Joker

12. Liza meets Joker

Liza stormed into her apartment, absolutely furious. How dare Nakul just throw her out of the house? She was Liza Mathers for god's sake! She just wanted to take back her son. Ayush had grown up rather well, resembling his father no end down to the stiff tones and soft pouts. Part of her couldn't believe she had given birth to the adorable child. Nakul though? He had also changed. Definitely a lot more muscular, a lot more intimidating. He still had the same dimpled smile though although it was directed towards Ayush and that... doll person.

Who the hell was that guy? How has he got Nakul wrapped around his fingers? Liza thought angrily, throwing her Chanel clutch away in frustration. She needed to get Ayush back. Her son was a genius. He needed to be around the best of the best and maybe eventually take over the business from her. Above 140 at age four. He could practically take over the world with the correct training but nope. Stubborn ass Nakul wants him to be all normal and pedestrian. For a person who's supposed to be a genius he's a total idiot. He couldn't even see why I went to other men, he couldn't see how ignoring me for the kid was wrong, he cannot see now how important it is for me to have that kid. Liza sighed. The hit her reputation had taken after the divorce was major. Especially since she had a two month old child. Scandals among the higher society broke out and lingered to date. But Liza knew managing to sway Nakul back and regain her genius son, her reputation would skyrocket.

The key was Ayush Kumar.

First I'll have to change that name. Liza decided. Ayush isn't the kind of name future hotshots tend to have outside India itself so maybe something like Victor? Julius? I'll decide later. And Nakul. I'll have to get him back because he is not going to budge with Ayush alone. For that I need to take care of that pretty boyfriend of his. What was his name? Aki? Liza thought about the thin man holding her son. Her ex-husband seemed rather enamoured with him which was understandable honestly. He was very handsome. Had he been taller Liza might have even taken an interest but he stood pretty obviously at 5'7'' or 5'8''.

Still thinking about how to get the guy out of the picture she entered her room.

"Good evening Ms Mathers." Came a smooth deep voice with a slight accent.

Liza screamed and stumbled back "Wh- who are you?"

She understood though. The mask that covered his neck and most of his face, even the cheekbones. The knife. Joker. Really? The man wore neat clothes and had well combed brown hair, showing off his pale forehead. His eyes were a wicked shade of violet. He gestured with a tight black gloved hand holding the knife "Joker. Please take a seat. We need to have a little chat."

Liza stumbled over to the couch opposite the armchair and sat shivering. She was terrified. This was the Joker. She remembered hearing Nakul and Yuri tell her about the chaos he caused with each stab of his infamous daggers. She remembered all too well how Vladimir Sergei had been killed at his hands. He pulled up a tan case file from his lap and read out loud "Elizabeth Gwendolyn Mathers. 26 years old. First heiress to the Mathers conglomerate. Born in New York City but raised in Ellesmere. Married three years to Nakul Kumar, FBI Intelligence and Investigation unit; now divorced. One child Ayush Kumar, four. So far true?"

Liza nodded, her throat felt dry. Someone sent Joker after her. Who? Nakul? Get her killed off so he wouldn't have to worry about her? No never. He was a man of the law. He hated Joker more than anyone else she knew. Her enemies were many. Not easy to pinpoint who'd want her dead. Joker spoke again "I've watched you for a while. I was given the order to kill you. I presume you've figured out that much from my visit?"

She nodded still in fear. The knife looked very sharp. Joker glared "Use your words."

"Yes." She said, voice peaking slightly.

"Good." He pulled out a sheet of paper and showed her "This was the form the client signed for your death. The only copy. So say I destroy it then said client would have no way to get to you. Should I destroy it?"

"Yes!" She exclaimed, hoping she could convince him to spare her.

"I would to be honest." Joker chuckled at the sheet "Not a lot of money anyways so I didn't want to go through with it but in my time watching you. I noticed something."

"Wh-what did you notice?" Liza bit her lip.

"Your ex-husband. Nakul Kumar. He has full custody of your son." Joker looked at her almost sympathetically "Why?"

"I-I gave him full custody. He was always occupied with my son anyway... he didn't want to even share custody." Liza tried to withdraw more sympathy, hoping it would lead to her being saved.

"Just today. You tried to demand your son back? For what joy?" Joker leaned back and crossed his long legs. Excellent body proportions. Liza noted despite her fear.

"Ayush is a genius. A certified gifted child." She said, "I just wanted to... give him everything he needs." And somehow show my face again without hearing people talk badly of me behind my back.

"Okay I know enough about you to know you don't actually care about that child." Joker said, "You're using him."

"N-NO!" Liza yelled.

"Look here Ms Mathers. I don't want to kill you mainly because of your FBI ex." Joker explained "I'll spare your life and tear up this contract in return for you leaving Nakul and Ayush Kumar alone. Do not have any interaction with them. Do not get involved with them. As for my client? I'll explain to her what I did and why so you should be safe." So it's a she? A woman ordered my death.

"Yes, I'll do anything." If I can't bring Nakul and Ayush to me I'll make them come to me. It won't be direct involvement then right? He won't be able to do anything if I do manage to get Nakul back without exactly interacting per se.

"I figured you'd say that." Joker tapped his eyes "I'll make sure you don't touch those two. Got it? That should be enough for us."

He stood up and put the sheet back in his file. He wasn't as tall as Liza expected. Liza stood up too "Th-thank you Joker."

"Don't thank me yet." He said, "I hope we don't meet again. Oh and if you try reporting this to the authorities or anyone else really I'll kill you free of cost. Got it?"

She nodded "Yes."

"Good. This little meeting can just be our little secret. Don't try squeezing out I've got a phone still recording in my pocket." He lifted a finger to where his lips would be and winked.

He walked out to the balcony "Lovely view. Have a good night Ms Mathers. Remember the deal."

He jumped out. Liza raced towards the railing and looked down but he was gone. Like a passing bird. Just...gone. She sat on the bed, still shaking. She had no choice but to obey the conditions he'd put forward but she also desperately needed Ayush and if she wanted Ayush she needed Nakul. Now she was forbidden from interacting with them, what could she possibly do that could stir Nakul to come back naturally? It occurred to her. A certain amber eyed doll was all it would take.

That's it! I won't be messing with Nakul or Ayush, just that boyfriend! Joker won't be able to say anything since the deal was clearly just Ayush and Nakul. I just need the boyfriend out long enough for Nakul to come to his senses and come back on his own with Ayush! Liza brainstormed as best she could. It is illegal but who'd catch me? I can just hire a group for this. I'd go for Card but... That is not an option with Joker on my back. Malone is dead. Nakul took out so many of the major ones... all that's left is Viper. I'll have to get in contact with them. Get the doll kidnapped. Murder would be too far, Nakul would probably even get on the case if it were murder. Just... get him somewhere where I can keep an eye on him then let him out once I have Nakul and Ayu where I want them.

She managed to sleep a few hours before she wokeup early to get in contact with Viper. She needed to get Aki or whoever out ofthe picture. Even Joker couldn't outsmart me! She thought in pride. I'mnot dead, I got Joker off my back and I'll manage to get back Nakul and Ayushthen my honour is fixed then I am set. All she needed was his name now.