Fatal Love

Another victim! Alan Maxwell’s body was found burned to ashes this morning. The Maxwell household is devastated upon losing their head. The sight was grotesque yet mystifying enough to wonder which inhumane creature could do this. The reason of such murder attempt is still unclear, the unidentified killer left no trace behind, arousing the biggest question- how Mr Maxwell died inside the lock room when it wasn’t suicide? The postmortem reports confirm the blast occurred inside the hotel room. What was Mr Maxwell doing there in the first place is left unanswered but once again the letter ‘M’ was found on the site as well.  The investigation team is trying their best to find the killer who is taking down such significant figures in high society.  First Mr Lennox Hyles, then Mr Jeffery Wayne and now Mr Alan Maxwell. It surely created a mist but the question remained- What is the letter ‘M’ and why specifically them?  It is further- A deep sigh escaped my lips, getting exhausted of hearing the same news which is echoing in my mind now causing immense disruption in it, stealing my ability to think straight about this situation but to no avail, the consternation pulled my back like a restraint.  Closing my light blue eyes, I loosen my tie and ruffle my pitch-black hairs, making them messy while leaning back on my office chair, urging to earn a reprieve from the abysmal thoughts wrecking havoc.  Exhaling my frustration, I remained like this in my office until midnight. I failed to notice I fell asleep but then my moment of lull was broken as I received a call from my Mother. Not realizing I dozed off, I picked her call, yawning, “Hello, Mother…”  “Damien, son, have you reached home yet? I told you to call me once you do. I was so worried about you.” Her anxiety came with a flood of questions. I sighed, straightening my back and looking at the time, it’s 1am. “Oh, sorry, Mom. I forgot.” I replied, opening the first two buttons of my shirt. “Where are you now?” She asked. “I am in the office, just leaving in a few moments.” “Damien! I told you, the condition of the city is not okay, I am extremely worried about your well-being.” A smile came to my lips when she kept on rambling. “Mom. I am fine. I have your prayers with me.” Knowing the deception of words, It was easy to ease her worries.  “Still…” “Anyways, I am leaving. Talk to you later. Bye.” I said and cut the call. I got off from my seat, took my coat from the chair, leaned it over my shoulder and left, motioning the security guard to lock the office.  My mind was intoxicated with undesirable thoughts and to shrug them off, I went to the bar. I need a way to let the darkness consume me, I was drinking whiskey, not enough to become drunk because I have to go home by myself. I sighed and finished my drink in one go, staring at my empty glass, why is it happening? And of all people.. Them? It was strange considering nothing we have broken apart and among all this why Alan is involved. No, It can’t be this. Don’t vex, Damien, it’s only a deceit.  “Refill, Sir?” The bartender asked. I shook my head no and took my phone and called my friend Esmei, He is a notorious actor. “Hello?” I asked. “Hey, man.” His voice came, amusing as usual. “How are you doing?” I asked. He laughed upon hearing it, “Alive. You?” I chuckled, “Me too.” “Did you see the news?” I asked. “Yeah… it was menacing…” He replied. “Hmm. Don’t you think it’s strange.” I began to say. “Strange in what way?” He asked, being oblivious, sounding bewildered. “Just in a sense.” I mumbled, tightening my grip on my glass, gritting my teeth. He hummed. “Esmei…” I called him after a brief silence, “Hey man… do you think-” “Damien, shut up.” He said sternly knowing what I was about to say. “If you want to talk about it, I am hanging up.” He said, slightly agitated. “But-” I tried to say but he cut the call. I sighed at their delusion. How cowardly they are living in a false belief, turning ignorant of the image in front of them, without understanding I can’t do this…  But I am like them and there’s no escape from this irrefutable reality.  I was lost in my own world until a woman with a beguiling look, staring intently at me with her black eyes, sat beside me, giving me a seductive wink. My lips curled from one side darkly as I looked at her. “Hey…” She said in a low, tempting tone. “Hey.” I replied in the same tone. “Being alone doesn’t suit a handsome as you.” She smirked, getting up and putting her hand on my shoulder, leaning closer.  I laughed a little, “Sorry sweetheart but I prefer my company other than unnecessary nuisance.” My smirk grew wider while hers faded. Her eyes narrowed in irk but her amusement came back again with her hand wrapping around my neck, turning me to her, “It won't be a nuisance, I can assure you.” She whispered in my ears.  “Maybe next time.” I said, getting up. She smirked and put her hand over her waist, putting her hand in front of me, I raised a brow but she said, “Fine then, your card. So we could meet again.” She demanded.  “Woah… you are one hell of a w***e, aren’t you?” I mocked but it didn’t affect her. “I don’t care, I can’t let go of a man like you. Your card.” She continued to smirk.  I chuckled, amused by her behaviour and gave her my card. Something malicious flashed in her eyes, I failed to notice like a hidden intent. Licking her lips the woman glanced at the card and called my name, “Till we meet again, Damien… Eryx.” She said,  I shook my head and was about to leave but then stopped. At least I need to know the name of this arresting woman, she was desirable, there was no denial in that. I turned to her but she was no longer there. I made a confound face but left shrugging this off. The next day, I was working, solely focused on my work, not wanting any disturbance in it, fulfilling my duties as the successor of the Eryx Household, I am the only heir after all. Maybe that’s why I need more protection than others, it is me who is going to inherit the business. Eryx Industries' name revolves around the world as we control most of the chemical and fertilizers industries.  I was working, diverting my mind from anything which could break my rhythm of tranquility but then a knock appeared on the door. “Come in.” I said with my eyes glued to my laptop’s screen and the file.  The clicking sound of heels was enough to know it’s my secretary as well as my cousin Perry; Persephone. She has been assigned as my secretary for six months now. I was told to teach her how business works but it took longer than I thought. She is a drag to teach. “Sir.” She called me to get my attention. “Hmm?” I hummed, still focused on my work. “We have a meeting before lunch. I can’t starve for another day.” She said, I frowned and looked at her, “It wasn’t my fault.” I reasoned, talking about yesterday's meeting which went too long and she couldn’t get the chance to eat anything. “Can we please leave?” She asked. “Also, if we skip lunch, then you owe me one.” She added. I sighed, closing the file and taking another from the cabinet on the right side of my cabin. “Fine.” I muttered. She smiled and we left for the meeting…. And once again, it took longer than expected and unlike us, she didn’t get a chance to eat again.  “You owe me lunch.” She said, grinning at me. Since the meeting took place at a hotel we were coming back from, I brought her lunch from McDonalds and went back.  “There you go, happy?” I asked. She smiled and nodded. I smiled back and patted her head, “And yeah, can you drop me home today?” She asked.  “I don’t know, it will take me some time.” I shrugged. “Oh.” She hummed and I got out and went to my cabin. The moment I entered I saw my Father sitting on the couch with three men and a woman standing around him. I spared a glance at him, “Hey old man, what brings you here?” I asked casually, walking to my desk and taking out a bar of Mars from the drawer and leaned on the table. Dad frowned, “Hey, I am not old!” He argued. I chuckled, “Yeah, yeah… so, why are you here with these guys?” I asked, eating my mars. He cleared his throat, “You know Damien, the murders occurring nowadays. Your Mother and I are extremely distressed about your wellbeing.” He began to say. I hummed, “I can understand.”  “You are our only child, the heir of all this empire, your life deemed important.” He continued. “I know, Dad. Come to the point.” I said, throwing the wrapper in the dustbin.  “Damien, he is Freddy, Johnson, Lucas” He said introducing the guys one by one. “And she is their head, Irene.” He said, stopping at the woman with dead hazel eyes still emitting a mysterious aura as if unspoken treasure resides in them. Hah, silly. Her brown hair tied in a ponytail standing assertively. I raised a brow, contemplating them, waiting for Dad to complete his sentence and his did which was not exactly to my pleasing, instead it pissed me, “They are your bodyguards.”