Chapter 3: Vengeful Viper

"Marcus Elton is indeed the traitor, just as you suspected. Private Detective Donovan acquired these pictures of him meeting up with your ex, Rachael. As seen in the photos, he's handing over a folder which is similar looking and certainly the same as the missing folder containing the Advertising department's fake ideas for the festive season. However, we cannot pin down any particular company Rachael is working with because the ideas seem to have been distributed among three different companies," Lauren said as he went through the pictures. "What would you like to do about it now Boss?"

"Well done. Now we have almost everything we need. I informed the detective earlier today of another task he needs to complete in order for us to completely pin him down."

"What are you talking about Boss?" Lauren asked surprised that there was more to do on this case.

"Don't worry about that. He can handle it. About the guy Marcus pinned the theft on and fired, I hope you've already paid him his salary for the month?"

"I already did sir with the 100% increment as you requested. The poor thing is so confused yet excited. I made sure to tell him to keep it a secret. So what happens to Marcus now?"

"Nothing, for now. Let's let him enjoy his Christmas holidays as much as he can because next year is definitely going to be the beginning of his life in hell."

'Marcus, Marcus, Marcus! I never liked him. He was always bragging about being close to Antonio and threatening people with that. Meanwhile, he's nothing but a name Antonio is aware of, well, at least before now. He really should have known better than to betray him. I bet he thought the rumours about the Boss being heartless was nothing but hearsay. If only he knew what a vengeful viper he is. I almost feel pity for him. I still hear the screams of his past victims at night,' Lauren thought, imagining all the harm Antonio could do to Marcus and shivered in fear. "That'll be all Boss. Is there anything else you need from me?" Lauren asked. She had submitted the documents to him and completed all her tasks.

"Yes, there is one more thing," he said to her, resting his chin on his fist while his elbow stood on the armrest of his seat.

"Whatever you wan..." she spoke, humbly and obediently. It was almost hard to believe she was the same person who entered his office a while ago.

"I want you to accept your parents invitation to spend the Christmas holidays with them."

"Mr..."

"As a matter of fact, I expect that you stay till the holidays and new year celebration is over. It's not up for negotiation."

"But what about you? What if you need me for something here? I can't be gone for so long," she tried to reason.

"Just as I said, this is not up for negotiation," he said, getting out of his seat. He walked over to her side and brought out his hand, waiting for her to place hers in his, which she did almost immediately and rose to her feet. He locked her arm in his and began to walk her to her car. Of course he didn't miss the blush on her face. 'It's sometimes hard to believe she's the tough one everyone seems to fear. Even after five good years of working together, she's still not immune to my charms? I'm not even doing anything,' he thought and chuckled. That only made her blush even more. Lauren had always had a crush on Antonio but she never dared to tell him, afraid he'd end up pushing her away. She hoped that one day, he would finally notice what a great ally and companion she is to him.

'I'll wait. One day, he'll truly notice me as a woman and not just an employee or even a friend. One day, he'll fall in love with me. He really cares about me. That's a good sign. I just might be closer to that day that I think. Huhhhh,' she thought with a sigh and smiled at him before driving off in her Bentley.

★★★

Once Lauren was gone, Antonio grabbed Lily's purse from his study and went straight to his bedroom which in actual fact looked like an entire apartment. His bedroom had a parlour with a fridge and microwave, a huge bathroom, a hot tub at it's balcony, two walk-in closets, a 72 inch curved tv and a king-size bed. It also had a secret passage leading to his study but he hardly ever used that.

Antonio lay down on his bed with his electronic pad and started checking out Lily's social media accounts. She happened to be a YouTuber and had quite a number of followers. Her content were a mixture of funny, ridiculously satisfying and trendy stuff. The more Antonio watched, the more intrigued he was by her and her beauty; her smile, her chuckles, her incredibly loud laughter when she was extremely amused, her catch phrases, her fashion sense, her best friend Lana, her hobbies, her likes and dislikes and even her aspirations. He was so into her posts that he watched every single one of them and didn't even bother controlling his amusement.

'It's no wonder she's so full of herself. Does she think having that many followers is what makes her immune to a powerful person's wrath? She's funny and cute but very silly...too silly for her own good. I'll surely teach her a lesson but for now, I think I could really use her abilities. Once I get rid of Marcus, she could be suitable for that position. Besides, she seems very principled. I'm sure she'll work diligently. Once she's under my control, I'll make her beg for forgiveness,' he thought with a satisfied evil smirk on his face.

"Now, how to get the silly little cat's attention?" he thought, looking at the bio of one her social media accounts. He saw the link to a website she created and often made mention of in her videos. It was ProPay, a website meant for buying and selling. 'This should do,' he laughed at his idea and imagining the look of shock and, most likely, anger when she spots it.

"Let's have a little fun wild kitten. You'll surely beg soon," he said grinning satisfactorily.