OPPORTUNITY SYSTEM: THE RISE TO FAME

Chapter 9,

“Excuse me please.” A voice said, jolting him out of his reverie. He looked up and saw that he was causing a little hold-up at the entrance.

“Sorry.” He said and stepped aside for them to pass.

He perused the picture again. He had to be sure it was truly R.J. Black and not some random person. He looked at the man again and back at the picture. He was convinced. It was him. Excitedly, all thought of working out now nonexistent in his head, James ran towards his car just as R.J. Black entered the jeep and drove out of the parking lot. James started his car and followed the jeep.

James followed the jeep through town for several minutes. He made sure to keep a discreet distance so as not to cause suspicion.

The jeep finally stopped in front of a bungalow at the very edge of town. James parked his car in a distance. He didn't know whether to get out of the car and try to sneak towards the house. Before he could decide, R.J black was walking back outside again, this time, he was flanked by two men in dark shades, holding guns and a briefcase.

The black jeep turned and drove off again. James waited two minutes, before turning and following them again.

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James kept this up for three days, following R.J. Black around. R.J. Black's life seemed like a cycle. From his house to the gym to the supermarket, to the pub, and finally to the mysterious bungalow on the edge of town. James noticed he visited that bungalow twice every day and at specific times. Twelve noon and six in the evening. He never spent long there, always walked out a few minutes later with another briefcase. The men flanking him changed every time he visited that house.

James did not know what to make of all of these but he reckoned the opportunity system knew what all these meant and what to do with the information.

On the night of the third day, James had tailed R.J. back to his house around twelve at midnight. He decided to drive back home. He had hardly had any time for anything else ever since set on this mission.

His phone vibrated beside him and he picked it up. He read the notification slowly.  It was a message from his bank. He had been credited thirty million dollars!

James was surprised. The opportunity system had already paid him? He thought it was after he had given him the information he needed that he was going to get paid.

He reckoned the opportunity system had decided to pay him in advance. He got to his house, feeling elated. He felt like whooping with joy. He entered his house and collapsed on his bed. He began to laugh aloud like a madman. Yes, baby! He had done it. Thirty million dollars in his bank account. He was rich baby, he was rich!

“You are in a good mood, I see.” A voice said. James gave a start. He turned and saw the opportunity system standing in the corner.

“Of course I am,” James said grinning. “And I bet you know why.”

The opportunity system didn't say anything to that. He moved closer to James.

“Your three days are up. What did you observe while tailing R.J. Black?” He asked.

“A lot. I observed a lot.” James said, his heart was beating fast in excitement.  He explained everything to the opportunity system, from how he had met him at the gym, to following him to a mysterious house at the edge of town and everything he saw. The opportunity system said nothing until James stopped talking.

“You have down well.” The opportunity system said. “You have given me the information I need, thank you. Now about your payment…….”

“Yeah, I've already seen the money you sent into my account.” James interrupted, grinning happily.

The opportunity system paused for a minute before speaking.

“What money?”

“The thirty million dollars,” James said, raising an eyebrow. “You just sent it to me a few minutes ago.”

“I didn't.” The opportunity system said. “I said I would pay you after you have my information, didn't I?”

It was beginning to get really confusing for James.

“But…..but……I just received the money and there were no details and…….”

James' voice trailed off. Even though he could not see his face, he could tell the opportunity system was confused as he was.

“If I didn't send the money.” the opportunity system said slowly. “And then you got credited by an unknown source……….Oh no!” He exclaimed suddenly.

Before James could say anything, the opportunity system disappeared into thin air.

James was standing, shocked, staring at the empty space which the hooded had stood mere seconds ago when there was a sudden loud bang on his door. James yelled and crouched on the floor, his hands over his head.

“Who is that?!” He bellowed.

Another bang and his door came crashing down. Five men in black masks ran into the room. Before James knew what was happening, five pistols were pointing at his face.

“Your hands above your head.” One of the men said. “Do not make any funny moves if you do not want us to blow your brain.”

"Please don't kill me," James said amidst fear.

"Not yet, but anything fun will kill you. Move it"