Blackmail

Asriel sat in a private room at one of the hotel's he owned puffing a cigarette. Ever since he learnt about Zia being awake he couldn't get her off his mind. It was as though a part of his body was yearning for her, calling out for her more than he ever did for the past three months, or since the moment he decided to propose to her.

At this rate he might act on impulse and head off to see her, but he couldn't let her have the slightest hint that she might know him. Wiping off her memory was a decision he had to live with.

Asriel was slowly engulfed in the smoke as he stared into the empty space. No woman should ever have this power over him, not when several women lined up to warm his bed, beautiful and rich women.

A knock at the door brought him to the present as Zichi walked in elegantly, her six inch stiletto heels echoing in the entire room.

Asriel didn't spare her a glance and continued staring out through the window. They were on the tenth floor and the view up there had been perfect, yet Asriel didn't fancy it at all, not when his whole life had been this empty.

Zichi took a moment to glance around the room and finally resting her eyes on the finger sitting close to the window.

" Asriel, you don't seem so good, what could be happening. Don't tell me you suddenly got stressed because of the video,"

" Tell me what you want, I don't have all day," Asriel said curtly.

Zichi swallowed hard before she sat on the chair, facing Asriel's back.

" I'm really sorry to have to resort to this, but I had no other way out. I hoped you could convince Mr. Malcolm to invest in my company,"

Zichi waited for his response, but he just sat there, puffing his cigarette filling the room with smoke. Zichi was getting breathless and she prayed to get over and done with it as soon as possible.

Asriel dropped an envelope for her on the floor.

" Next time I'll kill you before you try your blackmail on me,"

" Brother in law, you know you shouldn't threaten me when you have a lot of dirt in your hands. Did you forget that you forced my sister to undergo a procedure she didn't accept, taking everything from her. She even lost her child."

Zichi said changing her tone after she glanced at the contents in the envelope. A contract signed by Mr. Malcolm himself, it just needed her signature.

That had been too easy. She might actually use him to get everything she wanted.

Asriel exploded in anger as he stood up and took a step towards her. He had lifted up his hand in the air to slap her but withdrew them immediately. He couldn't hit her when it was his fault having lost his child.

" It would be better if you left, I might change my mind and destroy that," Asriel pointed at the envelope in her hand.

" We both know that you are at fault here brother in law, and no matter what you do, you can never rid the guilt. Just accept that you did a mistake. And better still, help me with whatever I need, and I assure you Zia wouldn't have to find out about anything."

" You know what Asriel, I'm well aware of the power you and your grandmother have, so I had to prepare myself incase you decide to do anything to me. Every little secret in your life will be exposed. I hope you aren't planning on killing me now,"

Zichi had a smirk on her face when she saw Asriel's expression change to that of disbelief.

" I've always known that you were but a wolf in a sheep's clothing. No wonder you had to take the company from your sister. You are so despicable,"

" Not as much as you are darling. I'm just following in your footsteps, stepping on others as I scale the ladder of success,"

" Let's see how far your ambitions will lead you,"

" Anyways, I need you to help me with my mother, I have to stage manage her return, only you can help me with this, after that we are even."

" What? Isn't your mother dead?"

" Wow, I never thought we were smart enough to fool everyone, that even the all powerful Asriel Gedor couldn't tell what happened to his mother in law,"

" Did Zia know about this? That Cassandra is alive,"

" And why would she know that, she was just a little naive girl who believed everything that was presented to her. Cai too has no idea about this. But let's just say they'll soon find out, that is, if you agreed to help me,"

" This would be the last favour I'm doing for you. Not because I'm scared of what you might do, but because of the fact that I ruined Zia's life. I'm only repaying it on you,"

" That's perfect then, I always knew I could count on you. We could make a perfect team. In future we should team up more,"

" You wish," Asriel said and threw away the cigarette before making his way out of the room, not looking back.

Zichi poured herself a glass of whiskey that had been lying on the table gobbling it at one go. She just hit two birds with one stone.

" You are the best Zia, even in your absence, your name works wonders," Zichi raised the empty glass to the air before letting it drop to the ground shattering into pieces.

"Oops little sis.... hope your life gets shattered wherever you are, just like that"

Zichi walked out of the room into the parking lot, her head raised high. In just a few months she'll be at the top, the only place she deserved in the corporate world.

Five days later, in Konza, late in the evening, Cai and Zia slowly made their way up their apartment. The two had spent the better part of the day making rounds in the small town and beyond.

This, according to Cai might help her spot something that might jog her memory. Zia had been optimistic on the first day, but this being the third day, she had given up hope. Just using the opportunity to know her way around the town and the city miles off.

Today had actually been so eventful, making rounds searching for a job. Everywhere she had tried, they had only stared up at her, as though her looks alone mattered. Zia had to ask Cai what seemed to be wrong with her, only for him to say that she looked like a princess, that she didn't seem like one who could do any casual jobs.

Her features seemed delicate, and her nails well trimmed and neat. She couldn't possibly work at a hotel or any other handy jobs.

The two dropped on the couch at the same time, exhausted.

" I suggest you forget about finding a job, you know I can take care of the both of us,"

" I might not know how much you actually have, but from what I see you might run out of money soon. You don't go to work yet you pay the bills, fuel your expensive car and all that. Surely soon enough you'll have exhausted your savings. I can't live with myself if I let you take care of everything."

" Alright Zia, let me rest for a while. We can talk about it tomorrow,"

Cai lazily adjusted himself on the couch and soon his eyes closed.

Zia sighed at this. She could tell that Cai wasn't used to such a life. She was yet to know where he gets money though he didn't work. So many things were strange about him, but she couldn't meddle in his life, not when he had become her guardian angel.

At the same time several miles away from town at an army's camp, a soldier ran into one of the tents, a mobile phone in his hand before he called out for the commander. He then hurried in after receiving a signal.

A young man sat facing the wall. The soldier saluted before requesting for permission to speak.

" Report,"

" He called again, he said it was urgent,"

" Tell him to get everything ready. We move at midnight,"

" Copy that sir," the soldier saluted before he respectfully retreated.

The man could only shake his head, how much longer till he made his move.

He couldn't tell what it was that had been holding him back till now.

Asriel received the news and immediately called Zichi. This would be the last favour he would do for her. He couldn't have any more deals with such a treacherous woman.

Zichi on the other hand immediately dropped everything called the company pilot. There would be no time to waste.

The chopper arrived at their rooftop which she immediately boarded.

" Mr. Gerald, I hope everything that will happen tonight will stay between us,"

" Of course madam, anything you wish," the pilot answered. As a too company pilot, he knew there were several underground deals within the corporate world that every company had to deal with. As long as he received his payment, he wouldn't bother with anything else.

They headed for a remote part of the country, several miles from the capital. The flight had taken a whole two hours, one hour more till they arrived at the said destination.

They had landed at an open ground in one of the villages. It was nine at night. Hurriedly Zichi made her way through the beaten footpath as she cursed loudly. She had to use her phone to illuminate her way.

Zichi couldn't imagine they used to live here several years ago. This had been one of the reasons she had to get everything for herself in the shortest time. Never in her life would she return to that forsaken hell hole, not after tasting the sweet life.

She arrived at their old house that stood abandoned at the edge of the forest. Everything was in it's place, just like it had been those years ago.

Cassandra was already waiting by the door when she heard the sound of an approaching chopper, hoping against hope that her daughter had come to get her. And true to her, Zichi stood right infront of her.

"Oh my child, you finally came for me," Cassandra said as she hugged her daughter.

" I promised you didn't I? Only that you never believed me. Anyways get your things mother, we don't have a lot of time,"

" No dear, let's go, I can't possibly carry anything from here,"

Cassandra was already on her way out.

Zichi followed after her and the two got back into the chopper.

" Thank you so much my child, I thought you had decided to abandon me here,"

" Why would I do that to you mother. It was you that got us out of this shit hole. I only delayed since I hadn't come up with a plan yet. You know we have to avoid any suspicion, that's why I had to ask Asriel for help."

" Really, so it was him that lent you the chopper,"

" No mother, this is our company chopper. Asriel had to help me stage manage your return. You have to get ready for interview later on."

" I don't understand Zichi,"

" Just you wait, you'll be home by morning, safe and sound. No one will ever know what we did."

" I knew you could never fail me my child. That's why I had to wait here all these while. I love you my child."