Meeky hid his menacing smile at the couple's reply to Justin behind an unmistakable and surprising look. He sighed out loud and the attention of everyone at the table was on him."What do you want here, Justin? Nobody invited your miserable being to a meeting this meaningful.""I wasn't speaking to you." Justin said sharply, then faced Meeky's audience once again. "Are you really going to do this? I know people have to take risks with investments, but you all know that this is too good to be true.""You know for a moment there, I could practically hear the intelligence in the way you speak. But judging from looks, you're in no place to give us that advice." An elderly man cut in. He appeared to be in his late fifties and had some kind of honorable ambience to him. "That is absolutely true. Look at him." Another man added immediately. "This professional looking man would never scam us like that. And I am sure of that. But I can't say the same for you. Look at that shirt." The man scof
Justin was now at a little eatery not far from Tastena. He had left the classy restaurant not long after his little altercation with Meeky, without even eating his food. Sitting there and watching Meeky only made him feel angry, so he paid for the untouched meal and left. Now in the little eatery, he sat unbothered and had his meal."It's an hour and ten minutes now, old man. Where is he? You said he went to get something, didn't you?" The man who had confirmed the disappearance of Meeky's car retorted angrily."The name's Mr Robert to you. And how do you expect me to know where he went? I've been seated here with you all the whole time.""But you had said...""It was just an assumption, young man. Stop making the rest of us feel scared that we may have been scammed. Maybe something's holding him back." Robert added, a thoughtful look on his face. "Or how about we go outside and look for him? He could be parked somewhere else. You know, to avoid distractions and all.""Yes. Let's go."
"Please sir, we never knew that it would turn out this way. He seemed like such a responsible man." Robert said calmly, his voice extremely sober from the shame and guilt he felt, having to come back to the same man he did not listen to barely an hour ago. Justin glanced at him one more time, fighting the urge to say something bad to him. He looked away, and took a sip of his drink."If you're not going to help us find him, then at least, give us his number." A woman pitched in. She was feeling irritated by his behavior even when they were the ones who brought it upon themselves. "We might be able to reach him." The others nodded, agreeing with what she had said."Look, all of you, I didn't come here to be disturbed. So, I would very much like it if you left." Justin finally said something, something they didn't consider a good enough response. "But... But, we can't just leave. What about Meeky? What about the money we gave him?" One of the men asked."I never said you shouldn't get
"It's okay!" Someone yelled from behind them. It was the manager of the eatery. Everyone in the eatery turned to face her immediately. Her face was painted with annoyance as she stared at everyone in the restaurant, her eyes finally settling on the ones who were causing the nuisance. "What is this? Why all the unnecessary disturbance? Can't you see that this is an eatery where people come to sit and relax?" She walked closer and closer to them as each word left her mouth. Justin sat in his seat, unbothered by everything that was going on. "I think you all should leave now.""But we are trying to...""I don't care." She cut in aggressively. "You're making my place of business uncondusive. Enough is enough. I've been in my office for the past ten minutes hearing you all ramble about what and what not. And I am absolutely tired of it. Now, if you may...""Hold on." An unfamiliar voice said. All eyes moved to look at who was speaking, even Justin. A tall, slender man with black hair wa
Robert thought for a while, his eyes on his companions, seeking their opinions. And after three unbearably long minutes, he made a decision."Well, okay then." He said dryly, hoping for the best this time around. Just then, Justin scoffed loudly. His tone, unapologetic and mocking. Everyone turned to face him. It was expected for them to feel angry at his expression but he did not care."I'm sorry, what was that?" Luke asked calmly as he moved to where Justin was seated. He was trying hard to concede his anger, but it wasn't working. Justin looked at him and then looked away, without saying a word. "What is your problem?""I do not have a problem. But I think you're bluffing. I know it.""And who are you? Aren't you the heartless one who refused to listen to the pleas of these poor people? Doesn't it make you feel uncomfortable?" Luke spoke in anger, the fury of it all burning in his eyes. He didn't like to be doubted. Justin didn't say a word to him, neither did he even glance at him
There was a snarl from Detective Luke as he saw nothing but disrespect in the words of Justin. His eyes peered at the young man dangerously. Justin knew he had struck a nerve, but he did not care, and neither was he going to try pretending to care. He wasn't ready to act like what he was saying was not the truth. He could tell from the so called detective's clenched fist that he was angry at him and his claims."You..." the man said, his teeth clenched as his fist were. It looked almost as though sparks could fly at any moment. "You calling me a liar, I hope that you know that if you do so, it then rests on you to find a better solution for these people, Mr. Hotshot."Justin did not give him a reply. Instead, he turned back to look at something else. He was not interested in helping the people as after all, he had warned them before."Are you listening to me?" Asked the man in fury. "Since you seem to have a big mouth that you are having so much problem closing, I challenge you to g
The detective briefly hissed at Justin's words. "If you were that smart," he began, "You wouldn't be here looking for reasons why a detective wouldn't be at a restaurant. What exactly stops a detective from being found in a place like this?”Justin had another round of laughter at the man's words. "Look at you trying to use logic to make up for your fraud. You scammers are all the same. You can go to any lengths to make gullible people fall for you. Like these unfortunate people here.""Stop messing with me, young man. I promise you that you won't like it if I get angry." There were veins already popping on his head, showing how angry he felt. "Are you going to accept the challenge or what? I told you I can call up to five people that would put you to shame right here right now.""Okay, let's do it," Justin said finally, after laughing his hats off. "You mean, you really are going to do it?" The detective asked, his face and tone, stained with surprise. "What is that surprised look
"Oh, you will?" He asked one more time to be sure. His eyes widened with glee as he listened carefully."Yes. That shouldn't be a problem. Can I have his details, please?""His name is Meeky. And about two hours ago, he defrauded some people of their money, claiming that he was going to double it and give it back to them. But after that, he was nowhere to be seen." Luke explained."Okay. Where are you right now?""I'm at a little eatery close to Tastena. And Meeky's victims are here with me.""Alright. That will be all for now. Hold on.""Thank you for your help." Luke smiled as he put down his phone. He gave Justin a mocking look and just then, the room erupted with applause. "Thank you. Thank you. But there is no need to clap. I told you I would do it, didn't I?""Thank you so much, sir. You do not know how much you've been of help to all of us." A glad woman smiled, her hands placed lightly on her chest as she spoke."You've been such a blessing, Detective Luke. I'm glad you showed