Chapter 4 ~ A life for a Life

The knock on my door makes me drop my phone and roll my chair forward. "Come in."

Seth walks in and bows as usual. "Boss, Collins Fisher is here."

"Let him in." I instruct. He walks away and shut the door. Soon, he's back into the office with Collins behind him. "Sit." I say sternly.

I could tell he was afraid but he was making little effort to hide it and control himself.

He sits opposite me as ordered. I study him as he looks at Seth then checks out my office before landing his eyes on me.

"You want us to lend you a huge sum of money." I state, not question, but irregardless, he nods.

Before today, Seth told me about another client who wants to borrow money from us just like that old man. I couldn't attend the meeting then because I had something more important to do. More like an issue to handle. Now seeing him, I'm interested. Who knows, he might end up in hell just like that old man. Time will tell.

"I'm sure you've read the contract and agree to the terms and conditions."

"Yes, I have. I'm fine with it."

"Good." I rest my back on my office chair. "So tell me, what do you have to offer for a huge sum of money?"

"A life."

"A life." I repeat, amazed.

Interesting.

I rest my elbow on the arm rest and play with my beards. I am now very interested in this meeting, Collins and everything he has to offer more than ever. I like where this is going.

"You'll give me a huge sum of money and I'll give you a lady. She's quite interesting, unique and I'm sure you'll like her."

"Hmm. Why don't you have her for yourself then?"

"Because I want money instead. I don't want her. I'm fine with her."

I raise a brow and stare at him. He's wise but with the use of his words, I can tell he can't be trusted. "So basically, she's the life in exchange for a huge sum of money?"

"Yes."

"A life you are done with."

"Yes."

"That isn't worthy enough." He nods. "She's useless to you so I doubt she'll be of any use to me too "

"Trust me you'll want her when you see her."

"Quite the convincer, but I'm not a fan of used items."

"It's really not how you see it." He moves further in his chair and rest his hand on my desk to demonstrate his next words. "We did date. Maybe I did like her a bit but then I found someone else. She just wasn't for me." He stares at me. When I don't say anything, he continues. "Your taste is different from mine. Believe me when I say, you'll like what I have to give you. You'll like her."

"How long did you date here for?"

He's quiet for a while before he answers. "Less than two months."

"Hmm." I nod my head. Maybe she wasn't that much of his property after al. "Do you think your plans align with the contract?"

"I went through them. The rules, the time durations, the deals." He swallow. "All I saw was her. She's the perfect deal."

"You talk so highly of her and my taste. You barely even know me or know what I like."

He says nothing and just stare. I raise my brows, waiting for his reply.

"Because one could guess the taste of a man like me."

Oh, really.

He was scared few minutes ago when he walked in, but just look at him now. Bold as a lion. I'm so bent on knowing the end result of this. He won't be bold enough to face the consequences if things don't go right. He knows me too little than he claims.

"Perfection." This one word is enough to describe my taste.

"That's what you shall get."

He speaks so highly of her and I can't help but wonder what she's actually like. Her eyes, face and dammit, her body. I won't settle for less. I'm starting to doubt I won't like this offer when I get to see what she's actually like. Who knows, she might be way better than what he says.

"I like that." He smiles and removes his hand from my desk to sit properly. "Any alternative?" He send me a confused look. "If she doesn't work out, I mean, if she doesn't turn out to be my taste, what would be the replacement?"

"No. No, I don't." Noticing the boldness in his tone has now reduced, I smile lightly, not obvious enough for them to notice.

"That's disappointing." I play with my cufflink.

"I don't, but trust me, she won't be a disappointment. She won't need to be replaced."

"I guess we'll find out later I do hope our meeting doesn't turn out to be a waste of time."

"It won't, I assure you."

"Hmm." I nod. "So how much are we talking about here. How much do you need?"

"A million."

"Okay then, get me the girl then I'll decide if she's worth offering a million for."

"You will be impressed."

"I hope I'll be."

"I have this belief that money is life."

"Turns out we have a mutual belief." I say in a bored tone.

"I need life in exchange for a life."

I smile at his use of words. A genuine smile infact.

"A life for a life." My smile widens as I repeat his words. "I like the sound of that." He reciprocates my smile, obviously happy from this money he's going to get from me. "We should seal the deal then." I look up at Seth and gesture him to give Collins the file.

Seth hands him the file after flipping to the page which requires his signature. "Sign here." Seth instructs. He does as told and drops the pen with a smile.

"This life you have to give. Who's she? I'm interested."

He proudly rests his back on the chair like his signature just bought my entire empire. "Janet Johnson. An orphan but don't worry, no one will come looking for her, except her bestfriend who is no trouble compared to you."

I nod not caring about the other girl mentioned.

I snap my head to my phone when it rings out. Without paying courtesy, I pick it up and answer the call.

"Boss." One of my men calls. "There is a problem."

I look up at Seth with raised brows, then at my desk to pay attention to pay attention to what he has to say. "What problem."

"The ship transporting our weapons can't be found."

"What!" I furrow my brows in anger. "When did you realize this?"

"Not up to ten minutes now, boss. We were trying to handle the issue at first but then decided to call you."

"You all are useless." I stand abruptly. "Useless!!!" I repeat angrily, louder than the first time. "Guess I have to handle things on my own now, right. Because all I have working for me are bunch of fools. You all." I blurt out and end the call.

"What's the problem, boss." Seth asks.

At least my work force is not entirely useless. I still have one who I can count on.

"We need to go. There's a big issue which needs immediate attention."

I grab my glasses from my desk. "Janet Johnson. I need her tomorrow." I say as I walk out of the office with Seth. "Quickly order two men to go with him tomorrow."

"Okay, boss."

I hear Collins ask as he walks behind me with Seth.

"Tomorrow?"

"It's not something you can't do."

"It's not." He says, obviously not sure of his own words.

I expect he should have been prepared before coming to me. If no, then that's a nonsensical thing to do with me.

"Good."

Janet Johnson tomorrow or his life.