Chapter 1 1 - Drinking the pain away

"I'm sorry Miss Jenna Nova, but your services are no longer needed," a middle-aged man who was two ranks below Jenna said with remorse. He knew that this was wrong but his hands were tied. Jenna couldn't get upset, bursting into laughter. "You can't fire me, I employed you. I'm your boss," she retorted. She just came out of a meeting with some business gurus who wanted some supplies from her father's company. It was a transaction worth millions of dollars and she was enthusiastic about it. "Not anymore, Miss Nova, there have been slight changes and I've been moved to the position of the Managing Director." His last words came out faintly. He knew he didn't deserve the position. Jenna was good at what she does and a great leader. Whereas he had a family to feed - a wife and child so how could he refuse the order? Jenna saw the middle-aged man, Mr Bossman, to be ridiculous. Her father was gunned down just a month ago and his body hadn't been found. Being the current Managing Director, it felt absurd to have her position usurped right under her nose. She had given the company her all since she graduated two years ago from college and hadn't thought about claiming anything in the company till her father's corpse had been found, confirmed dead and buried but someone was ahead of her. "Who made that uncouth decision?" Rage bubbled inside of her. "Your stepmother," Mr Bossman divulged. Jenna was irked. Her stepmother was her colleague in college. They used to be friends but Jenna broke the friendship when she realised that Eve had eyes on her dad when he picked her up from school. A month later, her father brought Eve home, announcing that they were engaged. At fifty-eight, her father was still attractive but marrying a girl her daughter's age wasn't the best. Jenna tried to talk him out of it but he wouldn't listen. She had no idea how Eve got in touch with her father and how things escalated between them two years ago. Now she was her stepmother. A word she never accepted and never pronounced because it made her nauseous. "What? Where is she?" Jenna was furious. One thing was sure. Eve was on the verge of coveting everything that belonged to her father. She shuddered at the thought. Eve was a green snake in the green grass. "She sent the directives from the house so I presume she's at home," Mr Bossman announced. Jenna was even more aggravated. Eve stayed at home and ordered for her to be sacked from her father's multimillion-dollar company. It was pathetically disturbing. "I'll be back, do you hear me? I'll be back," she raged and trotted out of the office. The middle-aged man shook his head and murmured to himself. "I don't think so, miss Nova." How could he let her know that directives have been given to never allow her into the company as soon as she stepped out? Besides, it was five minutes to closing time and the drive to her mansion was an hour and a half. Mr Bossman shook his head sympathetically. What did her late father see in that clammy bitch? The drive to Jennas' fathers' mansion was with a terrifying speed. She stopped the car and without turning off the ignition, got down and ran inside the mansion. It was late by the time she got there. "Eve, Eve…" she began screaming from the living room. There wasn't any response but the housekeeper tried to stop her. "Miss Nova, please be patient, she's sleeping.""I'll wake her then," Jenna said with eagerness. How could Eve even be sleeping after what she just pulled off? "She doesn't want to be disturbed," the housekeeper explained politely, blocking the stairs with her plump form. Jenna understood why Eve didn't hear her. The bedrooms were soundproofed. "Step away," she sizzled. She was scorching with anger that could burn down the whole mansion. "Miss Nova," the housekeeper said pleadingly. Since their master was no more, his wife automatically gave the orders and she had to obey. "I said move." The housekeeper moved away upon seeing her raging form, as she rushed to the master bedroom, pushing the door open. Stopping in her tracks, her heart was caught on fire. Her ears were drowned by Eves' whimpers, as Jenna's boyfriend scrunched between her naked thighs, eating and licking the juices of her pussy. Jenna was disgusted, pain slashed through her heart, her reason for coming forgotten. She wiped a tear from her eyes and turned to leave but no, she bumped into something. She didn't know what but the noise was enough to alert them. "Shit," Drake, her boyfriend, was covering his hard manhood while hiding his face but Eve wasn't the least remorseful, pulling a silky robe to cover her sexy naked form, as Drake pulled his pants hastily on. "What do you want in my room?" Eve calmly asked, while pouring herself wine. Jenna felt suffocated. This was her father's room. Even in death, it needn't be defiled but her concern at the moment was the company. "How dare you throw me out of the company, you shameless woman. You didn't even mourn your husband and found yourself a pussy eater," she ranted, too disgusted to address him as her boyfriend. "Watch your tongue or I'll shred it for you," Eve was equally angered, as she dropped the wine glass on the side table, walking proudly towards Jenna. She knew she'd never have Jenna's respect but all along, she envied her. She wanted everything Jenna had, including her father and her boyfriend. She got it but she still felt belittled and couldn't take it because no matter how she tried, Jenna stood tall and wouldn't bend. "What are you waiting for? You have no right to kick me out of the company. I worked my ass off for the position of MD, unlike you who got it through your title." Eve had won but why did everything taste bitter? Jenna was too respectable. Something she could never be. "But I inherited the company and I don't want to work with the likes of you." Jenna's jaws clenched, her teeth gritted. "My father will never leave his company for the likes of you." Eve was wounded. She knew that Jenna was right. Pascal Nova didn't add her name to any of his assets, except for her weekly allowances, despite all her bedmatics to get him to do so. It was a painful truth and she went through hell to achieve everything she had in just one month. "This is a document to prove," she threw a stack of documents at Jenna, who didn't bother to look at it. "It's not true." Eve trembled slightly. How could Jenna see through her? How could she be so smart when they were of the same age? She bent down and picked the documents, showing them to her at a close range. "But it is. Sealed and stamped.""Forgery," Jenna spat, her eyes red. Jenna could smell foul play. Her instincts were strong. It was one of the things her late dad used to admire about her. He said every day when her mother was pregnant, he prayed for a boy but got a girl. He wasn't happy but when Jenna was growing up, he became proud of her because of how clever she was. "Prove it or get out," Eve raged. Jenna might find her out if she doesn't sell the company, mansion and everything sooner. However, it would take months for her to achieve that due to the board of directors. She had to sleep with most of them just to get their approval to get Jenna fired. It wasn't as rosy as people saw it to be. Jenna knew she was right. Until she proved that the documents were forged, she couldn't lay baseless accusations. For now, she was drained. She lost too much in one day. "This isn't over. We'll settle it in the company, this room stinks," she said and turned around, stopping in her tracks at the sound of Eves' next words. "You can't step foot in the company anymore.""I will," Jenna retorted with determination. She wasn't going to let the bitch win. "I'll get you arrested for trespassing," Eve threatened. If she allowed Jenna into the company, she might ruin things for her but Jenna wasn't taking it calmly, her eyes reddened and she spat while she walked back toward Eve. "You two-timing bitch. You won't get away with this, I promise you." Slap Jenna's face burned but her itching hands couldn't be controlled. She returned it squarely, much harder. Eve staggered and fell on the bed. "Jenna, I can explain," her boyfriend suddenly found his voice. If he hadn't spoken, Jenna would have forgotten that he was there because her heart closed on him the moment she saw him in this room. How long had they done this behind her back? She had no clue. She was always busy with company matters. They began dating during her final year in college and they respected each other. Drake had proposed marriage but Jenna needed time to get things moving in the company first. She felt elated about not getting married to him and regretted ever loving him. She took a step back when he approached her with disgust in her eyes. "Don't open your mouth again. It stinks and don't come close to me, you smell of rotten pussy." Drake's face fell as he saw Jenna's retreating figure. Embarrassment crisped him like ice. He never loved Eve. He was only doing this because she lured him. He fell for it because Jenna never had time for intimacy and a man had needs. The worse was, Eve had made him do things he never did. Things that were criminal and could put him in jail for the rest of his life. For that reason, he was her loyal pet. "If you come back here, you'll be arrested and don't touch any car," Eve yelled behind Jenna. How could Jenna humiliate her like this? Calling her pussy rotten? She would ensure that her life becomes a nightmare. Jenna didn't see a need to fight it anymore. She needed a good place to plan. A place to think, away from this polluted mansion she once called home. She went back to the car and picked her handbag. It contained her most important documents and personal stuff. Met with the cold spring breeze, she continued walking on the streets of Manhattan and dialled her friends' number. "Peggy, I need a place for the night," she said as soon as Peggy answered the call. Peggy and Kate were her closest friends and the only ones she could rely on at a time like this. Regardless, Peggy's response shocked her. "Get a hotel.""Are you kidding?" Jenna couldn't believe her ears. Was Peggy drunk? "No, my boyfriend is here," Peggy responded with a slight remorse. Jenna was confused. "What has that got to do with me?""He has a crush on you so I can't let you in tonight," Peggy said honestly. "Peggy?" The line went dead. Jenna's face was swollen with unshed tears. Swallowing tightly, she dialled Kate's number but it was unreachable so she left a message and continued walking. Kate was a flight attendant so not being able to reach her meant she was out of coverage. Jenna blamed herself. She sacrificed so much for the company that she hadn't had much time for her friends, thereby taking Peggy's advice and checking into a hotel. As soon as she was given the card to her room, she headed to the bar. Her heart felt so heavy, it was going to fall. She wanted to lighten it with some hard drinks. After gulping down five glasses of whisky, the door to the bar pushed open. A lady in an all black outfit that made her look like a spy stood at the entrance, a small smile in the corner of her lips. If her mother hadn't died during childbirth, she would have said that some of the woman's features resembled the pictures she saw of her. Jenna thought her analysis was due to the influx of alcohol because just when she blinked, the door closed and the woman was no longer there. 'Creepy,' she murmured to herself and continued to drink herself to the state of vulnerability. "A...another shot of whiskey," Jenna stuttered, gulping down her sixth glass, while she ordered for more. The bartender shook his head pitifully. Anyone who drank like this was either a barfly or was harbouring pain. Jenna didn't look like a boozer when she walked into the hotel bar but rather like she lost her soul. She was as pale as a ghost. Therefore, he couldn't allow her to destroy her organs with alcohol. It was none of his business but he knew he had to do something to save her.

Chapter 2 2 - Checking into the wrong room

"I'm sorry miss but you've had too much. This hotel is under strict regulations," the bartender responded politely, while he wiped a couple of wet glasses with a napkin. The bar was closing because there weren't many patrons tonight. Weekdays weren't as booming as the weekends. "I...I'll pay, I…I can afford it," Jenna's vision was already blurring out, as she slurred. The bartender wasn't having it. He couldn't let her pass out in the bar by intoxication. This hotel was a top notch one controlled by the mafia kingpins but this bar was under strict regulations. "I'm sorry miss, it's late. You should go to your room now," he maintained the gentility in his voice, not wanting to upset a customer. "Okay," Jenna couldn't argue anymore. She was already tired, her body needed rest. She dropped the empty glass, stood up and struggled to balance her wobbly legs. 'This waiter is so unfeeling.' She needed more alcohol, despite not being a heavy drinker. She was still in her work clothes, giving her a complicating appearance. She took a staggering step and stopped to balance herself. Atleast, she felt lighter. Her problems were temporarily forgotten. "Let me help you to your room miss," the waiter was concerned. Jenna's shirt was still neatly tucked inside her trousers, her blazer opened, exposing the cleavage of her shirt which was opened two buttons from the top. There was nothing alluring about it, just a formally dressed woman with a brown handbag matching her three inches brown pair of shoes. Jenna instantly pushed him away. She felt angered and couldn't accept that she was drunk and vulnerable. 'No, I'm fine and in perfect shape,' she mocked herself.' She didn't need anyone's help. "No, I'm fine." The bartender wasn't convinced. The woman looked like she was going to fall at any moment. "Miss, I'll help you," he insisted, about to reach out to her again when she stumbled backwards. Somehow, she had developed some form of hate for the men folk from just a few hours ago. "I said I can make my way. Why? Are you a pervert?" She accused him questionably in an irritated tone. The waiter stepped back, then walked to his previous position where he resumed cleaning the wet glasses. He wasn't going to allow himself to be framed for being a pervert. He just wanted to help her. "I'm sorry miss, have a nice night," he let out a tight-lipped smile. Jenna ignored him and staggered to the elevator. She had lost track of how long she had been at the bar and how much she had gulped down. Her vision was blurry but she dug her nails into her palm, biting her lips to keep awake and not lose consciousness in the elevator. Instead of pressing 7, she saw the number on the card as 1001, rather than 701. She was seeing in doubles digits, staggering in search of her room number groggily. 'Why were the numbers four instead of three? I will report to the management in the morning.' She swiped the card but there was no beeping sound. Still she turned the knob and it opened. Turning on the switch, dim lights filled the room. She wondered why the lights weren't bright enough, as everything seemed dimmer than usual. She would just give her body what it needed, and give the management her piece of mind in the morning. They were so unprofessional. She removed her blazer, throwing it on a chair while she strutted and fell on the king size bed, instantly giving in to sleep. She didn't know how long she slept when a grunt woke her. Her eyes snapped open in fear. Someone sneaked into her hotel room. Surprisingly, her handbag was lying safely beside her. She turned to her side in terror. The man was lying on her bed, covered in bruises but it didn't hide his handsome features. She lifted herself to a sitting position, brushing strands of hair from her face with her fingers in panic. Now, she knew she not only had to report the irregularities but also sue the hotel. Her head ached like a block of stone had been used to hit it while her stomach churned from hangover. Her face roamed the room which appeared too luxurious and huge for what she had booked. No, this wasn't what she booked. This black and white theme was seemingly customized. No wonder there weren't bright lights. She figured that this was indeed the room of the man on the bed. Her heart began to thump, her headache becoming worse. Realizing that she had checked into the wrong room, she decided to flee, though it was in the middle of the night. She picked her hand bag and without as much as another glance on the bed, she reached the door when a weak and gravelly voice spoke, "help me." She was tripled with apprehension but turned around, frowning at the man on the bed. All men were evil. They had to die. She had been through so much just a few hours ago and had so much on her mind. Seeing a man bruised like this in a presidential suite, perhaps he was attacked by a mafia gang thus, she couldn't entangle herself and ambled to the desk phone on the nightstand close to his bed. As soon as she picked the handset, the gravelly voice sounded, "don't." Her attention shifted back to him. "I'm calling room service to get you to the hospital. I have to go to my room. Sorry for disturbing your privacy. I was drunk and mistakenly came into your room," she apologized genuinely. The last thing she wanted was to carry another burden on her shoulders. "If - you - walk - out - of - the - door - you - will - die," the man spoke in a slow gravelly voice that was scary, making the hairs on the skin stand unend. She was right. This man must have gotten into trouble with the mafia but what did it have to do with her? Perhaps he didn't know what he was talking about and couldn't allow fear to swallow her. "You are not making sense. How could I die? I've wronged no one," she stated, then recalled she was in the wrong room. Maybe that was the reason. Her head felt like it was going to explode but she just wanted to leave this cursed room. "Alright, let me call 911. They'll send an ambulance," a slice of pity went out from her towards the dying man but his response rather broke her. "Don't - he'll - kill - you." Jenna was gripped with fear and was helpless, saturated with the certainty that she was in big trouble. Why did she have to get drunk? She should have endured her pain like a real woman but thought of escaping from it. 'Eve and Drake, you'll pay for this.' Now, not only did the memory and pain still remain but she had webbed herself into a big problem and needed to get out fast. "How can I help you? You need to go to the hospital." Somehow, she felt that this man was her only hope. Perhaps if she focussed on helping him, she could live to tell the story. She had to put her hatred towards men away for the time being. "Help me survive the night. My men will take me to the hospital in the morning," he spoke slightly faster in a hoarse tone this time like he had no strength left. All this while, his eyes were closed but he opened it for the first time yet his focus was distorted, which made his gaze monstrous. Jenna was scared of his eyes. He was in a bad shape and the sight of the scarlet liquid beneath him soaking the sheets was a frightening one. How long has he been here and bleeding? She had no idea and couldn't control her shivering hands. "Your men? Where are they?" She asked hopefully. If he had men as he mentioned? Then what was he doing here all alone? She was curious to know. "Will you help me or not?" The man seemed irritated by her question, his breathing getting heavier. He was getting worse. "I'm not a doctor and you are injured. I'm not trained to stop a bleeding or anything," she responded in an equally irritated tone. "This is nothing. My head aches and I'm feverish," he closed his eyes again. Jenna hovered around him with visible worry, as she pressed her hand onto his forehead, instantly withdrawing it when she felt the heat burning like fire. She panicked. Her headache and stomach churning was nothing compared to what this man was going through yet, he was holding on quite well. She trembled slightly at the thought of him dying before morning. Won't his men accuse her? She was certain that this man belonged to a mafia group. One her father had always warned her to avoid. "Oh, my head aches too," she suddenly felt a panging pain in her head at the recollection. The man seemed to be drifting into unconsciousness and didn't respond. "I have aspirin. Will it work?" She feared and didn't wait for his response. Usually, she kept a bottle of aspirin in her bag, just in case she worked late and incurred a headache. She went to the fridge and poured him a glass of water, sliding her arms around him to lift him slowly, helping him to take the pain medication. When he was done, she went to the shower room and wet a small towel, dabbing his forehead and areas of his skin that felt too hot to the touch. He was covered in red patches that were painful to look at when she lifted his black lacoste shirt, making her wonder how he sustained those injuries. It took all her strength to flip him to his face, so she could check the severity of the wounds on his back. A painful growl left the mans' mouth in the process, she was injected with another dose of pity for him as she wondered how come he was still alive. Her eyes bulged with horror filling it, when she ogled at the stab wound on his back and the one that was at the back of his head, which seemed to be from a fall but wasn't bleeding as compared to the stab wound. No wonder his head ached and he felt feverish. She quickly googled how to stop a stab wound bleeding, following the steps and applying direct pressure on the wound with another towel till the bleeding stopped. She felt exhausted by the time it was all done, took some aspirin and fell on her back beside him. He wasn't talking anymore, which meant he was sleeping. Since there was nothing more to do, she closed her eyes, only to be awakened by a deep hoarse voice, "Run! Take the stairs and don't look back." Jenna was jolted from her sleep again. The man was sleeping so peacefully, it was almost as if he wasn't the one who just spoke. She placed the bloody towel in her bag including anything that would expose her presence. Then she flipped him to his back, earning another painful growl that made her heart pained towards him. She cleaned the glass and put it where she picked it, then picked her blazer from the chair. Opening the door slightly, she turned to the left wing of the long corridor in hasty steps, descending when she caught sight of the woman she saw at the bar again. Just like before, she had disappeared within a blink. She could feel a connection to the woman but she was nowhere to be found. Her concern at the moment was getting a clean escape from whoever the man said will kill her. As she got to the entrance and began to walk the streets, she heard the screeching of car tyres behind her, bringing her to an abrupt halt. "Jen," a familiar voice called her. She instantly turned around, slightly excited. "Kate, how did you find me?""I didn't. I dropped a friend here. Let's go home," Kate smiled and said. She had seen a series of messages from her best friend as soon as she turned on her phone but was unable to reach her. Who knew that she was going to find her here? Perhaps, giving that acquaintance a lift to this hotel wasn't a bad idea at all.

Chapter 3 3 - Meet Grandpa Blade

"Jenna, why are you shivering?" Kate was worried. Throughout the drive to her apartment, Jenna has been quiet and visibly shaking. She offered Jenna a glass of water after making her comfortable on a stool beside the Kitchen Island. Jenna clung tightly to the glass of water. She swallowed tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I lost everything Kate and I got involved in some mafia shit. I shouldn't have gotten involved. I shouldn't have drunk so much and missed my room." Tears run down her cheeks in remorse. Everything that happened last night kept playing on her mind throughout the drive. "You shouldn't have done what?" Kate was lost and didn't know how to help her best friend. Jenna drank the water and gave her a rundown of everything. Kate was shocked. "You did the right thing," she expressed with a rather contrasting excitement. Jenna was wide-eyed. She expected Kate to rebuke her and advise her on what to do. "From everything you said, you saved his life. Maybe he was a foreigner who fell into trouble. That should explain why his men weren't with him," she shrugged and sat on the next stool beside Jenna. She was just amazed but Jenna was feeling awful. Kate saw the whole thing as a coincidence. "Kate, I'm serious," she said helplessly. What if they checked the surveillance cameras later?" She didn't want to get involved in any mafia drama. But then again, earlier, the man said she would die if she stepped out but later told her to run and not look back. Perhaps it was safe then. Yet, if he was unconscious and in pain, how could he know? Thinking through everything was making her go crazy. "So I'm I. Maybe I'm just tired from work, okay but from how I see it, you did nothing wrong," Kate reiterated. Seeing Jenna disturbed, she didn't want to continue talking about it and so did Jenna. "How was your trip?" Jenna asked to take her mind away from everything. At least her headache had reduced and her stomach wasn't too bad. Her question made Kate's eyes lit, a smile adorning her already pretty face. "The best I ever had." Jenna drew her stool closer to her. "What do you mean?" "I met a guy, Cathan Blade is his name. We did it in the washroom," she said with a flawless smile. "Kate…" Jenna found it weird and wanted to ask if she was insane but Kate continued to speak passionately. "He was so strong, lifting and pinning me on the wall while he possessed me. We came together," she said, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. Jenna was at a loss for words. Kate has always had a crazy sex life but this was the craziest she ever heard. She barely knew the guy and they did it in the washroom on the plane. "So where is he?" She curiously asked. "He went to work. He's a bodyguard, trained to protect his cousin, the heir of the Blade Towers. He's the one I dropped at the hotel when I saw you coming out as if you were scared of putting your feet on the ground," she explained. She got attracted to the guys' honesty. He said to her in confidence that those things were secrets but he didn't know why he told her. It created an instant bond between them because he trusted her with that information. Hearing the name Blade, Jenna stiffened slightly. Operating her father's company for a while now, she knew about the best and also the most dangerous companies. Her father had deliberately avoided any business with the Blades. 'It's suicidal to be their enemy and good to be their friend but it's even better to avoid them.' Those were her father's words. "Blade Towers is managed by a ruthless old man. You should have nothing to do with the Blades. They are dangerous," she warned Kate seriously but Kate was already smitten by love at first sight. "It's too late for that. I'm ready to face danger with him. Even a ride with him through hell will be like heaven," she continued to smile like a teenager in love so Jenna gave up. "Whatever, I have to start searching for a job or I'll go crazy." She caught Kate's attention and she was serious this time. "Are you going to leave everything for your stepmother?" She asked but seeing the frown on Jenna's face, she said, "Sorry, Eve." "No, but I need to start from somewhere. I realized this morning that she froze my accounts. I wonder how she managed to get the board members to support her," she said, tossing her phone to Kate thoughtfully. "We all have one pussy but I think she has a hundred," Kate went back to her non-serious attitude. "You aren't making sense." "And you aren't thinking straight. What brought the fall of Troy? A woman. What brought the death of Sampson, a woman," Kate explained her suspicions to Jenna, who was slowly absorbing the meaning of her words. "You mean she slept with them?" "Be my guest." Jenna frowned with contempt. "Her pussy must really be rotten then." "How about I ask Cathan to help you get a job with Blade Towers?" Kate got serious and asked, not making her real intentions known. "With that old man? Never and ain't you afraid that I'll snatch Cathan from you?" Jenna asked in a Jovial tone, recalling how Peggy didn't want to accommodate her because of her boyfriend. Peggy had always been reserved but now, Jenna realized that she was also pretentious. "Come on, you are too innocent for him. He likes my kind and Peggy, let's just wait," Kate let out a vengeful smile. "Thanks but I can't work with the Blades," Jenna refuted. Aside from the fact that the Blades were dangerous, they also had weird working clauses. Jenna didn't have the details but she was certain to not work with them. "Because of the old man? Don't worry. His grandson will soon be taking over. He is still undergoing training but should take over in two months," Kate revealed. She and Cathan had spoken at length at the airport coffee shop and she was certain but Jenna was unmoved. "I'll check other places but thanks." "I'll still talk to him. With your experience and smartness, you'll definitely stand a chance. Besides, no company in the whole of New York including your father's pays better than them," Kate defiantly said. If Jenna was going to fight for her father's company, then she needed strong backing. This was Kate's reason for insisting she worked there. She would have the protection of the Blades and also the resources. Yet, Jenna was still not considering it. It seemed difficult for her and Kate to agree on anything this morning but talking things with her was a great relief. "I need to rest," she yawned and stood up from the stool. "Good, let's go wash up, eat and sleep. You are as tired as I am," Kate smiled. ********** At the hotel Footsteps enclosed the dying man on the bed. "He's alive," a deep voice anchored to the twelve men who couldn't help but smile after the man checked the pulse of his best friend. They carried him carefully and respectfully through the hotel's private elevator and into a Lincoln Navigator, driving away. They were dressed in black suits with white shirts and black sunglasses. The man was taken to the hospital and the doctor frowned after examining him. "Was he attacked or what? He sustained severe injuries. What happened?" He asked worriedly. Having taken over from his father for just a few months now, he didn't know much about the patient on the bed, despite being a Blade family doctor. Perhaps his father might know more than he ever told him. The bodyguards exchanged glances but no one dared to speak. Seeing that they knew and yet were tight-lipped, the young doctor sighed, "I can't treat him if you don't tell me what happened." One of the men who seemed to be the leader of the bodyguards and a best friend of the man lying on the bed was displeased with the doctor's last words. "Why don't you ask Grandpa Blade? Caspers' test was to fight with fifty skilled men. It was either they kill him or vice versa," he divulged. The remaining guards stepped away a little, seeming afraid of the secret which was now an open one. The doctor didn't hide his fright. He had heard rumours about the old man's ruthlessness but thought people were exaggerating but this was both shocking and frightful. "So he killed fifty men? He has also lost so much blood and will need a transfusion. It's good you stopped the bleeding. He wouldn't have made it," he said. "The bleeding must have stopped by itself. I wasn't around but from what I heard, he was carried to another room after he killed the last person. The old man warned against giving him any first aid," Casper's best friend, Cathan divulged without remorse. He was ready to face Granpa for letting out the information and face punishment but couldn't watch Casper die. They found ways to trick Grandpa through the previous tests but there was no way around the final one. Besides, Grandpa was suspicious and sent him to Italy to deliver a message. He just arrived when he got a call at the airport cafe about Casper's state. The doctor widened his eyes in horror, surprised at how calm Caspers' bodyguards were. "Does he want to kill him?" "You are the family doctor now. Your father should have told you that the Blade family never pampers the heir till after the final training." Cathan didn't want to say anymore but the doctor's questions seemed unending. "What next?" The doctor asked, seeming interested in the life of this mafia family. "If he lives, then it's time for the PP," Cathan chuckled. The remaining bodyguards lowered their heads so the doctor couldn't see them grinning. "What's that?" He asked, lost. "Pleasure and power. You are looking at the next CEO of the Blade Towers. He is also the ruler of the dark mafia, hence, Grandpa's brutal training," he shrugged. He recalled how Casper had been thrilled at the last part. The reward was great but some people died along the way and others gave up, choosing a life outside of the Blade household. Casper was determined, especially when his father chose love over the final training and left. He was deduced to protect his fathers legacy, and stop his Grandpa from name shaming him. "I still don't think it's worth it," the doctor sternly said but no one spoke anymore while he began treatment for the man on the hospital bed. Suddenly, the guards stiffened, making the two men mute, as an old man walked in, wearing a white suit. He looked fierce, the hairs on his head white, his long beard unshaven but neatly kept. He wasted no time with formalities and asked straightforwardly. A new set of guards had entered, forcing Caspers guards to wait outside. Cathan bowed his head in greeting but didn't move. He was never supposed to leave Caspers' side ever. He and Caleb but Grandpa found a way to get them away before the suicide test. "What is his condition?" Grandpa asked. His aura made it impossible for anyone to disobey him. "Bad but he will be fine," the doctor honestly said. He was seeing Grandpa Blade for the first time and the man gave him a scare. His father had warned him to never offend the old man. His family was a generational medical response to the Blades. "How long will it take?" The old man's sharp eyes examined his grandson's sick body but there were no traces of emotion in his eyes. "A month or two," the doctor bowed slightly. The man who was old and yet strong and fierce, it gave him shivers. "A month is too long. Make sure he's out of here in two weeks," Grandpa gave a final verdict in a deep calm voice. His word was law. The doctor opened his mouth to explain why it wasn't possible, but shut it when Cathan gave him a warning glare. "But Grandpa," Cathan was about to plead but Grandpa knew exactly what he wanted to say and didn't want to hear it so rather, he asked, "How was your trip?" "Fine, Grandpa but," Cathan gave it another try but Grandpa again stopped him indirectly. "I'll take my leave now. Less I forget, find out what happened to the cameras at the hotel. I couldn't see anything." It was an indirect accusation. Even in Caspers' unconscious form, Grandpa didn't trust him. "Are you suspecting an injured and vulnerable man?" Cathan had lost it and slightly raised his voice. Grandpa gave the unconscious man on the hospital bed a suspicious glare. "You have no idea who he is. My grandson is very intelligent," he said in both accusation and appraisal. He had to admit that over the years, he never saw one like Casper. He was the only one who seemed to be just like him but also very different from him. It was a very confusing analysis but not even his secret illegitimate son was as fierce as him therefore, he wanted to wipe out the most capable competitors, to make it easy for him. It was just unfortunate that Casper survived. The old man didn't want him to see the light of the day. "But…" Cathan wanted to object but Grandpa wouldn't give him a chance. "Get to it and watch him. Where is Caleb?" He asked on his way out. Caleb was the one who called Cathan to get Casper to the hospital. To protect Casper, he was working on getting a hold of everything that happened in the hotel before Grandpa did. "Getting items in the manor for Casper," Cathan lied. With Grandpa's blank expression, he couldn't tell if he believed him but surprisingly, he didn't ask any more questions. After all, only Cathan and Caleb could enter into Caspers' manor at any time. "When he wakes up, he has to explain what happened at the hotel or another test awaits him," Grandpa defiantly said, rendering them speechless.

Chapter 4 4 - Casper hates bright lights

A week later Jenna had gotten some responses from her job applications but none of them was consoling. Two of the companies thought her previous work experience made her overqualified for what she applied for. However, they couldn't give her the position she deserved because there was no vacancy. She was getting frustrated by the whole thing. Kate was leaving for work and would return in two weeks. She left her house for Jenna with some cash and also Cathans' contact. She had already spoken to him and he confirmed a position available but it wouldn't wait forever because recruitment was ongoing. Jenna decided to give it a shot and gave him a call. Her CV was forwarded to HR and she received a call for an interview the next day, which she brilliantly passed. The company had accommodation arranged but since she wanted to remain in Kate's apartment, the allowance was given to her instead. Also, there were no weird clauses in her contract as speculated. Their wages were the best as expected and somehow, she couldn't wait for her first salary. With that, she could get in touch with a lawyer to take up the case against her stepmother. Jenna realized that the old man she feared was hardly in the company and when he came, they never crossed paths. ******* At the hospital, in the VIP ward, a pair of dark brown eyes snapped open. A deep frown lined the corners of the man's fine features, as he closed his eyes shut again. Cathan instantly reached out and pressed the switch, the lights went off but since it was morning, visibility wasn't impossible for an average person but for a doctor performing his routine checks, bright light was necessary. "Turn on the light," the doctor ordered. "No. Casper hates bright lights," Cathan spelt out. Before the doctor could explain his need for the light, the man on the bed had removed his oxygen mask and began removing the tubes connected to him. "Wait, you can't do that, you are still unwell," the doctor expressed his concern. The man turned his attention to him, his dark brown pupil for the distance between them, appearing pitch black. "My body feels fine," he spat like ice and tore the last tube while he lifted himself from the bed. The doctor made another move to stop him but a glare from the man pierced him like a spear. "Your recovery is supposed to take at least a month but your grandpa gave a two weeks automaton. It's just a week and four days. What should I tell him?" He asked the man who was already at the door with his bodyguards all over him. "Exactly what happened," he said in the same icy tone, just as the door shut behind him. The doctor stood helplessly in the ward. He couldn't tell who was scarier, Grandpa, or his grandson. When Casper arrived at his manor, everything was in order, the atmosphere tense and lights dimmed. The maids moved to make his breakfast by his timetable. In the course of his training over the years, grandpa had locked him in a dark room with assassins. Sometimes, he never saw light for days, which made him sensitive to bright light. On the positive side, his senses were rather heightened brightly thus, he could perfectly move in the dark and not feel like a blind man. His mind was stronger than his sight therefore, Casper had custom made photochromic lenses of different shades and designs for every occasion. He went into the shower, the temperature higher than usual but it felt normal to him. He took his time to cut his over grown hair and shave his facial hair since he was naturally hairy. His mind was clouded. The girl was afraid but saved his life. The painkillers helped and just as he was blurring out,  the bleeding stopped. It was just unfortunate that he couldn't make out her face. Everything seemed blurry when he opened his eyes and the lights were also dim. He used his senses more and was accustomed to her presence. Previously, he was looking forward to the PP but not anymore. He didn't want to waste time in the hospital because every time wasted only increased his yearning for her. To see and thank her. He never owed anybody in this life before but owed her. Yes,  he owed her his most important treasure and that was his life. He knew that grandpas' spies were still around so he told her to not to step out of the door. As to how she got to his room without them noticing,  he had no idea. If they had noticed,  they would have instantly gotten rid of her. When it was time for his liberation when he felt the presence of his closest pals,  he told her to run and never look back because grandpa had spies among his guards. The glass door to the shower room pushed open with Cathan standing there worriedly. The heat from the shower swallowed him, making him hot. "Casper, are you alright? You've been here for ages." His voice showed concern but he carried the same expressionless face as him. They were never to show emotions, never to fall in love with a woman. Grandpa made sure of that. He always said that any woman who made your heart race should be put on death row because she will be the source of your destruction. Casper turned to the man at the door, his cousin, who was to him a brother and a friend. Together with Caleb, they made sacrifices for each other and were always known as the three Cs. Their names began with the letter C, hence the acronym. Severally, grandpa had tried to separate them to no avail. They would rather die. Without responding, he flipped down the faucet and grabbed a towel on the towel rack. As usual and just like his grandpa, his face carried no emotions. The whirlwind of sentiments couldn't be seen or felt around him. There were similarities in their form, stature and appearance, which made Casper only stand out by how he dressed. "There is a problem, Casper.""I know." The response was instant. Cathan furrowed his brow. "How did you know?" Casper walked to the large closet which was equivalent to the size of a room with a towel draped around his waist. "My body was weak but not my ears. He wants to know what happened at the hotel? In his dreams." Caleb had entered the room with a disappointed look and slumped into the coach. Cathan already knew why and said, "Casper. Caleb couldn't get the footage of the hotel. Everything from the time you entered was blank and the managers couldn't explain. They looked lost and even after all the torture and threats, we couldn't get anything from them. Somebody seems to have hacked into their surveillance or something like that. Casper froze slightly but there was no expression on his face as he went into deep thought. "Then it's not grandpa. It must be someone else. We have to get the footage, Cathan," he insisted. Then he proceeded, "We have to destroy it or her life will be in danger," he said calmly but Cathan discerned the urgency. Casper never raised his voice but his words carried power. "Her?" Caleb asked, amazed. Casper had never known any woman. Grandpa never allowed it. He was now going to be ushered into the world of women, which was termed pleasure, thus the one P. He had been training since eight and now he was twenty - six. "Yes. The girl who saved me with a painkiller and stopped my bleeding before I passed out. I don't know what she looks like but I have to find her. She needs my protection," he said while putting on his clothes. Everything in his closet was black. He wore a black pair of jeans with a black shirt and black shoes. "So grandpa was right," Cathan said, wondering how the old man knew. If he had something on Casper, then the latter was in trouble. "Yes," Casper said and picked a custom made photochromic eye shade from a customized case. Both Cathan and Caleb were disturbed but not Casper. Sometimes, they thought his heart was carved out of stone by how ruthless he was. Even when undergoing training, grandpa would send him to some of his enemies, knowing that Casper wouldn't return alive but he always did and grandpa's enemy would only be declared mysteriously dead. Casper was the epitome of evil. "So will you tell him?" Caleb asked. He wore a black suit just like all the bodyguards but with a white shirt. "Never," Casper said calmly while combing the sides of his hair and brushing his sideburns,  now neatly shaven. "Then you have to take another test," Cathan emphasized, feeling pity for the man who didn't need it. "Never," was his curt response. At that moment at the hotel, he was convinced that grandpa had won this time and he was going to die but even a demon like him was given a second chance through an angel. Caleb was speechless because Casper was getting out of control. "Casp, it will be dangerous to defy him," Cathan reminded him politely. "I won't," Casper said to their amazement. They were left wondering what he had planned. "Casp, what about PP? Grandpa already has girls arranged for you," Cathan revealed, expecting to see a glint in Casper's eyes but it was covered with his eyeshade, which looked like sunglasses due to how it was customized. "He can send them over but I'll see him first," he said and walked out of the extravagant bedroom. When he stepped out, Cathan followed him, joined by Caleb and four more bodyguards. Grandpa sat lazily at the terrace with a pack of expensive cigars and a bottle of the world's most expensive whisky with two empty glasses. Casper realized that his spies had already informed him of his coming, as grandpa seemed prepared to meet with him. When he ambled closer, four of the bodyguards waited at a distance. Only Cathan and Caleb walked with him but kept standing when grandpa beckoned Casper to sit on the luxury chair in front of him. Casper watched as grandpa sliced the cap of the cigar, lighted it and sucked on the straw, puffing elegantly, and tapping gently at the edge of the ashtray from time to time while he poured whisky into a glass and sipped. He handed Casper a cigar without a word, which he took, sliced the cap and lit it. He sucked gently and puffed slowly, as grandpa poured him a glass of whisky. He sipped before Grandpa said, "You know what grandson, I couldn't get footage from the hotel to rate your performance and the guards I kept watch over you fell asleep. So tell me what happened or we take it again and this time, there will be one of my bodyguards with you in the room." Judging from their expressions, the only difference was that one was older. Caspers' behaviour was a replica of that of grandpa. He puffed slowly and responded calmly, "I should be asking you what happened. The last thing I remember was hitting my head hard on the floor before I drew a knife through a man's heart after he had stabbed me on the back. Afterwards, I woke up at the hospital, so how do you expect me to answer your question?" Grandpa's gaze turned hard, as it met Caspers'. The two men engaged in a battle of glares with no one accepting defeat by looking away. "Ok." Grandpa gave up, a smirk tugging in one corner of his lips. Casper said he knew nothing about what happened and he didn't have proof to debunk his words. He would just leave it there for the time being. "It's time to test your sexuality. I will send four virgins to your manor tonight." Casper did not refuse and neither did he lower his gaze. "Alright, just make sure they are beautiful," he said with a slight nod. Grandpa let out a small smile. The final training was to make sure that Casper never gained satisfaction from one woman. He watched as Casper stood from the chair without being dismissed. He always knew when a conversation had ended but as soon as he turned to leave, the old man said, "One last thing. Prepare for your marriage ceremony in the next six months." Caspers' back stiffened involuntarily, then he turned around. His face carried the same emotionless glare. "First things first grandpa, let me enjoy my reward before other things."

Chapter 5 5 - How can your palms feel like cobwebs?

Casper was asleep when he felt spiders and cobwebs crawling all over his body. Despicable. It seemed like a bad dream so he opened his eyes yet the strange things were still crawling all over his body. The room was pitch black so he couldn't see anything but felt a strange presence. He could still feel the cobwebs all over his body and decided to deal with them before the intruders. Telling from the scent, he knew there were at least four women. He turned on the light but rather dimly, grabbing a hand caressing his body and holding it firmly in his big palms as he glanced at the woman who was all smiles and half-naked. There were three more and he instantly knew what was happening, letting out an irritated grunt. "How can your palms feel like cobwebs? Get out!" He said calmly. "But your grandpa…" the lady wanted to explain but Casper wouldn't let her. He already knew and felt even more irritated, though there was no sign of it on his face. "Do you want me to help you out?" His deep but calm tone made her quiver with terror. They had been well informed about their client for the night and couldn't risk it. "No, no, no," the girl said in a panic-stricken voice, urging her counterparts to put on their clothes and run out of the room. Instantly, Cathan and Caleb run-in with confused expressions. "They've been here for barely five minutes. Did you finish already?" Caleb suspiciously asked. This was the pleasure part they looked forward to so much and Casper ruined it just like that. Also, those girls were hot. "Did you ever think I was going to play his game?" Casper asked humorlessly. He had everything planned except one thing. That woman who saved his life. She was the only one he wanted to see at this moment. Cathan and Caleb were stunned. "What are you implying?" Cathan asked. They never guessed that Casper would play tricks with the pleasure part. It was something he had looked forward to since he turned eighteen. "Just wait and see," Casper stood from the bed and draped a robe over his half-naked body. He was used to sleeping either naked or in his boxers. Tonight, he was lucky to not be naked. When the girls hadn't arrived by 9 pm, he thought grandpa had changed his mind and fell asleep. Now, the sleep had cleared from his eyes. Before he could pour himself a drink, his phone rang and he answered the call. As expected, it was grandpa. He gazed in the direction of Cathan and Caleb and then tapped on the speaker button. "Casper, if your sexuality isn't confirmed, the handover isn't happening," grandpa said sternly. Casper was calm and gulped down a glass of martini while Cathan and Caleb exchanged worried looks. Casper seemed to be defying the old man since he woke up, which was unlike him. "I told you to send pretty girls but what did you do? Those girls are too ugly, their hands feel like cobwebs. Sorry, they couldn't turn me on. You can do better grandpa, I have high taste in women so I'll be waiting," he said and ended the call. Cathan and Caleb, who had been trained just like Casper to not smile, burst into a storm of laughter. They laughed till tears formed in the corner of their eyes. Casper needn't explain. They saw how hot those girls were so if Casper said they were ugly, then it was only because he didn't want to do it. "Your style of handling grandpa is really funny," Caleb said amidst laughter but Casper still had on his emotionless face. Something was eating him up. "I know but you have to help me find the footage. It's my only chance to find her." Cathan and Caleb exchanged suspicious glares but neither of them spoke a word, only nodding in acknowledgement. Two weeks passed and Grandpa had sent at least two women each night, hoping to meet Caspers' taste. As smart as Casper was, he would reject them on the spot if they were less than four. If four of them came, he would call them ugly. Since his reasons for the rejection seemed reasonable to Grandpa, he couldn't force him. He rather got tired of searching for virgins and said, "Find just one woman who meets your description of beauty and I'll allow you to take the test with her but in the meantime, you have to take up the position of the CEO and also handle the conflicts with the mafias." Grandpa was old and the challenge with the mafias had kept him from the company. New conflicts arose all the time and he was exhausted by it all. Casper felt a new form of serenity but was also disturbed. He hadn't been able to get anything substantial about the footage. All his search including the people Caleb had paid to get it turned fruitless. Whoever cleared it must be very experienced. Casper only hoped that the person doesn't use it against him or his saviour in the future. All he had was the knowledge that a girl saved him without an image accompanying it. It was very saddening. ****** "Worker bee, let me take you out for lunch," a male voice rang at the entrance of Jenna's office. It was Maxwell, the chief operations officer. He had a strong liking for Jenna the moment he saw her but Jenna finds him suspicious. "I'm not hungry Max, but thanks anyway," Jenna politely declined his offer with her head buried in work. She has tried her best to look intimidating and not to attract any guys. Since she began working at the Blade Towers, her light brown hair was always held in a bun, her shoes less than two inches, her dress below her knee and nerd glasses to make her less attractive but no. Maxwell was still bothering her. Maxwell seemed to be losing his patience now. For two weeks, he had constantly asked her out every day but she refused him. When he bought her lunch, she would leave it untouched or give it to the janitor. Maxwell was losing his patience because he wasn't getting the closeness he needed. "There is a limit to rejection Jenna, you are making me a laughing stock. Please don't get me angry," he said with irritation. Jenna paused with her work, his words sinking into her subconscious mind. She had shown him all the signs that she wasn't interested and thereby felt offended by his statement. She decides on who she wants to be friends with and would not be forced. "Or what? Don't you have anything better to do than pestering me?" She sounded harsh and didn't have any regrets. "Jenna. Be careful with your words. I can make you lose your job with just a snap of the finger," Maxwell threatened her. He seemed frustrated, which only made Jenna suspicious so she decided to keep avoiding him. Whichever way, she couldn't accept being threatened, though he was a rank above her. Jenna was used to being the bossy one and she still hadn't gotten it out of her blood and raged, "Almighty Maxwell, controller of the universe. Get out of my office. As you can see, time isn't a good friend of mine." Maxwell was about to respond when a bulky man with a round belly walked in. "What are you doing here, Maxwell?" He didn't wait for an answer and turned to Jenna. "Jen, it's good you're still here. The old man has arrived and we're having a one on one. Make sure your reports are intact. A little tip. His grandson is taking over from next week and since today is Friday, you won't close till the old man is happy with your work.""Since Monday is the day of handing over, he doesn't want any surprises and you only have an hour to get ready," the deputy CEO rushed all out. Jenna felt her heart drop. There was no escaping the old man today. She nodded and turned back to her computer just as Maxwell rushed out of her office. He wore the same frustrated look. "Is he alright?" The deputy CEO asked Jenna. "I think you should ask him. I have just an hour to get ready, remember?" The bulky man understood and was about to walk out of her office when she asked, "His grandson. Do you know anything about him?""No. His identity will be revealed to us on Monday, and to the media afterwards. The Blades never reveal such things before time, the rumour being that the heir is always unknown because not everyone could pass their training." Jenna felt a cold frightful shiver. "What training?" She asked, taking off her nerd glasses. If Kate was around, she would have begged her to get information from Cathan. The bulky man bent to her sitting level and spoke in a whisper. "This is a mere rumour but I heard the old man gives them brutal assignments that could lead to their death. If this one is qualified, then he must be worse or just like him." Jenna swallowed tightly. If not because of Eve, she wouldn't be walking on eggshells today but she would make her pay. She still hoped that the grandson would be better than the old man so that she could work longer to make enough money. "Hopefully, he would be better than the old man right?" The man shook his head. "It seems you are not listening. I heard he's a replica of him. I have to go now. My meeting is in ten minutes," he said and rushed out. Jenna was sitting on pins and needles. The only way to survive was to ensure that there weren't any loopholes in her report. A few minutes later, Maxwell returned with a document in hand. "This is urgent, Jenna. Sign it for me to submit right now." Jenna paused and stared at the document in his hand. Beads of sweat had begun forming on his forehead. "That document is at least ten pages and I have less than an hour. I will sign after I meet with the old man," Jenna said politely while putting her nerd glasses back on. "Don't you understand the urgency? Must you read everything?" Maxwell looked like he wanted to strangle her. It was such a shame that she wasn't watching him. "Alright, let me sign it," she said after thinking shortly through it and lifting her head to meet his relieved gaze. Maxwell quickly opened the signature page before placing it in front of her. Jenna flicked back the pages but before she read anything, he snatched it from her. "I told you not to read it," he sizzled. A fog of confusion covered Jenna as she said, "then I can't sign it." Maxwell was so agitated that his face turned red from anger. He only needed Jenna's help because she was in charge of quality control but she was making things difficult. "Don't tell me that I didn't warn you, Jenna. You will pay for this," he hissed and stormed out, demoralized. Jenna was slightly terrified but recalled her meeting with the old man, quickly disregarding what had just happened. Thank God his grandson was taking over. She still hoped that he would be less eerie than the old man.

Chapter 6 6 - He looked extremely familiar

"You are very meticulous in your work. Keep it up," The old man complimented Jenna after reviewing her report. Jenna smiled but couldn't keep calm. Even with a compliment, it sounded like a reprimand because there was no smile on his face and his bodyguards made things worse with their presence. The office was already complex but their presence made it heavy. "I try my best sir, thank you." She responded politely. She couldn't help but notice the man's pupil from the distance, which looked so dark that it reminded her of someone. The thought of that dying man gave her shivers. His eyes were so scary and seemed so similar to that of the old man. "You can take your leave," he finally said. Jenna was relieved and walked out of the office. It wasn't as bad as she thought. For as long as she did her job well, she was sure to not face any unforeseen challenges. It was good that she took Kate's advice. She hadn't called Cathan since then and felt the need to call and thank him. The deputy CEO was waiting in front of her office together with her teammates when she got there. "How did it go, Jenna?""Better than expected," she said to the deputy CEO. Her teammates sighed, excitement brewing them. Jenna was the only boss who had come out of the old man's office smiling. Perhaps that was the advantage of being the Managing Director in her father's company. She knew what to do without being told for as long as she was abreast with her products. "You are the first to pass for the first time and the only one with your team to not work overtime today. Tell me, how did you do it?" He asked after Jenna's team mates had left. "Simple, hardwork and determination," Jenna shrugged. She was proud of being a workaholic. "Goodluck, and prepare for a presentation on monday. Every manager would have to present something on behalf of the team members during the meeting as a way of introducing their department to the new CEO," he informed her with a satisfying smile. There was no need to elaborate. Jenna already knew what he meant. "I will be with the new CEO most of the time for at least a week so if you don't see me around, don't be worried sick or think I quit," he said apologetically, knowing that Jenna was new. It was for this reason that he kept giving her a heads up on everything. "I will work on it over the weekend, thank you," Jenna responded with gratitude. Mr Simmons was a very respectable and capable man with no rotten skeletons in his cupboard. He was diligent and adored his family, keeping his wife and daughter's picture beautifully framed and sitting proudly on his desk. He would boast from time to time that his wife was the most beautiful woman in the world. Jenna had closed for the day. Before she reached the elevator, she bumped into someone, documents poured on the floor. "Max, sorry," she wasn't really sorry for the documents but the state of the man. It was as if something was chasing him. Max ignored her while he bent to pick up the scattered items on the floor. She bent down to help him when he snapped, "leave it.""Alright, see you on monday." She was startled and didn't try to argue, not wanting to incur any more threats from him but he turned curious to her leaving at this time. "Monday? Where are you going?" Max was curious. Wasn't Jenna afraid of the old man? Everyone was working overtime and she was leaving. "Home.""Everyone is working overtime.""Not me and my team. Our report was perfect," she didn't mean to brag but it sounded like it. "Alright, see you on Monday," he said but his expression had turned rigid. Jenna didn't take it to heart and headed down the elevator and into Kate's car, which she had given her for her rounds since she wasn't around. Before she turned the ignition, her phone rang. "Jen, It's Peggy. Can we talk?" Jenna let out a bitter smile. If Peggy had helped her out that night, she wouldn't have ended up in that hotel. "We have nothing to talk about." Her tone was indifferent but Peggy never took offense. "Jen please, I need your help," she pleaded directly but there was no remorse in her voice over the phone. "I can't offer you any help," Jenna said sadly and was about to end the call when Peggy spoke again. "Since your father passed on, you are the boss now so you can help." Jenna was aggrieved. Peggy called because she needed her help. She didn't even apologize for not helping her the last time. Why didn't she see before now that Peggy was selfish? "Sorry but Eve is the boss. I no longer work there.""What? Why?" Peggy was unnerved, fear sizzled through her voice. "You would have known if you weren't bent on keeping me away from you darling boyfriend," Jenna snarled. Peggy was sounding teary now. "I'm sorry Jenna but it's complicated. The night you called, my house was under siege because Tyler offended a guy in some mafia squad. I only told you that to prevent you from pushing further. They beat him till he almost died. Now he has turned over a new leaf and I wanted you to help get him a job but it doesn't seem possible anymore, let me call Kate," Peggy was about to end the call before hearing Jen's voice. Jenna was moved with pity upon realizing that Peggy wasn't as selfish as she thought. It was just bad timing for her too. "I live with Kate but she's on duty and will be returning next week. Maybe you should stop by and have a talk with her around that time. She might just be able to help you," she consoled. She wanted to be there for Peggy at a time like this but her boyfriend was involved with a mafia. Jenna couldn't help fearing that they wouldn't leave him alone, which made her decide on keeping her distance. "Thanks Jenna," Peggy said and ended the call. Throughout the weekend, Jenna worked on her presentation amidst chores, while worry nudged her concerning Peggy. She could help with anything but not with some mafia. She wasn't a spy or a heroine, thereby channeling her energy to her presentation, to make a good first impression. The best she did was to call from time to time checking on Peggy. However, she had no intention of changing the way she dressed to work, thus not shopping for anything new. That was her new style, which splendidly kept men away from her. Right now, she couldn't help being bitter about the men folk. Drake's betrayal was still matching in front of her, every time she closed her eyes. Then again, that dying man. How messed up she was. ****** Busy Monday Morning "Good morning Jenna, the new CEO has arrived, he's so hot," Kelly, one of her teammates and the group gossip bellowed as soon as she met Jenna in the elevator, holding her hot coffee to her chest and sniffing the sweet scent. She was in the company of another teammate, Bertha who countered her flattery, "And scary." Jenna panicked slightly. She was getting used to the old man and was no longer enthused about the change. "He's already here?" Her tone was flat but she couldn't understand why her heart wouldn't stop beating. Her work was spotless and she needed not to be afraid yet, she couldn't control her panging heart. "Well, I only saw him from afar when he was walking in with his bodyguards. He is having a meeting with the oldman at this moment and the deputy CEO has told us to be ready," Kelly explained, touching up on her makeup. Jenna couldn't help but wonder why she put in so much effort today. Her make-up was too wild for the office but Jenna was mute about it. For as long as it didn't affect her performance, she had no reason to complain about it. "Let me get coffee but where is everyone?" She noticed through her walk from the elevator to her office that the humans in the office were scarce, which was very much unusual. "Already converged at the conference room," Kelly smiled and said. It was at least thirty minutes before the meeting would start so why had everyone gathered already? "You go, I'll get my coffee and join you," she dismissed the two teammates. She needn't ask where the remaining team members were, she already guessed. "I can get it for you," Kelly volunteered. "Don't worry, you don't know how I like it," Jenna refused her offer politely. She never liked anyone making her coffee. She quickened her pace throughout the process, as she wanted to get to the conference room before he finished his meeting with the old man. However, when she reached the conference room, she was amazed by the two men sitting side by side, for getting every other person present. She just froze at the sight of the younger man, who wore sunglasses in the office, wondering if he could see. Fear strangled her as she continued to gawk at the man who looked so familiar. Extremely familiar and she could have sworn it was just a mere look alike if his gaze from his sunglasses didn't burn her so much. She didn't realize that she was trembling till the hot coffee and saucer fell from her hand, smashing into a thousand pieces, while the hot liquid burned her skin. "Ouch," she yelped.

Chapter 7 7 - Casper's suspicions

"Jenna, are you alright?" Kelly was the first to reach her. She wasn't one to attract attention in any way therefore, it was a surprise for everyone,  except those who didn't know her closely because they weren't from the same department. Max smiled deliciously. The genius Queen was embarrassing herself in front of both the old and new CEO. She wasn't special after all. Since Jenna had proved hard to get, his attraction towards her had turned to loathe. Jenna was tight-lipped, enduring the pain upon realization that the man didn't recognize her. Instead, she nodded her head in the affirmative, clenching her teeth stubbornly and refusing to access the level of the damage caused. From the sipping pain, she knew she was going to have blisters if she didn't immediately apply first aid but she didn't want any more attention. "Get the janitor to clean this mess," the deputy CEO said to Kelly before turning to Jenna again. "Do you need to go to the hospital?" Jenna glanced at her leg sharply, then at the man who looked like a supreme ruler. If he was the old man's grandson, then how could he have been left alone in the hotel in that condition? No,  perhaps it was just a coincidence. It can't be him. It was even more scary to know that Cathan was this man's bodyguard. After a quick analysis, she relaxed but felt it safe to avoid the man at all costs. Now she had to make a good comeback for her first impression. She couldn't disappoint Cathan and shook her head. "Alright, if you say so," the deputy CEO withdrew and walked back to his seat. He saw the reddening and her legs had begun developing blisters but if she didn't want to be helped,  he couldn't force her. He only hoped that more damage wouldn't be caused by the time the meeting ended. "If the drama is over, can we continue now?" The old man's deep but calm voice rang through the room. Everyone stiffened as he continued to speak. Not a slice of his words could fall on the ground without yielding fruit therefore, he was the most feared. "Meet my grandson Casper Blade. He is taking over the company from today but I will still be involved because he is still undergoing training." It was a nice way for Grandpa to inform Casper that he was still waiting for the last part of t training. Aside from Casper and his bodyguards,  no one else understood the meaning of the old man's words. Meanwhile,  the old man's real intention was making Casper CEO temporarily, while he found means to bring his illegitimate son. "We will have a staff dinner on friday and the announcement will be made to the media. Does anyone have any questions?" He started and ended circumspectly, knowing that no one would have the courage to ask any question. Among Casper, his bodyguards and the old man's bodyguards,  everyone wore black. Only the old man shone in white,  which made Casper uneasy around him. White disturbed his eyes a lot. As expected, no one asked anything. The old man gave Casper a glare before the latter spoke. "I would like each head to give a brief introduction about their various departments." Hearing his voice for the first time, everyone sat on the edge. His voice was a rich blend of graveness,  sophistication and allure. It was unique but so scary.  they began to direct their fears towards him. Casper might look young but he was something else. Something they didn't have a word for but some people at that moment, nicknamed him 'a demon.' One by one, the department heads gave their presentations carefully. No one wanted to offend a demon. When it was Jenna's turn, her voice had turned hoarse which she apologized for having lost earlier in the morning but her presentation was spot on. Her teammates were shocked by the lie she cooked up because her voice was perfect just before she came to the conference room. By the time they were done with the meeting, blisters had formed on her leg, where the hot coffee splashed. "You are so stubborn Jenna. Go to the hospital and get treated, the deputy CEO insisted and this time, she obeyed since the meeting was over. When she was about to step out of the door, one of the old man's bodyguards stopped her. "No one leaves before the bosses," he said sternly, in a deep domineering voice. His all black appearance was frightening. Jenna was slightly embarrassed, thereby waiting at the door. She had forgotten her manners due to the searing pain she had been enduring all this while. Grandpa passed, followed by his bodyguards before Casper. As soon as Casper reached the door, his neck turned to her direction and instantly moved away. It was so swift and hardly noticed but Cathan caught it. After escorting grandpa to his car, Casper and his bodyguards returned to his office. Two bodyguards stood in front of the door but Cathan and Caleb were with him. "You gave the girl a second look. Do you know her?" Cathan was curious. The Blades were trained to never give a woman attention. "I think she smells familiar," Casper confessed thoughtfully. His senses were stronger than the ordinary man. That night when she hovered over him,  checking his temperature with the back of her hand, he caught her body scent but Cathan thought it ridiculous. "Her scent? What do you know about a woman's scent?" He asked curiously. Since Jenna was Kate's best friend, he was slightly protective of her for Kate's sake. "She smells like the girl who saved my life. Is that how she talks?" He asked intently. He recalled that the girl who saved his life had a honey sweet voice. Even when nervous, her voice sounded sweet in his ears. It was the melody he listened to in his unconscious state. Casper was extremely smart. The only reason why he didn't question her further was because of grandpa. If he did anything to show the slightest interest, grandpa would begin to investigate. "She said she lost her voice this morning," Cathan reminded him but Casper felt strange. "I will like to see her when she returns from the hospital," Casper announced. "Don't waste your time. That girl is a best friend to a flight attendant I took interest in on the plane from San Francisco. I even encouraged her to apply for the job here," he explained without adding details of himself and Kate. It wasn't the right time. "Oh," was all Casper said. He was disappointed but it didn't show on his face. Somehow,  his guts insisted that that was the girl but he would just be patient till friday. "We will find your girl, I promise," Cathan assured him. After Jenna went to the hospital, she took the rest of the day off from work. She was too scared to qface Casper again. He was very different from the man she saved but he looked a lot like him,  which scared her. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to escape the dinner party and fate seemed to be playing a silly game on her. ****** In a VIP hospital room in a secluded area, a man laid unconscious on hospital bed. He had been in the state for months. A woman sat at his bedside and held his hand in hers. "You have to fight Pascal, you have to see your daughter again. She is stronger than I thought and is working in a place you wouldn't like but I've got her back. I will try my best to keep her from harm's way." "Your useless wife took everything from her. I told you to get married and be happy but I didn't expect you to go for someone your daughter's agr. That was terrible, Pascal. That night, she ended up in Casper's room. The old man had put him to another test again and your best friend couldn't do anything about it and neither could his cousins." "I know that you don't want to hear it but it's important because they have been searching for the surveillance, which I destroyed the moment I saw her there." "You know what Pascal, when I saw her drinking like a fish, I wanted to be there for her, to tell her who I was but it would only endanger her the most. I love my daughter just as you do Pascal but it's the demand of my job. It is better to keep my family away from the life of a spy. It's even better for them to think that I died but Pascal, you must live because for as long as your daughter works in that company, Casper will know. I don't know what will happen next. Will he try to get rid of her to protect his image because she saw him at his worst state or will he favour her? Your bestfriend's son is like the old man and nothing like his father. I've seen him fight and even I,  wouldn't stand a change against him. He's killed so many people without regret." "I have to go now. There is a dinner party on friday. You know that I can't take a flight without a new identity so I have to set off early. The media will be there so I have to protect my daughter from the shadows but please wake up. I want to hear your voice again, please wake up before I return Pascal, bye for now."