CHAPTER 8: OUT COLD"What?!" Justin gasped at what he heard. His name was the last to be mentioned to not have passed the second phase of the interview. The man who had tried to sow a seed of discouragement in him blurted out a laughter, but crossed his hand over his mouth to prevent it from being audible."Am sorry, but it's time for you to take your leave," the interviewer who called out the names instructed, unapologetically. Disheartened and disappointed at the turn of events, Justin got his bag and walked slowly out of the interview hall. Gloominess was written all over his face. He had high hopes, and all of a sudden now, everything seemed bleak.Mr Frank Alvaro watched Justin as he walked out of the interview hall, walking behind all the other disqualified candidates, heading to the elevator. He shrugged, pursing his lips, and faced the remaining candidates who made it to the third and final phase of the interview.Justin disappointedly walked out of the building, wondering
CHAPTER 9: QUESTIONS UPON QUESTIONS.Justin was suddenly awakened as a result of his head bumping hard into the car seat in front of him. Shards of glasses were scattered within the car as the car was ran into by another car as his abductors conveyed him.An unknown group of men had kidnapped him, having paid off the neighbor some reasonable amount of money to have him sedated.Gaining a bit of consciousness, but drowsy still, he could hear an exchange of heavy gunfire for some moment. He could see some figures falling to the ground, as they were shot. But he had no strength, neither was he cognitive enough to do anything to keep himself safe from harm's way.After a while, the gunshots stopped. He saw the figure of a person approach him, flashing a light right at his face. Examining him, the man found that he was okay, except the concussion in his forehead."Wh- What's happe- What's happening?" Justin questioned faintly, squinting his eyes as he blocked off the light from entering hi
CHAPTER 10: MOMENT OF TRUTH.Justin looked at Mr Bishop, wondering why he smirked."Why did you do it, sir?" Justin enquired.The men standing guard were sulking, wondering who the hell that Justin was, that their boss allowed him to speak freely with him."Well, let's just say they were suddenly interested in what I've had my eyes on for a while now," Mr Bishop answered.Justin raised his left eyebrow, looking intently at Mr Bishop. He knew Mr Bishop's answer was way too bogus. He could sense there was more to it than meets the eye."You think I had a hand in your abduction?" Mr Bishop said. "Here. Why don't you have a look?"He handed Justin his cellphone after he flipped through it, showing him a surveillance footage of the rescue. Justin played it and saw that he was actually resued."I truly am grateful sir, for the rescue. But, who are those folks who came after me? Why me, of all people? What did they want?" Justin asked.Mr Bishop sighed softly, and looked at Justin."This was
CHAPTER 11: SETTLING IN.Gomez headed out of the study, in obedience to Mr Bishop's instruction. Making his way through the main entrance, he sighted Justin standing outside the house.He stood there for some minutes, Justin couldn't take notice of his presence. And for a moment, he noticed how Justin was troubled. He had both his hands on his head, squinting his eyes, and sighing frustratedly.Immediately, Gomez returned to the study. He was granted permission to enter the study by Mr Bishop."Anything the matter?" Mr Bishop asked."Justin seems restless and unsettled.""Mm," Mr Bishop sighed, tapping one of his fingers on the table. "Go and get him settled in.""Right away sir," Gomez responded and bowed as he exited the study. He quickly sent one of the guard to go fetch the chief steward of the Bishop estate, summoning him immediately. Shortly after, the chief steward arrived with a sense of urgency. He bowed his head then said, "You called for me, sir?""Yes," Gomez responded.
CHAPTER 12: THE INFORMANT.Gomez walked into a restaurant in Chinatown, alone, while his men waited outside. He was in a turf he had little leverage in. Standing at the entrance, he scanned and assessed the room. It was filled with Asians. They threw stares of disgust at him, but he ignored them. Adjusting his suit, he walked straight to the bar, and sat on a stool. A male bartender stood behind the counter."What can I get you?" the bartender asked."Tequila," Gomez said simply. "Coming right up," the bartender nodded, as he went ahead to serve Gomez the drink. Gomez received it, and chugged it down with one gulp, gently placing the cup on the counter. And took a deep breath.'Where could he be? I've looked round this bar and there is no sign of him,' Gomez reasoned within himself."Am looking for someone, the informant. Do you know where I can find him? Gomez asked the bartender."I don't have any idea," he replied sluggishly."You sure don't know where he is?" Gomez persisted.
CHAPTER 13: PROGRESS REPORT. Gomez and his men returned to the Bishop Estate that evening. As they park the SUV at the usual spot, one of the men came down and opened the door for Gomez, bowing slightly as Gomez came down from the car.Gomez walked through the entrance, heading straight to Mr Bishop's study, wearing an unpleasant look on his face.On entering the living area, Gomez bumped into Frank, the Chief Steward, who was on his way to check on Justin. Frank bowed his head as Gomez walked past him.Seeing Gomez's demeanor, Frank could tell something unpleasant was up.'Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be sorted out. Gomez is capable of handling any situation,' he said within himself, continuing to Justin's room.Gomez stood before the door of the study. He took a deep breath in, and exhaled heavily. Then, he pressed onto a button on a control panel outside the study as he spoke into the mouth piece."Sir, it's Gomez."Mr Bishop unlocked the door from his own end within the study,
CHAPTER 14: THE MOLE.Justin jerked and turned around. He saw that it was Frank."Jeez man. Can you not creep up on me like that again?" "Oh, am sorry I startled you, sir," Frank apologized. "But dinner is ready." "Yeah, dinner. I'll head there, right away," Justin said awkwardly, as he headed to the dining hall. But he still wondered where his father was off to._________The whole team at their usual meeting hall, all dressed up in black suit, patiently waiting for Gomez's arrival. The base was an hour's commute from New York City, located in New Rochelle, hidden in plain sight. Even the authorities had no clue that it was their base.Shortly after, Gomez arrived accompanied by two of his men. The third man who drove the SUV remained outside as he went into the building that night. Walking through the passages, he got to meeting hall. One of the men accompanying him opened the door to the meeting hall as he walked through. Seeing him, the team arose, as a show of respect. Gomez
CHAPTER 15: THE GIFT. Mr Bishop arrived his estate with his convoy. His driver parked the car at the garage, as one of his men alighted hurriedly from the other car and opened the door for Mr Bishop.Mr Bishop came down gently supporting the hat on his head with his left hand.The men stationed at the entrance of the mansion bowed as he made his way through the main entrance, heading in."Welcome sir," Frank greeted, having awaited his return."How is my son?" Mr Bishop asked."He should be asleep sir," Frank replied.Mr Bishop nodded his head once as he made his way to Justin's room.He got to the room and opened the door slightly looking to see if Justin was awake.Justin laid on the bed not yet asleep. Immediately he noticed the door opening slightly, he had a gut feeling that it was Mr Bishop, so he pretended to be asleep."I guess he's doing all right," Mr Bishop said inaudibly, sighing, as he saw he was asleep. He quietly shut the door, and headed to his study to get somethings