CHAPTER 4: THE MAN THAT YOU ARE, ALARIC WEALTH.

I've seen a lot of bullcrap in my life, but nothing has made me want to smash a phone into someone's face until they bleed to death faster than what made Nancy cry.

Nancy's face was filled with tears streaming down her cheeks when she saw the video. By the time work ended, Nancy was already gone. I couldn't stop her. I didn't want to. She didn't need me breathing down her neck at a time like this. She needed space, and that was exactly what I gave her.

Michael Peterson.

The name was like a bad image in my head now. I sat at my desk longer than I should’ve; it was late, and everyone had gone home. My laptop screen glowed in the dark as I scrolled from page to page, viewing Michael’s life like a bad movie. Every new thing I learned about him made me want to punch him all the more.

He had an entirely different online presence. I found his contact details after 3 long hours of search, bought a fake female profile, then reached out to him, saying I’m a fan who would love to meet him.

It took the imp three days to get back to me, and we fixed a date to meet.

Meanwhile, no one has seen Fancy Nancy. She called in saying she would be skipping work for a few days. I couldn’t reach out to her. It’s weird, I’m beginning to miss her a little more than I should. We’ve spent most of our years getting on each other’s nerves, so it would feel really awkward reaching out to her, claiming I’m just trying to make sure she didn’t kill herself.

The day finally came, and I dressed up, ready to meet Michael.

I get to the venue and I instantly know who Michael is, even though there are about 6 men altogether.

‘‘Michael?” I called the first one in the gathering who looked like a prat, and I was right on point.

‘’Do I know you?” He asked.

“No, but you will now.” I move closer, “I'm Alaric, you messed with my person, Nancy.” He let out a short, sharp laugh in a condescending way.

“Oh…What are you? Are you her lover or her bodyguard?” He gives me an inquisitive look. “Didn't know she had such great taste in guys, you're not bad.” I ignore him.

I narrowed my eyes. "Why did you do it?"

He smirked. "I don't know, I was bored. And that video was too good for my eyes only, don't you think? I dare you to swear you didn't masturbate to it."

Those words slipped into my ears like poison, and without a first or second thought, I punched his already imperfect nose. "What did you just say?" I punched him hard again, "Speak up, you bastard!”

He tries to retaliate, but I step aside before his hand gets in my direction.

“You're not only daft, you're slow as well”, I say as I throw him another punch, harder this time.

“I’m going to warn you now, you have 24 hours to take down that video and tender a public apology to Nancy. You’re also going to tell everyone it wasn’t a real video and that you did it to prove how much of a dick you are.”

“And why would I do that, mister?” He scoffs and moves closer. “You think two perfect blows make you a hero? And who’s that bitch to you even….”

I grab him by the collar and bring out my Swiss knife. “Don’t make me a murderer today when all I want to do is an introduction.” He struggles to free himself. “Get ready to breathe your last if you don’t do as you’ve been told”.

He frees himself from my grip, “If I so much as hear you breathe her name ever again, I'll nail your fingers to a tree and watch the vultures fight over your scrotum.”

He let out a mocking laugh, but it came out too weak.

"You're insane..."

I press the knife against his throat, just enough for him to feel the bite through his skin. "You're right, I'm insane and there's only so much I can tolerate now".

The smirk on his lips fades.

"Twenty-four hours," I tell him. I step back, smash his phone with my shoe until the glass looks like a sieve. He stands there holding his breath like he's scared to offend me with his air.

“Get a new device immediately and do as instructed.”

I walked away so he wouldn't make me mad enough to decorate the floor with his teeth.

On my way out, one of his men blocked me with his hand. “You don’t know who you’re messing with.” He says. I push his hand off and ignore him. But later, on my way home, it wouldn’t leave me.

I got home thirty minutes later. The first thing I did was refresh my app, and the post was gone. He made an insincere public apology and admitted the video was fake. Predictably, the entire world came down to drag and pounce on him. Nancy's following skyrocketed. I read through the comments and saw one that said;

'' I knew it wasn't real, Nancy."

People switch up so fast, that's what I thought. A message popped up. Michael.

"The video's gone, but I'm not done".

I already guessed he was up to no good, the way he complied immediately. I didn't care; he did all I wanted, and that was all that mattered to me.

I wanted to call Nancy, talk to her really badly. But I didn't have the courage to. She was on my mind the entire day. The truth is, I never hated Nancy. Okay, I admit, I liked getting on her nerves, but that was because it was the only way she'd ever talk to me. If I couldn't keep her by my side as a friend, I thought it would be wise to play the role of a ‘fake enemy’.

And maybe, just maybe, I lied. She isn't just a teammate.