ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY

IN A FAR AWAY COUNTY; AT A HOUSE ALONG AN OLD QUIET STREET

A young handsome man sat in the attic, cleaning his toys. It was as if he was marking an attendance register of them all; as he checked each and every one slowly but accurately. He lay them neatly on a table; the rifles, the pistols, handguns and the revolvers. He picked up his cigarette, lit it and took in one long pull. Feeling satisfied, he puffed up the smoke, clouding the area where he sat.

A faint knock was heard at the door, yet he responded not to it. He continued to pull in on his cigarette. Knowing that the room was occupied, the woman at the door slowly pushed it open, peeked her head inside and cleared her throat. Her attempt to get his attention was utterly ignored, so she took a few steps inside, and stood behind the man.

"Excuse me boss, I have some news." The woman said in a low voice.

The man pulled and let out two more puffs, then without turning to look at the woman, he said,

"well then, just say it! Do you plan to stand there for the rest of your life?"

"No boss. Boss; there is news on the de Milo Group of Hospitals."

"What news?" the man asked without a trace of care in his voice.

"They have donated fifty wheelchairs to a home of the aged."

"When was this posted?" the man asked, his voice a little higher than before.

"Just a few minutes ago. It popped on my news feed just as I was checking through my laptop." The woman explained.

Instinctively, the man stood up; threw his cigarette into the ashtray, and he straightened his back. He moved forward a few steps and pulled in air before letting out a heavy sigh.

"Fifty wheelchairs, you say?" he asked.

"Yes boss. Fifty wheelchairs." The woman confirmed. "I will take my leave now, boss." The woman spoke as she retreated towards the door, daring not to say or do anything that might upset the boss.

She slowly exited the room and when she was about to close it, his voice called out sternly, "come back!"

She obediently walked back into the room and stood. He was still standing in the same spot, and she continued to watch his back. What a handsome and well built man he is, she thought to herself. She looked at his hair which had graceful waves, and her gulp almost choked her. She wanted him to turn around. She wanted to admire once again that handsome face which, unfortunately, he usually hid behind not so handsome masks.

"Get my documents ready. Book me a flight. I'm flying out tonight," the man gave an order.

The woman, who was already lost in her daydreaming, missed the first part of the sentence. Startled in great fear, she cocked her head forward and apologized, "I'm sorry boss, I did not get what you said."

"Do I pay you to play deaf?" the boss smirked.

"Forgive me boss," the woman said in an overly apologetic tone.

"Book me the earliest flight to Lakeworld."

"Yes boss," the woman nodded her head quickly, and asked, "which identity are you using, boss?"

As if he had not heard the question, the man remain standing. He did not say anything. He took two steps further before turning back to walk towards the table in the room. He stretched his hand and stroked his toys on the table. He patted them as if they were babies which he was trying to put to sleep. A faint smile appeared on his lips after he lifted up one of his latest acquisitions. He held it to his chest, breathed in, held his breath and then let out a heavy sigh.

The woman watched him intently, and found his every move mesmerizing. "Why won't he ever show any interest in me," the woman asked herself in her heart. She had done anything and everything to try and seduce him, yet the man seemed blind to all her moves.

"May...may I go along with you?" the woman mastered up her courage and asked.

His eyes opened and he gave her a stern stare, yet he did not respond. Refusing to give up, the woman used her sweetest voice, "I want to go with you. I am now very good in the field. I'm tired of being locked up in here. I want to go and do some work. I need some action."

The man let out a soft mocking chuckle and asked her,

"do you need to go and work, or you need to be with me?"

Caught out, the woman was shocked and embarrassed at the same time. She quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze, and later on told herself that she needed to be brave. "Both", she replied before quickly facing down.

The man looked at her and walked closer to her. Using the nozzle of his gun, he lifted her chin up and forced her to face him. She looked at him straight in his eyes; those yes which were usually very scary. She got the fright, but she refused to look away.

"I am not interested in you," he uttered bluntly.

"So then who are you interested in? I've never seen a woman come to you," she failed to hide her pain.

He stuck the nozzle of the gun deeper into her neck. She whimpered a little and raised her head further, until she was almost facing the ceiling. The woman told herself that she could not miss the opportunity. With her shaking hands, she undid the buttons of her blouse, pulled her hands out and violently shook off the blouse. It fell right at her feet, and she started to undo her belt.

"I have forever yearned to be with you, please." She pleaded with him while the gun still poked below her jaws.

The belt proved to be stubborn. It remained stuck and she struggled with it until she managed to unhook it. Violently she pulled it completely off her trousers and threw it to the side.

"I love adventure. Let me show you what I can do, while you hold that gun. Is it loaded?"

"Why would I keep an unloaded gun?" the man asked mockingly.

She undid her jeans button and as soon as her hand held the zip to pull it down, the man pointed the gun at her hand.

"Stop! I am not interested. I have business to take care of!"

"Am I that ugly? What is wrong with me? Why won't you…"

"I am just not interested." The man stated firmly.

"In me or in all women? Is it only me; or women in general?"

The man looked at her and seeing her sad face, he imagined she would make a good role if she were to star as the ugly duckling in the play.

"It's you." His voice was cold.

Slowly, she zipped up her trousers and bent to pick her blouse. Ignoring her pitiful sight, the man gave his orders,

"Go sort out my documents. Book the flight. As for these toys, I will do the packing myself."

She nodded and without closing all her buttons, started to leave.

"Close your buttons! You don't want to give the others any wrong ideas, do you?"

She shook her head slightly and buttoned up her shirt.

"Which identity are you using?," she asked solemnly.

"I'm going there as Fletcher Latto."

"Yes boss," the woman walked out.