I sat opposite Marvin as he began to make certain changes to the way he wanted to operate the company and its subsidiaries. I do not know whether it was a well-thought-out plan or spontaneous or he was just being reactive after seeing Uncle Jonah with Ken that morning.

“You just keep looking at me without saying anything,” said Marvin as he continued to type something on his computer.

“I do not know what to say. I do not know how to manage a company and talk more of so many companies,” I said.

“But you know about security, right?” he asked.

“Yes, I guess so,” I said.

“I am putting you in charge of every security detail in all the companies. For the two years, I would have to wait for you to marry me. I want to feel safe. You have the liberty to tweak it as you want. Please do not fail me to keep us safe till we get married.” He said.

I smiled and he knew that the smile was not natural. I was not ready for all this. This was a man the contractor had paid for me to kill. I wish I knew what I was doing once again. This was the irony of deception. How can the person you are sent to kill make you the head of his whole internal and external security?

“Why are you on this marriage thing? So should we start looking for this contract wife?” I laughed.

“You were quiet about Ken, but at the mention of this imaginary wife of yours all your antennas are up,” Marvin said.

“I think you exposed us to Ken and definitely exposed us to Uncle Jonah. I wish you had not said anything concerning us to both of them. We have to change a lot due to that. I would love to know how exposed we are,” I said.

“But that is why I am fixing it now,” Marvin said.

“How if I may ask,” I said.

“I have put you in charge of all security and I am also making you my number two. In case they don’t see me today, you are in charge,” Marvin said.

“Can you do this?” I asked.

“I control seventy percent of the shares. I think I can do anything I want, Cass,” he said. I was shocked because it looked like he knew I was sent to kill him. If he died in any way that looked unnatural, everyone would make me a suspect. It was a smart move though I felt he did it out of love.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“Do what you know how to do. I want you to do what I have seen you do and more,” he said.

The day was a long one. There were emails flying around and readjustments and rumours too. It was an office thing. Marvin had called all the subsidiary heads to introduce me. The only person that looked naturally surprised at the meeting was Uncle Jonah. He never saw this coming.

He was so angry that he left the meeting before it was over. Of course, Marvin cannot sack him, but there are many ways of punishing him and I know he was going to do that.

Ken felt embarrassed as he was not at the meeting and I saw him asking around to get information for the first time in the office. No one wanted to be associated with him because of how he dealt with them when he was close to Marvin.

I sat in my new office, which was one of the offices opposite to that of Marvin. It looked quite good. It occurred to me that I might have to leave Marvin’s mansion and I was quite pained. I quickly rushed to his office.

“Are there any security concerns my lady?” He asked.

“Yes, I mean no, okay!” I said, fumbling over my emotions, not knowing how to tell him.

“What is it, Cass?” He asked.

“I was wondering if I still have to keep my place at the mansion?” I asked.

“Nothing changes, Cass, nothing changes between us,” Marvin said.

I was so glad he said that. I did not care anymore about the Contractor or the Martinez Gang at the moment. For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of purpose. I felt I belonged to something greater.

“I want to celebrate this with you. In the evening we will go somewhere special,” I said,

“Now you are talking, let’s celebrate! I hope it will not get us exposed,” he said, laughing.

I was planning on taking him to the gym for that fight he wanted. I just wanted to take his mind off all the happenings of the day. It has been a day I was exposed to and shown to a lot of people. I knew that was dangerous, but for Marvin, I was ready to give up anything. It was like I was living in two worlds and even when both of us knew there was some form of secrecy between us, we acted like it did not matter.

“Maybe at the gym, I can get you that dream girl. I know that a lot of people go to the gym to make connections, you could find one,” I said.

“You mean a lady that could sign that contract of yours? I doubt if you could meet that kind of lady at the gym,” he said.

Marvin and I looked inseparable, at least for now. I wondered how I was going to deal with the Contractor when he called. I also have to deal with the issue of Lisandro too.

I took out my phone and called Larry. I told him things he needed to know about work and how we needed a stronger and better security network. At first, he was happy for me, but then he reminded me of who I actually was and what my mission was. I was not annoyed at his stance, I loved him for that.

I told him we should get the Lisandro job done and then we would look at the Marvin job because I agreed with him that I was going so deep into it and it was better to take a decision on it quickly before I get exposed or the Contractor calls it off.

Marvin was in my office after work. He was already in his gym gear. He seemed so happy.

“Don’t tell me you are not ready. How do you like your new office?” he said.

“Which should I answer first?” I asked.

“Please let's just get to the gym, I am so anxious to show what I have got,” Marvin replied.

“How come you are acting like a teenager?” I said, looking at him jumping up and down my office.

When we got to the gym, it was like everyone knew about us. I never knew I was this exposed. Marvin ensured I was feeling weird. He was introducing me to a few of his friends and they were all showing him great respect.

We got to a part of the gym with a wide area and a little training equipment. It was boldly written Martial Arts at the end of the wall. Two ladies welcomed us and our bodyguards were asked to wait at a distance.

“So girl, show me what you have got,” Marvin said.

“Relax, we need a referee so that you don’t deny that I beat you up,” I said, smiling and changing into my gym wear.

I noticed a lady I had seen before. She came towards me.

”Congrats,” She said to me, and I was a bit confused, as I didn’t know what she was congratulating me for.

“I am sorry, I don’t get you,” I said.

“I am June, the new head of the Packaging Elites, a subsidiary of M & M Industries. I was at the meeting where you were named Head of Security,” June said.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Thank you, and congrats too,” I said.

“Do you come here often, she asked, because I could do with a gym partner,” she said.

“No, I don’t. I only came here to kick the ass of your boss today,” I said, smiling and pointing in the direction of Marvin who was telling the men at the other side about his victory in a fight that had not commenced.

“I guess it’s the men against the ladies. Do me a favour. Please make it flawless,” She said as she walked towards Marvin to greet him.