"Where the heck do you think you're going to? " West blurts from behind making Raven halt "Far away" Raven snaps "At least far from distrustful people like you. I have been working for you and never for once have you told me you were into illegal jobs. Drug Trafficking?! ". West rolls her eyes and snorts " How will i know you wouldn't tell on me to the Police? " West frowns "Look, you're among sea of posers, so whatever you see should not bother you let alone terrify you". Raven takes in an unmistakeable breath of anger as he ignores her and continues walking away. " Fine! " West seethes then turns to leave but she halts at once when she heard three gun shots. She turns around to see Raven lying on the floor. "Raven? " she gasps "Raven!!? " she runs to him in fear. Just then she was surrounded by some armed men on black and they dragged her up "Let me go" she screams as tears stream down her eyes. Shockingly, Raven stood up smirking at her. She felt muzzy as the pain pierces her heart, her legs and arms were bleeding. Guess Raven deceived her in some way "It's a painless bullet" "Who-Who are you? " West ask𝚜 in great difficulty breathing as everything she saw was blurry but definitely she didn't miss Raven's answer "If you even know a fraction of me, it will break you into two" Raven mutters and his voice sounded like a torment in her head as it constantly repeated itself in her ears. Then she blacks out. "They are the minor bullets right? " Raven asks one of the men on black who nods "Pull them out" he orders and leaves...
Chapter 1 CHA 1: The Threat
WEST
"Get the hell out of my phone!"
I shove my phone into my itty-bitty purse as I made my way into the 'Checkin Bar', the only place I go to cool myself down. Immediately I stepped in all eyes were on me.
The belligerent men pouting at me, none were surprised to see me and I understand why. Too much of everything is bad, believe me.
I rolled my eyes, and walked straight to the bar corner, ignoring the flirty stares I was getting from these scum bags. I sat at the bartending chair only to spot an unfamiliar guy smiling at me.
His skin was pale white, his black eyes seeming to pierce into my soul. His abs were visible even under his shirts. He seemed to be a new staff because he wasn't the guy that always attended to me.
"Good evening Miss" the smile on his face were reaching his eyes
"Where's Jacob?" I asked obliviously, perhaps daunting him because he flinched slightly and those smiles returned to his face. He's such a smile freak!
"Well ma'am, he was transferred to another bar because of the change of ownership" he answered. Yeah right, I forgot that the bar was bought by another person; a Senator to be precised.
I rolled my eyes and placed my both hands on the counter. "I will just have French 75". He looked surprised for a while before masking his expression with a smile.
French 75 is a powerful piece of artillery. It is quite easy to mix, 2 oz gin, 2 dashes simple syrup, 5 oz lemon juice and champagne.
Within a minute, I felt anger radiating within me as he approached. He was a general for stalking and hounding, Senator Jerrick Romeril; the most famous Senator and the father of corruption in the whole of Indonesia.
"It's nice to see you again West" he smiled and sat opposite me, facing me directly. Why is everyone having the tendency of faking a smile this night?
Well I could fathom why the bartender guy continued to force a smile on his face, his job will be at stake if he doesn't crinkle up his face. But this Casanova sitting right next to me? he's the master of pretence.
"You're not speaking to me, seems like someone's upset tonight" he said fervently, obviously trying to make me say something, but I was doing a great job at snubbing the pervert.
The bartender returned with my French 75. He had a flicker of emotions when he spotted the Senator, he was quite fast to compose himself. He bowed slightly and immediately excused himself to go attend to other customers.
"Have you suddenly gone dumb?" he hissed in a hoarse voice, I was trampling on his patience. I gently sipped my French 75 and then I glanced all around us, people were looking at us like we had some extra head but no one dared to take pictures.
"I can see how brazen you are, apparently not afraid of being captured on camera" I sipped my drink again, he chuckled at what I said. After his show of stupidity, he stretched out his hand to point at something.
I furrowed my eyebrows before navigating my gaze to what he was pointing at. It was a board of reminder, boldly written 'Pictures ain't allowed in this bar, be warned'
I mouthed an 'O'; change of something simply means change of everything. "He's such a careful criminal" I wondered as I gave a nod.
"Why are you playing hard to get? I know what you girls do to earn a living in this country" he spat, causing me to be intrigued as I narrowed my eyes at him.
"And what do you think I do to earn a living?" I enquired, my eyes fixed on him
"With your slut-like personalities, payment of your bills can be guaranteed " he blurted out, clasping his palms together.
A short disbelieving chuckle escaped my lips, as I sipped my drink slowly. He subtly called me a slut, no doubts.
"So tell me Senator Jerrick Romeril" I scoffed, darting my eyes elsewhere. "What are you doing with a slut-like lady when you have a wife and two lovely kids waiting for you at home?"
His eyebrows seemed to have arched, he wasn't definitely wasn't expecting the question. It was the first time in forever that he was inflicted with speechlessness.
He took in a heave of breath before answering me. "Don't get my family involved with this". Surprised confusion laced in my eyes as I stifled a chuckle.
"Oh really? So your wife doesn't have to know about her husband's sins?" I asked quizzically and he let out a chuckle. Signifying that he was in control of everything.
"I doubt if she would ever find out" he smuggled. "Or maybe you're going to spread it like wildfire before I'm even able to tame the flames"
I understand exactly where he was heading to and I really don't give a damn. His wife can be locked in the dark for all I care, but he called me a slut-like; I will show him exactly what sluts do.
"Bartender!" I called narrowing my eyes to the guy who was already idle. He scuttled to us, giving Senator Jerrick an invisible stink eye. It's obvious someone feels exactly how I feel right now.
Flailing my fingertips at the edge of the champagne cup of French 75. I muttered, "Get me a glass of Manhattan"
At that moment I heard someone's heart skip, I jerked my head up to see the bartender gaping at me. What's up with him? He then looked at Senator Jerrick who had been keeping his cool.
"It's not for him, it's for me" I assured, only for the young man's confused marred face to increase. He was confused about the fact that I needed another whiskey cocktail when one was right in front of me, unfinished.
I began boiling at him, 'why the heck is he wasting my time?'
"Are you just going to stand there or be a good bartender and make my order ready? Remember your job...." a half smile curved my lips and I shot the Senator a glance.
Without much hesitation, the bartender skittered away. I pulled out my phone from my itty-bitty purse, a notification of ten missed calls popping on the screen.
I frowned a bit, giving the Senator a sideway glance; my incessant silence was sure provoking him. After what seemed like three minutes, the bartender returned back with the cocktail strained into chilled martini glass or whatever it is called.
He placed it beside my French 75 glass with a short awkward nod. I reached for my purse again and pitched my credit card at him for required payments to be made.
He flinched a bit and left with it. I faced Senator Jerrick, who now looked sober.
I scrolled down my phone, trying to distract myself from laughing at his appearance right now. "I'm so sorry Senator Jerrick"
He took in a heave of breath as a hint of displeasure passed over his face. "What were you saying?"
"Oh..okay..... Senator Jerrick, what if you go missing and there's no trace of where and how to find you, how will you feel?". I asked casually with my eyes still glued on my phone.
"Is that question supposed to be for me?" he asked, his voice was reeking of obvious annoyance.
"I'm just saying because....you will eventually go missing one day" I blurted. "But I got you covered. Look?.." I navigated my phone's screen towards him to see.
Seven different hotels, seven different women and the same old man. His eyes dilated in horror as he looked at the pictures, the color draining from his face.
"What nonsense are these!?" his voice was blaring loud, causing the whole bar to be stunned silent as all eyes were on us. What a disastrous show to behold, I'm loving this.
Yes it was a purpose act; I made my men take those pictures of him under-covered when I realized that the old man wasn't gonna give up on persuading me into being his mistress.
He composed himself and signalled the DJ to play back the music and everyone went back to minding their businesses.
"You better chillax Senator Jerrick, this is just a clue for your wife when you go missing. She can find you in any of the seven hotels or better still contact the seven ladies" I smiled disdainful and he shoots me a gawk.
"You wouldn't dare" he fumed, his tone was dangerously low; enough to make one's heart make a frantic flip-flop in their chest. I, apparently, wasn't fazed by his show of anger.
"I absolutely will! The choice is yours; leave me be or kiss your pathetic marriage goodbye" I leered at him, stowing away my phone into my purse and ready to leave.
The bartender stretched his hand to give me back my credit card, as I was about taking it I halted due to the Senator's words.
"It's not yet over West, I swear I'm going to get you" he spoke through clenched teeth. The guts!
I plopped down beside him. "Good luck with that Senator Jerrick Romeril" I enunciated, yanked my credit card from the bartender who quivered and I left.
Chapter 1 CHA 1: The Threat
02/11/2024