Put two and two together

"And in other news, Country N shows no sign of ceasing fire in their civil war even when sanctions are threatened to be made. The leader of the ruling party..."

9. Kareena mentally read the time on her monitor as the news played on TV. She looked out her floor to ceiling window from where she sat, the lights from the surrounding buildings easily blinded her from the beautiful stars gracing the heavens. That was city life. 

She left her seat and walked to the window to take in the view. Cars whizzed by the streets and people still queued up in front of her restaurant like it was still daylight. People were dressed to the nines and excitedly chatted about as they awaited for their turn to go into Trivedi's. People really loved her food.

Speaking of food, she needed to come up with a menu for the special annual events she does for the V.I.P. It was months away but the preparation that went in easily made the months to feel like days. Besides, Kareena was a perfectionist.

Knock knock!

"Yes", she answered. 

Cody ushered himself in and stopped a few feet away from her. "I brought the list of the most demanded dishes from the V.I.P."

"Did you stay because of this?" She asked, turning to look at him. It was a simple task. 

"Miss Trivedi, I take my job very seriously", he answered with a bashful smile. 

"Right."

Was she honestly agreeing or being sarcastic? Her expression was unreadable as she collected the tablet in his hand. The list would give her an idea of what to prepare, but it would be far better and unexpected, surprising and satisfying her customers. Each year, she worked to beat the previous record. When the meal is a hit, it would officially be added to their menu as the next new special. 

"Ma'am, I'd like to take my leave", Cody said.

"Mm", she nodded. "I'm leaving too."

"And we have breaking news right from the met gala-"

Kareena turned off the TV as the host was about to announce the news leaving Cody's mouth hanging wide open. She turned to leave when she saw him still standing, mouth agape. She raised her brows, throwing him a questioning gaze.

"You don't follow entertainment news?" He asked, very shocked. She was a woman after all!

"Should I?" 

Cody only shook his head, that was an answer he both expected but still did not expect from her. He went ahead to get the door for her. The two took the elevator leading to the underground parking lot. Cody's lexus drove out first followed by Kareena's Range Rover Velar. 

As her car rounded the corner exiting her building, another car slowly emerged from the shadows and followed at a distance. The unsuspecting girl turned the news radio station on as she drove.

"-identified as Claude Walker was attacked this evening on his way back from the Met Gala. Unknown thugs engaged in an open fire with his bodyguards and we understand some lives have been lost and many have been injured. We are yet to hear from both homeland security and the white house."

"Claude Walker.... White House", Kareena muttered in thought and put two and two together. "Someone tried to kill the president's son?" 

Ring ring!

She looked around for her ringing phone but felt it from her bag on the passenger seat. Too tired to reach into it, she relaxed in her seat and tapped a button beneath her steering wheel. A beep was heard, and the monitor on display replaced the news channel with a white screen and a thin black line.

"Blackrose on command", she said with a tired voice.

"Blackrose on command", a female automated voice resounded from the car, causing the black line to move displaying sound waves each time the car computer spoke.

"Who's calling?" 

"Little man."

Kareena's brows went up and she looked at the time. It was a little after nine. He's not one to call so late at night... 

"Accept the call", she ordered and another beep was heard. 

"I'm making dunked wings, you want some?" A male voice echoed in the car.

"You're home?" Kareena's brows knitted in confusion.

"...yes?" He drawled. 

"Why?" 

"For someone who was balling her eyes out when you dropped me off at school, you sound very happy that your baby brother is home", he complained with every bit of sarcasm.

"You're not answering my question little man", she narrowed her eyes as though he could see her. "Did something happen? Are you okay?"

"I knew you would get like this. Can't I just-"

Screech!

The car suddenly stopped, the impact jerking her upper body forward. A no longer distracted Kareena soon realized why. A sports had car suddenly stopped right in front of her, blocking her way and leaving her an inch away from a collision if not for her car computer that executed an emergency brake!

"Asher let me call you back", she spoke as she unhooked her seatbelt and opened her door. 

"It's Asht-" 

Tut. Tut. Tut....