CHAPTER 5

It didn't take long before the door was opened. All of them stood up immediately when they saw a familiar face entering first. He was the man who was by Mrs. King's side always and they got to know him and like him even when he was a cold face. Their eyes shoot at the door and it didn't long before she appeared.

They couldn't take those eyes off her. She was a beautiful young woman. Unlike all those rich madams, she didn't have long hair but short. She was wearing a purple designer suit and yet it looked so simple and not flashy.

She looked very approachable and didn't exert any coldness at all. The second she appeared in the room she beamed up with a smile and they all felt at ease.

"Please be seated guys," she said as she took her seat.

"Thank you."

After they were all seated, she put her handbag on the floor by her side and she looked at them.

"I am quite surprised to hear from all of you but this is not the time for ay talk. We are all starving. Let's order and don't hesitate, lunch is on me," she said with a smile.

They were excited but they all waited for her until she made her order. The server took their order before disappearing. They didn't know what to talk about since she said that they should eat first, so they all sat there and waited for their food.

Aurelia couldn't help but dance happily in her mind as she sat at the table. She didn't know that the method they had used would work like magic. She had been planning so many years to gather an army that will be loyal to only her. Recruiting the older generation wasn't a big deal but they could easily betray her.

She wanted to find people she can groom herself and let them work for her. She needed total loyalty because she knew that the battle, she was preparing for would need many hands.

She needed power and money. Even if she has the money and she doesn't have the army to execute her commands, what use will everything she had worked for be?

The food was served and they began to dig in. she was just happy to see the kids happy eating like that. She was used to eating with fewer people but being with such blooming youths made her heart flutter. At some point she was that young too and had a great life ahead of her before it crumbled down. It wasn't good to think about it.

Her mind wandered to the time where she first saw the kids. It was about two months ago, she thought.

There were always kids that loitered around the streets, doing drugs and prostitution. She couldn't save them all and there were not her issues. It just so happens that one day she was in a good mood and was passing through a certain neighborhood when she saw a group of kids.

They seemed united and happy even though they were from different backgrounds by just one look. She had the driver stop the car and she monitored them for a whole five minutes. She was intrigued, there was something about them that she liked and she knew immediately that these kids were special.

Since she wanted to have her whole army, she needed children who will be willing and eager to sacrifice their lives for her. She didn't want kids who were from these rich families, she needed kids that were willing to do anything to get what they want and what better place to get them than the streets. If she could get those kids and make them hers, they will be harmonious since they looked like one huge family.

At that moment she looked at Julius and gave him a smile.

"Should I approach them?" Julius asked her as soon as he noticed her curiosity about the kids.

"Give them a present. A hundred dollar for each, you know what to do," she told him and he nodded his head.

Aurelia watched as Julius left the car and took large strides towards the group of teenagers she had fancied. She rolled down the window and watched as Julius converse with the group for a while. She even saw them looking over at the car and she locked eyes with one of the guys in the group.

He looked mature and she liked it. She gave him a smile and she laughed lightly when she saw him averting his gaze. Soon after Julius returned back to the car and the car drove off.

"I gave them my card and told them if they are in any trouble, they should call me," he told her with a smile.

"You didn't lay out your cards to them?" she asked him.

"It's too soon. Just leave everything to me and soon they will be begging to work for you," Julius assured her and she gave him a smile.

"I will do that. Remember the sooner the better, I have wasted a lot of years and I still have nothing," she said gritting her teeth.

She had been on edgy lately. There was no news regarding her incident three years ago. The whole thing just quiet down and she was getting impatient. She knew that Julius was trying his best but she just wanted to find that person and rip his heart out for making her suffer like that.

Aurelia returned back to the present and put her fork down. Lunch was done and it was time to do business; she had business to attend to after all.

The servers took their plates away and she took a sip of her wine and she looked at Quinton, the kids' leader.

"Let's get this party started. Whatever you want to say, you have five minutes to persuade me. I have a meeting that I need to attend," she stated coldly. She wanted them to know she was no longer playing and that they needed to get down to business.

Quinton swallowed and looked her in the eyes. He was brave for such a young boy. He could look at her without averting his gaze, as he had done when they first met. She admired his bravery; he was going to make a great general.

"We want to work as a family for you. We've been together for a long time and know how to work well together. Whatever you ask of us, we will do it and will never betray you. We all have unique qualities, and I promise you that we will never let you down," Quinton said, and she was moved.

There weren't many heartfelt words exchanged there, but she could sense their sincerity. These kids wanted to work for her and handed themselves over on a silver platter. How could she say no to such a witty offer?

"Are you sure you can do whatever I want you to do?" she inquired, attempting to lure them out.

The kids exchanged glances before giving Quinton a thumbs up.

"We give you our word on it," he said.

"I believe you, but you must understand that this is a harsh world. Words without action are meaningless, especially to me. If you want to prove your loyalty to me, you must earn it," she stated emphatically.

"What exactly do you want us to do?" Quinton inquired, and she smiled.

"If you can do this in the next 48 hours, I will reconsider your offer and ensure that you will never go hungry again. I will make you famous and ensure that no one ever looks down on you again!" she promised.

"This is something we can do!" Quinton yelled, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Aurelia turned to face Julius, who had come to her side, and whispered into his ear, and he smiled.

"All right, guys, this is your assignment. These are the people our boss would like you to take a closer look at. I'll give you the names; all you have to do is find out anything you can about them. The dirtier, the better, and keep in mind that you only have forty-eight hours," Julius said, handing them a piece of paper with their names written on it.

She smiled as she watched the kids look at the names. She took her bag and a number of money bills, which she placed on the table.

"You should spend this money on whatever will help you get the information you need. Don't be a slacker. You are divided into five groups, each with one boy and one girl. Don't let me down, guys," she said as she stood up.

Before she left the room, the kids all stood up and gave her a bow.

When Aurelia left the room, the kids took a deep breath.

"Damn, that woman is terrifying. From a distance, she appears to be a saint, but up close, she creeps me out!" Jeremiah exclaimed as soon as they sat.

"It demonstrates that she knows what she wants. We should complete the assignment she assigned us or we will miss out on this opportunity. I don't want to live on the streets any longer," Nora said as she drew the paper closer to her.