Four
1320 Words
POV: CARMEN.
The underlying scent of disinfectants was irritatingly familiar. The lights from the white bulb made my pupils dilate, and I blinked rapidly to get adjusted to them. I could feel a sharp pain on my left hand and a warm hand was wrapped around it, as if trying to secure the syringe from falling out.
“Carmen…babe, how are you feeling? Should I get the doctor?” The familiar voice asked and all I wanted to do was smash his head into the wall.
“What are you doing here?” I fired, snatching my hand from his grip.
“Babe, I know you are angry with me and honestly, your reason is justified but right now, I just want to make sure you are in a safe zone. We can iron out our differences later okay?”
“Ohh God!” I let out a bitter laugh, covering my face with my palm, “You are really shameless, you know that right? How audacious of you to think that I would really be interested in seeing your sick face?”
“Babe I know…..”
“The name’s Carmen.” I snapped, cutting him off.
“Carmen… come on..”
“You know what? I think it's better if you leave because honestly, I'm losing my temper right now.”
“But I can't just sit back while you are being admitted…” he flinched, his face twisted with guilt.
“Yeah, sit back! That's the only thing you have been doing after all. Sitting back while stabbing me in the back!” I shot out, glaring at him.
The memory of his betrayal was clearer than my eyesight. I turned away from him, blinking back tears that swelled in my eyes.
A nurse suddenly walked in, saving me from the crueler things I might utter. She checked the Intravenous fluid and smiled softly.
“You are a lucky one, miss. A good Samaritan brought you in after you collapsed at the club. You were heavily drugged but thank goodness, it's getting cleared from your system and you can start processing your discharge.”
Drugged?
The last thing I remember was discussing with the bartender and eventually passing out on the countertop. And for some weird reasons, it felt like some details were missing.
What the hell was going on?
“Ermm.. nurse?” I called out sharply.
“Yes ma'am,”
“By chance, did this good samaritan leave some info about themselves? Maybe like a name or something of that sort?” I asked intently.
“I'm afraid he didn't.”
“Ohh thank you so much. What about the bills? Where do I handle them?” Andrew spewed, trying to act nice.
“Don't worry about that. It's been taken care of.” The nurse replied curtly. “I will take my leave now.”
“Sure..thank you.” I expressed it quietly.
“Babe…” Andrew began again but my thoughts trailed faster than his tongue.
If I was drugged, then the culprit had an ulterior motive for doing so. Bringing me to the hospital, keeping his identity anonymous, paying my bills and even knowing who to contact only made it clear to me that someone out there knew and wanted something from me.
It couldn't have been the devils. They wouldn't have to go through all these, just to get to me.
No matter how I thought about it, something was wrong somewhere. I just couldn't place my hands on it yet.
Two days later.
Background music: Too sad to cry by Sasha Sloan.
The first whiff of air hit my nostrils and my lungs leapt for joy. At least I was free from the choking smell of mentholated spirit and disinfectants. I stared into thin air, wondering what would become of me. I couldn't go back to Andrew after what he did and I'd rather sleep on the streets than run to my dad.
Speaking of dad, the recollection of his calling throughout the previous night, flashed through my mind. I was just too furious to talk to anyone. I brought out my phone and dialed his number.
“Hello dad.” My voice croaked nervously.
“Sweetie,” he said, as he fondly called me, “how are you doing?”
His soft voice made tears swell in my eyes. My dad had been my pillar of support ever since we lost our mom. Although it made him lose a part of his soul, he never let us see that side of him. He always made sure to provide everything I and Collins my brother needed, sometimes to his own discomfort. I just couldn't understand why he sold me to the devils.
“I'm good, dad.” I replied coldly, biting my lips to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall out, “what do you want?”
“The group has a job for you. They need you to report to their office immediately.”
“For f*ck sake!” I cursed out loud and hung up the phone. The world suddenly felt colder and sharper but I shoved my unease aside. There was no time to wallow– there was work to be done. Flagging down the next cab, I headed straight to the AR&Ley headquarters.
“That's your new mission.” The secretary handed a file, confidential boldly written on it.
“The boss says three months. You have just that to seduce and kill him.”
“Kill?” I widened my eyes.
“Yes, KILL.”
“How am I even supposed to do that? I can't even hurt a fly.”
“Well, there's always a first time.”
“That doesn't apply to killing someone.” I fired.
He abruptly stood up and grabbed my throat,
“You either carry out that job or your family. I suppose you are wise enough to choose!” He spat, letting go of me as I desperately gasped for air.
“Bastard.” I cursed under my breath.
With shaky hands, I opened the file and the pair of hazel eyes that gleamed at me felt oddly familiar.
“These earrings….” I muttered, racking my brain internally.
“You should know him.”
Yes, I do know him but there was something more to him. It suddenly clicked.
“Isn't this…”
“Yes, JAMES-MATTEW SYLVESTER.”
Just at the mention of his name, my blood ran cold. James-Mattew was the most successful billionaire in Maskot. From the outside, he looked like a normal person but, his being the sole leader of the biggest cult in the city–DON ALPHAs– was a known secret.
I turned to the secretary in rage and fear.
“Are you rage-baiting me?”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“You want me to kill a freaking mafia? How am I even supposed to go close to him? Because from what I heard about him, he’s rarely even seen outside.”
“A job has been arranged for you in his mansion. But first, you have to go for his interview.”
“Excuse me????”
“Caremn Hepburn, you do not have the right to question anything. Just f*cking do what you are told to do!” He threatened, punching the wooden table. “Report to his mansion tomorrow for the interview..” he slowly rose from his office chair and strode towards me, carefully tucking my hair to the back of my ear, “And if you know what's good for you, do everything you can to get this job, strip before him if you have to. If not, you can forget about leaving this group.” He finished and pushed me away.
“Get out!!” he ordered and I scorried
out from his office immediately.
Carmen Hepburn, you are doomed!
- Writer
