Rickey's mansion.

On a Video Call.

“Find Maya. She's the perfect girl we need for this execution.” Shedrack slipped his hands into pockets as he crossed and uncrossed his legs; rage burning within.

He glanced at his right-hand man, then looked away just immediately.

“Simeon. How in the world was she able to do that?” He asked, drawing his mouth into a straight line and biting his lips. Simeon stood there, a smile tugged at the tip of his lips, hands crossed at the back, looking.

“You know I hate suspense. You better start talking. How did it go?" His eyes widened with feet that tapped impatiently. Simeon cleared a throat, pulling his neck downwards a little. His chin was high with his neck exposed.

“So far, so good. He's going to throw her out by tomorrow night for bridging the trust contract and being disloyal to temper with the CCTV cameras.”

“Excellent!” He bounced from his chair. A beam smile reflecting slightly on his lips.

“And just after that, you can now come in as a shoulder for Maya to cry on. With that, we have her on our side.”

A wicked grin was bold on his face as he pressed his lips to Shedrack.

“Wow! Such a genius idea. How could you come up with this so fast.”

He looked at him, a feeling of breathlessness and a heat that radiated through his chest tingling his hand. With a lightness that spread across his legs.

“Step one. Wait for tomorrow. Step two. Attack late at night in his mansion.” Simeon added, pushing up his sleeves as his lips pressed together; shoulders pushed back slightly.

Shedrack's eye lit up. Flinging out his arms, taking a wide stance. His chest thrust out. A knock came from the door, jolting Simeon back to reality.

He grabbed the remote control, switching off the video call before turning to the knock. His senses heightened, a slow, calculated step followed from behind as he reached for the door knob. His lips pursed, his brows raised with a shrugged shoulder as he cleared his throat.

“Boss, demands your attention in his office now!” Peter came with this information. He pressed a lip in a slight grimace, blinking a little before nodding his head.

“I'll join you shortly.” And with that, he shut the door, sagging against a wall before brushing a hand through his hair.

“I pray I don't get caught.” He whispered, his eyes darting around the room for the umpteenth time to be certain there were no more CCTV cameras hiding in the dark.

When he was sure he wasn't being monitored. He sighed, tugging his shirts properly as he adjusted his tie. A slow smile evident on his lips. A force of betrayal; they wouldn't see coming. He turned to the door, taking one last glance at the room before squeezing his eyeballs slightly, slamming the door.

He got into Rickey's room, blinking rapidly as he rubbed the back of his neck. His face down, taking quick breaths.

“So. What were you saying again?" Rickey asked,

“Oh! You mean.” He cleared his throat in a bit to maintain a cool demeanor, but his body betrayed him.

His fingers and toes tingled as his palms grew sweaty. “Was he listening to my conversation with Shedrack?” He muttered, swallowing hard slightly. His shoulders tight with a trembling chin.

"Are you okay? Rickey's eyes tilted inwards, his eyebrows wrinkled, shooting glances at Simeon.

“Yes Boss. I'm fine, He swallowed hard. I've just been so exasperated after the call from home; I lost a family. A loved one so dear to my heart.” His eyes turned red in split seconds, his skin splotchy; sniffing and wiping his nose.

“Oh! So Bad. You'll be fine.” Rickey's eyes rolled. A tightness in his face; eyes narrowing, biting his lips. Simeon's arms and legs closed in to his body as he stood there. His face down.

“I want to see the footage,” His eyes lit up swiftly- a dazed look, shuffling slightly a step. His breath hitched.

“Sure.” He swallowed hard. A tentative smile on his face as the surprise sunk. “Maya and a man covered in a black cloak. That was what you said last night. So I want the footage that proves your findings are true.”

His eyes held a look, strong enough to reveal a lie. Simeon swallowed again the umpteenth time. His gaze clouded, his eyebrows squishing together.

“Yes Boss. You can come with me.” A tightening in his chest. Sweating.

“Lead the way.” He pointed to him. They got into the office. His eyes still strong on Simeon. A tight expression.

"Sh*t! He said, brushing his hand through his hair and forcefully smacking his elbow to a wooden table surface.

“This was here. Right here in this folder, He bent his back to the PC. Probably it got deleted or removed by someone last night.” A slap struck on his face. He lowered himself, edging his face with his hand.

“What do you mean by that? How can be so incompetent. I just hired you? And you already screwed up big time.”

His nostrils flared with a high chin and a leg planted wide: protruding eyes; a tight expression, his knuckles cracked, nails biting into his palms.

“Peasants! He yelled, barreling towards Simeon. Fools! All of you. Bunch of Nincompoops.

Get out!” His vein twitched in his forehead. Heat flushing through his body as he kicked over a plastic chair. Body tensed and muscles quivering.

“Rectify this, He turned to him, pulling his chin up. And get me that footage. I need to know those strange branches stealing my fruits.” He pushed it off, turning swiftly facing the mirror.

“I won't only cut them off, but have them beg to die.” He threw the screw in his hand at the mirror, shattering it to pieces; it's particles on the floor.

He slammed the door, spittle building up in the corners of his mouth. Lips pulled up, baring his teeth. His muscles and veins strained against his skin, shoving objects into motion. Threatening violence; a pounding in his ears and a dry throat. An edgy, twitchy feeling; a need to dominate, to see blood, to hurt someone.

The door creaked open. Maya peeped through, only to see the room scattered. She took in a deep breath before licking her lips slightly; the rage in the room made her moist lips dry and rough.

“I'm afraid you brought in an enemy. Into the Mansion.” Maya said from the door, her fingers crossed as her shoulders shrugged.

“How?” Rickey turned to face her, tilting his head slightly. “An Enemy lurks within. And I can help you fish out the person, She paused, taking a brief breath. Not until you take the first step in searching for my mom.”

Her brows furrowed, her voice low-pitched with a strong eye contact and a set jaw. She pulled out the photograph from behind, pointing it at him.

“You scratch my back. I scratch your back. Are we good?”

He narrowed his eyes, eyebrows pulling downwards. Beneath those eyes stood something unexplainable. A longing. A Desire. An Intent. And a force to be reckoned with.