A deal sealed

The tension in the office was heavy, like a physical weight inside, everyone waiting on Lizzy to come around and testify just like she said.

Bruce sat, quiet since he stepped into the office, his presence were grounding unlike before which indicates the danger of silence ahead.

Alexia cleared her throat, her eyes fixed on the clock ticking so fast on the wall. “I think she tricked us all, the police can investigate this matter.” her voice- venomous.

Joan's hand brushed unto her as she spoke, he knew it was deliberate and planned to trick all adults into something mockery.  He could feel the anger, a burying storm burning inside her.

The school management gave out a heavy sigh, her anger heavier as resounded.

“We need to take action” Bruce growled, his voice mean and low.

Joan did not say a word either. His brown eye were fixed on him, not just a word he uttered, but his eyes sends down a dead message across. 

The notifications.

Few hours later, the sudden death of Lizzy came as a force blow to them, they were still shocked as it was suffocating to bear. The air between them grew colder, and each breath burned with unnatural frost.

“We have come a long way for this game, we need an official.” Joan said.

“I mean, we don't have time. The children need to be protected. No one knows who's next.” He added.

Bruce stepped forward, his voice calm but harsh

“Mind your words, Joan. This is not the time for sentiment or you’ll regret this action.”

Joan, laughed so hard, till it seize from his lips

“Regret? Oh, Bruce. It's you we should ask about the incident.”

His eyes darted to him, as shiver down his face. “What do you mean? At least I saved the child. Rather than using her as a pawn.”

 Her eyes flicked toward him, “I'm nobody's pawn,” she said, her voice- strong. 

Bruce chuckled, an amusement curled from his lips. “Not now. But soon. It's so inevitable.”

He growled low, smiled- a meaning sound that pissed off everyone in the room.

The school management saw the tension of the room, moving forward, her eyes darting at everyone. “It's enough. This is not the time for family affairs.”

“The deed has been done. Let's move forward to another agenda of the day,” she said, flicking the page.

Before she could say a word, one of them drew her attention, whispering into her ear.

“Well, the investigation is going on, so I would like us to excuse us for a while.” They stood, leaving the office alone for the three.

“Sonita is playing a dirty game,” Alexia scoffed. 

She could feel a sudden tug around her body as though the room itself was about to drag the anger down. She stood tall, her face pale, Joan's hand grabbed her waist. Trying to calm her down.

“You are too close!” Joan said softly, grabbed her hands while they walked out.

Meanwhile, Sonita waited  patiently for Bruce in the office, her patience becoming weary as he could not see his shadows.She surged around, feeling the hear of her anger in her veins

The door opened, Bruce walked in, though surprised to see Sonita in the office.

“Why are you here?” He said, closing the door behind.

“you should be somewhere, hiding from the police as the investigation is ongoing.” he added, pulled his seat bur Sonita wasn't saying anything to him

“Pretence,” she finally spoke, her voice fierce. “You're so helpless in this game.”

Bruce's eyes darkened, glowing in mixed of anger and frustration, he chuckled. “What do you mean?,” 

Sonita opened her bag, dropping few pictures on the desk, her lips spread with wide annoying smile that ceased the moment her eyes darted on his.

Bruce moved, shuddered his shoulders, his face so unreadable slightly, “I have no ideas of this. If you going me to look like a bad person, I will submit to you the police.” He said, his voice so commanding and mean.

“Ridiculous, Bruce. You made all this up, and still living in denial while I have gotten proofs.” She said, gazing at him,

“I will blow this up. If you try to act silly, you know what comes with this,” she warned sternly, gathering all the pictures. But he held her hands.

“Name your price. Anything,” he said, his voice stronger though trembling so low inside.

Sonited curled a smile on her face, “you know what I want. It's quite simple.”

“Use it,” she said, “The power lies inside of you.”

She reached out for a paper in her bag- a contract form as she pushed it to his side. Her finger still enclosing around it,

A surge of heat coursed through his neck while reading the contracts papers. His eyes went wide with surprise, but he didn't stop, the silence echoed the room.

“This is not possible!,” his voice cut through, still searching for answers in her eyes.

She did not moved 

“I don't think I can do that to the little child, Sonita.” He growled.

“Have some conscious….” She cut him off sharply.

“Then sign the second contract… a marriage,”

He felt his legs be weary, It feels like torture to him, as he was about to succumbed.

“Bruce. You need to do this. Think about your reputation, the company eventually this blows up.,” she scoffed, leaning against the chair.

“You'll pay for this deed soon.” He said, took a pen and then signed on the paper.

“sealed agreement,” Sonita said, admiring the papers on the table. 

Sonita stood tall, her eyes glowing through the papers.

“A change might come later,” she said, moving closer to him as she planted a kiss on his mouth.

“You'll regret this, Sonita.” He yelled, hugging his arm around his pocket, his face speaks of hates, and frustration. He struggled so hard to accept the twist of fate of his life.

“The game just started,” she said, stepping closer to the door way as she turned her back from Bruce.

Bruce lashed his anger on the papers on the desk, frustration brewing up his mind with millions of action piling up against Sonita .

"This isn't over," he growled, his voice low and resolute. 

“A battle I can't loose.”