6 6.Bamboozlement

Erwin pulled her to his room and Alisha closed the door behind her. Erwin opened his cupboard. "Erwin" Alisha whisper in to Erwin's ear, "What's happening?". Erwin pushed his clothes aside and pressed a button which automatically pulled down the drawers and a door surfaced. Erwin pushed a button inside the cupboard. Alisha stood there confused but tagged along with Erwin as he called out to her. The door flipped open. "Come on." Erwin pulled Alisha with him inside and pressed the button again. Erwin slipped his hand into Alisha's as the door closed and the cupboard composed itself in its original manner. Alisha looked over Erwin who was nervous. "Where is Elena and Mrs. Mascot?" Alisha asked breaking the silence. "They left with Margit."Erwin said as he checked his phone, still clutching onto Alisha's hand. Margit? Who's he? Alisha thought confused. The lift door flicked open leading them to garage. Erwin pulled Alisha out of the lift and gestured her to sit in the car. Alisha paused in astonishment, 9ff GT9-R, a black German car that has placed itself after the classic Porsche, which Alisha dreamed of. Erwin paused on his tracks and saw surprised Alisha. "Don't you think we need to hurry?"Erwin asked agitated. Alisha did as she was told and placed her seat belt. Erwin slide into the car and pressed the ignition button. Alisha gawked at the interior of the car, unbelievable. "Close your mouth."Erwin said as he concentrated on his driving. "Where are we going?"Asked Alisha breaking through her brief amazement. "We are in danger. Those bastards have traced your existence." Erwin said as he took a left turn into an alley leading them to a series of old slaughter houses. "I-I think, you should stop helping me now. I am really okay with the now circumstances. I will face them alone. I don't want to put you in danger."Alisha said grimaced, hollow voice. "No, I was betrayed. Even you are betraying me." Erwin said in stern voice, still facing the drive way. "Betray? Me? I-I was-"Alisha paused on her words as she saw her Uncle Glenn Dawson waiting for them, pacing in small moves along with his hand stick tapping the ground. Erwin halted in front of an old slaughter house. The walls have lost its color and looked pale as it showed it's hardships it dealt with the withering weather. Alisha looked around her diminishing surroundings. "Where are we?" Alisha questioned mystified. "Let's go!" Erwin said and walked towards the old Glenn. Alisha got out of the car; content filled her eyes as she saw her uncle. "How are you?"She asked hugging him. "I'm fine dear" Glenn said as he pulled away. He looked over Alisha towards Erwin and nodded his head and took Alisha with him into the slaughter house, Erwin followed them checking the surroundings and closed the door behind him.

There were tile platforms usually used for the shopping. Few parts of the house left untouched as the dust made it look gloomy and the roof tiles were shredding into patches allowing the penetration of rays. "Uncle, how are they?" She asked. "They're fine."Mr. Dawson said in a stern voice. He groped over his coat and searched the pockets and pulled out Alisha's passport. "I'll take care of them here; just leave the country for now." Mr. Dawson said as he looked at Alisha. "You have to be safe. That's the only way I can keep up the promise that I made to your dad." Mr. Dawson said and handed over a small paper. "Go to my home and you'll find an underground cellar under my bed. I've kept all the necessary things there. Remember," Mr Dawson's eyes grew dark, "Never look at your home." Her Uncle threatened. "Now leave!" Mr. Dawson ordered. Erwin sided his hand into Alisha's and pulled her along the door and gestured her to sit in the car. They drove swiftly through the eerily silent street.

"What's happening actually?"Alisha asked unable to understand her situation. "I am already bamboozled please be calm."Erwin said irritated. "Just tell, talk your mind right now", Alisha demanded. "I've been deceived. My HR department has tracked everything." Erwin sighed heavily. "The HR department actually is of two parts, one part is controlled by me and the other is by board of directors. They've kept tracking me ever since I've taken up my business. One of the directors is my Uncle, he wanted me to marry his daughter, but I am not interested in a sly." Erwin ended his story. Alisha remained silent as she was grasping the information. "But, why you are bamboozled?"Alisha asked. "Because, my Uncle have kept an eye on my every movement. Seems like, I can't escape it. I believed him."Erwin said exhausted. "Then where in the world did I come in your betrayal?"Alisha asked, "You were the one who took care of me, ever since what has happened to my family, you've been my support, why?"Alisha questioned as Erwin kept his eyes fixated on the road. "I'm thankful for what you've done. I don't know why you are helping me out and what's going on...I feel flustered, I'm loss at my own confidence and I wish I could get some clue." Alisha said downhearted. Erwin clutched on to her hand, "Everything's gonna be fine. We are going to Venice. And...We'll stop by your uncle's place as his son and daughter-in-law, and I'm sorry, you are not betraying me, I'm just flustered over this situation." Erwin said caressing her hand and turned the driveway towards Glenn Dawson's home.

FEW MOMENTS EARLIER>>>>

"Mr. Scott, I'll take my leave. You also need to calm your nerves." Officer Jayson said as he took the last sip of his juice and left closing the door behind him. Erwin took the sip of his juice as he kept starring at the photographs that were before him. I shall not leave each of you fucking bastards! Erwin ruminated.

"Mr. Scott, someone on the line wants to talks with you." Erwin's secretary said as he handed over the phone. Erwin sighed, "Hello? Erwin speaking".

"Erwin! It's me Dawson. Don't answer anything except for yes or no."

"Yes"

"Is you're secretary still around you?"

Erwin glanced at his secretary, who was picking up the juice glasses and piling up the papers. "Yes."

"Ok! Listen carefully, do not show any expression or any kind of emotion or else you might be in danger." Dawson said cautiously.

"Yes"

"Your Secretary is one of the Alpha team and is undercover to keep an eye on your progress." Dawson said.

"No", Erwin exhaled.

"Yes, it's something big but they are seriously something, your sister might be in danger too. You better send them to Margit's place, Germany."

"Yes"

"You better not show anything, and Alisha is fine, right?"

"Yes"

"Good! Now I will meet you at Dickson's Slaughter Houses. Come with Alisha, I need to give her something."

"Yes" answered Erwin and placed his phone in his pocket.

"My Mr. Secretary," Erwin smiled, "Alisha has finally agreed to marry me." Erwin hugged his Secretary and said "Ian Starks, my friend, my brother, I believe you and I always will." Erwin said clutching on to his shoulders tight. His secretary, Ian looked at him puzzled. "I want to marry Alisha in Italy, in the registration office where Mom and Dad got married." Erwin said and left the office leaving Ian mystified behind.

On his way to the parking lot, Erwin thought, No way, this can't be happening. Ian can't be such a person, my heart says no, it's a lie, an utter LIE! Erwin ran towards his car and locked open the door and slided in. Erwin couldn't control his anger, his reality and his bamboozle. Erwin cried his eye's out clutching on to his steering, I don't believe!