The Chase

Unknown's POV

Running, hopping, walking and tripping had became my walking gait. I kept on running while looking backwards once in a while to notice if those men were still following. I stopped to restore my breathing pace. I was almost choking on my breath. I hid behind a tree as I noticed the flashes from their torches as they searched this dense forest for any sign of me.

I went on a crouching position to hide myself properly but since it was nighttime and I had no means of light, I could not realize there were thorns, behind me. They pricked me and I whimpered.

Sinking deep into my skin when I was still in motion, it made me almost cry out with a loud voice before realization dawned on me. They were still searching for me. I hurriedly placed my palm over my mouth in prevention of any incriminating sound.

But it was too late because they definitely heard something from me. I watched in horror as they traced their steps towards the tree I used as a refuge. My heart beat a lot more faster than its usual pace. I was dead scared.

"What do I do?" I thought in fear as I watched them come closer.

"They're almost here.." My subconscious screamed. "What do I do?" I thought repeatedly in panic.

I raised my head to look around for something I could use to fight against them but I found none. For the record, I can't fight and I get scared easily. As it is, I'd been shot already and it contributed to the pain I was having right now.

I closed my eyes in fear as they approached the tree. Probably it's time to go. Let fate take its course. I closed my eyes firmly as I await my discovery and death.

"Oh no! It's just a grass cutter!" I heard the husky voice that belongs to their leader. "But that seems to be the girl's voice." Another one argued.

"And are you blind? Can't you see an animal just jumped out from that place?" The leader asked in annoyance. I opened my eyes in disbelief.

"What the hell! They had not even seen me and I was dead within already." I thought as I looked at the wrong tree the leader pointed at and I heaved a sigh of relief. They turned back to continue their search. As soon as I noticed they were out of sight, I stood up and started my race again.

I thought I had escaped until I heard their voices again.

"Oh God, I'm dead." I cried silently as I continued to run, trying hard to increase my pace by the minute.

"There she is! Get her."

Come what may, I must escape. I can't die in this forest. It was at this crucial period that I blamed myself for refusing Dad's training. He had always asked me to join his recruit training.

"Dad, I'm so sorry for not listening to you. It'd have been an advantage to me now. Oh God! What do I do now? Why is there no one who can rescue me?"

I looked back as I saw that they were almost meeting up with my pace since I was getting tired already.

"Just pray, something might happen." My subconscious advised.

"Pray!" That's a thing I do not know how to do. I've forgotten how to pray. But I should at least offer my last prayer to the one who sees all. I stopped running, closed my eyes and offered my last prayer, more like a wish.

To be either saved now or die with ease. As I concluded the short prayer, a bright blinding light shone over my eyes and I squinted my eyes while trying to open them.

*

"Good morning" a voice called. "Huh!" My eyes opened in shock.

"Good morning?" I said aloud.

"Yes, good morning. You've been asleep for quite a long time."

And who the hell is speaking? I thought.

"Mom?"

So it was all a dream but who says dreams doesn't come true?

"Did you have that dream again?" Mom asked as I got ready for work. I nodded and heard her sighed.

"Why don't you join the recruit training? It might help." Mom advised.

"And what makes you think I'd love to join?" I asked

"You should. It'd help."

"It might." I reasoned with her. "But right now, I'm busy. I don't wanna join. Besides, it's stressful." I said as I fixed my waist belt. I sat down in front of my mirror as I used only powder as I wasn't a fan of make up.

"Miranda, why are you being so stubborn? You know you need it." She whined.

"I know I do but I'm not ready to. Can't you respect my decisions? Dad did and you should, as well."

I've always tried to make it clear to her that I'd join the training when I have the time. Now is not the time!

"Okay, fine. But do not say we didn't warn you when the time comes." She stood up and left my room. I huffed as I dropped the powder brush angrily. I stood up, picked up a bag that matched my dress, tucked in some files and exited my room.

"Good morning" I greeted as I entered my office. "Good morning ma'am." My secretary greeted when she noticed me.

"Please send all the files I asked you to treat. I need to check them." I instructed.

"Okay ma'am. What about your schedule for today?" She enquired.

"Cancel them" I said without having a thought.

"But ma'am..."

"Just cancel them." I cut her off. I entered my office after instructing her not to permit anyone until I order her to do so.

I sat down as I began to check the files on my desk.

"So much files just for the morning." I thought.

I signed the necessary documents and edited some. The time ran faster than I thought and before I could realize it, it was midday already. I heard a knock on my door and I muttered a "come in". Someone entered and I looked up.

"Actually ma'am, I realized it's past lunch time so I brought you this." Vivian, my ever caring secretary said as she presented the so-called lunch.

"Thanks. Drop it over there." I nudged my head towards the couch in the office.

She dropped it there and proceeded to leave but stopped.

"Miss, you have a meeting with Malcolm's Group."

"What time?" I asked.

"5 o'clock" she answered.

"Alright" I nodded and she left.

Being a business woman can be stressful. One gets busy all the time. Searching for business associates who would invest and buy shares can also be tiring. The second highest company in NY is Malcolm's Group. Owned by a ruthless, old billionaire, the company flourished. The man, Malcolm Hillson, is considered to be the most ruthless man in the business world and the most richest man in the business world is none other than my father, Kelvin King, the owner of K.K Group of companies.

Though Dad left the companies for me to manage, he still engage in other businesses and his companies are the highest in the business world. Malcolm's Group had been K.K's rival for a couple of years and I've always wondered how Dad managed to deal with that. Now it was time to face my fear of the Malcolms but I never knew that dreams come true this fast.

"You are welcome, Miss Miranda." A bodyguard greeted when I got back home. I nodded in acknowledgement. "Is Dad home?" I asked as I entered.

"Yes."

Getting into the sitting room that remained the same just as it was this morning. I saw dad sitting at the wine bar.

"I'm home" I announced.

"Welcome back, my princess." He stood up and pulled me into his embrace. "How was your day?"

"Not bad."

"Can you fill me in?" He asked with a smile as I prepared to do what I've always loved to do after work to relieve my stress and boredom.

"Dad, today wasn't much fun. I just had some files to sign and edit, I attended some meeting even though I had them cancelled initially and I had been to the Malcolm's before coming home." I summarized.

"You what?" Dad stared at me blankly.

"What's wrong? I just said I'd been to the Malcolm's before coming home." I repeated, obviously not seeing anything wrong in what I just said.

"Why did you? You shouldn't have."

"Why?"

"Malcolm literally wants our companies' downfall." He uttered.

"But that, he won't get, Dad." I assured confidently.

"And why are you so confident about that?"

"I'll secure the company."

"You can't. I've been dealing with Malcom for a very long time. I know what he can do. He's ruthless. Can't you see that?" Dad snapped.

"Dad, be rest assured. I can handle this." I smiled. "All he wants is partnership. This will boost the growth of both companies." .

"And do you think K.K and Malcolm's can cooperate? It's impossible. Miranda, you've been in the business world for quite a long time. You are not a newbie. You should understand me."

"Dad, this is the umpteenth time I'd beg you to tell me this strange deal between you two that made you foes. You can't bear each other which is why it's surprising he choose to come through me. Just tell me why you keep saying I should train, why you have lots of guards and still train new ones even when I think it's unnecessary. Just tell me already, will you?" I half yelled.

"Miranda," he paused. "Forget it." He waved it off.

"But why?"

"Just join the recruit. You have to be fully armed for whatever happens. And you can't say no this time." He said with an air of finality and I sighed.

"Okay, dad. You win." I raised my hands in surrender-like manner and he chuckled.

"I'll see you later." I told him and headed to my room.

~

I laid on my bed as I concentrated on my phone. I tried reading business news but I got bored. Why won't I get bored when I've been in business all my life since I was a kid. I've always been in the conference room with dad and his business associates. While other kids my age are taught in schools, I was privately tutored. It was only because I had to go to college that I was released. I went to college to study Business Administration. Immediately I graduated, dad put me in charge of one of his companies. I furthered my education after which dad handed all the chains of companies to me.

I have no friends and I only get the chance to chat with other people my age during business meetings. None of those chats moved to another level. This made me live a triangular lifestyle; from the house to the company and to other places I might need to be then back to the house.

I dropped my phone as I thought about the forthcoming partnership between K.K and Malcolm's. I know dad is scared Malcolm might do something to get the company down in ruins but I'll not let him go through with that.

It's either I get him to give our company his shares or he opts out. K.K will never be his, not even in his dreams. And self-defense, I think I really need it considering the type of man he is.

I stared at my ceiling expecting the beautiful and comforting embrace of sleep. I didn't need to wait for too long before sleep engulfed me.

~

The sonorous voices of birds and the cool morning breeze warned me of the danger of staying in bed. I would have slept a bit more but for realization that I should have been in the office. I groaned as I dragged my lazy self off the bed. I went to my bathroom to have my hygiene. After that, I got dressed for work.

*

"Good morning Miss" the secretary greeted. "Mr Malcolm's personal assistant called."

I stood transfixed for a minute before I nodded and start to walk away.

"Ma'am, you don't know what his message was." she pointed out.

I stopped, turned to her and asked her what the message was.

"He said Mr Malcolm will like to meet with you today."

"What time?"

"Same time as yesterday" she politely answered.

"Okay. You can go ahead with your work."

~

"Miss Miranda, you can't possibly join hands with Mr Malcolm." one of the shareholders spoke up after I informed them of the big decision.

"He has been K.K's biggest threat. He might be planning something else by requesting partnership." Another shareholder said while the others nodded in unison. They obviously agreed with him.

"But it's just for the kiddies section. He wants a female's touch." I tried explaining.

"He can get that anywhere. It doesn't have to be from the K.K's organization, not to talk of the CEO of K.K." Mr Dan, dad's right hand man enunciated.

"Guys, trust me nothing can go wrong. I've been in this world with you all for a very long time and I respect your decisions but I feel we should make more friends and less foes."

"And what makes you think Malcolm would love to be a friend and not a foe? For as much as I know, Malcolm had been our rival ever since his companies were created." Mr Dan expressed his disapproval.

"A change can happen. We get the kiddies things done without any problem and then the partnership ends. That's it." I stared at all the men seated in the conference Hall, studied their faces but disapproval was clearly written on their faces. I sighed.

"Okay, sirs. I think this meeting should come to an end now." I decided.

"Miranda, don't do anything that will jeopardize the safety and ownership of this company." Mr Dan said and I knew he was damn serious. He hardly calls me Miranda but when he do, he meant business. After he said those words, the shareholders all stood up and exited the conference room one after the other. Their murmurings died down after the last person left.

I ruffled my hair in frustration. Everyone is against partnering with Malcom. Whereas I feel I could do anything with him and leave unharmed.

I glanced at my wristwatch and learnt it was almost time to meet with Malcom. I've never seen the man physically. Even yesterday's meeting was handled by his personal aide, who conveyed his master's words.

I stood up, packed my things and exited the conference room. It was high time I saw the old devil in the business world.