he knows he's watching them somehow, probably more excited about the heist than all of them. He watched the others interact with one another. Denver and Monica are clinging to each other while Tokyo and Nairobi are engaged in a conversation. Helsinki and Raquel are also talking while Bogota and Marseille are debating once again about animal rights. His eyes fell on Sergio who is carefully watching Raquel. He recognized that look. It's the same look Andres had when Sergio told him that he's ready to enact the Royal Mint heist.
Andres was deeply worried about his brother. Of course, Andres was well-versed when it comes to committing crimes but his little brother wasn't. He was innocent. He was the bookworm, the sick one. Andres took pride in being the one who needed to work in order to support his brother's medication.
Now, Sergio is giving that look at Raquel. Martin can understand why. She left her daughter and mother to join them…join him. It was a big risk and she dives right in. At first, he thought it was love. Anyone will do stupid things for love but she has already done that when she threw her old life away to be with him in an island. When she told them about her time with CNI, he understood she's doing this to correct the wrong in the system as well. She believed in the plan and Sergio knows it. He cannot do anything to stop her.
"So, tomorrow…it starts", Nairobi said, catching everyone's attention.
"Is this like a last supper or something?" Denver asked.
Raquel simply took a sip from her glass and stared at the fire.
"No, because I believe we're all going to make it out with Rio and the gold", Helsinki answered.
It is a wishful thinking, of course. There is no guarantee they will all make it out alive but no one dared to say it.
"Lisbon, any advice to us before we go inside the bank tomorrow? You're the one with psychology degree or something", Tokyo asked.
Heads turned to Raquel who remained calm and silent.
"I don't think there's anything I can tell you that will make you all feel better or safe. To be honest, I am scared too like all of you but it's good. It's good to feel scared because that means we have a heart. We still feel emotions. The one we're up against doesn't feel a thing. It's good to know that we're still better than them and we need to hold that. I am sure the pressure inside the bank will be high and there are things that might spiral out of your control but always remember why you're there in the first place. Remember that you're better than the system you're fighting. Don't lose control of yourselves. Stick to the plan. Believe in the plan. Have faith with one another even if it seems like the world is coming to an end", she said.
Martin saw the shift in Sergio's gaze from worried to full admiration. He knows Sergio is scared to death more than others but Raquel keeps him from losing his shit. She is his anchor. That's why they need her the most. He understands now that in order to ensure the success of the plan, Raquel must be protected. If anything happens to the Professor's anchor, the heist will turn into a war and there will be blood on both sides. The balance lies within her.
"After this heist, I will make sure Cinci will study very hard so he can also get a degree in psychology. That speech right there is the best thing I have ever heard", Denver exclaimed and everyone broke into laughter.
Sergio looked around him and tried to capture the moment in his brain. It may be the last time he sees them all together in one place, alive. All these people risking their lives to save a friend and fight the system that screwed them over. They are willing to rely on his plan even though their lives depend on it.
Raquel found his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She can feel the tension in his body and she doesn't wish to make it go away. It's natural. It's normal. Like she said earlier, they're all humans. They still feel emotions. They needed to feel it so they know.
"So, how about we drink for the 90 tons of gold?" Martin proposed.
"I will definitely drink to that", Bogota said raising his glass.
"Me too", Marseille followed.
"…for Rio", Tokyo added and the others nodded.
"…to fighting the fucking system", Nairobi added.
Denver and Monica raised their glasses. Raquel and Sergio looked at each other like they're communicating telepathically before raising their glasses as well.
"…to family and love", Sergio added and they all drank together for tomorrow, they will fight the battle of their lives.
Back in their bedroom, Raquel lied on top of Sergio still panting after making love to each other. It was slow and meaningful. It somehow made her scared thinking it could be their last.
"Promise me one thing", she said.
"Anything", he encouraged.
"If anything happens to me, promise me you'll stick to the plan. Promise me you won't start a war and turn the guns on innocent lives", she said.
How can he promise that? Even he is not sure how he will react if that time comes but he saw the seriousness in her eyes and he cannot bear to see her so worried about him so he lied.
"I promise", he said.