CHAPTER 2: PLAY PET

~ Mr Ryker Vaughn was spotted in the pool of his blood at his front. According to investigations, HD embedded in solid gold was found beside his body. No one leaves their signature on the crime scene except for the Hell Devils.

~ Mr Ryker Vaughn was well known for his philanthropic nature.

~ The citizens are crying and living in fear because of these three young men who have been terrorizing the country.

~ The police, who were said to have been doing nothing about it, have finally spoken up. Whoever is willing to give them information about the Hell Devils would get fifty million—they had assured the citizens.

~ But the questions remain—who are these young men that have chosen to strike fear in the hearts of the people?

***

Ixora exhaled while scrolling through the news.

“I just hope they’ll be brought to justice,” she muttered, her gaze fixed on their pictures that were displayed.

Hazel burst into the room. “Xora!” she cried, breathless.

Ixora jerked upright, heart pounding. “What? Why are you screaming? You scared me,” Ixora frowned.

Hazel ignored the look, then sat down beside her.

“You haven’t heard the news?” Hazel asked with an indifferent look.

“The Hell Devils?” Ixora asked.

Hazel shook her head. “Not those psychos. I came with some much better news. Blackthorn Automobile Company is looking for a new secretary,” Hazel replied.

“What!!!!!” Ixora screamed so loudly that Hazel had to cover her ears.

“Really? Oh my gawd,” she gushed.

“Yes, Ixora, this is your chance. You have to pass this interview. That way, you won’t need to stalk him from afar. You’ll get to see him every day,” Hazel smiled.

“Oh, and the interview is today, 10 am,” she added.

Ixora’s eyes widened. “10 am! And you are only telling me now!” She got out the bed.

“I came here as soon as I heard about it,” Hazel said, but Ixora had already run into the bathroom.

Hazel fell dramatically onto the bed.

“Sick.”

Ixora came out a few minutes later, fully dressed.

She grabbed her phone, and her eyes caught his picture, which was her wallpaper.

“I’m glad you’re not like Hell Devils,” she kissed the picture, then sprang out of her room.

***

[CAIUS HOUSE]

The house was one of the biggest houses in the country with its large estate. The maids were setting the dining table for breakfast.

Caius, the owner of the house, living with his wife and only daughter, made his way down the stairs.

The door creaked open, and a person walked in dressed in black pants, a black leather jacket with HD written on the back. His hands were covered in black gloves, and he wore black boots with a black circle nose mask.

HD was written boldly on it. 

Another walked in, dressed in the same way, but with a triangle-nose mask and a baton in his hand.

“We are on the news,” the first person said, taking off the nose mask and gloves.

“Black men are looking for us,” the second person added, also taking off his mask.

“And we’ll keep giving them hints,” the last person said, coming in.

Caius nodded as he watched him stand together with the rest of them.

They are his sons—the Hell Devils.

The last person took off his star nose mask.

Jaxon Creed; circle nose mask. He’s got tattoos on his body, and he hates whatever he doesn’t like.

Maddox Creed: silent deceiver, triangular nose mask. Just like his name, Maddox, he is indeed mad. He doesn’t talk much, and that helps him deceive people. He is Jaxon’s twin brother—dizygotic.

Lastly, Drexton Blackthorn, star nose mask, leader of the Hell Devils. 

The three of them are best friends.

“The money had been sent,” Caius said, fully descending the stairs.

“Good, I’ll leave now,” Drexton said.

“No, stay for breakfast.”

Drexton shifted his gaze to Jaxon and Maddox.

Both gave him a nod.

They all sat at the table, which was filled with different delicacies.

“Bonnie and Lorraine?” Maddox asked, noticing their absence.

“Bonnie got a headache and Lorraine insisted on taking her to the hospital,” Caius replied.

Bonnie is his daughter, while Lorraine is his wife.

“The fuck. Black men promised 50 million to anyone who gives out our identity,” Jaxon grinned as he read the news.

“Mr. Ryker Vaughn was a great philanthropist. He was an idol to many people,” Jaxon continued, scrolling through the news.

Maddox scoffed. “A man who raped his 14-year-old daughter holds this much importance.”

They might be killers, but they have their code—they don’t kill the innocent.

Drexton stood and wiped his lips with a tissue.

“I will be on the way,” 

“The prey?” Maddox asked.

“Will come today,” Drexton replied and left.

“Did you find anything about the daughter?” Caius asked.

“The daughter, no,”

“Her sister,” 

“We’re on it.”

***

[BLACKTHORN AUTOMOBILE COMPANY]

Lots of ladies stood waiting as the interview was currently ongoing. They have interviewed about 50 people and still haven’t found the right person.

Ixora rushed in since she was already late as a result of her parents' unending questions.

She paused to catch her breath before wowing the company.

It was huge, and everything was in order, including the workers.

Her eyes traced the lines that were waiting to be interviewed.

“All these people want to be his secretary,” she thought, going closer.

She noticed something about their dressing; they were all dressed in revealing outfits, and it seemed she was the only one who was dressed corporately.

“Are they here to work or seduce him?” she asked, almost in a mumbled voice.

One of the girls standing next to her heard her.

She rolled her eyes and scanned her. “Don’t pretend to be innocent.”

Ixora looked at her. “Not everybody is like you.”

“Are you talking to me?” she asked.

Ixora batted her lashes and looked away.

“I shouldn’t let her ruin my mood,” she thought.

——

Ixora watched as the girl from earlier came out with tears in her eyes.

They have interviewed so many people and still haven’t found the right one.

She wiped her sweaty palms on the back of her skirt.

Was there a chance for her?

How was it possible that all these people didn’t pass the interview?

She'd never done the work of a secretary before.

She doesn’t even know the basis.

"You better leave, Xora,” her mind whispered.

She turned to leave.

“Next,” a deep voice said, making her halt.

She turned around, disposing of the negative thoughts she was getting. She checked her dress one more time, then slowly walked in.

The air inside the office was chilling, even with that, she was still sweating...maybe because she was nervous.

Drexton had his gaze fixed on her the moment she stepped in. She stood in front of him, her eyes meeting his cold, deep, piercing stare, sending shivers down her spine. 

His chin was resting on the back of his palm, staring deep into her soul. She tried her best to ignore the stare he was giving her. She found it weird, even with the sinister smile he had on his face.

“Sit,” he adjusted his position. 

His voice sounded deeper, more authoritative, more controlling.

She nervously sat down, rubbing her sweaty palms against each other, and her whole body was shaking. The cold was only making things worse for her—or maybe it was the heat.

“Your CV. Ixora,” he said in a calm and calculated tone.

Ixora’s eyes widened as she handed the CV over to him.

“How does he know my name?” she mumbled only to her hearing, but he heard her. Loud and clear.

“You’ve never worked as a secretary before?” he asked.

“Yes, sir, it’s my first time,” she replied.

He nodded slightly, then slowly closed the CV.

“You. Are. Hired.”

Drexton said, his eyes still locked on her like a predator who had caught his prey.

“You can start tomorrow,” he turned to his assistant. “See her out.”

“Thank you, sir,” Ixora said almost inaudibly and turned to leave.

The hairs on her body have already stood.

She could feel herself trembling inwardly.

His gaze was still on her... she could feel it.

She glanced back at him, and, true to her thoughts, he was staring at her... no, not her, her soul.

The chills became so heavy that she had to hurry out of the office since it seemed to be stretching forever.

Drexton slowly rested his back on the chair.

“Welcome to hell, play pet.”