Shantel got up, not minding the gun was pointed at her. She walked towards me, bent down, and said.

“I know you are in love with Marvin, but I also know you are a kind and forgiving person. My father has done nothing wrong. He refused to work with Uncle Jonah and that’s what got us here,” Shantel said, pleading with me.

“Shantel, Can you make it make sense to me? Are you not working for Ken and Ken? I know Ken was working for Uncle Jonah,” I said, hoping she would say yes.

“No, it was Uncle Jonah that I had a deal with to get married to Marvin and divorce him in three months' time. I don’t know why, but that was the deal. I do not know what Ken had with Uncle Jonah and it is not clear if he works for Uncle Jonah because it does not seem so,” Shantel said.

“How is it even possible to divorce him in three months' time after hurriedly marrying him?” I asked.

“I was not going to marry him, I was hoping I could tell him what was happening. You could see I called the relationship off,” Shantel said.

“I want you to leave this country. I mean it, Shantel. Your father killed a Mafia Lord, the leader of a very dangerous gang, and they would take it as a disgrace that a lady rescued him. They will come for us and when they do I do not want any distractions,” I said.

“Did you know this would happen when you took the job?” Shantel asked.

“I do not take a job until I have seen every outcome. Yes, I knew that there was a very high probability that this would happen,” I told her.

For the record, one of the reasons I left Marvin was because he was in love with you, and I could not get close to him or deal with it,” Shantel said.

“I know,” I said,

“Keep him safe,” Shantel replied.

I watched Shantel closely, her eyes darting nervously around the room. She looked like she was an adventurous one. I also felt it was her and her father who had brought us into this mess in the first place. Why didn’t they inform Marvin? They had every opportunity to do that. But now, as things closed in, I could see the fear in her eyes. On the other hand, Larry was the voice of reason in our discussion. He always thought things through, and his concern for Marvin was evident.

"Cassie," Larry said, breaking the silence that hung in the air. "What's going to happen to Marvin?" He asked.

I really had not thought about that question. I do not know whether to tell Marvin or not. My love for him has conditioned my thinking in several respects. Marvin has been good to me, but for his own protection, I do not think now is the right time. I bit my lower lip, hesitating to answer, but Larry's unwavering gaze forced me to speak the truth.

"I don't know, Larry," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm afraid he's in deep trouble, Marvin has to know somehow that a lot of people are after his life and fortunes,” I said, knowing fully well I was the closest thing to killing him but that I had come to love him had kept him alive this long.

Larry clenched his jaw, he was really worried for my sake and I could see it on his face. Shantel shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She was a wild card in this situation, and I knew her next move could make or break us.

"Shantel," I began, choosing my words carefully, "we need to figure out what to do next. Larry's right, someone has to inform Marvin,” I said.

Shantel's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw through her, the Shantel I knew was a fearless and bold woman, but then, her expression softened, and she turned to Larry.

"Larry, I know you and Cassie care about Marvin, and so do I," Shantel said.

“You don’t know what I care about Shantel, so please drop this,” Larry said.

"We can help him, we must not act as if we do not care or the worse will happen and we need to cover our tracks too,” Shantel said.

Larry nodded, reluctantly accepting the logic behind Shantel's words. It was a tough decision, but one that might save us from a fate worse than killing Marvin. Shantel's silence told us she had already made up her mind, even if it meant leaving everything she knew behind.

“And that means, you, Shantel have to leave the country," I said.

"I'll go," she finally said, her voice steadier this time. "But only if you promise to tell Marvin, no matter what it takes," Shantel said.

“You have said that before. This time make sure you act it or else I will come for you and your father,” I said.

Mr. Ross had been quiet all this while but the threat I made to his life and that of his daughter, had awoken his interest. “We will leave. There is no reason to come after us, I assure you that we will leave this time around,” Mr. Ross said.

Larry and I exchanged a solemn glance. We had a tough road ahead, and the shadows of uncertainty loomed over us. But one thing was clear, we already knew we were in this together, bound by loyalty and the unbreakable bond of friendship and partnership.

“I would want you to tell us your plan now. It is too risky for both of you to show yourself outside. Let’s give Uncle Jonah something to worry about,” Larry said.

“You are right about that, we need an escape route though we have the funds. If it is okay with you, I would love us to leave the day after tomorrow,” Shantel said.

“It is like you do not understand what I am saying, you cannot be seen outside these walls. Your escape route starts here. And the longer you stay here the more you endanger each one of us,” Larry said.

“Then we will leave tomorrow,” Mr. Ross said.

“I am sorry things are the way they are but you are leaving this night, Larry will ensure that everything will come out smoothly,” I said, and turning to Shsantel, I said, “No more games Shantel, please do not let me go from saving you to killing you,”

‘It’s okay, and thank you for everything, I truly appreciate this,” Shantel said.

As we began to plan Shantel's escape, I could not help but wonder if I was making the right choice. Leaving the country might protect them for now, but it also meant I would have a blind spot as they could be tracked and be alone in the hands of unknown adversaries. But the decision had been made. Marvin remains my priority asset or even my priority target. The consequences of my actions remain uncertain.

As Shantel and Mr. Ross left the safe room, Mr. Ross turned to me with a sincere expression. "Cassie, I appreciate your help today, and I promise to keep your secret safe."

“I hope so, I really hope so,” I said.

“You have very tough decisions to make, but I trust that you would make the right ones. You are a strong woman with a good heart,” Mr. Ross said.

I sighed in relief, grateful that my involvement in this dangerous situation had brought hope and that my identity with Marvin remained hidden. Mr. Ross and Shantel walked away together, while Larry followed them.

I know that this encounter would be the beginning of a series of revelations and connections that would forever change the course of my life. I only hoped I was going to be ready for it.