Ruler of the Mask

Chapter 4

Brooklyn, New York. Maui’s Apartment.

One day had passed, and the blooming of the sun filled her face. The slight warmth awakened the damsel in distress on the white sofa she was resting in. She covered her face with a white thick blanket and spoke against her dry throat that caused a hoarse voice.

“Give me five more minutes. My migraine is killing me again!”

The living room was filled with trash as if no woman was living in that place. Bottles of beer, glasses, plastics, and plates could be seen at different spots; on the floor, couch, table, and beside the TV.

There was a loud banging at the door as if some thug were ready to infiltrate her apartment. However, she didn’t mind the noise and just let herself be devoured of the heavenly slumber. Where was that noise coming from? Was it coming from her door or at the neighbor’s door? She could not tell, and she doesn’t give a f**k because her legs and body couldn’t move even if she would beg.

“Wake up motherfucker! Haven’t you realized yet that you owe me the life you have, so you must better listen to me! I am not doing this for my sake but for you!” the voice of her old grandma echoed in her mind.

Maui would never dare disrespect and disobey the one and only person who cares about her. She needs to open the door immediately before her grandmother lost her temper but she didn’t move. The irritating noise made her pissed off first thing in the morning. The neighbors will complain if it would continue. She got up and walk as slow as a turtle.

As she reached for the doorknob, the banging stopped. It brought chills down her spine. The slow and crackling sound of the knob could not beat the loud beating of her heart. Carefully and slowly, she opened the door and checked if there was someone suspicious around but there was none.

“Am I hallucinating again? Why do I keep on hallucinating about my grandma?” She asked herself and locked the door.

The gentle touch of her footsteps bounding to the living room brought fear into her heart; it was as if she felt that someone was following her and watching her from behind. A deep sigh filled the four corners of her apartment with cobwebs around. She then began searching for her anti-depressant tablets as she couldn’t control the trembling of her hands and the murderous thoughts running through her mind.

She finally found the small bottle full of white drugs and took one. She grabbed the beer from the table and enjoyed her fill. Afterward, she grabbed a large cellophane and placed all the trashes in it. As she was done, she cleaned the floor. A loud groan coming from her stomach made her realize that she hasn’t eaten yet.

Using her phone, she ordered a bucket of fried chicken, rice, and Starbucks coffee. Then she continued cleaning all over her place. As she was in the bathroom, her phone suddenly rang. She stepped outside, wiped her hands with her shirt, and answered the call; it was an unregistered number.

“Hello, this is Code 495, who is this?” – Maui.

“This is Code Black speaking. A man in his 30’s, Diamond Hotel number 12, Brooklyn Street,” a baritone voice replied to her.

Enthusiasm was slowly igniting her cold and tired body, and a smile gently formed on her luscious lips. She could finally do something valuable after quitting her job as a detective. She hasn’t touched her weapons after assassinating the older man who receives s****l favors from minor girls. Another shot, another contribution for a peaceful word.

“And what do I get in return?” – Maui.

“I’ll send you the money right away. Just do what you must do and don’t leave any evidence.”

The call ended and she received a message telling her that five hundred thousand US dollars has been deposited in her bank account. She couldn’t be happier. Even if she lost her reputation as a detective, she has another job that could quench her thirst for blood. Another text popped on her phone, it was from the unregistered number who just called her. It was a photo of a young man in a black tuxedo. The target was the Director of Shampaigne Company named Austine Harmmaine.

“All right, too bad, he’s still young but his life must end today.”

A soft continuous knock woke her from the plan she was plotting in her mind. Perhaps it was the food delivery. She opened the door and wasn’t mistaken. The delivery man gave her the receipt as she gave the money to him. He bid goodbye and left.

After eating she headed to the bathroom to take a shower. She had no other things to look forward to except for this mission to be accomplished. Perhaps there will be unexpected things to happen. And procrastinating is out of her jurisdiction. What needs to be done must be done. She quickly got off from the shower and wore a black leather jacket and pants. Then she attached two diamond earrings that has poison in them. One single strike of the poison hidden inside the earrings could kill anyone. Last, but not the least, she wore a pair of long black boots with knives hidden inside.

The rustling sound of the chains of the locker, the gust of wind, and the moment of silence made her more alert. If the mafias she killed were afraid of death, then she’s more afraid to die without the justice she deserves. She headed to the parking lot and drove her car. Hopefully, no one will notice her since it was ten o’clock in the morning.

As she was in the parking lot of the Shampaigne Company building, she hacked their system and infiltrated all the cameras around. She made it through their system and now she only has 10 minutes to kill the man. Before she could even move out of the car, a man in her late 20s was walking in front. The lad was Austine Harmmaine, her target. The universe was giving her the freedom and opportunity to kill him easily, she must not ruin the chance.

The noise coming from her boots stole the lad’s attention. Maui was trying to act as if she was drunk and a fool. The smile on her lips made the young man excited. In her mind, she was delighted. He walked closer to her, then a gentle hand wrapped around her waist. She was disgusted by the young man’s face that she wanted to punch him hard. But right now, she must not take any action that could ruin the plan.

“Hey, missy. Do you want me to take you home?” Austine suggested.

He bit his lower lip and traveled his hands to her arms. She purposely rested her face on his left shoulder and rubbed her diamond earring on the lad’s neck. The plan was perfectly and meticulously executed; the man wasn’t suspicious of her. She moved away and entered her car. The lad didn’t mind the beautiful woman as he shook his head and let her go away. Perhaps, the lad has no time to play a chasing game with a hard-to-get woman. She was drunk and doesn’t know what she was doing.

“Women these days,” he uttered delightfully and even throw a flying kiss to her. “I’ll see you around, baby!”

The young man drove away without a hint of uncertainty on his face. As for the drunk woman, she left the building knowing that her plan was mission accomplished. Little by little, slowly but surely the young man will fall into a deep slumber. She decided to rest at the café beside her apartment building. Knowing that she will be bored and alone in her apartment, she refused to stay in. She’d rather have a coffee over watching TV. The café was hype, a relaxing ambiance caused by the plants and flowers with harmonious music relieved her stress away. It felt like heaven.

As she sipped the brewed coffee, her phone suddenly rang. The caller was Deputy Chief Mr. Daniel. Confusion filled her mind, a part of her doesn’t want to be associated with the police anymore but a part of her was curious. She answered the call and took a deep sigh.

“This is Maui Harper speaking.”

Perhaps Mr. Daniel wants to take her back. Or perhaps they think that her suspicious actions are connected to the murder case. She clenched her fists, there’s no way they will find it out. She planned all of it correctly. She will never kill humans without any valid reason, she kills to protect the innocent, not to ruin this broken society.

“Report in my office tomorrow. We can’t let go of a wonderful officer like you, Detective Maui Harper,” Mr. Daniel replied. The tone of his voice says it all, that he was determined to hire an incompetent woman like her who couldn’t solve a murder case. But why do they have to hire her again? It’s not like losing her would make the Police organization crumble.

“May I know the reason for this surprise admission, sir?” She has already decided to never go back but look at her situation now. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t decline the offer.

“I’ll tell you tomorrow, Detective. Goodbye.”