Chapter 8: Work

Verena sat still, trying to calculate her breathing as she sat in front of her uncle. In his hands, three pieces of precious gems were being clenched. A really creepy and suspicious grin was plastered. It gave Verena nothing but the chills, as if she already knew that something bad was going to happen soon. The old man's eyes grew big and glowing whenever he peered at the new stones that he just got.

"I guess now that I have given you those gems, you will be able to stop pestering this woman," Zoren said, sitting like a king on the couch. He sat tall, as if he owned the whole place—even the man's soul. "You won't be able to get anything from me ever again; this is the only thing that my generosity could offer."

"I've seen you keep a lot," the old man whispered. "You can't just fool me like that."

"I can also take your life," Zoren casually said. "I chose not to, and I hope you'd give me a fair trade for that."

Nelo grinned and shrugged. "You are threatening me in my own home?"

"I am n