"You have returned!?" Secretary Travis was astonished to see the Merrick siblings enter the private room. He was on his tablet as usual, scrolling through pages of documents sent to him via email and viewing latest news therafter while he relaxes in the comfortable sofa. The main lights were turned off but the table lamp on the bed side and the one near him was enough to lit the whole room. Working in the Merrick's household, specifically for the next heir of the ever so coveted conglomerate has it's perks but more often disadvantages and pure headache.
Six years ago when Shann was on his fourth year as a Political Science student, Blake Merrick happened to visit the school he is in. He just came back from states after finishing Business and Accounting there and wanted to study Economics - having the time and the luxury of money was what Shann lacked in the course of his life as a hard working student. He had two part time jobs in the evening and one in the morning just right before his classes start - he had no time to have friends nor enjoy his blissful youth but one day when he was forced to join a sponsored one night, two day retreat for graduating students making him miss his adequate paying jobs, he sent a complaint to the board of teachers then to the director who so happened to be Blake's uncle. Shann had no hope of getting a response regarding his unamusement so when he received a letter from Mr. John Ruffles - the director telling him that a representative of his would like to better understand the situation, he was exasperated. Without his knowing, Blake Merrick was the representative and because the latter was unknown back then, he didn't filter his words right. He just wanted someone to listen and empathize at his pain points and the rest is history.
"Yes Mr. Travis. Have we worried you?" Eliza replied as she wipes off her sweat. It has not been thirty minutes since they went to their little hospital tour but both already looked so worn out. Sending the guards to a funded meal was not needed after all.
"No. I've witnessed worst and had to deal with so many unimaginable things since I've worked for your brother, so don't worry. This is just a mere dust on my shoe." Emotionless, the secretary did not bat an eye.
"Wow. Always so much to say huh?.. You're hurting my pride." Blake interrupted after shutting the door.
Eliza just smiled and went straight to the restroom.
"Well, what I'm about to say will weaken your limbs, Sir. So I suggest you sit down and take a few deep breaths." Shann, still focused on his tablet sounded terrifying that even the self proclaimed 'fearless' Blake could not help but feel nervous.
"You sound so serious. What is it this time? Another psychopath wanting to kill me?" Blake added.
"Not quite right sir. Go on and guess." Blake gulped in suspense. Ever since he was a kid, he's been sheltered from all possible life threatening situations but only understood the matter when he was in highschool. A letter was snuck under his desk and when he read the words 'Give me your Head' written in fresh blood, he knows he was in deep shit. The situation was immediately reported to the principal and it so happened that a girl on his class received the letter from a guy senior and when the student was 'interrogated', he admitted receiving it from a stranger who called him while he was walking near the closed gates. He can't remember the face and it was not captured by the hundreds of CCTV's around campus. The dangerous man was never apprehended but lucky for Blake, his security on and off the school grounds was never an issue since that unglamorous day.
"Ha.ha. I think I got it! It's a tabloid about me and some celebrity, secretly dating! Technology these days are really surprising." Blake's composure has started to crumble.
"Oh. I did saw another showbiz article of some sort yesterday but it was too easy to deal with. I just filed a law suit against the editor in chief and they quieted down, deleted the articles and doctored photos then sent their apology letter - all happened in one day. So no, that is not the issue." Blake could no longer hide the feeling of being cornered. He grabbed the white remote control from the wall mounted mini shelf, lowered the air condition to eighteen degrees to ease up his body's rising temperature.
"Alright Shann." Blake stretches his fingers and swirled his shoulders like he was getting ready to fight. "If it's not the threats, nor the undying gossips then it must be this one! Zelinsky and his girlfriend played victim, talked to the press saying he wants to put me in jail!" He clapped once and pointed at Shann like he just answered the most difficult riddle.
This time, Shann Travis looked up to him and stared dead straight to his eyes as if he was trying to carve Blake's soul.
"What are you guys talking about?" Eliza emerged from the comfort room.
"Here we have Mr. Shann Travis playing his tricks on me, my precious sister."
"Oh. What else do you have up on your sleeve? Anything for me?" Eliza, back in her poshed manner of delivering words excitedly sat on the extra single seat and crossed her legs leaning towards Shann.
"Alright, since you two insists. By the way, this was a direct message from Chief Gravel and he was supposed to share the news personally but I guess, you couldn't wait until next week." Shann started.
"Chief Gravel? The one who works for... for my parents?"
"Yup. That's him Sir."
"You got to be kidding me! He never reaches out to someone's secretary unless My Mom or my Father is involved. Not even to me nor Eliza. That's.."
"Unfortunately, he just did. I was reading his email before you came back and it has twenty freaking pdf attachments."
"Twenty??! No way!" Eliza was dumbfounded.
"I would love to wake up from this nightmare too Ms., but I'm stuck right in the middle."
"What's the content Shann? What did he say?"
"You can take a look for yourself Sir. I'll forward it to you."
"How about me? I want to read it too."
"Not now Eliza. Not until I'm done. Please go back to your room for now and rest early."
Eliza was quick enough to understand that she should not drag the conversation any longer. She immediately bade goodbye to the gentlemen before exiting Blake's room. On the other hand, Blake logged into his laptop and waited patiently for the email to come in.
"Are you sure you sent it?" He asked.
"Ofcourse Sir. It may take a while to arrive though due to the heavy files." Shan explained.
The bell notification of the laptop rang and Blake, as fast as the lightning clicked the email as soon as it popped on the screen. He read the files one by one and the further he goes, the more lines appeared on his forehead. Down to the eighth document, he frowned like never before. His brows, almost touching each other.
"How did they capture this?"
"I have no idea."
"I never saw one photographer near us at that time."
"You must know it was a huge event Sir so they must have been everywhere. There is also a possibility that it was shot from far away, maybe from the stadium where the brawl is still visible.
"I'm Fucked!"
"We both are!"
"And you said next week? What's going to happen by then? I need to prepare myself."
"I don't want to say it using my own mouth. Please check the second to the last file. It will give you an idea."
Blake obediently checked what his secretary told him and he was about to wet his pants.
"Are you trying to kill me?!" He freaked out.
"How funny. I just came back to life and death was such a peaceful place. Want to come with me Sir?"
"You should have warned me in the first place!"
"Well, surprise, surprise! Nobody warned me about the contents too so it's just fair that you get to experience it, right? I almost jumped out of the building to tell you Sir."
"What am I supposed to do Shann?" Blake slammed close his device and wrapped his face with his palms.
"You tell me Sir. You are lucky that you can prepare for next week while I get to have a once in a lifetime call from Chief Gravel, the man himself five minutes from now." Shann stood up from his seat and walked towards the door.
"How are you still calm?"
"I'm not. Anyways, I contacted my replacement in case I die from shock. So don't worry."
"Fuck that!"
"Fuck me!"