What? Did he think he was a God or something, to give him the grace to limit the number of sins he committed. Grace? He chuckled. There was nothing like grace in his dictionary. The only thing that existed there was self-made.
"What prospective Mr. Vincent? "
There is a saying, one has to die to embrace life and also to live to crave death. The same thing could be applied to humans. For them to be wise, there would be a need for stupidity. "Death of course, I am here to give you another chance to rethink your decision." Vincent raises his hand, indicating the number four. "That's the minutes you have. "
"And if my answer remains the same?" he taunted , "This is business we're talking about, you can't force your choice on me."shaking his sideways ways.
The room became silent for a good three minutes, both men maintaining their composure. It seemed like there was an unspoken competition where no one wanted to break the silence. The dim light acted as a perfect catalyst making everything a little fun, speeding up the time.
Vincent titled his head to the side, bringing his watch to his face, he said, "Time's up, I admire your courage. Many are not brave enough to pick this choice." Giving him a thumbs up.
"Fearlessness is a core part of who I am. I hope Mr. Vincent is not all about big talks? "mockery laced in his tone.
Something dark and alluring flashed in Vincent's eyes. Trying to get the reins of his emotions, he closed his eyes for a moment, taking deep breaths. He opened his eyes, which now appeared calm, like the ocean. He pushed himself up and took a step forward to Ronald.
Every move brought a big lump to
Ronald's throat, which he could not swallow no matter how he tried pushing it down, did not bulge. Wanting to get up, it was like his limbs were drained, and his muscles gave way. His whole body movement was restrained, an invisible power held him down,"what did you do to me? I can't move." Shaking, his body disquieted, "Mr. Vincent! Help! Someone-"
"That won't do you any good"Vincent warned, a sly smile forming on his full lips. Placing his right thumb on Ronald's forehead, he whispered something in the air. Suddenly, a dominant force pulled Ronald in, and he was transported to a dark enclosure filled with nothing but emptiness. The temperature was neither hot nor cold.
One could barely see through the darkness that carried a silent whisper hovering around him. The continuous loud beating of a heart occupied with fear, and sweat trickled down his pale complexion. The place brightened up with a red glow filling the corner of the room.
No wait? That wasn't right. It was not a room but a wasteland and there was nothing in sight. Just as everywhere became bright, something came into view. It was as if someone was painting the whole place, filling it with objects with just a strike of a paint brush.
Ronald kept on gazing at the pictures in front of him. There stood tall dark towers, each having a symbol written on them. Failing to notice the boney hand which popped out from the ground gripping his ankle. Slowly Looking at his foot to see the thing, he screamed off his wind pipes "Ahhhh!!" his voice brought an echo.
He took off on his heels, sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him,he kept on the race, his heart pounding heavily, and he got to a stage where it became difficult for him to breathe. Pausing to catch his breath as he bent slightly, placing his sweaty hands on his knees. Furrowing his brows together in disarray because of what was before his eyes.
The clouds above were pitch black, the place smoky, and the soil creaked and parched. Each tower had an old bell hung on the top and a raven circling it. The towers were divided by small rivers flowing with blood filled with different kinds of bones and skulls. The air carried an ominous feeling, making his skin crawl.
It was when the ravens started making strange noises, the ground shook giving way and some creatures emerged. To be specific, a beast like having curly long tails, a hairy body, huge red eyes, and four limbs with sharp paws. While some had bat-like wings and horns. They came running towards him, saying something he could not hear because of the distance.
The gap between him and the creatures kept on decreasing with time because he could not keep up his pace."Food! Food! "was what they were growling for.
Food? He had no food. For goodness' sake, where was he? One minute he was in his hotel room, the next he was here, running for his life. When the creatures caught up to him, the place where he stood turned to quicksand, draining him inside until it enveloped him.
His heartbeat became shallow as it was slowing down, one beat at a time. He was gasping for air, but no matter how he tried, his lungs died down, taking his last breath. This was how he was going to die. No family, no friends, not even a soul beside him. Finally, he gave up.
Back in the hotel room, Vincent stood there while clicking his tongue, "So boring, you give up so easily after you said bravery was one of your personalities."staring at Ronald .
Ronald's eyes broadened. He was back in the room. How was he not dead? When the realization hit him hard, this person was not mortal. "How are you not human? Is this even possible? " He held his head to stop it from spinning. Fear still lingered in his body.
"Shsss, that's our little secret, o it will no longer be a secret once you're gone." Placing his finger over his lips.
Ronald fell on his knees "Please, I beg you don't send me there, I beg of you, I… I will give you my shares please ".
"Who said anything about sending you there that was just a little taste of the gates of hell, will be sending you to hell itself," Vincent said, ready to snap his head off any moment for now?
A frightened look married Ronald's face, "No please don't kill me. I don't want to die. Have mercy on me." he kept on pleading for Vincent to spare his life, his head already on the floor.
"I want the documents signed and sent to Rui before the rays of the sun touch the earth."
-
Vincent and Rui stood outside in the parking lot, holding a cigarette in between their fingers, resting their back on the car.
"You did not kill him? He's of no use now that he agreed to sign the documents. "
"He has to be alive to sign it." He had no intention of killing the man. The reason he did that was to install fear in the moron, and the fool could not handle it. Everything Ronald saw was nothing but an illusion, a fragment of his imagination. Nothing was real in that world.
"After he signs it, you will be in full control of the company. "throwing the cigarette on the ground, he stamped on it. "She called."
The look on Vincent's face slipped. She, he knew exactly who Rui was talking about.
"Should we go there? " Rui asked.
"No, drive to the penthouse".