THE THORNES

The last days of a person's career are always gloomy.

The sky didn't open up as early as they usually did and all this young detective wished for was it never opening.

Jessica's neighbor, Ms. Felicia knocked on her door as early as that.

"Hello! Neighbor! Hello..."

Jessica wished Ms. Felicia could just go away and leave her in her mystery to sulk as a failure.

"Not even a single case have you solved successfully!" Mr Troy had blasted at her last week at the office.

"You can consider this your last case with the agency!" He added coldly.

Mike wasn't even helping issues. She had gotten home that day to meet Mike in his dirty green shorts and cream socks, buried in his game with his lazy-ass friend like him, Jay.

"You're moody because of a job?"

"Lighten up! Make me some omelet!"

"I haven't showered too. You can run my bath too."

He said, itching his crackly neck.

Jessica thought of her current life as a mess and Mike's weight on her made it worse.

She had met Mike at a Christmas party she had gone to with her best friend, Ann.

Mike wasn't always like this. He was expressive and responsible, mostly loving as well. Not until he lost his job as a front desk receptionist in one of the five-star hotels in the city from a shootout that led to its closure. Not being able to pay for his rent, he moved in with his girlfriend, Jessica.

At first, he was supportive and open to little menial jobs but he stopped after he got hold of one of Jessica's payment slips. He felt the need to get a job wasn't needed; she could suffice for the both of them, so the thought.

"Why me?" Jessica managed to mutter from the thoughts of Mr Troy and Mike that were running through her head.

Just then her phone rang!

"Hey Dad," she said almost inaudibly.

"Ahh. C'mon, cheer up Jessica!"

"It's just a job, you didn't lose your life!" Her dad said brightly over the phone.

If there was anyone that could cheer her up from a bad day, it was her dad and he always knew how to do that but today was the day it felt like it couldn't work.

"I'm a waste dad!" Jessica started sobbing.

"I have failed."

"I failed you..... I failed myself."

"I'm a mess". She said sobbing continuously.

"You're not a mess Jess."

"I know for a fact, you're the best detective and daughter any father could ask for." He said calmly to her.

"..... But... but I didn't make you proud." She breaks her words in between soft sobs.

"You still have enough time for that." He added gently.

"Wipe those tears and go to work."

"I still love you, detective or no detective." He concluded softly.

"... Yes Dad." Jessica concurred.

Ms. Felicia gave a loud knock from the door behind the house again. This time, the sun was gently showing its rays already.

"... I have to go, Dad. My neighbor keeps calling." Jessica said, wiping her tears.

"Better answer that."

"Give me a call after work." Her father said.

"Yes, Dad. Love you!" Jessica ended the call right after.

She quickly wiped her eyes and hurried to the back door Ms. Felicia was about to tear down with her heavy knocks.

The door creaked open and the old lady outside yelled furiously.

"My dog got stolen and it says here in this note the thief left behind - Jessica, take care of it!"

"I know only one Jessica in this neighborhood!" She added yapping.

Jessica knew who must have angered her neighbor; her lazy ass boyfriend!

"Whatever did he need Ms Felicia's dog for?" She thought quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry Ms. I think you've got the wrong Jessica. I didn't take your dog!" Jessica said softly.

"Well, the little lads said they saw him wear the dog a napkin in your backyard. It's got to be your apartment!" She yelled.

"What?"

"Is he being serious right now?"

"What's this for?"

She had the questions popping in her head as to why Mike stole a dog. She knew it was him. He just had his silly reasons.

"Ma'am, I don't think I know who's in possession of your dog. But I'd let you know if I see him around." Jessica said with a fake bright smile.

She knew she had to say something to get Ms Felicia away from her!

"Oh, poor Katie!"

"She must be so lonely!"

Ms. Felicia lamented softly, now almost crying.

Jessica quietly locked the door behind her unnoticeably while she lamented, back to the reality of the morning.

Mike had not been in the apartment since she told him about the notice from her boss. Maybe Ms. Felicia's dog was his parting gift since he drained her already.

Breakfast was the least thing Jessica had on her mind. She simply ran her bath, got dressed, and headed out to her office, at least still her office for the time being.

She got to the office earlier than she would normally have and saw her office desk had been cleared out. All her personal belongings had been put in a box waiting for her to take them home.

Not her office anymore as she had thought.

She let out a big sigh!

Her colleagues started trooping in, in ones and twos.

Mr Troy walked down the passage leading to the planning room, just where she stood waiting for him.

"Good morning Mr Troy." She said, trying to brace herself.

"Good morning Jessica."

"The board wishes to meet on the matter of your dismissal. You can only hope it favors you!"

"Yes sir." She said calmly.

He nodded and walked into the board room and shut the door right behind him while Jessica stood in a lost realm of her thoughts.

Just when she turned to put herself together, she saw a lady, fine with a nice poise and structure walking towards her.

It was already a sour day. Could it get any worse? She thought.

It was Olivia, her arch-nemesis and work rival.

Olivia was successful as a detective, solving every case tossed her way but for some reason, she had always wanted all of Jessica's cases, claiming Jessica had been favored with them.

"How?" Jessica always questioned, because these cases she called favors have cost her feeble career.

Jessica sometimes wondered if Olivia would have failed at her cases too.

Olivia walked straight towards her and looked her in the eyes as she came to a halt right at her front.

"You look miserable!" She spat coldly.

Olivia was a lady of character and everyone at the office knew her bitter spot for Jessica.

She was a bright lady as well. Smart and audacious in a way that makes her daring.

Jessica on the other hand had her own simple qualities but Olivia wasn't going to let her have her place in the agency.

And luckily for her, she's witnessing her leave the organization due to failure to prove herself worthy of being a detective.

"You look pathetic." Olivia continued.

"I mean, who could have thought that those little cases that even a janitor in this organization could have solved would cost you a dismissal." Olivia continued coldly, noticing what her hurtful words were doing to Jessica's expression.

"You should have stayed with your father, that way-" Olivia continued but Jessica cut her.

"That's enough Olivia."

"I get it! I get it!"

"You wanted me gone. Here I am, leaving!"

"I guess that's enough for your fill!"

Jessica summoned her speech out even though she would have preferred to be quiet to Olivia, but she wasn't going to stop.

Olivia laughs softly with a smirk by the corner of her face.

"You know you weren't even a competition, right?"

"You thought you could be here. But I'm glad to see you out!"

"Maybe Mike would fix up now that you'd become penniless!"

Olivia added coldly.

Mike again!

Was he really her problem?

She always wondered why everything roped back to Mike.

Jessica stood there being ripped off her confidence when Mr Troy opened the door of the planning room.

"Jessica?" Mr. Troy called.

"Yes sir."Jessica responded.

"Please come in." Mr Troy replied.

Jessica didn't care if she was about to hear the news of her dismissal. But just being saved from Olivia right now was more than she could ask for.

"And you too Olivia." Mr Troy added.

Jessica and Olivia took a glance at each other and entered the board room.

There, the head of the agency and other trusted board members sat quietly. Some with their nerdy glasses and some with eyes sharp as an eagle's.

Mr Troy stood beside the round table while he looked at the girls to begin speaking.

"The board has decided on your case, Miss Jessica."

Jessica looked at Olivia, her heart racing, knowing she was about to be served like a hot breakfast to Olivia.

"We think you deserve another chance!" Mr Troy said.

Jessica could swear she didn't hear well. Mr Troy was probably talking to Olivia and not her.

He was definitely mistaken.

"Miss Jessica?" Mr Troy called out.

"Miss Jessica, I said -"

"I'm - appalled." Jessica stuttered.

"Thank you Mr Troy - and members of the board" Jessica added quickly.

"I'm sorry but did I hear you well?" Olivia started.

"Did you say she has been given another chance?" Olivia questioned, looking directly at Mr Troy, demanding quick answers.

"... I thought. I thought her case was reviewed for proper dismissal!" Olivia added furiously.

"Well Olivia, she found favor in the meeting with the board. She has come close to solving cases and has never been cut short off duty. That's something." He responded.

"This is a clear case of favoritism and you know it!" Olivia said and walked out of the board room.

The board room was quiet for at least 30 seconds before Mr Troy broke the silence. Only then did Jessica understand why Olivia was about to cause a commotion.

Although she would have expected her to be spiteful but not in front of the board members.

Apparently, there was a challenging case at hand and mostly, the most challenging case would be given to the detective to be tested, which was Jessica.

Olivia wanted that particular case and she knew what giving Jessica a second chance would cost her.

The case was about a billionaire family, philanthropist and benefactor of the great city. But the radar has always had them on because other known suspects are in business with the family.

The board dispersed and Mr Troy headed to his office with Jessica following behind him. Upon getting to his office, Mr Troy sat while Jessica stood staring at her boss, still in surprise of what just happened.

Mr. Troy sighed heavily!

"You have this last case to prove yourself, Miss!" Mr Troy said with a fixed cold stare at Jessica.

"I spoke to the board members about your records even if you've never closed a case and somehow, they saw you worthy of a second chance!" He added.

"I promise to bring this case closed up sir." Jessica said blankly.

"That's a promise Miss!"

"It must be kept!" Mr Troy said.

"The case as you've been made to know involves a billionaire family, owners of the TRIX company and the biggest philanthropist in this part of the world.

The CEO - Phillip Thorne." Mr Troy said handing over the case file to Jessica.

She stretched out and got the file to read properly and understand the case.

"It says here he's married and with a child."

"Are they also targets?" Jessica asked.

"A grown up son - not just a child"

"As for targets... you'd have to find that out yourself." Mr Troy replied.

"Okay sir." Jessica concurred.

"Welcome back detective Jessica!" Mr Troy said with a beaming smile.

"Thank you sir" Jessica responded and headed to her office.

The news of her no dismissal had spread round the office and she could see the cheers from the expressions on the faces of her colleagues.

As she enters her office, she starts to offload her personal belongings back in the places they were taken from. She finished that and opened her new case file to read about it.

Olivia walks right into her office with the sternest of looks.

"You think you deserve that, huh?" She asked coldly, pointing at the file.

Jessica was quiet.

"You think you're some sort of lucky princess always having the most prestigious cases, right?"

"That case file belongs to me and you know it!" Olivia continued raving.

"Can you just stop?" Jessica asks.

"You said I was pathetic. Well, look at you. You look worse." Jessica continued.

"I know you're going to fail. As you always do." Olivia added

"... And I'd be here to witness another board meeting to send you out!" Olivia said bitterly.

"That's not going to happen Olivia." Jessica said even if she was yet to read the case file or even know her way to go about solving it.

"I'd see to it myself. That's a promise!" Olivia said and walked out of her office leaving Jessica in another dilemma.

First, she was made to know that the case was a high profile one, not sure of even a first step to action.

Now, Jessica was about to make things worse.

Was this a blessing or more trouble in disguise?

"I got my job back!" Jessica screeched over the phone to her dad.

"You deserved it love!" Her dad echoed from the other end of the call.

"I was stunned. Felt so unreal!"

"Seems I'm still going to make you proud dad" Jessica added excitedly.

"You sure would!" He responded.

Jessica's front door opened with a munching sound and little soft barks. It was Mike.

And with Ms Felicia's dog!

"Oh why. Hello Jess. Got fired?" He asked sarcastically.

"Is that Mike?" Jessica's dad asked audibly that Mike could hear.

"Yeah it is." Jessica responded with rolling eyes and her hand stamped to her face in sudden regret.

"Hello Mr Willows! Jessica got fired!" He said loudly.

"Is he drunk?" Her father asked.

"I'd be surprised if he wasn't." Jessica responded.

"I'd speak to you later, dad" Jessica added and ended the call.

She quickly turned her gaze to Mike, who was now seated on the couch, drunk and munching on a snack while he fondled the poor dog aggressively.

"Why did you take the dog?" Jessica snapped at him.

"Chill out Jessica. You might as well need to snatch whatever you can from the neighborhood while you're jobless." He said, laughing silly and pointing at her.

"You need to return the dog!" She said, getting hold of the dog, securing it out of his tight grip.

"What now Jessica?" He turned to look at her, bloody drunk in his eyes.

"What now?"

"What now??"

"What now is you leave my couch and get a fix. You smell bad!"

Jessica said irritably.

He laughed slightly

"I meant what now that you're jobless."

Funny how he kept calling her jobless.

How he behaved just because of a notice from her boss was enough to know he didn't care.

Jessica thought to tell him she wasn't dismissed but she decided to go along with his delusion.

"I don't know. Try the menials?" She said, with her hands folded.

He laughed again.

"Well, you do that. I'm off."

He stood up and grabbed his pack of snacks. About to grab the dog again, Jessica held it firmer and he let go.

"Welcome to my life Jessica." he spread his arms expressingly.

"Being jobless and broke!"

"You thought you were good enough?" he scoffed and Jessica just looked.

"You suck as well." he laughed even harder but Jessica wasn't going to speak back.

"It was fun while it lasted." He said clapping his hands while heading out of her apartment with his few belongings he picked, littered over her sitting room.

"You'd look miserable in no time!" He concluded with his heavy laughter as he finally went out of her apartment.

That was it?

Was Mike gone for good?

Jessica could scream for joy!

She could throw herself a party. Such heavy weight lifted off her because he thought she lost her job.

Jessica made a quick fix to her apartment. Her house has never been neater!

At least not in the past 2 years.

She settled for dinner while she went through her case file again. She did some research and found the location of the company - TRIX. It was indeed a big company. The family didn't have much to reveal on the Internet so she had to get close to the family somehow.

She has been given a clean slate on her state records, showing she's a recent graduate in need of a job.

A new start!

While checking out for ways to get started with her case, Ann calls.

"Hey girl! Let's toast to your new case at D-trips." Ann said excitedly.

"And Mike, out of my life!" Jessica added happily.

"No - way!" Ann said in amazement.

"Yes way girl!" Jessica affirmed.

"OMG. This is a must-toast. You have to be out tonight!" Ann excitedly screams.

"D-trips, at 7." Jessica responded swiftly.

Looking at all her research, the TRIX company was in need of a secretary.

Who knows, that could be her go-to but it seemed so easy to be true.

Already in the party mood, she made a quick application, ran a few errand cause the day was still young. Getting to 7:00pm, she showered and headed out to be with her best friend.

Ann was a bold girl. She had all it took to toss Mike out of Jessica's life but Jessica wouldn't allow her. Ann was never laid back like her best friend, let alone allow a man move in to become a liability to her. She grew her wealth from the cosmetic shop she started at her house some years ago.

The big collaboration with a major cosmetic company was jackpot for her. Not having a prince in shining armor come to her in her time of needs made her tighten herself up to be keen with the men to come her way after her success.

"One more. One more!" Ann placed the shot cups on Jessica's lips.

"Argh! That was - good." She giggled from a squishy face to a soft chuckle.

"... And two for me!" Ann took two shots of the American whiskey down her throat like it was water.

"You're bad..." Jessica said as she watched her friend take that down.

"I know" Ann laughed and Jessica followed suit.

"You won't miss him, would you?" Ann asked.

"I'm glad he left. I had it up to the limit, it was high time. And he left on his own, so yeah, I'm good." Jessica responded.

"That's a good thing. Let's get you some dick for a fresh start." Ann excitedly tugged her friend.

"What? No...." Jessica responded laughing.

"Why not? You haven't had that in like months now." Ann replied.

"I don't think I want that just yet." Jessica responded again, chuckling.

Jessica's phone beeped with a notification from her email.

"CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN REVIEWED" The message read.

"Oh-my-God!"

"Annabelle Francis!" She called out.

"What's that? You called me by the full name." Ann questioned Jessica as she tries to look at her phone's screen from where she was seated.

Jessica was still stunned by how fast things were happening. All in one day.

"Jess, what's that?" Ann questioned again.

"I just got accepted into TRIX -" Jessica said looking at her.

"The TRIX?" Ann asked surprisingly.

"Yes Ann, the TRIX!" Jessica concurred.

"That was magical! Wow! How did you do it?" Ann asked with excitement.

"I just did it, I guess." she replied

"Wow!"

"This calls for more drinks!" Ann suggested.

"I think I might consider some dick now." Jessica said chuckling with excitement.

"No no. Now, you need drinks and your head in your job. No dicks" Ann responded and Jessica nodded in affirmation.

"More shots!" Ann signaled to the bartender.