Clean Money

Sowing the Seed

As Jae took the time to lather her body with the scented shear butter soap, her mind and body rewarded her with reprieve that was founded in the certainty that she was prepared for whatever was to happen during breakfast; although she didn’t not know what Aida’s main motivation was or what Aida harboured beneath the banner of revenge, Jae was confident in her own ability to tease the answer out of her without her even realising it, sowing a seed that would soon bloom with Aida’s secrets and tell her everything she needed to know.

She didn’t believe in a lot of things but working in this industry for as long as she has, Jae had come to believe in one universal truth; deep down, people are all the same. They all want the same things, go through the same things and express the same things whether they realise it or not. Jae had been hired by a sizable amount of people to sabotage others with the goal of satisfying some other baser instinct, one that was common in all people. A lot of the clients who could afford to hire her did so because they wanted her to take care of a business competitor and boost their own profits. While it might sound like plain greed to others (and maybe, in some cases it is), Jae didn’t judge because she knew that her client’s desire usually ran much deeper than just money, and it all starts to make sense when you consider the perks that come along with the money; security, power, fame, respect, admiration, influence and luxury – those are the things her client’s were really trying to guard, not the slip of paper itself but what the slip of paper represents to themselves and to those around them.

It was a universal truth that behind every action, there was a motive and those motives are far more universal than many may think and are often expressed as such. This can be seen in the contrast of two clients Jae had had two years ago; two separate women had discovered their husbands’ infidelity and had hired Jae to dig up all the proof she could on them. Once the two women had gotten all the proof they needed, they both embarked on revenge. The first woman confronted her husband, murdering him in a fit of rage, and then moving her and her little baby to a new place with a changed identity, paying for a plausible cover up story of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband that ended in tragedy; a story that was scripted by the company Jae worked for and closed with a staged funeral after the arson of their former family home. While the second woman decided to take her time with her revenge, psychologically torturing the man she had once called her husband by planting a plethora of proof to guilt the man until he slowly slipped from sanity; she enjoyed toying with him until she got bored and decided on hiring help to finish the job for her, staging enough evidence to convince multiple people that her deceased husband was mentally ill and had hung himself in an attempt to escape the mental prison of his guilt, leaving her and their children as the sole beneficiaries of her deceased husband’s estate.

Jae didn’t judge any of those women, both were angry, yes, but beneath their anger was the crushing weight of betrayal, the agony of loss and the sleazy sensation of all of the lies that kept cropping back up. When they realised what their husbands’ had done, they felt cheated out of the lives they deserved, all of the time, money and effort, all of the things they had built together, things that felt worthless in the light of their husbands’ lechery. It was the thought of the hypocrisy of their husbands’ actions, the thought of the dishonesty of their lives and the thought of the sacrifices they had made that saw a tidal wave of wrath consume them and drive them to committing the acts they did. Jae knew she hardly had any authority when it came to morality, especially with her occupation, so she took the time to understand her clients and what exactly they wanted from their exchange and what they needed from their exchange. In the end, both women got what they wanted as they both had their revenge, and they both got what they truly needed, which was a fresh start away from the shadows of their husbands’ sins.

With that being said, Jae knows that it was only a matter of time before Aida slipped up and accidently revealed herself and her true motive…even if Jae had to goad it out of her.

Once that happened, once Jae had planted the seed, she could sit back and watch Aida’s true motivator bloom to light. Jae would not only be able to decode Aida’s true motivator but it would also help her figure out a couple of things as well, such as; whether or not Jae was right about her guess that the catalyst that prompted her to seek out Jae’s services was a probably an attempt on her life (simply because that seemed like the only big enough threat that would drive her to such drastic action), whether or not Aida was old money or new money, how that played into everything that was going on in her life in this moment and how it tied back to the catalyst. Once that happened, Jae’s job would be made so much easier because she would be able to narrow down a list of possible suspects and find out more information much faster and much easier, hell, she could even use some of the connections from other suspects or people of interest to aid her in her search! She’d done it before on numerous occasions and had always found it to be a helpful option. While most assassins chose to spend most of their time stuck to the shadows, syphoning information at an almost painstaking pace (at times), Jae sometimes jumped right into the fray and found that simply talking to people who knew her targets, be it friends, family or co-workers, helped; she managed to garner a lot of information that they let slip. Once that happened, Jae could finally be able to adjust herself to ensure she can find her target, take care of them and finally be done with all this mess and her time as an assassin.

As Jae stepped out of the shower, towelled down and lotioned up, she couldn’t help but grin. This breakfast was exactly what she needed to break through to Aida and get more information. Not to mention the fact that Jae happened to be lucky enough to actually have an audience with the beautiful woman first thing in the morning. Sure, Aida was her boss and a bit of a ‘Collected Cathy’ but that didn’t change the fact that she was still a right sight for sore eyes. Jae was fascinated by Aida, there was just something so intriguing about the way Aida maintained her repose, perhaps, Aida was just a naturally reserved person but even then her eyes always betrayed a depth of uncharted territory that drew Jae in. It made her feel hot and flush with anticipation as she quickly slipped into her all-black ensemble; fixing her black shirt, pants and boots before throwing on a black leather jacket. A quick look in the mirror and Jae adjusted her hair, picking through the curls with a wide-tooth comb before sliding her watch onto her wrist, stuffing her wallet and phone in her pocket and strapping her belt with a gun…just in case.

Jae grinned down at her watch, she was…late. A s**t. She needed to leave, all she had to do was find the dining room and…oh…wait…where was the dining room? Jae didn’t know where the dining room was in this house but she vaguely remembers Inju Maina stating that there were, like, four different dining rooms in the house? He’d said this when he was briefing her on the journey back to her room, but she had no idea where they were all located beyond the fact that two were in the eastern wing of the house while the other two were in the western wing of the house. s**t.

As though hearing her distressed thoughts, there was a knock at her door and a deep familiar voice called:

‘Miss Brown? Miss Brown, are you ready?’ Inju Maina asked. Jae quickly splashed on some cologne before making her way to the door and opening it.  

‘Yeah. I was actually tryna remember which hall I was supposed to meet Aida – I mean – Raen, at.’ Jae said. Inju Maina twitched slightly at Jae’s mistake but other than that, he managed to maintain the same hospitable smile he usually had.

‘Our Raen has requested for breakfast to be moved to the garden so you two will be meeting there instead.’ Inju Maina said.

‘Oh, okay. Please, lead the way.’ Jae said. Inju Maina nodded and turned, Jae following right behind him with her hands fastened in her pockets. They made their way down the hall, passed the black suits that regarded them both and passed the busy camera but Jae didn’t miss the wariness in the worn features of the people in black suits as they passed over her, their fingers twitching around their guns as they did so, and she also didn’t miss the way the cameras eyeballed them as they passed.  

‘What’s up with those guys?’ Jae asked, nodding slightly to the direction of the black suits once they rounded a corner and stepped outside, a good distance from them.

‘Hm? What? Oh.’ Inju Maina said, noticing what Jae was referring to. ‘They’re just a bit on edge ever since the shooting.’

‘The shooting?’ Jae repeated. Did she hear that right?

‘Yes. I mean it only happened two days ago so they’re understandably still shaken up by it and not exactly open to strangers staying at the house right now.’ Inju Maina said.

‘Wait a minute…you telling me that there was a shooting here that happened two days ago?’ Jae asked in disbelief. Inju Maina turned to her with a puzzled look.

‘Didn’t you know?’ He asked. If she knew, Jae wouldn’t be asking, so clearly, Jae didn’t know but she thought better than to voice her sarcastic retort.

‘No. I didn’t.’ Jae said.

‘Do you not have a phone or some other device that you can use to google? I thought you kids were quick with these gadgets.’ He said, clear surprise in his tone.

Jae resisted to urge to snicker at his comment and pulled out her phone instead, showing it to him; her phone wasn’t a smartphone but a small dated, digital rectangular object she had to flip open in order to use, whose buttons she had to press numerous times when she was texting. It was her work phone and the only phone she carried with her when she was on a mission and her tablet that was similarly dated and specialised, only reserved for work; she hardly ever carried smart devices on her person when she was working because she was paranoid about someone attempting to track her location or hack into her devices, and she hardly ever used her tablet unless absolutely necessary for the same reason, and even then, she only ever used her tablet in the comfort of her personal vehicle or when she was on the move. It was harder to track her that way. Paranoid? Yes. But in this business, paranoia and precaution go hand in hand, you can never be too sure so you’re better off being safe than sorry.

‘I work with these.’ Jae said, chuckling at the ghastly expression Inju Maina was giving her.

‘You must ask our Raen to get you better devices.’ He said. Jae shook her head with a chuckle.

‘These work just fine.’ Jae said. ‘They’re a precaution, much like the angry black suits back there.’ Jae nodded slightly behind them.

‘The angry black suits?’ Inju Maina chuckled, amused. ‘Well…they aren’t exactly a precaution, they’re a necessity.’ He added with a shrug.

‘A necessity? What? You mean to tell me that the house was guarded like this before the shooting?’ Jae asked.

‘Well of course. It had to be for the Kimanis’ safety.’ Inju Maina said.

‘I see.’ Jae said. ‘So, it’s always been like this?’ She asked.

‘When you own one of the largest diamond companies in the world, it’s always like this.’ Inju Maina waved nonchalantly.

‘Oh…so it’s the family business? The diamonds, I mean.’ Jae clarified.

‘Yes. Our Raen is the successor to the Diacious Empire. In fact, she was recently announced as the successor at the dinner party but the night darkened shortly after that.’ Inju Maina said, a sombre weight in his tone and Jae didn’t know if she was right but she had a feeling he was referring to the same night of the shooting.

‘So our Raen was announced as the successor of Diacious at the dinner party and then the shooting happened shortly after?’ Jae elucidated. Inju Maina nodded, a frown on his lips.

‘Aida’s father, may the Ancestors bless him, was brave. He stepped in and saved his daughter, took the bullet for her.’ Inju Maina sighed.

‘Is he…?’

Inju Maina shook his head, a sad but grateful smile on his lips.

‘He is in the hospital and we are awaiting the medical report.’ Inju Maina said.

‘Oh, that’s good.’ Jae said, trying to lighten the old man’s suddenly melancholy face.

‘Yes. It is good…for now.’ He said ominously. ‘We don’t know if they might be back. That is why the angry black suits, as you call them, appear a little more restless than usual.’ His voice was now placid, pale in comparison to the friendly yet fatherly apprehending tone he usually had. Jae took that as her cue to let the silence settle over them because it was clear that the old man did not want to talk about this anymore.

They made their way outside and into the courtyard. Save for the gentle hissing of the water fountain, and the slick snap of the pruning shears as they trimmed the hedges of the star jasmine that wrapped around the fountains edge, it was mostly quiet. The sun was warm on her skin and Jae vaguely wondered whether or not it was really a good idea of her to wear an all-black outfit this early in the morning knowing the kind of heat and humidity Kynea has.

As they exited the courtyard, Jae was reassured in her decision when Aida came into view; she was also dressed in all black but unlike Jae, her outfit looked expensive, hell, Jae wouldn’t be surprised if it came with an inbuilt cooler too because Aida didn’t look the least bit bothered by the morning sun baring down on her.

Jae didn’t know what it was but something about Aida was just so…regal. Even now, as she sat with her back turned to her, Jae could almost feel the power radiating off of Aida in waves; she had reclined in her seat, before her was a stunning breakfast table stacked with all sorts of food from glazed baked goods that glistened under the sun, to flower fruits cut and set in an elaborate bouquet, and silverware that seemed to simper under the sun as though it knew how invaluable it was. While Aida, centre of this mouth-watering masterpiece, continued thumbing away at the pages of a book, holding a crystal glass sparkling with a red liquid (which Jae assumed was wine) and looking as elegant as ever as she did so.

‘Raen Aida, I present to you your guest.’ Inju Maina said with a bow. Jae followed, mimicking his bow as she had done previously and held her stance.

Jae didn’t hear anything and since she wasn’t exactly looking up, she didn’t see anything either but Aida must have acknowledged Inju Maina because he rose and left shortly after while Jae retained her position. As Inju Maina’s footsteps faded, Aida’s drew closer and she heard an audible, exasperated sigh escape her lips.

‘Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to join me?’

‘I’d love to join you.’ Jae said, chuckling slightly as she rose to meet Aida’s startled expression. Now, Jae didn’t consider herself a tall person but when pitted against Aida, she actually towered over the woman and she guessed that Aida had forgotten that because she had stood close, had they been closer in height they would’ve been nose-to-nose. Jae didn’t know if Aida had intended on imposing herself in a menacing manner but if she had, it was failing miserably because all Jae could notice was how cute she looked, mouth slightly parted in surprise as her eyes travelled up to meet Jae’s, she was so small and shocked.

Jae smirked, biting back a snicker because she couldn’t help but find this both adorable and hilarious.

Aida took notice of this and didn’t seem to share Jae’s sentiment at all, if the way her eyes narrowed was anything to go by.

‘You’re late.’ Aida said curtly.

‘My bad, Raen.’ Jae said, her smirk pulling into a grin. It was hard to take this whole interaction seriously when a tiny, cute munchkin in a suit was cutting at her contemptuously.

‘Don’t ever let it happen again.’ Aida said, her tone dipped in warning as she straightened her back.

‘I won’t.’ Jae said, watching as Aida turned her heel and made her way back to the table.

‘I value my time, so don’t waste it.’ Aida said, her impenetrable mask of indifference comfortably sitting on her face when she looked up at Jae.

‘I value my time too, I’m great at managing it and I’m usually on time when I’m not getting lost in giant mansions that I’ve never lived in before.’ Jae said, a sarcastic, despondent sigh leaving her lips as she made her way towards the breakfast table.

‘Please, you’re exaggerating. The house isn’t even that big.’ Aida said, waving her hand dismissively.

‘Are you kidding me? You could fit five families in here comfortably.’ Jae laughed, motioning to the palace behind them as she took a seat.

‘I would rather not.’ Aida said, reaching for her glass and taking a sip. ‘But I suppose you’re right in some regard; we do live here quite comfortably.’

‘Yeah, that’s rich people talk because you are quite comfortable.’ Jae said. ‘Those five families though–’

‘–I know what you’re doing and I’m waiting for you to get to the point.’ Aida cut in, staring at Jae over her glass.

Jae felt a jolt of nerves run up her spine, a smirk drawing on her lips at Aida’s candour.

She liked that, liked the way Aida spoke, how quickly she seemed to spot the purpose for Jae’s seemingly innocuous topic of conversation because most people wouldn’t. Most people would have let Jae go on and on, crack a few jokes and occasionally dote out some useful advice, until the conversation was steered towards the real matter at hand; she knew how to engage people, how to make them say what she needed them to say without them even realising it but Aida had caught onto that in a heartbeat and Jae had to admit that was impressive.

‘All I’m saying is that the house is too big for just you, your dad and your mum.’ Jae said.

‘Well, my mother is dead, my father is in the hospital fighting for his life and I’m an only child who has been left with the task of carrying forward the family business in his absence.’ Aida said bluntly. ‘Anything else?’

Jae blinked. Okay…she had not expected that. Jae cleared her throat as she watched Aida calmly pick at a grape with her fork and pop it into her mouth, staring back at Jae expectantly.

‘I’m so–’

‘–Don’t be. You knew neither of them, and you hardly know me. I don’t need your tired, empty condolences.’ Aida said plainly. Jae wasn’t too sure if she was right because Aida’s expression betrayed nothing but her eyes and tone did, and could’ve sworn she heard a note of defensiveness in Aida’s tone when she spoke, the kind that warned Jae against prying any further than what was necessary information for her to know. ‘What I do need to know, however, is how all of this will help you find the person I’m looking for.’

‘Okay.’ Jae said, straightening in her seat. ‘Your dad is a rich man, rich men have a lot of enemies…do you have any ideas who would want to do this?’

Jae noted a slight hesitation in Aida, she lifted the glass to her lips looking away as she took a sip before she responded:

‘No. If I did, I would have had them taken care of already.’ She said. ‘Like you said, rich men have a lot of enemies and I don’t know where to start.’

That…was a lie. Or at least, it wasn’t the whole truth. Jae’s jaw clenched at this because she knew that avoiding the question and lying were only going to impede her progress and that was a frustrating thought.

‘I hear your dad owns a company?’ Jae asked, her question an obvious statement as she chose to smile through her frustration, reaching for a glass and pouring herself some of that red liquid.

‘Yes. Diacious. Our company. We mine and sell diamonds and other precious stones here and there.’

‘Uh, interesting. You use ‘our’ and ‘we’ when talking about this company. I’m guessing it’s a family business?’ Jae inquired, again, her question an obvious statement.

‘You would be right in that guess.’

‘And how long has it been in the family?’ Jae asked. This was a genuine question because it would tell her about where they stood in wealth which would be helpful since Aida clearly has something on her mind that she’s not telling Jae.

‘Just my father.’ Aida shrugged. ‘It was his start up.’

Jae’s brows shot into her hairline at this. ‘And your dad managed to get rich enough to have all of this?’

‘Don’t act so surprised. My father worked for his wealth.’ Aida said.

‘That’s not why I’m surprised. I don’t doubt that your dad worked for his wealth, I’m just curious about the kind of work he did to get it.’ Jae countered with an easy shrug of her own. ‘Your dad is a new money man but new money isn’t usually enough to immerse the kind of generational wealth you have. Usually, it’s grown overtime, you know, over generations.’

Aida paused at this and stared at Jae, chewing her fruit slowly.

‘What are you suggesting, Miss Brown?’ She asked once she swallowed.

‘Did your dad have any other…side businesses that you may know about?’ Jae asked.

Aida looked away, her lips twitching down in a faint frown as though she was warring with herself on what to say…and even though she didn’t speak immediately, her hesitation had already spoken for her.

‘I don’t know much regarding my father’s other ventures because he told me to stay out of it…and I did.’ Aida said.

‘Why?’

‘Because I’m not an idiot.’ Aida retorted.

‘Well, you’ve yet to prove that to me.’ Jae said with another shrug, casually leaning over the table to stack her plate with pancakes.

Jae could feel Aida staring back at her, face tight. ‘Excuse me?’

‘You’re excused.’ Jae retorted, throwing a smirk over at Aida as she doused her pancakes with maple syrup.

‘I could have you taken care of as well, you know?’

‘Could you? Thanks that would be great. It would put me out of my misery.’ Jae said, sighing in mock relief as she cut into her food and took a bite.

‘Alafm.’ Aida said, switching to her native nea tongue. Jae didn’t understand what that meant but she was sure it was anything but sweet with the way Aida spat that word out like venom.

‘Listen, you’re right. You could try and get rid of me, you might actually succeed but it wouldn’t help you, now would it?’ Jae said. ‘And you could also try to run your dad’s business when you know nothing about it’s true past but that would mean that you would have too many blind spots, wouldn’t it?’

Aida’s gaze didn’t waver, her jaw only tightened as she stared back at Jae.

‘I get it, knowing too much information puts a target on your back.’ Jae said. ‘And I bet your dad thought that keeping you away from his other ventures would spare you but it didn’t, did it? It just left you open. Now you are stuck here, trying to find the person out to get you and your dad with no clue where to start.’ 

Aida titled her head to the side, studying Jae, expression softening slightly, from hostile and defensive, to mildly irate but attentive.

‘I know you might’ve thought that not knowing would mean you wouldn’t be involved but if you’re are going to inherit your dad’s business and his wealth, you are going to inherit his friends and his enemies too.’ Jae said. ‘I can’t really help you unless you help me and I’m going to need a little more information than what you’ve got so far because you got nothing.’

With that, Jae rose from the table to take her leave.  

‘Thanks for the breakfast, Raen.’ She said, glancing up to see a completely scandalised expression on Aida’s face. ‘I’ll be looking forward to our next meeting.’ Jae added, turning to take her leave with a smirk on her face.

The seed had been planted…now all she had to do was wait.