The Dragon Lady

18. Secrets II

The cars went past the open gates and parted. I stood by the window looking down on them, my fists clenched on my sides.

"Damn this."

I turned away from the window and walked out of the room, my footsteps heavy in agitation. I went down and headed to the kitchen and drank a glass of cold water.

"Qalif."

A gruff voice spoke behind me. I turned and saw Uncle Angus, his eyes firm and his expression hard.

"Uncle Angus."

"She really made you stay, didn't she?" He walked towards me and sat himself on the stool, his back ramrod straight and his fingers steepled.

"Who told you?" I asked frowning. He grunted and leaned back lightly, his eyes trained on my face. "The guards whom she ordered not to let you out."

"Damn."

Silenced reigned for a moment until Uncle Angus spoke seriously. "How sure are you that you are willing to know her secrets? How sure are you that you won't betray her?" His questions was straight to the point. I felt myself tensing but I was able to return his gaze.

"Qalif, how did you get yourself so deep in this mess?" My eyes darted over to him a d memories came flooding back.

Flashback

My heart pounded inside my chest. After years of putting my life in danger, it seemed ridiculous that I'm feeling nervous because of a job interview. I stood before the gigantic building, hesitating. My foot felt like it was glued to the floor and my whole body was stiff. I drew a deep breath and started to walk inside, greeting the guard on the entrance. I reluctantly went over to the receptionist and made her direct me to the office of the CEO. When I reached the right floor, my footsteps became heavier and my body felt as if it was being dragged on the floor. Several murmurs surfaced as I walked past numerous cells but I kept my gaze straight at the door with the CEO's Office print on it. Once I was near enough, I straightened my suit and swept my hair properly. I raised my hand and knocked on the door thrice. There was only silence until a curt voice said

"Enter."

I pushed the door open, expecting to see an old serious looking man with a big belly and white moustache, just like every man who has reached the top of his game and had tons of money. But I was wrong. When the light cleared from my eyes, I didn't see an old man. What I saw was a beautiful woman with eyes darker and sharper than eagle and a face you could use as a model for Athena. Power radiated off of her but I didn't tear my gaze away. I felt like I was in a daze but the sound of shuffling feet reminded me where I was.

"Good morning, Ma'am. I'm Qalif L-"

"You're hired." My voice was caught in my throat and my eyes widened.

"What?" Her eyes blazed fiercely and she leaned back to her chair.

"You're hired. Put those papers away, your job starts now."

********
"Are you sure you don't want your own office?" She asked, her voice cold and flat.

"Yes Ma'am." I nodded my head and adjusted my necktie awkwardly.

"Well then, get to work."
***********

From that day on I worked under her and blended in. There were times when I would clutch my belt when I'm anxious, searching for gun but that behaviour fell out as I worked on and on. How I have come this engrossed on her web I don't know but I am certain that I want to stay.

"I don't know." I faced Uncle Angus and pierced him with my stares. "How I have come this far is a mystery to me. She brought me to one of her errands that was all it took to get tangled up in this mess. But I am not complaining."

Uncle Angus did not move a muscle and kept his eyes on me, his eyebrows crinkled lightly. "You know boy, you remind me of someone. But I'm not sure who." My eyes went back to his face and lingered for a moment and dropped my gaze back to my hands.

"I remind people about a lot of other people, Uncle Angus." I stood up from my seat and placed my glass on the sink and turned to Uncle Angus, my face grim and determined.

"If I'm going to follow them, would you stop me?" A grin spread on his lips and he chuckled, twirling his glass on his hand.

"Well if you take the hidden path on the basement that leads to the alley four blocks from here, how could I possibly stop you, let alone see you?" He stood up and placed his fist on the table for a second then turned to leave while whispering to himself.

"I forgot the car I left near the gatehouse, where could I have possibly left my keys?" My eyes darted to the table and immediately saw the car keys. A small smile made its way ro my lips and I murmured below my breath.

"Thank you."

**************
I pushed the door open qith force, startling the people in the dining room. My eyes surveyed the room, searching for my target. Their shock kept them still, making it easier for me to asses their faces. It didn't take me too long until my gaze landed on a young boy with wide piercing blue eyes.

"Get your ass off that chair, you're coming with me." Some of the maids tried to complain, gesturing the almost empty plate on the table but one look and they stepped away.

"I-I'll come with you." The young boy stood up from his seat, wobbling slightly. I noticed the paleness on his face but I paid no mind and urged him to go faster. I hastened my steps and searched the way to the basement, all the while hearing pants behind me.

"Slow down."

I picked up the pace, ignoring his plea. I was about to turn shen I saw a big dark oak door. I pushed the door open and saw a stair leading down.

"This should be it." I ran down the stairs in fast calculated steps, not even stumbling despite the break-neck speed. Below were boxes and dusty empty shelves and old typewriters mixed with furnitures. I circled the place, searching for the path that Uncle Angus mention.

I heard heavy steps and short breaths as someone ran down the star but my eyes remained focused on my search. The boy leaned on the wall and continued catching his breath.
"Sorry for interrupting your meal, but I need your help."

"Actually, I'm thankful that you did, or else I would've exploded right there." I looked up at him and saw him clutching his stomach, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Second plate?"

"Third actually."

"God have mercy on you." I said as I pushed the shelves away from each other.

"Thank you, I really do need it."

"That's enough, stop lying around and help me search for any hidden doors."

"W-wait, just let me catch my b-breath." He raised his hand and placed on the cabinet door for support. I was about to scold him when I heard a small crack. My eyes looked for the source of the sound when I noticed where the boy placed his hand. An antique cabinet.

"Get away from-"

The boy's hand sunk, breaking the door of the cabinet and sending splinters of wood everywhere. The hinges broke and the remaining pieces hang loosely on the corners of the cabinet. The boy jumped away from the cabinet, his eyes wide with shock. Dust clouded the air around us and I squinted my eyes, seeing a light coming from inside the cabinet. Slowly, the dust faded and my eyes saw clearer.

"I'm sorry, I-I didn't-"

"Congratulations."

"Huh?" A wide smile appeared on my face as I stared at the long hallway infront of me. "You just found our way out."