~Even more Complicated~

Zachariah’s pov
         
          See you at the show.
          It suddenly occurred to me that I was going to see my wife. I was going to see Eshaal and…
          “What’s that?” Alek asked looking from over my shoulders. “This f*cker!” He gritted.
          “That’s proof that Eshaal’s alright.”
          “She’s with the devil. She can’t possibly be alright.”
          “We need to get ready for tomorrow.” I ordered dropping the topic. I didn’t want to have to lose the optimism I had. Obviously, Eshaal was alright. She is.
          I couldn’t sleep at night so I ended up doing tahajjud, like every night. I didn’t know what to expect except my wife was going to be fine. My mum was coming over too cause R had sent a text saying he wanted to see my mum. I couldn’t say no to his request in my state. On the positive side, ill be able to protect everyone together. Not that you succeeded with Eshaal.
          I closed my eyes and groaned. That voice was eating me up. I’ll protect us as long as we stay together.
          I was on the ground and just finished salams when my phone flashed on the counter in the room. I got up to get it. A voice message from Sienna and she sent some exclamation marks under with the word ‘urgent’.
          I played it.
         
          Zach, hi. The yakuza are working R. (I walked over to the bed to sit and took in a sigh.) I wasn’t sure at first. Hell! I don’t want to be sure now but I have reasons to come to this. Remember, I told you I saw Hinata, my brother’s girlfriend at R’s ball? I hope I told you cause I don’t remember… She was selling a child to R. That might not be enough of evidence so I dug deeper. I couldn’t find my brother. I asked Hinata and she never told me anything at all. Cutting the long story short. He’s here in seattle lying in a hospital unconscious. (She took a pause, her voice had started to crack.) I believe the child she sold is with the other children R took. I don’t know, maybe I’m being paranoid but she’s bad news and if she is so are her men and if her men are as bad as I think they’d be informing R of your next move.
          Sophia told me the R’s fashion show is tomorrow. Be careful. Keep your eyes peeled and mother safe.
          The phone beeped at the end of the voice note.
          I stayed and pondered. I honestly didn’t know what to think. R has allies everywhere. He’s powerful. He didn’t want to make any spontaneous decision that’ll jeopardize the possibility of seeing Eshaal tomorrow.
          One wrong move of getting rid of his allies as relatively easy as that sounds would only end in R spawning more recruits and changing the expected event, the ball was in R’s court, heck it was always in his court. At least now I knew what to expect and I didn’t want any change of plans. From now I’ll be in control even if that meant heeding to R’s wants. The best thing was to get rid of the source of the problem. R himself.
         
 
-…

          Eshaal’s pov

I forgot about the camera I assumed he had hidden in the room.
          It was obvious now that he was watching me. “Won’t I need it on the way?” I feigned innocence. “I assumed my case isn’t exactly stable.”
          “It isn’t.” He stretched his hands over to me. “But I’ll hold on to it.” 
          “It’s only smart if I do.” I countered and his expression grew dark. He obviously didn’t like that. Pretty sure he’d want to get me back to my previous state so I can stop talking. That’s what that eye twitch says.
          “You can talk now.” He forced a smile at me, pointing out the obvious like we hadn’t just conversed some minutes ago.
          “I can.” I answered.
          “How about you shut up and hand it to me so I don’t have to take it.” His tone was firm and his jaw clenched while his hands stretched open to collect.
          Maybe he should try to take it from me. I’ll like to see him try, but that won’t be wise. He probably had a gun or knife on him and I didn’t need him to stab me like he did Nisha or shoot me like he did Nikolai. I’m not his main target. I’m just a pawn he can afford to get rid of if I screw up or touch the wrong buttons. Just like Nikolai and Nisha.
          I reached into my bag to retrieve the bag of transparent liquid and handed it to him. I could see the muscle on his face relaxed. I just tested his patience and I could’ve very well regretted it.
          He adjusted his suit jacket, a blue Armani tux that reminded me of how good my husband would look in it. Now that my body wasn’t numbed, I physically ached for Zach. I needed his hugs now.
          “Lets never have this conversation again. And never defy my orders.”
          My eyes twitched, an alternative to rolling it in annoyance. I really wanted to push him off the mezzanine so his body can splash all over the marble floor. But im pretty sure he was stronger than me and ill only end up getting shot by the mouth. “Sure.” You’re lucky I don’t trust my strength right now, Torrez.
          “The limo is out waiting for us. Packed all you need, pumpkin?” He asked.
          All I need? All I need? The only thing I had and needed was the liquid that’s helped me stand on my two feet, now a breeze could possibly carry the bag if not cause the material was already heavy. Stupid question. “All packed.” I responded with a tight-lipped smile.
          “C’mon, pumpkin.” He turned to me all smiles. “Be happy. You’re gonna see your husband, friends and family again.”
          He said that like he was gonna make it that simple and kill himself so we could live in peace. “I’m happy. My face is just a bit stiff. Maybe side effects of the drug.” I motioned to the packet in his hands and he gave a slight nod.
          “They’ve never observed such a thing from the dose.”
          “Scientists. Always secrecy.” I deadpanned in an attempt to keep things on a light note.
          “No one keeps anything from me.” His face contorted into a frown.
          I failed miserably at that task.
          “Why don’t you go wait downstairs. I’ll be down shortly.” He said and then his eyes raked over my dress. “Beautiful choice of dress, pumpkin. You look stunning.”
          Uncomfortable as I was, I smiled and thanked him. I didn’t want to ruin his mood again.
          I took the staircase down and for some reason I saw Nisha at the end of it, wearing her bloody dress that made me stop in my tracks and a smile that sent shivers up my spine. I closed my eyes shut and whispered a little prayer and the opened it back. She was gone. I took a deep breath and out and completed the rest of my journey downstairs. I let my eyes wonder as I approach the white leather couch, my eyes lingered on the door. Would it be opened? I raised my head over to the Mezzanine. He wasn’t there.
Slowly, I started towards the door. My hand itched to twist the handle and bolt.  It should be opened. I mean R knows I have nowhere to run – well, it didn’t mean I won’t run anyway. Zach has his men looking for me. Its not unlikely I’ll run into one of them. I reached and placed my hand on the door handle. I twisted it but it didn’t budge. I glanced at the keys under the handle. It reminded me of the door that separated I and Zach’s room in the early days, the hand scan was definitely more advanced.
          I tried a combination. 0000. That didn’t work. 1234? Nope.
          A small smile graced my lips. Now I remembered trying to get into Zach’s phone, Zeros were my first to go. I let out a small snort at replaying I and MK’s shenanigans.
          “See why I didn’t want you walking?” I spun around in fright at the booming of his voice. He was coming down the staircase with his head cast down watching his step.
          “I…” didn’t know what to say. Shoot! What have I done? He’s going to changed his mind about the event and kill me off. I should’ve just sat down and eyed the door, not walk up to it! What is wrong with me?! A lot of things. His shoe noises grew louder as he approached me and stopped just by the end of the couch. “I wasn’t going to…”
          “It’s my daughter’s birthday.” He said, his face void of any emotions.
          “Uh…” I fidgeted.
          “You would know that if you ask questions.” He let a wrinkle smile raise his cheeks.
          Unsure what to do, I picked at my nails and smiled.
          “Shall we?”
          I nodded and he walked past me to the door, entering the combination.
          He was way too fast so I couldn’t see the buttons he pressed even if I tried.
          We stepped out and like before it felt like a breath of fresh air, we got to the elevator and entered. Throughout the silent ride down, I couldn’t help thinking how sweaty I would’ve been riding the elevator down alone with an escape purpose. Inadvertently, my sight trailed up the elevator walls, eying the corners. There were no cameras I could see. But I was pretty sure there was some sort of camera or gadget that would’ve sensed my leave.
          The elevator dinged to a stop and we got out. A red limo was waiting out for us, I could see through the glass lining the floor of the building walls. If I hadn’t run up to that library and gotten kidnapped, I’ll be in my custom-made MMD dress with an Indonesian styled hijab and a pair Christian Louboutin to go with it and stepping of the car my husband bought just for the event. For me.
          R held the glass door for me to step out. I hated it, I hated how if I told anyone what this man did to me in Torrez, how Nisha had her tongue chopped off cause of a ritual he was involved in and how he killed her in cold blood, no one – absolutely NO freaking BODY! – would believe me.
          They would take one good look at him and then back at me and then back at him for good measure just to say ‘You’re joking.’
          We slipped into limo. He sat opposite me on the soft plush chair with embroidery designs and some stones here and there. The inside was purple with some curvy dark purple elegant designs. And the chairs had cup holsters in the middle with a wine glass and bottle in it. Beside R was some sort of makeshift table. He lifted the head and brought out a chill bottle of wine. “Want some?” He asked.
          “No.” I dared.
          “It’s halal or whatever you guys call it.” He said exasperated. “A little won’t hurt.”
          “I understand. I really just… I rather not, cause of – you know – my gut health.” I gave a small smile trying to suppress the rejection but his face grew dark.
          There was a still silence lingering in the car. I’m sure the driver must feel it from all the way at his station and his piercing gaze did nothing to fix it. “Hand me that glass.” His voice was authoritative as he stretched his hand out and I handed it to him still avoiding his gaze.
          The sound of the wine filling the glass was the only source of sound. Hopefully my beating heart didn’t make it two. “Have it.” That was an instruction. I took the lower than half full glass from him and he proceeded to fill his glass. Okay, I’ll just hold it in hand and pretend to take sips once in a while. Once he filled his glass, he dropped the bottle in one of the holsters. “I’m going to make a toast,” I raised my eyes to meet his. “And when I do, I expect us both to down this whole.” His eyes pointed to the wine in my hand and then back at me. “Am I understood?”
          “But, my gut…” He raised a finger with his vacant hand shutting me up.
          “Am I understood?” He repeated slowly this time. His eyes unwavering and if I answer the wrongly. I’ll be in big trouble.
          Giving up, I nodded, “Yes.”
          A crease formed on his cheek due to the crooked, one-sided smile. “Good. Now…”
          “Wait.”
          His smile disappeared. “What?”
          “What’s her birthday? Your daughter?”
          He eyed me for a few seconds. “It’s too late to be asking such.”
          “Okay, what was her name?”
          “I said it’s too late!” He spat.
          “You said to ask questions!” I countered but that was just an excuse for my actual motive.
          “Make hay while the sun shines, pumpkin.” He crossed his leg on the other and relaxed on the chair a look of amusement etched on his face now.
          “I couldn’t speak and that was your fault.”
          “You had so many opportunities and in my defence, you single handedly wore yourself out. Don’t give that excuse.”
          I opened my mouth to counter but closed it back. I didn’t know what to say and I hated to see the smile of victory on his face so I casted my gaze to the side. Watching the sun-kissed, glittery buildings, signs, trees and people in bikini and shorts, probably hoping to get a tan. There must be a beach somewhere. Everything passed by in a blur.
          Still feeling his gaze on me. I wished I could poke his green eyes out, ice it in that makeshift table-cooler thing and shove it down both Nisha and Nickolai’s throats if they were still alive. The thought raised goosebumps off my skin and so did the lump in my throat that I swallowed down.
          C’mon now. You have an event and you need to be active. Get that Eshaal in you and prepare to throw R off a tower. I cleared my throat. “Aren’t you going to make that toast?” I ask facing his gaze head on.
          His grin grew wider. “Chin up, Pumpkin.” I did just that. “Confidence.” I gave a grin of my own.