THE FACE-OFFThe other three men knelt down in front of Caleb and began to plead. The one he cracked his forehead had blood dripping into his eyes. It caused those who were queuing to get gas to wonder who he really was. One of them was a lady alongside her teenage daughter sitting in front of the car. She whispered as the mother wound down her side window to speak to the pump attendant, "Is he a taekwondo trainer, Mom?""Hush," the mother cautioned. "He looks like a Mafia leader," she mouthed. Caleb ordered them to stand up and get into their vehicle. They scrambled to their feet and ran to the car. Their dramatic shuffling of feet made the pump attendant chuckle quietly. Meanwhile, he was still holding the driver by the collar. The guy choked and coughed, he was struggling to say something."You will take a message to whoever sent you to stalk me but, before then, I'm going to make you pay for daring to accept such a bad deal," Caleb said. He folded his hand and punched him hard i

UNPLANNED VISIT "So, Miguel El-Zaki is not just a murderer; he's also a rapist!" Lord Dezani exclaimed after Caleb got home and narrated what he learned from Bella's mother to him. "And only God knows how many other naive girls he has taken advantage of in his capacity as a don," added Caleb. Then he said, "Grandpa, we have everything we need to go after him now."The old man considered his statement and replied, "Yes we do. However, we must make certain that the said woman will be willing to testify if the case gets to court.""I'm sure she would," he echoed. But another thought crossed his mind. He remembered Aunt Regina and Mama saying that Hannah was having a hard time letting go of her past even when she married her late husband. That might be the only little challenge he has to deal with. "Although I may need to persuade her to come forth when that time comes."His grandfather too seemed to be having something on his mind. "By the way, have you heard from Mr Ramirez since you

MOMENT OF DECISIONMia stared at the door and then turned her face back at Caleb, a look of sheer confusion mixed with panic filled her eyes.If she opened the door, everyone would catch her red-handed and when the video comes out, the evidence will be irrefutable. On the other hand, if she refused to open it, Caleb's security guards would break it down and get her arrested.None of those two options was preferable to her. Or maybe it was better to go to jail where she wouldn't have to face anyone she knows than suffer the ignominy of being called a loose woman. "You are wasting valuable time, Miss Thompson. Open the door before it's too late." "Thump! Thump!! Thump!!!" came the continuous banging on the door. "Sir, shall we break it down?" his chief security officer enquired. He was trying to peek inside through the security hole in the door. Before Caleb could say yes, Mia staggered up to her feet with the keys and rushed to open the door. "Whack!" the sound of the door smacki

VOILA!"What is this all about?" Liliana queried as Caleb bounced into his office. She was still there waiting to find out what the shocking news was about which made his phone slip out of his grasp."You have to go home now Liliana. I'm having a very surprising day and I need to gather my thoughts together to know how best to handle things."She opened her mouth to say something but had a change of heart. "Right, Caleb. I shall be at my old apartment if you wish to talk." Liliana picked up her handbag and headed for the dog. Then paused but without turning back. She said, "You have to address what happened today in this office with members of your staff. There have been whispers and murmurings."Having said that, she gently opened the door and shut it.Outside the afternoon sun was high as Liliana made her way to her car. She saw two men holding the same lady that caused the commotion in Caleb's office."Get moving or else we would have to use force," one of them was saying."Let go

MUDDLED UPCaleb saw the nuzzle of the gun aimed in their direction and was quick enough to go down on one knee. The bullet flew out with a quick flash like lightning and he shut his eyes.It wasn't until he heard deputy inspector John groaning that he knew someone was hurt. The minimart erupted into a frenzy of commotion: People running helter-skelter seeking safety. A woman flung her baby into a heap of teddies and the child wailed loudly. "Get him!" a voice shouted as the gunman attempted to shoot again. Caleb had now lain on the floor with his face kept down. He saw from the corner of his eye that Mr John was struggling to move. But nothing prepared him for what happened next. Two gunshots followed by a man's agonising cry rent the air. The D. I. P had shot someone with his gun. Before the voice giving the order for the shooter to be restrained realised what was happening, the man was writhing in a pool of blood. A uniformed man squatted by the fallen man and touched his pul