BEYOND THE BUSINESS CARD

CHAPTER 4: Web Of Fate

I stared at the board, connections forming through my mind as I pondered on all I'd written like I wanted to solve a puzzle. I haven’t gotten much solid proof of my intuition being correct.

“Recurring dream, Paul Corporation, Unknown voice” I need something more, I said to myself.

I was exhausted, so I decided to get a rest and prepare myself something to eat when suddenly Alexander's words suddenly echoed in my mind.

“Loyalty.. Interests”. I wondered what these words really meant when my phone buzzed, distracting my attention from my thoughts.

I took the phone to check what it was. I was devastated.

“Prepare for your first order. Get to work unfailingly by 8.am. The game had just begun” the text reads, and I knew immediately who it was.

I stared at my phone for a while assuring myself I'd be fine. “Let’s do this, Katia. Let’s end this suffering” I said to myself, dropping the phone as I tucked myself into bed.

“ What game, first order? Am I already on a mission? “ The thoughts continued lingering in my mind as I drifted off to sleep.

Having this same dream, this time too vivid. I saw myself entrapped on the web and Alexander’s words “Loyalty.. Interests” echoed as I suddenly woke up to the horror.

I checked the time and it was 6 am. Two hours until my first order and I got up to prepare for work

Two hours later, I got out of my apartment to leave for work and I met Victor already outside.

“Good luck, Katia. I think you needed to hear this” he said and smiled as I waved him goodbye.

“Thank you” I replied. I felt a little bit relieved hearing Victor’s words. Yh, I needed to hear it.

I reached the office at exactly 8am, straight to the CEO's office.

“Good morning sir”, I greeted him. When entering his office

“Welcome Katia, I’m impressed with your punctuality” he replied, smirking.

Alexander’s smirk sent chills down my spine. My heart was already pounding as I was waiting for what he'd say.

“Your first order” he said, handing a file to me. “Deliver this file to the provided address” he commanded.

“What's in the file” I asked with a voice barely audible.

“Deliver the file to the provided address”, he repeated his words coldly. “Remember loyalty and interests. Do as you’re told. You’re not privileged to ask me any questions” he said to me, gazing into my eyes.

“Okay sir. I’m sorry sir” I replied, and turned to leave.

“Katia” he called back. “My eyes are on you” he said to me, sending shivers down my spine.

Puff, I took a deep breath as I got out of the office and proceeded to finish my assigned task.

“What’s in the file? Who am I delivering this to? What is the relationship between the person receiving it and Alexander?”. I got curious on my way to deliver that address

“Should I check it” I hesitated, trying to balance my thoughts.

“No, no, no. I can’t risk my life for this. I’ll just come back to investigate. He says he’s watching me”. I resisted the urge to check the contents of the file.

I got to the address and a man came out in a black car wearing all black and covering his face with a hat and mask coming towards me. My heart started pounding, and my skin started itching.

Suddenly, he reached me and stretched out his hand to receive the file from me. I tried checking if I could get a glimpse of him.

“Hi”, I greeted him hoping he would respond. I wanted to hear his voice so badly, but he never replied. He grabbed the file from me and went back to his car. He drove off.

The screeching sound of the tires as he drove off sounded so loud in my ears, leaving me devastated.

I stood there frozen. My heart is racing.

The identity of the mysterious man makes me wonder.

“Who was he, what was in the file?” The questions continued in my mind on my way to the office.

I wanted to tail the car, but Alex’s words echoed in my ears “My eyes are on you”. It felt so creepy

So, I took out my phone and snapped the location of where I was. I had memorized the car’s plate number and noted it as well.

I got more and more curious, not realizing where this was leading, but I just continued. Suddenly, my phone buzzed and it was a message from Alex. I checked

“Good job Katia, you are just getting started” Alex’s message said.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was to come. I would uncover Alexander’s dark truth and find out how his fate entangled with mine. I said to myself as I found my way back to the office.

I walked into the office still trying to connect the dots about what happened earlier.

Alexander's words keep echoing in my mind, “Good job Katia, you’re just getting started; what does he mean good job, what job have I been assigned to do, am I being a helping hand for Alexander in his conspiracies?”.

I could not stop thinking about all of this, and I could not get rid of the fear within me.

I sat down at my desk and realized it was the same creepy atmosphere I had experienced when I first arrived here. Even though I could see that everyone was ignoring me and going about their business, I could not shake the feeling that I was being watched.

All of a sudden, “Katia, come into my office right now!!” Alexander called.

I hurried into his office, wondering what was wrong, and my heart began to race faster.

“What’s wrong Sir?” I asked fearfully.

“It’s nothing, I just wanted to thank you for a job well done” he said while staring into my eyes intensely.

I felt a little relieved hearing that it was to appreciate and not him suspecting me, but I was still burning inside of me. "I was so scared, why would he call me in such a tone?" I bit my tongue in annoyance, and then something came to mind.

I mustered my courage and decided to ask,

"What was the content of the file you asked me to deliver?, Why did I not see the face of the man I delivered it to, and why are you keeping an eye on me?" I asked all at once, knowing I might never get the chance again with my heart racing so quickly.

"Hahaha, Katia," he smirked, staring deeply into my eyes.

“Remember, loyalty and protecting my interests, huh?” he said coldly with a piercing gaze.

"You know, you are being overly curious right now and asking too many questions, right?" He continued, still gazing into my eyes intensely.

"Hehehe, Miss Katia, you are giving me reason to suspect you of being disloyal," he said as he slowly moved towards me.

"No... No si.rr I.. I.. was just being concerned," I stammered, my heart beating faster, tears dripping down my back, my palms sweaty, unsure of what to do or say..

"Hmm, concerned you say?... Okay, you can leave now," he said to me as he returned to his seat.

“Huh.. Yes si..rr.. Thank...yo..u, I am sorry..ryyy.. Sir* I said confusedly as I exited his office.

I rushed back to my desk panicking. "He is so annoying and daring," I said to myself, letting out a heavy breath.

Suddenly, my phone beeped, indicating that I had received an email from an unknown source and the subject caught my attention.

"Avoid Alexander Paul at all costs."

My heart is racing. I wondered who could've sent this message.

I panicked and asked myself, "Is this a trap or a genuine warning?"