CHAPTER 5- LURE

ADRIAN

I sat lazily in my office thinking about my next move to catch the mystery guy then I heard my phone ring...

I instinctively picked up the phone and put it against my ear... "Talk to me."

"Boss." Malachi's voice came through the phone... "We have our guy."

I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping slightly against the desk.

"You sound confident."

"I am."

"How confident?" He paused for a few seconds before answering...

"90 percent."

"Ninety?"

"Yes, boss."

"That's not one hundred."

"I know."

"Explain."

"The flyer hasn't been up for long, but not long after it was posted, someone called to apply. The timing is too perfect."

"That's your evidence?"

"It isn't just the timing."

"What else?"

"The information matches what we've been expecting."...I stayed quiet, allowing him to continue.

"He doesn't seem suspicious."

"Sometimes the least suspicious people are the most dangerous."

"I thought the same."

"So why are you calling me?"

"Because I think we should bring him in."

I stood up and walked towards the large window

"You've done the background check?"

"As much as I could in this short time."

"And?"

"Nothing alarming."

"Nothing?"

"No criminal record."

"No fake identity?"

"Not any that I found."

"You're still only 90 percent sure."

"Yes."

“What if you're wrong..."

"I'll take responsibility."

"You always do."

"I wouldn't have called if I wasn't convinced." I paused as i looked at my laptop before replying...

"Fine."

"So, we proceed?"

"Accept him."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"But keep watching."

"I already planned to."

"If anything feels off..."

"I'll let you know immediately."

"Good...Thanks Malachi...”

"I'll contact him now."

"Do it." I ordered before finally hanging up the call...

I placed my phone on the desk...whoever this applicant was, I hoped he would lead me closer to the person I'd been searching for...or at least he could be the one I’ve been looking for...

If Malachi was even close to being right...I’d probably give him a raise

---

THEO

My phone began vibrating loudly on the side stool...still half asleep, I groaned and rubbed my eyes...

"Who's calling this early?" I mumbled.

I stretched before getting out of bed and grabbing my phone...I looked around for uncle... maybe he’s outside causing trouble like he always does

"Uncle?" I whispered but there was no answer then I peeked into the sitting room... it was empty

"He must have gone out."

The phone vibrated again...I quickly picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Good morning. Am I speaking with Theo?"

"Yes... this is Theo."

"This is Malachi from Deveraux Atelier...the jewellery company you applied... for a job... we would be delighted to work with you"

"The company?"

"Yes."

"Oh... good morning, sir."

"Good morning."

"I... I wasn't expecting your call."

"We've reviewed your application." I was already excited to hear the next good news so I smiled happily...

"And?"

"We'd like to offer you the position." for several seconds, I couldn't say anything...I was short of words because I didn’t think I was going to get the job so easily... I started to doubt if the were even real... well look on the bright side...I’ll be getting a job...

"Hello?"

"I'm here."

"Did you hear what I said?"

"I... yes."

"You accepted me?"

"Yes."

"So quickly?" the man over the phone chuckled softly.

"Is that a problem?"

"No." I laughed nervously. "It's just..."

"Just what?"

"I honestly didn't think I'd get it."

"Well, congratulations."...a smile spread across my face.

"Thank you, sir."

"When can you start?"

"I can start anytime."

"Good...We'd like you to resume on Monday."

"Monday?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there."

"Excellent."

"Thank you so much."

"We'll send you the company address before then."

"Okay."

"If you have any questions, you can call this number."

"I understand."

"See you Monday."

"Thank you again." I hung up the phone and smiled again like anyone was watching... I was just so happy, and I didn’t think it would be this easy

"Yes! I got it...I actually got the job."

Without wasting another second, I rushed to my wardrobe... I didn’t have exactly much clothes but I had to find something in here that is at least presentable...

I pulled out a blue shirt... "Hmm..." then I frowned at it..."No." I tossed it onto the bed...next came a white one...the collar was slightly worn..."This won't do." another shirt...too big...another...too small...I sighed.

"There has to be something in here that I could wear to work on Monday..."

After several minutes of searching, I finally found a light-grey shirt hidden beneath a pile of clothes.

"Oh...I forgot about this one...It still looks decent."...I searched again until I found a pair of black trousers.

"Perfect."

I carefully placed both on the chair before smiling at it again...First impressions mattered...

"I can't mess this up."

For the first time in weeks...things finally seemed to be going my way...maybe life was beginning to change...maybe this job would help me pay my tuition.

maybe Uncle wouldn't look down on me like he always did anymore...I sat on the edge of my bed...Monday...It suddenly felt very far away...I wish it were already Monday...

Just then...my phone rang again.

"The same number?"

I answered quickly.

"Hello?"

"Theo?"

"Yes, sir."

"This is Malachi again."

"Did something happen?"

"There has been a slight change of plans."

"A change?"

"Yes."

"Is... is the job still mine?"

"It is." I let out a heavy sigh

"Oh."

"However,..."

"Before you resume, we'd like to meet you."

"For an interview?"

"Exactly."

"I thought I was already hired."

"You are."

"So why the interview?"

"It's simply company procedure."

"I understand."

"We'll need you this evening."

"This evening?"

"Yes."

"Can you make it?" I hesitated for a second before finally replying...

"Yes...I can."

"Good...We'll text you the address."

"Alright."

"Be there on time."

"I will."

"And dress professionally.” I glanced back at the clothes I had just picked out.

"I already have something ready."

"Perfect."

"Thank you, sir."

"We'll see you this evening." the call ended once again as i slowly lowered my phone.

"This evening..."...everything was happening so fast.

I wasn't sure why the company suddenly changed its plans...maybe they wanted to see all the new employees first...standard procedure...whatever the reason...I wasn't going to lose this opportunity.

"Don't mess this up."