ALMOST EIGHTEEN.

CHAPTER FIVE.

WELCOME LATOYA.

Training animals isn't only about your love for them. It's also about the excitement you feel inside watching them grow.

The power you hold over them is fun. Sometimes, humans are pets. Their beginning and end is at your disposal.

Latoya will be here soon. The girl whose entire being I hold. Tomorrow she'll be eighteen. She'll be ready to take on what she's been set aside for.

I sip my wine, ruminating on everything. How it would feel to control someone, how it would feel to own someone. I'm about to leave the study when there's a knock. I know it's Russell knocking.

I sit back. “Come in." My trusted handyman walks in. He bows at the door before walking to me. "The girl is here.” I grin as I stand. “Bring her to the library." It's show time.

The library doors open and I know she's here. I walked to the entrance of the library where Latoya and Russell were. With a smile plastered on my face, I stretch my hands for a shake.

"Welcome Latoya. You are finally here.” She doesn't shake my hands. I return my hands to where they should be, checking her out. Her dress which was specially picked by me did nothing to elevate her.

Why am I irritated at how she looks? “You said there's a party. Where's everyone." She has a skeptical look on her face. I smiled, putting my hands in my pocket. “I lied. There's no party."

She opens her mouth to speak but I shut her up. “Leave us Russell." Russell bows and leaves. “You need to tell me what's going on. I've had enough of being left hanging." Her gaze darkens. This would be much easier than I thought.

I held her gaze for a while before turning to the room. “This is the library Latoya. Boasts of the best literary works ever published. I know you're a fan of books so I thought it would be magical to meet here first. Your hiding spot in school was always the library."

“I DON'T CARE. Talk to me Connor. Where's my mum? Why am I here? What was all that happened at the bar? How did you know Genevieve? Who was in the car with me? What do you…"

“f*****g SHUT IT." I rubbed my face in exasperation. I have zero patience for people who talk too much. I put on a smile and held her shoulders. Shock written all over her face.

“Do you always talk this much? If you do, train yourself not to." I take my hands off her shoulder, going to my favorite spot in the library. “Follow me." She's been here only five minutes and she's already pushing my buttons.

Surprisingly, she follows me. I sit on the couch facing the historical fiction section. I gestured for her to sit, which she did. There was something about the way she was looking at me now.

I cleared my throat and held her gaze. I would say this now and no more. I'm not a fan of repeating myself. “I would answer only two of your questions. The rest, you do with it whatever you please.”

"You're here because you are meant to be. The person you met in the car, you'll be seeing more of him so be ready." I study her expressions intently.

“I hate talking. Get used to things around here. Russell would hand you over to your personal maid. This is your home now."

She stands up, facing me too close. "You're f*****g stupid Connor. I'm not an object!! Where is my Mum? Answer me you bastard!!

I relax back in my chair. Her screams are bothering me. This is exactly why I don't handle women. “Your screams won't help. You'll be here until you've done your part. As for your Mum, I assume she left you a letter didn't she?

I stand up and adjust my shirt, closing the distance between us. "You'll fare better being obedient.” I pushed her out my way and headed for the door.

She grabbed my arms, looking at me desperately. The perfume I bought her tingled my nostrils. I stared at her for a while before pulling her hands off me. She dropped herself to the floor, her ragged breaths echoing in my ear.

At the door, I gave Russell the signal and left. I have much more important things to do. I get to my personal car waiting for me at the entrance.

"Willow Hill now.” I loosen my tie and steady my breath. I can't guarantee Latoya’s existence if she keeps being stupid. “Any message for me?” I ask Dwayne, my driver.

Dwayne and Russell are the only ones privy to certain information. “Yes boss. The Governor called to confirm if the girl had arrived.” I rolled my eyes. "I told him I would handle this one. Why is he butting in?” Mr Haland never trusts me to handle anything."

“You'll have to prove yourself worthy on this one so he will relax. How's the girl holding up?" Dwayne looks back at me for a second.

“Just like the others. She'll learn really soon." The thought of Latoya sickens me. I've had a strong dislike for her since I met her. I had to act the opposite so she'll trust me a bit. I had to do it to get her into the trap.

Now that she's caught, I don't care about how she feels. “How quick are you gonna drop her with the rest?"

“That depends on her value. If she isn't worth what we expect, she'll be disposed of."

"Tough life. Her birthday is D-Day, right?” "Yeah. She'll be eighteen. There's no more time to waste.”

Dwayne chuckles, not saying a word. The silence is exactly what I need now. Soon, we arrived at Willow Hill. The infamous breeding ground. Species of concern? Humans. On the surface, it's a hospital. Only those in it know the real deal.

This place has existed for years. Chaired and headed by a number of the elitist people over the years. My father Mr Haland is the current head administrator. The ruthless man who rules by a sword. He doesn't take NO for an answer. You obey or you cease to exist.

Today is a private meeting with him. The subject being Latoya. I have a feeling that this wouldn't go well. I put on my dark shades and adjusted my suit. “Wait here. I'll be back." "You bet boss.”

I enter into the ten storey building, taking the secret tunnel where only the VIP’s are allowed. I enter the elevator and press the 100th floor. My chest heaves as the numbers go up. I'm finally at the 60th floor and the elevator dings.

The men standing guard bow to me and direct me to the conference room. I knock once and go in. The spacious all white room has nothing in it except the twelve meter table surrounded by twenty five chairs and a glass shelf which holds the minutes for all the meetings ever held in this room.

Access to this room was strictly by permission. In the room was Dad, Minister Jones and Chris. The last f*****g person I'm expecting to see. A scowl forms on my face. I acknowledge them as I sit.

“To what do we owe this gathering?" I look at Governor Haland then at Mr Jones. "Pleasure to meet you again Connor. It's been a while.” I look at Chris who has a stupid smirk on his face. The fucker must think I'm here to joke.

“How long did you plan to keep us here?" Dad said glaring at me. The one thing he hates above everything he hates is being kept waiting. “Right Connor. I almost grew a beard waiting for you."

“I had to wait for the girl's arrival. My apologies Mr Jones.” The stout man only nodded in response.

He doesn't speak unless necessary. "How is the recruit coming up? "She came in today. Russell has handed her over to the attendant."

"Her behavior so far? Anything to be bothered about?” "None. She still has it. We only need to resuscitate it.” "You know you've never done anything perfectly Connor. Don't you think you need help on this one?"

It's very possible that I would end Chris's life right here and now. Haland’s first son was birthed by his first wife who died five years after his birth. Haland remarried my mother who I've never met and don't care to. Yeah, we're step brothers.

“Golden accomplisher. We're proud." He ignored my sarcasm. “ The lab opens tomorrow. All that follows, must be done as well. Did you take care of her mother? That wench mustn't be a problem."

“Everything is sorted already.” I responded dryly. I can't wait to be out of here. “Chris would be working with you on this. There can't be mistakes."

"I'll be honoured to have you learn from me.” The fool was spinning his chair with a smile that I wish to rip apart. He's enjoying this.

I'm f*****g pissed right now. How dare he make me work under Chris. He doesn't trust me at all. This crazy psycho keeps putting me under Chris.

"I will handle it myself. I w…”

Father rose and banged the table hard. His nostrils flaring. This is the personality people see last before they say their last prayers.

"How many times have you failed in your assigned duties Connor? You have set a consistent record of failure over the years. You cannot be trusted with this. Work with Chris or end it."

With that, he stormed out the room, Mr Jones following him. My insides were boiling hot. How dare that bastard?

“Know your place Connor." I snapped. The next thing Chris felt was a stinging blow to his head. I stormed out of the room to my car waiting outside. "f*****g take me home.”

I will destroy Latoya.