2 DAY LATER: THURSDAY

Sel Corp

"You only have a day left before the event. You have nothing planned," Jana said, worry written all over her face. "And now with Irina..."

"Please call her in immediately," I said, glaring at the desktop screen. I have been staring at Summer's threat mail since she sent it two days ago. 

"You better drop your petty act or you won't like the bloodshed that follows."

With a smirk, I looked up at Jana. "After dealing with Irina, can you come with me and Ramiro somewhere?"

"Time to get prepared?" Jana asked, with a soft smile.

"Time for the skeletons to come out."

A few hours later, when I was alone in my office, Jana brought Irina into the office. She had a bright smile on her face, and I on the other hand, fuming. Noa's words came back to mind in that very moment - 

"This will show your seriousness for revenge, or just some petty tantrum."

"Hey sis!" Irina exclaimed. "How is-"

"Irina, sit down," I said, my voice cold.

Irina, puzzled, sat down. I took out the headlines I printed and dropped them on the desk. Her eyes widened. I tried keeping myself composed. So Irina did do this.

"Irina," I said. "Explain. Now."

"I swear, it's not what you think-"

"It's exactly what I am thinking. Irina?! Cybric Flash News?! They might as well send their people to me!"

"I thought it would be easier to expose them-"

"It's not about the exposing Irina," I said, pinching my nose. "This is not your concern. It is my mess and I will fix it myself."

"But I can help you!" Irina exclaimed. "Besides, it was just some flash news!"

"Irina, what exactly is your motive?" I asked. "Because it seems you and I are on different levels."

Irina stood up. "I wanted to know what kept you in that family for so long rather than coming back to us. I was curious to find out, and get their secrets out." 

Exactly as I thought.

I smiled, "And thank you so much for trying to help. I will it from here. The best thing you can do for me is to get anyone who has information on the M family to contact me. Can you do that?"

"Roger," Irina replied, standing up. "I will send you a few when I get home."

"Already?" I asked, skeptical. "Who?"

"Dax, Albert and Robert."

I widened my eyes. They were seniors in the South Cybric Diamond mine. How did she obtain such information quickly?

"Thanks Rina," I said, giving her a wink, "I will contact them as soon as you send them to me."

With a nod, she walked out, waving me goodbye. I gave her a smile and as soon as she left, Jana came in.

"Hypnotized and you couldn't correct her," Jana said, judging from my defeated, yet determined look.

I nod. "But I have taken her out on the helping. She might distract me from exposing them. But I am surprised by the contacts she has, especially on ones that know Alaina and the family well."

"Who are we having?" Jana asked, taking a seat. "Neighbors?"

"More than that, all three are seniors at the South Cybric Diamond mine. One is a director, another an executive and the other one, Dax, is the manager."

"You seem to know them well."

"Summer's husband also does the mining. Though he doesn't do so all the time, it is quite an interesting and dangerous industry to be in."

"By dangerous you mean mafia?"

Jana and I looked up to see Ramiro leaning on the door. "Ready to go?"

"Yes," I said, taking my phone and heading out. "Jana?"

"I will get the other things."

She walked out, leaving Ramiro and I alone. Ramiro walked in and handed me a note. It was from Noa.

"Hi Sel. I didn't mean to shout at you, and I hope I didn't stir any trouble between you and Irina. I just thought... you should know. One wouldn't want betrayers on the final showdown.
- Noa"

I smiled, shaking my head. "I couldn't do this without her strong ability."

"You owe her an apology too Sel," Ramiro said. "We can't afford losing allies now."

I nodded. "I will see her tomorrow."

Ramiro and I exchanged a silent eye contact. I looked at him and a smile almost crept into my lips before brushing it off and walking past him. It's showtime. Jana came back eventually, and next, we were out of the office and premises. 

We were heading to the factory that was close to Summer's husband's safe house. Anything could happen, including backstabbers. We had to be prepared for anything.

This time we went with my navy blue Ferrari, with Ramiro at the back, which felt fun than I could admit.

The trip was silent, until I received a phone call from Noa.

"Noa?"

"Be careful."

"What, are you tracking me as well?"

"Let's say that I heading to the same place as yours. My ex might be there."

"Kevin? Why?"

"I don't know, but I will soon find out."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

"Anytime."

Dropping the call, I decided to take a detour - another shortcut to the same place.

"You know this place very well, huh?" Ramiro asked, somewhat impressed.

"Like the back of my hand Miro," I replied confidently. It was my first time that I actually call him by his nickname, which he never cared reprimanding me about. "I was here with Summer before."

"So, we are basically entering enemy territory?" Jana asked.

I nod. "Let's not be surprised if they show up."

***

We arrived at the factory, round about the same time as Noa. She parked her black Lamborghini close to the garage, as if she was accustomed to coming frequently at the factory, not that I was going to ask.

"Noa!" one of the men recognized her and greeted. "Thought we left this world behind."

"Yeah, some lifestyles die hard," she replied, a smile on her lips. "You got them, right?"

"Yeah. They are loaded."

Jana's unfazed expression got me intrigued. "Ever dealt with weapons before Jana?"

"I was in the military before. Gunshots don't frighten me," she replied.

I nodded, not asking any further questions. I turned to see Noa testing one of them already. I never would have thought her as someone who can use weaponry but hey - who was I to judge?

"And for my siblings as well please," Noa said, speaking in our behalf. The man looked at us and nodded. "Back in a sec."

He left for the storeroom, leaving us together. I turned to Noa.

"Noa, about Monday-"

"It's okay," she replied, "Though I didn't like your words."

"I am sorry Noa."

With a silent nod, we concluded our conversation at that, which was the same time that the man came back. This time he had a look of worry, his facial expression rather serious than earlier.

"You are playing with fire kids," he said, then looked at Noa. "Especially you, Noa."

"With the revenge or with the weapons?" Noa asked, unfazed.

"Both," he replied, "And your sister here..."

He looked back at me.

"Take care of yourself, and watch your back always."

I nodded. "I will make sure of it."

With a nod, we said goodbye to Noa and returned to the car, driving off. I stared at the conversation between the man and Noa. There were skeletons Noa was also carrying behind the innocent face as well.

"Hate to break it to you Sel," Ramiro said, bursting my bubble. "But the man is right. You need to choose your allies carefully. Irina, especially."

"I have taken care of that Ramiro," I said, my hands gripping tight on the steering wheel. "After the event, I will need to see Dax, Robert and Albert."

Ramiro and Jana nodded. "Let Noa take care of that."

I looked at them puzzled, yet understood. She will be more able to get to their hearts than I.

"What you need to do is be prepared for a cold war, because where Summer is involved, no one is leaving without a fight and making it known who reigns," Ramiro continued.

I nodded, concluding the conversation with Ramiro's words. I started the car and drove off, leaving Noa behind.

Noa's POV

"You mentioned I am playing with fire on both the revenge and weapons, what did you mean by that?" I asked. "I know what I am doing."

"What happens when your father finds out?"

My heart froze in place. He would disown me before I even get the chance to explain. Which gave me all the more reason to fight in this. To expose the family for what they truly were - people who should be feared and never come across.

"That's an issue of another time Fred," I replied, my words sharper than intended. His eyes hinted that he had more to say.

"You can continue," I said. "I know you want to say something to me."

"True," Fred said, eyeing me. "I just got a call from Kevin."

My blood ran cold. "What does he want?"

"He's asking for another chance and... it isn't nice. This Kevin guy might become physical if you don't comply-"

"I, Noa M, want to deal with people who know what they want, and I follow through something when I want to do so," I said coldly. "If he calls again, tell him that he needs to be a man and call me."

"..."

"Thanks for everything. Payment long overdue," I said, a smirk on my lips.

"I might be dead by then," he replied, hinting it as a joke than a literal statement, though I took it as he meant the words.

"Thanks Fred," I said with a smile.

"Anytime kiddo," he replied. 

I was about to head to my car when he called me again. 

"And Noa?"

"Yes?" I answered.

A look of worry was on his face, but replaced with a tough look. "Be careful, okay?"

I smiled. "I will."

Getting into the car, I got a call from none other than the troublemaker.

Kevin Lexis.