"Chief?"The masked man divert his attention to the unanticipated arrival of young woman in all black holding a revolver,her chest heave in and out "Are you in here?"She blindly walk into the room.
"How's she?"He question recognizing the voice and relaxing a bit while returning his gaze to his victim.
"Not giving the reaction expected,the dead body was supposed to stir up something in her but there wasn't any reaction from her side"The woman said.
"Isabelle doesn't give reactions, whatever she's gonna do is in her little brain,have you found the girl she met in Minneapolis?"The masked man straighten himself and stride to the window.
"She disappeared into thin air,but we'll make sure we find her,about the situation at hand be rest assured I'll be let in"The lady lower her revolver and exhale when she saw the figure in the room"I can see you now"
The masked man pass over her comment and gaze at Gary sleepy face "Is it nice to kill him?I want to kill him but I don't feel good"
"Then...then don't chief, he doesn't know who did it, he doesn't know you were the one so"The lady stammer,the masked man look away and put both his hands in his pocket.
"You're my only hope, you've to get in"He went out through the window,the lady breath levelled, she put the gun inside her flannel trouser pocket and walk closer to gary.
"You didn't see anything"She whisper,forcing his eyelids apart "Not one thing little Gary"The room light went off.
Isabelle flip her hair with a magazine in her shaky hand,the beautiful picture of a woman in red held her in place,she look at the photos on her phone and then the magazine "Carolyn maly", Isabelle bite her lower lips and drag it out of frustration,she link the photos together still the answers were far away, 'Carolyn maly',the new girl murdered by triplicate but in a different way,the door of the room flung open, Isabelle hide the magazine and pretend to be busy on her phone.
"I'm done"Xander murmur, Isabelle hum and continue gazing at her phone "I talked to Dad,you can go tomorrow"
"Oh"She lift her head "Thanks,Mr Mack when is Sasha wedding?"Isabelle drop the phone and look straight "Is it going to still happen?"
"I don't know,she insists on having it in the next three weeks"
"She should"Isabelle click her tongue,xander bob his head.
"Not everyone is like us you know"Xander sigh and fold his hand "Isabelle you know you tell me whatever is going on,i know you overheard everything"he gathered from her reaction,Isabelle look startled for a minute and look away.
"I won't"
"A serial killer is after you"Xander raise his voice hoping she can get the point.
"Not after you, I'm happy with my life"She retort and yawn "Isn't that why you need the death cert?"
"I know but this man is after my family too, Sasha was injured and I know you're aware of the fact that triplicate has something to do with it"
"Why did you marry me then?why did Sasha wrench me back into your life? I was okay alone, stop acting like you care because you don't"Isabelle shout.
"Those girls are dying each day because of you, millions of people are being traded and shipped out of the country because you refuse to help with triplicate"Xander lower his voice to reason with her "This is dangerous,he's a maniac"
"Do you think it's easy to catch triplicate? He's not in love with me dummy,he's in love with something else,it's not easy not with triplicate" 'and not when your dad is protecting a criminal' she added inwardly.
"I think it's pretty easy for you,you just have to talk"Xander sit on the couch opposite the bed "He killed Carolyn,he killed a lot of people and he's gonna kill more,the Poland policja doesn't know why this is happening but they'll know soon and by then it's going to be too late for you and I to make a difference,I want to help"
"You can help by stop poking into my business"Xander suck in his anger "Listen triplicate isn't a toy or a ringing tone you can change once it's boring,he wants something that I and you don't have"
"My life or yours?"Xander utter,Isabelle scrutinize him with a fake distress,she wonder what made him so stupid,this is beyond serious but the man in front of her is taking the situation like an everyday working class job,she click her tongue.
"A CD from dagmara"Xander flinch "She's alive and I need her,I need her to tell me where the CD is"Isabelle simper sensing that Xander knows something she doesn't know,something that could help her,something that could free her.
"And after that?"Xander queried determined to help and end the war between the serial killer and role model asap.
"I'll give it to him,the killings are over"Isabelle stare into space "And my chapter in your story ends,but you know I'm not a saint right?it won't end if I don't kill him,so I hope you understand how dangerous this is,stop trying to help"
"We're married Isabelle,you don't just threaten your husband after calling his name"Isabelle snigger Xander grin lopsidedly "I'll get you dagmara"Isabelle froze,noting he arrested her attention he proceed "Grandpa knows where she is and getting info from him is easy"
"What do you want Mr Mack?our marriage ends when you've what you want then why do you want to help?I might kill dagmara,i might kill your father but none of you cares about that and honestly I pity you"Isabelle grab her phone "I'm not the Isabelle you know"
"I want to end all this,you won't hurt them, that I'm well aware of,all I want is to know who's left for me,once this is all over you'll leave and I'll know what else to do with my life but with you being here.....there's no way I can move on"Xander dissent,he stood up and amble towards her. "I want to be free from you"
"You're free,you're the one still holding on"Isabelle walk to the closet and turn "I want her before this week ends"Xander concur with a nod and flinch when the door slam shut,he pick up the magazine and trace carolyn figure,a lone tears fall from his eyes recalling his own mother death he quickly wipe it off and drop the magazine.
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"You were told to go in,why are you still here?"Jan snap at the women in front of him "Go in,the boss is waiting for you"He sneer angrily and stride to the elevator,jakub roll his eyes and motion for the women to go in.
"He's Jan,not always hotty but he gets angry when he's in an enclosed place with hotties like you"
"I heard that"Jan yell from the elevator "Will you all go in?"
"Come in ladies"Jakub press his card on the opaque door scanner,it slides open and they all went in "Boss"
Xander stop walking to take a sip of his coffee,he look at the women with a raised brow "Nadia...You're Nadia right?"He point at the oldest of them all.
"Yes sir,I worked with madam"Xander smile and walk to where Isabelle is sitting.
"I remember you were mom's favourite"Xander said and nudge Isabelle to go to them "I'll be in the room"
"This is unnecessary,I can manage myself"
"We talked about this"Xander whisper "They'll be here three times in a week,that's convenient enough"Isabelle groan and stand up,Xander sigh in relief.
Isabelle face the ladies and smile,scouting them each swiftly "You work for the Macks"
"Three of us, two are new,Elisha and pola"one of them spoke "I'm Nadia Gowolka"Isabelle nod.
"I want the people from the Macks to step back"The three step back leaving the remaining two "This two will stay,the others have their life entwined with the Macks and I won't take it,you can all leave"Isabelle snap her yellow belt on her tulip gown "You'll come with me jakub" The ladies bow all with a smile.
"Okay ma'am"
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Yellow,grey,violet,smalt,peach and ivory black steel link with each other creating a great outlook of the company exterior design,fabrics was spread apart like a second layer of the company with each step they took,the monumental glass used to separate the office gave it a whole lot of vibes,fabric mended into clothes stood inside a large hall with a big banner "BUY ME"
"This place is awesome,look at that dress"Isabelle said to herself,pretending not to know that the employees are staring at her "Mr Mack"
"What do you want now?"Xander look at the dress not getting the point of her attraction in it,a well dressed woman bow and ushered them both in,she stood behind them making eyes signals with Jakub "She's still here"
"Who?"Isabelle whisper slowing her step to hear clearly.
"The main trouble,dad future wife,the lady behind us"Xander pocketed his hands nervously.
"She's beautiful"Isabelle mock taking a swift step to the elevator where there is already three women waiting,they all stood rigid sighting their CEO,she smile at the receptionist who's as pale as the translucent glass in the company "Let's take this"
"They'll feel uncomfortable"Xander step in with her tense as the women continuously bowing"Scared of riding alone with me?"
"Do you want me to be?I just want to make them know that I'm different from their grumpy boss"The receptionist mouth drop,she quickly fake a smile and went back to her post getting everything in order. "They are scared of you"
"I'm thrilled and that's only my main goal to be thrilled by their fear,anyway R&D is not the best place to be cordial"
"Why?"
"They are..."Xander clear his throat and raise his voice for the people in the elevator to hear "idle,always gossiping,when the budget for the company arrives instead of putting their hands and brains into good use they tell you who the current sugar daddy in the company is"Isabelle mouth fly open "R&D would've been more prosperous If the workers were not pampered,I'm planning on laying off some workers and reducing everyone's payment,it's better to get more sensible workers than put up with stupid one's"By the time Xander was done the ladies are already sweating,Isabelle close her mouth flabbergasted and unable to put in a word.
The elevator open giving ultimate peace to the perturbed workers in the elevator but they haven't step out when Xander voice squeeze the little feeling of ease out of them "You three are enough to spread the news but if I hear a word about what I said from someone else you're all fired"
"Yes...Yes Yes sir"They scramble off,Isabelle swallow the lump in her throat.
"What a nice surprise Mack"Jeremy walk out of the customer support office "You father called"Xander scowl and pull Isabelle to another elevator,Jeremy went in with them not minding Xander glares.
"Hi beautiful,knew you'd be the reason why our Mack steps here"Jeremy utter to Isabelle,she smile slightly.
"Hi,it's nice meeting you again never thought you both had still be breathing after the last fight"Jeremy marek laugh.
"Oh God forbids that it happen,I'm just an ordinary chairman,the directors would cut my head off if I dare to destroy our boy here"
"This place isn't improving a bit,Marek tell your people to stop staring at me"Xander yell,Isabelle wince and look at the elevator again it's right!,the elevator is transparent and the employees are ogling,Jeremy sigh and roll his eyes.
"They can't see you your honour,besides you're a great model,you heard the her Mack,Ms. Isabelle is a queen"
"In the middle of thorns"Xander retort and knitted his brow so hard that Isabelle herself flinch from the pain he must be feeling "don't make me let you uncomfortable,I can decide to take over any minute"
"We all know you'd rather die than be here"The chairman respond,Isabelle sigh "Ms. Isabelle you look gorgeous as always"Jeremy address Isabelle,she fake a blush Xander snort "Should I help you in?"
"Get the hell out, I'll take care of her"Xander walk out of the elevator and stop in front of a one way glass office.
"I'll see you soon queen"Jeremy smile and amble to the Secretary office,Isabelle laugh seeing Xander disoriented face.
"That guy is the first thorn here,no matter how long you stay here don't make any friends to be specific Jeremy marek"Isabelle roll her eyes "I'm serious"
"I'm in your office"She pick up a pennon on his magnificent silver desk "CEO Xander Mack,why don't you like this place?"Isabelle drop it and survey the office
"Mom loved it here,whenever I come here she's always buried in her files and it's so painful to come here and long for that single scene"Isabelle sit on the edge of the desk staring at xander "You don't feel that way about your mom I observed"
"I'm closer to my dad than mom but you're closer to your mom than dad and I guess it's overwhelming"
"Very"Silence descend in the office,the two staring into each other eyes searching for nothing but peace in the deranged world "I want you to be the CEO,dad agreed to it"Xander broke the silence and look away "Don't refuse"
Isabelle shook her head getting up from the desk "I'm not here to take your place,I'm not interested in this,i like the marketing department"
"You're not taking my place,mom dreamt of having a family here,Sasha took a wrong part according to her and I took a bizarre part according to dad"Xander press a button and slowly the people outside becomes visible "When mom was alive no one dared to speak to one another while working,she was the pillar of this company but look at them"The workers talk in oblivion,some running after each other,some cackling "You're good at things like this Isabelle "
"I can't"She decline the offer "I can take another position"
"It's a favor"Isabelle draw in deep breaths "This position is forever going to be vacant because I'm never going to be ready for this"
"Suppose I get tired or uninterested?"
"You can choose any department you want"Isabelle put her bag on the table "Give it a try"
"I hope they listen to me"Isabelle mouthed,Xander exhale.
"They will"
Sounds of clicking heels made Isabelle lift her head up,she stood up from the swivel chair and beheld a gorgeous, flawless and angelic woman,the woman sit on the chair opposite hers without any introduction and snicker "Surprised?"Isabelle glance out,her bouncer type of bodyguards stayed glued to the door marking her as a visitor that should not be trifled with.
"Why would I be?I don't know you"The woman grin confusing Isabelle.
"You don't know me but you'll soon,anyway I heard your husband is here"Isabelle face contort unexpectedly because as far as she knows Xander seldom tells anyone about their marriage and even if he did not many people knows she's the 'Wife' "I'm one of Alex friend"Isabelle nod warily and subconsciously glance at Xander who is heading towards the office.
"Really!!!never heard about you but you look like one who could be his friend"Isabelle sneer deep within "Your friend is here"Isabelle announced as Xander stride in,suddenly curse escape Xander lips,he look at Isabelle and then the woman,Isabelle frown.
"Hey"The woman grin flipping her brown hair "I was just talking to your wife,she's nice so bad of you not to tell me"
"What are you doing here?"Xander move to her side "When did you..."
"Last week,just waiting for the right time to meet you as we all know it's good to plan a meeting according to your mood"Xander shake his head,his heart hammering in his chest "Introduce me to your wife Alex"
"Mack"He correct coldly and gaze at Isabelle "let's talk in private,c'mon"The woman pout.
"Introduce me to her"
"Get up zuzzy, now"He almost growl,the woman stood up with series of nod and stride out,Isabelle pause her lips "I'll be back"Xander gait after the woman.
Isabelle remember her conversation with Gary about his girlfriend "Zuzzana"He'd said and Xander just called her 'Zuzzy' Isabelle shake her head the situation stunning her.
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"You'll drop me in the court jakub"Xander address jakub and face Isabelle "She's not my friend"He solemnly sit down in the car "Did I stay too long?"
"You look nervous,sweaty,did you sleep with her?"
"No,stop it,I'm not disgusting and she's not my friend or whatever you think she is,we'd a talk and...she's hard to deal with"
"But you did sleep with her"Isabelle swallow her anger and bring her next words out softly "You are free to do anything you want,this isn't marriage and telling me shouldn't be a crime"