After The Los Angeles Billionaires

MATILDA'S POV

I lay awake, the old man's snores a cacophony that drilled into my brain. The sound waves vibrated through my skull, making my teeth ache. I tossed off the covers, the chill of the night air slapping me awake. The darkness seemed to press in around me, suffocating me.

My gaze fell on the old man, his wrinkled skin sagging under the weight of his years. His frail body looked fragile, like it might shatter if I touched him wrong. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me, my stomach churning with revulsion.

I thought back to the day I married him, the lavish ceremony, the expensive gifts. It had all been a sham, a performance to convince the world of our love. But I knew the truth. I had married him for his wealth, his power, and his influence. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of guilt and justification warring within me.

My mind wandered to Sam, my boyfriend, my partner in crime. We had planned this for months, and the anticipation was exhilarating. We would spend his wealth, live lavishly, and laugh together, free from the struggles of our past. The thought of our future together was all that kept me going, all that made this prison bearable.

But for now, I was stuck in this gilded cage, forced to play the role of the devoted wife. I thought of the old man's wealth, his assets, and his investments. It was all mine now, or at least, it would be soon. The thought sent a surge of excitement through me, a sense of power and control that I had never felt before.

As I lay there, the old man's snores growing louder, I knew I had to keep up the charade. I had to play the role of the loving wife, the devoted caregiver. But it was getting harder, the mask slipping, the facade cracking. I knew I couldn't keep this up for much longer. Something had to give.

I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after he was gone. It was like a nagging itch I couldn't scratch. I'd faced my fair share of demons in the past, and eliminating them had always brought me a sense of closure, of relief. But this one...this one was different. His presence had been like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over everything. And even though he was no longer a threat, I couldn't help but feel like I'd only just begun to fight.

As I looked at the old man, I saw deep wrinkles on his skin. His face was old and worn out. His body was weak and fragile.

I watched him move, and his joints creaked. His eyes were cloudy, and he stared right through me. The air around him smelled bad - like old cigarettes, sweat, and something sweet.

My stomach felt sick as I looked at him. My skin felt creepy. I shuddered when he opened his mouth, showing yellow teeth. His tongue was dry and cracked.

I looked away, but my eyes kept going back to him. I was stuck with him, and it was a nightmare.

I got out of bed and walked to the window. I pushed aside the heavy curtains to let in some moonlight. The cool night air felt good after being in the stuffy bedroom.

I couldn't stop thinking about the heist. It was exciting, but it was also scary. I thought about the old man's money and the nice things it bought me. But when I looked at him, I felt sick. His mouth was open, and his teeth were stained and crooked. His breath smelled bad, like old cigarettes and something sweet and rotten.

I turned away from him. I wanted to get out of there, to escape the trap I had made for myself. But for now, I was stuck. I had to stay in that fancy bedroom with the old man, and I had to pretend to be his happy wife.

Six months felt like forever. I missed the excitement and freedom I used to feel. I thought about Sam and felt lonely. It had been too long since we'd been together.

I got out of bed and started pacing. I felt trapped, like a bird in a fancy cage. I thought about the old man sleeping in the next room. He had no idea what I was going through.

I stopped pacing and looked in the mirror. I looked tired and worn out. The spark in my eyes was gone. I felt like I was just going through the motions.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I knew I couldn't keep living like this. I had to do something, take a chance. But what?.

The thought of killing him crossed my mind again, but I knew it wasn't easy. He was too hard to kill, too cunning.

I sighed, feeling trapped and helpless. Would I dare attempt another heist? Only time would tell.

The snores continued, a constant reminder of my miserable existence.

Morning. Again. The same old routine.

I dragged myself out of bed, already feeling trapped. Help him dress, wheel him to the dining area, feed him... Ugh, that part still made my skin crawl. It was the most disgusting thing a youngster like me would stoop so low to do but I had to comply I've got no choice I was building myself an empire.

As I poured his cereal, his gaze met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of the man he once was. But it vanished, replaced by the familiar vacant stare.

"Open wide," I said, forcing a cheerful tone.

He obeyed, his mouth agape like a baby bird. I spooned the cereal in, trying not to throw up at the sight of his toothless gums.

This was my life now. Caregiver, companion, prisoner.

As I sat there, my mind began to wander. I wondered about the old man's life before me. Was he ever happy? Did he have a family that loved him? Or was he always alone, surrounded by nothing but his wealth?

I thought about his wife, if he ever had one. What was she like? Did she love him, or was she just like me, using him for his money? And what about children? Did he have any? Were they still alive?

The questions swirled in my head, but I pushed them aside. I didn't care about his past. He was just a means to an end, a way for me to get what I wanted.

I remembered the months I spent watching him, studying his every move. I knew his routine, his habits, his weaknesses. And I used that knowledge to my advantage.

Now, I was playing the role of his caregiver, pretending to care about his well-being. But it was all an act. I was just waiting for the perfect moment to make my move.

The irony wasn't lost on me. This man, one of Los Angeles' elite, had no idea he had been chosen for destruction. I had manipulated my way into his life, and soon, I would reap the rewards with my boyfriend.

My thoughts drifted to Sam, my boyfriend, my partner in crime. We had planned this for months, and the anticipation was exhilarating. We would spend his wealth, live lavishly, and laugh together, free from the struggles of our past.

But for now, I had to maintain the charade. Play the caring companion, the innocent bystander. It was a delicate balancing act, but I was determined to see it through.

As I gazed at the old man, a shiver ran down my spine. He was a prize, a trophy to be won. And soon, I would surely claim my victory.

I glanced at my watch, knowing it was time to head to the office. As the one in charge of his finances, I had access to everything. The thought sent a thrill through me. Who would have thought that I, the girl from nowhere, would be living this life?

I enjoyed the luxuries I had never known growing up – the designer clothes, the fancy cars, the opulent mansion. It was a far cry from the struggles of my past.

But was this really the life I wanted? Or was it just a means to an end? I pushed the doubts aside, focusing on the benefits. This was my ticket to financial freedom, and I wouldn't let anything ruin the empire I had built.

As I stood up, the old man's gaze followed me, his eyes were clouded with a mix of confusion and dependence. I forced a smile, playing the role of his devoted caregiver.

"I'will be back soon," I said, grabbing my purse.

As usual he only stared at me no compliments from him.

As I stepped out of the house, the warm morning sun on my skin couldn't shake off my unease. Another day, another routine. I walked towards the house garage picking a car to use for the day.

My phone rung piercing the silence, bringing me back to reality. I hesitated, my heart skipping a beat, before answering because the call ID was unknown.

"Hello?" My voice trembled slightly.

A chill ran down my spine as a cold, detached voice replied, "Hi."

My eyes locked to the screen – Unknown ID. A shiver ran down my spine.

"Who is this?" I demanded, trying to sound steady.

But the voice ignored me, its tone dripping with malice.

"Your days are numbered. Watch out."you are closer to death than you imagine"!

Fear clawed its way up my throat. My mind reeled. Who was this? What did they want?

"Who are you?" I screamed.

MATILDA'S POV

I stared at the screen"the screen's dark glass seemed to absorb the faint glow of the dashboard lights, mocking me with its silence.".

"The line had gone dark, a flat, empty silence that seemed to vibrate with absence."

My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I dialed the number again, but it went straight to voicemail. A chill crept up my spine as I scanned the deserted parking lot. The streetlights cast long shadows, making me feel exposed.

"Electric fear coursed through my veins...", I threw open the car door and sprinted back to the building. I burst through the entrance, my eyes scanning the lobby for any sign of movement. The silence was oppressive, and I felt like I was being watched.

I dashed to the elevator"My heartbeat galloped like a runaway horse.". As the doors slid open, I slipped inside and stabbed the button for my floor. The doors closed, and I was alone with my thoughts.

But the feeling of being watched lingered.

I snatched my phone and dialed Sam's number, my fingers flying across the keypad. But the call failed. Again. I tried once more, my hands shaking with urgency. Still, nothing.

Panic set in, my breath coming in short gasps. I spun around, my eyes scanning the room, but I was alone. Or so it seemed.

Memories of last year flooded my mind. Sam's face appeared, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of excitement and recklessness. I remembered the way my heart had racing as we narrowly escaped getting caught.

"Where were you?" I had screamed at him then, my voice hoarse from fear. "Why didn't you follow the plan?"

Sam's expression had turned sheepish, his shoulders shrugging in a careless gesture. "I got held up," he had said, his voice low and smooth.

I had seethed with anger, my mind racing with the what-ifs. What if we had gotten caught? What if Sam had been more careful?

Now, as I stood in the silence of my room, I couldn't help but wonder if Sam had vanished again, leaving me to face the consequences alone.

I tried again, my heart racing with each failed attempt. The silence on the other end felt suffocating.

"Come on, Sam! Pick up!" I whispered, desperation seeping into my voice.

Memories flashed through my mind - all the times Sam had ignored my calls, left me hanging. The doubts crept in: Was he busy? Ignoring me? Or something worse?

My anxiety spiked. I felt abandoned, vulnerable.

With trembling fingers, I sent a text: "Where are you? Need you now."

The waiting began, each passing second an eternity.

Sam's call finally came in, and I quickly picked it up.

"Babe! We are being watched. It's high time we kill this old hag and fled away with his properties as usual,"

"Babe, calm down. What do you mean we are being watched?" sam asked.

"An unknown had called me today threatening that my days are being numbered,"

"What the fuck!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, babe. I think we should carry out the plan and get him killed today, ASAP. We need to flee the town,"

"I'm coming to the mansion by midnight. Take care of yourself, my love. We will carry out the plan. Bye, love you," He said, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil.

I ended the call, my heart racing like a jackrabbit. I glanced at the clock: 11:55 PM. I had to wait just a few more minutes. I busied myself with the old man's medication, my hands moving on autopilot as my mind wandered to the task ahead.

As the clock struck 1 AM, I felt a surge of adrenaline. I moved swiftly and silently to the door, listening for any sign of movement from the bodyguards. Nothing. I slipped out into the hallway, my eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of Sam.

A figure emerged from the darkness, his eyes gleaming with a familiar intensity. Sam. I nodded, and he fell into step beside me as we made our way to the basement.

The air was thick with the scent of mildew and decay as we descended the creaky stairs. I flipped a switch, and the room was bathed in a faint, flickering light. My arsenal lay spread out before me, a collection of guns, vials of poison, and other tools of my trade.

Earlier, I had laced the old man's cigarette with poison. Now, he was barely alive .

Sam and I dragged him to the basement, our movements was swift and silent. A shot rang out,Sam shot him on the head and it was over.

We exchanged a glance, our eyes locking in a moment of triumph.

"Six billion naira," I whispered, my voice trembling with excitement. "It's all mine now."

Sam's smile mirrored mine. "We did it, babe."

We quickly gathered the property papers and made our escape in Sam's truck.

As we sped away from the mansion, I felt a rush of adrenaline. We had pulled off the impossible.

I turned to Sam, my heart pounding. "We make a killer team."

Sam's eyes sparkled. "In more ways than one."

Our hands intertwined, we drove into the night, our future bright with promise not knowing danger awaited us at the other end.

Police swarmed the mansion as we sped away. Sirens blared, lights flashing.

"Faster, Sam!" I urged, glancing back.

Sam pushed the pedal down, and his truck roared to life. We zigzagged through empty streets.

My heart still racing, I checked the mirror. Police lights faded into the distance.

"We shook them off," Sam said, relief washing over his face.

I nodded, thinking ahead. "We need to hide out for a bit."

Sam's eyes locked onto mine. "I know just the place."

The truck hurtled on, carrying us toward an unknown future.

Just as we thought we had escaped Sam's phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. Sam read the text out loud.

"nice escape you cannot run away forever I saw it all" .

who was it ? I asked with my eyes widely opened.

I have no idea we just need to be careful .

We stumbled into Sam's hideout, the creaky door swinging shut behind us. The dim light enveloped us, a warm refuge from the darkness outside. I collapsed onto the worn couch, my legs buckling beneath me. Sam's face, illuminated by the faint glow of a lamp, creased into a weary smile. "We did it," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of our ragged breathing.

As I stepped into the bedroom, my eyes scanned the walls, taking in the collage of faces. Framed photos hung alongside printed sheets, each one bearing the name and image of a target. My gaze lingered on the gaps, where torn edges and scraps of paper hinted at the ones we'd already crossed off. The remaining faces seemed to stare back at me, their faces seemed to radiate an evil presence.

My eyes landed on familiar faces – my secondary school bullies. Memories from highschool came flooding back.

I was just a poor scholarship student at an elite uptown school. They had made my life hell,by bullying me.Especially Emma Blackwood; she was the worst of all , her privileged smile still haunted me till date.

I clenched my fists. Emma's family was next on our list. Her father, her relatives – they would all pay for what Emma had done.

Sam noticed my tension. "Hey, you okay?"

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Just remembering the past."

Sam's expression softened. "We'll take care of them. Together."

I stepped closer to the wall, my finger trailing over the photos. Emma's family smiled back at me, their faces frozen in time. Her father's stern expression seemed to bore into me, while her mother's polite smile looked almost... fragile. But it was the photo of her brother that made my heart skip a beat. Coby Blackwood's eyes seemed to gleam with a mischievous spark, even in the stillness of the photograph.

"Sam, how do we take them down?" I asked, my voice low and determined.

Sam leaned against the table, his arms crossed. "Emma's father is well-connected," he said, his eyes narrowing. "We'll need to be careful."

I nodded, my mind already racing with possibilities. "Let's start with him," I said, my eyes locking onto the photo of Emma's brother. Sam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Sam's phone buzzed, shrill in the silence. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing. "What is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Sam hesitated, his thumb hovering over the answer button. "The unknown number again," he muttered.

I nodded curtly. "Let it go."

Sam's eyes met mine, and he nodded. He let the call slide, the ringing eventually stopping. The silence that followed was oppressive, but I broke it, my voice low and even. "Let's focus on the Blackwoods. We have a plan to make."

We dumped the bags of cash on the living room floor. The sound of the bills hitting the ground was music to our ears. We divided the money, counting and stacking it together. When we finished, we looked at each other and grinned.

Sam shouted in excitement and pumped his fist in the air. "We did it!" I high-fived him, and we both collapsed onto the couch, laughing.

For a moment, we just sat there, enjoying the thrill of our success. Then Sam jumped up. "Let's celebrate!"

We grabbed our jackets and headed out into the cool night air. We drove to the club, the city lights shining brightly around us. The music playing in the car matched our excited mood.

When we arrived at the club, we jumped out of the car and walked toward the entrance. The bouncer nodded at us, and we went inside.

The club was loud and crowded, but we didn't care. We lost ourselves in the music and dancing, celebrating our success..

We made our way to the bar, ordering shots and laughing as we downed them. The music took over, and we lost ourselves in the rhythm, dancing and spinning to the beat.

As we sipped our drinks, the TV above the bar caught our attention. Breaking news flashed on the screen, the words "Pablo Ricardo murdered in his home" scrolling across the bottom.

Sam and I exchanged a knowing glance. We had done it.

But amidst the excitement, a nagging thought crept back in. Who was that mysterious caller? What did they want?

I pushed the worry aside, focusing on the moment. We had earned this celebration.

As the night wore on, the music and laughter blurred together. We stumbled out of the club, our arms wrapped around each other, holding each other up. The cool night air hit us like a slap in the face, but we just laughed and kept walking.

Back at Sam's place,

We collapsed onto the bed, exhausted but exhilarated. Our bodies tangled together, our chests heaving in unison. Sam's fingers brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer.

Our lips met in a messy, passionate kiss. The world around us melted away, leaving only the sound of our ragged breathing and the beat of our hearts.

As he laid upon me, our bodies fell into a perfect rhythm. It was as if we'd done this a thousand times before. Every touch, every breath, every beat of our hearts seemed to match.

The tension built, our movements growing more urgent. I could feel the desire building inside me, a growing ache that I couldn't ignore. Sam's hands were everywhere, his lips on my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

It was like our bodies were speaking their own language, one that only we could understand. And in that moment, nothing else mattered. Only the feel of Sam's skin against mine, the sound of his ragged breathing, and the taste of his lips.

Afterward, we lay on the bed together, panting and spent. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his body next to mine. The only sound was our ragged breathing, and the occasional creak of the bed. It was a moment of perfect silence, a moment of pure connection.

But my mind refused to let go of the thought of the unknown person threatening us.The unknown caller lingered, a shadow in the darkness.

I turned to Sam, my voice barely above a whisper. "Sam, what if that caller knows everything?"

Sam's eyes snapped to mine, his expression a mask of calm. But I saw the flicker of fear in his eyes, the tension in his jaw.

"What if they're not just threatening us?" I pressed on, my heart racing. "What if they're already inside our heads?"

Sam's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with intensity. "We'll find out soon enough," he whispered, his voice dripping with foreboding.

But I knew we were running out of time. The unknown caller had already gotten under our skin, and I could feel their presence closing in around us...

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