Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Shipment
KILLIAN’S POV
I was a psychotic b*stard and proud of myself for committing such a well-planned heist.
I knew it very well as I stood in Vance Adira’s shower and rubbed the shampoo all over my body that I was being a borderline stalker. I closed my eyes as my c*ck gave in and my body shuddered in release. This was an obsession that I accepted and owned it.
I stood by his bedroom and admired the painting. It had taken me two hours to get it out of the gallery after tampering with the security system and paying the guards and two curators. They would feign innocence knowing well that I had them by their necks. The security system in it was truly a sham and Bai kept scolding me and cursing me for being reckless.
I admit that I just wanted to show off and let Director Vance know that he was wasting his time in New York and, of course, wow him. The man was driving me crazy, and I could not help but be crazy for him.
I lay on the bed smiling foolishly after committing such an atrocity without remorse. I had passed by the stores and bought the same shampoo as his and placed it on my bathroom counter like a trophy.
“Vance Adira,” I murmured as I closed my eyes and slept.
Early the next day, when I arrived at the Shu group, Bai's scrunched face was evident. He was displeased by what I had done, and I wondered what he would do If I told him that I had taken a shower in Director Vance's apartment. I could not suppress the laughter that came with the thought and Bai’s raised eyebrows made it worse.
“Killian,” Bai huffed in frustration.
“I am just in a good mood,” I said in between bouts of laughter.
“I have a feeling you did something else.” Bai’s eyes blazed.
“I did. But you are never going to find out,” I smirked.
“Killian, you can’t expose yourself,” Bai scolded.
“I would never jeopardize myself. You know that too well.” I grinned foolishly.
“What has made you so happy?” Bai muttered.
“Him. Director Vance. He makes me feel alive,” I whispered as Vance’s handsome features appeared behind my eyes.
Bai smirked. “You better thank me for providing you with that photo.”
“He is more handsome than the picture,” I explained.
“You are whipped. My friend is gone,” Bai pretended to whine.
The knock on the office door made us change our demeanor to a serious one.
“Come in,” Bai answered.
Zoya Mio walked in. From the look on her face, I immediately knew that she had been informed by her Uncle Nemesio about my decision to end the engagement.
Bai winked at me and said, “I will leave you to it.”
I knew that he was just leaving me to the lashing of Zoya Mio.
“You don’t need to leave, Bai. Whatever I have to say concerns us all,” she said in a cold tone.
I smirked at Bai and raised my hand to indicate that they should both have a seat.
Zoya’s angry face never changed as she walked over and sat down. Bai looked uncomfortable as he lowered his body into the chair.
“There is a new shipment coming in from Hong Kong. This shipment is worth five hundred million dollars. I have already prepared the paperwork and the security team will be in charge of receiving it at the docks. The reason I am raising this matter with you is that the CIA might have gotten wind of it. The ship has already left Hong Kong.”
“What are our options? Is it coming in the containers of the Ryuu group?” Bai asked.
“Yes,” Zoya responded
“Are there any docks along the way? We can offload it before it gets to New York.”
“There are four docks along the way. But it will be troublesome, and it will cost more.”
“Since when have we ever cared about the cost of protecting our shipment?” I snapped at her. She was creating a fuss and it irritated me.
“Since the fact that the new CIA Director has his eyes pinned on us,” Zoya snapped back.
“Leave the room, Bai,” I commanded. Bai rushed out of the room like he was being chased by a ghost.
“Speak your mind, Zoya.”
“I only came to discuss the shipment.” Her tone remained cold.
“Really? What gives you the right to snap at me?” I asked calmly.
She took one look at my face and then her eyes changed to fear. “I-I…” she stammered.
“Do you think that because you feel that I have been unfair to you, you have a right to talk the way you want?”
“Killian, I am not a toy,” she whispered.
“I believe you just misspoke,” I responded.
She raised her eyes at me. “Chairman Killian, I am not anyone's toy. I might be an adopted daughter of your Uncle Nemesio, but I studied hard and I have worked my way to be where I am.”
I nodded. “I agree.”
“So why? Why break off the engagement?” she inquired.
“Because you deserve the best, Zoya,” I explained.
She stared at me in question, and I stood up to walk over to the opposite seat next to her and sat down. “Zoya, why would you want to get married to me?” I threw the question to her.
Her eyes looked away, so I continued, “Look at me I’m talking to you.” I was being boorish and a bully but at this moment, it was necessary.
“It was arranged.” I could see that she hesitated, meaning that she has just lied.
“Try again,” I commanded while I leaned back and crossed my legs.
“I want to be married to you,” she confessed.
“Why?” I pressed.
“Because I have feelings for you,” she whispered.
“No, you don’t Zoya. You have been made to believe it was your right to marry me. And since then, you have clung to that ideology that you should be my wife. But I for one, believe in love. My parents were in love, and I will not settle for less,” I explained to her.
I could see the hurt in her eyes as she responded, “Are you sure? You could grow to love me,” she whispered.
“I know that it might sound cruel, but I want romance with the person who will be my partner.”
“Are you rejecting me because you and Uncle don’t see eye to eye?”
“I am gay, Zoya,” I finally snapped at her.
Her eyes widened, her lips fell open, and she leaned back on the chair in resignation. “Gay?”
“You got that right."
I could see the wheels turning in her head and then she gasped, “You and Bai?”
“No way. Bai is not gay,” I laughed.
She smiled sadly. “Killian, why did you take so long to tell me?”
“Because this is my business. And it's the last thing on my mind. My goal in life is to protect the mafia families and the Ryuu group.”
She nodded. “I am sorry, Killian. I know my attitude earlier is inexcusable. I was just being a brat.”
“I am glad we got that sorted out. Now for official business, we need to dock before the shipment gets to New York.”
“I will organize and have it done.” Zoya stood up.
“I will deal with Uncle Nemesio. Don't worry about it.” I followed suit and walked back to my chair.
“I highly doubt you will but good luck,” she laughed as she left the office.
I heaved a sigh of relief. It was better to have Zoya still working for me than to be an enemy.
Perusing the shipment details from the portal in Hong Kong, I sent emails to the partners to ensure everything would run smoothly. The risk of having Director Vance snooping into the shipment was too risky. The man has a nose for sensing anything illegal.
The ding on my phone made me look away from the laptop and the caller I.D., made my headache worsen. It was Uncle Nemesio.
I swiped the phone and put it on speaker while I typed. “Chairman Killian.”
“Uncle Nemesio, is this an urgent call? I am in the middle of something,” I muttered dismissively.
“I never make calls to you unless they are urgent. I have some intel about Daxia. He has been ruffling feathers in the CIA and even snuck into the new director's office and apartment.”
“What?” I feigned innocence.
“Is this what you sent him to do? What if he was caught? It would expose us,” he complained.
“I sent him to ensure the CIA take their eyes away from the mafia families,” I stated.
He was silent for a while and then calmly said, “Isn't it too risky? His methods this time are a bit off.”
“Your concerns are noted. I will get in touch with him about it and then give you feedback.”
“Thank you, Chairman Killian. Did you discuss with Zoya the issue concerning your engagement?”
“I did.” My answers were short since I did not want to entertain him.
“You did?” He sounded surprised.
“Is there anything else that you wish to report?”
“No.” He disconnected the call.
“F*cking b*stard,” I cursed. What worried me the most was the mole he had in the CIA. I pressed the intercom button to Bai’s office, and he immediately responded.
“Is the cost clear?”
“Get you’re a*s in here, Bai,” I retorted.
Seconds later, Bai rushed into the office and stood by my desk. “Sir, you called.”
“Cut the crap. We need to find out who is Uncle Nemesio’s mole in the CIA,” I explained.
“Why?” he inquired.
“He just called and reported all the doings of Daxia,” I muttered.
“You worried the mole will expose us?” Bai wondered.
“I worry because I don’t know who the mole is. It's always good to know your enemy in and out,” I stated.
Bai nodded. “I will find out. What about Zoya?”
“Sorted. I explained everything,” I boasted.
“You told her you are gay?” Bai laughed.
“I did,” I stated.
“It was about time. She needs to get the idea of being married to you out of her head.”
“She wondered if you were dating. Me and you.” I pointed at him.
“What the f*ck?” Bai exclaimed and I laughed at his comical face. “I hope you clarified. I fear the wrath of women.”
“Come on, Bai, one day you will date and get married,” I jested.
“Never,” he responded vehemently.
I scoffed off, shaking my head.
“I am serious, Killian.” He smiled sadly.
I nodded since I understood his reasons. He had been raised in an orphanage and had been scarred.
Deflecting from the topic, I proceeded to state, “So, the shipment will be received at two docks before it gets to New York. I need you to be there. I will handle everything when you are away.”
“You better be home early to deal with Amanda and Caylan when the time comes,” Bai responded as he turned around to leave.
“How is Caylan? I know that I have been around much as of late,” I asked.
“Amanda is the same as usual. Caylan seems to be sulking since I raised the concern about spending too much time at Uncle Nemesio’s home,” Bai responded.
“Is his cousin the only friend that he has? How well-behaved is Maurice Nemesio?”
“He is an A student. Excels in everything. I haven't heard or seen anything thing that would be a red flag,” Bai reported.
“Why don’t you suggest they hang out at our house more often? That way we can keep an eye on them,” I suggested.
“I am not sure he will agree, taking into account he feels we have been poking into his business.” Bai sighed.
“We are meant to poke into his business,” I snapped.
Bai nodded and then he reminded me, “Caylan’s birthday is in two days.”
“Oh, sh*t!” I exclaimed as Bai left my office, his body shaking with laughter for the third time today.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone