The head of security hurried over to the east wing as soon as he got radioed. On getting to the inventory room, he met with the staff who radioed him looking distressed and out of place. “What is the issue here?” the head security asked. “Sammy was supposed to come do the inventory a couple of hours ago but he's been nowhere to be found,” he said frantically. “Well did you radio him or check the quarters?” the head security asked. “I did sir but there was no response, he wasn't found in the quarters either,” he answered. The head security took a few steps back, brought out his phone and made a call. “I am heading to the media room now, pull up the CCTV for me,” the head security said. He turned to the other guy who was still looking around with his flashlight. “Look around, see if you can find anything,” the head security said before leaving for the media room. The head security and other team members finally got to the media room and gathered around the bank of monitor
I was still in shock of what could be going through Frederick’s mind or if he already found out what I was trying to hide when he finally broke the cold silence. “Are you always this careless? You could have cut yourself by picking that up.” Frederick said, moving my hand away from the turner that had the broken pieces of the glass bowl right beside it. “Huhh,” I said, still out of thoughts. Frederick stood, grabbed some paper towels and used it to collect the broken glasses from the floor. “Hey! Are you okay?…. Why are your thoughts all over the place?” Frederick asked, worried. I finally came back to myself and realized what had happened. Here I was thinking he was trying to get information about my meeting with Marcus when all he was trying to do was keep me out of harm's way. “I'm sorry, I got lost for a moment there,” I said as I quickly stood as well and pulled off my apron onto the chair. I adjusted my top and slid my hair to the back of my ears to keep them in pla
Julian and Frederick finally got to the empty supply room and met the head of security along with other men in black there. “Where is Sammy?” Julian asked immediately, trying to calm down from walking too fast. The head security led Julian into the supply room and removing the pile of thick thapoline cover, uncovered Sammy’s lifeless body. Julian’s suspicions became right as his hand went straight to cover his mouth out of shock. “We found him dead and covered with this here,” the head security said pointing to the thick white cover. Julian went closer and bent right beside it, his eyes searching through to note anything. “I think the cause of death was a stab to the chest but the weapon seems not to be found anywhere around here sir,” the head security said. “Any idea the last person he spoke with before coming here?” Frederick asked. “He was supposed to check the inventory before he was claimed missing. I'll have to question every single staff sir,” the head security said.
CHAPTER TWELVE I stood there, dumbfounded and trying to piece together why I had to go with Julian to the trade off when I saw only the back of Julian leaving my room and shutting the door. I found my way to the stool right by my canvas and sat, dazed, and realized what unveiled in each moment I spent locked up here. This wasn't going to end, Julian said it would but I think I know now that it actually never ends. My mind wondered what next would happen if I scaled through this. Now I was beginning to consider Marcus’s plan about escaping this place. It wasn't even up to 10 minutes Julian left my room, I heard another knock. I suddenly stood, a part of me hoping it was Marcus so we could go ahead with his plan. “Marcus?” I said hastily. The door opened up and it was not Marcus but one of Julian’s men. I let out a deep sigh, turned and tried to get back to my seat when he said. “I was told to bring you with me ma’am” he said sturdily, not moving an inch from the entrance.
CHAPTER THIRTEENMarcus saw that I was led into Julian’s study and sensed that something was wrong. He waited until the man who brought me came out of the study and quickly approached him. “Hey” Marcus called out, signaling him to come closer.The man came closer to Marcus, skeptical of being caught not at his position. “What's going on? Why was she taken in to the study?” Marcus asked curiously. “I don't really know anything, I was only ordered to bring her to the study” he said. Marcus knew this information wasn't quite enough and still looking around his surroundings, he pressured him for more information. “Who gave the order?” Marcus asked. “Mr Julian gave the order, that's all I know” he said.“C’mon, that can't possibly be all you know. There must have been a reason to have brought her there. See, in a place like this, all we've got is ourselves, so sharing things like this would help us stand firm together don't you think?” Marcus said cunning
*THE D-DAY*I heard the door to Julian’s room where I stayed opened, a part of me was happy that I had taken a break from painting a beautiful yet difficult art but another part of me was unhappy and angry that my life was about to be put in danger because of some mafia business that I had no idea about. It was Frederick who came in, holding a sun dress hung on a single cloth hanger. He approached me with a charismatic smile, he always gave off a certain kind of energy whenever he was around, he was more of the opposite of Julian. “I don’t know if it’s me or does Julian not have a good eye for women’s clothing?” Frederick said as he handed over to me the sun dress with a funny face, I just couldn’t help but smile. “I bet Julian doesn’t have a good eye for anything,” I said smiling as I collected the dress from Frederick. “This is what I am to wear today?” I asked. “Yeap, that’s what the boss wants,” Frederick said as he reached out for the chair by the table, pulled it closer and
While Xavier’s men were on their way back to the car after confirming the money, Marve put down his binoculars and turned to Xavier from the passenger seat. “There is no sign of the kid Marcus in their convoy, he was supposed to give us a signal if he had the painter way before now. I only saw a lady in the car with Julian, I think she could be the painter,” Marve reported to Xavier. Xavier grunted in anger and slammed his laptop shut.“I just knew that kid was up to no good…… He’s going to pay for this. Find his father and bring him to me,” Xavier ordered Marve.“Give me that!” Xavier said out of anger and collected the binoculars to take a look as well. “Yes boss,” Marve answered and passed the binoculars to Xavier who then took a look and saw me at back seat, right before we drove out. “That’s my beloved alright….. I wonder what made Julian bring her out here to be snatched. At least saves us the trouble and risks of taking her from his domain,” Xavier said pleased. “But she’s
The head security was done doing his usual rounds around the house when he suddenly observed that Julian was yet to be back and it was long overdue. He brought out his phone and dialed Julian’s number but it didn’t go through, he then dialed Frederick’s number more than once and it rang but no one answered. Now this was unusual of Frederick not to pick up his call and Julian’s number not being reachable. He turned around and saw Marcus standing in his position, still trying to figure out a way to leave the mansion in his head. “Hey you!” The head security called out, pointing to Marcus.“Me?” Marcus asked.“Yes you….get me two other men and get the car ready now. We are heading out,” the head security ordered.Finally! There was an opportunity for Marcus to leave the house. Of course he had to think of a way to evade the head security and others while they were outside but he decided he would figure that out when he gets out of the mansion. “Yes sir,” Marcus answered and went off t
Xavier has been skeptical ever since I was rescued from his residence. He has been on edge ever since because he finally realized there was no way to get me back with ease because he clearly knows Julian rescued me and who Julian is to Mr Blackwood. “What do we do now sir?” Marve asked.“Just shut the f*ck up!…… can't you see I am trying to think?” Xavier said as he paced the room. “Damn it! I don't have the original painting and not even the supposed counterfeit and I don’t freaking have her!!” Xavier yelled out. Just then Xavier’s phone rang and it was a call from Mateo.“Sir, we’ve got an issue here at the wharf” Mateo reported.“Then freaking take care of it!” Xavier yelled out in frustration. “I would have sir but I figured you needed to know” Mateo said. “Urrgggg!!” Xavier yelled and hung up.“Get the car ready!” Xavier ordered Marve as he walked out of the room. *******************************************************Sooner or later, Xavier arrived at his wharf with Marve
For the first time I slept perfectly fine with ease ever since I got kidnapped by Julian and then by Xavier. I didn't think I would ever be happy that I was back to Julian’s residence and not only that but sleep with ease. I got out of the bed gently as I didn't want to stress my ankle just as the doctor recommended. I walked over to the box where Julian had put all the art supplies and ruffling through, I brought out my paint brushes, colors and my color palette. Looking at the medium sized canvas rested on the wall, I gently bent down and flipped it to the front and I became more amazed at the little piece I had painted. I myself couldn't understand how I was able to paint that but I knew that there was more to this little piece. I lifted up the canvas and set it up with the stands right beside the table where I also set up my colors and brushes. Something was missing, I needed a chair for me to sit on and there wasn't any in the hidden room. ************************************
Marcus was seen having a smoke in a secluded place after work hours when he suddenly remembered the guys talking about me being rescued from Xavier’s place. A quick thought of calling his father crossed his mind and he decided to go with it. He put out the cigar brought out his phone and dialed his father’s number, it rang. “Hello?….Marcus?” Mr Thompson asked, equally surprised. “Yes, it's me” Marcus answered. “I didn't think you would call me again” Mr Thompson said. “Well, don't get your hopes up” Marcus said. “You still don't think it's ideal to return home?” Mr Thompson asked?“That is not why I called, alright?…….. I heard Lexi got out” Marcus said. “Lexi got out? How do you mean she got out?” Mr Thompson asked. “Well if I knew I wouldn't have called you, would I?” Marcus said. “Xavier isn't going to like this, neither will Mr Bla……” Mr Thompson suddenly paused. “Mr who?” Marcus asked curiously.“It's nothing, I just know that Xavier won't take this lightly and I fear i
After a while, the doctor came over to the house and I had already been moved to another room to avoid revealing Julian’s hidden room in the study. I sat there on the bed with my injured ankle up on the bed too. The doctor came closer and checked the previous band aid on it.“Thank goodness, whoever did this must have been a life saver…….it slowed down the swelling else you might have as well lost your leg.” the doctor said as he undressed it and dressed it with new products and gave me an injection on my thigh.“She just needs to rest well and not strain the ankle, she will be fine” the doctor said to Julian and Frederick and then left the room. “You heard him, you need to rest. Glad you managed to get the first dressing done” Julian said as he came closer to tuck me in. “Actualy, I didn't dress my ankle myself. I got help” I said.“You got help? While as a hostage in Xavier's place?” Frederick asked and Julian looked at me for an answer.“Yes, Xavier’s right hand man helped me wi
I slightly adjusted on the bed and opened my eyes slowly, the rays of the morning sun shone right on my face as I squinted my eyes to avoid direct light. I rubbed one of my eye with my left hand as though that would clear the sleep in my eye as I looked around and saw Julian fast asleep right by my bed side. He had held my hand over the night and fallen asleep while seated, with his head rested on the edge of the bed. I looked at him with so much warmth and knew within me that there was no way I could ever get away from this attachment I have toward him.I gently caressed his face, traced my fingers all the way from his forehead to his ear and to his beards and this woke him up.At first he looked at me as though it was a dream and when he realized I was truly there on the bed, his eyes shined and sparkled with so much care.“Are you okay? How’s your ankle?” Julian asked now as he sat up on the chair and I did the same on the bed, a duvet covered me halfway. “I am fine…..I am just s
Marcus was busy and diligent with what he was doing. He and five other ball boys were in the part of the abandoned ship that was used to package Xavier’s drugs. They all wore nose masks as they were busy packing and wrapping the drugs in small transparent satchets and also in small quantities. “Did you hear about the disturbance yesterday?” One of the ball boys who wore a black face cap said. “What disturbance?” The other ball boy asked still busy with what he was doing. Marcus overheard them from where he was busy with his packaging and decided to pay attention. “I heard some girl got taken from the boss’s mansion.” The ball boy with the face cap said. “Some girl? Are you sure she didn’t run away?” The other ball boy asked. Marcus still paid attention but didn’t think anything of some girl being taken until he heard the other ball boy respond. “I heard she’s some painter that was kidnapped by the boss……I also heard she’s painting him a top coded artwork” the ball boy with the
Marve was seen seated on the bonnet of his car smoking a cigarette when Mateo approached him. “The kid seems eager to work……he’s been at it since morning, is he trying to prove his worth to Xavier that bad,” Mateo asked. “Put him to more work if he’s so eager,” Marve said and hopped down from where he sat. “You don’t like that he’s here? Is he related to you?” Mateo asked out of curiosity. “Like you said, he’s just a kid trying to prove his worth….so help him do just that” Marve said.“How’s it look? The goods” Marve asked.“The ball boys are quite good at offloading them off the ship, we’ve been able to ship some of the stuff out of the country” Mateo said.“I need to head back” Marve said as he looked at his watch and the time read 8:50 pm.“I actually found it odd that you’ve been here since you came in the morning…. I didn’t think you’d stay till this late. Got any issues back at Xavier’s?” Mateo asked.“I needed to clear my head……keep your eyes on the kid, I am outta here” Ma
It was a couple of minutes to the said time for getting me out from Xavier’s mansion. Klaus and his men were ready and all set as they headed into their car while Julian followed as well. Klaus made contact with one of their men in Xavier’s mansion and gave them the time for the secret passage be opened. They were all dressed in black outfit, used a black nose cover and a black full face cover. Julian had picked up his silent gun and also stuck a pen knife right beside his sock before he got into the car with the other three as they drove off. They finally drove and parked at a spot not too far from the mansion and walked over to the secret entrance. Klaus led the way while the other two and Julian followed from behind and indeed there was a secret passage and it was already opened. They all got into the mansion now as they moved sneakily to avoid attention. Using the house blueprint, Klaus found his way to the house entrance and stabbed one of the guards by the door while one of h
Marcus finally broke free from the hands that pulled him away from the offender. Marcus then pushed the man out of his way as he exited the bar and in the process made an object drop from the man’s pocket. The man bent and picked up the object and apparently it was his identity card—he was a detective. Detective Garrett was a fairly dark skinned man in his early forties, his dark hair was on a low cut with black shiny beards that ran from one jawline to the other. He had no wife, no kids and just work. He’s been working on a particular case that is linked to Lexi's biological parents and a missing technology. He stood there in the bar as he looked outside and watched Marcus get on his bike and zoomed off. ****************************************************The morning brought forth three of Stronach’s men as promised to Julian’s gate as they were allowed into the vast compound and led into the main house. “Our Krestny Otets(godfather) wants us to help you get your girl out” the t