"Really? That's so harsh. I wish I could see the look on her face when she realised you weren't coming back." Shea was amused by Mathew's story
"I wish I did too."
"So what happened to her?"
"She called a few people but no one could help her so she had to help out in the kitchen to offset her bill." Mathew couldn't hide his smile
"But it was a really big bill. What did she have to do in there?" She was really concerned
"Who knows. Serves her right."
"Yeah, how could she go on a date and expect you to pay for it all. It's the first date!" They both chuckled then she continued
"I believe a strong woman is the one who doesn't need handouts from anyone men or otherwise."
"When a woman says that, it's termed as women empowerment but when men say it, you call us cheap."
They laugh a bit.
"There's always a double standard to such things, you know."
Chris came down to see Shea and Mathew talking in the living room. He saw the smile on Shea's face.
Shea had felt a reprieve, talking to Mathew. For the past few days it had been just her and Chris. Mandy hadn't really kept in touch. Shea thought she ought to need more time.
At least her mind was at ease from all the worries.
As Chris sat he noticed Mathew's glare. He knew what to make of it. He quickly got up as though the seat was on fire.
He walked outside the room. Mathew's smile began to grow but soon wanted down when Chris walked back in.
He walked with flare this time. As if he was flamboyant king. He had a smile on him that emanated his confidence.
"Hey Mathew? Nice to see you again." Chris held out his hand to him.
Mathew was sceptical but hesitantly gave him his hand. Chris shook it with a firmly. Mathew was infuriating.
Chris turned to Shea. He lean in to her and kissed her passionately. Enough to make Shea forget she had a guest. Enough to make Mathew's blood boil.
"Good morning babe!"
"It is, isn't it." Shea really enjoyed the kiss
Mathew rose immediately. He straightened his shirt.
"I should get going then."
Shea was quick to answer.
"OK. I'll see you some other time."
They hugged for a second then Mathew strolled on away.
"Babe, there's this company I want you to invest in. It'll be lucrative."
Shea turned to Chris immediately with a devilish smile.
"That kiss really got me in the mood."
Chris smiled at her," Oh really. What about my investment pitch?"
"Go for it."
Shea seductively sat on Chris's lap. She leaned in for a kiss.
"Come for me!" She whispered in his ear.
She took off upstairs, giggling all the way. Chris dashed behind her.
Mathew watched with distaste. He had a sour taste in his mouth. The breath from his nose felt like steam.
Olivia's House. Later
Olivia was still going over the files. Her phone lit up. Someone was calling her phone, she had placed it on silent. The caller ID read Mom. She didn't want to answer.
She was startled by the knock on the door. She held her breath. She got up slowly. She whispered to herself repeatedly.
"Don't be here! Don't be here!"
"Olivia, it's me Mathew!" Called out from outside
She relaxed. She then realised she had been clenching her fists all that time. She opened the door for him.
"I should give you a key."
"Wouldn't hurt!" Not really
"How was Operation Get Out Of The Friend Zone?" She asked sincerely
"Don't mock me, please." He sighed as he dropped on the couch." What have you found?"
"Cobra Bank was funding organised crime. According to the report it was suspected that thy had government officials in their payroll."
"What about Shea's father and the other board members?"
"We can assume that the entire executive knew and we're willing participants."
"So someone was cleaning house. First Cobra Bank is sold then the executive start dieing."
"You mean they weren't just accidents."
"It would make sense,"
"It would except, everyone is dead. If there was one who remained, maybe but they are all dead. Starting from Kiaru all the way to Shea's father. "
"Does this tie in with Chris?"
"I don't see how, yet?"
Happy Harbour
Mandy was sipping the coca cola slowly. Savouring the taste. Hussein was great company.
They were both messed up in a way. Hussein had daddy issues while Mandy... Well you know about Mandy!
For the two days she had been in Happy Harbour, she had been communicating with David alone.
David had been really understanding to the whole situation. Mandy was surprised when she told David that they be friends first... He refused!
He said he liked her. He had the intention of courting her and didn't want to be stuck in the friend zone. He thought it would be torture. In his words he said it would feel like...
"Guiding others to a treasure I myself cannot possess,"
They agreed that since they had gone on three dates, he was regarded as a person of interest.
She really found him amusing!
Hussein had a wife and child. His wife, Zuhura, worked in the public health department. She was on her tour, carrying out public screenings.
Hussein's daughter, Farhun was in school. After which she would go to her grandmother on her mother's side.
Hussein was a dedicated Muslim. Though he wasn't born into it. The path was treacherous but the destination was worth it for him. He turned to Islam when his mother died and he lost contact with his father.
In Islam he was taught to love and care for his neighbours. Both Muslims and non Muslims. In Islam he found the love of his life, Zuhura. In Islam, he had his greatest joy, Farhun.
But it was all for nothing, according to Zuhura. To fully get the blessings from Allah, he needed to clear his heart. His heart was heavy. It weighed on him.
After counseling being counseled for a long time by Zuhura, Hussein had finally chosen to listen to her.
He was going going to talk things out with his father. He was going to bury the hatchet. But he didn't know how. It had been years since he had heard from him.
Was he even really to see his face? What was he going to say?
The doorbell rang. Mandy placed her glass on the table and walked to the door.
She opened it to see a man, wearing a cap over his face. He was facing the ground. Mandy couldn't see his face.
"Hussein Chavo?" Asked the man
"He's a bit busy. Can I help you?" Asked Mandy, suspicious of the man
The man fished out a locket from his right pocket and handed it to her.
"Give it to him." Mandy sensed sadness in his voice
Mandy held onto the man's hand, in a comforting way.
The man looked up into Mandy's eyes. There eyes met.
They knew each other. Mandy was surprised, and confused at the same time.
"Chris?"
Jack couldn't believe it. It was Mandy. What was she doing there? He was tongue-tied. He knew Mandy recognised him. How would he get out of this one?
"Who's Chris?"
He recalled his arm. He put on a straight face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" He sounded genuinely annoyed
Regaining her composure,"I-I'm sorry. Do you know anyone named Chris?"
"Chris who?" Playing it cool
"Chris Dhati. You look exactly like him." Mandy couldn't hide her astonishment
"I don't know this Chris. Could you see to it that Hussein gets that."
"Sure... Okay. Are you sure you don't know Chris Dhati?"
"I'm sure. I probably have one of those faces."
With that he quickly strode away. Hussein appeared behind her.
"Who was it?"
"I don't know. He told me to give you this!"
He gives the locket to Hussein. Hussein looked as though he'd seen a ghost.
"What is it Hussein?"
"This is my father's. Do you know the guy who gave it to you?" He asked
" No!"
Mandy was still confused. She looked back outside. He could see the man enter a car. The car looked familiar. Especially it's half broken side mirror case.
She dropped her eyes to look at the plates. She recognized them. She had seen the car before. In Old Town.
Outside Chris's Apartment!
Kamiti
In the heart of Kamiti, stood a twelve story building. Cowering to the taller ones. At this building, fewer people going in and out.
Inside the building was an underground section. This section could only be accessed by the elevator to the far right. At the far end of the level was an office.
In the office, was a very stout man. He was seated with his chair faced the back of the office. His eyes fixed on a painting he had on the wall. He had a guest.
"What of Gemini?" . He voice was like that of a Lion's roar
"Deimos has reported he is in the final stages of the plan with Shea Culen. He said he would call for extraction soon."
"What of the other, Callisto. He almost costed us our mission."
"He is missing, sir. The men we sent to retrieve him are dead." He had fear in his voice.
"Did you tell Deimos this?"
"No sir. I thought I should tell you first."
"Good. Find Callisto. He has been a cause for concern since the day Deimos brought him to me!"
"What should we do to him once we find him?"
" Kill him!"
" Yes sir! " Then he left
The stout man reclined on his seat. His hands at the back of his head. His tattoo was clearly visible. The tattoo on his right arm. Tattoo is a wolf.
As the man rode the elevator to the ground floor, he made a call and gave very brief and specific instructions.
As he made for the exit, the guard looked over at him then nodded with a smile. The guard was new, he didn't know that the man was an regular.
"Thank you for visiting Golden Eagle Bank! Have a nice day"