Y'all didn't think Chicago would just take things sitting, right? He may not know Beca wants him out, but he can use good timing as a way to shake things up.
TW for mentions of blood and bloodied items.
I don't own pitch perfect.
"I think you should travel out of the country for a while," Theo heard Beca say. The two of them were having lunch at a Korean BBQ place, talking about the next phases of Beca's plans and Theo's involvement in them now that the trial for the tower has concluded.
Theo had just finished updating Beca about his termination of their contract with DSM and recent progress with his reformation of Babel when the meat they ordered had arrived. Beca took charge with grilling them while Theo asked about how he could help with the next steps of Beca's plans.
Her response was quite the surprise to him.
"But I can be helpful here," Theo argued.
"Once the dust has settled, I'll push for your brother's release. I'd like to take care of the Kommissar before then. I need to get things prepared, so you have time to pick your destination and wrap a few things up here before going on a vacation. But just in case Chicago manages to escape my trap for him, he'll be coming for you. I'm sure Luisa suspects you somehow, and if he hears of how you've started turning things around in Babel, he won't be too pleased."
"Ah, but that's what all the guards are for," Theo argued. He does have six posted just outside and around the restaurant. "I've doubled my security team, so don't worry about me," he replied with a bit of a sheepish grin at the thought that Beca Bella was actually concerned for his well-being.
"Theo…" Beca started to say, sounding like she was about to lecture him. Theo chuckled.
Over the course of the time that they had spent together, working hand in hand to bring his brother to justice, Theo had been happy to see Beca start to care for him like a notoriously mischievous little brother she had to keep an eye on. He was eternally thankful for that time. If anything, it made him wish even harder that they had been siblings instead.
Theo shook his head and didn't let Beca finish what she had just started to say. "I can't run. That's all I've done before. I ran and left my brother unchecked. I cowered in fear of him, living under his shadow. I told myself that I was powerless and that there was nothing I could do. If I leave, and Chicago escapes your trap, he might try to regain control of Babel and seize the empty seat of power. We can't let our hard work go to waste."
"But that will put your life in danger," Beca warned.
Theo knew that. He understood.
But he was done running.
At the very least, if such a day would come, he'd like to face his brother with a proud look on his face. With courage instead of fear.
"I'll triple my security and work on setting a trap for him as well with them," Theo responded. "But I'm not going to run away like a coward again, not anymore," was his resolute answer.
Beca sighed and relented, she couldn't sway him. His mind was made up after all.
No more running.
It was time for a reckoning, and Theo was ready to stand his ground.
The Kommissar was putting her all in her latest set. It was late in the afternoon, a week after the result of the trial had come out, and she was currently doing Zumba in her office, it was her little treat for all the hard work she had put in the past week.
Chicago had called for her, putting their own plans into motion.
Luisa worked on faking iron-clad evidences against her so that she could take the fall for the charges of tax fraud that had put Chicago behind bars. Pieter was going to have her arrested and she would be safe in prison, away from the grasps of Beca Bella, all while keeping Chicago as an ally.
Whatever happens to him, she would be safe. Should he successfully deal with Beca and get rid of her once he's out, then all the better for her. She had won Chicago's trust, what with all the information she had been feeding him while he was behind bars. From the death of Kimmy Jin, to Theo's questionable allegiances and now his severance of the working relationship between DSM and Babel. He had full trust in her. Chicago also truly believed she was making this great sacrifice for him while Luisa was truly just stealing a page from his book to save her own skin. He trusted him so much that if he manages to get rid of Beca, he had promised her the position of Vice President in his company.
If he fails, well, prison wasn't so bad in comparison to what Beca Bella might have planned for her.
At least she couldn't reach her. Luisa was quite sure that Beca wouldn't have her assassinated. That didn't feel like her style at all. She had no doubt the mafiosa had personally dealt with Kimmy Jin. She had a feeling that she would want to kill them herself too.
She was still dancing when the representatives from the prosecutor's office along with the police arrived to arrest her in her office.
"You don't have to read me my rights," Luisa said, as she continued to dance. "Just let me finish this set and I'll admit to everything," she went on to say with a knowing smile.
"So, what's up, shorty?" Amy as she sat down the mat of her temple after serving Beca her tea.
Beca quirked an eyebrow at her, Amy guessed she wasn't used to being called "shorty" but Beca didn't say anything. She just quietly sipped on her tea and looked thoughtful for a minute.
They have had their moments of conversation, but they all seemed to happen organically. The one time that Beca personally sought her out was when she was trying to get at her gold. She was all business back then.
This time was different though.
She was seeking her personally for something. Advice? Maybe?
"You all know what I have to do, right? What I plan to do, what I've begun," Beca started to say.
Amy nodded, she heard about Kimmy Jin. Besides the rest of the residents knew and understood what hasn't been spoken out loud. That Beca intended to kill Chicago and the Kommissar for all that they have done. For the grief and sorrow that they have caused.
"You're a monk, or kind of at least, I don't think the path of enlightenment says you should be okay with it," Beca replied. "But you don't hate me, you're not disgusted or look at me like a lowlife criminal. You're not even trying to stop me."
"When I first met you, Beca, I knew what you were. You walked like someone who knew she had power she could wield anytime she wanted to. Someone not scared of anyone, not bothered by consequences. I didn't know you were with the mafia or anything, but I knew you're type. We were all warry of you but you proved us wrong. We saw you soften, saw you care about us. We know you love us even without you telling us, you know."
Beca chuckled in response, looking shyly away, a bit conflicted. It was as if she wanted to contradict what Amy had said but didn't want to. Amy smiled in response. She could see how Beca had tried so hard not to care. Perhaps it was the way she had grown up and lived her life. Cold and devoid of attachments, all business. That was her world.
But she had a good heart. Despite the bloodstained hands.
Despite the river of mud and blood she had chosen to cross and wade through, with a determination to keep moving forward.
The bonds she formed with them were genuine. That much Amy could see.
"The path of enlightenment isn't for everyone," Amy then said. "You do what you do, the evil and despicable acts to the eyes of the innocent, because it's in your nature to do so. But you have a code, you do them because not everyone plays fair. Because while the world needs honorable and honest people, we also need those willing to dirty their hands and protect those who seek enlightenment," she went on to say before looking at idols and statues in her temple. She nodded towards a scary looking face mask hanging near the entrance of her temple, at the northern corner.
Beca's eyes followed Amy's gaze. "You are Vaisravana," Amy then said. "One of the heavenly kings in Buddhism," she edified. "Vaisravana keeps yakshas and rakshasas in check, and protects Buddha's ways and all humans. Since you have committed many sins, you won't be able to become like Buddha no matter how hard you try. The path of enlightenment is not yours. However, you can fight for the people alongside the yakshas and the rakshasas. You may not become like Buddha, but you will get compliments from him from time to time," she went on to explain with a smile.
Beca released a nervous chuckle in response.
"We know what you have to do, and we understand why," Amy then said. "That doesn't change who you are to us. We still love you," she continued. "We are your family now too, Beca. We accept you for everything you are. You taught us to be brave and stand up for ourselves, after all, and not to cower down in fear. You changed us for the better and inspired us just as we know we changed you too, and softened the badass consigliere a little."
"Thanks, Amy," Beca then replied looking like a weight has lifted from her shoulders.
Amy smiled, mighty proud of herself. She was glad to have helped and eased Beca's burden even just a little.
The task ahead was not so easy after all.
Chloe couldn't stop chuckling to herself.
With the trial done and with some down time while Beca got things set, there really wasn't much to do in the office lately. Sure, they were doing their prep work too, and they were still working on clearing Dr. Mitchell's name, posthumously, but things have slowed down a bit.
Which is why she had accepted an invite to a dinner party hosted by a few of her old law school friends. Aubrey had declined, wanting to spend time with Stacie instead.
Truth be told, she'd rather spend time with Beca too, but Chloe figured this was a good way to keep tabs on a few of their enemies as some of the attendees are working for the prosecution offices and other rival firms of DSM. They would for sure know the lowdown and latest gossip.
She was putting then finishing touches with her make-up when she started to notice Beca glancing at her curiously every other minute, while pretending to do some work on her laptop, despite seemingly only hitting the same keys over and over again, as far as Chloe could tell from how Beca's fingers were barely moving over the keys.
But Beca didn't say anything.
Once her make-up was done, she grabbed the box in her purse that contained the jewelry set Beca got her for their fake date at the art gallery. Beca truly let her keep it as a gift, and it was her way of keeping her close that night.
It also drew Beca's curiosity even more.
Happy checked herself from her compact mirror one more time before getting up. From her desk, Beca almost clumsily got up in a hurry as well.
"Oh, are-are you heading out too? Let me walk you out," Beca offered and Chloe couldn't help but laugh and accept. Beca kept stammering, beating around the bush of just asking her where she was going – because she was clearly curious – while they walked out to the parking deck. Chloe let her keep talking for a bit, it was refreshing to see the usually cool and calm Beca Bella get rattled and be nervous. It was only when Beca said they should grab dinner that Chloe finally answered the burning question she was trying to indirectly ask and explain where she was going.
"But I though Aubrey was with Stacie?" was Beca's quick response.
Chloe nodded. "She's not interested in going."
"Well, maybe she has the better idea," Beca replied more to herself. Chloe looked at her with a quirk brow and Beca cleared her throat. "Do you want me to go with you? I don't really have much to do tonight."
Chloe looked thoughtful for a minute before deciding against it. If Beca came, her old law school friends would wonder why, and she would rather avoid facing any questions regarding her and Beca and why Chloe would bring her to a dinner party. They would read her like an open book, and addressing her feelings for Beca head on with all they have left to do… it didn't feel like the proper time.
"I'll be fine, Beca," Chloe settled as a reply. "Besides, you'll only be bored."
"Maybe you should have Lilly be your chauffer for the evening, or have her follow you, just to be on the safe side," Beca then suggested. "Besides, you'll never know who has good intentions, you know," she added, grumbling and Chloe couldn't help find it adorable to see Beca seem a little jealous of the people she hadn't met yet and Chloe dressed up for to meet.
But Chloe let it slide. She figured she could tease Beca later, once she had a chance to sit with her jealousy a little. "Let Lilly have her day off too," was what Chloe chose to say instead. "I do have pepper spray, you know. They're good people too, our law school friends. I get that we still have things to settle with our enemies, but for now, with the quiet, well, it's nice to have some semblance of normalcy, you know? Get back to old routines. We've been fighting a war for a while now, after all."
Beca nodded and accepted her answer, a look of realization on her face settling in.
Things have been crazy since they met, that much was true.
Like they were caught in a whirlwind, ushering in the change, upturning all their lives.
"Just… make good choices, alright?" Beca then replied.
Chloe laughed. "So," she playfully said, "does that mean I can drop by at your place later for a night cap?"
Beca smirked and nodded once more and Chloe smiled as they parted ways. She did say make good choices, and the best choice for Chloe to make after a night of catching up with all friends was to spend time with Beca.
It's been five hours since Chicago was once again a free man. The paper work was handled smoothly, and as soon as Luisa was sent to prison, he was released. She did a good job of having everything prepared and waiting according to his instructions.
Chicago smiled to himself, he picked a perfect ally.
He adjusted the hood of the jacket he was wearing to hide his features better while waiting outside of Babel Plaza. Most employees were already leaving for the evening, but Chicago didn't want anyone being nosy with his business. The news about the Kommissar being arrested had just been released to most major outlets, while the news of his release has yet to be brought up, the story still focused on Luisa's fall from grace. Soon though, people will start talking. His enemies would know he was out.
He had to move fast.
Chicago knew the ins and outs to Babel's main business tower quite well. Once the crowds of tired employees thinned out in the lobby, he took his chance to sneak in. It was easy to slip past the security that Theo hired, especially with the wads of cash he was carrying around in his bag. The problem with hired help is always simple, they can be bought off for a higher price. There's no loyalty when it's all a job to them really, and with most of them recognizing Chicago combined with the news about the Kommissar, they easily assumed he was out of jail for a reason. That he was innocent anyways.
That's how he found himself entering Theo's office that night, his younger brother still working despite sending his assistant home early. It was quite a sight to him, who knew he could actually be a business man?
"I thought you already went home, Mark," Theo absent-mindedly said when his doors opened, having assumed it was his assistant who entered.
"Oh, he did," Chicago replied cooly.
Theo stopped for minute, his eyes still fixed on the documents he was reading as he gathered the courage and composure needed to address his brother. Chicago chuckled, amused. Theo looked at him without so much as a trace of fear in his eyes, just calmness and perhaps a mix of surprise.
"You've grown up quite a lot, haven't you?" Chicago then said. "How did I miss this?"
Theo didn't reply. He calmly reached for his phone, undoubtedly about to call security.
"Go ahead, brother, but I doubt anyone would answer your call," Chicago then said confidently. He crossed the distance between them in the room before pulling out the gun he had acquired from his people after his release. "You've been busy, haven't you. I heard of your recent reforms. My, my, I have to say, I never thought you'd betray me this way."
"What do you want, Chicago?" Theo then asked as he hung up the phone.
"What's mine," Chicago then replied. He felt his phone ringing on vibrate from his pocket. One hand felt for his phone while keeping the other steady, gun still pointed at Theo. Chicago fixed his eyes on his brother the entire time, not wanting to be caught off guard as he answered the call.
"We have the girl, sir," he heard the man from the Hangers say on the other side of the call.
"Good, meet me in the address I messaged you earlier," Chicago replied and smiled. He placed his phone back in his pocket before addressing Theo again. "We'll have to take this elsewhere, I'm afraid," he went on to say before smacking Theo in the head with whatever he could grab from his desk. Chicago didn't even bother to look what his free hand managed to grab hold off. It didn't matter, it was enough to know Theo out and draw some blood.
It was time he took control of the game he was playing with Beca Bella.
Beca was surprised by the knock on her door.
She was enjoying a nice glass of wine and a simple dinner she fixed for herself, listening to opera music while waiting for Chloe inevitably arriving later that evening, ready to chat her ears off with stories from the dinner party she was going to. At least, that's what she expected.
But it was too early for Chloe to return, and the knock was too loud for it to be Chloe.
Beca set her wine glass aside and fetched for her gun before carefully opening her door. She can't be too careful these days, but no one was there. Just a brown envelope left in front of her door. Beca picked it up from the ground and immediately went inside. She could feel something poking from the envelope, so it couldn't have contained simple letters and documents.
When she opened it, her blood ran cold.
There was a note inside, along with a Ziplock bag filled with blood.
And the jewelry she had gotten Chloe. The one she bought for their mission in the art gallery. The one was wearing when she had left earlier.
Beca unfolded the note that it came with, it was handwritten with simple instructions.
No back-ups, no weapons, no police. Beca must come alone if she wanted to ensure Chloe would live.
The address given in the note was Theo's.
Beca reached for her phone, only now seeing a message from Emily about half an hour ago about Luisa being arrested, taking the fall for Chicago. No word on Chicago's release just yet, but Beca didn't need to. She already surmised this was his doing.
She wasted no time in calling Lilly, giving her instructions.
Beca had to play along, she had to keep Chloe safe. That was her priority.
But that didn't mean she couldn't plan ahead.
I mean… maybe Beca had a point and Chloe should have listened about having Lilly be her bodyguard… just saying…
UPNEXT: A climactic confrontation? More death?!