veinhill

[Veinhill~Barasa’s office~same day]

Barasa is seated behind his desk, a PC in front of him as he views locations of trafficking. Seated before him were three of the chiefs: the first chief, Asher; then the third chief, Silas; and the female chief, Athena.

Inside the office was just like the mud courthouse — the outside was completely made of mud, while the inside is entirely modern and mobilized.

The office looks like those out of a sci-fi movie. High ceilings, tall pillars, shelves where computers stayed closed, lighting lining up the walls like they were sending energy up somewhere. A big projector hanging at one end, then the place in white mixed with modern silver color.

The office had been silent since the chiefs walked in seven minutes ago. Barasa didn't look up, nor did he acknowledge them for those whole seven minutes, now eight.

Even the keyboard he was frantically typing away on wasn't making any sound.

Then he suddenly paused and looked up. Without being told, Asher cleared his throat and spoke.

“About the past missions. We saved fourteen victims and —”

“They were twenty-three victims. How come you saved just fourteen?” Barasa questioned, and Asher gulped an invisible lump in his throat.

“I can explain,” Asher breathed.

Barasa pulled away from the PC, resting his back on his chair, ready to hear them. Without a word from him, Asher continued.

“I… I… One of our boys accidentally set the bomb at the wrong building. Before we realized, it was too late and the bomb was already detonated,” Asher stammered.

Beads of sweat forming on his head, even with the freezing temperature in the office.

Barasa didn't say another word. He just stared at Asher with a blank glance, while Chief Asher’s gaze roamed round his face, staring at everywhere but his face.

“You,” Barasa turned his gaze to Chief Silas.

Silas straightened up immediately, adjusting his already neat collar.

“Frost, Chief Yokeme is now paralyzed. Since he is a core member of Veinhill, we can't just watch him suffer,” Chief Silas explained.

“Since the lab has developed the android robotic body system, we could send a team and one of the newly developed android robotic body system suits to help him recover fast. We need your approval to send it,” Chief Silas proposed.

Barasa gritted his teeth together. “Not now,” Barasa said.

Chief Asher raised an eyebrow, Chief Athena almost scoffed, and Chief Silas just sighed.

“Is this because of the girl?” Athena blurted out.

Barasa raised his gaze lazily to hers, and their gazes locked. Athena felt shivers run down her spine.

Chief Silas pinched his forehead, already knowing where this was going. Chief Asher pinched Athena’s hand under the desk, but she still dared to proceed.

“Yes. You've been keeping an eye on her since the day you brought her here, injured and soaked. And you even risked your life and jumped into that freezing water to save her — what is she to you?!” Chief Athena raised her voice before she could hold herself.

“Athena!” Chief Asher barked, but she didn't listen; instead she turned to him with a furious glare.

“What? Don't try to teach me how to speak now. We were supposed to get married before she came, but you kept proposing it. And now that she is here, he has been giving all his attention to her. I am his intended wife by the rules of Veinhill!” Athena barked.

“This isn't even fair!” she cried out and turned to Barasa.

“Frost, I respect and adore you, but this is an abomination. Having eyes for another woman when your betrothed wife is here is an abomination. If you don't take that girl out, I swear I will kill her with my bare hands,” Chief Athena barked and stormed out.

Chief Asher exhaled. “Frost, Athena has acted out of character; please pardon her,” Chief Asher pleaded.

“You want me to forgive her? Then cancel the betrothal,” Barasa stated. His lazy gaze resting on Chief Asher, who immediately looked away.

“That's not possible,” Chief Asher said.

“I know you don't want Athena. The roots of Veinhill might vote you out of your position. Even if you succeed, it will cost a life, and you know whose life will be on the line,” Chief Silas spoke.

“And Tari — there will be opposition if you want her to stay,” Chief Silas said.

“She has to prove her usefulness. And Frost, the girl has a life outside what you want her to be,” Chief Silas said.

All this while Barasa stayed silent. He was listening to what they were saying, but his eyes were on the screen of his PC.

The notification at the top displayed trending news: Tari Tariyefa Tonla sex tape.