CHAPTER 2

  After smoking up to almost a whole pack of cigarettes, Robert started to head back to his office, when suddenly, someone threw a rock wrapped with paper. 

Obert's voice, full of mistrust and irritation, broke the stillness. "Who was that?"

His dependable assistant Gino answered urgently, "Boss, I couldn't see anyone."

Under the surface of Robert's annoyance, he was demanding, "Well then, check again!"

"The security on every part of the basement is on, I've called the security department and they have said that they are already looking," Gino reassured him urgently.

"That's some shitty person with a thick face trying to hit me with a rock," Robert said, his annoyance boiling over.

Amidst the pandemonium, Gino's sharp eye noticed an unexpected glimpse of intrigue. "Wait, boss, I think there's a letter wrapped into the rock..."

The mention of the letter aroused Robert's interest, if reluctantly. "And?"

"Should I read it?" Gino persisted, seeing an opportunity to learn the truth.

Robert's contemptuous expression wavered just a little, a hint of doubt piercing his mask of apathy. "Tss... it's not that important."

But Gino, ever watchful, saw the letter's possible importance. "It could be, boss."

Robert sighed in resignation and reluctantly gave in to Gino's insistence. "Okay well then, go ahead and read it so that we would know."

There was an air of expectation in the basement as Gino carefully unfolded the letter.

  Gino followed his boss and picked up the rock and separated it from the letter.

"B-Boss..." began Gino, his voice faltering with apprehension.

Robert became agitated and said, "What?!?" What is stated there? It's absurd, isn't it?

However, Gino faltered, a feeling of discomfort creeping up on him as he tried to think of the correct words. "I believe that having you read it will make it much better."

Robert's tone was filled with frustration as his annoyance grew. "Gino, I don't want to waste my time reading one more cringeworthy piece of paper. I have a lot of work to do."

Robert sighed heavily and pushed Gino to get right to the point. "So stop wasting my time and just tell me what it says!"

Gino obeyed reluctantly, speaking in a barely audible whisper as he repeated the letter's menacing message. Robert felt a wave of fear come over him as the words flowed out, the seriousness of the situation becoming clearer by the second. And in the middle of all the doubt and anxiety, one very important fact became clear: what was said in that letter will alter everything.

  Robert reads the threatening letter. 

”I hope you haven't forgotten me. You still need to give me fifty thousand dollars or else, you might not like what will I do. The time is running and I want you to fucking leave the city. Do it as soon as possible or else you would regret it. “

Gino murmured, "Head--

"Who the fuck wrote this?!?" said Robert. Is he making a challenge to me?

"I think you just received a death threat, boss," Gino remarked.

"I'm heading back to the car," Robert declared.

"I'm going to report this to the police," declared Robert. Direct the security division to thoroughly inspect this entire area.

Gino replied, "Yes, sir, I will."

Robert was ready to leave when Cassandra burst into the room. When she got to her dad, she was in tears. Robert worries right away.

Cassandra said, " Dad! Dad, hold on!

Robert said, " Cassandra! How come you're here? I hope you stayed at home!

"And why are you crying?" Robert said.

Cassandra said, " I and Pia went out shopping earlier--

"Yeah, I know, you already told me about that?" Robert asked.

"And when we got back into the car, something very strange happened," Cassandra remarked.

"What?" exclaimed Robert.

"We found a box with a C-chopped finger inside!" declared Cassandra. Along with it was a note threatening to cut off one of my fingers if we didn't leave this city!

Cassandra asked, " Dad! How are we going to proceed? 

  Robert sighed heavily as he stopped and analyzed the situation. Cassandra gave him the letter and as he read it, he became much more sure that he is going to report this to the authorities.

Robert said with determination, "We're going to ask for help."

Cassandra protested, her eyes widening in worry. "What? Whom is it addressed? To law enforcement? No, Dad, we can't!"

Her father answered, "Then who would we receive help from? His gaze hardened with determination. That's not sure, Cassandra. Hold on, I'm going to give someone I know a call."

Cassandra pressed, "What? ", her nerves tingling with fear. W-Who?"

But when he grabbed for his phone, Robert's thoughts were already elsewhere, their situation weighing heavily on him. And Cassandra couldn't help but worry what evil powers they were about to rouse in their search for redemption as the dial tone rang in the strained silence.

  Both of them entered the car and Robert immediately hit the road. He reached for his phone in his pocket and dialed John for help.

John answered with a professional tone of voice that said, "Hello, sir! Good night! One of the most well-known investigators is John. How can I help you?

Robert answered in a grave tone, saying, "Good evening, detective. Robert Calixto here, and I need your assistance."

"What happened?" John asked in a worried-sounding voice.

Robert said, his voice tinged with anxiety, "I think someone just sent me and my daughter a death threat, and I need you to uncover who's behind this."

"Just now?" The weight of the situation was punctuated by the lingering query from John.

Indeed... I had just turned to get back to my office when I was pelted with a rock wrapped in a letter. Robert said, his voice taut with anxiety, "I don't know who could throw it because I didn't get to see him."

Furthermore, I don't believe it would be a good idea to discuss this with the police. He said, clearly concerned, "I'm scared they might even be watching us as we're driving right now.

"All good, I'll wait for you in my office if you need any other information. John answered, his voice calm and comforting in the face of uncertainty. "Be safe."

  The call ended while Robert slid his cell phone into his pocket. Cassandra's lips parted as she took in deeper breaths.

"Dad, I'm scared--" Cassandra's remarks were hardly audible above a whisper, her voice quivering with terror.

"Avoid becoming. I'm making an effort to maintain order. I can't stand how annoying this trash they're playing. Who are they assuming they are? Robert's grip tightened on the steering wheel as his voice hissed with rage.

"Won't we call the police about this?" Cassandra's gaze flitted uncomfortably towards her father as her voice trembled with anxiety.

"No, I've made a choice. We shouldn't call the police, in my opinion, as this will create a commotion and possibly make it to the media. You are aware of my impending project with a significant business, don't you? Robert spoke in a forceful tone, his resolve unshakable in spite of the seriousness of their circumstances.

He went on, his remarks bearing a lot of weight: "It would affect the project and they might cancel the contract. I'm sure they don't want to be involved with this issue because it will also play a great threat to their lives."

"I understand..." Cassandra replied resignedly, her heart heaving at the strain of their situation. She understood then how much their safety would have to be sacrificed in order to preserve their way of life.

Robert said, " And I'm sure this would also affect your incoming marriage as well. For now, all we could do is hope that Detective John could manage to track down and find out who is the person behind this.

  It didn't take that long when Cassandra and Robert reached their destination. They were both nervous as they reached John's office. Robert knocked and when John showed up at the doorstep, Cassandra was stunned.

Cassandra's voice trailed off as she tried to process the abrupt turn of events. "Y-You?!"

John greeted them simply and his presence felt unreal. "Hi."

Cassandra faced him, her countenance filled with confusion and astonishment. "Why are you in this place? You had been a stalker.

John knitted his brow in perplexity. "Pardon?"

Robert's strong tone and firm voice broke through the anxiety. "Oh, Cassidy! Be careful what you say! The detective I'm telling you about is named John."

It dawned on Cassandra as she thought about what her father had said. "John? Have you previously met Cassandra?

John contacted Robert with regretting his remark. "Yes, sir. Oh yes. I am familiar with your daughter. It was not a pleasant beginning to our meeting, sir."

Cassandra's shock persisted as she tried to make sense of this information. "Y-You're a detective?"

With a cheerful tone, Robert tried to ease the tension. "Well, that's good, I assume there'll be no issues about the both of you getting along."

John said something similar to Robert, but he was a little unsure. "I hope so."

Robert said, " Cassandra?

Cassandra said, " Wai-t! What?

  Even though Cassandra was nervous, she chose to accept John's hand as she was also pressured by the glares of her father. She has to accept John's help instead of being in danger. It was an unexpected meet-up for them, but the situation was a bit awkward for Cassandra.

John said polietly, " It was nice meeting you again, Cassandra. I'm John, a private detective of Sir Robert.”

Cassandra suttered, " I-I'm Cassandra... it was also nice meeting you again.