꒰ FIRST MISSION ꒱

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Present Day México

❝ 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐋? ❞

Estella studied the journalist wondering why they asked so many senseless questions. She agreed to do this interview to share her story perhaps help people understand that this life was not something you wanted to mess with.

"I would say at first I hated it. I despised Miguel Ángel and everyone else he worked with but after a while I grew accustomed to it and even began to love it more than everything. I felt like I had power and didn't ever want to stop." Estella replied shrugging thinking of her past. She thought it was strange how she had adored something that should have destroyed her life.

"Would you encourage the young people of México to join this type of lifestyle?" The journalist questioned scribbling down notes in her notebook. Estella glanced at the camera that was recording her every sentence.

"No not at all. Because either you end up dead, in a jail cell, or like me. I don't glorify my past because that feeling of being powerful is only temporary. Nothing lasts forever and eventually, your downfall will come." Estella said her stare directly at the camera.

Decades Before

The sunlight peered through the room as Estella sat on the bed wishing for sleep. She had eye bags under her eyes from the lack of sleep, and her hair was a tangled mess from the tossing and turning that had occurred the night before. She still was in shock knowing that now she was going to be involved in a powerful and dangerous cartel. Escaping was not on her mind deeming the fact that if she tried this time she would be killed with no hesitation.

"Hola. Buenos días. ¿Estás lista?" Isabella stepped into the room her black heels clicking with every step she took. Estella looked up at her questioning if she was serious. Nothing about the way Estella appeared looked "ready" for whatever they were going to make her do.

"No." Estella responded getting up from the bed and stretching. Isabella chuckled and only let out a sigh sitting on the bed.

"You see I understand you're in shock, but I'm going to give you clothes and perhaps even do your makeup because you have something important to do with Miguel Ángel today like he told you yesterday." Isabella explained. Estella didn't really have an impression on Isabella yet but right now at this moment she was aggravating her. It had only been a day and now she would be joining Miguel Ángel to who knows where to likely do something related to the business.

"I thought you said I wouldn't be doing that much. Do you know what he's going to do? I'm sorry, but I'm not entirely trusting of him or all of you to be honest. You made me lie to my whole family and now you're expecting me to get up and do everything you demand. I'm never going to enjoy this lifestyle that you live." Estella exclaimed her voice cracking realizing that this was her new reality now. While she had wanted to live her own life away from her parents, the thought of this made her worry. Would she ever see her family again?

"Look I know this is a little different for you but I hope that one day you will gain my trust and possibly the others' as well. Don't you remember how your parents treated you like a child and never once did we mention you couldn't see your family again because, believe me, you will. Eventually, you will soon understand our ways and possibly enjoy being in this with us. Where is that same girl who was so brave and rebellious enough to flee her parents by pulling a fake kidnapping not to point out you trying to escape from Rafa? Because with that personality then you'll be able to do anything even this." Isabella spoke thoughtfully before handing Estella's some simple clothes and a towel.

Estella thought more about what Isabella had said. There was no way she would ever like being involved in a drug cartel where illegal activities took place every day. She told herself that maybe one day she would be able to leave and see her family like Isabella had assured but one thing she never wanted to do was like living this way of life.

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Estella waited impatiently for Miguel to arrive. She stood next to Isabella who had promised to keep an eye on her. Estella had heard from eavesdropping on Isabella's conversations that Rafa was wanted by the police and was potentially hiding somewhere with Don Neto. This gave her some hope that if he did get caught then she would perhaps have a chance to return home.

"He should be here in any moment." Isabella mumbled smoking her cigarette. Estella sighed and turned away nervous about what she would be doing with Miguel Ángel. It wouldn't be anything good, and that didn't help her nerves any better. Usually, she would hate that a man would think less of a woman's capabilities but now she oddly wished that Miguel would not allow her to be involved in the cartel.

"Isabella." Estella's thoughts were interrupted seeing the familiar Miguel walking out of a black car. He pulled down his expensive sunglasses and respectively hugged Isabella. Shortly he turned to face Estella who didn't mind looking at him.

"Estella." He said prompting Estella to face him. She tried her best to remain polite afraid that he might do something if she didn't.

"Hola." Estella whispered not making any eye contact with him. Miguel seemed to notice this but only laughed.

"Pues vámonos." Miguel said allowing Estella to get inside the car. She still didn't understand why the hell she had to go with him and wondered where he would be taking her.

The whole car ride was silent only the sounds of the car driving against the bumpy road and the flips of the pages from the newspaper Miguel read. Estella made sure to sit a distance away from him with her arms crossed only to stare out the window. Sometimes she would look over to take a quick peek at him but was careful to not get caught doing so.

She observed how focused he was while reading the unexciting newspaper. He was handsome with his slick hair and everything about him screamed well-put and the way he dressed was very classy. If she didn't know who he was she would think he was just some normal businessman.

"We're here." He got out of the car and made his way to the other side to open the door for her. She calmed herself down and walked out of the car and saw a large plane standing right in front of them.

"Why is there a plane?" She asked. Miguel laughed at how clueless she was but before her question could be answered they were met by some man Estella did not recognize.

"Miguel Ángel." Amado jumped out of the plane and walked up to the two. Estella did not know who he was and hadn't seen him the day before either. She saw that he was tall and wore mostly all black.

"Amado this is Estella." Miguel told Amado who nodded his head and reached his hand out to greet Estella. As she did with the others, she knew well enough to be respectful despite the lack of trust she had for any of them.

"Hola." Estella shook his hand and stared down at her shoes. She wondered if Amado knew who she was and what her purpose being here was for.

"Pues ella es muy guapa no?" Amado chuckled with his hands on his hips. Estella cringed but tried her best not to show it on her face.

"Well, let's go." Miguel laughed hitting Amado's back who made his way up the stairs to the plane. Estella inferred that Amado was going to be the one piloting this plane and couldn't help but be anxious by this.

"Are you coming?" Miguel shouted from the plane while Estella had remained near the bottom of the steps. She knew she had to do this but worried. It's not like it was every day she would have to put trust in two men who she didn't know that well.

"Where are we going?" Estella questioned stepping onto the first step. Miguel looked away into the distance seeming to almost like how daring she could be at times.

"Look I know that before all of this you were spoiled and didn't have to work for anything. But here it's very different. Here we actually work and listen. So if I were you, I would get on the plane instead of asking all of these questions." He ordered watching Estella nod her head and make her way up the stairs to the plane. She knew that he was right about her getting everything she wanted from her parents except one thing and that was freedom. Maybe she was just a stuck-up brat that didn't know how to comply with orders and work but she wished to change that. Possibly earn Miguel and the others' trust to be able to see her family again.

She walked into the plane seeing that it was a very nice one. Miguel and Amado sat in the front while Estella was instructed to sit in the back. She heard the plane start to fly up and the laughs coming from Miguel and Amado. Estella decided to listen to their conversation to perhaps get an idea of where they were going or more details on Rafa's situation.

"This shit is cool. You flew this type of plane before?" Miguel asked looking over at Amado. Although the plane was loud Estella could hear clearly and made it look as if she wasn't listening in on their conversation.

"No, but it's like girls. Doesn't matter the size, they all move the same." Amado joked looking back at Estella with a grin on his face. She rolled her eyes once he turned away and proceeded to spy on their conversation for more significant information.

"What's the cargo we're moving?" Amado inquired. This caught Estella's attention, and she quickly glimpsed at Miguel who shrugged. She knew "cargo" had to be something illegal and couldn't help but think if that's what they were doing. Estella was smart but it's not like it was every day she was working with a cartel. It made sense now and realized that this plane would be used for transporting whatever the cargo was.

"Who knows?"

"Well, where are we taking it?" Amado questioned almost as lost as Estella was at this moment.

"Once we get there, they'll tell us. And Nava will be waiting for our call after we deliver." Miguel replied. Estella didn't recognize the name "Nava" but then again there were many people she had seen yesterday that she didn't know. Eventually, she would have to know and remember these names to have an idea of who was in on this.

The discussion between the two went quiet again and Estella saw how hesitant Amado appeared to get.

"Well. If Rafa fucked up as bad as you say... wouldn't this be Nava's way of taking the whole thing for himself?" Amado turned to Miguel who seemed tensed by the question. It went silent which was something Estella had gotten used to. Two things were on her mind. Number one being if Rafa would be caught and the second being the one that had remained which was where they were going and what they were going to do once they landed. If Rafa was caught by the police would there be an opportunity she could go back home she wasn't too sure but the thought wasn't impossible either?

"Well if the girl in the back didn't plan her own kidnapping with her sister and then try to escape than maybe she or us wouldn't be in this situation right now. Right?" Miguel smirked turning back to look at Estella. She was a bit irritated by his remarks but didn't say anything since she knew better by now.

The rest of the plane ride was boring and Estella yearned for additional information but nothing important came out of Amado or Miguel's mouth. She told herself that she would have to wait and see no matter how difficult that was. She had plenty of questions but knew they wouldn't be answered by Miguel. Trust is what she wanted to gain from the others and practically from Miguel even though the thought of it ever happening felt hopeless.

Once they landed to where they needed to go the pit in Estella's stomach only grew. Stepping out of the plane behind Miguel who made sure to watch her every move she saw many men who wore matching green uniforms who had big black trunks of who knows what.

"Stay close." Miguel warned Estella who stood next to him. She didn't see how any of this could involve her. Isabella had told her she would come to help Miguel, but Estella couldn't see how there was any way to help. She was only some ordinary wealthy girl who happened to have an outburst of rebelliousness and now was involved in a cartel. She had no idea what cartels did or any clue on how they worked. Asking would be no help either since Miguel didn't seem to give Estella any answers at all and only expected her to follow him like a lost puppy.

"Ey, compa where's your commander?" Miguel asked one of the men in the green uniforms who carried loads of cargo onto the plane. They ignored Miguel who seemed confused looking around to find the commander.

"Shit." Amado mumbled to himself opening up one of the trunks to reveal what was inside. Estella looked from afar seeing Miguel walk towards it. She couldn't tell what it was inside it and didn't want to get to close since she knew her place.

"What is it?" Estella spoke up finally building up the courage to do so. Just as Miguel was about to answer they were interrupted by what the three recognized as a gringo.

"Are you the drug dealer?" The man asked in English seeing the three including Estella look back at him with a blank face. She didn't understand what he had said and tilted her head.

"Eh?" Miguel was puzzled as well as Amado not understanding the man who only laughed at the three who stood there unaware of what he had said.

"You ain't the enemy, man. Amen to that, right? All right ándale, boys! Let's deliver some freedom!" The unknown man lightly jabbed Miguel who continued to stand with no knowledge of what he had said. Estella was equally confused as Amado and Miguel were and watched the man order what the men needed to do with the cargo.

"What did he say?" Miguel turned to Amado who shrugged.

"¿No estabas aprendiendo inglés? ¿Qué dijo?" Miguel asked Estella who glared at him. She disliked how he only spoke to her when it was about the most worthless things. She wanted answers and even though joining this cartel was something unexpected for her information on this would be useful. She needed information to be able to cooperate with them. She thought she could go back home and live a normal life, despite the persistent feeling that told her that this was far better than her home where she was bossed around like a child and forced to marry an abusive man.

"No. No sé lo que dijo." Estella answered to Miguel who huffed out a sigh. So far he didn't know what to think of her he knew that she capable of being involved in this whether she would ever admit it. Miguel witnessed how bold she was multiple times and even admired it and thought it could be helpful.

"Here." A man with the green uniform handed Amado a clipboard. Estella stared intently at Miguel and Amado waiting for them to say something.

"Fuck." Amado muttered reading what the clipboard said.

"What's wrong?" Miguel asked looking at Amado. Estella waited patiently for a reply feeling nervous about what he read on the clipboard.

"We're going to Nicaragua, bro." Amado responded walking off. Miguel placed his hands on his hips as Estella's face dropped.

"Nicaragua? Why?" She questioned stepping closer to Miguel.

"Well you'll have to see." Miguel chuckled walking away to Amado. Estella stood there startled on the announcement they were going to Nicaragua on such a short notice. She placed the strand of her hair behind her ear staring off into the distance the thought of running away but quickly dismissed it. She couldn't run anymore no matter the temptation and knew that she had to listen and understand the way things ran around here.

After a few more minutes she was ordered back onto the plane. She saw how all of the cargo had been moved on to the plane and that the American man had to sit in the back next to her. The plane ride was nothing different than the last one only that Miguel seemed to check on her more often for whatever reason. Estella was anxious and only thought about her family doubting they even missed her. Every now and then the American man would try and joke with Estella in awful Spanish but she didn't seem to care to react. He reminded her too much of Jackson and that was one thing she didn't like.

"There it is, man." Amado declared, Estella lifted her head to see the runway and recognized it had gotten dark outside. However, she was not tired and a bit curious on what they were going to do. "Hang on. It looks rough." Amado continued fixing whatever he needed to do to properly land the plane.

The plane landed safely even though the runway was a little rough. Estella glanced over at the American who was doing whatever he needed to do.

"We deliver the cargo, make the call, and leave. And you are to stay next to me. Okay?" Miguel instructed Estella who nodded her head. She turned away and rolled her eyes hating being treated like a child. But on a good note, she had figured out they were only delivering cargo and nothing else dangerous or worse like she had thought.

"Yeah watch her don't want her trying to run again for the third time." Amado teased taking off the headset that was on his head he then turned back to Miguel and sighed. Estella listened in knowing that he was going to talk about something more serious now.

"I know that Rafa's your friend and all that shit, but...this is pretty fucked up." Amado explained. Estella was all ears but didn't seem to understand what he meant and brushed it off hoping to be able to connect the pieces to understand exactly what was happening later on. Miguel turned around ignoring Amado and instantly his face changed.

"What the fuck? That son of a bitch. Where did he go Estella?!" Miguel snapped jumping to the back where Estella had sat. She turned around seeing that the American guy had left leaving the back of the plane wide open. She had been too busy sticking her nose in the conversation that she hadn't noticed he got off the plane.

"I don't know. I wasn't paying attention." She replied hoping he wouldn't be too angry. To be completely honest it wasn't her responsibility to look after some random man.

"Let's go. Stay behind us." Miguel and Amado took out their guns and began to walk out of the plane. Estella felt afraid not ever being in such a risky situation. Guns were not something she liked to see, but she felt protected by Miguel and Amado and that's what relaxed her a bit.

"Where the fuck did this fucker go?" Miguel jumped off the plane along with Amado and looked around the dark area. Estella carefully jumped out as well and stayed close to the other two knowing they were her only defense.

"Buenas noches!" Miguel yelled waiting for some people to come out. Estella's anxiety was worse than ever not knowing what to expect. A few seconds later a group of men in uniforms