Chapter 31—Queen Of The City
Eve again temporarily called off the lockdown, but this time, with more favorable terms. People were allowed to go out to shop for what they needed, but with facemasks, and shopkeepers could return to their shops.
Gas stations, and essential service providers were allowed to return to work, but others were still to work from home.
After a morning quickie, Eve and Elvin prepared, had breakfast, and left the house. Elvin went to get some food items from the supermarket, and Eve, she told Elvin that she was going to a different supermarket, but in truth, she needed a bit of fresh air.
As she moved on the sidewalk with her hands in her jacket, she could hear the hum of the six, black, Lincoln Navigators moving ahead, and behind her. These were all filled with her guards, and they had kept their eyes on Elvin’s house for the past two months. Since she never went anywhere without them, she had informed them of her movements, and while she walked on the streets of Tan Height like every other person, she had them to protect her.
Eve’s phone rang, and getting it out of her pocket, she saw it was the Governor calling. She answered and placed the phone to her ear.
“Governor!” Eve said with an almost elated tone. “Thank you for lifting the lockdown.”
“There isn’t much I could have done anyway, but to obey,” the Governor said.
Eve smiled. “I believe you got my donation.”
“I sure did. Thank you. And I promise, it will be put to good use.”
“What’s the latest?”
The Governor filled her in on all that had happened so far, and not long, Eve noticed two of the Lincolns in front stop to let out two men in suit, she briskly turned to see two others trailing behind her, she kept on talking with the Governor.
They discussed the welfare of the city, and so far, it faced no challenges, save for the one she had put the city up to.
“You control the city,” the Governor said. “It’s your call.”
He painted her like some shadow power, and he was correct with that description. Eve had dirt on everyone, things that were substantial to ruin their lives. As for the Governor, Cedric Flore, he had certain mistresses his wife wasn’t aware of, and with the full knowledge of why he came to office, Eve had used all that to turn him into her puppet.
“You know, I sometimes forget what motivated you to be a Governor,” Eve said. “Imagine if I didn’t support you, you would have spent so much for nothing.”
“I came to steal, Eve,” Cedric said. “You gave me no chance. I must say, with you backing my election, I was very certain that I was going to have my way.”
And on the victory night, while he stood on the terrace to commemorate his victory with a glass of champagne, seeing all hopes and possibilities to strip Tan Height of wealth, Eve had come to let him know he was her pet. Of course, to his pain, he had learned that she was untouchable, and now he was in office, he was bound to play by the rules.
Eve owned the city. She ruled it from border to border, unchallenged. Even her sister, Ann, who Elvin knew as Lisa couldn’t challenge her rights here.
“Sweet Cedric,” Eve said. “You didn’t think I was going to let you have your way, now did you?”
“I would have made a deal with you to split the profit. But sadly, everything in Tan Height, the people, the wealth, it all belongs to you.”
Eve chuckled. “Of course. But there was a good side to you being in office. You became my friend, and I made you rich. Besides, when you get to hold so much power like I do, you’ll realize that even with all the fame and wealth, there are still holes to fill. What makes me happy is making my enemies miserable and helping those who can’t ever afford my standard of living.”
“I called your mansion, but I got no answer.”
“I’m currently up to no good, so I’m not home.” Eve couldn’t tell him not to keep track of her. He didn’t have the courage to, for, after all, his people were her people, and literally everyone in his office worked for her.
“Investors are threatening to pull out their investments from the city,” Cedric said. “They fear the lockdown threatens any hope of them ever getting any returns.”
That wouldn’t be good for business. Eve could manage the city without investors, but she needed them for the good report of Tan Height. “If that’s the case, then you have my blessing to assure them that the lockdown would soon be lifted. If the fear remains, tell them to invest in my company. At least, with me, they are certain of getting double of whatever they invested. With the other private companies I don’t yet own, they will submit eventually, sooner or later.”
“Understood.”
“How’s your wife, Cedric?”
The Governor was silent for a few seconds. “I’m thinking of getting a divorce.”
“To be with one of your mistresses, no doubt. Why, though?”
“Nothing. I no longer love her.”
“Amazing.” And just like that, the wife he once adored would be swept under the carpet for someone else. “Well, let me make something clear. And this is not a threat. It is a fact. If you divorce your wife, Edith, you can be certain of one thing.”
“And what’s that?”
“You’ll no longer be Governor, and you’ll be going to jail. During the Governor’s victory party, she made a deal with me in regards to you. Do not tell her that I told you because that would only make things worse. Try to meet her on middle grounds. Remember why you married her. And who knows, maybe this lockdown would save more than one relationship.” Eve hung up.
She paused, and one of the Lincolns stopped next to her. A man in a suit stepped out from the front seat and opened the back door, Eve got in, and the guard closed the door.
The other guards outside got in, the cars moved off with emergency lights flashing at the grills.