Callistus took a closer look at the picture. Ivan?
"Ryan," the client introduced himself.
"John Cal," Callistus lied.
Ryan tapped his finger on Ivan's head in the photo. "This is Ivan Chase. I want him killed."
"In six months, my cousin is set to marry him for a share of his company. But if something happens to him, my family will inherit everything," the client explained.
"After the wedding?" Callistus asked as he got his drink.
"Yes. I want you to keep an eye on him in the meantime," the client continued.
"Sir, I'm only here when you actually have a target I can hunt," Callistus responded. "I am not a camera to follow him all day long."
The man grinned. "Ten million. Six months to spy on him and kill him after the wedding."
Callistus was stunned; he had never heard of such a large sum before. He hesitated but soon agreed. After that, the man immediately left the bar, leaving Callistus to rethink his decision.
—
His alarm rang, and Callistus finally woke up from his bed. He couldn't sleep much, the scene replaying in his head. The money was already transferred, and he now had 2 million in his account. Enough to pay his rent and student debt, but it seemed wrong.
He went to work as usual, getting a cab. He reached his desk, putting his things down before being called, but not into Ivan's office.
This time, bookkeeping was different. Instead of just copying exactly from the one Ivan had done for him, he needed to do it himself.
"What?" Callistus muttered, trying to keep himself awake.
He was having a hard time understanding, learning from someone else.
"Hey, do you understand what I'm saying here?" another bookkeeper asked him.
"Yeah, yeah," he answered.
The woman rolled her eyes. "That's all you need to do. Remember, recording transactions and accounts payable, that's all you're doing." She said, "You can go back to your desk now."
Callistus immediately got up and walked away with his things. He had learned nothing from that woman. By then, it was lunch break again.
He ate with Star and Myiesha, but he was more silent than usual. The girls noticed but didn't pay much attention. Afterwards, Callistus went back to his desk, trying to remember what the woman said and trying to understand it. After finishing one of them, he sent it to the other bookkeeper to check if it was right.
Unfortunately, it wasn't, and Callistus had to redo it again. The cycle continued until evening, where the woman didn't see his messages. He just decided to work overtime again, trying to figure it out himself.
"You really are hardworking," Star said as she left.
As the evening turned into night, the office emptied out except for Callistus. Despite his efforts, he still couldn't figure out how to properly record transactions and handle accounts payable. As he worked, he noticed two silhouettes through the glass doors. He ignored them, assuming it was nothing important.
A few minutes later, one of the silhouettes returned. This time, the doors swung open, and Ivan walked in. Callistus thought it was a coincidence and didn't look up. He turned off his computer and started packing his things.
"What's the rush?" Ivan asked, but Callistus didn't respond.
Callistus walked out of his desk and passed Ivan, heading for the door. Ivan was puzzled by Callistus's sudden change in behaviour. Without wasting another second, Ivan followed him, knowing Callistus didn't have a car and a cab this late would take a while to arrive.
"Callistus," Ivan called a few times, but there was no response.
They both made it downstairs to the main entrance. Callistus continued walking, but Ivan grabbed him by the arm.
"What's wrong?" Ivan asked, his voice a mix of confusion and annoyance.
Callistus tried to pull his arm back, but Ivan held firm. "Nothing's wrong," he answered, looking down. "Let me go."
"Not until you tell me what's going on," Ivan insisted.
Callistus stayed silent for a moment, then sighed. He had to keep an eye on Ivan for the next six months, and the money was already being transferred. He wasn't mad at Ivan but at himself for agreeing to the deal. It was greed, but he had no choice but to go through with it.
"It's complicated," Callistus finally said. "I'm just dealing with some shit."
Ivan's grip loosened. "Talk to me if you need to, but just don't act like that out of nowhere. I can help."
Callistus looked at Ivan, his starting to doubt himself. "Thanks, but some things I just have to figure out myself."
Ivan nodded, understanding but still concerned. "Alright, but remember, I'm here if you need anything."
With that, Callistus walked away, leaving Ivan standing at the entrance, watching him go.
—
"Bruh," Star whispered, her voice barely audible. "That's all?"
Mia stood beside her, hiding behind a corner, keeping an eye on Ivan and Callistus. "I know, right?" she replied, equally cautious. "Honestly, what sparked that fight?"
"I thought you knew!" Star shot Mia a bewildered glance.
"HUH?" Mia's eyes widened in surprise. "Just because he's my friend doesn't mean I know everything!"
Star rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fine, maybe another time."
—
"What don't you understand? This is so simple!" The woman looked at Callistus with fury, almost yelling at him.
"Your teaching, I don't understand," Callistus replied, his head hung low.
The woman handed his things back to him with a huff. "Then go ask someone else to help you."
Callistus returned to his desk and laid his head on it, wanting nothing more than to sleep. His life felt like a monotonous cycle: a boring morning, lunch with some colleagues, and more tedious work in the afternoon.
He stared at his empty desk, void of any personal decorations. With his head still down, he closed his eyes, drifting off.
Something stroked Callistus' hair, gently waking him. His eyes slowly opened, blinking repeatedly as small drops of tears formed from exhaustion.
"You really do like staying overtime, don't you?" a voice said.
Callistus shot up from his lying position, sitting straight, his head turning toward the sound.
"Ivan?"