2024-07-14 16:03:49"Yet again, another murder has been reported. The Secretary For Education, Michael Harvard has been found dead in his apartment. The sad incident was said to have happened at around 2 am this morning. The police swung into action immediately, and according to their reports, his sudden death is linked to an attack by a notorious gang known as TRYSIS"
It is a secret gang led by Al Albert - the most wanted criminal in the last three years. No evidential trace was found at the crime scene, except a bullet with a '002' inscription. Investigations are still ongoing about the secretary's death and more details will be revealed soon" "Now to the concluding segment of the news. President Greg Williams has allocated the sum of 20 billion dollars to the secretary for Housing and Urban Development's office. According to the president, this was done in a quest to foster tourism in the country. The Secretary for Housing and Urban Development - John Marvin disclosed in an interview with the CALLY TIMES MAGAZINE that he'd do everything in his power to carry out the President's wish. He also stated how timely that allocation was and how effective it'll be in making the United States a country attractive to tourists. This is all we have for you here at STAR TV. I'm your host - Benita Jackson. Good evening" ***** Dera let out a breath, she creased her eyebrows - eyes still fixed on the displaying TV. The dimly lit living room was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, and the soft hum of the TV provided an eerie background noise. She snuggled close to the table, reaching for the remote, her hand brushing against the soft cushion. She hit the power button. Her head went back to its initial position - Raymond's lap. His hand was still wrapped around her waist, his fingers tracing patterns on her skin, sending cold shivers down her spine. "I was watching that!" Raymond's voice echoed into her ears. Dera rolled over to meet him feigning a smirk, her eyes locked onto his. The funny look on his face made a giggle evade her lips. "It was just some boring news. I get sick of it sometimes." she yawned, breaking eye contact. "Why?" Raymond's voice was laced with concern, his eyebrows furrowed in worry. Dera hesitated for a moment, her heart racing in her chest. The worried look on Raymond's face triggered her to finish the sentence. "Because -" She hesitated for a moment. The worried look on Raymond's face triggered her to finish the sentence "I don't know." "I'm behind the murder?" Raymond interrupted. "I'm sure you know that already. That's my job." he grinned, his hand slowly caressing Dera's hair. Dera rolled over again, and the sheepish smile on Raymond's face made shrills of adrenaline run through her veins. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yeah," she muttered coldly. "I know you killed him." Dera clicked her tongue as she rose from Raymond's legs, keen to stride upstairs. Raymond grasped her by the arm before she took the second step. Goosebumps appeared on her skin and ecstatic sensations bubbled in her spine. Raymond's touch was like kryptonite, weakening her resolve and making her vulnerable. She felt a strong urge to surrender to his grip and kiss him with a mix of apology and desperation. But the anger in her heart won't budge. "You don't have to walk away," Raymond pulled her back on the sofa. Dera hesitated for a jiffy, but she gave in when his hands curled around her waist - giving him access to drag her back in - seamlessly. "I'm sorry," he muttered into her ears as the whiff of her cologne raced into his nostrils. Dera's heart palpitated. She's vulnerable whenever Raymond whispers sweet nothings into her ears, but at this point, she doesn't seem to budge. Not when she's in love with a serial killer. "Ray, what are you really sorry for?" A ball of fury clenched her throat and she shrugged off Raymond's arms - drifting to the side of the sofa. The chandelier's light accentuated the worry lines on her face. "You're sorry for being a part of a mafia? Are you sorry for being a serial killer? Are you sorry that you're always in the headlines? Are you sorry that you don't care about how I feel or how scared it feels to lose you?" Dera yelled - eyes stung with tears. Raymond tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat, and only a tense rasp escaped. His fingers dug into his palms as he shifted back, his hair caressing the edges of the sofa. The awkward stillness lasted for a minute. He raised his head to meet Dera's flitting gaze. He leaned close to her. "Dera, I didn't ask for this life. No one is happy being a murderer. But at the moment, this is how I earn a living. All the luxury and -" "There you go again!" Dera cut in, stomping her hand on the seat. "You always say that crap. Babe, you're wealthy now! You've saved up enough money. We can elope to another country and start a new life. This thing you call a job makes me scared. I don't want to lose you." "I don't want to lose you too, Dera," Raymond cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs tracing her cheekbones as he gazed into her eyes. "I love you with all of me. What I do has nothing to do with us. I'm not doing it for the pleasure of it. I kill for every kid out there who has been stung by this evil society. I'm doing this to get back at these greedy folks who think they can keep extorting the less privileged." he said. Dera rolled her eyes. "You've done enough of that Ray. You've got too much blood on your hands." "Not innocent blood." "That's not enough reason to kill!" Dera retorted. She pulled her face off his grasp and drifted away. "If you love me, more than the thrill you get from taking lives, you have to stop. Because I'm sick and tired of waking up to the reality that someday you'd be killed too." she screeched, crossing her arms over her chest as she gazed into nothing. A sigh flew off Raymond's plum lips. "You don't have to say that babe. You know I love you and I can do anything to prove it. I - " "You?" Dera interrupted, cackling sadly. "Then prove it to us," she muttered, placing a hand on her stomach. Raymond crinkled his eyebrows - eyeballs widened in shock. "What do you mean us?" He asked as if his life depended on the answer to that question. "You're gonna be a father Ray," Dera announced. Raymond stepped back, trying to process what he just heard. For a second, he thought it was a dream, but clocks do not tick in dreams, right? Dera's stern look depicted reality. "You're joking huh?" "A baby is a huge responsibility, Ray. I'm not joking. I'm carrying our child, and I need you to be - " Raymond sealed her lips with a kiss. Her eyeballs dilated in shock. That wasn't the reaction she expected. But that sudden kiss depicted the joy of a hurt but now-fulfilled man. "You're pregnant? I love you so much. Thank you!" he pulled her into a tight embrace. They embraced for what felt like an eternity, until Raymond's phone beeped, a message. "002. Your attention is needed right now"
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Chapter Twenty Two
Al gulped down the entire glass of vodka, his face lightened. A whizz sped out of his lips as he paced towards the table to pour himself another glass.“What’s the plan?” he asked, directing the question to no one. Tyler turned away from the computer screen, letting out the sigh lurking in his throat. “I think we should give up on this mission already.” he suggested, leaning closer to see the reaction on everyone’s face. Al scoffed. Ria maintained a straight face and Dera shot him a glare. “Don’t look at me like that!” Tyler growled and stood up. “Vladimir is dead. There is no fucking way we can access that vault.” he added rolling his gaze back to Al.“Just shut up and let me think!” Dera screeched, fist tightened at her sides and gritted teeth. Tyler’s eyes fired a menacing glare. “Whatever you’re thinking about, make it fast. That diamond will be sold in 2 days.” “I have an idea.” Ria cuts in. Al’s eyes widened in curiosity. He placed his glass on the table and press
Chapter Twenty One
It's been two days. Two days after Raymond's surgery and two days after Al introduced the Starlight Serenity Diamond mission. Raymond's condition seemed to be getting better. But Al wouldn't let Ria rest. After all, she calls his attention to a part of the mission he didn't pay attention to. While coming up with the plan for the heist. Al assigned Ria to uncover the mystery of who had the code and the biometrics to unlock the vault in the Bloodstone Tower. Without it, every attempt - would be like pouring oil in water. "Raymond would never make such mistakes." Ria, thought. Raymond is always the mastermind and executor of all their missions. It's the first mission after his (supposed) demise and Al is already planning a mission with a solid tact or perfect exit plan. Ria was skeptical about the whole mission. Especially about what just happened happened to Raymond. Everyone tries to remain loyal to Al. But he ends up taking their life. Ray's a living proof. But she Ria wouldn't w
Chapter Twenty
"Ria how long would it take you to gather evidence. I can see that you're not being serious with this mission. Don't push me, your fucking retarded brunette." Ria rolled her eyes as she read the text. She put her phone back in her pocket, and turned her gaze back on o the hospital bed. Where Raymond was laying. It's been two days after his surgery. He's still in a coma. And according to the doctor's statement, his chances of survival are higher. She couldn't wait to see him back on his feet. She leaned forward in her chair, beeping or hospital machines blaring in her ears. Ria placed her hands on Raymond's feeble fingers. An oxygen machine was placed across his face. "I'm really sorry, Ray." Ria muttered. For a split second, it felt like she was apologizing to someone who's listening. "I'm sorry, you had to be betrayed this way. I know you're going hate everyone so much for doing this to you." Until the first tear dropped, Ria didn't realize how stunned and broken she was. Guilt s
Chapter Nineteen
Ria couldn't get the muffled sound she heard out of her head. While Tyler was in the car moments ago, he noticed a slight movement on Raymond's body. A part of her think he might be alive or something. And that's the reason she alighted from the vehicle. Just to dashed a single spark of curiosity. Exasperated breaths glided out of Ria's mouth as she proceeded towards the bush. She looked around for a split second, before walking a little bit closer to the dumped body. Ria ripped the leather wrap apart. And she pulled Raymond out of it and placed him on the bare ground. The darkness made a little bit dark to figure out Raymond's face. Yet, the bright shimmers of the moon slapped out Raymond's wrist watch. Ria knelt beside him. The cold grasses sent cold shrills down, her spine, but the terror in her heart wouldn't let her bother. She slowly paced two fingers on Raymond's neck - hoping a pulse would push through. A surge of disappointment ran through her system as none was forth com
Chapter Eighteen (A void)
Tears trickled down Raymond's cheeks. When the first bullet pierced through his chest, he locked eyes with the barrel of a gun - clinging to Dera's hand. It felt like he was lost in a trance until the second bullet pierced through his chest. Raymond groaned in pain. Not only because of the excruciating pain from bleeding scar. But because this whole betrayal scheme had Dèra in it.He fell to the floor - eyes soaked in tears, a heart smashed into fragments, and a chest - pierced with two bullets. AI took the gun off Dera's grip. "You still have the mafia blood running in your veins." Al commended, mashing his mouth on Dera's lips. Tyler and Ria exchanged glances, their eyes - sticking out in terror. The last thing they expected Al to do was kill Raymond. He's the smartest and fastest killer in the gang. At first, Ria wanted to defend Raymond. But Al's ruthlessness sent shrills of fear down her gut. If he can kill Raymond without a flick of remorse, driving a knife into her throat w
Chapter Seventeen (A Shot)
Raymond blinked his eyes rapidly to ensure he wasn't dreaming or hallucinating. He flinched when Dera walked into the room. His lips - were wide open as if he had just seen a ghost. For a moment, he expected Dera to have lacerations on her skin, or blood gushing out of her veins. Because anyone abducted by Trysis is always beaten till their skin is unrecognizable. So what happened? But Dera was hale and spotless. Her face was even adorned with alluring makeup. Raymond squinted his eyes multiple times - unable to process what was going on. And the fact that AI introduced Dera as a surprise heightened his anxiety and shock. "Dera?" Raymond blurted - with a flitting gaze. "Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on here?" He gazed at Ria as if he'd found the answer to his question on her face. Ria broke eye contact and dug her fingers into her palms. Ria to disguise her surprise, her body language gave her away. Ria has got snakes in her closet. Tyler had a dismayed look on his f
