THE SELECTED SEVEN

CHAPTER FIVE

SELENA MEETS WITH VICTOR

Today is the seventeenth of June, an otherwise ordinary day in the bustling city of Baka, known for its vibrant street life, eclectic neighborhoods, and the constant hum of activity. However, for one individual, Selena, this day would prove to be anything but ordinary; it marked the beginning of a pivotal turning point in her life, one that would change her trajectory forever. Just the day before, she had received a mysterious phone call from Victor Chuks, the enigmatic leader of a notorious criminal gang known as "The SELECTED SEVEN." Intrigued yet apprehensive, Selena made her way through the crowded streets of Soko to Victor's residence, her heart racing with anticipation and uncertainty about the urgent reason behind his summons.

Selena is not just any ordinary citizen; she hails from the United States of Camira, a distant nation plagued by struggles and turmoil. Back in her homeland, her life had been marked by chaos and despair, shaped by a brutal environment where justice often seemed an illusion. A staggering total of sixteen civilians, seven police officers, and one army lieutenant had been fated to death in a series of events fueled by violence, crime, and miscommunication: the latter, ultimately leading to her being sentenced to life imprisonment. The legal system, riddled with corruption and inefficiency, having looked intently into her case and justifiably found her guilty of the accused crime, condemned her to a fate where she would suffer, rot, and eventually die behind bars, far away from her friends and family she barely remembered. Yet just as despair threatened to engulf her, fate smiled upon her when Victor Chuks emerged as her unexpected savior.

With powerful connections within the criminal underworld and an uncanny ability to navigate the intricacies of the justice system, Victor managed to orchestrate her release from the confines of her prison cell in Camira. His influence reached deep into the bureaucratic webs that ensnared her, ensuring that her rightful conviction was overlooked and her freedom expedited. Not only did he secure her release, but he also facilitated her rapid relocation to his home country, Baka, overnight—by the very next dawn, Selena found herself stepping into a new world, leaving behind the shadows of her past.

Upon her arrival in Soko, a state in the country of Baka, Selena quickly embraced her new life as she adjusted to the fast-paced environment, and in a surprising turn of events, she became nationalized, allowing her to take pride in being a bona fide citizen of Baka. With new opportunities unfolding before her, she was inducted into "The SELECTED SEVEN," a highly secretive and elite gang formed under Victor's leadership. This affiliation, filled with both peril and power, remained concealed from the public eye, granting her the ability to operate in the shadows of Baka while attempting to redefine her identity away from the ghosts of her past.

Now, seated in a dimly lit room adorned with thick curtains that blocked the outside world, Victor leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Selena, a serious expression darkening his features. "I sent for you, Selena because something urgent has come up," he stated bluntly, his voice low and heavy with ominous implications, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air as a sense of foreboding settled in the cramped space between them.

Selena, ever the fierce spirit with a reputation for getting things done, responded with a confident grin, "Get to the point, boss."

In a calculated motion that reflected his strategic mindset, Victor handed her a printed picture of a well-known politician—Professor Kelvin Innocent. His sharp features and authoritative disposition were captured perfectly in the photo, embodying the considerable influence and power he wielded. "I want him dead within seventy-two hours. I don’t care how it’s done. Just avoid mistakes," he instructed sternly, locking eyes with her. His gaze was unyielding, a mixture of urgency and cold determination in his voice that left no room for ambiguity.

Intrigued yet cautious, Selena raised an eyebrow, her instincts kicking in as she examined the photograph closely, taking in every detail before looking back at Victor. "You understand what you’re asking, right? This isn’t just a simple task. There are serious consequences, and they won’t simply vanish once the job is done," she cautioned, folding her arms across her chest as contemplation washed over her. She could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on her; the risks were all too real, and she was fully aware of the dangerous game they were playing. "What’s in it for me? I need something more than just your word," she pressed, her voice firm, demanding assurance in the face of such a treacherous proposition that could jeopardize everything she had built.

He sighed, clearly sensing the tension palpable in the air between them; it was a heavy silence stretching like an elastic band, taut and ready to snap. "I understand, Selena. This isn’t a simple favor. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. It’s not just a casual request; it carries significant weight. But consider this—if you help me with this, it could open doors for both of us. Imagine the opportunities that could arise from this collaboration. Plus, I can offer you resources that could aid in your various projects. Think of the tools, the manpower, and the financial support at your disposal. It’s not just about trust; it’s about partnership—a chance to build something meaningful together," he proposed, leaning forward as sincerity etched itself on his face. His eyes held a depth of urgency as if trying to convey the serious nature of his plea. "What do you say? Can we find a way to make this mutually beneficial?"

Selena paused, the gears in her mind turning as she weighed his words carefully, her thoughts racing through various scenarios, each with its risks and rewards. "I get that, and I appreciate your honesty. It’s refreshing to hear your genuine intentions. But you have to understand my position, too. I have my commitments—deadlines looming and ongoing projects that I can't just drop on a whim. If we’re going to do this, we need a solid plan—something concrete that guarantees we won’t risk everything we’ve worked for over the years. I need to know exactly what I’d be getting into and how it aligns with my goals—my vision for the future."

Determination set her expression, her brows furrowing slightly as she continued, "If we can outline a clear proposal, step-by-step, showing how this will work in the long run and benefit both of us, then maybe we can discuss a partnership. It has to be clear-cut for me to consider it seriously."

With her heart racing and the stakes ever higher, Selena felt the gravity of their situation settle in, aware that the next decision they made could alter the course of their lives irrevocably.

He nodded thoughtfully, understanding the gravity of her concerns. "I completely understand, Selena. Your unwavering commitment to your work is truly commendable, and I wouldn’t want you to jeopardize what you’ve so diligently built. It’s clear that you’ve invested significant time and effort into your current projects, and we need to respect that. Let’s take the time to meticulously map out every detail together. We can break down the plan into manageable steps, creating a comprehensive timeline that outlines potential risks and rewards, while specifically addressing how it complements your existing goals and aspirations. I want this to be a mutual decision, and I firmly believe that with a solid framework in place, we can create an opportunity that benefits us both in the long run. Let’s set a time to brainstorm and draft something comprehensive that addresses all your concerns with clarity and precision."

Selena smiled, relieved and emboldened by his understanding, a sense of hope blooming within her. "Thank you for your unwavering support; it truly means a lot to me. I wholeheartedly appreciate your willingness to collaborate on this project and ensure we cover all bases. Developing a detailed framework will help illuminate our path forward and make both of us feel secure in the decisions we’re making. How about we schedule a meeting later this week? I can prepare and bring all the relevant information, including project outlines and potential risks, so we can dive deeper into the specifics and considerations together. I'm genuinely looking forward to working collaboratively on this."

"Absolutely! I’m genuinely glad we’re on the same page. Meeting later this week sounds perfect. I’ll make sure to prepare some initial ideas and questions that we can address together during our session. It’ll be incredibly beneficial to have all the relevant information organized in one place to help us effectively strategize our plan moving forward. Let’s coordinate a time that works for both of us—maybe we could meet over coffee or lunch? I'm excited about the opportunity to collaborate closely and see what innovative solutions we can craft together!"

"That sounds fantastic! I appreciate you taking the initiative to prepare some ideas ahead of time. I’ll also contemplate some points and concerns we should discuss before our meeting so we can hit the ground running. How about we aim for Thursday around 2 PM? If that time works for you, I can set it up and send a calendar invite to lock it in. I’m looking forward to our collaboration and making substantial progress on this together!" Selena said, bowing politely before darting toward the exit door, anticipation and excitement coursing through her veins as she envisioned the endless possibilities that lay ahead. She could already picture the productive discussions they would have, the brainstorming sessions brimming with creativity, and the opportunity to merge their visions into a cohesive plan that would propel them toward success. The thought of their partnership flourishing filled her with both motivation and enthusiasm.