Secret Meeting

The call rang through, and when it was answered, his tone shifted slightly, more authoritative, but still calm.

"This is Richard. I need you to clean up my office," he said, his voice smooth, almost casual. "Everything needs to be spotless. No dust, no trace. I'll be there in an hour."

There was a pause, the sound of the person on the other end acknowledging his instructions. Richard's expression remained impassive, his gaze fixed on the papers before him, though his mind was already miles away.

"I also need you to double check the operations at the warehouse. Make sure everything's in order. I'll swing by after the meeting," he added, his words clipped but firm.

The warehouse was one of his most closely guarded assets. Located in a nondescript industrial area on the outskirts of the city, it was big, sprawling, and almost entirely off the radar. No one outside his inner circle knew of its existence, not even the most loyal employees.

He ended the call quickly, his mind already shifting to the next task.

Richard sat at the polished mahogany desk in his office, the view from the towering skyscraper stretching far beyond the city's limits.

The Titan Trade Solutions logo was subtly embossed on the sleek leather surface of his desk, adding an air of refinement. His office was as immaculate as his reputation for high end furniture, minimalist decor, and walls adorned with framed pieces of modern art. The room was quiet, but the buzz of activity from the floor below seeped in, reminding him that his empire was always in motion.

A large window framed the world below, offering a panoramic view of the city glittering buildings, winding streets, and the endless expanse of opportunity. He leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled, staring at the horizon, his thoughts wandering through the endless cycle of transactions, negotiations, and carefully constructed facades.

His office was a fortress of success, a place where nothing ever went wrong. The hum of the air conditioning barely broke the silence as he studied the papers in front of him, import/export contracts, shipment tracking documents, market analyses. It was all routine, all business, all legitimate.

The door to his office opened with a soft click, and his secretary entered with a stack of files in her arms. She was a picture of professionalism, neatly dressed, eyes focused, walking with the quiet confidence that came with knowing her role in Richard's world. She placed the files neatly on his desk.

"Here are the reports for the upcoming shipments," she said in a steady voice, her tone respectful but detached.

"Good. Make sure everything's on schedule for the meeting next week," Richard replied, glancing up momentarily before returning his focus to the papers in front of him.

"Yes, Mr. Omah," she responded, and with a practiced efficiency, she turned to leave.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Richard exhaled slowly, Despite the professionalism surrounding him, the shadow of his other dealings was always there, lurking just beneath the polished surface.

Titan Trade Solutions was the perfect cover, a thriving business that allowed him to move in the circles of the city's elite, while his darker operations operated unnoticed.

He glanced at the time, the meeting with Asha still an hour away. The thought of their upcoming conversation lingered in his mind, a slight smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. He had plans for her, and he wasn't in the habit of letting anything slip through his fingers.

He pulled up Asha's contact details. He typed out a message, making sure it was precise, no room for ambiguity.

Asha, I've arranged a place for us to meet. It's quiet, and you'll have no interruptions. I'll be expecting you at the following location:

El-Mahatta Street, Port Said.

He paused, fingers hovering over the keys, considering how best to phrase the next part. He didn't want to leave any room for error. After a moment, he added:

Make sure you come alone. I don't want anyone with you, Asha, Anyone. Got it?

He pressed send.

Leaning back in his chair, Richard allowed himself a small smile. He always got what he wanted. And today, things were no different.

-----

The phone buzzing, the message from Richard flashing across the screen. Asha glanced at it, her pulse quickening as she read his words, each sentence deliberate and clear.

"Make sure you come alone. I don't want anyone with you, Asha. Anyone." Got it?

A small shiver ran down her spine. She didn't like the cold edge in his message, but she knew better than to question him. This was how he worked. She had no choice but to obey.

She set her phone down on the nightstand and stood up from the bed, taking a deep breath. Her heart beat faster with every passing second. She had a meeting to attend, and whether she was ready or not, it was time.

Asha went to her closet, fingers skimming over the various outfits until she settled on something simple but sharp, an elegant black dress, one that hugged her curves in all the right places. She didn't need to look over the top, but she knew how to appear confident. The dress was a safe choice, professional but understated.

She moved toward the bathroom to apply a light touch of makeup, her movements quick and efficient. A soft layer of foundation, a touch of mascara, and a dab of lipstick. Nothing extravagant, she needed to look like she belonged, like this meeting was just another part of her day.

Once satisfied with her appearance, Asha grabbed her purse, took a last glance at the room, and left her apartment, locking the door behind her.

The ride to Port Said was short but nerve wracking. She didn't know exactly what to expect.

As she neared El-Mahatta Street, she slowed the car and found herself in front of a large, nondescript building surrounded by a high concrete wall. A small, inconspicuous sign marked it as a private property of Titan Trade Solutions. The main gate was flanked by two police officers, standing rigid and watchful.