Felicia POV
"How come you're so calm and chillin' like a villian?" Cedrick stated, as he sits on the sofa here at our house.
I'm wearing a long pajamas and an oversized shirt. Anyone who would look at me would be definitely shocked. My hair was so messy and I have no make up on.
My family is preparing for our little outing today. Mom is getting all over with her looks, so as father. And I'm here, still sipping a glass of milk. Cedrick is here, he won't allow me to drink coffee.
"Except for the villian. I'm not. Do I look like a villian? Montenegro is the villain here,"
Cedrick sighed and looked at me straight. "Yeah, you look like a witch with that..." he gestured my hair, "crazy wild hair of yours,"
I rolled my eyes. "It's early in the morning and don't piss me off! You said your wife made me a cake! Where is it?!"
Cedrick pulled out something from his black bag. There is a transparent box. Oh...a strawberry flavor!
"Here," I dropped it on the coffee table. "I'll just put it here," he stood.
"You goin'?" I asked.
"Yeah," he looked at me with his mischievous eyes. "I have a lot of work to do,"
His eyes are saying 'it is because you are going off to somewhere, leaving me behind all the work you are supposed to do'
I chuckled with that thought.
"What's funny?" He asked.
"Nothing. Later in the afternoon I'll be back in my schedule." I said, before seeing dad and mom getting down stairs, fixed, handsome and beautiful. I smiled.
Cedrick bid his goodbyes to my parents, and so as my parents to Cedrick, telling him to drive carefully.
It's 7 am in the morning and I hurried with my morning routines. Me and my parents decided with my free time to pay a visit to my older brother's grave. It's been a while since we visited complete. There are times that my parents visits without me. And sometimes, I visits without my parents' knowing.
My brother is a hardworking man who always protects me at all cost. He is a fighter an an intelligent man. I must say, my attitude was from my older brother. He showed how a woman should be treated right, and made me learn my lesson of how a man should be considered as a man. I'm his number one fan when it comes to being hardworking. I'm so proud he is my brother. There's no one like him.
The cemetery is far from our residence. 30 mins to 1 hour is the range We decided to take our lunch at the cemetery, we will have our own little picnic. It was a long time ago when we had our picnic together when my older brother is still alive. I was 12 years old back then. It wasn't that kind of a wonderful picnic, but it was so memorable and meaningful.
We arrived at the cemetery after an hour. We got out of the car. Father open the back of the car and grab the basket full of fruits, lunch, and snacks.
"You sure, honey, you won't let me help you? I can the grab other side of the basket," mom told, as we took the blankets out.
"Thank you, honey. It's not that heavy, I can do it," dad said.
We entered the cemetery. This graveyard is wide. You can see beautiful trees and growing grasses with flowers. As I expected, there are no plenty of people visiting this day. I could only see four to five people? If I'm not mistaken.
When we found my brothers grave, me and mom put the blanket on and father put down the basket. We sat and started getting the foods out.
"It's been a while since we did this," mom smiled. "Your brother must be really happy seeing us here and having a picnic with him,"
"I'm sure he is smiling wide. I could even picture his white teeth," I said jokingly to lighten up the mood.
It's a mixture of sadness and happiness. I really miss my older brother. I miss hearing his laughs.
AFTERNOON schedules, after I accompanied mom and dad to our house, I went to my building. Everyone is busy with their own works. I went to the elevator, and fortunately met my secretary, Roxanne.
"Good afternoon, ma'am,"
"Good afternoon, are you okay now?" I pushed the button to the top floor. The elevator dings and closed.
"I am okay, ma'am. I just got itchy yesterday and immediately went to hospital because as far as I know I didn't have any allergies, but it turns out I have," she said, before flipping the pages of the papers she has.
"Alright, good to hear you're okay. What is today's agenda?"
The elevator dings open. I walked myself out, while Roxanne followed me while she's busy reading papers she is holding.
"You have an appointment meeting with someone but he suspiciously said you had received an email in your personal mail. He wants to meet you personally, and privately."
"What time?" I asked, as I opened the door of my office. She followed.
"5:00 pm, also, it says that the meeting place was already decided and he sent it to you,"
5 pm? Who would meet me for an important meeting at 5 pm? And he decided for the meeting place? Who the hell is this guy?
"Ma'am, isn't it too... uncanny? You are already receiving numerous death threats. Does it a seemed like a part of a plan to...anything they wanted to do to you?"
"What do you mean?"
Roxanne flinched in surprised. "Oh! Hi, sir Cedrick,"
My brows curved when Cedrick entered my office without a knock. This man is really crossing the line between an officemates, the boss and him as my second.
"Cedrick will you please act like you are a professional? We aren't bestfriends here. Work." I rolled my eyes. "Stop overreacting, nothing will happen. Those death threats are nothing, they won't get me killed,"
Cedrick moved forward and leaned on my desk. "You're receiving those texts again?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "As if it'll happen? I've been receiving those texts and mails since 3 years ago. Look at me here in front of you,"
Roxanne hugged the papers she was holding. "But...ma'am..."
I sighed. "I'm going to meet that person, that's my final decision as your boss,"
The two of them fell silent. Roxanne bowed and bid her permission to get out. While Cedrick, holding his Ipad, stood firm in front of me.
"Doesn't my concern affects you?" He asked. I didn't answered him back. "Fine, look at this,"
He handled me the Ipad. He presented me the data of our new product, the new shoes for men.
"Looks like your new model is doing great. Creative designs aren't that enough for me but your model did it's impact."
"Creative designs?" I looked up to him, before looking back to the Ipad and scroll. "Slacking off?"
He sighed. "I pulled an emergency meeting earlier for this—"
"We will have our meeting tomorrow morning. We will also have a meeting with our company partners. Tell Roxanne to prepare a PowerPoint presentation, she knows what to do,"
He nodded. "Got it. I have a meeting today, there's a new investor," he smirked.
"Make it,"
He took his Ipad. He flicked my forehead before getting out of my office.
"He really had no boundaries,"
READING the mails drained my energy. I have so many paper works this week. I felt my head floating. It's only 4 pm, I till have one hour for the meeting with this man. Why does he wants to meet at the place where there's no CCTV? His reason is he doesn't want to be seen?
This creeps me out, also the deal he wanted. It's a huge amount of money for this. What does he want? He is willing to pay for the service of my company.
I am a woman who likes to deal with mysterious people. I won't back out, this is creepy yet challenging for me. My curiosity is killing me.
What if it's a trap for me to be killed? I don't think it is. My hunch is telling me it's more than that. I trust my guts.
I went out of the office. Might as well have some coffee. Walking through the areas of my employees, I heard some videos of the interview. My head turned automatically and tried to look at it.
In a computer of one of my creative designer. She is laughing hard together with his seatmate.
The headline tells about the hot lines I threw at Kalixo, and Kalixo's unbothered dead lines. People might made tons of videos regarding the interview, must be quite money making for social media influencers.
I clreaed my throat. "Do you works, creatives. Take everything seriously,"
They were shocked when they saw me looking at them. With poker face, I walked away and turned left to get to the coffee machine. I really don't have a good mood despite of the cute picnic I had this morning.
Maybe because I just miss my brother. I wish he was here.
I put a coin on the vending machine and put the disposable cup to fill me coffee.
"Are you okay?"
"Cedrick," he also put his coin and waited for his coffee. "Yes, I'm okay,"
"You look like not,"
I sighed. "Nothing, it's just mood swings, I guess,"
Our coffee cups filled. We get ours and sipped.
"You look tired,"
I chuckled. "Despite of having time for rest, I look tired?"
He looked at his coffee. "You're just scheduling things, time management. For your parents, and this company. You never really had a time for yourself."
I fell silent. I think I got his point. And I hate it that he is right. He really knows me well. Good thing I have a friend like him.
5 PM in the afternoon. I parked my car to somewhere easy to sight. Before going out of the car, I looked at the surroundings. There's really no CCTV in this place.
Huge building are far from this place. It is more like an abandoned place that the government possesses and still under a contract signing of what project is about to be created.
I got out of the car. Small houses where ruined, and there are a lot of alleys and spaces of soils and grasses. This could be a great and wide park if it is what they plan to do.
"Hello?" I said, but the sound of my voice felt like echoed. The silence is deafening. "Where are you?"
Not from afar, a man wearing a black cap, tall and has a good built, walked out from the dark side of an alley. He is wearing an v-neck shirt and a black pants.
I gripped my hand at my back. "Is it you?"
"Yes, I am, Ms. Avimayor," he started walking towards me.
From the sound of his voice, he isn't my age. Older than me. He stopped half meter away from me. I clearly saw his face, but I don't think he noticed it. I knew this man! He pulled his cap downwards, he is hiding.
"What do you want from me? And who are you?" I strongly asked. I know this man, I knew this face. He won't make it easy with me.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Avimayor, in this...such a great place," he said like he is proud. "It is a bravery that you are willing to meet someone you didn't know in this kind of isolated place with you alone. I guess you've been hooked by the money I offered?"
So this man is after something more critical, huh? He is trying to catch someone who is blinded by the money.
"What now?"
He chuckled a bit and lowered his head. "I want you to work with me."
"Work with you?"
"This thing is huge. I think you are more capable of doing it for me—"
"Wait, I'll do something for you? Isn't it you? The one who'll invest for my company? Are you even sure of what you are talking about?"
"It is something you'll never regret. Your bank will explode—"
"I don't have time for this. Get your ass off my company. You don't deserve my energy,"
I get inside my car and drive away. I looked at my side mirror, I saw him standing there like nothing happened.
I think I might know what he wants. It's unethical for someone like me who isn't blinded by the money.
I must do something.
Felicia's POV I woke up feeling a warm body enveloping me. It's Kalixo. We had a great night, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss his husky voice whispering my name. It seemed like my name was the most beautiful in the world. Thinking he was still asleep, I lifted my head to find him already looking at me, a smile on his face. "Good morning, my queen," he greeted, planting a small kiss on my forehead. I smiled. But my smile faded as I remembered Deokwa, and Kalixo and I discussed his decision to surrender to the police and reveal everything he knew. [Flashback] I sat on the bed after ending a call with Deokwa. I couldn't fathom how he found out Kalixo was here. If it was Deokwa, it wasn't impossible that he had eyes on me everywhere I went. Kalixo sat beside me. "Tomorrow, I'll tell the truth." I looked at him. "Wh-What?" "I don't want to see that pain, fear, and anxiety in your eyes, Felicia. My lies need to stop. I never truly protected you; it was a wrong decision. Now,
Felicia's POVAfter my conversation with Dad, I couldn't bring myself to eat the food he had bought for me. I'm not angry with him; it's just that the information he shared hasn't fully sunk in yet.As I was about to ascend the stairs, I suddenly felt a buzz at the top of my head. I quickly turned towards my room. Who could it be? There couldn't be any commotion here with Dad around."Felicia, honey—""Yes, Dad!" I replied, raising my voice, which startled him since he was right behind me, carrying the food.His mouth fell agape. "U-Uh, let's just put this in your room's fridge—""I've got it, Dad!" I said with a wide smile. "Don't worry, everything is fine!"Dad blinked three times. "E-Everything is... is fine...?""Yes! Absolutely! I'll take care of it. Thank you!" I immediately grabbed the plastic bags and went upstairs.Dad was left scratching his head in bewilderment. When I reached my door, I realized it was locked from the inside. I raised my hand to turn the doorknob. Now, the
Felicia's PerspectiveCedrick and I had finally returned home. The house was heavily guarded, as we had recently hired a team of butlers. Tomorrow marked a significant day, the day when I would reveal the truth to everyone, including... Kalixo.A sudden pang in my chest gripped me, but I brushed it aside. It no longer mattered.Technically, I wouldn't be revealing it alone. I would be joined by Cedrick and Rose. Rose would present the information, and I would second every statement and confirm the details. I would also work from home, as it was deemed too risky for me to venture outside. And indeed, it was a dangerous world out there."Felicia, your father and I are going out for a bit," Mommy announced.I was in the living room, watching the news. The city had fallen silent, especially now that those who had been with me in captivity had returned. Thankfully, they had been instructed not to disclose anything about me."Where are you headed, Mommy?" I inquired."Your father will be vi
FELICIA'S PERSPECTIVEWith resolve, I unveiled the truth. "My brother concealed that drug. I conducted in-depth research on it and stumbled upon a groundbreaking chemical with the potential to revolutionize human health. I refrained from using it, awaiting the collaboration of other experts in the field. My investigations took place in my perfume laboratory. Rest assured, it is well-secured. Only my secretary has access due to her exceptional genetics."Cedrick interjected with a question, his tone earnest. "Felicia, I have a query. Who, if I may ask, was the fortunate individual who received the drug successfully?"I hesitated, fully aware of the magnitude of this revelation in his life. "I will disclose that information at a more opportune moment. For now, our focus must be on more pressing matters. The reason they pursue me is the possession of the formula. I'll compile a list of involved parties, recognizing that some may no longer be among the living."As I commenced typing the n
FELICIA POV"Are you sure about your decision, Felicia?" Cedrick asked me. We were currently in the living room, joined by my parents and his family. I had told them that today was the day I planned to reveal everything, and I wouldn't postpone it any longer.I nodded. "I am strong, and there's nothing wrong with me. Besides, that's the whole point of all this—the truth. I can't stay here and keep quiet any longer because we don't know what they're planning. We're not certain."My father sighed deeply. "If that's truly your decision, daughter, I won't stop you. Just make sure, my child, that you stay by Cedrick's side no matter what happens."Cedrick's wife held my hand. She didn't say a word, just gave me a reassuring smile. I held onto her hand as a reminder that everything would be okay."Don't worry. I'm here now, and they won't dare harm me because they need me," I said confidently.My mother furrowed her brow. "What do you mean, child?"I simply smiled in response.--As soon as
Felicia POVMy feet felt numb after the almost 30 minutes of walking and running through the woods. Blood and bodies of dead people spread all over the woods. It's a creel, a hella creepy place that old man made."Montenegro said no one will be able to see us if we'll take the path. I doubt that at first but it seemed like he's telling truth. I wonder where did the other people go," Cedrick took a glance on me. "We're here. You can explain everything to me now,"I sighed. We stopped on our tracks. We reached an empty road and a car hidden in the bushes. "Are we going to wait for your friend investigator?""Nope. She already plotted something. Minutes by now, reinforcements are coming. I need you to be safe. Let's go," he said and led me inside the car. Car is a bit old. Cedrick started it and immediately drive. It works well despite it's rusty appearance. "Explain, Felicia," he added, as he drives the car. I sighed. "I've been searching for those people who killed my brother Leo. T