The Dragon Lady

Back to Business

I entered the building with my head held high, clutching my suitcase tightly on my hands. Heads turned to me as I passed by the employees on the lobby. Reaching the elevator, I took a step in and the doors closed. Inside there was two women and one man, looking at me oddly and whispering to each other. The ride to the 20th floor was a lot slower than it felt before. When the doors opened, I immediately stepped out and went to my desk.

I set to work and ignored all the stares and whisperings around me.

"They were on the party together?"

"Yes, then suddenly all the lights went out and masked men came in and shot all over the place. It's a miracle they're still alive."

"I don't think so. Maybe someone helped them?"

"Who? Jackson? I heard he came with our boss."

The whispers continued agonizingly and I was dismayed that no shadow of Merrylia came to shut them up. I waited inconspicuously on my desk, stealing a glance at the elevator every now and then but Merrylia never came. I tapped my foot impatiently and furrowed my brows. She never came in late, why isn't she here yet?

I tried to focus on my work and started going through the schedules and ignored all the pain all over my body. The scratches I had were stingy and my shoulder is still swollen from being squeezed into a small window. Four hours later, lunch break came and I fixed all my papers to come down and eat. I was about to leave my desk when the intercom beeped.

"Mr. Loward?" Eyes turned to me from all around and I tried my best not to yell at them. I looked back at the intercom confused. When did she arrive? How come I didn't see her enter?

"Ma'am?"

"Come to my office. Now." I redirected my steps to her office instead of the elevator. The tone of her voice told me that she's about to say something important. I knocked on the door twice and turned the knob like I always do.

"Yes Ma'am?" I said, closing the door behind me.

"I'm sure you know about the incident last night that's all over the news now. I still have some things to settle between me and Mr. Wilfred and this footage is going to get in my way. Mr. Wilfred might even use it to his advantage." She said, straightening herself on her swivel chair. She looked at me in the eye and took out a folder and handed it to me.

"I want you to do something about it."

I opened the folder and saw some information regarding the footage, including the name of the network that released it.

"Yes Ma'am. Is there anything else you want me to do?"

Her dark eyes searched my face and lingered for a little while longer.

"Yes. Once you finish you task, come back here. I want to show you something."

"As you wish, Ma'am."

I left the office and hurriedly went to the main building of the network. On the entrance, five camera men were standing and seemed to recognize me. They raised the cameras on their hands and pointed at me. One of them caught my eye. He was the one on the van we passed by when I was holding Merrylia in my arm. My blood boiled at the sight of him.

"Put your cameras down." I muttered, sounding more deep than I intended to. They went pale but they remained on their position.

"I said put your damn cameras down, Misters. Are you deaf or do you want me to make you?" My hand reached for the sharp pen on my chest pocket and they lowered their cameras down, their hands shaking almost imperceptibly.

"If you release that video something bad will happen. Keep that in mind."

I entered the building and ignored the calls of the receptionist and went directly to the main office. I pushed the door open without knocking and saw a fat man sitting on a leather chair with a cigarette on his mouth. On his table, his name was facing towards me. Mr. John Gunderson

"Oh Mr. Loward! Why, you surprise me! What did I do to have the honour of being visited by you?" He said, emphasizing the word honour sarcastically.

"Your impertinent act of releasing a rather easily misunderstood footage of my employer and me, Mr. Gunderson." I took a step inside and closed the door behind me. I looked at him with all the menace I could with my gentlemanly features and he swallowed. It assured me that I don't look too kind anymore.

I went closer to his desk and he leaned more into his chair, looking like he wanted to be sucked into his seat.

"I tell you, Sir. My employer did not like it one bit." The words were dragged out of my mouth, expressing how much Merrylia did so.

"Well, if that's the case, you should've brought something to compensate. Do you know how much I could earn if I continue to spread that footage?" Mr. Gunderson said, trying to look relaxed with his tensed shoulders.

"A handsome amount of money, if I dare say. Too handsome for a man like you." I took the pen on my chest and twisted its tip while pointing it at Mr. Gunderson. I leaned closer to him. To tell the truth, Merrylia gave me a bag filled with money to bribe Mr. Gunderson but I left it at the office. Intentionally.

"I've been in this job for a year now, I'm used to seeing men like you who sells their loyalty to the highest bidder. I'm not going to play your game, Mr. Gunderson." I pointed the pen at him and looked deep into his eyes.

"Then I have nothing to do with you. You may leave now, or I will call the sec-"

"Say Mr. Gunderson, If I shoot you with a poisonous needle, would that be a pleasant death?"

"W-what? I don't understand what you're talking about! And please! Take that pen away from me."

I leaned closer to him and lowered my voice. Every ounce of my being was telling me to get on with it and shoot the man with the pen I pinched from Merrylia's office yesterday. But I remained calm and stared at him.

"This pen can shoot needles infused with poison that could kill you within a minute. The moment that it enters your bloodstream it would spread inside your body and weaken your heart until not even a drop of blood will be left on your brain." I fixed my stance in a way that looked like I was just talking to him and set my voice low for him to hear me and not the camera.

I smiled gently and took his pale hand and shook it.

"I assume we have a deal?" I stared at his ashen face and parted lips. I noticed his left hand moving closer under his desk. If I would hazard a guess he would be reaching for a gun.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I spent five years in the military. I could shoot you with your own weapon and it would look like it was only self-defense. And Merrylia doesn't like dirty employees splattered with blood. Especially from a man like you."

His hand froze and he lost every colour left on his face.

"I will give you five hours to correct your mistake. If it's not gone until then, I will come back here with Merrylia's private army and I assure you, they really want to get their hands on you."

Mr. Gunderson slowly nodded his head and took his phone.

"I will do it. I-i promise!"

"That's good. I had enough splattered brains in the army." That wasn't entirely true. As much as possible, I don't want to kill. But the look on his face was worth the lie.

"I'll look forward for our next meeting, Mr. Gunderson." I said and took the gun under his desk and put it on the cabinet five feet away from his desk like I was only concerned for his welfare and wanted to avoid having him shoot his own head, when in truth I was the one who wants to do so. Just in case he does something funny. I gave him one last gentle smile and left.