The

 Vice

President

 DIRECTIVE 

 17

The Origins

Carolinadeivid

Copyright © 2018 Carolinadeivid

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-3-748506-87-4  

Touchladybirdlucky Studios [9781916439771]

A David Gomadza Production.

Carolinadeivid have asserted their rights under Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the authors of this work.

DEDICATION

“Today's leaders have backtracked taking us back to the medieval times. The whole system has gone bonkers relying on digital-man-made-agents to function properly. We still spend $trillions globally making weapons. Sometimes war is the answer. A new beginning. Destruction of the things we don't need; weapons. Ladies and gentlemen above all, this gives me the President the chance to play God and eliminate all evil once and for all. Uphold the rule of the law. Surely you don’t want to be on my To-do-list or you will feel the full force of Directive 17.” 

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A big thanks to Touchladybirdlucky Studios and best wishes to the Carolinadeivid Brand.

CHAPTER ONE

One bright afternoon a door of one of the mansions suddenly opened and a tall beautiful lady walked out toward a car parked outside a huge mansion. She stopped outside the mansion next to the car. She instantly opened the car door and stopped and looked at the top bedroom window. Instantly a man flipped open the curtain and looked on talking on the phone.

“I love you.” 

“I know darling.” 

The woman entered the car leaving the door open.

“I have to go darling see you later.” 

“Karolina. I love you very much. I just don’t know what I would do without you my love.” 

“I know darling see you soon...” 

“I know that’s all you have to say?” 

“What do you want me to say?” 

“How about I love you too?” 

“Words can’t come easy to some of us. It’s obvious I love you too darling.” 

“I know but it’s nice to hear the words from you.” 

“Can we talk when I get back?” 

“Sure. I am just saying that one day you will come back and find me gone.” 

The woman stopped and threw a quick glance at the bedroom window.

“Where would you go?” 

“I just can’t understand that if I love you this much why you don’t show me the same love.” 

“I have to go. Can we talk when I get back. I understand what you are saying darling. I just have been busy of late.” 

The man lowered down the hand holding the cellphone and looked through the window.

A huge white Volvo executive class car pulled out of the drive way and into the road and silently disappeared up the highway. The woman looked in the rear-view mirror before the ringing of the car phone startled her.

“Yes. Karo speaking. How can I help you?” 

After a while the car turned into a side road before pulling up on the roadside outside a house. She wore her sunglasses and stood just by her car. Momentarily another elegant woman smartly dressed came out of the house.

“Right on time!” she shouted. 

“Big day we can’t afford to fuck up. Everything should be as smooth as planned.” 

“Nothing to worry about it should be okay. Karo.” 

Soon afterward the two women’s car headed out of the suburbs.

“What’s that teenager-smile on your face?” 

Karolina smiled even further and threw a quick glance at Californika.

“Jonathan?” 

“I don’t know why he is acting like a teenager in love.” 

“What happened?” 

“He has been very emotional lately.” 

There was a moment of silence. All they could hear in the background was the song; Seductive Handsome Man by Carolinadeivid.

It began on a lovely Saturday evening.

He was handsome and the most Seductive Man that night.

He was my lover to be, I knew it then and there. My Seductive handsome man. My Man.

…...That’s how it happened:

Oh yeah! Oh yeah!

I ogled a Seductive Man.

“Feeling insecure?” 

“I don’t think so. I think he is feeling unloved lately. Honestly, I can’t blame him. I have been very busy lately. I am pushing very hard to make everything go according to plan. It’s not easy you know.” 

“Maybe he needs some TLC’s.” 

“He is saying that I am taking him for granted and that one day he might leave me.” 

Californika looked at Karolina briefly before looking outside the window.

“Leaving you? I thought you had something going on between you.” 

“He doesn’t feel my love nowadays, and he thinks that I am lucky to have him. Just this morning he said that I am taking him for granted.” 

“Do men really show that kind of love? Mine can’t be asked every time I raise the subject. He is like, off course I love you that’s why I am still with you.” 

“I must confess Jonathan has been showing some real love toward me it’s only that I was too busy to take notice.” 

The background song can be heard as silence broke out.

Last summer I kissed a seductive man

Still, he is in my thoughts......... 

The car approached the city. A few minutes later it stopped outside one of the main buildings in the city. The women got out and entered the building. A lot of people were in the reception talking.

“Excited?” 

“Not really. Could have been better if we owned this.” 

“You are never satisfied. Are you?” 

“It’s not that. If this new shop was mine, then I would be very happy.” 

“We are getting paid that’s what matters to me.” 

“I am just saying that maybe it’s time we go it alone.” 

Californika stopped and looked at Karolina.

“It’s not easy you know. Do you know how many have failed? How many have blown away all their life-savings with no returns at all?” 

“I am not all those people. I might strike it big.” 

“Or regret it. I think it is still early to start thinking about all that. You will need a strong partner. Someone who understand and knows about these things.” 

“I am looking at one right now.” 

Californika walked away for a while. She stopped and looked at Karolina. She smiled for a while.

“That’s flattering but you know Tom is after a vacation house in Spain. This business thing is out of the question.” 

Instantly the lift doors suddenly opened. A man smartly dressed up in a white suit and a blue tie came out. He smiled before rubbing his hands together.

“Can I have your attention! This is the time you have been waiting for! Are you all excited?” 

The people replied but not loud enough.

“Are you hungry or what?” he asked. 

A huge buzz sound filled the reception.

“Follow me if you can please!”  

The crowd followed him. In the building and across the reception on the other side were two big doors. A ribbon was across the doors. Karolina felt confident inside but looked a bit nervous. As soon as the regional director appeared out of the lifts, she hurried toward the door.

“Ladies and gentlemen. The regional director Mr. Karl and the head of this store Mrs. Karolina!” 

A huge applause and jubilation filled the hall.

Months later.

An executive Mercedes Benz rolled out of the mansion's yard and slowly into the road. Karolina looked nervous as she looked everywhere first. The look on her face said it all. Fear. Yes, fear of some kind. The car turned into the main road and disappeared around a corner. She looked in the rear-view mirror and everywhere. She looked at the passenger seat and pulled her bag close to herself quickly looking ahead in the road. She opened the bag while focusing ahead and quickly took out a gun. She stared at the gun for a split second. She placed the gun on the passenger seat. The screeching of the car tires sends her panicking. She looked in the rear-view mirror before she sped off. The chase. She looked at the car behind her. She cursed. Fear and panic sat in. She then abruptly pressed on the brakes and stopped the car beside the road. She grabbed her gun and pushed the door open. Breathing heavily, she stared at the car coming her way. The car driver instantly harsh brakes skidding before coming to a halt just before hers. Inside was an unrecognizable Jonathan. He looked worried and heartbroken of some sort. Karolina didn’t even notice how he got out of his car so fast. She only saw him coming toward her, fast with a face casting a lot of emotional pain and confusion.

“Stop there Jonathan! I have a gun!” 

Jonathan walked fast toward her as if he didn’t hear a word she said.

“Jonathan! Stop there! I have a gun.” 

She raised the gun and aimed at Jonathan.

“That’s right! It’s loaded,” she cocked up the gun. 

That made Jonathan instantly stop for a while.

“What? Shoot me for what? I love you Karolina.” 

“No, you don’t. We talked about this remember.” 

“I love you Karolina.” 

“Jonathan don’t upset me. Don’t start. You don’t walk away from the people you love. Okay?” 

Jonathan looked down for a split second. He touched his heart and stretched his hand.

“Come my darling. You know I used to love you.” 

“Exactly! Used to. I moved on you do the same. Okay?” 

“I mean I love you.” 

“Do you really Jonathan? Search your heart do you have love for me? Do you Jonathan!” 

She shouted leaning toward Jonathan.

He murmured something with a troubled face and looked at Karolina.

“I loved you with all my heart. I just don’t know why I can’t feel the love I had for you.” 

“You are heartbroken. Your heart has no love whatsoever for me. I might start to believe that you never loved me. If you loved me, you could not have walked away from me.” 

“I honestly don’t know what happened.” 

“I know! Let me help you explain. You lost your love for me. It happens Jonathan no big deal but don’t come and rub it on my face. I have moved on. Move on with your life.” 

“Karolina! I love you. I mean I loved you.” 

“Oh my God! I know you told me so many times. Move on. For the good times we had please move on. You lost your love for me a long time ago. Even then when we were together. Remember threatening to walk away? Exactly what you ended up doing. No big deal. I only get upset that even now you admit you don’t have love for me yet you keep on nagging me. What do you want from me Jonathan?” 

Jonathan looked at Karolina and sauntered toward her. She lowered the gun and dropped it to the ground and started sobbing.

“Oh, Jonathan what is going on with you? You are confusing me now. What do you want?” 

Jonathan silently hugged Karolina, and the two stood there for a while before getting into Karolina’s car. The cars parked there for some time before Jonathan jumped into his car and sped off.

Months later one sunny beautiful day a lot of people had gathered outside a huge store in the city. A large crowd had gathered outside to witness the opening of a new shop. The usher appeared as the door opened. He walked toward Karolina and poured some champagne. She took the glass and smiled before looking at the people in the crowd. She raised the glass and smiled further. Californika and Tom appeared from one corner.

“Congratulations Karo you made it. I am proud of you. I never thought you can do this on your own?” 

“Thanks Cali. If it wasn’t for you and my new man, there...” She looked on the other side and raised the champagne glass. 

“I probably could not have made it.” 

“A lot of effort and money had gone into this project.” 

“Imagine how things turned out in the end. The separation was somehow a blessing. I ended up with a new store of my own. If I was still with Jonathan, I might not be standing here today celebrating with you my friend.” 

“So how is he any news?” 

“Last time I saw him he was heartbroken, confused and suicidal. Even now I can’t understand it. You don’t walk away from love and become heartbroken yourself.” 

They all laughed.

“Are you sure he was not taking any drugs? That’s not human behavior. What did he say about all this?” 

“Stolen heart. Someone stole his love. Speaking of which....” 

She looked in the other direction and saw Nick coming toward her. A handsome strong man with short yet volumized hair, dimples, a million-dollar smile and oozing charm.

“Yeah, I can see why after dumping you Jonathan now feels that someone stole his love. Where did you find this guy?” 

“Jonathan is very funny. He said that someone literally stole his love for Karolina.” 

Quipped Californika looking at her partner before all eyes were on Nick.

“Ooh my darling. You look fabulous. I am lucky to have you. What did I do to deserve such a beautiful and successful lady, my true love?” 

Californika and Tom looked at each other and nodded in admiration.

“I am proud of you darling. Not many would go through what you went through. I admire that in you. In fact, that’s one of the hundred reasons why my knees melt at the thought of you. Cali and my best friend-to-be Tom. I am a one lucky guy because of this beautiful woman here.” 

He opened his arms and hugged Karolina before the couple started kissing.

Instantly everyone started clapping hands and applauding. He took center stage soon afterward.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have been to many places and met new people. All kinds of people but I have never met such a loving and ambitious lady like my lady, Karo. That first day I met her, I knew it straight away that we will be a successful couple one day and today is just the beginning. Ladies and gentlemen. Ms. Karolina. The owner of this new shop. Best wishes to us too.” 

He started clapping hands and the whole crowd joined in. One strong breath and the stage was hers.

“It took a lot to be here today ladies and gentlemen, but I tell you this, it was worth it. How funny life can be. I lost my love but got an even better man in Nick. A man who shares the same dreams as me. A visionary and successful businessman. My business partner and my love....” 

“He stole my love! He is nothing but a thief. A love-thief if you ask me. A heart-thief. That’s my love.” shouted Jonathan within the crowd pointing at Nick first and then at Karolina. Some people in the crowd started laughing, but the others looked at Jonathan surprised. 

“Yes, you heard me. He is nothing but a love-thief. He stole my love, my Karolina from me.” 

He looked down as if to cry.

“What are you doing here? You are not invited Jonathan.” 

Shouted Californika.

Jonathan staggered ahead as the crowd opened the way for him.

“Oh no! You are drunk again! You heard Cali, you were not invited nor are you welcome Jonathan.” 

He stopped and looked at Karolina.

“You can’t say that. I.I. I. used to love you. I mean I love you.” 

He stopped and wore a frowned face.

“I just can’t understand why I don’t feel all that love I had for you.” 

He raised his face and looked at Nick.

“Don’t look at me mate. I can’t help on that. You can’t walk away from love and expect to walk back in and find everything the way things were. She is mine now. My love now. Okay?” 

Jonathan kept silent. He threw a quick glance at Nick before walking toward Karolina. Nick looked at Karolina with talking eyes. She raised her arm at the bodyguards who were now walking toward Jonathan. Tyler kept walking toward Jonathan.

“It’s okay.” shouted Karolina at one of the bodyguards. 

Tyler a heavily built man stopped briefly and pointed at his waist belt before signaling to Dylan. Karolina squinted her eyes before looking at Jonathan.

“Let me talk to him.” she shouted. 

“Sorry I can’t take chances, madam. I got to take him down.” 

“No! He will never hurt even a fly.” 

Tom whispered something into Cali’s ear.

“He has a gun!” shouted Cali hiding behind Tom. 

Jonathan got startled by the noise and shouting. It seemed he had been in a trance of some sort as he appeared disoriented.

“What?” 

He shouted.

“Lie down on the ground now!” shouted Tyler. 

Jonathan threw a quick glance at Nick. He pulled his gun from the trouser belt before aiming it at him.

“He is nothing but a love-thief.” 

He looked at Karolina.

“He stole my love. I don’t know how.” 

“I know. Jonathan put the gun down. I will tell you” 

She paused.

“You walked away from me even before I met him. He is a very good man. It happens! Sometimes you just stop loving someone. Nick has nothing to do with your heartbreak. Our love died. Okay.” 

Jonathan looked down and then at Nick.

“I am telling you. He stole my heart. He stole my love for you.” 

“Listen to yourself. How on earth can I steal your love you, pathetic loser? You forgot already? You walked away from her even before I met her. She is mine now. Get used to it.” 

“Shut up! You think I don’t know? She is mine. That’s my love.” 

“Used to be your love. Okay! But like I said, she is mine now. Correct me if I am wrong. You walked away from her it’s not the other way around. Get it?” 

“I said shut up! I love her!” 

Nick smiled and walked toward Jonathan.

“Don’t come near me or else I will shoot you.” 

“I am not afraid. Don’t make me laugh. Do you love Karolina?” 

“I love her.” 

Whispered Jonathan looking down.

“That’s not the reply of a man in love. I ask you again. Do you love her? Do you love Karolina?” 

There was a moment of hesitation. Everyone looked at him. Lost in thoughts. He touched his heart and looked at Karolina. He looked agonized.

“I can’t feel the love I had for you my love.” 

“Oh no! She is my love now.” shouted Nick. 

Jonathan raised his gun up which he had just lowered and aimed at Nick.

“I swear I am going to shoot you if you don’t shut up!” shouted Jonathan. 

“Jonathan put the gun down! We can talk about this.” 

“He is a dangerous lunatic. What are the bodyguards looking at? Shoot him before he kills someone.” shouted Cali. 

“Don’t say that Cali,” advised Tom. 

“This new boyfriend of yours does not love you.” 

“What? And you do?” 

“Shut Up! You think I don’t know what is going on here. You can fool everyone but not me. I know who sent you.” 

Karolina as soon as she heard that she covered her face.

“Listen Jonathan! You have suffered a heartbreak. You will be okay. Put the gun down. You need help.” 

“I don’t need help. I want my love back. I love you. He can never love you the way I loved you.” 

“Yeah right in the past. This is now.” 

Jonathan ignored Nick and looked at Karolina.

“I have love for you. I loved you. Somehow, they stole my love. I can’t feel my love for you.” 

“It happens love dies you know. Put the gun down we can go and talk okay.” 

“Listen to me!” shouted Nick. 

“You are crossing the line now. Move on. She is mine. Wake up. This is the reality. You alone. Me with her.” 

“You, heart-thief. Maybe I shoot you. I know you stole my love.” 

Nick for the first time looked agitated and instantly pulled a gun sending the crowd screaming.

“Stay away from my woman before I put you out of your misery.” 

“I am not afraid.” 

“You think I am bluffing.”

The bodyguards instantly pulled out their guns too and aimed at Jonathan. Karolina screamed. She ran toward Jonathan.

“Don’t shoot. He is heartbroken. That’s all. He will be okay. He is not dangerous. Don’t shoot!” 

“Stay away from my woman or I will shoot you.” shouted Nick walking toward Jonathan at the same time gesturing to the body guards to stand down for a while. 

“You walked away! Walk away now! You need help not my love Karolina.” 

“She is mine. I still love her!” 

“What? Do you still love her? Look in my face. Do you still love her?” 

shouted Nick approaching even closer with a raised gun. Jonathan looked down and then at Karolina before touching his heart.

“Yes! So! Do you still love her? Answer me damn it!” 

“I loved her?” 

“I didn’t hear you. I ask you again. Do... you... still... love... her?” 

“No Nick don’t shoot him!” shouted Karolina. Nick looked agitated and the anger patterns were evident in his voice. Jonathan knew that the man was now angry. 

“You never understood her. You loved her I understand that. But I know also that that was in the past. You touch her, and I swear I will kill you. You had years with her. But like I said all in the past. Move on or I will kill you myself.” 

“I know the love you have is mine. My love which you stole from me?” 

“Do you even know what you are talking about?” 

“Don’t be a smart ass with me. You can never have what we had.” 

Jonathan lowered his gun and looked at Karolina.

“Let’s get back together again? What we had was real. Real love.” 

“That love also died last time I checked. You don’t remember walking away? Did you suffer an amnesia or what?” shouted Cali. 

“You stay out of this.” 

“Leave her alone. She moved on, you are a pathetic lunatic. You think you can walk out of someone and come back and expect everything to be okay? Are you crazy?” 

“Karolina. I had love for you. Even though I can’t feel anything right now, I know in my heart that I love you. I have always loved you and I will love you forever.” 

Californika laughed.

“Love her with what? Your heart is literally broken. You can never love again. You said it yourself.” 

“Who asked for your opinion?” 

Jonathan touched Karolina’s hand.

“Be careful or you will find yourself on the ground with a bullet hole in your forehead. Okay.” 

“My love I am going to show you that somehow the love he has for you is mine.” 

“What? Talk some sense Jonathan.” 

“Just know that I love you.” 

“Loved you. In the past. You lunatic,” shouted Cali. 

“I am tired of your stupid games. I will count to ten. Leave my girlfriend alone. Okay. She is with child.” 

Weeks later.

Jonathan entered the house he used to share with Karolina. He paced left and right before drawing a gun to his head.

“Why was he so sure that I don’t love her?” 

He whispered to himself.

“Maybe I am losing it. If they met after I walked away surely, he has nothing to do with this. Maybe I just shoot myself.” 

He slumped on the couch and cried for a while. He walked to the liquor cabinet and took out the whiskey. He poured some in a glass and downed a half-glass before putting on a squinted bitter face.

Nick arrived home from work and found Karolina slumped on the couch relaxing watching the television. He sat next to her before hugging her and kissing her all over. Nick was a very handsome man and less affectionate than Jonathan but a real man. He was not needy unlike Jonathan. Karolina was a very busy woman and any extra attention would have put a lot of strain on the relationship. Nick understood that, and that made their relationship unbreakable. Apart from having his own business and investments the couple were expecting a baby. Nick saw this as something to strengthen their relationship. They talked for a while before Nick started dosing off. Having slept for most of the day Karolina wasn’t feeling sleepy at all. She enjoyed watching the television before the couple went to sleep and tonight was no different. A shadow of a man crossed past the window and she knew exactly who that was. Jonathan. What was he after this time? Surely now there was a real danger her being pregnant. Nick was not the kind of man who will let anyone mess up with his pregnant girlfriend. She quickly reached for the phone handset but then again thought for a while. She knew she had to tell Jonathan in a language he understands to stay away before things went out of control. Her heart started beating up. She looked at Nick. He was sleeping peacefully. She saw that shadow again before she heard a faint knock at the window. That’s startled her even more.

“What the fuck does he think he is doing?” she thought out loud. She looked around. She knew where Nick kept his pistol. She also knew how Jonathan loved her. She cursed and swiftly got up and stealthily walked to the window and flipped the curtain. She was right. It was Jonathan standing outside the window. The sight of him gave her a turning stomach so bad that she felt sick. She thought out loud; was he out of his mind? Nick was determined to kill him if he is to find out that he was outside. She opened the door and walked outside to meet Jonathan. 

“Are fucking crazy? What are you doing here? He will kill you if he sees you here. Do you want me to call the police or what? I told you never to come back here. Jonathan. What is going on?” she whispered. 

Jonathan was very happy to see Karolina come outside. That brought some memories of the time they had together. The peak of their love. Karolina felt a warm nice feeling running down her spine. For a while she got lost as well. She felt Jonathan’s love for her the days they were together. That was such a romantic time. Instantly without thought Jonathan carried Karolina into the air and swung around carrying her.

“Put me down. What are you doing? Jonathan. Put me down.” She struggled at first before she started laughing secretly hanging onto him. She remembered the best times they had. She enjoyed that here and there especially now. Something Nick would never do. He was a gentleman not some crazy-in-love lunatic like Jonathan. She looked at Jonathan’s face. For the first time in a long time his face shone with much happiness. She also remembered how excited his face became every time he talked about having kids with her. She also remembered how she has done everything to stop having a family early. She wanted to enjoy a kid-free-life. Nick was just lucky. He came at the right time and took the opportunity. 

“I have some good news.” 

“What good news Jonathan?” 

He looked at her while still lifting her up. She could still see the glittering in his eyes. The excitement and joy expressed on his face. She felt like she had just told him that she was pregnant. Somehow the pair found kissing and snogging each other.

“No! We can’t do this. Put me down now before Nick comes out and shoot you. 

“We can be together again.” 

She looked shocked and surprised at the same time. She wore a disbelieving face and looked at him.

“What? Are you fucking crazy? Where will Nick be? There can never be us again. The baby is not yours.” 

“I know I will look after you and our baby.” 

She could see the excitement in Jonathan’s eyes. She remembered the best times they had. This is the man she fell in love with. Jonathan was very passionate and very crazy-in-love. She knew and remembered so many times he had lifted her up high in the air. It was romantic and very wonderful. She got lost in the heat of things too. Soon after the couple found snogging each other.

“I will look after you and our baby. I found a way, so we can be together again.” 

“What are you talking about there can never be you and me again? I am with Nick now. Okay?” 

“You once loved me. We can be together again Karo my love.” 

“Jonathan. I am with Nick.” 

“Nick! Nick? You mean that heart-thief.” 

Karolina wriggled holding and pushing away Jonathan’s shoulders.

“I said put me down.” 

“Okay. Okay. I will put you down gently, there you go.” 

“We can be together again Karo my love.” 

Jonathan smiled. He held Karolina passionately and tried to kiss her.

“Why are you acting like a crazy fool?” 

Jonathan stood there for a while. He looked troubled and afraid for a minute or two. He walked very close to Karolina who was walking away back to the house. He leaped forward holding her before she turns around.

“Listen to me Karo my love. Stay away from Nick. I don’t know yet what he wants from you but whatever it is it’s not good. I am sure he stole my love for you. Until I figure out what is going on can you please stay away from him. Promise me Karo.” 

He held Karolina’s shoulder and looked at her straight into her shining blue eyes. Instantly the noise of the door opening sends both into a frightened state. A strong trembling voice cut through the otherwise silent night.

“Stay away from my love before I blow your brains out.” 

Karolina leaped in front of Jonathan.

“Nick don’t shoot him! He came to tell me that he is going away. Okay, Jonathan?” 

She turned and looked at Jonathan.

Jonathan looked upset and annoyed. He just looked at Karolina with a face that seemed to ask, what?

“I am not going anywhere. He is.” 

He looked at Nick with piercing eyes.

“What? And where am I going?” asked Nick a bit surprised and angry at the same time. 

“To hell where you belong. You son of a beast! We were happy before you came.” 

“Sorry the baby is mine. Start walking away right now.” 

“Or else what? You, heart-thief?” 

He pulled a gun too and aimed at Nick before a scream frightened both tearing the silent night. The barking of a dog introduced a break between the men’s conversation for a while. The two men stood face-to-face guns in the hands. Karolina hysterically tried to stop the two men shooting each other.

“We were happy before you came. I had love for Karo. Life was great. We were always happy. We had everything we needed.” 

Nick laughed sarcastically and that annoyed Jonathan who instantly reacted by stretching his arm and holding the gun firm.

“What’s funny? You think this is a joke? Maybe shoot you first.” 

“You just didn’t understand her. Even now you don’t know her that well.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“She never wanted all that. She wanted a man who really loves her. A man who can start a family with her. Not some crazy fool who don’t even love her.” 

Jonathan’s face creased with rage. He shook with anger as he pointed the gun at Nick. Karolina’s scream pierced the night. Across the road a light in one of the bedrooms came on diverting the focus and attention of the two men.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I loved her! You son of a beast!” 

“Exactly! Loved her! Not now!” 

“Shut up! I love her.” 

“What! Do you really love her? Did I hear you correctly? Did you just say you love her?” 

“That’s right! I love her?” 

“You are getting me worried and upset now because you are lying. We both know you have no love for her. Do you walk away from people you love?” 

“Shut up!” 

Jonathan lowered the gun down and looked at Karolina.

“I just don’t know what happened but whatever it is I bet you had everything to do with it.” 

“Please! She just chose a better man.” 

“Better man? You? Ha! You mean bloody heart-thief.” 

“If it wasn’t for Karo, I could have shot you. She is pregnant and stay away okay. Go now and stay away from my girlfriend.” 

Karolina walked toward Jonathan and held his arm pushing him away.

“Go. I am with Nick now. If you love me, you will respect my wishes.” 

“No! Stay away from him. I don’t know what he is after but whatever it is it is not good.” 

“We are expecting a baby now okay so go?” 

Jonathan stopped and looked at Karolina.

“He is not good for you. I just know it?” 

Nick started walking toward them.

“And you are good for her? How can you be? You left her alone crying herself to sleep? Tell me right now how you are better? Right now, you just said it yourself that you have no love for her. So how can you say that?” 

“You stole it.”  

Nick leaped forward and punched Jonathan so hard that he stumbled and fell backward. He got up and turned around and aimed the gun at Nick. Nick with an angry face looked at Jonathan with piercing eyes, unmoved nor afraid. Karolina screamed in desperation as soon as she heard a click made by the cocking up of the gun.

CHAPTER TWO

A loud scream woke up the neighbors. Instantly a dog barked hysterically miles away. Karolina sat on the bed frightened. Nick lifted his head and looked at his chest with an agonized face. He screamed in pain. He touched his heart and lifted his head again before slumping on the bed.

“Ah my chest. Oh my God!” 

Karolina sobbing looked at Nick for a split second before getting up and getting the phone.

“Come on pick up!” she whispered. 

The phone rung for a while before a voice answered on the other end.

“Come quickly,” 

The person on the other end didn’t say anything. As soon as he heard the stress patterns in Karolina’s voice, the doctor Dr. Hughes knew it straight away that it was an emergency call.

“The doctor is on the way. Hang in there, darling. Everything will be okay.” said Karolina beside Nick who was wriggling in pain on the bed. The look on his face said it all. He was in agony. He clutched his chest and looked at Karolina. Sweat droplets trickled down his face and neck before disappearing on the bed-sheets. His eyes instantly closed as he squinted in pain. Karolina simply watched not knowing what to do. Instantly Nick snapped open his eyes. He looked at Karolina before looking on his chest. The sound of a car engine outside caught Karolina’s attention. Instantly she got up and ran toward the door. Soon afterward Karolina and the doctor entered the bedroom. Nick had stopped moving. Sweat beads formed on his forehead before rolling down his face. He had an abnormal heart beat. The doctor looked at him and then at Karolina before kneeling next to him. He started checking his vitals. Karolina looked at him with asking eyes. He looked at her and nodded his head. The pair looked at Nick. He lay there without moving but his eyes were moving rapidly under the closed eyelids. His eyes were moving very quickly. His side temple veins had a high pressure that they could easily see the veins' movements as the blood thumbs past. The doctor looked at his chest. He was hyperventilating. His heart beat was beating very fast making his whole body, stomach and ribs to react to the vibrations. 

“Is he going to be alright?” 

The doctor continued checking Nick first.

“I guess so I have to stabilize him first,” replied the doctor. 

Nick’s eyes instantly stopped moving underneath the closed eyelids. The doctor looked at Karolina first before looking at Nick. He lowered his head to Nick’s chest level. He lifted his head and checked inside his bag. He touched Nick’s chest and instantly Nick breathed faintly before his eyes started moving again underneath the closed eyelids.

Later Nick lay peacefully on the bed. Karolina sat next to him on the bed. She looked at him.

“What’s happening darling?” 

She sobbed rubbing her stomach.

She looked at Nick and instantly tears rushed out from her eyes. Tear drops soaked the bed-sheets near him.

“I love you very much. I just don’t know what I will do if something bad happened to you.” 

She sobbed and took out her handkerchief and blew her nose. She lay on top of Nick’s half-naked body. She lifted her head and looked at him.

His eyes were still moving very fast underneath the closed eyelids. He seemed to have stabilized as he was breathing normal. She planted kisses on his forehead, the cheeks and lips. She lay her head on his raised hairy chest and she closed her eyes. She could hear his heart beat rate. She remembered the first days they met. It was magical. The more she thought about it the more the tears trickled down her cheeks onto his rigged chest.

In her subconscious mind she felt Nick’s chest movements and heartbeat instantly stop. She opened her eyes and lifted her head from Nick’s chest and looked at him. The eyes were moving very fast under the closed eyelids. He had somehow stopped breathing, or she thought. Instantly Nick’s eyelids snapped open. He looked at Karolina with wide-opened eyes, haunted and disoriented. He instantly lifted his head and with a creased agonized face he looked at his chest and touched it. He breathed heavily and loudly before slumping on the bed. He breathed out air and instantly looked calm as his eyes met Karolina’s. He smiled as he saw her gorgeous face. He lay calmly looking at her.

Karolina looked at him before quickly hugging him lying on top of him kissing him everywhere.

“I am glad you are okay darling.” 

She planted kisses on his lips when he tried to talk  she placed her index finger on his lips. She kissed him on his cheeks, neck and rigged chest passionately. She pulled her dress up and jumped on top of him sitting on his crotch.

“What happened!” 

He asked disoriented for a while. He touched his chest and looked at the inside of his hand.

“It’s going to be alright. The doctor said that you were probably having a nightmare. Everything is going to be alright.” 

She rubbed herself on his well-defined body kissing him everywhere passionately. She pulled her dress up to her head level and removed it.

“I love you.” 

She looked at him.

He still looked worried and disoriented.

“The doctor said that everything is going to be okay. Just a nightmare or something but nothing to worry about.” 

Nick scanned the whole bedroom and then looked at Karolina.

“Just a nightmare. I thought...” 

“Shh don’t talk darling.” 

Karolina unfastened her bra and took it off before rubbing her body onto Nick's.

Nick breathed heavily.

“Karo.” 

Karolina paused and got up and looked at him. That somehow sounded very strange. She hadn’t heard Nick call her by her first name for a very long time. It was always darling, sweetheart, honey, my-better-half, etc. She looked at him. She noticed something for the first time. His face was emotionless. He looked dull, unloving and frightened. After a quick thought she looked at him and kissed him.

“You are going to be alright darling. Okay. Nothing to worry about.” 

“I know Karo. Just a nightmare.” 

“I love you Nick. Very much. Even more than I did before. At one point I thought you suffered a heart attack or something. I was very scared. Never scared that way before. I thought I was going to lose you.” 

“I know,” replied Nick trying to get up while touching his heart area. 

“No. The doctor said you need to lie in bed for more time to gather back your strength.” 

“I need to get up I am feeling aches for lying down for too long.” 

Nick struggled to get up but eventually managed to sit down. He looked at Karolina for a while before planting a kiss on her forehead. He breathed heavily and staggered out of the bedroom. Karolina slumped on the bed half-naked. She lay there peacefully. She looked at the bedroom dressing table and all that she could hear was the ticking of the dressing table clock. She looked at the time and somehow found the clock very beautiful.

“Darling don’t forget today we are visiting my parents. I think it’s a great opportunity to get away from all this. Time to relax and wind down for a few days.” 

“Oh, it’s this week, yes?” 

“Yes darling.” 

“Karolina, I don’t think I want to travel...” 

“But we planned this a long time ago darling.” 

“I know Karo. I just think I am not ready to travel far away.” He paused and touched his chest and looked at Karolina. 

“Ooh I see. But darling there is nothing to be afraid of. It was just a horrible nightmare.” 

Nick walked in the bedroom before sitting on the bed.

“What if that happens again, away from home?” 

“Don’t let that stop you living your life.” 

“I know babe, but I am comfortable here at home. We can postpone and go later when I am feeling better.” 

“No, we have to go as planned darling.” 

“Maybe go on your own. It should be alright.” 

Karolina stopped and realized that maybe she was being selfish. She breathed heavily and sat on the corner of the bed.

“I thought ...” 

“I am just not feeling myself. Maybe go on your own. We can always go together in the future.” 

“No darling we have to go together. We need to deliver the great news together too.” 

Karolina touched her stomach and smiled before landing a smacker on Nick’s cheek.

A sport utility vehicle [SUV] left a mansion and turned into the main road before speeding away. Nick looked at his wife-to-be on the passenger seat. It was a very beautiful sunny day. It was hot. They both wore sunglasses. Karolina was wearing a thin lovely pink maternity dress. She looked fabulous even in the maternity dress. A small bulging stomach was protruding. Every time Nick looked at the pregnant stomach he smiled. Every time they looked at each other it was all smiles. Very romantic. Karolina’s face suddenly sunken. Nick looked at her and instantly looked ahead as he was driving. He put his hand on her lap and gently stroked her and smiled. He looked at the dashboard and played the Carolinadeivid song Seductive Beauty.

“You like this song very much. Very sweet and romantic. I remember the first days.” 

“That’s the reason I bought this album. Reminds me of the best days we had.” 

There was silence but only the background song Seductive Beauty.

“Just like in the song the first time I saw you I knew I had to make you mine. Somehow my wish fulfilled. Very romantic.” 

Nick smiled.

Karolina smiled too.

“I know. That first night, it was very nice.” 

“I remember whisking you away from all the others. Great dancer I must admit.” 

The couple listened to the song for a while.

“If it wasn’t for the dancing, we might not have clicked.” 

“I agree but I think it was just meant to be anyway.” 

“I am glad you said that.” 

“Don’t you still feel the same?” 

“I love you I am just saying...” 

She looked at Nick and sighed.

Nick sensed the tension and worries.

“You can tell me. What is it?” 

“I was afraid you no longer feel the same way.” 

“Don’t be silly how on earth can you even think like that? I love you and will always do. Are you confusing me with your crazy ex, Jonathan?” 

Karolina removed the sunglasses and looked at Nick.

“You know why I loved you at first sight?” 

“Go on.” 

“You were different. You were romantic and very passionate and considerate.” 

“Hang on, stop there. You are using past tense.” 

“You changed Nick. You have never called me by my first name before. What happened? What happened to; Darling? Sweetheart? Honey? Babes?” 

Nick as a reflex stepped on the gas and the SUV roared moving faster, all they could hear was the sound of the engine eating away the sound of the background song. He panted.

“I haven’t changed darling. That day changed everything. I thought I almost died. I was just worried that has nothing to do with my love for you. You know I love you and will always do.” 

Nick reached for Karolina’s hand and touched her passionately.

“I am glad to hear that. I was worried.” 

It was not long before the SUV turned into a narrow road that took them through the surrounding trees until they reached a beautiful house on its own surrounded by beautiful botanic gardens.

“It’s beautiful. Great atmosphere. A breath of fresh air and exciting scenery.” 

“Great place to wind down. You will love it. Come.” 

A limousine parked outside one of the buildings in the city center. The usher walked out swiftly from the building to the limousine and instantly opened the door. A man dressed-to-kill in an expensive suite got out of the limousine. The usher stopped and admired him for a while. The man stopped and straightened his suite jacket and tie and with his saliva moistened his smartly styled hair. He smelled, looked and walked a million dollars. He was the best there can be. Rich and flamboyant. He was no ordinary man. The usher got lost for a while admiring this man. He looked at his suit and then the shoes and thought. Probably the shoes alone were worth more than the usher was wearing and if not including himself. He thought briefly.

“Those must be expensive shoes,” he whispered. 

“Sorry this way,” he shouted. 

The man walked with style toward one of the buildings. A swift knock and the huge door opened.

“I was expecting you glad you finally came.” 

“It must be very important requesting my services at such a short notice,” 

“Please come in.” 

Brayden a very handsome and masculine man in his early thirties with short and sleek hair walked in and sat comfortably on the sofa in the office. He instantly lifted one of his legs onto the other and straightened his tie. He looked a million-dollars even Tyler knew Brayden was not cheap. Whatever it was it must be big to require Brayden services.

“Have you been addressed regarding this project?” 

“You can say that,” replied Brayden confidently. 

“Well then without wasting your time let’s get down to business. Shall we?” 

Tyler a man in his late forties struggled to open the safe and not because it was difficult. No. Brayden had put pressure on him for he wanted to feel important and special as well. He took his time trying to make his job feel important to Brayden. He finally opened the safe and took out a shoe box and placed it on the table. Inside was a rolled letter like item. A quick pull of the flaps of the ribbon and all were smiles. Tyler removed the item from the cloth slowly and carefully and gave it to Brayden. The item rolled open in Brayden’s hand.

“What is this?” asked Brayden. 

“The list Sir.” 

Brayden wore a troubled face.

“Why do I need a list for? They told me I am here to pick a file for one person.” 

Tyler did not reply but instead shrugged off his shoulders. Brayden looked at the list before his face creased with confusion. He walked out of the office building. He jumped back in the limousine before the limousine disappeared.

CHAPTER THREE

“I can’t believe you even said that?” 

There was silence in the room.

Oliver’s face blushed and creased with anger and rage. He appeared to be choking with rage as his eyes turned red.

“How can you say that? Did you see how they slaughtered innocent women and children.” 

There was a brief silence.

“I am just saying don’t be too quick to judge.” 

“Don’t make me angry. Don’t just say things for the sake of it. I know what I am talking about. They ripped open pregnant women and children. You heard the General, they have fallen below standards.” 

“The General has no tangible evidence to support his remarks. I am just saying it will be hard to prove.” 

“Hard to prove or not! This is below standards. I have watched them for the past seventeen years. It can never be lower than this. What are you waiting for? They were swift to attack for lesser crimes than this. I say we should reciprocate. Swift and ruthless and match their actions.” 

“Oliver! Listen! We need tangible evidence. We need to convince everyone or else tomorrow it will be our turn.” 

Oliver punched the table with the side of his hand very hard that papers flew in the air before landing on the office carpet.

“Don’t talk nonsense. They are just going to destroy all the evidence just like before. I say to hell with the evidence. We have seen a lot for the past seventeen years. Just look! All the data erased, just a few days ago. I say we contact the others and invade.” 

Bryson looked scared for a while. He had never seen Oliver that upset before. Surely something big was on the cards. It seemed the table had turned. The world before today had turned a blind-eye, but it seemed time was catching up with them. This was the worst for the past seventeen years. They had become so complacent and arrogant that things had fallen way below what was expected. Oliver had seen the attack. It was like yesterday. It was so vivid in his mind that at times he had panic attacks just thinking about this. Even though he was young when it happened. It was a day he will never forget. Even now, more often he would look inside the palm of his hands and can still see the blood. It was horrific, worse for a kid like him to see people being slaughtered that way. Even now it hasn’t sunk in. How all his small-town people ended up the sheep for the slaughter. He had no idea who the General was. He had no clue how his small-town people ended up dead because of the General’s crimes. He remembered all the people talk badly about this General. Honestly even they, they disliked this General. He was even mean to them. Stealing the little they had before killing the men in their town. It was like a double edged-sword piercing them when they got attacked because of this General. A person they despised. It was horrific. For Oliver it was the worst day in his life. He lost all his family. He remembered seeing people begging for mercy only for bullets to be lodged in their temples.

“I say we invade. An eye for an eye. Remember? We should revenge. This is the only way to heal the pain and anguish suffered those days.” 

“Oliver. I am with you. I know you are hurting but I think we need a diplomatic solution.” 

A big bang was instantly heard and papers on the table flew in the air in slow motion. Bryson looked at them before they landed on the ground. Oliver’s face bloated with rage. His once blue eyes had instantly turned to blood-red color.

“Diplomatic solution! Why they didn’t do the same! They were swift to invade and slaughter our people. I say we do the same. A cheek for a cheek. You must get out!” 

Bryson breathed heavily.

“We don’t want others to be in this situation. When will this stop? We invade with swiftness and tomorrow someone will raise your issues too. People will keep dying.” 

“I don’t care. What about the blood that was spilled? Who will quench the wailing souls? The spirits haven’t rested. There is restlessness. Too much evil still going on. We need a conclusion to all this and that can only be achieved if we match evil with evil.” 

“I understand. I feel your pain too.” 

“No! You don’t!!” 

Bryson kept quiet for a while whilst Oliver raged.

“Did you see innocent women and kids die?” 

Bryson did not answer. He could only look down.

“I saw women beg for their lives. I saw helpless kids being shot at point-blank. So, don’t tell me you feel my pain. Everyone knows they have fallen below standard. 

“I am doing my best.” 

“Your best? You think this is a joke. You should have listened to me. Invade! A test of their own medicine. We could be in a better position now. All your fault. Look seventeen years now and they have only become more devious and cleverer and manipulating. Just imagine the pain and suffering for the past seventeen years. Still no change. You should have listened. If you hadn’t stepped in today, things could be for the better. You cost us lives and precious time. There are some things not to negotiate and this is one of them. There is no room for negotiations. So, don’t waste more of our time and lives. You leave now. Escape as planned.” 

“But...” 

“Listen this is not negotiable. They will never change.” 

“Sir. With all due respect the main idea behind me negotiating was for us to gather enough evidence so we bring them to the international court.” 

“Seventeen years! What do you have?” 

Bryson stood up and walked toward the window.

“You are right there. Nothing, but I think we can still bring them to the court.” 

“You know that can be another ten years? Who has that time? You saw it yourself they erased the documents submitted just a few days ago.” 

Bryson breathed heavily before sitting down.

“You know I have a point. Time for negotiations is over. Send the word. Leave now. Once you are out, we will invade swiftly and ruthlessly. Like I have been saying evil can only breed evil.” 

“But I sent all the documents to the court can we at least wait for the court’s decision.” 

“You haven’t heard!” 

“Heard what?” asked Bryson. 

“Judge Kaden died of blood-sugar this morning?” 

Bryson sunk in his chair and looked at Oliver.

“Excuse me I have to make a phone call.” said Bryson getting up. 

Miles away a couple were watching the news.

Seth a man in his forties was in the lounge area with his girlfriend Jacqueline.

“Just in. Armed men have entered the bank in broad daylight and ordered everyone down before leaving with hundred thousands of dollars if not millions. Surprising no one called the authorities until after the robbers had long gone. The manager of the bank is under criticism today and many hope and wish that he should lose his job over the incident. The men are believed to have ordered everyone to cooperate at gunpoint. Even if this is the case it took minutes for those involved to have called the authorities. No one was shot. Often most expected someone to have called the authorities soon after. This is one of the strange occurrences that have hit the cities across the country. Susan reporting for Touchladybirdlucky Studios.” 

Jacqueline sat up straight and looked at Seth.

“Have I heard correctly? I find that very strange. How can the bank staff get robbed and no one alert the authorities soon after the robbers had left?” 

“Odd but there could be a lot of reasons to explain that?” 

“Seth! What reasons?” 

“I don’t know. Maybe they threatened them?” 

“But they said that they alerted the authorities long after the robbers had gone.” 

“I don’t know babe.” 

A knock at the door of the bank manager’s office startled Mr. Trenton the bank manager.

The door suddenly opened, and Mr. Trenton came face-to-face with Detective Braden. A young detective late twenties with well shaven face with dark long hair.

“Don’t worry it’s just me.” 

Mr. Trenton's face changed from a haunted face to a welcoming face.

“Come in Detective. What a relief. I have been through a lot. Just don’t think I can go through that again and survive. They nearly blasted me at point-blank.” 

The detective walked in and looked around. He looked at the bank manager and retrieved a small pager like device. He retracted a pen attached on the side and pointed at the screen.

“Don’t get me wrong. I understand what you have been through but....” 

He paused and sat down.

“Yes, go on Detective.” 

“All the people I asked said there was no struggle at all. Most didn’t panic as they might have had in other robbery situations. To put it in one of the witnesses’ words it was like a collection if you know what I mean rather than a bank robbery. What do you say to that?” 

Mr. Trenton’s face creased as his eyes squinted.

“What are you implying Detective?” 

“I am just saying there was no struggle at all. Lets’ see...” 

“Do you struggle with people holding guns Detective? They were armed. They said cooperate and live, struggle and die.” 

The detective coughed slightly clearing his throat.

“Even in the given circumstances it took you more than twenty minutes to call for help.” 

“We did what we can do in the given circumstances. Maybe that’s why also that no one was shot or killed for that matter. We were just afraid.” 

“It seemed also that no emergence buttons were activated when the robbers were still in the vicinity why is that? Isn’t it your job to alert the authorities as soon as possible?” 

“It happened so fast my main concern was with the safety of the people.” 

“But still you have a duty to alert the authorities so that we try to trace these robbers as soon as possible.” 

“Not trying to be funny Detective I did what I can in the given circumstance.” 

“Have they threatened your family, threatened to come back for you, threatened you personally?” 

Mr. Trenton looked surprised for a while.

“No Detective. They just walked in with guns and demanded that we cooperate.” 

“But still you should have followed protocol. Increase the chances of these robbers getting caught by alerting us quickly.” 

“That I will leave to you Detective. They did not destroy any CCTV cameras, and they were recording the time they robbed us. That’s why I did not panic I know it was only a matter of time before you get them.” 

The detective looked surprised and confused.

“Are you sure the cameras were working? What kind of robbers are they? Stealing all that money? Leaving clues behind?” 

“There you go that can explain also my reactions. I thought they were bluffing.” 

The detective retrieved his cellphone and dialed a number.

“Okay, Mr. Trenton. I think I must watch the CCTV footage first. I will be in touch.” 

The detective walked to the door and was about to go outside the bank managers’ office.

“One last thing. Are you sure they did not threaten you personally? Not related? Do you know any of them?” 

“What are you implying Detective? Like I said they did not threaten me directly.” 

Detective Kristy a tall slim attractive and fit woman with long but nicely tied blonde hair entered the office. She sat down before her cellphone started ringing.

“Yes Braden. What’s up. What did you get?” 

“You won’t believe it. Either they are amateurs or very cocky. They left the CCTV untouched.” 

“Yeah. I still recall all witnesses saying they were wearing masks! So, no big deal. Give me something I can use Braden.” 

“This is something. Surely, we must watch the footage. We might get clues. A tattoo or something. I don’t know. Get the evidence processed quickly. I have a gut feeling that there must be something we can use.” 

“Come on Braden. What did the others get? Didn’t they have the CCTV footage? I need something I can use. An electronic-Fit or a witness statement or something.” 

“I am on my way there.” 

Soon after the line went dead.

Detective Kristy was startled by her pager.

“Sugar!! Son of a beast,” she cursed. 

She looked at the pager and soon left the office. She walked in the long corridor ignoring Detective Paxton’s taunting. A brief knock at the door and the door was swayed wide open. Inside were two other detectives.

A man smartly dressed opened the parked car door and got out as soon as another car approached from the other side. He pulled down the suite jacket and straightened his bow tie. He moisturized the tips of his fingers and slightly stroked his hair. He had a sleek clean shave. He felt a million-dollars as evidenced by the way he walked. The look on his face said it all. This was no other day. It was a very important day in his life. At sixteen he had dropped out of college. This was his first job interview. He was excited, very excited at the prospects of becoming a working-class citizen. He worried if he had made the right decision; dropping out of college. The car stopped and Cynthia, a very attractive lady got out of the car dressed-to-kill in a short dress. The couple were in each other’s hands in no time.

“Thanks for coming. This means a lot to me. I am ready.” 

Cynthia smiled and landed a kiss on his lips before they walked toward the office blocks. Bradley opened his eyes and looked around. He was in a luxurious hotel room. He could hear the shower water. Ever since getting his new job life had never been the same again. His job could mean him in a different city every weekend the main thing he loved the most. He knew this was very healthy for their relationship with Cynthia. Dynamic and different. The company paid for everything. He knew he had made the right decision dropping out of college. The past three years had been the best he had had. Suddenly the shower water stopped running, and he heard Cynthia’s shouting something from the bathroom.

“What did you say darling?” asked Bradley. 

Cynthia entered the hotel bedroom with a towel round her body.

“I said I want to go shopping.” 

“You know I have to do my job first.” 

“I know. I can go on my own. I need to stretch my legs anywhere.” 

“That’s alright darling.” 

Cynthia left the hotel room and headed to the city center for shopping leaving Bradley doing his work.

Bradley got out his laptop and started typing. He connected an external hard drive and kept typing. He paused and looked around thinking. He noticed Cynthia’s bra under the bed. He smiled and pondered his life with Cynthia. He remembered the day of the job interview. She had stood by him. Life had been a blessing since then. She had trusted him from the very first day they met. She was completely different from Sienna. Sienna was the most beautiful girl he had laid eyes on. She was very beautiful and a perfectionist. She was like an angel with everything small, a small nose that made her accent sound sweet and sexy with small perfect lips as compared to Cynthia’s. She wanted everything to be perfect. All she talked about was getting married first before even contemplating sleeping together. To Bradley she was the ultimate dream girl for him but to be honesty getting married was a very remote idea for him. He had dropped college at sixteen with no prospect of finding a job or any concrete plans of how he was going to support himself let alone miss-angel-Sienna. Even the talk of marriage at that age made him resent the idea. Later he found his love for Sienna changing with every date they had. He had a lot to deal with and Sienna kept pushing and comparing their relationship to others. The day he met Cynthia was after one of their burst-ups. He had walked away. He knew, or should I say he hadn’t anticipated to be as successful as he ended up being. Sienna was a high maintenance lady with a huge taste of the best life had to offer. Too much pressure. Complains after complaints had driven him mad. He knew he had to let her go and let her have a man who she deserved. Someone rich enough. Someone who understood her. He knew he had to let her go. It wasn’t easy though. He truly loved her. In fact, he loved her very much to let her go. He knew it that he was never going to make her happy. They loved each other no doubt. It’s just the pressure that was too much for him. The expectations were very high. He remembered crying himself to sleep the day he walked away from her. But somehow, he found solace in her complaints that he never really felt how much he loved her until years later. I guess her complaints had suppressed his feelings for her that it was easy to walk away but he truly loved her. He remembered the look in her eyes that one afternoon. She was the woman of his dreams. The love of his life yet he managed to walk away from her leaving her standing there in tears. It was such a traumatic day for both. They had just quarreled. He had no job. He had just dropped out of college. She had thrown the million-dollar question. How was he going to provide for them let’s say if he got her pregnant? He knew she had a point. It was a question he had no answers to. It was a question he had been asking himself. He looked at her. He saw the passion in her eyes. He could read that face like a book. He knew he had to leave her. He had nothing to offer. In life sometimes, there are situations when just love is not enough. She was like an angel. She deserved the best life had to offer. She had cried numerous times in his arms. All the tears and complaints were starting to show. He knew he would dislike himself if that angelic face was to change for the worse because of him. He knew to love her was to let her go. To love her was to exchange happiness for her for his selfish dreams. Another day another cry was to leave scares on that gorgeous face of hers something he never wanted to associate himself with. Bradley although he struggled during his early years he understood and valued beauty, probably the main reason Sienna loved him in the first place. He knew God created some on days when he had a lot of energy and very enthusiastic that he ended up showing off and that was one of the days he created Sienna. Everything about her was in perfect detail. He remembered the first time he laid eyes on her. He could see God himself. The way she was brought up had a lot to do with her attitude as well and probably the main reason behind her complaints. To Bradley the things she considered as basic, a huge house, a car, a good education and all the best life has to offer were dear things you must sweat for. Now that he had everything even though that seemed distant those days. He sometimes wondered what if he had stayed with her through thin and thick? He knew she was right but at the same time he never really regretted it. He had put her happiness first something he would not trade for even today. It was the ringing of the phone that startled him and woken him up from this dream.

“Hello! Who is this?” 

The person on the other side of the phone spoke in what seemed to be a foreign language. Soon after a beep sound alerted him that it was an international call and that the conversation will be translated after and that to keep holding the line. The message went on for some time before the English translation.

“Hello Mr. Bradley. This is a security message to alert you that your account has been accessed and funds have been transferred from your account.” 

“Hello, are you sure the message is for me?” 

Bradley placed the receiver down briefly.

“Automated message.” 

He quickly took out his cellphone and dialed the number showing on the hotel's phone receiver.

The number was an international number.

“Hello. I just received a call from this number. What is this place?” 

The person replied in a foreign Baltic language.

“Hello.” 

The person on the other end asked for Bradley to hold the line and there was silence for a while. Later another person this time a woman spoke on the line in English.

“This is the headquarters of the bank. Can I have your account and reference number?” 

Bradley looked surprised and confused.

“Has the headquarters moved? Last time I checked the headquarters was in the States.” 

“If you give me the account number, I will be able to help you.” 

Bradley looked surprised and quickly retrieved a card from his wallet and gave the account number and reference number. The woman typed and punched figures quickly.

“Yes Mr. Bradley. We send a security alert every time you transfer money from your account especially if you transfer the maximum limit.” 

Bradley laughed and pulled his laptop close to himself.

“Maximum? Did she buy a plane or what?” 

The woman interrupted instantly.

“I don’t know you tell me it’s your account.” 

“Sorry I was just thinking out loud. Could this be a mistake or a false alarm? I don’t think she will need that kind of money. Still, I don’t see how that’s possible even though we share the account, the alerts go to her cellphone.” 

The woman paused a while and punched the keyboard.

“The message is correct. $100 000 has been transferred out today.” 

Bradley stopped looking at the laptop screen and shouted.

“$100 000?” 

CHAPTER FOUR

A motorcade of black SUVs and a black limousine lined the street before entering a compound in the city center. The doors opened, and a woman dressed in a suite entered the building. A man holding folders followed her walking very fast to keep up with her pace.

“What is it? What are we looking at?” 

“I can’t say for sure, but we are looking at a legal case.” 

“I don’t understand. Jaylen assured me the designs I mean everything was ours how come on earth are we even having this conversation.” 

“I think Jaylen is better suited to answer you, madam.” 

“He better have a good explanation for all this.” 

The woman walked fast into the office without knocking. The look on her face said it all. Something big had come up and by the sound of her voice patterns it was not good at all. Jaylen rose from his seat and pointed at the comfy sofa in his office. The woman looked unamused by his presence. She did not sit but instead walked to the window and flipped open the curtain rail. She looked outside.

“Jaylen do you know how important is trust and reputation in political circles? Surely if you try to destroy my career this way I will ruin your life, the life of your kids and all your grandchildren. Do you know that?” 

Jaylen nodded.

“What? You can’t even talk?” 

“I understand, madam, I still...” 

He did not finish talking before the woman interrupted.

“How did this happen? If the designs were ours how come they already have a finished prototype?” 

“I swear. The idea was mine. The designs mine too.” 

“So how on earth can they have an already finished design when we haven’t even finished building ours?” 

Jaylen looked haunted.

“All I can say is that I don’t know but I will find out how this happened.” 

“Find out when? You mean when you have destroyed my career?” 

“No, madam. I don’t know how they got my designs, but I will find out.” 

“Legality?”
“Still issues. I haven’t fully finished the designs to have patented them. So tricky as well.” 

“Jaylen. Let me tell you something. In politics there are no buts. Misrepresentation is the biggest killer of many politicians. I think I made this clear from day one.” 

“I know, madam.” 

“So, what are you saying?” 

“Hacked.” 

“I thought you said our system is solid?” 

“Now to be honest I don’t know. I can’t think of any idea how they did this.” 

Later Jaylen paced left, right and left in his office before a knock on the door startled him.

“Come in!” 

The door opened instantly.

“What seems to be the problem my friend?” 

asked Shawn.

“Bastards. They are my designs. My ideas. Everything all mine.” 

Jaylen angrily walked to the window and looked outside before turning around to face Shawn.

“All the designs mine. I can’t just figure out how they did this?” 

“Maybe this time you are wrong my friend. This time there was a faster thinking brain than yours. Mind you they have a finished prototype already when you are still in the drawing and designing room. No matter how this is not what you want to hear, you lost my friend.” 

“Even if it was not my design what are the chances that they will develop theirs to exact measurements as mine?” 

“So, can we still go ahead as planned? 

“Shawn my friend I don’t think it’s a good idea anymore. The senator has withdrawn the funds. She does not want to associate herself with any controversy. She has a lot to lose than me.” 

“So that’s it,” 

“I guess so. No funds no project.” 

Bradley remembered the screen that quickly popped-up on his laptop. There was no mistake what it was. He thanked himself that he had acted quickly and captured the screen seconds before it disappeared. Ever since, that had been nagging him for a while now. That morning he had jumped into his car and drove away without a word leaving Cynthia with a lot of questions. He looked at the dashboard for a split second before opening the laptop. He looked at the screen and looked ahead. The car turned into a private road and slowly urged forward before coming to a halt. Bradley got out and walked toward the huge building. Hesitantly and breathing heavily he stopped at the huge gates. He entered some codes into the gate screen.

“Access denied,” 

Instantly a camera turned and pointed at him.

A voice from the gate’s public address [PA] system startled him.

“You have no authorization to access these premises.” 

Bradley murmured something.

He looked down for a while and thought.

Quickly he took out his wallet and retrieved a card. He flashed the card.

“Classified but I am working here today.” 

The camera zoomed on him before a crackling sound startled him further.

“Enter your ID number.” 

Shaking Bradley entered the code.

“Wait there someone will come for you.” 

Bradley’s heart paced fast with every second.

He looked around and then at the camera still pointing at him. The gate opened slowly, and a smartly dressed up man came out. He didn’t say anything much apart from asking Bradley to follow him.

Bradley’s heart beat very fast as he walked inside. Every step he made the camera turned on him. He looked at the red flashing light on every camera. No doubt this was a secured area. Bradley looked at the man ahead of him. He walked like a soldier straight, upright and fast with every step planned perfectly. As soon as he arrived at the door to a huge room, he stopped swiftly and turned instantly and looked at Bradley before pushing the door open.

“Wait in here I will be right back. Sir.!” 

Bradley did not reply but instead peeped inside and entered quickly. As soon the man had disappeared Bradley quickly opened his handbag and retrieved his laptop. He switched it on quickly and looked at the saved document. He looked around and saw a camera pointing where he was seated. There was an instant jump in his heart beat. He quickly got up and walked out of the room and into the corridor. He looked everywhere as fast as he can before one corridor lead him to the other. He glanced at the laptop screen before looking around. He turned around and pushed open the closed door. He stopped and looked around before going through a passage into another room until he reached the stairs. He looked around and saw an elevator. He entered the elevator that took him to the floors below. A corridor led him to the room with the red door. He entered his access codes and waited nervously.

The “Access denied,” message appeared on the LCD screen of the door. 

He quickly opened his laptop and punched in some figures very fast.

“Video-sender.” 

He whispered as a moving circle appeared on followed by an instant message.

“Searching and linking to video network system.” 

He looked around as the moving circle on the screen appeared and disappeared.

“Come on.” 

He shouted.

After a while a beep sound startled him.

“Choose the correct option below.” 

Message appeared on the screen.

“Choose virtual connection.” 

He punched the enter button.

“Enter virtual access codes,” 

Quickly Bradley entered his access codes.

A virtual screen quickly appeared.

Inside the screen was a huge oval room with computers everywhere. He searched for a computer that was used last and retrieved information of the user.

He entered the information on his laptop and recreated the last session. He waited for the computer to synchronize the coordinates and using the time-space continuum noted the time the last user left the room. He moved back in time and space and got the likely access codes used. He retrieved a small box from his pocket and tried all the codes displayed. The first one