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 footsteps that arrived in front of him.Rey slowly raised his head, he frowned his face as he saw his ex-girlfriend with five thugs behind her."What is the meaning of this Ashley.""What else?" She smirked, "...what does it look like? I have come to squeeze my $20,000 out of you even if you have to die.""How dare you?""Guys, beat up this trash of a guy before until he pays me."“Of course, dear miss. Don't worry, we've got you." One with a hulking frame walked to the front and looked down on him. He flexed his arm and clenched his fist tightly."So what do you say? Transfer the money before I beat the crap out of you."Reynold was angry, very angry. This girl had done nothing but leech on him for the past three years, there have been times when he'd starve himself for days and work extra jobs so he could get her a designer dress which she probably would wear to club to go meet another man.Thinking about it pumped his veins with anger instead of blood. Even though it was quite obvious that he couldn't win against all five of them–he raised his hands to a boxing stance.He had learned a few things about boxing before but it was self-taught."Oh oh? You want to use those thin hands to throw a punch, I wonder if it will land."Before it was not possible because he was emotionally unstable. His attack was fueled by anger so his movement was sluppy. He was heartbroken and didn't know what he was doing anymore.But it's a different story now. Managing five of them was a cocky thing to do but he could stand his ground with no fear.The air became thick as the five thugs surrounded him, even with how very daunting this challenge was looking, Reynold still had a determined look on his face.'I'm not gonna back down from this.’The first thug lunged at him with a wild haymaker. Reynold ducked and pivoted smoothly, his footwork impeccable as he narrowly avoided the fist that whizzed past his head. He countered with a quick jab to the thug's gut, causing the man to gasp for air.It was unexpected. For a novice, his movement was sharp.The hulking man–who had stepped back frowned.'Looks like he isn't all talk and no do.’"Don't go easy on him.” he commanded."Yes sir!" The second thug yelled and rushed forward, attempting to blindside Reynold. But Reynold sidestepped and delivered a powerful right hook to the side of the man's face.The thug stumbled backward, clutching his cheek, and the other two began closing in fast.Thug number three swung a chain in a wide arc, aiming for Reynold's head. With lightning reflexes, Reynold bobbed and weaved, narrowly escaping the whirling chain—but he was too slow to react to thug number four who seemed to just be waiting for him to dodge.A bone-crushing kick was hurled onto his flank, causing him to stumble to the ground. He lost his balance and rolled on the floor.Not sparing a minute, they darted at him and began to deliver him kicks while he was on the floor. Reynold curled and writhed in pain as they continued to batter him with kicks–they were not even giving him space to stand up.'Was I too cocky‐I wanted to end this quick so that Kayla wouldn't meet me in a condition like this...damnit damnit damnit.’ Reynold despised himself for being weak. Now, he wished he had taken P.E. class seriously and grown some muscles."How's that miss? Do you see how they are pummeling him? Like it?" The hulking thug asked with a big grin on his fat face."Yes, beat him more and more. Let him learn his lesson for messing with me."Vrroooooomm.The exotic revving of engines from behind grabbed their attention. Several black Rolls-Royce began to arrive and stop by the side of the road.The doors of the cars opened and men in black suits and shades began to pour out of it and queue in a straight line.Amidst the black cars, in the middle of it was a white one, pristine like the carriage of a goddess.Lei came out from the front and opened the door. From it came down a lady in a white gown.The gown was simple–it displayed and accentuated her curvature. Her black hair was straight and smooth, almost like she was putting on a bone-straight wig, but it was her normal hair.A frown formed on her face as she saw what was happening."Hey, Lei... are those thugs besting my husband?""So it seems my lady," Lei responded.She stretched out her hand towards Lei–she said no words but Lei could understand very much what she meant, her eyes widened and she tried to stop Kayla–"My lady please let me take care of this.""Hand it to me," Kayla demanded with a cold voice—giving Lei no choice but to comply.The young lady went into the booth of the car and brought out a pack of golf sticks and balls.Kayla tore the side of her dress so she would be able to freely move. She took one of the golf balls and stuck. Then she threw the ball up and as it came down, smashed it.The ball hurled away, delving into the skull of one of the guys who was beating Rey up. The thug collapsed, blood splurging out of his head.Kayla began to walk forward, spinning the golf stick. She reached Ashley's front and spared the lead thug before looking back at Ashley."Who the hell are you?" Ashley asked with a growl."Hey miss, this lady just hurt one of my men, step back let me take care of this." So he said but before he could move—Lei flipped him over and smashed him to the ground causing him to pass out immediately."What?!" Ashley's eyes widened with shock. How can a lady defeat such a big man with just one throw?! Lei adjusted her suit and returned to Kayla's back.The men who were beating Reynold just now, cowered in fear and slowly made an escape for their lives. Although that was not possible—they were quickly apprehended by the men in black suits."Why don't you let us settle this woman to woman. You bratty fool.”"Who the fuck are you?"Kayla looked over to Rey and looked back at Ashley with a smirk."Me? I'm his wife.""There is no way you'd be married to this fool!"Slap!As she uttered the words, another slap landed on her face.“You won’t dare insult my husband in my presence ever again, wretched fool!”‘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,
Reynold had been all over the house looking for first aid kits but found none. There was no one around apart from both of them. In fact, he was shocked that she dismissed her female bodyguard and came in here alone with a man she just barely knew."I've looked all over but there are no first aid kits. I think taking you to the hospital will be the best course of action."Kayla was halfway awake, she shrugged sluggishly as he spoke. Reynold patiently stood and waited for her to wake up fully.However, the moment she did..."Please get out." She sternly said, holding her head tiredly.A frown creased together Reynold's brows."What do you mean? You just fell and injured yourself. And you are telling me to get out. You need to go to the hospital. You can't even stand on your own.""Please, Reynold. Don't let me get angry, the contract stated that you would not step into my room so get out."Her voice this time was more stable and fearsome.Reynold clenched his fist, he looked at her for a
Reynold as he walked was absent-minded. His thoughts tugged him from within, he seemed lost from the outside, and his mind wandered from here to there and from there to here. It was all because of one person.'What does she want?''What could I have done better?''Was accepting this a mistake?''Should I just be content with the fact that she helped me?'In as much as Reynold wanted to take that route. He suspected that it was going to be hard. Kayla was a beautiful girl who had stretched forth a helping hand to him just when he needed it most.How was he supposed to ignore loving such a person when they were staying under the same roof? Plus the urge to mow her down anytime he saw her in those sexy dresses. How was he supposed to deal with all of that?Reynold sat down at the bus stop, waiting for the next bus to arrive. He raised his head and sighed and he dropped it.A few minutes later, the bus arrived and Reynold left for the hospital.Upon getting to the hospital, Reynold immed
Things didn’t go as easy as Reynold had planned it, he didn’t expect his sister to be quite the quick-witted one. He also didn’t expect her to have some loose screws in the head that she’d think that the kind of marriage he is in is a very cool one.That took most part of what he was worried about off his mind but the most important part still awaited and he had to deliver that part making sure it doesn’t come off as the reason why he is doing all of this.Reynold stole a glance at her as both of them stood in front of the vending machine, he smiled smoothly and looked away before she caught him.Immediately she downturned her lips, disrupting her facial expression like she had swallowed something very disgusting. “Heeeuuw.”“What??” Reynold asked, arching one of his brow.“Don’t look at me like that and smile brother. It’s gonna make me puke I swear.” She declared and picked her canned drink as the machine spilled it out.She peeled it open and swayed as she walked, her steps were del
Reynold silently watched the scenery of the cities turn to a blur of motion as the car sped forward. Everything for a moment seemed still. It had just been a day but he felt like it had been a week. So much had happened.He ran his mind back everything from catching his ex-girlfriend cheating on him with his port-belly boss and him getting beat for it, to meeting a damsel like Kayla then paying for his mother’s hospital bills and his sister too.There were a lot of reasons to be joyful about but only a bitter smile escaped his mouth and he knew the reason why. He wanted something more, and who wouldn’t with a pretty girl like her?He let out a sigh.“You know, I’ve been looking at you since you hoped into this cab.”The driver’s murky voice distracted his thoughts. Reynold shifted his attention to the man in front? Belatedly he noticed he wasn’t befitting the description of a man.He had brown curly hair, his eyes hung lazily over his face, his skin was rough – they hinted of his stru
As the guy’s voice rose higher, the securities at the gathered around hem trying to control the situation but Rey’s so-called colleague only got fiercer and the situation only escalated.“You think because I’m your school mate you can take advantage of me or something cause bro where the fuck is my money?!”This was getting very embarrassing for Rey, he lowered his head in shame. He wasn’t even particular about himself. He didn’t always care about himself, but what about this matter that was so infuriating was that he desperately wished to protect Kayla’s reputation in all of this.Protecting her public image was the least he felt he owe her for how much she had helped him. Even though it was a contract marriage, he still felt much indebted to her.Rey bit his lips, desperately wishing all this ruckus can calm down whatever way.“Hey, did that bastard just hit my man?”Rey recognized that hoarse voice, it sounded tired this time and resonated with a degree of vexation – it was almost p
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