04.

In the open and wide street, Daniel zoomed out of nowhere and raced forward as he held the breifcase tightly in his arms and placed it on his chest to avoid the weight from slowing him down. Racing heavily after him,  were a group of men, dressed in black overalls and dark glasses covering their evil eyes. They were obviously thugs sent to harm him, but he won't give them the chance too. Daniel instantly swerved into another lane and almost got himself killed by an incoming car, but he was fast enough to see it coming, hereby avoiding it and quickly jumping out of the way. He was now breathing heavily, and when he turned around, he saw the men were fast approaching and he sighed. Who were they? What has be done wrong to deserve this kind of death chase? He was sure that someone close was behind all this and he knew exactly who it was.

Without another thought, Daniel took too his heels again, this time, he was a little bit slower than before, and he soon noticed the dizziness that was building up inside of him. He tried everything in his power to shake this dizziness off him, but the more he tried, the more he felt it coming.

"Get him!" Daniel heard one of the men screaming this to his members and he decided to take a turn to the left. He ran into another lonely street, and while running, he brought out his phone and tried calling Laura, but just as he was about to dial her number, Daniel heard the sound of a gunshot and what followed next was a loud yell from him, as blood were rushing out from his arms. He has just been shot on the arm and this was his first time receiving a bullet in his body.

"Arhh shitt!" Daniel screamed out loud as he knelt on the floor and tried to bear the pain but he was kicked from behind and he fell on the floor laying flat as the breifcase fell on the floor, far away from Daniel.

"Bastard, how fast are you now huh?" One of the men asked, and when Daniel looked at them, he noticed, they were putting on a black mask now, all of them and he groaned in Pain.

"What, what have I done? Wh, who are, are yo, you guys?" Daniel struggled to say and one of the men pointed the gun at him.

"Ask the devil when you get to hell." He said, but as he tries to shoot, one of them quickly called out his name and he turned around.

"What are you trying to do?" The other asked.

"Ending his life of course." The one with the gun said.

"No, no, no. You heard what the boss said. No Killing, all he wants, is the money. So please, take the cash and let's move."

"Fine." The one with the gun said as he lowered his gun, "You are lucky." He said to Daniel.

Daniel watched as the men took the breifcase and one of them even kicked him while he walked past him. Daniel was so weak he couldn't call for help while the men were present. And as they left, Daniel could feel like his life source was been sipped out and the next thing that happened was a blackout.

**

**

Meanwhile, at Mr Ayo's newly launched hotel, here in East Alley, which was now headed by his daughter, Laura. Lots of in incoming cars could be seen from afar as Mr Ayo and his board of directors were all happy to see that the Koreans board of directors had finally arrived. They were lots of flashy cars that went to the airport to pick them, and because of this meeting today, Mr Ayo had no option than to order for two brand new cars which was used to pick them from the airport. The cars slowly drove into the lane that belonged to the company and the driver stopped there and the rest drivers copied as well. Immediately, Mr Ayo noticed that the cars were parked, he rushed to the Koreans as they were all coming down from the car one after the other.

"Oh my God. It's so good to see you guys in person." Mr Ayo said with a smile as be approached them, and Shook the board of directors, while they began to introduce themselves.

Laura on the otherhand was quite worried. She told her husband to join them at the meeting today, but still he wasn't here yet. What could go wrong?. She brought out her phone and dialed his number, but she confirmed it not reachable, so she sighed and shook it off her mind.

"Laura, meet the board of directors from Korea, gentle men, meet my daughter, Laura." Mr Ayo introduce and Laura smiled.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." She shook hands with them and one of them smiled.

"You know, back then. I used to think that East Alley citizens were black." One of the korea men said and Mr Ayo laughed.

"Of course we are black." Mr Ayo said.

"No, like you know. The word, black. I used to think that non of you were even as light as the knee cap. I thought you were just as dark as darkness. To be serious and to be honest." The Korea man said and Mr Ayo laughed.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go in and discuss about the future of our companies. I hope you eat East Alley meals?" Mr Ayo said, as he and the Korean men walked inside while some bouncers followed them from behind.

Laura stared at her phone again, "Where could he be?" She said, in such a way that no one would hear her. Then she sighed and arranged her tie, drew her skirt down properly, then she examined herself on the mirror, and when she was done, she rushly walked inside.

*

*

Few minutes later, they were all shown to be having the meeting in one of the biggest conference hall in the Hotel. They were a total number of 20 that were sitted round the long curved edge chair. Different kind of refreshments were neatly arranged on the table and as they listened to the presentation of Laura who stood close to the holographic projections from the projector.

"So like i said early. Our company is one of the best and only company here in East Alley that deal with lots of strategies that is needed to make the world a better place. We have noticed that the price of things are becoming high, inflation everyday. Some families are not even able to eat a complete three square meals, talk less of getting a gas or filling it." She said, staring at the Koreans. "And we saw, that the solution to that problem, was inventing something that could lessen the worries of the poor. Something that could give them the hope of living, and that is how we came up with the project z."

One of the Korean men lifted his hands and Laura nodded for him to speak.

"What is this project z if I may ask. We would love to see it and test it out." He said.

"Sure, of course." Laura said before snapping her fingers, and two female workers dressed in their working outfits, slowly walked in with two stoves on their hands. And when the Korean men saw this, they looked at themselves in awe.

"Is that the project z?" Another asked as he wasn't sure of it.

"Yes. Why don't you wait and see what it can do." Laura said before she signaled the female workers to carry on.

The whole board of directors watched as the workers set the stoves on the table, then one of them, brought out a liquid materia and after pouring a drop inside the stove, all they needed to do was just to push a button on the stove and the stove with the help of the liquid, would turn itself on and instead lf producing red and yellow flames, it produced blue flames and the Koreans were marveled at this invention.

"What just happened?" One of them asked.

"Well, our company have just produced an new strategy for our newest invention. Normally a stove would need a kerosene to work, but ours only need few drops of water and its done. Your food is ready and you enjoy." Laura said as the Koreans were amazed.

"In all my life, I have never seen such smart invention. I knew electricity could be generated from water, but I was never sure if it could be transfered as energy to generate an electricity that can also generate heat. That must have taken a lot of theory." 

"Of course. Alot." She chuckled.

"So what do you say? Do you find our product worthy enough?" Mr Ayo asked as he leaned forward to the table.

"Why not? Of course it is. We have a lot of struggling people in Korea as well. Take this to them and they will never forget about you. So why not?"

When Mr Ayo heard this, he was happy. Not because that he was helping the poor, but because of the large income he would get just for partnering with them. His heart was filled with joy and the only thing he wanted to see now, was them signing the amalgamation papers.

"Great!" Mr Ayo said, "So what are we waiting for, let's proceed to signing the papers then." He said, ordering Laura to come sit down.

"Nahh. I think we can do that later. Right now, we need to celebrate for the successful presentation of your daughter. I mean, look at how brave she was. No errors, she went straight to the point and won our hearts. I guess you are lucky man to have a daughter like her." The Korea man that was sitting at the other end of the table said and Laura felt praised.

"Ohh, right. Of course, of course." Mr Ayo said as he remembered that what the man said was true. But did he care? No. He only cared about making more money for himself. He didn't care if Laura was working herself out or doing her best, its her duty anyways, and she must do it to the best she can. He stood up from his seat, grabbed a Champaign, then smiled. "To long life, more money, more help to the poor, and more inventions!" He yelled out before popping it open and everyone clapped immediately he popped the Champaign.

Laura was was trying her best to be happy, but anytime she remembered her husband couldn't make it. She lowered her head in thoughts. All of a sudden, her phone began to ring and she took it only to find a strange line calling. She answered it and while talking to the stranger on the phone, she suddenly exclaimed in shock and her dad and the Korea men stared at her surprised. She hung up the call and instantly got up from the chair.

  "Umm, sorry. There's an emergency I have to attend too. I was just told that my husband got shot and right now he is the hospital. I need to go see him." Laura said and the Korea men stared at her in Surprise.

She took her bag and quickly rushed out the door, but her dad's voice made her stop.

"What are you doing Laura." Mr Ayo said as he.walked out of the door to meet her where she stands.

"Dad. My husband needs me. Am done with the presentation after all. I need to go see him." She said.

"At this crucial time?" Her Dad asked.

"Dad. My husband's life is much more important too me than this. For Godsake Dad he was shot. Aren't you worried about your son in law?" Laura said.

"Securing this contract, is much more important too me right now." Mr Ayo said and Laura gasp in shock.

"Dad?" 

"Come on, this has been our dream all along. Now that we are almost acheiving it, you wanna let your husband get in between it?" Mr Ayo said and laura couldn't believe her ears. She knew that her dad disliked her husband all because he was poor, but she never knew he hated him this much. 

Without much words, she wiped her tears, turned around, and left, using the elevator as a means of transport while her Dad sighed at her being so stubborn.

"Let's see where this ends Laura. It's either us or him." Mr Ayo said with a grin.