A crystal chandelier casted a soft glow over the large cozy room, illuminating the faces of four men seated on circled armchairs. One of them was younger then the rest. The air was thick with the scent expensive cigars and aged scotch as the four men entertained themselves. Shortly, the fifth man walked in, being the oldest among them.
He was eighty-one years old with wrinkled eyes and grey hair that spoke of his time and experience.
The four men watched him with respect as he walked in and took a seat.
"Good evening, grandpa." The younger man inclined his head.
"Alex. Where's your brother?" The old man asked, glancing round the room.
"He's upstairs."
Then, silence descended. The old man lowered his gaze and let his anxiety eat him up.
"Grandpa, I think you need to calm down. You've been d
Glancing out the window, the imposing silhouette of the company's headquarters loomed into Jerika's view. The tall glass and steel building reflected the sunlight in dazzling flashes.The tires hummed over the smooth asphalt of the company, and with the driver navigating carefully, he pulled the car to a stop.Jerika waited patiently for her door to get opened. Then, she stepped out with her bag, leaving her briefcase behind."Good morning, ma'am.""Good morning, ma'am."Her employees kept paying homage as she walked pass them. With her face being as straight as ever, she ignored every one of them and headed for the elevator.Her heels clicked against the floor as she stepped out of the elevator. The muted chatter of her employees fell silent as she breezed pass their offices. And of course, they didn't fail to lower their heads in obeisance
The meeting hall was as silent as a tomb. Jerika looked just like the Alpha queen she was known for as she sat before her people. The few elderly ones stood at the back. Jerika could point out a lot of her staff from the company. It was easy to figure them out as they were clothed decently in suits.All eyes converged on her, like she was a magnet drawing them in. The silence stretched enough in the room, and when Jerika was satisfied with their attention, she began."Two days ago, I got a complaint from a cop," her gaze was like a wave, rippling between them as she conveyed her message."He complained that certain wolves were harassing people on the streets. You know, there were about nine Alphas in that room, and I had expected it to be one of them. But guess what? It turned out to be people from my pack. My.own.pack. Do you have any idea how humiliating that must have been for me?"A faint hum of
"Fuck!" Sullivan cursed, throwing a glass at the wall. They were still in the meeting room, and while he groaned, the rest of the pack members just stood and watched in silence. "How dare she?! How could she lay her hands on me and humiliate me this fucking way?!" He touched his bleeding lip with his index finger. "Stop trying to play victim here, Sullivan. You were extremely rude to her and deserve what you got," A female said, pulling out a cigarette.Sullivan turned at her with a ridiculous scoff. His eyes were brimming with red. "Seriously?" He scoffed. "I deserved it? For what exactly? Simply because I aired out our minds?""Speak for yourself. We didn't share the same view as you did, so don't blame your foolishness on us." Another said - a boy.Shock crept into Sullivan's face. He'd expected at least, a few people to be on his side. Why were they all pointing fingers at him?He brushed his fingers into his hair and ambled back and forth."You are crazy. Everyone of you is c
Silence stretched in the office with only the rustling of a file heard as Jerika flipped through it's pages. Her eyes scanned the profile of the first applicant seated before her.His qualifications were quite impressive - he'd schooled abroad, in one of the best institutions. He was proficient in six different languages and had very good recommendations. She couldn't find a fault with him.She shifted her gaze from the file and looked at him."Mr Lennox, why do you wish to work here?" she asked evenly.She stared unwaveringly at him, and how he was able to hold it was something that baffled her. Most people meeting her for the first time could barely hold her gaze."Well, I've always admired this company and looked forward to working with you," he answered calmly.His reply was so brief, he didn't ramble on like the others.
Lennox stood at the balcony of his duplex, the cool evening breeze gently ruffling his hair. In his hand, he held a steaming mug of coffee, the aroma wafting up to his nose and warming him from the inside out. The sky above was a deep shade of midnight blue, speckled with stars that twinkled like tiny diamonds. His phone beeped in his pocket, and evenly, he reached for it and glanced at the screen to see an email from the Kresters Empire:"Congratulations, Mr Lennox Anderson. You have been hired by our company for the post of a Personal Assistant. Attached to this email is the rules and regulations of the company, as well as your pay and requirements. Get back to me when you're done with the folder."He sighed and put the phone away, taking a sip from his coffee as he returned his gaze to the night sky. It was no surprise to him that he'd gotten the job; a man like him could never be rejected. He drank some more from his coffee before retreating into his big lonely house. ****†****
Lennox's first day at work was like a calm river flowing steadily. The files on his desk had been like a treasure trove of information, waiting to be discovered.He found himself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, sifting through files and assisting Jerika through a maze of meetings and presentations. Every department of the company was extremely busy with the launch coming up in two days time.The subsequent times Lennox had dashed into Jerika's office, he had felt like he was entering a fortress. She always at her desk, eyes fixed on the computer screen, fingers clicking away at the keyboard. Each time he asked a question, her responses were always curt and to the point; she didn't even look up from her screen.As they went to various meetings, her cold aura only intensified. He noticed she exuded an authority that made everyone around her feel like they were walking on eggshells.Fo
"You look astonishing, ma'am," Mr Luther had complimented, sitting in the front seat of Jerika's moving car. Jerika didn't bat a lid at him, she didn't care. There were two other cars behind her, and Lennox was in one of them.After what felt like an eternity to Jerika, they got to the venue of the event. The gates loomed before them, and Jerika's convoy drove in, the sound of the engines echoing off the walls. The sight of her convoy driving in was all it took to set the press men off, they swarmed towards her cars like a pack of hungry wolves. Their cameras flashed in a frenzy. However, her securities dressed in black suits and dark shades, came out first from the second and third cars, forming a human barricade around her. With their muscular build and no-nonsense attitude, they quickly limited the press men, holding them back with firm but gentle hands.Lennox got the door opened for her, and gently, Jerika stepped out, her head held high. "Just a word, Miss Jerika!""Could you
Jerika's brow furrowed as she turned to the direction of the voice and found Reagan staggering in. What?Surprise crept into her face, as well as the faces of the guests. He was casually garbed in a pair of black pants and a white top that had alcohol stains on it. His eyes rimmed with red and were baggy, giving her a hint of how much he'd been drinking, and probably sulking.'Why was he looking that way? Who let him in?' she pondered.He took staggering steps towards her, making the press redirect their cameras to him. Swiftly, Jerika's securities sprang into Reagan's way, restricting him from going any further."No. No. Let me go. Don't you know who I am? I'm her P.A" he spoke dizzily, pointing at Jerika."Yes, I'm sure I know this guy. He used to follow her around.""That's Reagan, right?""Did he get fired? I was won
After the close of work, Lennox had to accompany Jerika home to get some documents that he needed to work on through the night. While she proceeded in her car, he drove behind them in his car. The ride was a long one, as usual. But getting to her gates, Jerika found Reagan there again. For five days, he's been coming to her gate non-stop and would usually just wait out there for her because her security wouldn't let him in. Jerika has always ignored him, but that day, she decided to pay him some attention. She instructed her driver to stop the car, and when he did, she came out of it. Reagan's heart raced with anticipation. He had been waiting for that moment for what seemed like an eternity. As she made her way towards him, looking like a goddess in her red dress, his eyes got filled with gratitude and relief. He couldn't contain his excitement and dropped to his knees before her. "Alpha!" He exclaimed, looking up at her like she was his North Star. "Oh! Thank you! Thank yo
Lennox's mind was a little stunned by Jerika's offer. Was she really offering him a blank cheque?For a moment, he just stood there, lost in her gaze. Then he lowered his eyes and chuckled. Jerika was baffled. Why the hell was he chuckling?"I appreciate the offer, Alpha Jerika, but if it's possible, can my blank cheque be reserved for later?" Lennox inquired and watched discomfort creep into Jerika's brows."And why's that?" She asked."Well, I just don't know what to ask for now. Perhaps, I could have a better request later on. A blank check can be reserved, right?"Jerika backed away from her desk and reclined in her seat. "I can't guarantee if the blank check would still be available, but we might just have to see about that, Mr. Lennox," she answered curtly. "I understand. Thank you, Alpha." Lennox left afterward. ****†****†****†****†****†Sullivan's eyes darted around the bleak waiting room, taking in the sparse furnishings and peeling wallpaper. His fingers drummed anxiousl
Sullivan stopped his car in front of the unfenced house. Still seated, he surveyed the environment for securities. There seemed to be no armed guards around.He looked into his car's mirror, brushed his hair so it looked good enough, and puffed out some air before leaving the car.Jerika Krester; he was determined to bring her down. Hopefully, this visit he was about make would bring him a solution.Inserting his hands in his trouser pockets, he walked towards the apartment.Sullivan glanced left and right as he headed for the apartment. The street was enshrouded in darkness and quietness, with only the occasional glimmer from neighboring houses casting a gentle glow.He knocked on the marble door and glanced left and right again, awaiting a response. When no response came, he knocked again. It actually baffled him that the old man chose an apartment as small as
Lennox had his head leaned on the rolled-up window glass as Raina controlled the steering. The city busied with a lot of people and activities and calmly, he just watched. It's been four days since the shooting incidence happened, four days since he's been at the hospital. He was most relieved to finally leave the hospital. From time to time, Raina kept stealing glances at him, seeming like she was holding back from saying the disturbing words she had lurking at the tip of her lips. Lennox noticed but didn't bother to look at her. Finally, she said: "Grandpa is very mad at you."Lennox heaved a sigh and simply adjusted his head on the glass. He still didn't look at her. "I know," he muttered. And he was ready for it. For the past four days, they didn't stop calling endlessly. He was actually thankful they didn't show up at the hospital. "Those wolves are really shameless, you know" Raina huffed, her eyes on the road. "I can't believe the so-called Jerika couldn't even show up to
The morning sky was thick with dark clouds, heavy with the weight of the rainfall that had come down all night. The room, shrouded in a dim, grey light, was filled with cold air that mixed with the scent of rain and lingered in every corner.Jerika laid on the cold floor, her eyes opened but her body barely moving. Her room was a mess with books, papers and cosmetic items scattered all over, due to her frantic search for her headphones the previous night.She laid there, feeling powerless and not having the strength to lift a finger. The rain had drained her, her nightmare had drained her.Her phone rang and beeped endlessly from the bed, but none of it was enough to get her on her feet. She remained there for a long time, until a knock came on her door."Ma'am? Are you awake? Are you in?" Isabelle's voice came shortly.Jerika wasn't surprised that the lad
It happened so fast. The raucous sound of the gunshot happened so fast. Screams and unsettlement had erupted from the people around as they all skittered to take cover. Jerika had been pushed. She couldn't explain what happened. Just before the gunshot, she had been pushed by someone from behind. She knew it wouldn't be any of the press people, it had to be one of her own people. She had been made to deck and fall on the body of one of her securities. And by the time she turned to see who had pushed her, it turned out to be Lennox. Her cold eyes glinted, seeing he had been shot. In that split second, her mind went blank, and her body tensed up. He was still on his feet, his eyes staring at her. That instance, the world around Jerika seemed to come to a standstill. The wind seized to blow and the sounds of the unsettled people trying to escape the scene, faded away. She felt her cold heart stop beating when she realized what had happened. He had taken the bullet in her place?Gradu
Jerika's brow furrowed as she turned to the direction of the voice and found Reagan staggering in. What?Surprise crept into her face, as well as the faces of the guests. He was casually garbed in a pair of black pants and a white top that had alcohol stains on it. His eyes rimmed with red and were baggy, giving her a hint of how much he'd been drinking, and probably sulking.'Why was he looking that way? Who let him in?' she pondered.He took staggering steps towards her, making the press redirect their cameras to him. Swiftly, Jerika's securities sprang into Reagan's way, restricting him from going any further."No. No. Let me go. Don't you know who I am? I'm her P.A" he spoke dizzily, pointing at Jerika."Yes, I'm sure I know this guy. He used to follow her around.""That's Reagan, right?""Did he get fired? I was won
"You look astonishing, ma'am," Mr Luther had complimented, sitting in the front seat of Jerika's moving car. Jerika didn't bat a lid at him, she didn't care. There were two other cars behind her, and Lennox was in one of them.After what felt like an eternity to Jerika, they got to the venue of the event. The gates loomed before them, and Jerika's convoy drove in, the sound of the engines echoing off the walls. The sight of her convoy driving in was all it took to set the press men off, they swarmed towards her cars like a pack of hungry wolves. Their cameras flashed in a frenzy. However, her securities dressed in black suits and dark shades, came out first from the second and third cars, forming a human barricade around her. With their muscular build and no-nonsense attitude, they quickly limited the press men, holding them back with firm but gentle hands.Lennox got the door opened for her, and gently, Jerika stepped out, her head held high. "Just a word, Miss Jerika!""Could you
Lennox's first day at work was like a calm river flowing steadily. The files on his desk had been like a treasure trove of information, waiting to be discovered.He found himself caught up in a whirlwind of activity, sifting through files and assisting Jerika through a maze of meetings and presentations. Every department of the company was extremely busy with the launch coming up in two days time.The subsequent times Lennox had dashed into Jerika's office, he had felt like he was entering a fortress. She always at her desk, eyes fixed on the computer screen, fingers clicking away at the keyboard. Each time he asked a question, her responses were always curt and to the point; she didn't even look up from her screen.As they went to various meetings, her cold aura only intensified. He noticed she exuded an authority that made everyone around her feel like they were walking on eggshells.Fo