Chapter 11

Skai’s POV

As I approached the hallway, chatter of the two horsemen rippled in the air. The door was opened a fraction as I could catch the side view of Tillard Collin and his partner- Giovanni Auder. It's such a large office, almost 4 times bigger compared to mine.

I reduced my steps and moved closer slowly. Thank God, I was on low heels.

My intention was to submit the file to the finance department. This is a coincidence, I wasn't expecting it.

I hid in the corner like a creep. I watched left and right to see if no one was coming. I flattened against the wall, closing one eye as if it increased the intensity of sound. I wish my body could blend into the wall. Anyone can walk in on me but curiosity kills the cat.

There is nothing like eavesdropping to show you that the world outside your head is different from the world inside your head.

“The BER corp hasn't replied to the email, I'm very sure it's that foolish Juliano, his father was ready to agree to the contract”. Tillard said with irritation.

“ I'm less concerned about all these. I just want them to make the payment”, Giovanni said ignoring his statement. Vile!

So, this is about the BER corp. My primary reason for coming here. Interesting. Bring it on.

I checked my wristwatch if it's intact- there's a spy microphone in there.

“I drafted out a plan, how about we accept 60% capital, that's three million dollars. The father is more vulnerable. We demand for the capital after four months under the excuse of limited resources.”, Tillard said, the master planner of evil.

“Do you realise these people are not stupid?. The contract is for ten months”,Giovanni blurted. Is this how these people argue over people's hard earned money?.

“I'm not stupid either Giovanni, stop it”, banging his hand on the table which made me flinch a bit.

“The BER corp is an international logistic company. We're supposed to offer them the services of AI powered supply, a functional website for advertisement and more recognition. Other services too, it's a huge contract .”, looking almost towards the door, I shifted a move backward.

“Ohh, save me the stories. I know that already”. He has always been nonchalant, just credit payments interest him.

“After the final payment ,they'll discover the app is faulty and non functional, development dashboards will go offline and we'll not provide source codes, websites will shut down.

For the entire twelve months, they'll lose customers, delayed business operations and five million dollars loss”. He really took his time to draft out this scheme.

“The father is our weak point”, Giovanni said.

“Then the BER corp will run into a huge loss and we'll win. Since this company is registered under a shell company, it will be dissolved before legal action will be taken. There's a backup plan- If they probably suggest Escrow payment system or third party audits, we'd say it's contradicting to our rules, we don't entertain third parties because of confidentiality issues”, Tillard said and I could sense the feeling of accomplishment in his voice, impressed with himself.

After the contract agreement, we need to visit the hideout

What hideout?. I stretched my ear, curious to hear the strange aspect.

I'm opening Pandora's box, I don't care what's inside.

I'm as relentless as a storm. As long as it reveals the secret behind the LIAS group.

Someone tapped my shoulder. Bad timing!

I'd be lying if I say I wasn't scared

I don’t believe in extraterrestrial beings but at the moment, I would rather have an alien standing in front of me than Carlo Auder.

He placed his hand on the wall above my head as I faced him.

It’d seem like a doting, caring gesture, in this situation, it’s the calm before the storm.

The sound of airplanes overhead, right before the bombing. The slight movement of the ground, right before the earthquake.

I can't be a coward, cowards lose before the real game starts. I'm smart enough to cut my losses short.

He clutches my chin with his thumb and forefinger, angling my head back so he can invade my face with his intrusive gaze. My heart palpitates harder and faster.

He wreaks everything in his path with a smile on his face.

My rigid spine also recognises the tingle of fear.

You need to help yourself, Skai. Think! Skai! Think!

I could have thought about the negative side of this but how could I have ignored it? I usually put the positive before the negative because the positive yields atimes. But at the moment, I wish there’s an exception to my perception.

“You have to be convincing, tho”,the little voice in my head whispers. That's true or else he'll not believe me.

“I was just passing by”, I know that came out odd.

“That was why you were eavesdropping, glued to the corner”.

“I thought I heard violent voices, it's my first time on this floor. So, I don't even know who's inside”

He looked into my eyes subsequently, left to right, right to left. As if he was trying to look into my brain and fish out what's there.

“Who are you?He looked me dead in the eyes. I feel like you're hiding something”

“C'mon, What are you saying?. I'm not hiding anything”, I said smiling but he's definitely not convinced.

“You're lucky the camera in this area is down. Have a nice day”, he said, marching out of my sight.

I have to step up my game. I have to play wisely. Any wrong step, I'd become a prime suspect. They might probably install CCTV in my office.

I placed my hand on my chest. Relieved!

Damn him to the darkest pit of hell.

Regardless, mission 1 down. Fortune favours the bold

I left the office immediately after work. Carlo wasn't available to give me a lift today. Not even after what happened. I'm sure he'd make a background check about me.

I entered my apartment, dropped my bag on the couch and ran towards my room. My stomach growled, then I remembered I haven't had anything all day. I knocked into my flower vase. Shit!

I opened the last compartment in my drawer as I pulled out my laptop and fired it up.

Entering my ID and password and it flashed red, DENIED. I tried it once again and it's the same. No, no, no.