"Do you know that up until now I have yet to travel every inch of the land? That place is great. I am not saying this because I hail from there. If the investors make a little investment to develop the region, it will be the talk of the blue planet. The leaders are not helping to improve such a place. They are taking all public funds as their private funds. Not funny at all."
"The security there is worsening day after day. They don't have the necessary equipment to fight off crimes. This problem has scared tourists and investors away. The only sustainable section is our agricultural produce. It will always strive, even in hard times. The education, research, and other departments... girl, they have been stagnant for a decade. Nobody wants to fix it. Our kids aren't thriving to be the best again. Saphila's future is getting bleak."
"Ahem, there is ongoing juicy news. We heard Saphila has a new owner. I don't know if such a mighty one will fix some problems. We are not greedy. A few problems to better our lives. Maybe some roads or bridges. Any infrastructure will be welcome because jobs will be made available for the rest of the jobless. When there are jobs, no one will think of crime, right?"
Some minutes into their discussions, Elaine got general ideas about her region. The region is simply mismanaged. She has to fix such nonsense with iron hands. To do so will require drastic measures. She was willing to take it without care for its negative implications. She knew well that some of the wealthy ones who strive in chaos will hate her guts, but this is her region. Her words are final. No chickening out.
They might seek to deal with her. This brings her ideas of an underground information network and an assassin organization to the top of her to-do lists of things to get done. She will not entertain any threat to her future child.
Tonight, she will have a detailed discussion with the dean of the orphanage home. She will need to employ the services of retired special forces, both field and information special forces. They will be responsible for training the first batch of hidden spies and assassins. These qualified orphans will be the foundation on which she builds her empire.
The driver arrives in the market region at the entrance of Saphila's territory. It was a buzzing market where a lot of goods were on display. Elaine's interest was piqued. These fine men and women had the roughest leaders anyone could ask for. Yet, they strive to prosper. Not forgetting to put smiles on each other faces.
"Mr. Driver, I quite enjoy your company. Do you have kids? Let me get some souvenirs for them." Elaine might have hidden her idea of listening for any grievances from another horse's mouth.
The driver heard her. He was filled with smiles and rambling.
"Ah! I married a fine beauty in my twenties. She had the Latino colour with those sleek long hairs of her. By the gods, we are blessed with four kids. But, they are adults now. They got lovely little lad. All my grandchildren. We can buy souvenirs for those kids. I am sure they will be extremely happy." The middle age driver summarised his history in the most quickest way she have ever read or heard.
"Alright, you will lead the way. You ought to know what they love, right?"
"I won't earn the greatest granddad title if I don't understand my little one. Let me park in a safe spot. The tickets for breaking the law are scary. No sane driver will think of challenging such ridiculous tickets." He drove to one of the certified parking lots for those arriving at the market and parked the taxi.
He and Elaine alighted the taxi. He walked alongside Elaine and directed her to the best market stores. He did the shopping while Elaine turned into a detective. Asking different series of questions while highlighting the changes she will carry out when she settles down.
An hour plus,
The shopping for souvenirs was done. The drivers with a lot of gifts carefully arranged it at the boot of his car. He joined Elaine in the car to continue their journey.
"Mister, can you take me to the best hotel close to the region, Lord Mansion? I feel the need to rest after my arduous flight." Elaine requested it from the middle-aged driver.
"Ah! Yes, I do understand. I knew the best hotel here, but the prices are steep. We, the common folks, will not hesitate to steer clear of such hotels. They are beyond our means." The middle-aged driver replied to Elaine. Not knowing she was the rumoured new owner.
"No problem, Mister. I am good. I can foot their bills."
"Very well, chap! I will take you to LA' Enriqos hotel. They are newly built, and it will fit your grandstanding." He was aware from the onset that his passenger was not the average Joe in town. She will be a hidden wealthy fellow, or her background might be one of those scary ones.
She was practically comfortable travelling alone with no security. That speaks volumes. He had seen and heard numerous cases where people messed with such individuals, and everything linked to them vanished without traces. Some who delve in to find the reason for such happened are outrightly warned to end those cases or face annihilation.
Small people like him can smell these figures from great distances. He had learned to please them and desist from having ugly thoughts. If fortune favours him, he might leap the dragon gate.
The middle-aged driver quickly arrived at the LA' Enriqus hotel. Just as he mentioned, it was a stylishly built skyscraper hotel with full tourist amenities.
He drove to the entrance, where he could drop off this special passenger of his.
Elaine was satisfied with his service. She had future needs for his service. She would secretly want to travel around her territory without her future security. Uhm! She may travel with one or two assassins.
Elaine asked, "Mister, what is your name?"
"Lady, this humble one is called Lucas Neil." Lucas replied to Elaine.
"Lucas, would you like to be my hidden driver?" Elaine asked Lucas.
"Ehn!" Lucas seemed confused about her strange request.
"In the future, you will get to hear of me. I asked you to keep quiet. You won't, by any means, let anyone know you have a tie with me. Your job will be to drive me around the Saphila South region. While I inquire about the difficulties facing the whole region. In response to your unwavering loyalty and services. I will treat you well. There are no known cases of my people having a want, except they betray me.
I am off to the hotel. Give me your call card number. I will save it. Give my words some serious thought. I will call you within three days. Or this offer can pass to another fellow." Elaine stretched out her hand towards Lucas and, at the same time, was about to open the car door.
The frozen Lucas immediately woke up. Was this not the fortune he always asked for from the gods? Now, it was placed on his lap. He will be stupid to allow such a manna to flee over to another person. There is no need for elongated thought. He has made his decision. He will be the loyal dog of this fine lady.