The atmosphere in the study was heavy.
Mrs. Bentley served tea and coffee as per their preference and withdrew from the study.
Everyone in the room had their minds weighed down with their own thoughts. Danton fidgeted with the cup holder, sweating trickling down his spine as he waited… he couldn’t hold the pressure anymore…
“Ahem… Mr Adalase, I know I was wrong to not follow protocol and insist on Ed taking on my man. But I swear on my forefathers, Jack is the son of my most honorable comrade who lost his life defending this country and he was no less a soldier than his father … I … I really don’t know how he got involved in this twisted business. I will take full responsibility and resign”
“Danton, we have fought shoulder to shoulder, you can call be Ben. There are no outsiders here!” Ben loosened his aura once the haze in his mind regarding Danton was resolved.
“Ben, I s
Ben leaned back against the chair with his eyes closed. Ed and Frank watched his taut face with a pained expression. They knew what was weighing down on his mind.Ed poured three tumblers of whiskey and handed it to the others “Here”Ben nosed his drink with pursed lips and sighed!“Do you suspect that this could be reason for Dana to approach you?” Frank decided to address the elephant in the room.“My gut feeling is to reject this possibility, but we can’t rule out anything” Ben pursed his lips into a thin line“Let’s consider the worst outcome, what are you going to do?” Ed questioned“I … I will not give up on her!” Ben faced Frank and Ed with a firm conviction that he himself couldn't explain.“Then??” Frank looked at Ben in shock“What if your choice is between her and Ed?” Frank asked in voice that he was sure he did not want to hear the answer.“I would never put either of you in danger.” There was no hesitation in Ben’s decision “I will choose to perish with her”“Are you as
“Try touching a hair on her” Roger’s hand had only reached mid-air when a bone-chilling voice pierced through the room.Ben walked in gloomily emitting a cold aura that made everyone’s hair stand on end in fear.“Mr. Adalase” Roger put his hand down hastily and looked at Ben with a fawning expression.Dana turned around in surprise and looked at Ben with wide open eyes. Ben ignored her silly expression and walked up to her and hooked his arm around her waist “Baby have you finished choosing?”“Uh… that…” Dana stuttered while struggling to get out of his embrace. ‘How did he randomly appear here?’Maria looked viciously at Dana for a minute before retracting her gaze ‘How did this bitch attract someone like Mr Adalase?’Even though it was only for a minute, her viciousness was not missed by Ben’s sharp eyes as he turned around to scan the environment..She raised her head and smiled charming at Ben and asked in a soft sweet voice “Mr Adalase, how do you know Jeremy’s girlfriend?”“How
Ben looked at Dana’s expression which was similar to a lamb heading to a slaughter table. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He shook his head helplessly and passed the menu “Have a look at what you like.”“It’s my treat so you order" Dana pushed the menu like a hot plate.“Last time I ordered, so this time you order"Ben sat back with his arms folded across his chest. Dana had no intention of ordering, however his next sentence made her change her mind“It doesn’t matter if we just sit staring at each other, there’s nothing I'd rather be doing” Ben grinned roguishly.Dana quickly picked up the menu and started browsing the dishes “Meat or fish?”“I’ll have whatever you give me"“How about poison?” Dana rolled her eyes and twisted her lips to the left.“Gladly”“Boring”Dana called the waiter-“What is the quickest dish to serve in your restaurant?”Ben “”Waiter “Bread omelet”Dana “I will have 2 of that”Ben tapped on his watch “Please order proper food for our box as well. Thi
Ben got in the driver’s seat after he making sure that Dana had sat down comfortably.“Do you think he’ll hurt me?” Dana asked hesitantly. She felt frightened for some reason and the fear was reflected in her eyes.“I’ll be there with you”“No. Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose? Do you think he will speak in your presence?”Ben felt that what she said made sense. He dialed Shadow using hands free option.“Boss” Shadow’s voice floated into the car.“Can you restrain the prisoner so that his movements cannot exceed half a meter?”“Yes, Boss”“Also leave the rear entrance open. I am heading there now.”“Okay”“ETA 20 mins”“Noted”Ben hung up.Shadow knew his boss was giving him a heads up so that Ed and Frank can get to the viewing room and be out of sight. Shadow relayed the plan and sped up.Ben entered the manor through the rear entrance and opened the door for Dana after parking close to the building entrance.Dana looked around uncomfortably. It was dark and gloomy. The rear entranc
“Didn’t you ask me not to listen in?”“Oh…” Dana raised her eyebrows unconvinced ‘Who wouldn’t listen in just because she told him not to?’“Can I listen in on the recording?”“No”“Baby, I want to listen” Ben acted like a spoilt child. He started being dishonest by kissing and nibbling on her neck.“Okay” Dana just wanted him to stop. She remembered the conversation with Mr. Bosner. ‘Not good… she didn’t want him to know. What should I do?’ She racked her brain.“Don’t take anything I said seriously as I was just trying to stimulate him psychologically” Dana added in a relaxed tone. This was her excuse for what she said in the room with Mr. Bosner.“Thank you” He kissed her on her nape.“Why didn’t you just listen in…?” Dana asked in exasper
Ben drove straight back. He had to discuss with Ed and Frank what their next step should be, and he wanted to watch the recording of Dana’s discussion with David. On the way, he dialed Shadow- “Boss” “Dana’s car is parked at Downtown café. Get it to her house and return straight back.” “Noted” Shadow paused, would it be presumptuous if he asked?’ “What is it?” Ben noticed the hesitation in Shadow’s voice. “Boss could you wait for me before you discuss…” Shadow’s voice trailed off; he couldn’t get himself to complete the request. Ben hummed before hanging up. “Style” Shadow yelled with urgency into the walkie-talkie. Ed and Frank looked at Shadow with raised eyebrows. A well-built man with a high and tight hair style with long bangs swept to his left arrived in front of Shadow and saluted mischievously. He had an unruly and frivolous aura with a distinct sharpness in his eyes. He was one of Shadow’s elite
The next day-Ben arrived as agreed at Dana’s company at 10 am and messaged her “Downstairs”Dana came out of the building in a second. She was waiting in the reception downstairs.“That was quick” Ben opened the passenger door for Dana.“Wasn’t the appointment for 10?” Dana checked the time on her mobile“Yes, but aren’t women usually fashionably late?” Ben started the car.“Don’t know. My time is valuable, and I assume so is everyone else’s” Dana had a nonchalant expression.Ben sighed!“Do you mind if my friends listen in our conversation?”“I am not sure if whether what I am going to suggest would make sense.” Dana hesitated.“They are my best friends; you don’t have to be conscious of them listening.”“
“There is however a catch!”“What?” Ed felt like his bubble was about to be burst; ‘Was the sliver of hope for this impossible mission about to be taken away?’“For the success of this operation, we would also have to find someone who matches Jack and David not only in stature but also David’s blood composition.”“Let me look into this” Ed pursed his lips into a straight line.“I will screen my dark guards” Frank added.Ben pursed his lips. He didn’t want to volunteer. He didn’t want this plan to work. He stared gloomily into Dana’s eyes.Dana raised her eyebrows in a questioning arc and gave him an imploring look.“I will look into mine too!” Ben added unwillingly under Dana’s prompts.“Great” Dana’s eyes sparkled.“Let’s leave it at this and meet once we have a few more answers