Shattered Trust

Betrayal's Web

David drove roughly out of the warehouse, like they were being chased. But luckily for them, Liam had already dealt with Victor's men vehicles to prevent them from chasing them after their escape.

“Nice plan,” Maya said jokingly.

“What would you guys have done without me?” Liam's voice cut through.

Maya turned backward from the front seat. “Liam, are you bragging right now”? She said, her voice temper evident. “We all….”

Before she could finish her words, Elena cut in through the middle of their conversation. “We all deserve any accolades, but Liam deserves more” she said, dimming her eye a little towards Maya, to retreat from the conversation.

“Alright, alright, accepted”. She turned to Liam, “Are you pleased now?”

They all burst into laughter.

Elena broke the silence, seconds after the laughter ended. She clears her throat. That reminds me, how did you guys find out about my a*******n because it happened so fast that I was unable to contact anyone of you nor leave a trace. “How?” She asked curiously.

“Hmm…. That's why we're a team”. Liam chuckled.

Maya cut in, and explained the whole ordeal to Elena. How they got suspicious since they couldn't reach her, and how David called in to tell them that Victor men already took you. Moreover, how David assisted them by introducing them to one of Victor's former associates, who exposed their hiding place to us. “It has been one thing after another,” Maya finally said.

“Well, I appreciate you all for taking such a risk”. “I'm glad that you guys were able to find me, I had to buy some time by deceiving Victor and his men, since I believed you will definitely find me”. “I owe my life to you guys, I'll certainly repay it someday,” she said calmly.

“Elena, stop being dramatic”. “We're in this together, trust me”. Maya said, trying to calm Elena's mind down.

“But come to think of it, how did David know that Victor men took you”? “I've been wondering for a while now” Liam stated, his voice regular.

David, who had been quiet since they, left the warehouse, cleared his throat to speak, but Maya cut in.

Liam, we are all in this together, so why would you want to doubt David? “If not for David, we wouldn't have found Elena, right”? Maya asked, her voice steady.

“For goodness' sake, I'm not doubting David, but everything just happened fast like he already had a clue about the whole thing”. Liam finally said, trying to justify himself.

The tire screened, and the car halted to a stop. “Guys…guys… enough”! David said, his voice demanding silence. Stop it!!

“I'm trying to get us out of this wood is this the best you guys can do”? “Argue”? David said angrily.

David, please take us out of here, enough of this drama. “I've had numerous things to take care of, shouldn't I consider receiving a treatment too”? Elena said, trying to ease the tension between them.

Liam stiffened, “I'm sorry, guys”. I only said what I had in mind. “But I don't understand why David is getting all worked out, like he's guilty of a thing”. He said.

“Liam, it's okay”. Maya said gruffly. “David, please, let's get out of here before Victor's men find us again”.

Immediately, David starts the car and they zoom off.

Back at the warehouse, Victor was fuming with anger. He transfers his aggression to his men by punishing them.

“You all are capable of doing nothing”. Victor said angrily. “I should have known that you all are daft”. You mess things up for me as usual. He said, marching his leg on one of his men's heads.

“If you don't find a way to catch those four people, just consider yourself dead”. He finally said, leaving his men behind and hopping into the car that just drove in.

His men fling into action, as they begin the search for the four.

Elena's wrists still hurt from the bound of ropes Victor's men tied her with, but she was determined as ever.

The evidence she had with her was the only key to exposing Victor's criminal empire. She is determined to protect it at all costs, even if it warrants that she faced Victor's wrath.

“Where do we go from here?” David said, as he gripped the steering wheel.

Maya leaned backwards from the front seat. “We need a safe place for the main time”. “Somewhere Victor won't find us.”

“I've got a place for us, it should buy us some time.” Liam said, his voice crackled.

Elena nodded. “Let's go there”. “But we can't let our guards down because Victor won't stop until he silences us”

The car sped through winding roads, the tension between them is noticeable. Elena's mind recalled the moment she had in the warehouse. The rescue, the smoke grenade, the blindfolded henchmen stumbling out of the room. Elena knew Victor was cunning; he might be planning something dangerous as she thinks.

As they reached the cabin, they alighted from the car, scanning the entire surroundings to see how safe and secure the place is. Liam took up position near the entrance, his eyes on alert as he opened the door.

As they entered the house, Elena sat onto a rickety chair, her hands trembling. “We need a plan.”

Maya paced, her gaze fierce. “We can't stay here forever”. “We need to strike back.”

“Jack, the contact who helped us, what does he want in return”? Elena asked.

Liam leaned against the window, staring outside the room. “Well, he never mentioned anything of such, so I doubt if there's any”.

Really? Elena asked surprisingly. Wow, I should meet him.....

David interrupted her, Jack had debts, secrets, and a past entangled with Victor's. “I think Victor's men are after him too.”

Liam's voice cut through. “We need to expose Victor. Leak the evidence to the press, force his hand.”

“But how?” Maya asked. “We're outnumbered.”

Elena clears her throat. “Guys, let's start by…”

David interrupted her again, “let's not be in a haste, we need to take things slowly, so we don't regret it.” “After all, I'm also on this case too, let's not rush a thing” he said authoritatively.

The first thing to do, let's switch our phones off to avoid being tracked. Moreover, I'll go out right now, to get a doctor who would treat Elena's wound. David said as he picked up his coat to leave.

Would you be fine to leave? Maya queried.

David chuckled, “Don't worry about me, take care of Elena and think of our next plan”. He said, as he walked out.

The room was quiet after David left, but one could say they were definitely troubled and bothered.

“Elena, I'm beginning to suspect David.” For real. “Who's he to you”? Liam demanded.

David has been my mentor, and he is my boss too. “Why do you ask?”

Liam heaved a sigh of relief. “Well, I'm beginning to suspect him.” “There's something about him that isn't right”

Liam… again? “Do you have something against David”? Or do you guys share the same woman, Maya asked jokingly.

“Liam, Maya… something doesn't truly feel right.” “I think Liam is right.” Elena said, grinning. “I remembered….” as she was about to talk, Maya interrupted her.

“Even you too, Elena?” “I thought you said he's your mentor, is there really a thing to doubt about him” Maya said, looking straight into Elena's eyes.

“Maya, be calm.” “I think I overheard Victor and his men talking about David, and our company, but I didn't pay full attention to them since I was busy thinking of a plan.”

Flashback at the warehouse.

“What are you talking about?”. “You mean, this lady is from The Truth Media”? Victor asked hastily.

“Yes sir, she's even one of their best reporters”. One of his men said, bowing his head to the ground.

“Oh, but why, could David, not prevent her from digging anything against us?” “He should have stopped her instead, does he won't know who they're dealing with.” “That is why I put him in that seat.” David laughed hysterically.

Call David, and let him know what's going on, David said, as he grabbed one of his men by his collar. “Call him, now!!!”

“We did Sir, but he isn't answering, I guess he is aware already.” One of the men finally spoke.

“David dared play games with me, he will definitely regret his actions” he finally said, as his men disseminate.

Back at their hidden place.

“I knew it”, I knew something wasn't right, but you guys don't want to believe me. Liam said, beating his chest so hard.

What do we do? Maya asked in fear.

“I don't know what to do either.” “I'm still finding it difficult to believe it is true, exactly why I didn't put my mind into it.” Elena said weakly.

“But why would David do such a thing?” Maya queried.

“I'm as clueless as you are, and I hope it's not true”. Elena said, tearfully.

Liam stepped forward. “Guys, I got it covered already, trust me” he said.

“You did what?” Maya and Elena echoed it together.

Guys, listen. “I slipped a bug in him”. Liam retorted.

“A bug”? They said surprisingly.

“If I get anything, I'll let you know right away”. Said Liam dully.