Jessica looked at the two. She was breathing heavily.
Jessica: Mia's nowhere in the house!
Ryan: What do you mean by she's not here?
Mark: Did you check the whole house?
Jessica: I did. I came downstairs from the other side and checked the restrooms and even the storerooms. She's nowhere. The restrooms aren't locked. The windows are closed from the inside. Where did she go?
Ryan: Where are the others?
Jessica: They'll stay in the office. Mark, call them. Do they know anything about this?
Jessica walked aside and tried to track Mia, but unfortunately, her phone was switched off and her last location was the house.
Jessica: Damn it! Her phone's switched off.
Mark: Daniel and Alex don't know anything about her.
Ryan: Same answer from Albus. Where the hell is she?
Jessica: Her father? Did he...?
Mark: No. That's not possible.
Jessica: Rylan, Mark, are those three in the office?
The two men nodded. She bit her nails in panic.
Jessica: Let's search for her.
Mark: But where?
Jessica: Nearby parks, cafés. We need to find her somehow
The three sat in the car ASAP. Jessica and Ryan sat in the middle seat while Mark decided to drive.
Jessica decided to track the three down. Almost after fifteen minutes, Jessica found something.
Jessica: Mark, we need to go to the xxx park.
(Just think of a name of a park. I didn't name it as it may reveal the location of their house. Hehe (◠‿◕)).
Mark: Did you find her out? Tracked her down?
Jessica: I'll say everything later. Drive there
Maverick did as she said. Within seven minutes they reached the park. Jessica got down quickly and waited for the two to join her.
Jessica: Don't make any sound.
Ryan: But why?
Jessica: Because I said.
The three quietly entered the park. Jessica looked at her phone.
Jessica: Follow me.
Mark: I thought I was the gang leader
Jessica: For the time being, do what I say and please be quiet.
Jessica stealthily walked towards the south, sometimes looking at her mobile while Ryan and Maverick followed her with confused looks. After a few steps, Jessica abruptly stopped making the two men almost jump.
She hid behind a tree and asked them to do the same. She smiled while looking somewhere distant from their hiding place.
A hooded man was sitting with a young woman on a bench. They're holding hands and the woman had her head laid on his shoulder.
Mark: Al?
Jessica: Hmm. Mia and Albus. Damn, they're dating already.
Mark: Should we go?
Jessica: No. Don't spoil the moment. Let them be as they are. Ask him whatever you wanna ask tomorrow morning.
Ryan: Thank God. We can be relieved now.
The three left the spot quietly without making any sound. They got inside the car and Maverick drove to the house. Jessica kept smiling the whole time.
They reached the house and entered Jessica's room.
Ryan: How did you know?
Mark: Yeah same question.
Jessica: Power (smirked)
Ryan: Hey come on! We're eager to know.
Jessica: You told me that the three are in the office. I called all of them. They said that they were at the office. But, Albus' way of speaking at that moment was different from the tone he normally speaks in. Something told me that Albus might have something to do with Mia's disappearance. I hacked into his messages and read that he messaged Mia to get ready. He'd pick her up. I tracked him down and found him in the park. That made me suspicious.
Mark: So, that's how you found them out.
Ryan: You became quite good at hacking.
Jessica: After all, I learned from Alex. He's a great teacher.
Mark: We haven't dated for a while.
Jessica: You're always busy with gang work.
Mark(sigh): Hmm. Let's get going. I need to sleep now.
Maverick went to his room and Jessica looked at Ryan.
Jessica: You said you wanted to say something to me
Ryan locked the door.
Ryan: Hmm. I met Officer Kang in Mexico.
Jessica (whispered): What?
Ryan: Hmm. And I'd to kill him. Mark asked me to. Moreover, we can't bring danger to us.
Jessica: Good.
Ryan hugged her.
Ryan: I can't risk you. I just want this to be over soon
Jessica hugged him back.
Jessica: I know. But it's not that easy. Earlier, we did easy sort of stuff that took only a few days. Here, we need to gain the trust of so many people, be a part of them, and do a lot of things. It ain't easy as it seems to be. And Born Killers is the most dangerous gang. I still think there's a lot to know about the gang. Moreover, I haven't met Mark's family.
Ryan: His mother died.
Jessica: What? Who told you?
Ryan: Mark. Before he brought you here, Mrs. Williams died. He visits the cemetery every dawn.
Jessica sighed.
Jessica: Let's sleep.
Jessica freshened up and snuggled down in the blanket. Ryan joined her a few minutes later. Jessica turned to the other side and switched off the lights.
No one knew what was going on in her mind at that moment...
_______
*Next morning*
Jessica was about to go out when she met Mia wearing a hoodie.
Mia: Morning
Jessica: Hmm morning.
Jessica walked past her but was blocked by a guard.
Jessica: What?
He pointed towards a jet at the back of the house. Jessica raised her eyebrows. A beep was heard on her phone.
Mark (message): Get inside the jet.
Jessica sat inside the jet. She was quiet for the entire journey looking outside. For some reason, she looked lost.
???: Ma'am, we've reached.
Jessica got out of the jet. In front of her stood a huge mansion with lots of guards dressed in black. A few other cars were there as well. Jessica looked at the mansion with her mouth slightly open.
Suddenly, she felt a hand on her waist and lips near her ear.
??: Ready?
Jessica: Always for you, Mark.
She understood that he'd brought her to his family. Jessica tried to look sophisticated as she can.
Mark: You look beautiful. You don't need any effort to impress my family members.
Maverick took her inside. Jessica let out a gasp on seeing the huge living room. It was twice the size of the living room of the mansion where Jessica had first kissed Maverick. The walls, the floor even the corners looked tidy.
Jessica was then taken to the dining hall. Jessica was amazed to see the decorations. The curtains were beautifully tied, and the chandelier was shining right above the huge dining table. It reminded her of the Kings and Queens. There were a lot of pictures of different men.
Jessica: Are these your ancestors?
Jessica asked looking at those portraits. Maverick nodded.
An old man sat right in the middle seat and behind him was the largest portrait.
The man in the portrait was the first one who had started the gang. Jessica nervously smiled at the family members and bowed to them.
There were an uncle and two aunts and others were of her or Maverick's age. Maverick pulled a chair for her. She sat down quietly and he sat beside him. A sophisticated woman was sitting beside her who seemed to be her age. She smiled warmly at her and Jessica responded with a smile.
The old man stood up and so did the rest. Jessica stood up as well. He raised the glass and everyone did the same.
Grandpa: In the memory of James Williams.
Then he drained the drink in the glass and so did everyone.
James Williams is the one who started the gang. Jessica sat down after seeing the others sitting down.
Grandpa: So you're the woman my grandson has chosen.
Jessica weakly smiled.
Mark: Yes.
Grandpa: Have you decided whom to make your Underboss?
Mark: Not yet.
Grandpa: Young lady, don't be tensed on seeing us. Mark loves you and so does you. You must be assigned to our family before you two are married. Mark needs to keep his position as the Boss of the gang.
Jessica nodded.
Jessica: So basically to keep his position, the would-be Boss must have a woman, and then only he can be the Boss.
Grandpa: Kinda
Maverick looked at Jessica. He knew something made her upset.
Uncle: Jane, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Mark's eldest uncle, Frank Williams. She (gesturing towards the woman sitting opposite him), is my wife, Lina.
The woman beside Jessica was the uncle's daughter. She's Violet and beside her was her brother, Paul.
Aunt: Mark, I know I'm gonna be the Underboss as, after your parents, I'm the one whom you trusted the most.
She's Amaryllis Williams, Frank Williams' sister aka Grandpa James Williams' daughter. Grandpa James Williams was named after his ancestor.
Uncle: What? No no Amaryllis. Why will Mark choose you when I'm here? Moreover, he loves Lina more.
Paul: Dad, Aunt be quiet. To be the Underboss, you need to belong to the age group the Boss belongs to. And I think I'm the best candidate here.
Only Jessica and Violet kept quiet.
Maverick smiled.
Mark: I still haven't decided about that. Let's see.
Soon, the dishes were served and everyone ate till their appetite was filled. Jessica sat quietly.
Grandpa: Jane, I wanna speak with you
Jessica looked at him.
Grandpa: Come with me
Jessica looked at Maverick who nodded.
Jessica stood up and followed Grandpa. He took him to a garden.
Jessica looked to her right. There was an entire field of petunia. She kept looking at them as something was going on in her mind.
She touched the soft petals of the petunias near her, feeling them and a different emotion building up inside her.
Grandpa: How much do you love my grandson?
Jessica turned to Grandpa James.
Jessica: More than he thinks I love him
Grandpa: You remind me of someone
Jessica: Who?
Grandpa: Old acquaintance. Just one thing, don't leave my grandson. He loves you deeply. This is the first time he has truly fallen in love with someone. Don't break his heart.
Jessica: I will never leave him.
She took his hands and held them tightly.
Jessica: I promise
Grandpa James smiled at her.
Grandpa: God bless you
Jessica went back to the dining hall with James. Everyone was quiet.
Grandpa: Mark, we'll meet later. In the meantime, think about whom you'll consider as your Underboss.
Maverick nodded and stood up. He held Jessica's hand. The two bowed to the elders and Maverick took her outside.
Jessica entered into a private jet and then Maverick sat beside her. The jet took off immediately.
Mark: What did Grandpa tell you?
Jessica: He could've told in front of you if he wanted.
Mark: What happened? I'm seeing that you're upset about something. What's bothering you?
Jessica: None of your business
Maverick took her hand. Jessica tried to yank his hand away but Maverick held it tightly.
Mark: Won't you tell me?
Jessica looked at him.
Jessica: The would-be boss needs a woman so that he can be the Boss. You just needed a woman, right? You never loved me, Mark. You needed me to keep your position. All these days, you befooled me.
Maverick loosened his grip. Jessica took her hand away and looked away.
Mark: Jane, I love you. I can have any woman I want. I just need to clap and there'll be a queue of women. But I chose you, Jane. I want you to be my life partner. I want you by my side. Always.
Jessica faced him.
Jessica: Truly?
Her gaze was soft, her eyes were shining, and her cheeks were rosy. Maverick cupped her face in his hands. He looked deeply into her hazel brown eyes.
Mark: I love you more than anythi
ng.
Jessica's heart was beating faster and she felt butterflies in her stomach. She saw herself in Maverick's blue eyes.
Maverick leaned closer and Jessica didn't hesitate. She closed her eyes and leaned closer and their lips met.
Is she falling for Maverick Williams, her target?