บท 45: NOT A NEGOTIATION

And if I don't?

Smirks! It's not a negotiation and neither is it a request. You don't have much time Chairman. The clock is ticking, tick-tock, tick-tock. I said staring at him.

My phone beeps with a message and I stare at it. It read "All done"! I smiled with victory, as I pulled my gun and swiftly killed six of his men while shielding myself with one of them.

Siren! He barked annoyed.

Now here's the thing chairman, my family wasn't spared, my brother and grandfather survived by chance so here's the breaking news, in five minutes your eldest daughter will be killed, and in the next five minutes your wife and last daughter and in the next, your two daughters you just spoke to. And your very handsome son will die tomorrow, ... Oops, I said with a sarcastic smile. As his face fell in shock and sadness.

I dare you siren!! Touch my family and I'll serve your grandfather on a plate for you to eat.!! He spat in fury.

Hahaha, she laughs as she kills two more men of his. Here's another surprise chairman, my grandfather is safe and sound. While you were foolishly playing chess with me, he was being rescued and all your men were killed, I never thought I'd be so lucky enough to meet with you face-to-face for your own crimes. Funny right? I also thought it was very interesting to see the Almighty Chairman, coming all out to get me.

Siren, you'll pay for this!

I cock my head to the side mockingly and said... Will I??

I promise you, you'll suffer at my hands.

I don't think so, chairman! Besides you thought me this, you made me this way. You made me heartless!! I said killing the remaining four including the one I was using to shield myself. I threw his body to the floor and stared at the chairman and he tried to pull out his gun but I was fast enough to shoot his hands instantly.

As he tried to pull out his gun, I was quick to shoot his hands, causing him to scream in pain. But I wasn't finished just yet.

Don't worry you won't die today, I said and gave him one final kick, I knocked him out cold.

What do we do with him, boss? One of my men asked as he walked in.

Take him to the dungeon!

Yes boss, they said as I pulled out my phone to talk to Dave.

Hello Dave?

Yes, Nalani.

Is he home?

Yes, safe and sound. Thanks, little sis.

No need to thank me, he's all we have. I'll come over in a few days, I've got a few things to handle.

Okay, take care then.

Yeah, thanks. I hung up and went straight to my car. I drove to Logan's rest house.

AT THE NEW BASE OF THE ORGANISATION

An emergency meeting was being held considering the killings that took place in just a few hours. All the members were restless, especially since they couldn't get to the Chairman of the Organization. The emergency meeting was in full swing as the members of the organization fumed with anger. Hawk, the head of the security and trainees, appeared flustered and uncertain as he addressed the group.

Hawk What the hell is happening?!" thundered Chairman Lee who was second in command"We need answers, Hawk, and we need them now!"

"I really don't know. We're doing everything in our power to get to the bottom of this," Hawk replied, looking nervously at the faces of the other members.

You don't know? His entire family has been wiped out, and he's missing! How can you not know what's going on?" Chairman Lee barked.

We are trying our best...

That's not good enough," an aged woman spoke up, her voice full of fury. "We're all at risk here, and you're telling us that you don't know what's happening? That's not good enough!"

"We all have families, and we're all in danger!" another member added, their frustration boiling over. "Your best isn't enough, Hawk! We need answers, and we need them fast!"

Hawk looked around at the furious members of the organization, feeling the weight of their anger and fear. "I understand your concerns, but we're doing everything in our power to get to the bottom of this," he said, trying to calm them down.

"Everything in your power isn't good enough," Chairman Lee said sternly. "We need results, Hawk. Otherwise, we'll have to find someone who can get the job done."

"Please calm down Chairman!" Hawk pleaded, sweat trickling down his forehead. "Give us a week to turn up with results on this issue."

"A week is too much, Hawk!" Chairman Lee shot back, slamming his fist on the table. "We don't have that luxury of time. We could be attacked while you're doing your digging."

"But Chairman-"

"Four days!!" Chairman Lee interrupted, cutting Hawk off mid-sentence. "I give you four days to turn up with something, and I don't want any excuses, Hawk!"

Hawk swallowed nervously as the rest of the room fell eerily silent. The pressure was on, and he knew it. He could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on him, waiting for his response.

"While we're trying to get to the root of this, all of you should be alert, and double your security," Chairman Lee continued, his voice dangerously low. "Because whoever did this, started at the top and you all know what that means."

The air in the room was thick with tension as the full implication of the Chairman's words settled in. This was no longer some minor security breach or mishap. This was something far more sinister "death", and they all knew it.

"Meeting suspended till further notice!" Chairman Lee barked as he stood up, his eyes blazing with fury. "And remember Hawk – your job is on the line here. Fail me, and you won't be the only one to suffer the consequences." And with that, he stormed out of the room, leaving the others to ponder the gravity of their situation.

BACK AT LOGAN'S RESTHOUSE

I sat in the garden staring at the stillness. It was quiet. The last time I came here was the day Logan planned a surprise for me after that, everything else that happened was a blur and up till now the memories still make my heart long for him. The one man who made me experience everything even when I wasn't fit for it. Logan's aunt has been calling to check on me and she was here throughout my absence. I wonder how she's taking this because I don't know what I'll do if I were in her shoes.

Ma'am? Nanny Mercy called pulling me out of my reverie.

Yes, I responded turning to look at her lost in the abyss of my own sorrow.

Food is ready. Food is ready," she told me but didn't move away. She searched my face with concerned eyes.

Okay, I'll come in a few minutes," I replied, my voice hardly above a whisper.

Okay. She said but didn't move, so I turned again to look at her.

Yes, Nanny Mercy?"

Are you okay Ma'am? She asked looking at me intently with worry laced on her face.

Out of all the people I know, she's the only one who has asked me this question, everyone checks up on me and consoles me but no one has asked me if I'm ok, I really feel like crying now. But I tried to hold back the tears and then asked. Why are you asking?

You haven't smiled since the master fell into a coma. You rarely eat, you are either out of the house or in his room, this is the very first time I'm seeing you come to the garden. Ma'am, are you okay? She asks again and I burst into tears. I couldn't hold back anymore, the tears came pouring out like an endless waterfall.