Beaten UpIt was a busy Friday morning at The Presidential Villa Hotel; the only seven-star hotel in Auckville, where Brian Macpherson works as a security guard. He had been standing since he got to work, opening and closing the massive wrought-iron gate for arriving guests. And though he was not officially informed, he suspected there was a grand event being hosted in the luxurious hotel by some big guns in the city. The fleet of expensive and flashy cars trooping into the lush green parking lot was an indication to that end. After letting in the latest guest driving in a black Lamborghini Aventador, 2023 model and closely followed by an ash-coloured BMW X7, he yawned and sat down. He had barely done so when he heard his name. "Brian Macpherson! Get your lazy backside over here!" It was the manager of the hotel, Miss Freya Charlie. She stood arms akimbo on the front steps leading to the reception hall in her knee-length designer navy blue dress that accentuated her curves. Her g

HomelessBrian's heart began to thump violently like a legion of soldiers were on parade. He nervously pressed down the receiver button. "Mr Macpherson!” the angry voice of his landlord boomed over the speaker almost instantly. Brian knew that tone, it meant trouble. “Good evening, Mr Howard,” he said, trying to sound confident. “I just found out…” “It's a good thing you've finally answered your phone,” the man carried on sarcastically, not letting Brian explain himself. “The tow truck is just pulling out of your apartment this minute. Do not bother returning home because all your worthless properties have been moved out and the locks changed." "Oh no! Please sir, don't do this to me. I'm just leaving the hosp..." "I warned you that the deadline for remittance was today at noon,” he fired on without listening to Brian's pleas, “and this is already evening. If you're seen anywhere near my apartment building, I'm calling the police to arrest you for breaking and entering. “Nonsens

Caught Brian's gaze focused on the face, it didn't seem familiar. He sat up instantly and greeted her. "Good morning, ma'am." It was the A&E nurse from yesterday morning when Brian was first rushed to the hospital unconsious. "You? What are you doing here?" she demanded, ignoring Brian's greeting and pointing her pinkie finger to the floor, indicating she meant that particular room. Brian stared at her, his mind suddenly going blank. During the drive back to the hospital, his intention was to find his doctor and explain what had happened and then plead for a readmission at least for that night. But Aleya's devastating WhatsApp message got in the way, causing him to nearly suffer another medical emergency. Thankfully, the kind nurse at the reception came to his rescue. The lady's cold piercing eyes unnerved Brian. In that instant, he had a flashback to what the nurse had muttered under her breath: "I'm taking a lot of risk doing this." His forehead furrowed as he thought of a g

The Torture"Is this not the same criminal we were called upon for his arrest yesterday?" one of the officers said casually to his other two colleagues as they drove.Brian was kept at the back of the van with one policeman to guide him. Not that he could escape even if he was left alone. His hands were bound behind his back like a common criminal. "Please officers, I can assure you, I'm not a criminal," Brian stuttered in his defence. "it's a simple misunderstanding. Please allow me to explain myself..."Whack! The sound of a heavy slap reverberated in Brian's left ear causing the words to cease from his mouth. His ear began burning like someone had poured acid on him. It was made worse by the headache returning in that instant. He had not yet taken his pain relief medication that morning. Brian blinked hard to clear his vision, wishing his hands were freed to hold his head as he felt a tingling sensation around his injury site. "You dare to cross Miss Charlie? Do you not know h