Apocalypse Fighter

Chapter 9 Milo’s Chance

Richard didn’t care about a reunion; he had more important things to consider. Richard needed to focus on getting them settled in a house as soon as possible; he wanted the place to be as close to the center of the city as was available. He knew that was going to be expensive, but he didn’t care, it was more accessible to emergency services, and it had the advantage of secure communities. They were fully fenced with security guards that patrolled twenty-four hours a day. The only way in or out was with a security pass, surely that would offer Richard and his family some added security. 

Richard also knew that it could be challenging to get into one of these areas; there was often a waiting list for people to buy or rent the properties. Richard was prepared to do anything in his power to secure a house; if he couldn’t borrow, then he would buy a home. Even if he had to bribe someone, also if it meant killing someone, although Richard hoped it didn’t get to that point, he would kill again to protect his family. 

The next biggest thing on Richard’s mind was stockpiling supplies; he needed to buy weapons and as much ammunition as he could. Richard was worried that it might raise some alarms with the locals if he bought the local gun shop out of business, that if people saw him purchasing large amounts of any item, they would question him. If anyone knew what was coming, it would create panic, and so Richard was thinking of the best way to approach his large purchases. 

Richard was deep in thought when the Washington skyline came into view; this was the first time Richard had seen it in all its glory. The last time he had seen this view was after the invasion had decimated it. Now, Richard could see people on the roads, driving to work. The city was slowly coming alive as the sun rose, the street lights flickering off. It was almost hard for Richard to believe that this place would be hell on earth in the next week. 

The sky began to lighten, the sun reflecting off buildings created a dazzling display, Richard knew that today was going to be a good day. 

Milo was neatly dressed and sat behind a narrow desk in the real estate agency. He was a realtor, struggling to make ends meet, he was married with two children, and he gave them the best education he could afford. He had moved away from friends and family to chase this dream, but it seemed that no matter what he did, his vision was getting further and further out of reach.

Lately, his performance was not ideal; he was struggling to make sales. Milo looked at his colleague Maria, who was applying lipstick to her already perfect face. Maria was in her late twenties, her skirts barely covering her plump ass and shirts that showed all of her cleavages. 

This woman had already made three deals this month; Milo knew precisely why she was so successful, and it didn’t have much to do with her talent as a realtor. Maria put away the compact and stood up to greet her latest client. It was rumored that this deal was worth more than twelve million dollars; this made Milo feel depressed. He would do anything for sale like that, but Milo had no hope while Maria was around. 

It seemed that women had an unfair advantage in some positions, take real estate agents, for example. They could use their feminine charms to persuade buyers, to lure men in and then seal the deal. It didn’t work the same for men, Milo was fit and attractive, even if he did say so himself, but it never gave him any advantage at all when trying to secure a deal. 

Maria wasn’t above sleeping with a client to help them make up their mind to sign the contract, Milo would never even consider something like that, and also if he did no woman was interested in him anyway. Besides, it was unethical. But Maria was the one getting ahead; it always seemed to be those who did wrong were the winners. 

Milo stewed in his thought, not knowing that today was going to change his life forever. The bell sounded as someone entered the office. Milo looked up and smiled at the gentleman at the door. Maria was busy with a client; this was Milo’s chance to make a deal. Milo stood up from his desk and straightened his jacket; he smiled confidently as he approached the man with a briefcase. 

“Hello, Mr. Thompson.” Maria purred. “It’s terrific to see you again.” Maria ran a long, red fingernail seductively across his collar and down his tie, stopping just before the waistband. 

Maria turned slowly, offering Mr. Thompson a 380-degree look at her body, Milo saw the lustful grin on Mr Thompson’s face and shook his head. Maria was like bait on a hook, and the rich fish fell for it every time. 

“Oh, come now Maria, I’ve said before please call me Jordan. I think we have gone beyond the formalities.” Jordan gave a lewd wink to Maria, who smiled and winked back. “Time for business, about what I told you yesterday, can it be done?” Jordan lowered his voice; he didn’t want anyone overhearing. 

“Jordan, I don’t have any good news on that front. The house is in your wife’s name, even though your name is on the property. There is no way you can sell the house without her signature.” Maria explained. 

“Ah well therein lies the problem…” Jordan hung his head in his hands. 

“This is where I can give you a little bit of good news…” Maria smiled, she rolled her chair out from behind the desk and moved as close as she could to Jordan. 

“If you can bring me something with her signature on it, then I have someone who can help you solve your problems,” Maria whispered. 

Maria didn’t really like Jordan, and what he was plotting, he was up to his eyeballs in gambling debt, and now he wanted to sell the family home, that was in his wife’s name to pay it off. The mob was chasing him and if he didn’t pay them soon, they were going to hurt him. They couldn’t kill him because he was the Mayor’s son, but they would make him pay. 

“Damn it, that b***h makes me angry!” Jordan raised his voice; Maria jumped from the sudden outburst. “She wouldn’t give me anything, even when we were engaged, the only thing she is thinking about is getting my father to approve her project. She knows how much money a proper dining hall on campus will make, she had more than me, and she won’t give me a cent. If it wasn’t for these debts…” Jordan’s face was red from anger. 

Jordan seemed to snap out of it quickly; he looked at Maria as if he had only just understood what she had said. He got off the desk and put his hands on Maria’s shoulders;

“Could you forge her signature for me? You said you know people, if you do this for me I will give you fifteen percent commission of the sale.” Jordan spoke quickly and quietly. 

Maria turned the numbers over in her head, fifteen percent would be just over two million dollars, her lit up at the thought, she had never taken so much commission from one sale, and this could be the sale that launches her career. But there was some risk involved, and Maria needed to keep a logical mind. 

“I have an idea,” Maria whispered back. “I need to talk to someone first, get me her signature and we will go from there.” 

“Who do you need to talk to?” Jordan asked. 

“A guy I know, he does a few things for me here and there.” Maria didn’t want to give away too much information.