"What have you done to deserve a raise."
In front of an oakwood table stood a slim-framed man, his overall visage suggested him to be a menacing handsome man. One that would steal a man's girl just with a wink. But his composure made nothing about him attractive.He shivered as the man opposite him, the complete opposite of what he is to be, robust—ugly in fact, lashed at him and demanded a response.After thinking about it all night Reynold had finally mustered up the courage to ask for a raise. It was unfair to think about— this company would spare no effort to work its employees to the bones while all the upper ranks enjoyed free time lunch and went to clubs at night—low-rank employees like Reynold were made to work overnight in fact.And truthfully, anyone can leave. But the little he receives from this company is what he uses to sustain his mother's medical bills. Why would he leave?Hence this was a do-or-die situation, this raise would be a lot of help for him. He would be able to pay his mother's bills and afford to eat at least two meals a day."Sir... I need it, sir."His voice waned as he spoke."You need it? I am quite disappointed in you Mr Reynold. You know, I thought you at the very least should know your place. Look at yourself, do you think you should have the guts to ask for a raise?!"The pitch of the man's voice scaled higher, causing Reynold's heart to tremble. Not that he was scared of any man but what made him so fearful was the thought of getting fired.He had taken a risk for this chance while sincerely hoping that he does not get fired, he was ready to eat this man's shit as an apology if it would keep his job."See young man, this company is doing the likes of you a great good by keeping your dirty lives here and paying you. Do you think you are special? You bastard?! Do you want to get fired?!!"At the mention of the word, he dreaded the most, Reynold dropped his knees and began to plead pitifully."I'm sorry, sir. I'm so sorry sir. My mother is in the hospital and I need to pay her bills. The money I receive as my salary every month is the same amount as her bill every month costs and I don't have enough time to work extra jobs because I'm devoted at the company.""And what exactly should I do? Why do you say it as if the company is leeching off you when you are the one leeching off the company? Do you want me to report this to the chairman, so you want to get disciplined or get fired?""No sir! No sir! I'm very sorry sir."His voice trembled, tears almost breaking out of his wrinkled eyes as he pleaded on both knees."Please, sir. Don't fire me, my mother is sick, I beg you.”"What is that supposed to be my business? Are you trying to coerce me into pitying you because your mother is sick? Do you even know I lost my mother last year too?"The woman enjoyed the fullest of life, had cancer, and a lot of money was spent on her chemotherapy, the cancer left for a while and came back when she continued to expose herself to the same effect, not learning her lesson. Regardless millions more was spent till the woman eventually died and the funeral that was thrown for her was flamboyant than any he had ever seen.Bringing his mother into this matter and comparing it to Reynold's condition felt utterly unfair. But who was going to say that, definitely not Reynold who was desperately begging so his job could hang on."See, you dirty poor commoners make us who actually do all the hard work look like we are wicked."The man stood up, his potbelly pushing right in front of him as he made his way to Reynold's front. He grabbed Reynold's hair."All that you see here, we worked for it. Uh? You can't just come around here as you want and say trash about your mother being sick, it's not my business!"He yelled, pulling Reynold's hair.Despite the pain and spit that baptized him, Reynold stayed mouth-shut and obediently bowed his head."See, if not for a certain person I would have fired you but I will not do that. I don't want to be a wicked boss. To punish you, however, I will reduce your salary. Think well about that reckless courage that you have and next time use perfume. You smell like a sewage rat." He said covering his nose."Get out of my office." He shouted.Immediately, Reynold picked himself up and ran out of the office. His salary had been cut short, nothing but anger seethed from him as he wiped his tears and stepped out of the man's office.His mind was filled with so much anguish that as he walked home, dizziness clasped his mind like a cloud and there were several times he almost fell.After a few walks, Reynold stopped in front of a restaurant. At a time like this, he was filled with so much sorrow. He needed a friend, and that friend was beer.Staggerly, he hauled himself into the restaurant and ordered nothing but beer. Spending the last of his cash, he took on three bottles.A few hours passed and rain began to fall. The weather was cold and it made Reynold think of his girlfriend. Despite how hard things have been for him, she has always been there for him. That girl deserves the best of life for real."I should get her something."The thought of her managed to carve out a little smile on his face.He walked up to the owner of the local restaurant. Since he was a regular here the woman knew him very well."Ma, can I owe you a few bucks and come pay back later.""You are a debtor, you keep owing everywhere you go. I'm sick and tired of you always owing. I don't know what you are using your life for. Honestly, if it wasn't for your mother, I don't even want you coming here at all. Get out of my sight and make sure you pay my money."'Ops, that didn't go as expected.'With a shamed look, he bowed and walked away. He had the money but he wanted to use it to get dinner for his girlfriend. At least make her happy even if it is little.It was a little bit past 4 PM, by this time she would have been home, Reynold was sure of it. He went on to get her favorite, standing in the queue for one extra hour.After the stress he eventually got the food. He picked up his phone to call her but right that instant, it went off.'This darned phone'He cursed with frustration as he put the phone into his pocket and continued his walk to her house. He was sure she was going to be around any way he just didn't want to make it a surprise, she had always hated when he showed up to his house unannounced.Finally, after a few minutes, Reynold got to her house. He knocked but no one answered. Slightly pushing the door, it opened."This girl, isn't she security conscious?"He worried as he walked into her parlor. Instantly, his eyes began to tremble at the sight that they behold. There was a pair of brown brusque shoes, suit pants were carelessly thrown on the chair, and panties on the floor that led to her room.With shivering eyes and composure full of hesitation, Reynold slowly walked forward. As he opened the door, there they were.A familiar fat man on top of his treasured girlfriend ramming her like a slut while she called him daddy."Ashley..."His voice shattered. He couldn't believe his eyes, his boss whom he had left in the office a few hours ago was fucking his girlfriend?!Hearing his voice the two immediately shattered. Ashley at the very least showed a little remorse although she still had a bold expression on. The man however stood up and wore his boxer."You this brat, even after teaching you a lesson this morning you still come to interrupt me. Did you forget how you begged this morning?"Reynold's brow knitted into a ferocious frown. And a voice resounded in his head.'You know what... fuck everything!'Reynold dashed at the man at full speed. But instead, the man's fat fist crunched into his face and sent him back. The man gave him no breathing space and continued to beat him till he was thrown out of the house.Reynold was weak and broken, even though he had a lot of prospects there was no way he would have won a fight with his fat boss. Not when he is so malnutritioned.The man kicked him out into the street and closed the door on him to continue with his girlfriend.The rain began to beat him as if it was reprimanding him for how much of a fool he had been not to notice that his girlfriend was cheating on him.Why was she so adamant that he should never come to her place unaware? It was obvious right from the start but he just couldn't see it.Reynold gritted his teeth in anger and frowned as raindrops dripped down his face.All of a sudden a figure covered him with an umbrella, blocking the rain from falling on him. The lady in front of him, wearing a black suit and coat bent down in front of him.Her eyes were alluring, her eyeballs threatened to suck him in... her lips were like an enchantment to his senses. His eyes followed her beautiful small lips as she spoke, the question sending chills all over Reynolds’s body,"Hello Mr, would you like to marry me?"It was a few minutes later.Reynold and the strange lady had retreated to a bench that sat along the road, her black umbrella was still raised above their heads to prevent the drizzling rain from falling on them. The lady most especially seemed concerned about her dress getting wet.But that was just one of the many things Reynold noticed about her that made him undoubtedly conclude that she was one hell of a sophisticated lady. Another thing was her fingers, long and slender, on her index finger sat a silver ring that glittered.The ring drew his mind back to the words she had said a few minutes ago before she suggested that they should leave the rain.Reynold still doubted what he heard and counted the possibility that he might have misheard her due to the situation he was in."So, are you calm now?"Her hoarse voice broke two different walls of silence: the one that hung between them and the one in his heart."Yes. Thank you."Unsure of what to do or say, his response was pretty muc
He counted the zeroes several times to be sure he was seeing the correct thing. Three hundred million like that just dropped in his account.This is a dream come true, it's a bit of a disappointment to his man ego that this amount didn't come from him purely working for it. But to hell with man's ego, all he cared about right now was saving his mother.He shot to his feet."I will go to get my marriage permit first since it is on the way to the hospital."He couldn't explain where the new surge of energy he felt came from. He just stormed off in his ruined old suit.Getting the marriage permit wasn't a big deal. He just had to sign some papers and take some portrait photos, update his register, and since it was urgent, the permit was issued as fast as they could. Their customer service was actually wonderful, Reynold attributed it to the fact that they were government workers, for a minute he thought that maybe his life would have been different if he had been a government worker too.
This was very annoying and embarrassing for Reynold because now people who were passing by were beginning to send stares their way.And this whole situation was looking like he had hurt a lady."I didn't even do anything to you. What could I have done, you never gave me attention, it was all about work or your sister or your mother. Still, I stood by you, I stood with you... I have sacrificed so many things so you could keep your job. I did it all because I loved you and you want to cast me aside like this?!! This is unfair Rey, this is so unfair!!"She blabbered with a loud cry, sniffling her nose at intervals.Reynold walked closer to her and bent down as if he was being apologetic and realized his mistake. He had no choice, people were beginning to look at him with scornful gazes.'It's unfair how society is very permissive of women'He held her gently, leaned closer to her ears, and whispered -"I know you have a bit of dignity in you even if you are a slut who slept with my boss. I
In the corporate business world, some classes of conglomerates are regarded as royalties. Everything contributes to how they are regarded.They had astronomical numbers of wealth, so much that it made no sense. They were the ones you would find manufacturing the best of goods and they’ve been in existence since even the country began to take a consistent shape.Among conglomerates, they stood tall and were distinguished amongst the others. Such was The Johns group of companies, talk about the pinnacle of all conglomerates, they are the ones perched atop the hill of luxury.And this made the public attention to be all over them, the current chairman was preparing to choose a chairman between his children, and this was causing quite an internal stir. Especially for Kayla who could barely hold her place in the family. This marriage was her only way to hang on."My lady.”"My lady.”Guards and employees greeted her as she stopped in front of the company's building. The exterior alone was a
Reynold had just received Kayla's call, his heart was beating badum badum badum after dropping the call with her. Well, he didn't exactly drop the call–she hung up on him but that's fine, she was probably busy.Reynold gently rubbed the cold coffee cup in his hands. He was still in the hospital because the doctor asked him to wait around while they conducted a few emergency tests on her. He looked at the orange sky.It was like rain never fell a few hours ago, the evening was beginning to settle in, and the sky was filled with a cantaloupe beauty as the sun descended into the horizon.Reynold thought of what his life was going to be like from henceforth. He couldn't envision anything, he was scared but at the same time he was happy he would be married to someone like Kayla.'She does seem nice...'If only she could give a few months for them to know each other...'Should I suggest it to her?' He thought.He was yet to give his thought an answer–he was interrupted by the numerous footst
‘You won’t dare insult my husband in my presence ever again, wretched fool!’Ashley repeated the lady’s statement, and at the same time put her hands on her red hot cheek.'Did this bitch just slap me?!'Yes, she just got slapped but she couldn't dare to do anything about it."Don't you ever in your life utter such words about my husband." Kayla made it clear to her.“Seriously?! You think because you have thugs in suits with you. I can't do a thing, I can damage this guy's life in a minute, I will destroy your marriage!" She screamed."Oh, you can't do anything." A wry smile formed on Kayla's face, she was like a cunning face, with the mole that sat below the corner of her lips. "...I have secrets, videos of how you slept with those ugly men for money. I wonder what will happen to you the moment that gets out. Or is it the moment when you would arrange a theft on him just to get his little salary? I have evidence of all that.”At this moment, Ashley began to hesitate to talk."Leave R
"Do you Kayla Johns, take Reynold Sheens as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."Kayla looked into Reynold's eyes, a cold expression on her face before she replied."I do."Reynold found that to be very bothering. Just now, she showed a side of her that he never thought of. Or maybe he was just overthinking it, this was a contract marriage after all. What did he expect, still it bothered him.The priest's voice continued. “Do you Reynold Sheens take Kayla Johns as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."Rey replied with a smile. “I do""From this moment, I pronounce you two. Husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.""Thanks, Priest but that part will be unnecessary." Lei, standing on the side said and stepped forward with
Reynold sped across the distance as quickly as he could as he occupied himself with thoughts of whether he should go or not. However, his legs did not stop.He jammed into her room and tried to barge into the toilet too but the door was tougher than he expected. He shook the door knob hurriedly trying to force it open but nothing happened."K.J! K.J!!"He wasn't thinking right now–all that was in his mind was her safety. He didn't care what would happen after he trespassed all he just wanted to know was if she was okay.But no matter how much he called, there wasn't a response. And then it dawned on him that she was in the bathroom. He didn't know what to do in this situation, what if she was doing something?‘Perhaps I should just leave.”"R...ey.”Just when he thought that her weak voice called out to him.He immediately began to panic and got more aggressive as he shook the door knob trying to force it open. Seeing that no matter how much he tried to force the knob it wouldn't open,
One life ends. Another begins. Such was the world.That was what Rey was thinking as he fondled his ten-month-old baby girl distractedly. He still felt empathy toward Hamish, even though it irritated him. Hamish was his brother-in-law. He shouldn't try to kill him. Nobody's brother-in-law should try to kill him. But unfortunately, that was life. Things happened even when they were absurd, even when they where undesirable.They had charged Hamish and his aide, Sparks, with manslaughter, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder. Whenever Reynolds thought about it, he shook his head. It was bad. If either of the two men received a light sentence, it would be life. That was what Hamish got for throwing his life away. On the other hand, the world had not skipped a beat. The three of them had recovered fully (at least physically) himself, Kayla, and the Chairman. The Chairman was no longer a 'Chairman,' corporately, legally, and technically. To Reynolds he was now only a father in-
Sparks was looking for that one lucky strike.He had tailed Hamish, parked far from sight, approached the building on foot, scaled the fence and come in unnoticed. All according to plan. He knew Hamish was with Reynolds already, and they had been speaking for a few minutes. Hopefully, the stage was well set for his arrival.He went round the building, loathing that he had to use the stairs instead of the elevator. His job always sucked and he hated it.The building was generally deserted as planned. Yes... perfect. At the bottom of the stairs he paused, said a lucky prayer, then set the timer on his watch. Ten minutes for everything... Godspeed.****Hamish and the Chairman stared at each other in bewilderment for seconds."I heard you son. Everything you said," his father told him. For a moment Hamish's mind was blank as he stood transfixed, still holding Reynolds at gun point. Slowly he collected himself, becoming even angrier."I'm not upset at you. Only disappointed. But I don't
If there could be any reason to spare Sparks life and dispose of him, it was the fact that he had an instinct. He hadn't been a henchman these years for nothing. He knew a trap when he saw one. So, when he phoned the doctor requesting to have the package ready by noon, he became aware that he was not speaking to him.Well, technically, he was. But situationally, he wasn't. The doctor was damaged goods now. He sensed that the guy was bugged.How it happened, he had no idea. But it happened real fast.He phoned Hamish and told him. They'd have to take care of the guy, but not too soon, so they don't throw off a scent. It was a tricky situation for the tricky-minded. The better move now, Hamish told him, was to go directly for Reynolds.There were reasons for this. Beforehand, he had noticed that Kayla had vanished from the hospital ward where she was being treated. Of course, he didn't ask questions or raise suspicions (since the hospital staff couldn't link him to Kayla). But Hamish
There was one more person to put away when the scheme was done with. That doctor.As much as Hamish hated to deal with it, another clumsy character on the scene meant another loose end. He was going to go all out till he got his package... and till it worked. They he'd pay the man in full before making him disappear.Of course basic logic would question his choice of paying first. He just thought it necessary to stick to one's part of a deal no matter what. So he'd pay the man's family for his service, then kill him. He knew he'd needed a new aide for that job, since Sparks would have to go, too. Either in the process or after the process.In fact, he had started to feel a sense of urgency to do away with Sparks before something spilled. The man was already becoming disgruntled. He was already becoming too important. Nobody became too important with Hamish.But first Sparks needed to get the dirty work done, before he eliminated and dissociated him.****When Benny launched himself
Doctor Benny liked the concept of a bright future. He had always liked it and other terms like it. Future. Success. Opportunity. Yes, that one. Opportunity. There wasn't very much of it for him in his profession. He wasn't poor or anything—of course he had stuff to be grateful for. But he sensed it could be more. So he tried to get more.Wen he had got the call from Hamish's aide to get a lethal solution ready, he, as any rational person, did not like it. But what choice did he have? His wife was a compulsive shopper and his children sometimes forgot he wasn't a billionaire. So he asked himself what he had to lose and the answer was not much. He didn't know if he had a strong or weak conscience. He only knew he could use the money they were offering. He took the offer. He had hoped it would be a one-off thing. Prepare the solution, have it delivered, get his money, forget any of it ever happened. Now it was staring him on the face. That was the problem with crime. It made for str
Impatiently, the Chairman waited for Rey to arrive. More than clarity, he needed to prove to his son-in-law—and himself—that he was mistaken. If they hadn't been from Rey, he would have paid the messages no heed. He found it rather confusing under the given circumstances. He waited in his topfloor office in the conglomerate that morning, when he should have been busy with other concerns. Reynolds needed to explain. It was not that the strings had no connection whatsoever. No, the Chairman wasn't imprudent. It was the way they connected. And the who they connected to. Those were the things he could not accept. At least, not without hard, infallible proof.His desk phone beeped and he picked it up. It was Rezei, asking if he wanted to see Reynolds."Yes, let him come," he said. Then he glanced sharply at the central air conditioner, feeling like the temperature in the room had fallen by a hinedered degrees Celsius in one second. The door opened almost immediately to reveal Reynolds
Hamish was painstaking meticulous at planning. He knew when things could go slow, when they could go fast, and when they needed to go fast. Killing Rey was a fast game. It had to be if it would be played, as it was also a cagey game. Not that he was not a cagey man, or that he doubted his own genius. His master-mind. Rather, because he knew that perfection was not cheap, and if you were going to kill your next-door neighbour without taking a dent, you required perfection.He had two usable routes. One was direct: strike Rey. This required precision and care, seeing as the man had become his father's favourite. The other was a bit more accommodating: Strike Rey through Kayla. That is, strike Kayla, and when it impacted and exposed Reynolds, he’d then put the man to rest permanently.Being the genius that he was, Hamish kept both routes open. It would be like a double barrel, a kill-both-birds-with-one-stone formula. He was almost enjoying the prospect. All his track would be clean.
The police never got around to finding Riker. He was ghost, they said. Came and went as he pleased. In truth, he was aboard the next flight out of the country after the Johns foiled his coup. With his absence came peace. The Chairman gave Reynolds a position in the company to work alongside Hamish. Kayla's baby continued to grow, her belly ballooned, pushing against her buttons. For the couple and the Johns, the world seemed a kindlier place.All except Hamish.He was angered by the turn of events, especially with Reynolds' new position as his managerial superior. Bloody Reynolds? His Superior! They had no inkling what he was capable of. Maybe he would have to show them. By himself this time. He would restore his honor by taking out all his enemies and their accomplices, in any form they manifested. Including those who directly limited him, and those who did so indirectly, by being dumb and sluggish, by playing with his goals.The first, perfect victim would be Grant.Luckily, a d
The tracker vanished all of a sudden and Jovian's head jerked with a start. He had been watching his wearable monitor almost boredly up till it happened. “What the--?" He spat."What?" asked Ceneau who had also been observant."Do we move?" one of the aides asked. Jovian nodded. He dd not want to say that the tracker had been lost. They'd just drive to where it was last seen.Everybody prepared hastily. Even Ceneau fiddled with a rifle he probably couldn't use. They piled in and hit the gas, hard.****The first thing Reizei did was strike the overhead sensor. He guessed that damaging it could shut the mantap on one end (for both doors) and lock half the guards out momentarily. And it worked. The only people to cross were the three of them, Riker, and about half the escort party.Once Reynolds grabbed the nearest guard's gun, he had acted, ramming his fist into the circular sensor above his head. There were screams, including his.The Chairman scrambled. The guard behind Reizei gra