LUCK“Go and do it. Order Brian.He had turned back to Hector and stared at him He knew there was no other way he would get respect from this man.The only thing he knew was money, and Brian would teach him a lesson he wouldn't soon forget.“Which villa did you have in mind?” Asked Emma.“The one designed by Mark Ludendorff”, said Brian, still looking at Hector.He wanted to be sure it was a villa in which Samantha would enjoy spending time.She liked privacy. Emma took the bank card and put it in the machine, convinced that the card would be declined. She thought about what alternative job she could find in the area once her manager found out about this and fired her.Hector would settle for nothing less, she decided. “I'd be very surprised that that transaction goes through”, said Hector, starting to enjoy himself.“It's been approved, said Emma quietly.Not believing the card reading machine.Hector looked at her sharply.”Funny joke”, he said.“Pack your bag, you'll be jobless in less
LOST“Thomas, get real”, said Samantha before Brian could speak. “Do you honestly think Brian has that kind of money?Even if he did, why should he do it again?” She turned to Brenda, incandescent with rage.“Why did you give all the money to him? Brian gave the money to you for safekeeping”, she shouted.“Brian gave it to me”, said Brenda. “He got it from Nick. If anything, Nick gave me the money. Not your good for nothing, husband”. Brenda said.She knew she wasn't getting anywhere by throwing recriminations around.“If the money's gone, then so be it”, she said, matter of factly.“You'd better call the police”.But deep down, she knew calling the police would be a waste of time. Technically, Sofia hadn't stolen the car, and proving that she had stolen the money would be tough.Obviously she had been planning this for a very long time and the chances of finding the money were slim.Brenda and Thomas were too upset to eat that evening.They sat quietly at the table, playing with their
RETALIATION “Walter is a local. He's worked overseas for some time now and has a lot of connections”. Jeff’s knowledge of the man was encyclopedic. He had even based the company on the business model of sea Cloud technology. “If we work with him, I'll definitely become one of the most successful men in the city”, he said, biting into a muffin.Brian looked at him. He was beginning to wonder if his enthusiasm had gone too far. “Jeffery, have you ever thought about why Walter would want to work with us when he's already so well established?” He asks. “Of course I've thought about it”, he said while drinking some coffee. “It's not hard to figure out that RAM Tech and Key International are working with us, and Walter wants a piece of the action,Thanks to your friend Nick Tomlins, otherwise we wouldn't have such a good opportunity like this”. Brian laughed.Nick Tomlins was no friend of his. “Well, he bit into an apple”. Brian suddenly thought of something. Nick Tomlins hadn't been
TORTURE“But has this situation happened before?” Brian asked worriedly.“Two companies start working together and use their power to force another into a trap”.Jeffery stared at him. “What companies is he talking about?” He wondered.“When did anyone ever try to scam the company?”“Ah, Walter said. “I assume you're talking about Ramtech and Key International, correct?Don't worry. Sea, cloud technology doesn't have the clout to do that kind of power play.Besides, people trust our integrity. “Why would we want to jeopardize the trust people place in us?If we damage our credibility, it will just make it harder to do business in the future.No, I want to conduct my business with a clear conscience”.Though he kept his outward expression earnest, he sneered internally.“A clear conscience”, he thought.That's something weak people talk about. The end justifies the means when it comes to climbing the mountain of success. And who would judge me for that? That's just the way business works.B
CONFESSION “Duke!”Walter panted. “He's the one backing Sea Cloud technology and he's the one controlling the city, and he's got even larger ambitions”. He slumped in his chair.There, he thought. “This is Brian's problem now, and if I were him, I'd be petrified.No one goes against Duke.Unless they want to end up dead”. He didn't know Brian's ultimate plan to deal with Duke.Thank you, Brian said. “Your hand probably won't suffer permanent damage.But you weren't exactly cooperative, and you've revealed some sensitive information.Do you think either Duke or Nick will let you get away with this?” “What?!”Walter broke into a cold sweat. “How do you know about Nick?” “Nick was the only outsider who knew the two companies were working with Saka Tosh Tech.I assume he's the one that told you that.Thank you”. Walter stared at Brian in astonishment. “You are the one who's controlling RAM tech and Key international. Who exactly are you?” “These are smaller companies than Sea Cloud Technol
AGREEMENTWalter couldn't hear Jeffery's words, but he could guess what he was saying.“That's a businessman”, he thought. “It's obvious he doesn't want to hurt his company's interests just to protect me.I have to convince him otherwise”.He stood up with an effort and walked over to the two men.”Mr. Andrews”, he said.You've worked hard for This company, I can understand what you're going through because I've also worked hard for Sea cloud technology.But I can promise you that if you keep me safe, I'll invest $50 million into your company. And I have a lot of business connections. I can help in other ways, whether it be technical expertise or business contacts. Whatever I can do for you, I will”.Jeffery was speechless.50 million and Walters years of experience, he thought. “I could really make this company take off”. Brian's eyes narrowed.“50 million is a lot of money”, he said.Maybe it's too much.“It would make a world of difference”, Jeffery said excitedly.“ It's a lot to inv
BRANDYSomeone started shouting.“Brandy, Brandy”.And the chant was taken up across the bar.The single spotlight turned on and an expectant hush fell over the crowd.A woman in a white silk gown stepped into the spotlight.She was tall and everything about her exuded grace and elegance.Even without saying a word, she owned the stage.Brian watched her step up to the microphone, and his heart skipped a beat.Samantha was beautiful and he loved his wife.But this woman had a different type of beauty.Samantha was pretty and polished like a model.This woman's beauty was ethereal. “No wonder he listens every week and doesn't bother her”, Brian thought.“He's probably scared of angering the heavens by hitting on an Angel”.As the music started playing, Brian glanced around the bar.Directly across from the stage, there was a mezzanine level that contained a room with a small window in it.He could see somebody in the room, but he couldn't see who it was.It could quite possibly be Duke.Brian
REJECTED“How can I repay you? Name your price”.Brian searched her face, which was curiously devoid of expression as he sipped his wine.“This is a trap”, he thought.Whatever I ask for is either going to be too little or too much”.“You needn't repay me”, he said. “There's nothing that I currently need”.He said, as he dropped his empty wine glass back on the tray.“This glass of 1994 Bartolino is thanks enough.Besides, you saved yourself. Even if I hadn't warned you, you would have been fine”.The guests looked from Brandy to Brian, confused that he would decline a reward.Brian, however, was watching the subtle changes in Brandy's face as she processed his deliberate words.”I know that many customers here have had indecent thoughts about me”, Brandy thought.“I expected this man to be at least a little bit shy around me, but he's not”.When a beautiful woman offers a reward, most men would ask for a date or at least money. What kind of man turns down any reward?And then there's the w
JELOUSYRoss shoved him aside. “You want me to give you another chance? “If I keep providing protection for you and your store, how am I going to explain that to Mr. Maxwell when he finds out? it's best for you to just shut the whole store down at this point, otherwise, next time He comes here, he's going to be offended that you're still here, and then you don't want to offend Mr. Maxwell”. He said to the manager. “I'd laugh if anyone else said that. But if it's what Ross thinks is best that would only mean I'm done for it wasn't easy to get to this point. I thought with Ross providing protection, I could do whatever I wanted. I never thought I would offend someone that even Ross is afraid of”. Ross just looked down at him, “Let me give you one last piece of advice”. He said, “try to be a good person from now on if you know what is good for you”After leaving them all, Laura was in no mood to continue their day out, so she and Brian got in the car to head home.Laura was clearly p
THE MANAGERBrian tilted his head thoughtfully “Ross? he asked.“you're not talking about Ross Gilmore, are you? the same guy I had a little chat with yesterday” he thought.“I think I left quite an impression on him”.“ you know Ross Gilmore?” the manager asked. “You could say that” the manager was surprised but then he saw Laura’s panicked expression clearly showed she had also heard of Ross or at least she knew of his reputation.“that's right,” he said “My shop is under Ross Gilmore’s protection so if you two both get down on your knees and beg for mercy I’ll consider asking for less compensation, otherwise you'll have to beg Ross for mercy” “and at this point, the compensation is the secondary”. he thought. just look how pretty that girl is, Ross, is going to be very happy when he sees her”. many people in the crowd had also heard of Ross and his reputation as a local thug they were not surprised that someone as Petty and nasty as the owner of this store had someone as vici
CHAOS Brian smiled at her but did not comment.The shop manager returned in short order with a Gray scarf draped across his arms. “Go on, Brian, Laura said. “Try it on and see what you think”.She lifted her hand, but the manager turned and held the scarf out of reach. “What?” She asked. “ Aren't you going to let us see it before we buy it?” The manager replied. “You've already seen and handled the other one.Isn't that enough?Except for the color, the two scarves are identical. Come up to the register and I'll get you checked out”.He smiled arrogantly. “They Caused the most trouble”, he thought. “They really need to put their grubby hands all over a genuine branded cashmere scarf.The rich ladies who come in here just point at what they want, pay the bill and leave without any fuss”. Laura's eyes flashed with anger. “Is that how you do business?” She asked. “If you don't try on clothing.How will you know if you like it or not?Maybe we won't like the feel of it.But we won't know until
OUTBURST Laura looked up from her plate of eggs and watched her sister confused. She glanced at Brian, who shrug. “I don't know exactly what's bothering her, but I can guess” he thought. “But I don't wanna talk to Laura about the whole situation with Brandy.That's too much to get into this morning”. “Hey, sis.Did you forget that Brian and I were going out for a fun day today? You should come along.Change your clothes. I'm gonna leave right after breakfast”. “No thanks”, Samantha replied. “I have some important things I need to get done today|”. “Is there anything more?Important than.Quality family time”.Samantha stood up. “You've got Brian, you don't need me”. She left the kitchen.And they heard her bedroom door closed a few seconds later. Gary Wandered into the kitchen, still half asleep.He looked from Laura to Brian. “Where's Samantha?” He asked. “I thought I heard her voice”. “Well, she's not here”, Laura said. “She's having a hissy fit or something”. “Come on Brian, let's
STILL IN LOVE“I'm glad to hear it”, said Brian. “If you'll excuse me”.With that, he walked over to the backstage door. He was determined to see Brandy, and Ross had held him up long enough.He could hear the sound of television through her door, it sounded like a cartoon and you could hear her laughing loudly at it. He Knocked several times before she heard him. “Come in, She shouted once she finally heard his knocking. “Ohh, it's you. Hello”.She walked over and gave him a huge bear hug.She squeezed him so hard he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He said eventually. “Are you trying to kill me?” It took him a moment or two to disentangle himself from her grip.“You never change, do you?” He said, his words full of affection.He always spoke to her with the affection of an older brother talking to his favorite sister. Annoyed, Brandy pounded him on the chest.Always hoped that Brandy would stay as innocent as a child, but that was never going to be the case.Uncle Sam had already to
BRIANAs he realized that Brian had seen right through him, anger began to take over.He had a powerful urge to kill him.The slower and more painful death, the better.However, that was something that would have to wait.Murdering Brandy Hall's friend in a busy bar wouldn't win him any popularity contests. It was a plan he would have to save for another day. “Don't be so quick to criticize me”, he said. “You may have gotten away with it this evening, but I will get my revenge on you soon”.“I wouldn't be so sure about that”, said Brian.“But I can be sure”, said Ross, a smile starting to appear on his face. “I have a Big Brother and plenty of friends to help me.Next time you might not find the bartender quite so helpful”.“You're going to hide behind your Big Brother?” Asked Brian. “Why is he someone special?”The door to the bar opened.A man walked in.Ross smiled. his Big Brother had just walked in and his timing couldn't have been better.The man saw Ross and walked over.Ross began to s
THROW HIM OUTRoss was surprised that the bartender knew him, but he certainly wasn't complaining.He knew they had backup when it came to making Brian's life even more miserable than he had hoped. “He's the scruffy man over there”, he said, pointing to Brian's back. “He's trying to go backstage to see Brandy, which surely is a serious offense.My advice is that you have him evicted immediately”. “Well, we could always ask Brandy what she thinks”, said the bartender. “After all, she's the star performer.It's only fair that she should decide if she wants a visitor”.Ross was not impressed it wasn't the answer he had wanted to hear. “However”, continued the bartender, winking at Ross. “If she doesn't want any company, young Rossier gets to decide what to do with the unwanted visitor”.Everyone in the room held their breath, listening very carefully. “What's the punishment?” Ross asked one.Ross smiled. He made a choking gesture to the crowd, much to their delight.A huge cheer went up, sig
CODY’S BAR“Don't worry, maybe Brian will come with me”, said Lynn.Samantha looked at her. “Since when have they had such a good relationship?” She thought.But she didn't bother to ask Laura directly.“What's happening tomorrow?” She asked instead.“I thought you were busy”, said Laura. “But seeing as you're asking, it's a social event organized by the college. I thought you might have wanted to come with me”.She sighed.“If you're busy, I'll ask Brian. he won't mind coming with me. he'll make sure I'm OK”.It's sorted Laura, Take Brian”. Being her brother-in-law, she could go out with him without arousing suspicion.Samantha looked at her suspiciously, not convinced that Brian could keep her sister safe.In her mind, it was almost funny.Much more importantly, she was sure they were keeping something from her.Pretending that nothing was worrying her, she decided to go too, despite the pressures of her job. “I think I'll come too”, she said. “It'll be good to have a break from work”.Sh
UNEXPECTED His friends started to laugh mercilessly.By that time, Samantha was in earshot.When she heard laughter, she relaxed, thinking they had already resolved their differences and made-up.Deciding not to get involved, she stayed out of sight around the corner and listen.Has she gone around the corner, she would have realized that she had gotten it drastically wrong. Brian and Ross were staring at each other. Neither had any intention of backing down.Ross threw his cigarette butts on the ground and stepped on it. “I've had enough of your nonsense. It's time I taught you a lesson.Lesson”. Brian repeated questioningly. “A student?,I don't need to be taught a lesson.I think you've got it the wrong way around”. With that, he stepped forward and landed a blow in Ross' stomach”.Ross doubled up, completely taken aback by the punch.As he struggled to catch his breath, he couldn't believe such an unassuming looking man could be so strong. Started to feel nauseated and his vision st