''There is a woman in the room over there. Why is she being locked up?'' Charles Ban eventually asked Barter after deliberating about Mr. Ban's business for a while. He looked at Barter rather inquisitively, anxious to know the reason behind Laura being locked up. Although he didn't tell Barter that he knew Laura yet. Barter heaved a deep sigh. ''She tried to run away on several occasions. She's your brother's wife. I found her at a mall and took her away back here. She keeps trying to run away so it's best she stays locked up,'' Barter said with malice. There was silence between both men for a while. ''Can I see her?'' Charles eventually asked. Barter looked at Charles Ban carefully. ''What? Is she aggressive? Is she violent?'' Charles asked, feigning ignorance of the fact that he had met Laura, AKA Ramian before. ''She killed my sister...'' Barter said to Charles Ban with a low voice. Charles was stunned, speechless. He stared at Barter as if he was looking at a
Charles Ban didn't know what to say again. He glanced at Laura AKA Ramian, and removed his eyes quickly, for fear that Barter would sense the familiarity between them. ''But if we are going to help my brother kick start this business again, we would need as many hands on deck as possible. I mean...you know that I am a public enemy, and I cannot be found just anywhere, so I will work mostly from here. We need more hands, and I think she has some skill concerning that, especially now that you claim that she killed your sister...'' Charles told Barter, flashing him a look of apology when he made mention of Barter's dead sister.Barter clenched his jaw. He glanced at Laura with hate again, and Charles Ban saw it. ''Okay, take her back inside the hole, for now, we can bring her out when we need her attention...'' Charles Ban said, avoiding Laura's surprised and pleading gaze. She was so sure that he would not allow Barter to take her back inside that horrible feeling room, but to her s
For two straight weeks, Charles was concerned with studying the dynamics that Mr. Ban had put up behind his business, and he found out that it was practically the same as Greg Chase's.Charles raised an eyebrow the first time he noticed the similarity.Initially, he had planned to quietly quit working for Greg Chase, and face his brother's business, but when he noticed the similarity he thought of an idea. He would continue to work with Greg Chase, this time in pretense. He would also be more committed to work this time around so that he could grab as much information and knowledge as he could from Greg and replicate it in Mr. Ban's business. While Charles was showing up as a regular worker for Greg Chase, he would run Mr. Ban's company as well until Mr. Ban would be back on his feet. Charles Ban didn't have in mind to be in competition with Greg Chase at all, he just wanted his brother's empire to be back on his feet, and if it meant him playing spy to Greg, he would do it. After
Greg saw that someone was playing his game against him. Trying to beat him at his own game, the very one that he invented. The same way he had dethroned Mr. Ban, was the same way someone else was trying to dethrone him and was doing a better job at it than him if everyone was being sincere.Every single one of his customers had left him, and Greg only had the likes of Bane and Don Black under his clientele. After the accountant left, Greg started to make several calls. He had to get to the bottom of it before he became completely out of the scene, just as Mr. Ban had become. Another thing that bothered Greg Chase was the fact that this new player seemed to be faceless. When he made calls to former clients that had left him, they all told Greg that they hardly knew who this new guy was, as the person acted very discreetly.''In fact, the transactions are so seamless that we don't get to see any representatives from this new man. We make payments to an unnamed and special account,
Charles' heart banged against his chest every time he went to work every day.To think that he was right under Greg Chase's nose. What if Greg found out that he was the traitor?Greg would roast him alive, and Charles knew it. But so far, it had been three successful months of operation and Greg had not been able to spot him as the person that was spoiling his business.Charles was a sell-out to Greg. But, as much as Charles Ban seemed to be recording progress with his new venture, he was restless. At the back of his mind, something tugged at him, telling him that all was not well.Charles Ban had taken his time to check himself in other to find out the reason behind why he felt that way, but he could not find any. Yet he felt empty, and the urge to look over his shoulder was heavy. Charles Ban had moved into Mr. Ban's house, following his interim position as the CEO of Mr. Ban's company.He no longer lived in the lonely estate where he had met Laura AKA Ramian, unknown to him t
One month since Mr. Ban had been in a coma.''Doctor...doctor...'' Margaret Ban was seen hurrying to the doctor's office, panting with a glint of anxiety on her face.''Miss. Ban...'' the doctor said and got up from his desk, wondering what the panic was about.''The patient...my brother. He just moved his fingers. I saw it clearly. I am not kidding doctor. I think he is on the verge of waking up...'' Margaret Ban said to the doctor with excitement.The doctor quickly took his stethoscope and followed Margaret Ban hurriedly to Mr. Ban's ward.By the time they got there, they saw that a cloudy mist had formed on the oxygen mask that was put over Mr. Ban's nose and mouth.''He has started breathing by himself...'' the doctor said with excitement.''Nurse!'' he barked anxiously.Margaret Ban's face lit up evidently.In the twinkle of an eye, the nurses arrived, and the team of medical practitioners started to treat Mr. Ban. Margaret Ban watched from outside the ward, hoping that the doc
Charles Ban did not enjoy how Laura AKA Ramian was being addressed by Barter, but he could not do anything about it, so he quickly walked out of the study, and headed outside, leaving Barter to handle Laura AKA Ramian first.A short while after Charles Ban went outside, there was a loud gunshot heard outside.Barter froze.Laura froze as well.The gunshot was so loud and close that Barter was sure that it happened on Mr. Ban's premises.''Move. Let's go. Let's get out!'' Marcus' voice could be heard loud and clear as he tried to escape after shooting Charles Ban.Barter hurried outside without giving Laura AKA Ramian a second thought.Charles Ban lay on the floor of the entrance of his brother's house in a pool of blood.''Charles!'' Barter exclaimed when he got outside and saw Charles Ban on the floor.He scanned the area, but the coast was clear already as if there were no people that just attacked and shot at someone seconds ago.While Barter was worriedly looking at Charles Ban, t
Greg Chase was pacing his office frantically.''Don!'' He echoed as soon as he saw Don Black step inside. Don Black's eyes were gleaming with anxiety.''Greg...'' Don Black said to Greg Chase and waited for him to start speaking.''I thought Ban was totally out?'' Greg Chase asked. ''Who is this new person? What's going on?'' Greg asked. ''Have you heard?'' Greg asked Don Black immediately.''Heard what?'' Don Black asked and stared at Greg with expectation. ''Charles Ban is dead...'' Greg Chase replied. Don Black paused. ''His enemies have finally caught up with him...'' Don Black muttered and took a seat tiredly, staring at Greg Chase the entire time he was at it. ''What enemies?'' Greg asked.''He had run away from the city five years ago, and suddenly returned. I don't know why he made that move. He opened fire on a lot of people and killed them. Powerful people had been after him for a long time, and in order to protect him, Ban sent him away...'' Don Black explained.Greg
Greg Chase didn't know if he should laugh or cry. He stared at The Man until he was sure that The Man was serious about what he said, then he heaved a tired sigh. ''You cannot afford to do this to me. I mean...you sparingly ruined my life,'' Greg Chase complained, his eyes on The Man the entire time. ''You are the watcher, Mr. Chase. You shame me. The watcher ought to be more powerful than you are, but you are too full of yourself, so you cannot reach your full potential,'' The Man told Greg Chase. ''How powerful can I get?'' Greg Chase asked. ''Did you hear about the natural disaster that happened in the city Aklans weeks ago?'' The Man asked Greg Chase. Greg Chase nodded.''Yes, that was caused by a watcher like you. He was upset about something, and his intense anger caused a stir and an earthquake occurred. Though the government officials claim it to be solely a natural occurrence, it is a lie, and they know it...'' The Man told Greg Chase. Greg Chase was not sure he heard
Greg Chase almost dropped dead when he heard everything. ''If you have anything to tell me, or there is an emergency, I bet you now know how to summon me. It took you two years to learn how to summon me, Greg Chase. Now, you know what pride can do to you. It can ruin you,'' The Man said as he gradually disappeared into space. Greg Chase stared in arrant shock.All this...it had to be a joke.''Boss...at least...you aware that you returned my colleagues back to our company, right?'' Scissors asked Greg Chase after The Man left. Greg Chase looked at Scissors casually and nodded. ''I have told you not to call me boss anymore,'' Greg Chase said.Scissors smiled. ''The boss is really back to himself. Boss, you have not told me that in the past two years, and I have only called you boss throughout,'' Scissors said, smiling. Greg Chase wished it could stop.Someone needed to come and tell him that all this was a dream.Ge desperately needed to hear that he had been pranked heavily. So
''Master!'' Greg Chase muttered. Then he blinked. The next time that Greg Chase opened his eyes, he was in his living room on earth.He was leisurely watching TV and Scissors walked by casually. Greg Chase looked at Scissors, expecting him to freak out and ask how and where he had been but Scissors acted like every other day. As if nothing happened. Or?Had he been in a trance?''Scissors, what day is it today?''Wednesday,'' Scissors said. ''Where have you been in the last twenty-four hours?'' Greg Chase asked, looking at Scissors, squinting in confusion. It was as if his brain had been formatted. Scissors turned to look at him funny.''Keeping tabs on me now, huh, boss!'' he said, taking orange juice from the fridge and heading back inside the house, to his room. Greg Chase's eyes sparkled in confusion. ''I'm not keeping tabs on you. Fuck you,'' he said under his breath.''I heard you!'' Scissors yelled from afar. Greg Chase nodded with satisfaction. The first thing that
''Boss?'' Scissors called, wondering why Greg Chase was looking at him like that. ''What is growing on your head?'' Greg Chase asked Scissors. Scissors frowned.Was it because he had indicated that something was funny about Greg Chase, that Greg Chase decided to switch up on him?''Boss, are you kidding?'' Scissors asked, flashing a weak smile.Greg Chase shook his head. ''There's a radio on your head,'' Greg Chase suddenly said.''Radio!'' Scissors muttered and raised his hand to touch his head but he did not feel anything, and to Greg's shock, Greg saw Scissors' hand pass through the radio. ''Ah, boss...you are playing the pranks on me. But there is an antenna on your head anyway,'' Scissors said to Greg Chase. Without wasting time, Greg Chase raised his hand to touch his head, and he was not surprised when he could not feel anything, yet he saw Scissors gasp in shock. ''Your hand passed through it,'' Scissors said. ''Same thing that happened to you. There's a radio on your h
''You...I must give it to you as the watcher with the biggest ego ever...'' The Man said to Greg Chase.Greg Chase frowned. ''Are there more watchers? I thought I was the only one,'' he said to The Man as he walked towards Scissors and started to pull him up again, but just like before, an unknown force repelled Greg Chase. The Man laughed his usual mocking laugh, one that made Greg Chase upset by all means. ''Can you please release my friend? What the hell?'' he asked The Man, anger flashing evidently in his eyes.''I am not holding your friend to anything, he will get up when he wants to,'' The Man replied.''And, about your question as to if there are other watchers, of course, there are billions of watchers around the world,'' The Man said to Greg Chase. ''I thought I was the only one. Are they also up to anything as big as mine? Do they try to take down their enemies or they are solely connected to the source of wherever this watcher thing comes from?'' Greg Chase asked. ''T
Greg Chase was beside himself, wondering why Laura had suddenly cut off from him.Yes, she might have been spotted in his house, but from the way he felt, he knew that word had not gotten to Mr. Ban about the fact that she was in his house, so why was she suddenly unavailable? Why was she no longer interested in their plan to overthrow Mr. Ban completely this time?He had his hopes on her, especially now that Don Black had looked in another direction, having found another ''young blood'' to show the ropes of the business and get acquainted with. No matter how many times Greg Chase called Laura Ban, it either did not go through, or she abruptly hung the call up on him.''Urgh, what the fuck is going on?'' Greg Chase asked himself. He felt as if everyone he knew and looked forward to helping him achieve one thing or the other, was turning their back on him. But, under what basis? What did he do, or what did they suddenly realize for them to have such a decision made overnight?''Boss
''What is it?'' Shadow asked, looking very interested in Barter's thoughts. Barter had been looking at him with so much intensity, he had to know what was on Barter's mind while he was looking at him. Barter looked at Shadow closely.If he told Barter what he knew, everything could take another turn for the worst, but he also wanted Laura Ban to face the repercussion of the trouble that she had doled out on others. Shadow stared at Barter, waiting for an answer. ''I was just wondering when you will ever settle down with one woman. You should be married by now, you know...'' Barter suddenly said. Shadow was surprised. ''Are you kidding me right now?'' he asked Barter.Barter shook his head. ''Nope! After you lost your ex-wife, I could understand you staying away from relationships and not wanting to commit to anyone anymore, but it's been nearly ten years since that happened. Don't you think you need someone by you to make you feel better? You know what I mean. Even gangstas nee
Barter was getting frustrated, and desperate. After spending more than two decades with Mr. Ban, he was easily going to throw him, Barter to a corner just because of a loose whore he called his wife? He stared at the door of the room as if he wished that his eyes would bore a hole through. ''Preposterous,'' he muttered as he suddenly turned to leave. In the living room, when Barter stormed in angrily, he saw Shadow. Barter looked at Shadow as if he was seeing a ghost. ''Dude, where the hell have you been for nearly two weeks?'' Barter asked, shocked. Shadow rolled his eyes. ''Did you really expect me to hang around so that I will get discovered by Chase and the rest of them that I am on Ban's side?'' Shadow asked. Barter suddenly realized. There was no way Greg Chase and his cohorts would not have found out about Shadow playing both sides, the tension and pressure were too much, especially after the war. ''You are right, you would have been spotted,'' Barter said.
''We just had a few drinks and nothing more,'' Laura Ban said. By this time, they had arrived at the home of Mr. Ban.Mr. Ban hurried out of the car as if, if he stayed there for one more second, something will happen to him. ''Boss!'' Barter greeted him as soon as he sighted him. He had been waiting rather impatiently for Mr. Ban to return and give him a rundown of what happened at Laura Ban's house. Barter would have been the one to follow Mr. Ban to Laura Ban's family house, but his hideous face did not allow him. ''How did it go, boss?'' Barter asked. Mr. Ban glanced at Barter and rolled his eyes. Barter knew at once that Mr. Ban must have been ridiculed and insulted. The look on the man's face was so intensely upset. Barter spotted Laura Ban behind, hurrying up to meet Mr. Ban, and he obviously hissed, loudly enough so that Laura Ban would hear him. But of course, at the moment, Laura was bothered about something else, so she paid Barter no mind. She hurried towards Mr