The Billionaire Heir's Replacement

8. Doomsday Bunker

Elaine chuckled as she heard what Haze had said earlier. "You think the apocalypse is near?"

"If it is, I wouldn't want a bunker to hide and spend the remaining days like a loser. I'd rather burn that one million you give and dance on its ashes." Haze scoffed at her guess, silently labeling her uncreative. "Oh, can I do that now?"

Elaine smoothly ignored his question, "Then, why a doomsday bunker?"

"My life turned upside down in one night. Who's to say there won't be zombies walking around town next week?" Haze turned away from her, looking at the red light above. "Besides, you said I have everything I might need in the mansion, so why not do something crazy when I have the chance for it? With your permission, of course."

The brunette couldn't fault him. She was the one who said that earlier. At least the impostor was not that dumb. This morning, she initially thought that Haze would make her buy unnecessary things that he never had, like designer clothes, exclusive watches, an expensive fast car, or even a cruise ship. But here she was, taking the impostor to look for a freaking bunker.

At the very least, a bunker would be useful. If only the impostor knew about it.

"Let me guess, you know a guy who sells bunkers too?" Haze asked.

"Sadly, not."

He frowned, "Then, how do we get one?"

"Try to look on the internet. Everything is up for sale online."

He pulled up his brand-new phone and entered the keywords on the search bar. True to Elaine's advice, he found some bunkers for sale. Many of them were located too far away, even on different islands. He wanted one closer, because it wouldn't make any sense if it's too far.

After searching more with different keywords, Haze found a forum where someone commented that they knew a guy who wanted to sell an old bunker. He followed it up and got the contact person.

"Don't call."

Haze frowned, "What?"

"Just text them, but don't call." Elaine sternly said. "And don't tell your name."

"Why?"

When the brunette refused to explain further, Haze merely sighed and did as told. After a few inquiries, Haze texted that they would meet there.

They drove for less than an hour. When they arrived, the contact person was already waiting for them. The bunker was located near a forest, practically away from any public facility and people in general. It was perfect.

However, Elaine asked, "You sure it's the place?"

"Yes. Why?"

"What's the name of the contact person you speak with?"

"Paul Palouci."

"I know him," she said, glaring at the contact person who saw their car and waved for them to park closer. "He's an arsonist who almost burned one of Mr. Blackwood's property a few years ago."

"Shit. We have to get away–"

"No," the brunette stopped him, "He already saw us. If we back away, he'd be suspicious of us and might track us later."

"So, what do we do?"

Elaine looked at him, and then opened the dashboard drawer. She threw a medical face mask at him, but his eyes were locked on the small bag she took and the things being kept in there.

"Why do you have so many ID cards and passports in there?"

The brunette took one ID card and changed it with the one in her wallet. "Change of plan. I'll be the one speaking with him as your legal representative, while you follow whatever I'm saying there, understood?"

"Okay?" Haze wasn't sure, but if it got him what he wanted, then it was fine. "But it sounds dangerous."

The last thing he wanted was to get beaten down like that night in the riverside.

"Just follow my lead. If you can't, stay silent and pretend to be mute." Elaine had a fake ID with his photo, or Cassius's, more likely. She did the same to his wallet, and they were ready to step out. "Remember, your name is Jake Shaw."

The moment they got out, Paul smiled and greeted them halfway. "You must be the one texting me just now?"

"Yes," Elaine said, shaking the offered hand. "My name is Holly Dale. I'm the legal representative of Mr. Jake Shaw here."

"Paul Palouci," he was about the same height as Elaine, but his green shirt definitely showed plenty of bulging muscles. The lit cigarette moved up and down as he spoke, and Haze was afraid that it would start a fire. "Oh, you don't smoke, Mr. Shaw? I can snuff it if you're allergic."

"That is not necessary," he quickly retorted, not wanting to offend the arsonist.

"Can you show us the bunker?" Elaine cut to the point.

"Yes, yes." Paul led them to the lone house behind him. It had a locked door and two windows. Upon entering the small empty house, the arsonist took them to the kitchen. Opening the pantry, he unlocked an opening. "Here is the bunker."

They carefully stepped down the stairs as they lacked lighting. With Paul's phone torch, they stopped before another locked door. The difference from the one upstairs was that it was made from steel. No wonder Paul was the one keeping it since the previous owner wanted to sell, because he had to use those bulking muscles to open the steel door.

Entering, Paul clicked a switch, and several lamps flickered to light, showing them the entirety of the basement-level room. A faded movie poster titled The Revenger's System caught their attention the most, displaying a man's face as big as the wall.

After turning their attention away, they started to take notice of the surroundings. It had the minimum requirement for a person to stay several days. Two bunk beds, a table, several chairs, and a TV on the wall. It had a separate toilet and bathroom, a fully stocked kitchen with canned foods, and running clean water.

Even so, Haze liked that it reminded him of a bunker in a game he used to play, Zombieverse: Union of the Undead.

"What do you think?" Paul proudly asked.

Haze tried not to show it, but he was visibly excited. 'Please say yes,' he thought, hoping the brunette would hear it in her mind.

Elaine looked around the place, weighing its worth. Her eyes flicked over to the TV several times, and Haze thought it would close the deal. "How much is it?"

The arsonist blew smoke and mentioned a number in a standoffish way. He thought they wouldn't buy it, "Many people bailed after hearing the price."

Haze would jump up and down in happiness knowing he could afford it with the money Elaine told him to spend. However, he must keep himself still with dignity. Besides, Elaine mentioned that she would make the deal for him.

True to his fear, the brunette did not agree right away. "Pardon us, Mr. Palouci, but it's a little high for a place like this, no? It's practically far from town, and the nearest house is half a mile from here."

Palouci wasn't fazed, "Look here, Miss Dale. You're not the first to say that, but here's a little fact for you. Ryan Wilder himself used to stay here before filming his high-grossing movie, The Revenger's System."

Haze didn't know who that was or what kind of a movie it was, but the poster on its wall stared back at him. Unlike him, Elaine grew excited before she calmed herself. "The actor Ryan Wilder, you said?"

"Yes," the arsonist nodded, "Charming fella. I used to wash his dirty laundry and deliver his food while he stayed here."

"Then we'll take it."

"Great."

Only after they signed the paperwork and Elaine handled the payment did Paul Palouci hand the keys to Haze. They saw his battered car leave the premises, and he turned to the brunette—a knowing smile on his lips.

Feeling the sly gaze, Elaine narrowed her eyes at him as they went inside again and descended to the bunker. "What?"

"So that's your type, huh? A pretty face and a famous name."

The brunette scoffed, feeling offended. "As Cassius's personal assistant, it's my job to know who everyone is. Including politicians, potential business partners, or even celebrities. I recognized the actor, just that."

"Still… you agreed to the deal after he mentioned the actor."

Elaine chuckled as she rummaged around the bunker, looking for something. Somehow, it nerved Haze without knowing why. "What I'm after is not a snobbish actor's used place, but what laid behind."

"Huh?"

Stopping in front of said actor's movie poster, Elaine handed him a hammer she just found. "Break it."

"What?"

"Break the wall down. There must be a hidden tunnel behind. Don't you want to find out what's on the other side?"