IN A WAR TO HAVE HER.

I tried opening the letter but they stopped me. Insisting it was for good and that shouldn't stop me from having my breakfast.

I took my time and had my breakfast as a slow eater that I am. They were busy watching a movie which made them feel comfortable in my room. Ken laughs so loud, and that is his nature, from my observations.

Jac was watching with keen interest as well, using his eyes to monitor the way I feed.

"I can see you are slow in eating. Not like me who could eat fast, " Jack expressed his observation.

"I learned it from my late mother. They said I am a replica of her. She works fast but takes her time with it." I smiled as I explained.

"So what happened, I mean, her death?" Jack asked, showing concern.

"You did hurt me yesterday, and you have not apologized to me. I thought you were my friend. Until you apologize, I wouldn't speak with you about my mother." I requested his apology.

"I knew I was hard on you, but blame me not, whatever, I am deeply sorry," Jack said, holding my hands as I nodded in acceptance.

"She was such a remarkable person, very responsible, resourceful, reasonable, and responsive. Her kind is not easily found. She died of wolf fever, which no one could detect in time." Jack felt sorry and shifted closer to me.

"How do you cope without her having a father who is not that caring about people?" His interest was marvelous.

"My Daddy has his life to live. I am even shocked he could survive my mother's death. They loved each other too well, but death got them separated."

"I do not totally agree with you that my father isn't caring. He is, but his way of life would make you think he has nothing to offer in that aspect." I defended my father.

Observing Jack, I noticed he didn't believe my story. They knew my father for a long time but where they usually do some unusual things together, I couldn't picture them.

"Can I open the letter now?" I asked for permission. While he asked me to carry on Ken stood up and left like he wasn't interested in the letter.

"What is eating him? Why is he not comfortable seeing me read the letter?" I asked Jack, wondering about Ken's attitude.

"He isn't part of us, we only hired him to come and drive us since he is a highway professional driver." Jack's statement shocked me.

"Then why was he rude to me and had some unimaginable attitude towards me?" Jack smiled at my question.

"His job has ended. Another guy will come and take over and drive us to our destination." Surprised at his words

"So, why change plans, and why are you guys dropping Ken?" Passionately, I asked

"The Paymaster gives his orders and our duty is to obey. No one questions the Paymaster." Jack's response amazed me.

"Is his name Paymasterer, or does he have other names," I asked in a low tone.

"Read you later, I will be with you shortly." Jack stood up and left my room.

He was not ready to answer more questions from me or make more clarifications. Ordinarily, he is not the type who likes to be asked more questions. He appeared to be so reserved, maybe because of the instructions given to them.

Looking at the letter, I wasn't scared what the content could be. What's the possibility of one who ordered your kidnap to write to you?" My fears are justifiable.

Anyone who kidnaps is a totalitarian and shouldn't be trusted. His arbitrary way of doing this is questionable.

Opening the letter, it wasn't a lononene as I read.

"Hello, surprised that I'm writing to you. I do not mean to hurt you, but unfortunately, you are in this picture. Your Dad is all our pack and Don Master Cole wanted to have you all to himself as collateral.

He does this often, making me feel like I am not significant. I was told you are resisting in several ways. Stay calm and behave well, no one will kill or hurt you for any reason. I am Fred."

"Guess what I did after reading from the Pay Master or Fred?"

I went to bed, covered myself, holding three pillows at the same time. The letter showed that the journey is too far. The family is fighting over who gets the cut and the Lion's share.

"Now that I am in the picture, what will I do?"

The phone rang and I picked d quickly

"Jack, come and open the door." Jack came in as I opened the door, closed it, and returned to the bed, covering myself.

"Are you feeling sick or something?" Jack asked, touching my face to know if I had a fever.

"Your body is ok, no sign of fever. Talk to me, Julie."

I kept ignoring him until he started pressuring me.

"The letter shows that the journey is too far, and I am worried why I am to be the sacrificial lamb," I explained to Jack.

He got into laughter for a while, and I wondered why he should be laughing at profound words.

After a Long period of laughter, he drank a bottle of water in just a few seconds like someone who had not tasted water for ages.

"Let me inform you approximately. Are you listening to me?" He adjusted himself facing me.

"Our Paymaster, er, that I know will never hurt you; he may negotiate with you before going further to make decisions. Only he knows why he is out for DMC this time around." Jack defended Fred.

"Do you mean Fred?" I asked.

"Oh. You now know his real name through the letter?" I nodded my head to Jack's question.

"So what's next?" My curiosity couldn't allow me.

"Waiting for instructions from the paymaster, you just have to take a nap, wake up, and have your lunch." Jack appeared not to be worried.

When he stood up and left, I kept wondering if we were to spend another day at the hotel. My worry will not change anything rather to be calm as Fred stated in his letter.

His words, though I wasn't very solace with them, have attested to what Jack kept telling me to be calm. Whichever way I come I am ready to get to the roots.

I quickly took a nap for an hour. The room's air conditioner was working well to make me sleep like a newborn baby.

The breakfast I had was heavy, and I enjoyed it; hence it was one of my best meals. All other things were left with them.

If I were to spend another night, so be it. I decided to play along, so I could meet this powerful Fred who outsmarted the great DMC, whom my father told me no one had passed his part, and go scot-free.

While I was with DMC in his car, he was communicating with me with humility, honor, and dignity. He changed from the outburst he was known for which surprised me.

After I finished taking a nap, I had to call Jack to beg him for an outing following my long stay in the room.

"Hello Julie, are you awake?" Jack asked as he picked.

"Hello, I am awake, and I need to have some fresh air. Can you please take me around?" I made my request to him.

"Sure, we can go to the poolside. Let me get you swimming kits. Can you swim?" Laughing over the phone

"I can jack. Get it for me and come over to take me there." I answered him with joy.

I went to the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my hair, and dressed up, waiting for Jack. In a while, Ray never showed up, and I do not care. He is such a pugnacious type who cares only for himself.

His presence irritates me. Now that Ken was about to leave, who knows how the incoming would be?" I honestly need tranquility between us, particularly Jack who could apologize without minding his status in this movement.

"Who is by the door?" I asked following a knock. I dropped things I was holding and rushed to the door.

It was my second waitress who brought me swimming kits. I quickly opened the door, and she bowed in greetings.

"Come inside my dear." I directed her where to drop them and shot the door.

The kits were fine, and they matched me like they were made specifically for me.

She kept standing like she was waiting for me, and I asked.

Are you not going?"

"Not yet until I take you to the poolside, that was the instruction given to me." Her innocent voice melted me.

"Sit down and wait for me." I directed her to sit.

After putting on the materials. I requested we go.

She collected the door keys from me and locked them up.

When I was walking down, she was in front of me and I asked her name.

"My name is Rose, and I am sixteen years old." She looked at me and smiled.

"Would you not further your education, why do you choose to work in a hotel?" I asked, holding her close.

"I will with time ma. I came from a poor home, but I will raise funds and further my education." Rose impressed me.

Walking through the park, there were many people who were passing by the road to the poolside. Many do not respond to my greetings. Some look at me and remove their eyes while some look for too long before removing their eyes.

Things I was putting on brought out my sexy shape and made me attracted to people which shows I added glamour to beauty.

I do not like putting on tight wears for a function because it makes me uncomfortable with all eyes that will be on me

"We are already there." Pointing hand to me, Rose showed me the poolside.

I saw from afar the large and small ones. They were all cute, but were eying the small one, so I could swim freely.

Jack and Ray were sitting by the side with another young man. He stood up and greeted me as I walked closer.

"May I know you?" I asked as he stretched his hand to greet me.

"He is Dave, he has come to replace Ken," Jack explained before I brought my hand to shake him.

He is taller than me, about six feet. I am a bit less than six feet. Grey hair all over him.

"You are very young and why the gray hair all over your head?" I asked him in delight.

"It is my nature, my family is known for that. That's not a problem." His cute voice was touching.

A drink was offered to me by Jack. It was whiskey. I tasted it a little and dropped the cup.

"I am not a fan of whiskey, but red wine, Jack." I quarreled with him as if he were aware of my choice.

Rose whispered into my ear that he was going. I waved at her with cheers.

Looking at Ray, I didn't say a word to him. I avoided sitting closer to him as well. I choose to sit between Jack and Dave.

Dave appeared to be calm and mature. Knowing how to treat a lady is all-important. I refused to acknowledge his presence and decided to make the place so uncomfortable for him by responding only to Jack and Dave.

"I want to go and swim, Jack," I said, standing up to go to the pool, but Jack held my hand.

"Dave will swim with you." He said.

"But why?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

"That's an order from Paymaster."