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 Three
“The Bayview County Morgue has been attacked. The incident occurred at 9pm last night. The morgue assistant, identified as Philip Jones, and four security guards were murdered. Police say the attackers came specifically to extract a blood sample from a corpse. Four hours after the Bayview attack, another hit took place at Bloodstone Tower. Officers reported that the criminals attempted to break into the vault but failed. Six officers were confirmed dead. And three - injured. Evidence gathered so far links both attacks to a Mafia group called Trysis, led by Al — known for several political heists. The Minister for Security assures that they will be brought to justice. This is the news from Star TV, and I am Amelia Williams. Good even—”Al grabbed the remote and killed the TV before she finished. He flung the remote into the wall. His fist tightened, and he kicked the table — it exploded into pieces. Veins crawled up his neck.“You all need to start explaining,” he thundered. “You said
Chapter Twenty Two
“Who the fuck could be doing this?” Al thundered, pacing the room. He tore off his hat, ran a hand through his hair, and glared at everyone. “Someone knew we were coming for him and decided to kill him.”“I don’t think that’s what’s going on,” Tyler cut in, cautious like he was walking on a minefield.“Then what is going on?” Dera snapped, eyes slicing into him.Tyler bit his lip, meeting her stare. “If anyone else was coming for Vladimir, it’s for the same reason we went after him. He just got into the country. Why would anyone want him dead? It has to be because of that stone.”He glanced around, scanning the faces of everyone in the room.Al said nothing. He cracked open a bottle of whiskey and swallowed half of it like water.“I can’t lose millions just like that,” he growled, leaning over the table. “Something has to be done. Fast.”“What if there’s another way to unlock the vault?” Ria asked, leaning in.“Vladimir’s the only one who can unlock it, dummy,” Dera snapped. “Maybe you
Chapter Twenty One
It's been two days after Raymond's surgery and two days since Al introduced the Starlight Serenity Diamond mission. Al assigned Ria to uncover who had the code and the biometrics to unlock the vault in the Bloodstone Tower. Without it, every attempt - would be a waste of time. **** "His name is Vladimir Pavel." Ria began. A picture of a bald man - appeared on the monitor. "He's a Russian Democrat. He runs a human trafficking ring, an illicit arms and drug dealer, and a black market organ trader." Everyone had their eyes on the screen as Ria spoke. Tyler rubbed his jaw and exhaled. "So how's he connected to the Diamond?" Tyler asked. "Yeah, spill, Ria." Al's voice blared, smoke flying around him, as Dera stood beside him. "He didn't really purchase the Starlight Serenity Diamond." Ria declared. "He stole it." "How's that even possible?" Tyler smirked - his mouth curved between a grin and a frown. "He stole it from Sultan Khalifa, a monarch in Saudi Arabia. He snuck i
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
