Back at Maria's apartment, eleven in the morning...
Maria was having coffee and cookies in her living room when she decided to turn on the television to watch some movie. She scrolled through some channels until she came across a LIVE news broadcasting channel talking about a fire consuming a mansion.
Maria didn't think much about and scrolled past it but then again curiosity got the best of her and she channeled back to the tv station. She closely listened to the news and watched the footage shown by the police helicopter from above while enjoying her breakfast but then something catches her attention.
'the wall? Are those-' her thoughts paused and she physically increased the volume. Maria got a little closer to the television and recognized the environment. Her heart sank in her stomach when she recognizes Rex's massive mansion gates. Before she can have time to react to the loss her hone rang.
"Hello?." She places the phone in her ear.
"Maria, are you seeing the news?" Jerry asked tensely.
"I just saw it, but how is this possible?" She ask in despair.
"I don't know but I'm not taking any chances." He tells her.
"Get ready then, I'm coming." She tells him.
"I'll be waiting." Jerry says and hung up.
Maria ran her hands through her dark hair getting intensely worried, and when she just answered one call another came but it was Gerald asking if she was okay.
"Gerald where are you?" She asked nervously over the phone.
"I'm outside your apartment, is everything okay? Maria, you sound nervous." He asked getting worried.
"No, its not. Wait for me, there is somewhere we need to go." She told him and hung the call.
Maria didn't wait long to get dressed, she changed into a turtle neck pink top and stretchy dark-blue jeans and wore a thick black coat above it to keep the cold away. She went to her closet to put on the warmest boots she owned and climbed down the stairs.
Maria turned off all her her electronics and setup the security system before leaving. She carried only her phone and house keys then came through the garage to meet Gerald. Maria didn't smile back when he did but she showed her gratitude for him waiting.
"Maria, what's wrong?" He asked worriedly.
"There is no time to explain, we need to move now." She said in a hurry and moves to get inside his car but he stops her.
"Tell me Mia, I know you have been keeping a lot from me but this once, just tell me what the matter is?" He asked and Maria sighs.
"It's my brother... and Cherry..." She spoke slowly and looked away, her voice nearly breaking.
"Why are you sad? Do you think anything happened to them?" He asked concerned.
"I hope not Gerald because I can't lose them..." She sobbed and he engulf her in a comforting hug.
Maria stayed in his arms only for some seconds and removes herself from him.
"We need to get going now." She tells him and head to his car.
"Yes! Of course." He helps her in and also got in then drove to the hospital Maria told him about.
>>>
At St.Angelo hospital...
Maria and Gerald walked into the hospital without anyone stopping them and they enter Jerry's office where he was talking to some of the paramedics.
"Jerry, are your teams ready to move?" Maria asked immediately without an introduction.
"Yes, we were just rounding up what is needed to be done for the extraction." He gets up from his table and clapped his hands. "You guys know what to do right? Get two ambulances and some backup in case we have more causalities."
"Yes sir." The head of the paramedic team responds and leaves with his team to prepare for the important assignment.
"We can't wait anymore, we need to get to the mansion now." She tells Jerry once they have left the office.
"We are leaving now but- who's he?" Jerry cocks his head to the side while staring questioning at Gerald.
"Gerald, Gerald Schwarzenegger." Gerald introduces himself and stretches his hand for a handshake.
Jerry measures Gerald with his eyes before awkwardly shaking him with distrusting eyes.
"Jerry Saint." Jerry responds rather cold.
"Now you both have met can we get going to the mansion?" Maria asked eagerly.
"Why are we going to a mansion?" Gerald asked.
"So, he doesn't know-" Jerry asked but he seemed to be acting pompous to provoke Gerald or make known his territory.
"No, he doesn't." Maria answered but didn't notice the oddness in Jerry while he talked with Gerald.
"Oh, really-"
"Is there something I should have known?-" Gerald awkwardly ask because of Jerry's weird attitude.
"Come on, I will explain everything in the car, let's just go." She takes Gerald's hand and stomps out of Jerry's office to reach the private area where the ambulance was waiting.
...
A few moments later, at the private area...
Maria, Jerry and Gerald were waiting for the second team to group with them so they can all go to the mansion together, and when they showed up Maria allowed Jerry to talk to them about the mission. After they were done he suggest Maria leads the way.
"Maria, you know the way, why don't you lead us." He tells her.
"Well- urm- I'll just drive with Gerald then, so you guys can follow from behind." Maria tells him unaware he wanted her to come with him.
Jerry felt annoyed she didn't understand what he meant and chose to ride with Gerald instead of him but he had to remember his duty and the reason they are all going on this mission in the first place.
"Alright! If you say so." Jerry says but gave Gerald a menacing glare when Maria wasn't looking. Gerald on the other hand was a little confused with Jerry's behavior since this day was the first time either of them met.
"I will go get my car." Gerald announces to them and leaves. When Gerald was gone Jerry takes Maria to the side, away from the others.
"Maria- can you trust that guy?" He asked her.
Maria looked at him like he lost his senses. She was trying to keep her mind in one piece but Jerry's question almost threw her off guard.
"Jerry, we are in the middle of something and yes, I trust him." She answered.
"Are you sure? He doesn't look like someone to trust."
"Jerry, I really appreciate your concern but can we talk about this when Rex and Cherry's lives are not in danger? I might appear to be composed but I am dying inside. I am scared something horrible already happened to them." Maria expressed her worry and Jerry decided not to make her more uncomfortable.
"Don't worry, I know Mr Angelo. Nothing bad can happen to that man and he will definitely not allow anything bad happened to Cherry and their baby." He assures Maria and tries to hug her but Gerald also came and they had to split.
Gerald came out of his car and comes to announce to them he was ready. He could not help but notice how odd Maria was acting, even Jerry seemed lost kind of.
"I'm here!." He announced again in case someone forgot.
"Oh- great! Let's get going." Jerry says and they all went to their vehicles, with Gerald's own leading.
During the ride Gerald could not help but occasionally glance at the rear view mirror, then at Maria. She didn't notice this action of his but when she did she confronts him.
"Why do you keep staring at me and the ambulance like you have something you're hiding?" She confronts him and he huff.
"I am not hiding anything." He says boldly.
"Then why stare?" She asked.
"I was only curious." He confessed.
"About what?"
"The doctor... he doesn't seem to joke with his job."
"Yes he doesn't, saving people is his responsibility. I hope you know that." She took a quick glance at Gerald then focused on the road.
"I also noticed how protective he is with you, he's such a good brother." He comments and Maria chuckles.
"He's not my brother and I don't see him that way."
"How else do you see him then?" Gerald asked curiously.
"Take the left." She tells him. "Why are you asking me this questions?"
"I don't know, I'm just a curious person."
"Then I think you should hold on to your curiosity and let's focus on rescuing Cherry and Rex alive, I just hope they are both okay." She said and look out the window.
..
The mansion gates...
Maria and her team reached the mansion but there were a lot of police vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks. Maria told Gerald to park somewhere close and she got out to meet the police who warned her not to come closer because the scene has been taped.
"My name is Maria Santos and I am Rex Angelo's sister, and these people behind me are from St, Angelo's hospital if you know that."
"Yes miss but this place is still closed because we are trying to control the fire burning the mansion." The officer explains.
"How long has this been going?" Maria asked him.
"More than an hour now but please don't step in, it's for your own safety."
"At least allow the paramedic do their jobs..." She objects.
"We are here only to take Mr Angelo and Miss Cherry Gilles, the other paramedics can handle the other injured." Jerry explains to him.
The officer looks at them but lets them in after second thoughts.