Too Bad, So Sad.

chapter nineteen: Foolish Games

Heaven leaned against the wall, lighting up her pre-rolled joint, rolling her eyes at the crime scene, clearly irritated that everyone in attendance at this party was nothing but a bunch of beggars. She had been tense after finally seeing Razz in person almost like she couldn’t believe someone would be that delusional but like I said before Razz doesn’t take no for an answer. With the additional knowledge that Kel wanted me  dead, it made Razz’s death even sweeter, but I suppose from an outsider's perspective the whole thing felt more enraging rather than empowering. Locking eyes with Heaven after the whole ordeal was rather spine chilling, her normal brightness that lingered in her pupils had dimmed dramatically and the way her jaw was clenched had me worried I’d pissed her off but Salem caught on and reassured me Razz was the person who had gotten Heaven all riled up. Salem said it was something about how Heaven can’t stand homewreckers, I doubt that is the reasoning behind Heaven’s intense reaction but to each their own I guess. Salem told me to be on standby with Heaven to get more clarification on what exactly was going on with her and work with her in case something unexpected happens and so far nothing suspicious has caught my attention, leaving me to stand next to Heaven wondering how to start a conversation. What do I say? Should I tell her more about Razz and I? Should I ask how’s her day? Oh! What about asking her about the book she was reading before!? Yes! Perfect! Woo! Oh wait, oh shit Heaven’s turning her head to face me, she’s opening her mouth to speak! Nothing goes my damn way, excluding Salem, well not really we get interrupted more times than not. Just smile Honey Sie just keep smiling.

“You did good.” Heaven said as she blew smoke into the atmosphere. “She died like a bitch. Such a homewrecker, am I right?” My eyes widened. No fucking way Salem was right, who am I kidding of course she was right she’s never been wrong!  Heaven really got pissed because she sees Razz as a homewrecker. Incredible. Absolutely incredible.
“Yeah, you’re right she did die like a bitch.” I replied, side-eyeing her choosing not to comment on the homewrecker statement because I’m afraid it’d add fuel to her fire. I could tell she was slightly disappointed.  Heaven shook her head moving on to my relief. “Ms. Sie, I  want to share with you something I think that’ll ease your worries, may I?” Heaven asked, batting her eyelashes and putting a hand over her heart.

I laughed, “You may share what you want to share.”

“ Great! Listen closely Ms. Sie. On the day TG introduced me to Ms. Greece I didn’t expect her to be my age nor did I anticipate her to immediately hire me, honestly it threw me for a loop. I was beyond confused because I didn’t even say a word to her before she accepted me with open arms. Ms.Greece, saw someone worthy of growth, of protection, of training to be a better version of themselves,  she saw something I didn’t see for myself, she gave me a home, purpose, and she helped me love myself.” Heaven smiled, a pure smile, the smile Heaven usually wears returned making it all the more precious. “You’re lucky Ms. Sie you get to be able to view the version of  Ms. Greece that  we never will have the privilege of seeing and no one else can fight beside her.” Heaven’s smile and tone softened, “Ms. Sie please keep this in mind always, Denver is terrifying but not nearly as terrifying as our leader, do you catch my drift?”

Huh, Salem really has excellent judgment when it comes to literally everything, how annoyingly attractive. “Yeah, you’re reassuring me that you will be loyal and that Salem will be okay.”

Heaven puffed out smoke grinning in my direction. “Bingo! Bang! Bang! Very smart just like I knew you were.” Heaven giggled, “Welcome to Recon Ms. Sie I will do my best to work diligently for you and Ms. Greece!”
“Thank you, Heaven. I think you, Fawn, and Syria are going to be my best friends.” I said, smiling.

“You belong here Ms. Sie.” Heaven said, grinning from ear to ear.

“I do, I really do.” I replied, turning my head to see Salem’s beautifully twisted smile, she cleaned up her mess in peace. Once again I have to say, what a woman.

“We’re finished here.” Salem’s voice silenced all discussions. “The party's over. Go home and report to me on why you should continue getting support from Recon and how you can repay my kindness in being merciful and not disposing of you all for being witnesses.” She had a new glass of wine in her hands, her finger wagging in Carl’s bruised face. “You live another day Mr. Birthday Boy..but remember if you dare cross me you’ll end up like Fitz. You have a lovely home so spacious and sound proof. I’m thankful your security is so lax. Good night Carl I hope your nightmares reiterate the severity of your actions and the outcome that’ll arrive if you make a mistake.”

Carl’s busted lip made his response even more laughable. “Yes. ma'am.”

“Good. I’ll contact each one of you tomorrow.” With a curt nod Salem motioned all of us to follow her out and go in our respective vehicles to return to the organization. Finally, we’re going home. 

I took one last peek of  the room, it’s spotless, the lights are blindly bright. Reality had sunk in. I could tell Carl’s ego was stomped on because no matter what he said Salem would always be better than him it didn’t matter that she was eighteen and had little life experience comparatively she was still better and she earned her respect and status. Everyone who was here tonight are accomplices who comply with Salem's commands without any questions–the guests from tonight, without knowing, have ruined their lives completely and now it’s cemented in their brains that they’ll end up just like Razz if they make a mistake. Just remembering Razz is dead makes me smile and reminding myself where her body parts are going adds to my happiness. Razz’s dead body has been dismembered,  her liver has been packaged and is  ready to be delivered at Kel’s front door with a lovely note that states: “Special delivery! It’s Razz Bae’s organic liver! You deserve it after all your hard work! Enjoy!”

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After an hour of texting Harleen back and forth digging for updates on what’s going on at home we’ve finally got confirmation on the news I had been anticipating this entire time–TG had found my declaration of war. TG, a man who holds so much power and little at the same time, has been outdone by an untrained civilian girl, I can only now imagine his horror to find out the very same girl who he met that was beaten and subdued is the same girl who defies him,  he’s shaken  that I’m the kind of girl who wishes to annihilate him from this life and the next not his daughter who has every right to act in the manner I did in means of defiance. I did this. I killed this man and left him in his office, the very office he threatened his daughters life in. I feel a pattern coming, being underestimated and being misunderstood. Well, I suppose that has its benefits! The element of surprise!! And the element of me losing my temper despite my efforts to remain cool headed. Whatever. I’ll hit that bump when I get there. For now I need to gather my thoughts and respond to my gorgeous mystery girl who currently has her forehead creased and is pouting like a child in time out. It's endearing and a little sad considering the fact she doesn’t care about what TG’s reaction towards her will be. Trion Greece is just another name on the list, he can’t hurt me or Salem, not without damages of his own–irreversible damages.

“I’ll be okay, his reaction will be emotional rather than tactical, you know that for sure. TG can’t do anything rash when every single member–except one mole, is loyal to you. TG does nothing other than give out pointless orders when he’s mad! You run the operations, you check on everyone’s well-being, you create teams for better efficiency, you are the leader not him. He made the best mistake of legally handing all ownership to you at your age because he couldn’t be bothered and because you were better than him when it came to leadership and earning respect and loyalty with ease. The person who needs to worry is TG.” I said, noting how Lennon lowered the car volume to listen in, everyone caught that but refrained from mentioning it as we were all nosy anyways.

Salem’s pout fell and her crease vanished leaving a faint grin in its wake. “The mole is who I’m concerned about, not my father. Trion Greece is a buffoon, a joke! Unlike TG this mole, whoever they are, has connected people from your past to Denver meaning Razz and Kel are not the only ones now tied to Denver more will be involved as time progresses and someone will blab that you’re actually alive. We need to figure out who this person is and how to play Denver like a fool. He’s not the only one who gets to play games.” Her words held power, more power than I’d seen in the past few days I’ve been here. She had made a vow, a vow to win no matter what, to not be like her mother, she was going to live–we were going to live, and with that we were ready to go to war. I will be wielding my sword for all to see, and for all to plead for mercy.