For the remaining minutes to the end of dinner, no one said a word to the other as they focused on their food. Jonathan was the first to leave the table, followed by Raiden who ran after him.Grabbing him by the cuff of his shirt, he shoved him roughly on the wall, “You think you are smart huh!” He snarled, his eyes reddened in anger. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Jonathan replied calmly. He wouldn't want to exchange fists with him for whatever reason. “You went behind us and struck a deal with father.” He pushed him aside and still fuming with anger, he began to pace to and fro as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Pushing his hand forward, he wanted to send his fist into Jonathan's face but he was quick to duck before he got hit. Surprised at his speed, Raiden attempted his earlier action for the second time but the result was still the same. “I can see you have grown big.” He laughed, rubbing his palms as an evil grin appeared on his lips. “Believe me when
The next morning, Jonathan was dressed in casual clothes since he wasn't going to the Blue Net, rather, he was going to resume as a janitor in the shopping mall. Solomon had ensured that everything he needed was put in place and also informed the head of the janitor's. When he arrived, with the aid of the description Solomon had given to him, Jonathan was able to locate the store. “Good morning, I'm supposed to resume today.” He was speaking to the lady who was in charge of the store house. In front of her was a laptop which she was scrolling through as she sipped from her cup of coffee. When she didn't respond to Jonathan's words, he repeated himself a few more times until she slammed her fist against the table, glaring angrily at him. “Can't you see I’m busy?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes at him. “I'm sorry ma’am.” He quickly apologized as he stepped backwards with his head bowed. Since Solomon was the one who had put a word for him, he wasn't expecting her re
Thinking it was all over, Jonathan exhaled in relief, wiping off the beads of perspiration that had gathered on his forehead. “That was close.” He muttered. Just when he was about to resume work, Divah appeared in front of him. “Sir.” She called, crossing her hands on her chest as her face contorted with a look of surprise and confusion. When she saw him the first time, she didn't believe her eyes until she got a closer look of him, strengthening her conviction. “I received an email this morning saying you would be unavailable for a month since you have a business class to be part of.” She reeled, the confusion on her face still etched on it. “It's not what you think.” Jonathan said, racking his brain on the perfect tale to say to her but his head was blank. He couldn't tell her his plans and not only that he didn't want anyone to know what he was up to. Rubbing his nape, he chuckled a bit as he tried to steal away but she was quick to pull him back. “I'm sorry but you can't l
“What is it?” She asked, locking eyes with him. “It seems you are acquainted with Vina Leighton.” “Yeah! We are co staff and mutual friends.” “Whatever it is but please, keep my identity hidden from her.” He said, falling back on his seat while she stared at him like she just saw a ghost.“How long are you going to keep up with this new identity of yours?” “Until I catch the perp.” “Perp?” She wanted him to reveal more but he wasn't going to fall for her scheme. Holding her hand, he helped her up and then swirled her in the direction of the exit, “Go home, you had a long day.” Divah didn't budge and so in anger, he grabbed his cup of coffee off the table and then stormed out with her trailing after him. He was about to flag down a taxi when Pearl walked up to him with a broad smile on her lips. “Jonathan Gray.” She called, grinning from side to side. “If you don't mind, I would love to speak to you.” She said and just then Divah who had been running after him, arrived, doubl
Whistling a nursery rhyme, Jonathan pushed his janitor’s cart into Karl's office for his usual morning routine. Today was two weeks since he began to work as a janitor. “Good morning sir.” He greeted in a cheerful manner and then commenced work, making sure to take note of everything his eyes could fall on. For the past two weeks, he had been trying to come up with a contingent plan to send Vina and Karl to their heels but he couldn't come up with any. Smacking his lips, he continued his job only to stop whistling when the telephone on his table began to buzz. “You're hardworking.” Karl said, using his fingers to comb through his beards. He had ended the call purposely because he couldn't afford to take it in Jonathan's presence. “I love putting in my best in everything I do.” Jonathan replied with a bright smile which he nodded to. “Since you took over my office, there hasn't been a speck of dust.” Titling his head to the side with his chin resting on his clasped hand, he said
“Is anything the problem? It seems you have just seen a ghost.” Raymond said, nudging Jonathan side. He had rejoined them but hadn't contributed to their conversation as he kept staring into space. “Nothing! I’m good.” He replied, flashing him a coy smile. “If you say so.” He shrugged, grabbing the handle of his cart in readiness to return to his place of duty. “See you after work hours.” A few other janitors joined Raymond while the rest kept discussing. Jonathan tried all he could to forget about the text he had received from the anonymous sender but it was to no avail. The happy talks and laughter from the janitors who were on break was not enough to steer his mind from the text. For more than half an hour, he zoned out completely, racking his head as he tried to come up with an identity for the sender. “Raiden!” He muttered only to shake his head sideways. He believed Raiden wasn't the one. If indeed he wanted to threaten him this way, he would have done that physically l
Jonathan had just finished taking out the ashtray on Karl's table when he walked in with another stub of cigarette in between his lips. “Good morning sir.” Jonathan hailed as he prepared to push his cart away since he had finished cleaning for the day. Karl didn't only ignore him, he threw the remaining stub of cigarette on the floor and as if that was not enough, used the sole of his shoe to crush it. Enraged by this singular act, Jonathan grabbed the handle of his cart more tightly. So as not to explode in anger, he decided to act like he didn't witness it but Karl wasn't going to let him be. “Aren't you going to clean up the ash from the floor?” He barked, glaring at Jonathan's back. With a forced smile, Jonathan returned his gaze to him, “Pardon!” He said, acting like he had no idea about what was going on. “The ash, you need to clean it.” He said, pointing at the floor which he had smeared with the black substance. Jonathan was about to ask him to clean up the mess himself
First, it was Solomon who wore a stoic expression and then Jonathan whose face was still reddened from the impact of the slap. “You did this?” Solomon asked Vina who was darting her eyes around like she had been caught in an unholy act. “I deserve a response, don't you think?” He leaned over her table, his whole gaze on her as she trembled. “Sir, I didn't intend to hit him but I couldn't hold back when he wanted to hit me. We had a little issue which resulted in an exchange of words, he tried to hit me first but I countered it.” Pointing at Karl, she said, “Thanks for his timely intervention, otherwise, I would have been badly beaten.” She rapped. “Jonathan!” Solomon yelled, glaring at him while he had his head buried to the ground. With her hand folded in front of her, Pearl did a quick bow and then scurried out, followed by Jonathan who had been sent out by Solomon. Jonathan was heading towards the janitor's room when Pearl grabbed his arm, pulling him to a corner. When she