PAWN

John ran his eyes through the file again, he nodded his head in satisfaction with a faint smile. "The device is a success. I am so glad it turned out like this." He handed over the file to the man standing in front of him.

"So what do you think we should do next Sir? Should we gather resources to come up with a new device or focus on this and publicize the recent device?" The man asked.

"Why are you asking me that? Haven't you concluded with your godfather on what to do?" John smiles and bit his lips. "Now, let me ask you, what do you think we should do next?"

"I have no idea of what you are talking about sir." The man tried to defend himself. "There must have been some misconceptions."

"Even if you lie to everyone out there, do you think you can lie to me? I know everything going on in your rebellious organization." John adjusted himself and put his hands on the table to get a closer look at the man. "Why are you asking me questions you already have answers to?"

"I still have no idea of what you are talking about Sir. Perhaps you should shed more light on the issue."

"Let's see if you'd still be able to pretend when I kick your ass out of the company and lock you up in jail."

The man looked at John without a word but didn't seem threatened with what he had just said.

"Why? Do you think I can't do anything to you because you are under my Uncle's protection?" John giggled. "Maybe I should remind you that this man in question is my uncle, do you think he would risk everything to save one of his pawns."

"Pawns?" The man asked with a frown.

"Yes, or what do you think you are?" John removed his hands from the table and loosened his necktie. "You are just one of the pawns he makes use of when necessary. I'm sure you know what happens to those pawns after he is done with them." He stood and walked around with his hands in his pockets. "Your silence tells me you don't know."

"I still have no idea of what you are talking about." The man stuttered.

"Philip James!" John mentioned and the man's eyes widened. "Your reaction shows that you know him very well."

"Of course I do, he was once a staff here. He was arrested six months ago for embezzling the company's funds." He stuttered still.

John laughed and patted his shoulder. "That was the story written for the world to believe. Philip James was one of my uncle's pawns like you. He was used for embezzling, but given peanuts as his share. He did it for a while without any complaints but there was a time, he tried to ask for more, it was a tough one." John went back to his seat. "My uncle then thought if, if a pawn can no longer be controlled then it should be disposed."

"Are you saying, Mr. Richard Williams was the one who put Philip Jmaes in prison?" The man asked painfully.

"Finally! You now understand the story." John said cheerfully. "But, I think he is about to sacrifice another pawn soon." He looked at the man carefully. "Who do you think it would be? You or that foxy lady who works with you?"

"You know Margaret works with us?" He asked again.

"Apparently." John cleared his throat. "Back to the question you asked, we won't be gathering resources for a new device. I want you to put more effort In advertisement and promotion of the recent device. Again, rebrand all old devices and put it for sale on a discount price. I think we should be able to clear our entire warehouse with that."

"Okay sir." The man turned his back to leave.

"Wait." The man faced him again. "I want the detailed account transaction from three months ago till date. Lately, news has been flying around that there is another pest sucking money out of this company."

The man swallowed the heavy saliva in his throat. "Yes Sir."

"You will be the one in charge of the rebranding process, ensure you take stock accounts every day and send it to me before going home. Also, no one can take money from the company's account without my permission."

"Yes sir." The man nodded.

"You are dismissed." John bowed his head to attend to other pressing matters.

The man reluctantly turned his back and walked out of the office.

In the corner of the office, Neo sat, looking at how well John acted like one of those rich lords in some ancient movies he had seen. How he tortured the man with words and made him stutter while talking afterward. "Wow! You know how to interrogate people. You should have been an attorney or detective."

John smiled with his head still down. "I wanted to be an attorney but my mom didn't allow. She forced me to be an engineer."

"Well, we can say she made you the man you are today."

John laughed almost silently. "Then, I thought she was being wicked and heartless. I threw a lot of tantrums and called her dream killer. I didn't know she was trying to build my future."

"She surely deserves accolades for that, you need to find sometime to appreciate her."

"I will do that soon." He put his head to have a second thought about what Neo said. His mom truly deserved some flowers but she always acted too stubborn. "What do you think I can give to her? Flowers or jewelry?"

"You can give her both, but I'd prefer it if you can take her out on a date. It'll really be nice, get her a nice gown and nice set of jewelry, she is going to love and appreciate it."

He smiled. "I'd see what I can do about it."