Reyna

I unlocked the door and walked into the room. I glanced at Axel who was just still the same place I left him, on the bed, tied up with a duct tape over his mouth. Right away, I locked the door after myself then walked over to him. I left the polythene bag on the bedside table and sat on the bed. For what felt like more than a minute, I stared at him and his gaze didn’t deviate from me either. It was obvious he loathed my guts. Well, I couldn’t blame him. If I were him, I would’ve felt the same way.

I reached into the polythene bag and took out a disinfectant, cotton wool and plasters that I’d gotten in the nearest pharmacy. There’s no denying that he should’ve seen a doctor, I mean he was in a car that went against the laws of gravity for a second. But, I’d assessed him while he was unconscious and there didn’t seem to be any broken bones, just a few physical cuts. It makes me wonder how lucky he must be. 

I poured some of the disinfectant onto the cotton wool and dabbed over the cut on the side of his head. He muffled a wince and his brows furrowed together. I ignored his reactions and continued with dressing his wounds. Only after I was done did I take the tape off his mouth. He glared at me but said nothing. That wasn’t what I was expecting.

A quiet sigh left my lips. “I’m being nice to you. It won’t kill you to do the same.” Instead of as little as a word of reply, he looked away from me. Patiently, I waited in all hopes that he would eventually say something but nothing came through and I lost the cool I’d somehow mustered up.

“You know, nothing is going to change because you’re silent.” I stormed up on my feet. “I’m not giving up. You’ll talk, one way or another, you’ll say what I need to hear.” Yet, he wouldn’t look my side. I could feel the irritation swirling inside me. Only God knows if I still had enough time to spare, with every second, my mind wanders what she could be going through. Time was imminent and Mr. Hotshot here prefers to keep his words to himself. My gaze drifted away from him and I was reminded of the horrors of the night, especially the moment the man pointed the gun at Axel. There, a devious thought of manipulating him to speak popped up in my head.

In a steady sweep, I returned my gaze to him. “Okay, for minute, let’s forget I brought you here and tied you up… Have you thought about who might’ve wanted you dead?”

It worked because he fixated his view on me once more. “I’ve always had enemies here or there. This isn’t my first murder attempt.” His words came out rather undisturbed and much confident than I’d anticipated. It made me doubt my idea. 

“Rather than worry about me, you should worry about yourself. While you stepped out, I spent the time thinking of several ways to kill you and how I could dispose of your body. Of course, you’re not my first but… with you and the hospitality you’ve shown me, it just has to be special. No traces afterwards.” In the end, he had a simple smile. Still, together with the look in his eyes, it held a sinister appearance. I walked closer to the bed, leaned towards him and whispered a reply.

“I can’t wait.” Before he could think of saying anything more, I taped over his mouth once again. He didn’t struggle or muffle a few words. He simply looked away. As I turned away from him, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was backing up the wrong tree. Could it be Axel knew nothing of his employer’s escapades? Perhaps, Mordecai hid mum away without even Axel’s knowledge?

I rolled my lips in for a moment. If I could get my hands on any type of evidence that proves I’m not lying, then that would be great. There is no time anymore. I have to get it from Mordecai, one way or another.

The next day, the reflection in the mirror that stared back at me was a sham. But, it was the good kind. The type that would help me achieve my goal. Over my hair was a brown bob-cut wig and my eyes, large white framed glasses. Cream coloured palazzo trouser and white saffron top with black low-heels were my attire. Since I can no longer walk into the building without the security recognizing and kicking me out instantly, I had to disguise. Hopefully, this will work. 

Confidently and without an ounce of fear, I walked right past the security at the entrance and into the building. In my head, I did a little yes! Really glad that worked out and just like someone who belonged, I went straight into the elevator headed for the floor where Mordecai’s office was. For the first time, I’m actually going to succeed. Axel was locked up in a room and there was nobody to stop me. Well, except Steele’s secretary.

From the corner where I hid, I peeped at her. It couldn’t have been long since she arrived. Just one excuse, one absence from her seat and Mordecai Steele’s office is mine to search. I knew he wasn’t in yet because I hadn’t seen his car pull up in front of the building. When she brought out a white mug from her drawer, I knew my chance was close. Soon, she was up from her seat with the mug in one hand and venturing towards the kitchen area. 

Quick, I hurried towards the door and gently opened it, pipping my head in first. I looked left and right. No sign of anyone and with excitement, I walked in, closing the door behind me. The office was large, somehow meeting the expectations of what I’d imagined. The obvious spelling out of wealth and comfort. It made me wonder how the CEO’s office might look like.

“Okay, okay, okay… okay.” I blabbed whilst nervousness slowly slipped into my consciousness. Shrugging it all off, I went behind his desk and began to search within the drawers for any abnormality. Yet, careful not to leave anything out of place. I don’t need him noticing that someone had rummaged through his things.

The door opened. Immediately, I lifted my eyes to it and stood frozen in panic.

“Yes, the usual will be fine.”

It was Mordecai. Though his hand held the handle, his body was at the entrance and his head turned away from his office. My heart fell right into the pit of my stomach. He hasn’t seen me. In a frenzied mode, I looked left and right searching for a place to hide. Damn it, his office was too open. Finally, I rushed over to hide behind the long curtains just right behind the sofa. Right away, I heard the door shut and his footsteps followed.

My heartbeat was outstanding and no matter how hard I tried to calm myself down, more than anything, I feared collapsing in front of Steele. I peeped through the curtain and watched him take his seat behind the desk. He held his phone in his hand and soon close to his ear.

“Where’s Todd and why isn’t he picking my calls?”

I watched the expression on his face change from relaxation to confusion.

“What do you mean he hasn’t returned?”

The landline on his desk rang and he reached for the receiver.

“Yes, Mary.” I had to assume that was his secretary. “Who?” He stood on his feet. The expression on his face had changed to fear, confusion and worry all at once. I wondered what got him reacting that way. 

“Y-yes, let him in.” The moment the receiver was down, his eyes lurked left and right in worry just as he stepped away from behind his desk. The door opened and he maintained his composure at once. I watched him try to pull up a smile and steady it.

“Axel.”

What!?

Instantly, I shifted my viewing to the young man who stood in front of the door. In black jean trouser and a hoodie. It looked familiar. But… It can’t be. He couldn’t be here. It was just Afam and I who knew about the room and… damn it! Afam must’ve come by and let him out for whatever stupid conscience reason. Urgh! I’m going to kill him when I see him.

“What-what happened to you?” Mordecai asked as Axel walked up to where he was. 

“Someone tried to assassinate me.” Axel’s familiar voice replied before he looked in my direction, immediately, I hid away and made no movement. He’d told me how dead I would be once he releases from my hold and now, he was. In all honesty, I hope Afam is safe and he didn’t leave him for dead.

“Why would… would someone do that?”

“I don’t know. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a look of his face or anything about him. My thought was perhaps, someone was after you as well so, I came by to check on you.”

“On me?” Steele chuckled as he walked back to his seat. “I’m fine. Are you sure it’s not about one of your petty feud with a gang or something of that sort?”

Again, I continued peeping and watched them stare at each other. Almost as if neither knew what next to say or rather felt safer observing.

Mordecai’s phone rang again. He looked at the screen. His expression fell for a second before le lifted his eyes to Axel once more.

“Well, I’m glad you have all the luck in the world.” Having said that, he stood to his feet, excused himself and was on his way out of the office.

I leaned my head back and shut my eyes, feeling a little bit of relief that at least one of them was gone. 

Suddenly, the curtains were set aside and I was without a cover. As if glued to the spot, I was still and stared at the man directly in front of me, Axel. Dear God, this can’t be how I die.

Hey wonderful readers! It's good to be back. Thank you to those who reached out and those who has waited patiently for an update. I'm in a better state of mind and updates will continue like usual.