Favourite Kitchen Knife

At the same time, at exactly 9:30 a.m. Mark was in the elevator wearing another black leather jacket over a black shirt, wearing dark blue jeans with black boots and mesh black gloves covering his hands.

His shades were again blocking his dangerous eyes but giving him a mysterious look.

He got out of the elevator and went towards his customized matte black Mclaren 570S costing him more than half a million dollars.

He removed the cover and unlocked the car. Examining it from inside out, and only after making sure that everything was alright, Mark sat on the driver's seat and started the car.

With a loud but sporty noise the car started, and he let the engine get heated for a few seconds and then started driving it out of the parking lot while heavily revving the engine.

Many people within the complex were accustomed to such luxury, but still couldn't help it and were admiring the beastly machine that was passing in front of them.

Many rich ladies residing in the same complex were swooning over the sports car moving in a beautiful manner.

But they were a little disappointed, as the windows were heavily tinted, because of which no one could see who was inside that heavenly beast.

Mark was leisurely riding his sports car on the highway at a moderate speed, but it still gave him a dashing bad boy feel. Soon, he reached the Willy's Club and parked the car in the parking lot.

Willy was already waiting for him at the entrance when he arrived, so they went in after exchanging small pleasantries.

Since it was the early morning, the club activity was almost equal to non-existent. Hence, it was rather convenient for Mark to be there.

After settling down in Willy's office, she right away placed a wooden box having intricate designs, on the coffee table in front of Mark and said, "Open it".

As soon as he opened the box, he was pleased to see what was inside. The quality was perfect, design even better than he expected and the finishing was quite detailed.

"Thanks Willy for this. You are really a great friend" said Mark with a small but genuine smile.

Willy replied, "I know. You are welcome, anytime. Also, here is something from me as complementary gifts, seeing that you have returned for good".

She passed some .45 ACP bullets, a carbon steel black military grade knife and lastly a Platinum membership card for her club!

Seeing all these, Mark smirked, 'How sweet! Got another toy to play around with. Maybe I should seriously start my collection of weapons in this country as well'.

After making payment for his purchase and equipping himself with his "toys", Mark left the club in his car towards a particular part of the city.

_________________

In a particular neighbourhood in City A, was a normal two storey house in which a young man in his mid thirties was living alone.

He opened his eyes as sunlight was peeking through the gaps in between the curtains which disturbed his sleep.

He reached for his mobile phone and saw that it was already past 11 a.m. and sighed as he remembered the failure that he was currently experiencing.

Last night, he wasted it completely to search for clues for a young man as ordered by his employer. But still found nothing.

It was like something or someone was intentionally blocking his way towards his subject, making his work difficult.

After lamenting in his defeat for sometime, he got up from his bed and went in to the bathroom to start his daily routine.

After exactly 20 minutes, he went to his closet and wore his usual clothes and took a trench coat with him making his way downwards towards the kitchen.

He kept his trench coat on a chair in the dining area and went to the kitchen counter to fix himself a quick lunch as it was already noon.

He gathered all the required ingredients, but couldn't find his favourite kitchen knife no matter how much he looked.

Suddenly, he felt a cold, metallic and a sharp object placed on his throat and a dangerously low, deep and devilish voice sounded from behind him, making him slightly jump with fear,

"Looking for your favourite kitchen knife, Mr. Albert Lake? Or should I say Private Detective Albert Lake?"

As soon as he heard the person, he started shivering and cold sweat started forming on his back as well as his forehead.

He felt goosebumps raise on his skin, and all of this only because the person accurately identified his favourite knife in the kitchen of his own house which no one else knew about.

'If someone can find this about him, then how much power does he hold? What other things can he do with me?'

These were the only thoughts running through Albert's mind. But nevertheless, he held the fort despite his body shivering.

After a moment of silence, Albert gathered his courage and asked, "Who are you?"

He suddenly felt the area around the kitchen turned extremely cold like snowy mountains in winter season.

He also noticed the deadly presence of the person standing behind him, was getting more intense and regretted asking the question.

'You silly idiot! Obviously, why would someone reveal their identity! How cliche' of you Albert'.

Albert's thoughts were running wild.

"It doesn't work that way. And its not about me here. Its about you. Mr. Lake, it seems you have been a little busy now-a-days.

Care to tell me what you are up to? And don't even think about lying to me.

I'll not hesitate to slice your throat with your favourite knife. Do you get it now?"

said the figure whose face was not seen by Albert, but looking closely one can see that it was none other than Mark Sebastian.

Although Albert really loved his job, he still valued his life. Hence, he answered truthfully:

"I was hired to find out any information available on a certain individual, but no matter what I couldn't even find that person's name.

I'm telling the truth, please believe me. You can check all my electronic gadgets.

Please don't kill me!"

Mark looked into his eyes and asked," Who hired you?" simultaneously pressing the knife a little deeper resulting in a thin streak of blood.

Albert's face paled and even though he wanted to protect the privacy of his client, he couldn't do that at the moment and blurted out,

"It was the CEO of ALC International, Ms. Julia Casey's Executive Assistant who contacted me probably on the orders of her boss".

"How do I know that you are not lying?" asked Mark in a cold voice.

"Why would I want to die for a stranger?" replied Albert.

"Fair enough. Leave the city today itself and don't dare contact ANYONE. Or else I'll make sure that no one even finds a single particle of your body.

Do not turn around unless you want me to slice your throat"

said Mark and made his way in to shadows near the corners of the house and slowly made his exit.

As soon as he felt that there was no one behind him, Albert fell on his butt and sighed loudly colour returning to his face. 'Just saved. Better leave the city right away'.

On the other hand, Mark returned to his car which was parked in an inconspicuous parking space around the corner and settled in it.

Only one thought running his mind, 'Julia Casey. Interesting' as he drove away into the distance still smirking from his little adventure.