Hitting Rock Bottom

Chapter 8 Breaking the News

Malachi's POV

It's late but not too late to go see the boss. He is always working late, because a lot of his business can happen at night. So I speed on over to his mansion, trying to see if I can drop this task to maybe get another. I just don't want to disappoint the boss because he has been relying so much on me for help. His appreciation for me makes me feel as if I finally am good at something and needed in life.. but this task, isn't right.

Because of that thought stuck in my head, the whole drive over here, all I have seemed to do is think about her.. Because of the information and file given, I thought Yvette was just a spoiled, attention-seeking woman who had everything she needed and so much more.. But not done collecting, because people like that normally aren't satisfied and keep taking more until there's no more there to take.. But come to find out she is a sweet, lonely woman who deserves to be appriciated but obviously not getting the love and attention she deserves.

She doesn't even seem to be desperate for attention which is not what I expected from a beautiful woman constantly on TV. But I think this whole experience has been endearing and somehow humbling for her, which seemingly catches my eye.

Which is exactly why I have to stop this.. Not because I want something to happen with her at all personally, but because I see the sweet woman she is and don't want to hurt her more than this world already has.. hasn't she had enough torment?

Yvette seems like such a sweet genuine person and I don't want to hurt her like this.. I can't hurt her like this.. What if she found out I was trying to steal s**t from her, that would hurt her more, when she has so much stuff going on already.

I have done a lot of bad but also a lot of good and I can't get myself to do this in all good conscious. I'm not the best person by any means but I'm better than this.. because my mind tells me that she doesn't deserve this and for once I think I really need to listen to it.. there is a nagging in the back of my mind that tells me this is not the job to take.

Once I get to the huge mansion, they of course know exactly who it is as they open the gates for me to enter. I park my bike and get off of it, making my way to the main doors as they are instantly opening for me again. I nod at them as I seem to be dragging my feet this time around to talk to him.

For each reluctant step I take towards the office doors, I really start to notice how heavy my feet seem to feel. Like huge weights slipped on my shoes. I stop in front of the doors, feeling my heart beat out of my chest at the conversation to come. I just hope he understands, like I think he will.

The doors open for me to enter as I hear, "O'Malley!! My boy! Already back?! That was fast and completely impressive, but I guess I shouldn't have ever doubted you. You just keep surprising me over and over again with your amazing skills!" The bosses voice carries across the room catching me off-guard completely with his very enthusiastic response.

I put my hands up to get his attention and shaking my head. "No I'm sorry sir.. But I came here to tell you I'm not going to be completing this task.. But I don't ever want to disappoint you so I hope you can consider me for another job after this. I just can't do this one." I inform him as he gets a shocked look on his face, c*****g his head to the side as he stares me down, looking as if he is trying to read my features.

He starts to laugh as if I said something hilarious to him. This cackle doesn't sound right, almost fake or evil. With how forced it sounds, it makes this situation feel so much creepier, that it seems to send a chill right down my spine. He keeps walking closer laughing more and more, shrugging his shoulders and now nodding at me. I smile and nod with him, as I keep watching him with confusion. When he gets within arms reach he slaps me in the face, catching me completely off guard. The sting to my cheek sends a shock through my body helping me realize how this could go for myself. Especially with his guards tightly formed into a protective circle around us but it's not for my protection I know that.

I look up at him still in shock, with my hand gently touching over my hurt cheek. I don't know what to say about this action. I never expected this nor do I want to make him do more than this. So in my confused state I just look back up at him as he asks me, "No one f*#ks with my money.. Now tell me, why the hell are you not going to be doing this?"

I swallow the nervousness hating how I feel like a kid who got caught doing something wrong. Which is giving me the feeling as if I might throw up at any moment. But I suck in a sharp breath trying to comfort my palpitating heart. "Well.. um.. I'm just really busy.. family stuff.. you know." I try to lie but I'm not even convincing myself with this horrible explaination.. I should have thought the excuse through.

"Don't you f*#king lie to me boy! NOW TELL ME WHY!" He demands of me by screaming at me. With how close he is I can feel the spit landing on my cheeks making me feel so small, even though, we are right about the same height. I squeak out with not much confidence in my words. "I just don't want to do this to Yvette.. She is just nice and fun.. and.." I try to finish but he interrupts me to ask. "What else??? Pretty?"

This comment catches me off guard but I won't lie again, so I nod at his question in response. This causes his eyes to squint as he shakes his head at me. "Oh come on Malachi.. So you like her? You can't possibly think something would happen with you two.. Yeah her husband has never been faithful to her but she is different.. She is married and faithful to him and the marriage.. believe me I've tried many times with her... But that has nothing to do with what I need.. She is rich and doesn't need the stones.. just get them for me.. She probably won't even notice. But maybe getting to know her might help with getting the stones." He implies on how I should try to trick her to steal from her and I don't want to do that either.

I shake my head. "I don't want any part of this.. Yeah she is nice and pretty but I know she is married and she has a lot going on right now.. you have no idea what she just went through." I try to vaguely explain to him causing him to scoff loudly as he hits my shoulder with his fist. This makes me grunt out from the impact, as I turn back to look at him.

"You don't know me as well as you think you do boy.. I do my research about all potential targets and I already know about thay cancer stuff.. She is still rich and nothing will change that.. she won't even notice.. and we both know that by your reaction to her right now, that you like her.. you can play dumb all you want but I know the truth I'm not stupid nor blind." He says this as he steps closer to me.

He grabs me by the shirt and drastically tugging me to pull me into him, making us so we are just inches apart and I couldn't be more intimidated. The men inch closer just in case I try anything with their boss making me freeze in place. I feel him breathing hard by my ear from that sudden interaction with me as he states in my ear to make sure I'm paying attention.. and believe me I never stopped.

"You know what feelings of love gets ya? Pain.. because of the weakness in you that it creates.. feelings are always used against you, especially in this type of business.. So you need to learn to put your feelings away and take care of business. Because when you mess with my business and money which are both things I love.. Then we will have a problem. Like I told you before, As long as you're doing your job we won't have a problem." He says to me as I stay stiff not knowing how to respond.

He lets go of my shirt, straightening it out like a father helping his son to look nice. He smiles at me but you can tell it's fake, like a spider luring in a fly to kill. As he continues to fix my shirt he states softly. "Do you know what happens when we have a problem with our relationship? We hurt the things that YOU love to make YOU do the things WE want you to do." He threatens me as I clench my teeth just to say through them. "I didn't say anything about love for her.. I said she was nice and pretty."

"Oh believe me I know that.. but things I DO know that you love, like your sweet mother who works so hard at the hospital and your beautiful sister who really wants to make it in that beauty business.. It would be so tragic if ANYTHING were to happen to them.. Now we wouldn't want anything bad to happen to them, would we?" He asks me as I shake my head and looking away.

"Then tell me... boy.. how can we prevent anything bad from happening to anyone?" He asks in the most mocking tone as I swallow again before I can even answer him. "By doing my job." He nods with a fake smile and enthusiasm before he asks. "and what is that?"

I huff out before answering. "To get the stones from her." He pats my cheek before pushing my buttons by mocking me more. "That's a good boy.. Now go get me those before I take the situation into my own hands.. and we both know we dont want that.. you know, for your sweet mother's sake."

I nod my head before turning away and quickly walking out the door with only the sound of his sadistic laugh filling the area and boring eyes glaring into the back of my head. "See you soon Malachi.. and it better be with those stones.. or we will be having a completely different conversation. Oh and don't forget give your mother a kiss from me!"

I quicken my pace just wanting to get away from this place. I never expected that reaction and I couldn't be more scared.. not for myself, but my family. I should have known he could be like this because of the business we are in.. but I never knew because he has always been nice to me.

Now I have to do as he has demanded, putting business over my feelings to get him what he wants or he will hurt my family.. I'm really stuck between a rock and a hard place.. this sucks.