Chapter Two

A red Bugatti Chiron stops in front of the Flavell’s Tobacco Corp. building.

A tall stunning figure gets out of the car. This Caucasian man looks perfectly fit. Built like a lion, towering all of his bodyguards. 

Everyone whispers with each other upon seeing the guy.

Everybody knows Mr. Dante Guevarra so well. This guy is so controversial.

This guy is sophisticated but is also known to have a very low tolerance for mistakes.

A guy was shot in the head by him and nobody even bothered reporting the crime to the police.

As Dante walks the Hallway, he was accompanied by his men. All of them are in black suits and have a dangerous presence as they walk along. They were stopped only by company personnel in front of the entrance of the meeting hall.

His men are ready to start a scene when a staff accidentally touches Dante in the forearm but was immediately remained still when Dante glared at them.

“No problem, they will stay and wait outside,” Dante told the Security personnel as his men stand down.

Dante entered the room and sat where he was politely instructed by the staff.

 …..

“Sir? Pardon me, but Mr. Guevarra and the other Board members are already waiting in the Meeting Hall.” Rio’s secretary whispers at him.

“Well then, I shall head there now.”

He gets up on his swivel chair but just about he takes a sip of his coffee he felt nauseous.

It’s that same feeling. That familiar feeling again.

“But why, why in a time like this.” He speaks to himself.

He sat back in his chair and images flashed back in his mind.

“Is everything alright sir?” asked Gena his secretary.

Rio hears her and nods his head.

“Just give me a moment please.”

“No problem sir, I will wait outside” Gena gets out of the office.

Soon as he regains his strength he immediately stood up.

He went directly to the meeting hall.

He was petrified for a moment when he took a step inside the room. An eerie feeling is brewing. Something is wrong.

He continues to walk normally but he feels that everything is in slow motion. A man stares at him in the eye. Their eyes meet and Rio felt a stronger uneasy feeling.

“Denique die iuvenis.” (Fine day young man)

Dante offers Rio a handshake that seemed to have disturbed the lad more.

Out of politeness, Rio’s reflexes worked automatically and shook Dante’s Hand.

“Sir this is Mr. Dante Guevarra owner and founder of Guevara Brewery.”

“Please to meet you.” Rio nods his head as a form of respect.

“And this is Mr. Rioriddle Flavell, owner, and CEO of Flavell Tobacco Corp.” Dante nods in return.

Though he acts normal now, inside his mind, Rio is still confused about what is going on.

The presenter started talking about the joint project between Flavell’s Tobacco Corp. and Guevarra Brewery.

Rio can not focus but he stayed calm during the whole period of the meeting until it was adjourned.

Leonard taps Rio on his shoulder.

“Rio, let’s go now," realizing his friend is not feeling well.

“How about we drop by the Triffler’s ey?” Leonard suggested to his buddy while on their way out.

From afar, Dante watches Rio and talks to himself, “Peek-a-boo, I found you, little brother.”

One of his servants opened the car door and Dante hops in.

They were all gone in a minute.

…….

Leonard and Rio took off riding a matt black Dodge Challenger.

They arrived at Triffler’s around 2 pm in the afternoon.

The two went in front of the counter.

“Brandy or whiskey?” Leonard asks Rio.

“What on earth are you guys wanting to get tipsy this early?” Mathilda asked.

“It’s Leo’s idea,” Rio replied smiling.

“Nah, I know you want it too, haha.” Leonard laughing teases Rio.

Mathilda gave each lad their fill.

“What is it with you buddy?” Leonard asks Rio curiously as he sips.

“Man, I missed whiskey,” Leonard exclaims.

“Nothing,” Rio replied bluntly.

Though Rio talks in a convincing manner, Leonard always knew that his friend is hiding something.

Leonard may look like a jerk of a friend but he is the only guy Rio grew up with like a brother. He is one of Petra’s nephews.

The two seems to have a similar background. They are both orphans and were raised by the same person.

That is why Leonard knew Rio so well that he cannot fool him easily with his tricks.

“You look like you have seen a ghost a while ago. How can you expect me to believe you?” Leonard is serious now. The smile was gone on his face.

“It’s that same feeling again,” Rio uttered.

Leonard looks at him and carefully listens.

“There is something odd about that guy.” Rio continued.

“Who?” Leonard asked.

“Mr. Guevarra.” Rio looks so serious as he answers Leonard.

There was silence. They both stared at each other looking blank.

“Don’t tell me you felt love at first sight with that old man, hahaha.” Leonard jokingly teases Rio. But he knew that his friend is in deep trouble. It is just his nature to joke around when everything seems to be eerie.

Rio gave him a sharp glare.

“Just kidding.” Leonard pats Rio on his shoulder again as he glared at him.

“Whatever it is, keep yourself together,” Leonardo speaks in a more serious tone now.

Rio takes a sip of brandy and replies, “I know. I am.”

He puts down the glass and noticed someone outside is watching them.

It is the same person. It is wearing that same black cult robe. The mysterious person raises a locket watch and points at it, uttering something but Rio cannot decipher what the person wants to tell him.

Rio stood up and Leonard was startled. He is the only one that can see the person that is why Leonard was scratching his head.

“What now?” he asks Rio irritatingly.

Rio did not answer and dashes outside.

But before Rio can open the glass door, The person turns around and disappear again.

“Stop!!!... What do you want from me? Who are you?” he screamed aloud.

Rio seems to have started a scene outside when people saw his eyes turned red and his nails transformed into claws as his canine flashes. His medium-built body suddenly tightened his semi-fit suit and kind of reaping it apart. His appearance shocks every passerby.

 Leonard realizes that Rio will be in deep trouble because of this.

He rushes outside and distracted everyone.

“Show is over. Everyone this is just a prank.” Leonard brought out his phone and acts like he was filming.

“Woah how did they make it look so real?” One person tells the other.

He taps Rio in his shoulders again. “Come on buddy, everyone is staring at us. Let it go.”

Leonard pulls him inside the bar.

“Mathilda, you know what to do.” Leonard looks at Mathilda and she knew what he means by that.

Mathilda goes inside the CCTV room and does her thing.

“Done.” Mathilda confidently tells Leonard.

“I am really sorry for the commotion a while ago Mathilda.” Rio apologized to her in a fine tone.

Mathilda blushed and replies, “No worries my Darling.”

The two went off after people outside continued their usual routine.

……..