CHAPTER 004: A Cage of Hungry Tigers

[REIGN'S POINT OF VIEW]

Death becomes something you no longer fear when you have countered it several times; it becomes nothing new and even expect it every minute of the day when you are the type of man that I am. A man that has so many enemies more than allies.

As soon as the call ends, I flip the phone on the nearest table just as the door opens and the kinder friend enters with a paper bag. She looks hesitant as she approaches the bed. My behavior earlier must have planted a seed of doubt.

Compared to Daphne, this one is pretty. Heart-shaped face with a smooth and creamy complexion. Amber eyes shone with brightness as if the world hadn't done any damage.  Her hair is black and straight, and it falls down her back and her build is slender. Unfortunately, I have felt it.

“You should eat.” She places the paper bag on the table. Despite the look of uncertainty in her eyes, there is a smile on her face that slowly morphs into a frown as her gaze lands on the phone.  “This is Daphne’s phone. What is it doing here?” she picks it up.

“Your friend was here.” I test the waters. “She claims she was the one who patched me up; she wanted payment for her services.”

She looks at me sharply with a cute glare. “Daphne will never do that.” she finalizes.

“You trust her that much?”

“Of course I do. I grew up with Daphne, and we have always had each other’s backs. She will never go behind my back.” she defends with a naive look in her eyes. Such bright eyes are not suitable for the world we live in. “Besides, what could she ask for? Money? Daphne is not greedy.”

Ah. it appears she knows nothing about her friend. Those eyes earlier were filled with greed and selfishness. “I jest. Don't you want money? What if I can give you all the money you want as long as you ask for it? You saved my life; I should give you anything you want.”

“What are you, a Jiny?” She leans her body down and studies my face. I get a sniff of her sweet lavender scent. “Can you really grant my wish?” her amber eyes shone mischievously and oh, I might have misjudged her character. 

“What do you want?” I play her game and move closer. I can feel her breathing fan against my face. 

As if the spell broke, she blinks and immediately moves away and clears her throat. I don't miss the rosiness on her cheek. “I don't want anything from you; I don't care if you have all the money in the world. I will earn my money my way. You should eat and regain your strength.”

Without another word, I watch as she walks out of the tiny bedroom.

*~~*

The next day comes, and it’s time to leave. I walk out of the bedroom dressed in my clothes. I enter the living room to find my assistant, Dean, and Daphne, innocent Rae is nowhere to be found. I sneer. “Where’s your friend?” I inquire as I extend my hand to Dean and he places a chequebook and a pen.

She rolls her eyes. “Do you like her? Rae is too pure to be dragged into your world of power and manipulation.”

I smirk. “You speak from experience, Miss Daphne. Perhaps you have encountered more elicit people or perhaps you have encountered a person from the Montgomery family?” I look at her and see the way her eyes twitch. Ah. I have hit a soft spot.

“Just sign the check and leave.” she snaps just as I hand her the piece of check that she snatches from me rudely. 

“I believe that’s enough to compensate for my time here and your healing powers.”

“It’s enough. It was nice doing business with you, Mr. Reign Montgomery,” she says with a smirk and I nod in acknowledgment before leaving the apartment with Dean trailing behind me.

The fresh winds welcome me as I approach the Maybach Exelero parked at the side. 

“Mr. Reign.” Dean catches up as he opens the back seat door of the car. “The check doesn't hold your seal; there’s no way she can cash it. You forgot to add that.”

 I smirk and look down at the apartment building with peeling and faded sidings; it looks like it suffered the most cruelty in this city. “No, Dean, I didn't forget,” I say and slip in the car and he hurries to the driver’s seat and starts the car. 

“Who knows what she is going to do once she discovers she can't cash the check? Perhaps, I should take care of them? They know too much, boss,” he looks at me through the rear glass with a deadly look I know too much.

I shake my head. “No. Keep them alive. I believe we are destined to meet again. They could be of use to me. What have I missed these past few days?” I ask and he passes me a binder that I immediately go through while he drives the car.

“The sales meeting with XYZ Corporation has been rescheduled until your return and Mr. Liam isn't too happy about it and has been going down my throat for your whereabouts. This is the first time you have gone missing for so long, boss. I almost thought I wouldn't see you again.”

I snort. I thought for a moment that dark alley would be the last thing I see in this lifetime till I met an angel. “Did you find out the identity of those men?” My eyes darkens as I thought of the bastard that nearly took my life this time. How close they were.

“Yes, Boss. I asked the men to keep one of them alive for your interrogation. Also, Mr. Montgomery collapsed; the doctor said he has to be bedridden.”

“Let’s get me a new suit, Dean.”

“Yes, Boss.”

*~*

The Montgomery family is known all over the city as the most powerful, richest, and largest family.

The Montgomery family is a playground, a chess where they are pawns. It’s a ground filled with the most twisted minds and they have earned their reputation as the most manipulative.

The Montgomery family is a place where everyone couldn't wait for the patriarch to lose his life so they could become the next heir—the Montgomery mansion is a place of power struggle, manipulation, greed, and personal interest. A place filled with hungry tigers that couldn't wait to rip the throat out of their prey, and I am the third son of the Montgomery family. 

 As I step into the grand entrance of the mansion, I am welcomed with the familiar sight of elegance. My gaze is fixed ahead and my steps echo with the steps I take.

With my hands shoved into my pocket, I ignore the soft greetings of the maids as I pass them, my expression remaining never changing. I stride up the stairs and head to grandfather’s room and getting there, I am not surprised to see the loyal protege already there, dutifully attending to our grandfather lying on the bed.

“Ah, Reign, you are finally here; I thought I wouldn't see you again till my funeral.” 

“Grandfather,” I say in acknowledgment just as the loyal protege looks at me with those brown eyes of his that look so pure yet tainted. No member of the Montgomery family is pure. “Liam.” I acknowledge—we are all filled with power-hungry demons that are just waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

“Reign.” He gives me a once-over. “You are alright?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Shouldn't I be, Liam? Perhaps you thought I wouldn't return alive?”

A glint flashes in his eyes and his lips curl into a smile. “Those are harsh words for your brother, who cares for your well-being. Your disappearance has been felt by everyone and as the acting CEO as Grandfather is sick, you should know your life is important to the company and the family,” he approaches me and places a hand over my shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “I am glad to see that you are alright; you have made, especially Grandfather, so worried.” With a pat on my shoulder, he walks out of the room.

This is a playground and if you are not careful, you get dragged underneath the mud with no way out. A ground filled with caged and hungry tigers and we all play the same game.

“Of course, brother.”