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
BRUISED“I don't wanna hear it”.She started to pick up any object within reach and throw it toward Brian. The pillows on the bed, the books on the nightstand and even the alarm clock were all fair game.Brian knew he was in the wrong. He didn't even try to duck. He just let the objects hit him.The pillows did no damage, but he knew that the book spine and the metal alarm clock would leave bruises. Samantha's hand found the lamp. She hoisted it and hurled it across the room.It struck Brian and then hit the wall with the crash, bursting the light bulb and scattering pieces of glass across the floor.Brenda had never been a sound sleeper, and the sound of the lamp crashing against the wall woke her in the next bedroom.She jumped out of bed and hurried out of her room.She knocked on the door of Samantha and Brian's room.“Samantha, honey, what's going on in there?” She called. “Is Brian causing problems? Open the door”.She worried as she waited for a reply.“Ohh dear this could be ba
THE MEETING“Going to work is kind of boring”.“Why can't you take your work more seriously?” Samantha snapped angrily when she heard his words.She knew that the work of a security guard was usually pretty easy and came with less stress.They rarely had any safety problems.At most, the security team kept an eye on those coming and going from the building and helped to give directions.It was an easy job.But anything could happen, and he had to learn to take it seriously.She knew he didn't have much experience working in security, but Jeffery had offered the position to him so that he had a real job. It was Brian's chance to prove himself.“Are you keeping an eye on me?” He asks.He knew she wanted him to succeed, but he had to ensure that she trusted him so that she would leave him alone and he could get his real work done.She followed him down the stairs. “Even if you're a security guard, you still need to work hard”. She studied him, appraisingly.“Look, I have a meeting today.Com
BEATEN “Ohh, Mr. Seymour, Brian said as he came between them, smiling as he reached out his hand to the other man.Your reputation precedes you”. He stared at him in surprise, wondering where this man had come from. Brian took the other man's hand and shook it violently, and the fat on his body rippled like water. Gritting his teeth, he mumbled something indistinctly.Seeing Brian's interference, Samantha quickly hissed. Brian, stop it.She turned to Clyde to offer an apology, but Brian let go of the other man's hand before she could.As he did so, he pushed the other man away. Clyde stumbled back, tripped over a chair and landed on his rump. He watched a murmured, wincing as he rubbed at his backside. His glasses had fallen off, and he grew up around the floor to find them, even as he groaned in pain. “I'll deal with you when we get home”, Samantha said through gritted teeth, glaring daggers at her husband. Brian had offended Clyde Seymour the moment he entered the room and