2025-01-11 01:47:10It was already few minutes past 8AM when Jason reached Xavi Cafe and fillings. He knew he was late and had to face his boss and not the present head deliverer, Jones. Jones was a 65 years old Irish-Latino sturdy man who looks like he took 20 years off his age with his pinkish baby like skin, grey iris and black hair. Jason believes that Jones understood him better than anyone else.
‘I know I'm safe with him. I hope he is able to convince the boss.', Jason thought as he drove into the garage. As soon as he parked his scooter in the general section, he spotted his boss' car in the reserved corner his brain sent a shiver down his spine. He felt a throbbing pang in his heart as he turned off the ignition. He harbored the thought that he might one day have a cardiac arrest as a result of the shocks his heart receive from the fear of his boss. He had secretly hoped that his boss would not be at work so early. ‘Past 8 isn't so early if you asked me’, he reminded himself. ‘Well, here goes nothing!’ He said to himself as he made his way to the entrance of the magnificent two decades old Xavi Cafe and fillings building which had brick walls sprawled one storey high, serving and delivering beverages and pastries. His entry instantly drew smirks and sneers across the Xavi's dining area on the faces of the two out of five staff working their morning shift. ‘Good morning, Mr Jason!’, Daisy cooed from behind him. Looking startled and confused as he did not hear her enter, ‘Good morning, Daisy’, he answered as he turned his head to look at her. ‘I have a piece of advice for you’, she said while plating with the leather bows attached to the leather belt on her waistline, ‘Buy yourself a clock with an alarm… If your lawfully wedded wife has decided to remain unfaithful to you, at least the clock wouldn't.' Jason was more confused and made to ask her what she meant by what she said but Daisy had walked away from him immediately after she uttered those words. Jason looked around to check whether anyone had seen or heard them. He noticed that the 2 girls sitting close to where he was were staring at him as the taller one whispered something to the shorter one. ‘Dee is everything else… but unfaithful?, he thought and sighed heavily. Jason knew he was not ready for a case on his wife's fidelity on an early Thursday morning and walked straight into the head deliverer's office. ‘Good morning, Boss J. I'm sorry ...’ ‘Good morning, Jason.’ Jones interrupted without looking up from his laptop, ‘The boss is waiting for you in his office Be careful of what you utter this morning. He is not in a good mood’, He added. ‘Thank you, mini boss’, Jason said playfully. Jason made his way to his boss's office. His boss, Mr ZacXavi had established Xavi's Cafe and fillings 21 years ago starting as a make shift kitchen doubling as an outlet outside on his family house's courtyard. Mr ZacXavi relays the story of the humble beginning of his two decades old treasure ‘Xavis Cafe and fillings’ to everyone who cares to listen as many times as possible. Jason knocked gently on the door and got no response. ‘Good morning, Boss.’, He called out with a pitch too high than he had intended. He got no response again. He decided to open the door to check whether his boss was on seat or not. As he did, Jason checked his boss's corner and found no one. He stepped into the office to probably wait for his boss but was startled by his boss's raspy voice. ‘How many times have I warned you not to enter into my office without my permission?’ ZacXavi asked while shaking the ashes off his cigar in the glass ash tray on the wooden stool in his front. ‘Good morning, boss ‘Jason replied looking like a dog that got caught with the neighbor's shoes in its mouth, ‘I knocked but no one answered, sir.’ He continued without missing a beat and listened intently for a reply. ZacXavi continued to draw the smoke from his Cuban Cigar and puff it into the air with his eyes closed and head resting backward on his brown leather couch. Jason stood still unsure of what to do, whether to keep quiet and wait for his boss to speak or say something to grab his attention again. ‘Boss?, Jason whispered ‘Jason, Jason, Jason!', ZacXavi called with an angry tone as he rose suddenly in a way that startled Jason again. He walked steadily with his ash tray in his right hand and the Cigar in his left in a way that screamed 'Mafia!' with a body that seemed as though he worked out every single day with his blond hair making a statement on his head complementing his greyish blue irises. His well-built physique and ocean eyes, like Daisy called it, has women drooling over him. Jason had once heard Diane mention to her sister that his boss was a hot number. ‘What is today's date, Jason?’, ZacXavi asked as he sat on his office chair. ‘Huh 21st of May?’ Jason replied after a few seconds pause sounding unsure as he wondered where the conversation was headed. Good its nice to hear that it’s few hours to payday. How many times have I called you into my office this month?’, ZacXavi continued while puffing out smoke from his Cigar. ‘Its been 3 times, Boss’, Jason replied while staring down at his shoelaces before he shifted his focus to the faded wooden floor. ‘Good! Then, how useless can you become that would make me dismiss you from work?’ ZacXavi asked staring intently at him. 'And raise your freaking head up when Im talking to you!', Jason immediately raised his head up but found it extremely difficult to look directly at his boss. ‘You still don't get it, do you?’ ZacXavi continued ‘Xavi's Cafe and fillings has been standing strong for a mostly good twenty one years, you know I began with just a few dollars to my name accumulated from series of jobs I took on as a teenager.' 'Oh Oh! here we go again with the daily dose of grass to grace Ted X', Jason thought and chuckled mentally ‘Do you think that I would be here today if I had handled my business with the level of irresponsibility you are handling your job with? ‘ 'I'm so sorry boss', Jason replied sounding remorseful. ‘Sorry for yourself, Mr man!...This is your fifth year here and you still lack the basic qualities of a responsible employee!’ ZacXavi said with a voice that showed that he was visibly irritated, 'I wonder what your wife sees in you that is making her stick with you.. I promise you, she deserves better'. ‘What has my wife got to do with this again? Your wife this, your wife that. Y'all should leave Dee out of this already.', Jason thought as he felt his patience hitting its rock bottom. He was jolted back to his boss's office as he someone knocked on the door. ‘Come in, Iglesias.’ ZacXavi called out. A frail looking boy teenage walked in with a cup of hot coffee and dropped it on the table in front of the boss. ‘Look at Igly...', ZacXavi said as he pointed at him. ‘He comes to work early before I do he makes sure my coffee is ready at the appropriate time just the way I like it and it is common knowledge that he is still a teenager and at his age, he understands perfectly that one must be responsible and carry out his duties diligently.’. Jason could clearly see that Iglesias was grinning at his discomfort as he did not even bother to respect his presence. Its my fault, anyways, Jason thought as he felt his eyes stinging from tears threatening to pour. ‘This should be the last time I call you into my office for this nonsense and irresponsible attitude of yours. Close my door behind you.’ ZacXavi said as he lifted his coffee to his mouth. ‘Thank you, boss’ Jason replied looking remorseful ‘Don't thank me, fool. Get out of my office and go do your job! There's too much delivery to be done today and we are lagging already No thanks to you.’ ZacXavi replied, ‘Igly boy call me my secretary’ He said facing Iglesias ‘Alright Boss.’ Iglesias made for the door with a smile on his face. Jason left immediately after Iglesias did to avoid further insult and to ensure that he covers his mark for the day. ‘I think I've ruined my chances with the boss already. How do I become head deliverer now?’, he thought ‘See me through this, Jason. I believe in you.’ He said to himself as he headed to his designated delivery van already stocked with pastries and beverages to be delivered. Then, he saw her again, 'Daisy'. She smiled and winked at him awkwardly which threw him off balance. 'I really don't understand this girl. One minute, she's raging like a dog, the other minute, she's acting all sweet… It better not be what I'm thinking.’ He thought as entered into the van and turned on the ignition. 'Hey Jason!', Daisy called out loud 'Come back as soon as you can, sweetheart I have a surprise for you, the boss has a surprise for you or... let me say, we all have a surprise for you', She said and winked before turning back to enter the building 'I just left the boss!', Jason replied 'Oh really?' she said as she turned back 'Yes!', Jason said and sighed heavily. 'Trust me, he has a bigger surprise for you. A beautiful one… Dont tell anyone. It's a secret', she whispered loudly in a way that sounded creepy and it horrified Jason that he felt something crawling beneath his skin. 'Drive safe, sweetheart and remember... Daisy loves you', she said and smiled creepily before entering the building. Jason had always thought that Daisy was just been an annoying brat but at that moment as he shifted the gear to drive mode, he felt sorry for her. He did not understand why he did but he had it in mind to ask her what she has up her sleeves this time. 'And yes, the boss... I don't even know whether she's lying or not I'll know when I return', he thought and sighed as he drove out of the premises.
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CHAPTER 43
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Jason sat in the president's chair, his posture straight, his expression unreadable as the weight of the moment pressed down upon him. His father, once the man who had sat in this seat with authority and charisma, now stood up and shook Jason’s hand, the passing of an era unfolding in a single gesture. The sight of the handshake reverberated around the silent room, the only thing louder than the action itself was the uncertainty hanging thick in the air. His father’s exit was swift, deliberate, the door closing behind him with a soft thud. Mauve, Winston’s brother, followed soon after, calling out behind him in an attempt to stall his departure."Wait, brother," Mauve’s voice was firm, the kind of tone that left little room for argument, "Don’t head straight to your office just yet. Come to mine. We’ll talk about what comes next over a cup of coffee. Retirement’s on my mind as well. We can make plans together."Winston’s eyes narrowed for a brief moment, but he didn’t reply immediatel
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Cain ArkWrath sat rigidly at the long, polished conference table, his fingers clenching into fists beneath the smooth surface. His sharp eyes darted between the family members sitting around him, though his mind was far from the polished business conversation taking place. The room felt suffocating, and the air was thick with applause, but Cain’s thoughts were anything but celebratory.Jason ArkWrath, the man who had just been introduced as the new president of the State and business empire of ArkWrath was an enigma to Cain. The moment Jason had walked into the room, Cain’s instincts had flared. There was something disturbingly familiar about the young man. For a fleeting moment, Cain’s mind had thrown up a memory, one that was not so buried in the past and had now resurfaced with sharp clarity. Jason looked almost identical to Fad Lucas, the cleaner who had disappeared off Cain’s radar after their confrontation. The very same man who Cain had tried to kill in a fit of anger and arro
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The meeting had reached a critical point, and the tension was hotter than ever. Winston ArkWrath had just announced the unexpected decision to name his son, Jason, as his successor. A murmur of surprise had rippled through the room, and the once-steadfast supporters of Winston seemed unsure how to react. Some exchanged anxious glances, others appeared relieved, but no one dared to voice their true feelings, not in front of Winston. To many, it seemed like a peaceful moment. But for those who truly understood the dynamics at play, it was a carefully orchestrated facade that threatened to crack wide open. Winston raised his hand, signaling for quiet. “We’ll take a 5-minute break,” he declared, his voice commanding yet oddly calm. “During this time, I’d like to address any concerns that might have arisen regarding my decision to name Jason as my successor. I know many of you must have your doubts... perhaps you feel uncertain about this choice. But I assure you, this is the right dec
CHAPTER 37
Mauve’s heart pounded in his chest. His palms were slick with sweat. He could feel the weight of the eyes upon him, even though he was doing his best to remain stoic. He knew, deep down, that this was not his moment. It would never be his moment. Winston turned to the side and gestured to a figure standing at the back of the room. It was a man Mauve had not expected. Jason. But what confused the room was his appearance. The mask he wore, one that had covered his face until now, was an unusual choice for someone in a position of power. As he reached behind his ear and pressed a button, the mask began to shrink, revealing the raw scars that lined his forehead. It was clear that these were not just battle scars; they were marks of someone who had been through something much darker, something that went far beyond the surface.The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, the reporters too stunned to ask the questions that burned on their tongues. Mauve’s chest tightened as he watched Ja
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It was now Monday, and the glass conference room hummed with the subtle buzz of activity. The room, sleek and modern, exuded power as its polished floors reflecting the sharp, angular edges of the classy furniture. The walls, adorned with massive digital screens, displayed the ArkWrath logo in stark contrast to the otherwise single colour, grey decor. Two reporters, seasoned professionals known for breaking the most confidential news from headquarters, sat in their designated corner, marked Media Section. They were quiet but observant, poised with their pens ready to capture not just the words spoken but the unsaid. The emotions, the shifts in energy, nothing was beyond their scrutiny. They had spent seven years in that room, learning to decode the faintest sigh, the flicker of an eyelash, the nervous shift of a hand. In this world of power drift and secrecy, they were now masters of reading between the lines. Today, however, something felt different, more dangerously exciting. The r
CHAPTER 35
The clock on Mauve’s desk ticked louder than usual, each passing second feeling heavier than the last. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he stared at the letter that still lay in front of him. The crisp parchment, sealed with Winston’s unmistakable crest, seemed to mock him in its simplicity. A year ago, he had made a critical mistake. A failure that still stung, one that he hadn’t fully forgiven himself for.Mauve’s fingers drummed lightly against the polished wood of his desk as he remembered the mission he’d assigned. It had seemed so straightforward then: eliminate the only heir left to Winston’s business empire.But, as with most of Mauve’s plans, things hadn’t gone as expected.The people Mauve had chosen to carry out the task, his trusted agents, handpicked for their loyalty and their experience, had failed him.The operation had fallen apart quickly. The moment Mauve’s agents lost contact, he knew that the plan had failed. He had no choice but to eliminate those
