''I have Alexithymia. I can neither feel pain nor any emotion, so when I am dealing with people, I simply hear their wailing as noise. In short, I am going to keep poking you until you tell my boss who your boss is. Are we clear?'' Chloe chuckled and pulled a chair closer to Haldon.

True to her words, she started poking Haldon's body with the knife.

''Stop! I will tell you who my boss is'' Haldon said as he looked at Chloe with a horrified expression.

Thomas stepped closer and smiled. He took the knife from Chloe and asked Haldon, ''tell me. I just need you to answer three questions for me. 1. Who is the person behind you? 2. What kind of goods are in the trucks and lastly, where are you taking them to?''

''Will you let me go if I tell you? I need a guarantee that you will not kill me once you get the information that you need''

''Well, that depends on how good you will be. You see, whoever your boss is, I am even more terrifying than him. You have a beautiful family, Haldon. Your wife is a true beauty''

''Don't touch my family''

''Don't worry, I don't usually use people's family against them… as long as they remain good and loyal to me. Now, shall we get down to business?''

Haldon nodded his head and started speaking. Thomas listened to him carefully as he told them everything they needed to know.

….

Janice Jewel.

Natalie was busy drawing something on her drawing pad when she heard voices coming towards her. She looked up and saw Jason with Daniel Song.

''Hi, Natalie. We are meeting again'' Daniel said as he stretched his hand to shake Natalie's but she looked at her hand and said to him.

''My apologies, my hands are dirty because I was working''

''No worries. How is it, working here?'' Daniel asked as he peeped to look at the drawing pad.

''Mr. Song, you are Natalie's stepfather right? Let me tell you, Natalie is a rare talent. Janice is really blessed to have her'' Jason said proudly.

Natalie quickly closed the drawing book and said to Jason, ''I'm learning from the best. Jason, you are the best in this industry''

''Natalie is just talented like her mother. Solace sometimes draws designs too at home. I believe that Natalie is soon going to do great things'' Daniel said meaningfully.

''I feel flattered, Mr. Song''

'This way, Mr. Song. Natalie, can you bring us tea. Gladys isn't around today''

''Sure'' Natalie placed her draw book under her desk and locked it before walking to the coffee room. She was aware of the gaze that followed her.

Natalie entered the coffee room and sighed with relief. She took two teacups from the shelf but her mind started wandering. Ever since that day at the hospital underground parking, she noticed Daniel Song was always seen wherever she went. She didn't know if that was a coincidence.

''Natalie… what could he possibly want from you? Stop being paranoid. He might just be here for business. But, the last time I checked, he wasn't in this industry''

Natalie shook her head and started making the tea.

Daniel sat across Jason and looked around the office before asking. ''How is Natalie coping here?''

''Natalie is doing well''

''I hope you are not being hard on her? She just started working after going through a lot of things. I hope that you take care of her very well. right, how about you let her be in charge of this project?''

''Mr. Daniel, I know that you want to help your stepdaughter but this project is a large scale and Natalie just started. She isn't ready for such pressure''

''But, I decided to work with Janice out of all the other companies because she is here. You see, the thing is. My wife and Natalie have had a rough time in the past and now. I just want to create an opportunity for them to spend time together. I am willing to invest all the amount that you will need to be able to push this project forward''

Natalie stopped at the door when she heard her name. Her hands quivered a little but she calmed down and opened the door.

Daniel turned to look at her when she entered with the tray. Natalie placed the teacups down and smiled warmly before turning to go out.

''What do you think, Natalie?'' Daniel asked and Natalie stopped. She turned back to meet his gaze.

''About what?''

''My company wants to gift necklaces to our valued clients. We want 20 pieces in all so I came to Janice. I want you to lead the team in designing the jewellery and also in making them according to the values of our company. Your mother will be your direct supervisor but you will have to work from our company during that time''

''What​?'' Natalie's gasped in shock as she looked at the man in front of her. she turned her gaze to Jason and he nodded in confirmation.

''What do you think, Natalie? Can you lead the team?'' Daniel asked again.

''No. I'm sorry but I don't think I have the expertise to lead such a team. Jason is my boss and usually the one giving orders. I'm afraid I won't be able to live up to your expectation'' Natalie looked at Jason and shook her head.

''That's true, Natalie'' Jason confirmed.

''But, Jason, I am still learning. No, I can't accept it''

''Jason, can you leave us alone? I just want a few minutes with Natalie''

''Sure'' Jason stood up and left. He patted Natalie's shoulder before going out.

''I am here mainly because of you, Natalie. There are at least three other jewellery companies in City X, AGATHA, LEBRON AND SUPER X but I left all of them and came here. Why? Because of you, Natalie. No matter what you think, I am still your father, the one whose name is in your family register''

Natalie clenched her fists tightly against the tray.

''What is your reason for doing this, Mr. Song?'' Natalie asked.

''It's simple. I want you and your mother to get closer to each other. She misses you a lot. As her husband, I can't bear to watch her cry every night because she is missing you''

''How enticing, Mr. Song. I didn't know that you were willing to do anything for your wife''

''That's a giving. She is my wife, after all''

''I am to refuse your offer, Mr. Song. I just started working here and it's been less than 6 months. In our company, there are a lot of people who are more competent than I am. As for my mother and I… we will settle our issues ourselves without an outsider getting involved''

''An outsider? So, all these years, you just see me as an outsider, Natalie?'' Daniel stepped closer and Natalie moved back.

''You and I have no relationship whatever'' Natalie replied.

''Is that what you think or want to believe? Natalie, I saw you through University. Did you think that the scholarship you received at your first year was because you were exceptional? No, I was the one giving that money out. I just didn't want to burden you, so I let you do whatever you wanted. You are already grown…'' his eyes seized Natalie up, making her feel creepy.

''I don't know what you are planning but I don't believe your intentions are you pure. What is it exactly that you want? Why are you so interested in me? That scholarship money, I will pay it back in full, with interest''

''But, I am not asking you to pay me back. After all, what belongs to me will always be mine'' he chuckled.

''What? What do you mean?''

''Nothing, Natalie'' Daniel lifted his hand and started fixing Natalie's hair gently as he muttered, ''be good, Natalie. Be good''

''Be good, Natalie. Be good' those words rang inside Natalie's ears. Her body shivered and her hands started shaking.

Natalie gasped and pushed him away from herself.

''Who are you?'' She shouted at him and continued to step back.

''Have you forgotten who I am, Natalie? You shouldn't forget me that easily. After all, that we went through, if you forgot me so easily, then I would be forced to re-enact everything all over again''

Daniel smiled at Natalie. His smile was full of mockery, pity and a kind of obsessive emotion in all. It frightened Natalie. The tray fell down as she stepped back, trying to get away from Daniel. It was as if she was being hypnotised. Natalie couldn't move. Beams of sweat clouded her vision as a series of images flooded her mind.

''Natalie, are you alright?'' Daniel asked with a smirk as he looked at her. He held her hand and pulled her closer to himself and sniffed her hair.

Natalie's breath became heavy before she passed out.

''Natalie, Natalie'' Daniel shouted and Jason ran into the office.

''Natalie… what happened to her, Mr. Song?'' Jason held Natalie's body.

''I don't know, she just suddenly passed out''

''Hospital…'' Jason said and lifted Natalie's body.