Chapter Five

"Someone is following us," Cam said, looking at his rear mirror. I nodded and turned around, staring through the car window, looking at the street lights, and breathing in the nightly air. I wished that life was always like this; The sound of people hustling and bustling, the smell of fried meat, the atmosphere...everything was so wholesome.

"No, seriously, someone is following us," Jenny said, the toughness in her all gone, replaced with something like alarm and worry.

I sighed, "Chill, it's only Frank."

"How do you know?" she asked.

"Cause I know," I said, rolling my eyes. I knew the car as I knew the back of my palm, the driver has been my bodyguard for three months, three months of ecstasy and sorrow.

"Cam, can you move a little bit faster?"

"Our...looks like someone is in the mood for an adventure."

"Drive Cam."

***

Why is my door open? Why are the lights on, and who the fuck Is in my apartment?! I reached for my purse, grabbing the pink laser. Whoever the burglar is, he should know that the Carson women are made of powerful people...or she? Okay, it could be a woman. I'm not being sexist people. I crouched to my knees, creeping towards the sitting room's window. A man was inside my house, half naked and dancing.

Wait! Dancing?!

Should I call the Police? How long would it even take them to reach here? No, those guys aren't reliable, they never were, not when my Ma was still alive. Alright, Sophia! Calm down, you can do this.

I walked to the door on tip toes, it was now or never. I kicked the door and it swung open. "Who's there?" I shouted, silently praying that the criminal would not notice the fear in my voice. "Show yourself! I've got a gun and I damn well know how to use it." Note to self, buy a gun.

Instantly, the lights were off. Some serious case of the Conjuring going on here.

"Thud!" My laser fell on the floor. Alright, this is the time I pee on my pants and say Psalm 23.

The lights flicked on again. "Surprise!"

"Simon?" I said, rubbing my eyes.

"Yes, it's me!" He said, grinning.

"Siii-monnn!!!"

"Huh?"

"Siii-monnn!!!"

"Oh oh"

I reached him before he could get away. Pushing him, I rained massive blows on any part of his body.

"This - would - be - the - last - time - you - ever - try - this - with - me!!!"

"I'm sorry, ouch! I'm sorry."

"You better be," I said, getting myself off him. "Why are you here?"

"What? I can't visit my sister again. And besides, today is your birthday."

"mmmm-hmmm," I said, rummaging the fridge for enables. Looks like I'm running low on snacks. "What did you buy Simon?"

"Huh?"

"What did you buy for Mama Sophia? Eatables, Chewables, munchables? Anything! I'm Starving."

"You are always starving Mama Sophia," he said and I glared at him. "... Which is why I ordered Pizza," he said, hurriedly, receiving a 'smile' from me.

***

"What is happening here?" I inquired. Looking at the newly-painted walls, taking in the gleaming ceiling and the down-market sophisticated chairs.

"You are late again," Parker sighed. Way to go getting yourself exposed Soph. "This..." He explained, gesturing towards the renovations going on " – the boss's orders."

"Huh? Which boss?" The only boss I knew was Parker, he is the one who runs this place.

"Alexander, Soph."

What?

"Alexander what - did - you - say? C'mon Parker! The dude doesn't even know anything about this place. You know, I used to think that he has forgotten that someplace as this existed until... Well, until now. He is never present and don't you think that this is a waste of money?"

"I know, I told him all of this but he didn't budge. His company, his rules." Parker shrugged, walking away.

Quikserv hasn't always been like this, when Nicholas Boogie was alive, it was one of the most eccentric media companies. Now that the old man had died, his good-for-nothing son has swept away the Company's revenue, spending it partying somewhere uptown, launching the Company into new debts.

Getting into my office, I slumped on the chair. Today looks like it was going to be Pringle's day.

knock, knock

"Come in," I said, admitting whoever was at the door. "Grace?" I looked at the lady, questioningly.

"Yes-yes, it's me, she stuttered. "I-i ca-ca-came to submit my story."

"Oh! Alright then, can I have it please?"

"Here you go, ma'am."

"It's Sophia or Soph," I tell her for the umpteenth time. I looked through her file, sighing as I turned pages. How would Cats who grow inner teeth make for our headline?

"This is nice Grace," I said, pausing as I watched her smile. This is what everyone needs - encouragement. "But, I believe that you've got more potential in you and you can do better. Alright?"

"Okay." She said, her accent betraying her Norwegian orígin. I saw myself in her; my younger self which changed when the Son of the Devil wandered into my life or I in his.

"Alright, you can go." I watched her go. Opening my laptop, seeking to check my emails.

Immediately, the door to my office was opened forcefully and a seemingly joyful Jenny burst in with Cameron at her tail.

"Guess what Sophia?!"

"What?" I asked, my mood suddenly lifted. It has to be good news, to get Jenny all excited like this.

"I got in!!!" She said giggling.

"Huh? Got it where?"

"Fully paid scholarship to the University of Johannesburg for my Master's." I glanced at Cameron, I'd never seen him so sad, except for those moments I had rejected his sexualized offer. Even those times he'd faked it.

"Wow," I tried to be cheerful. This was Jenny's dream coming through here and I won't allow my negativity to spoil it.

"I know right." She laughed. "Well, I'm going to give the good news to everyone." She said, walking out the door. Cameron and I sighed simultaneously.

"Looks like it's you and I now Soph." He tried his best to cover his pain, he and Jenny had turned the company into some Jehu Loveland, doing quickies and giving each other BJs. Carrying a handful of Pringles, I munched hard as if my life depended on it.

"Looks like."

My bad habits; eating Pringles, crying away...