23rd November 2015
I spot the intruder's head across the hedge wall and grab Fathima by her hand.
Fathima: What's wrong?
Samuel: What if they're a big man? What do I say to them once we catch them?
Fathima: Sam, we have no time for this.
Fathima yanks her hand out of mine and continues to chase the intruder. It amazes me how long she can run in her uniform.
The intruder was caught and brought into the mansion within minutes. The guards informed me that the intruder was trying to enter the house and play a little 'surprise'. This scared me a little, but Fathima kept pushing me to interrogate them.
Fathima is forcing me to question the intruder despite it being the guard's duty. She insisted that I show who has the authority and prepared me to meet with the intruder. She walked me to the living room, where I spotted a young woman.
This may be another one of my embarrassing moments, but I'm glad that Fathima is the only one to see it. I sit on the sofa ahead of the woman and start questioning her.
Samuel: So, who are you?
She looked at my face with offence in her and answered...
Sarah: My name is Sarah Smith. I am twenty-two years old, and I've worked as a model for over ten years.
Samuel: All right... And why break into the house?
Sarah: Ah, well... My manager wanted me to find a male model for a shoot, so I consulted the CEO for advice on what to look for in a model. They told me that I could just come here and fetch the mansion owner since he would be a perfect fit.
Samuel: Now I'm interested... But who is the CEO, and how did you enter this place?
Sarah pulls out a key and shows it off.
Sarah: I am not allowed to reveal the CEO's identity as they wish to keep it a secret, and I entered using this key they gave me.
Samuel: May I ask where they got the key from?
Sarah: They have their ways.
Fathima: (Whispers to me) The symbol on the key looks like a maid's key.
I look at the key again and notice the symbol as well. Father always prioritised security and engraved a unique symbol into the keys for each role within the household. A bull for guards, a dove for maids, and a crown for guests. I kept this in mind for later and continued to question Sarah.
Samuel: So, what is the business you work in?
Sarah: It's Vogue Garments; we specialise in fashion and modelling for magazines.
Vogue Garments is a major competitor to Father's business despite being a different industry. I find it odd that they're coming to offer unity, but it is best to take what I could.
Samuel: Would you like some tea?
Sarah: Sure...
Fathima leaves to prepare the tea, and I continue...
Samuel: So, why do you need me to model for you?
Sarah: As I have explained, we needed a male model for the shoot, so our CEO chose you.
Samuel: What I meant to ask was... Where are we going, and what are we displaying?
Sarah: My manager wanted to visit one of our malls, and the products will be from the KSC and Vogue Garments.
Samuel: All right then... I'll try considering it.
I could feel the awkward tension between us. I want to believe she is unimpressed that a man like me is running such a powerful company. It is my first time talking to an outsider in years, and I don't know what I should be saying...
Sarah: You're more afraid than I thought you would be.
Samuel: Huh?
Sarah: I can feel the tension within you spreading into the room... I find it quite hard to believe that you're the man running the show.
Samuel: Well, it's my first time dealing with an intruder.
Sarah: Oh, I see... Umm, well... It's been nice doing business, but I need to leave.
Samuel: What about tea?
Sarah: I'll pass on that; I've never been a fan of it.
Sarah stands up and hands me a business card before leaving the room. The guards escorted her out while I stayed in the room alone. Fathima entered the room with tea and treats on a tray and looked around as she placed them on the table.
Fathima: Where has she gone off to?
Samuel: She told me that she had to leave.
Fathima: Who is going to be drinking all this tea now?
Samuel: You and the other maids could have a little tea break.
Fathima: There isn't enough for all the maids, but sure. Anyways, what did she have to say?
Samuel: You missed nothing. The only information I got from her is that she's from Vogue Garments.
Fathima: You mean that business with an anonymous CEO?
Samuel: That's right...
Fathima: I believe that you should take up the offer.
Samuel: Why is that?
Fathima: I think it would be great for you and your business.
Samuel: You're right. I'll contact them later, and in the meantime, I would like you all to take your break.
I leave the room while Fathima returns the tea to the kitchen, and I get to bed. I debated for hours on whether I should join forces, but eventually, I was convinced. I picked up my phone and called them.
The call was brief, with me simply accepting the role. Having that done, I head straight to bed to get myself prepared for the day to come.
YOU ARE READING
Life is a Deception (sample)
General FictionSamuel William, a man in his twenties who had lost his parents at a young age, had finally begun exploring life, which led him to experience a series of events built to awaken him. From the pain of his parent's death to the happy and melancholy new...
