The two men sat gloomy in the back of the car, Theodore had more of an unreadable face—more of contemplating on his next line of action. There were a lot of loose threads he needed to tie and time was not by his side. He squinted his eyes as the permanent ache in the fore of his head grew bolder, and nulled him. He shut his eyes entirely and leaned back on the smooth leather. They were en route to a dinner party hosted by some charity group, which was a mere facade of the true events that went down. There was nothing like charity, he didn't believe that anyone could be so generous as to give away millions of dollars of donations to some poor people or strays, at least not these stuck-up wealthy fellows he'd known for decades.

They merely fronted the words charity to appease the gullible crowd and tick an empathetic spirit on their portfolios for when they may venture into politics. It was all a lie, he'd been living, as well as the likes of Colonel Freeman.
Speaking of him, Theodore clenched his fist to contain the splitting ache assuring himself it was worth attending tonight's event if it meant having a one-on-one encounter with the Colonel. They were things to be discussed.

Jose sighed for the umpteenth time beside a pissed Theodore. He glared expectantly at his phone, typing away furiously after a moment. It looked like whatever response he'd gotten from the receiver didn't sit well with him because his face flushed with color and his lips thinned in an outrageously angry expression. "What have I done to deserve this?!" He bellowed and shifted to look at his friend.

"Goodness! Spare me whatever it is that's got you in a twist, Jose. I'm in no mood for that." Theodore warned, with two fingers pressing against his temple.

It only seemed to make Jose angrier as he let out a deep sigh and texted away furiously, Theodore couldn't wait for them to get to their destination and be rid of his family drama. "You have to keep an eye on him, Jose. I need you to remember that. And fix your tie, you look a mess." He flicked a finger at his distorted tie.

Jose only left his phone when he quickly arranged his tie using the glass window as a mirror before picking up his phone to type away.

When they got to the venue, as usual, it was buzzing with guests in elegant dresses and tuxedos with expensive cars pulled up by the red carpet and valets helping them out and taking charge of their cars. They held ad-worthy smiles as the camera flashed—enough to blind one's eyes clicked. A few prestigious guests, the crème de la crème, were given a moment of fame before the cameras and asked a few questions.

As soon as their Cadillac pulled to the entrance, Jose stepped out with a wide grin and a tousled jet black hair complimenting his hot boy look as he smiled gaily at the cameras, waving continuously as he walked the distance Theodore behind. He'd consciously waved off one of the officials who asked for a brief moment with him on the makeshift stage. Theo wasn't interested in telling some cooked-up lie about how the charity ball was helpful and all, he knew they weren't.

The interior was as expected, grand, yellow lights from tendril-like chandeliers. Glamorous colors worn by each guest filled the room with beauty and everyone seemed to know how to smile, mingle, and cheer with a glass of wine.

"Theodore Newman!" A bold voice called from a distance, it was none other than his prey... Colonel Freeman.
"Colonel," he gave a curt nod. "Refreshing to start with some familiar face, I almost thought I was in the wrong crowd,"

Colonel chuckled and gestured to the audience. "These people?... I wonder the same myself. It keeps getting harder to recognize anyone but we can't say no to their donations can we?" He held his glass up to a random fellow before focusing back on Theo.

"Maybe if the government did their job right we'd not need such events. Rather they chose to invest in pride plays and ambiguity. I'd like to have a word if you do not mind,"

The colonel gave a lopsided smile. "Ever straight to the point commodore, why were you retired so early then? We could use a bit of your discipline these days," he led them through a maze of hallways and to a private room, more like a lounge.

"An injury, but I'm healed,"

"Of course you are! But the navy doesn't take a chance with a wounded soldier. I heard a bit of a story about yours," he grinned and went to a table filled with bottles of different types of vodka. "Maybe a lie, Theo, but I can't rule out that my source is legit,"

"I could say the same for you," Theodore said. He'd caught the man off guard, he could tell from how he'd frozen on the spot. He watched the colonel raise a curious brow at him.

"What have you heard about me then?" He watched in anticipation, Theo could feel his patience thinning as the silence stretched. His glass of wine suspended in the air as his hand hung static.

Theodore began to circle the large room, slowly and predatorily. "I came to discover, Colonel, that you not only want to be acquainted with the Newman empire but you want it for yourself," he said.

"What do you mean by that?" He scoffed, exciting a bold look from Theodore.

"You deny it?"

"I can't deny nor accept what I know not. You'd do well to elaborate, friend,"

Theodore shuffled around his jacket for his phone and pulled it out. He handed it to the colonel who stood rigidly like he'd keel over at any point. "Those are my men keeping watch at your home, where Margaret and Tony are binging on the latest werewolves series. But you'd do well to follow my instructions or risk losing them both."

"What has come over you Theodore?! Have you gone mad threatening to kill my family?!" His eyes blazing hot.

Theodore raised a defensive hand. "I never claimed to want them dead, I only meant that after Margaret learns of your hideous nature, and the type of scumbag you are, I don't think she'd stay. Interesting right?" Theodore laughed.

"What is this about? What have you got on me?"

"Everything! Footages of your dirty deeds, kinky stuff that if leaked to the public would be more disastrous than a third world war. Can you imagine? A respected Colonel, involved in such hideous acts!" Theodore mocked. "I know you covered up for whomever it was that attempted to kill me back at your club, you probably worked hand in hand with them but that's beside the point. For ages even before you smelt your empire, my father and his fore-bearers toiled with their sweat and blood for Makeer and the organization." He paused to point a finger at him. "You know what I'm talking about don't you?"

"Theodore—" Colonel began but was cut off.

"—I haven't finished talking! But a greedy two-faced cunt like you goes behind my back to take my place? To intercept my understanding with the White House?... to plant doubt within its members in hopes to be the next American link?" His voice was growing with each word he spoke, his headache manifesting rapidly but he was too angry to care.

The colonel finally dropped his wine glass and stretched out a pleading palm at Theodore in hopes of calming the brewing storm. "Look, I do not know where all these accusations are coming from and who sold you those lies Theo but I'm telling you in all honesty, as a comrade, that none of it is true. I had no idea who shot at you nor who was sabotaging your company. I do not have a motive for that!" He growled.

Theodore continued his gentle pacing in the room, eyes locked on the target as he might vanish from his sight. "Funny how you think I have lost my grip on the new system, that my ship will sink without the opposition party in power, and how you think your little stealthy cult will put you on the spot, my spot!" Theo snorted in disbelief. "The VP, Kiera May can yap all she wants but barking dogs don't bite, they waste too much of their venom putting up a charade and in the end have no balls to fight. Now that's how I see you and your little matrix Colonel. I know where you belong and what you're all up to but if I may ask... how did you think the Newman empire has stood until this day?"

Colonel furrowed a blank canvas at him, showing in his sincerest expression that he knew nothing about it.
"The party is about to take off Theodore and this isn't the proper place to discuss such delicate matters, you can come over to my house or... or the club. You know that!"

"I choose where to and when to, colonel. And I don't care if the farce of an event is happening already. I never came here for that. I came here to keep you grounded, to finally tie the loose ends and I mean you..."

The stare-down was brief only because the colonel couldn't help it any longer and he let out a frustrated grunt before sipping voraciously on his wine.
"I'll tell you the truth, and you must promise to keep my secret away from Margaret and my son. You owe me that at least."

"You're not in the best position to negotiate, I call the shots!"

"Right, I have no idea who shot at you, well... not until they came to me for help and I saw it as a means to further overthrow you as I've already put my plans in motion way back. But even before you discovered this, I had a bitter discovery as well of how rooted your name was in American soil. It cannot be pulled out by mere sabotage, no wonder I couldn't quite convince the government to have you investigated or turn your business partners against you." He threw a hand up. "It was frustrating, and I began to regret ever trying."

"It's a pity I once held you to a certain esteem, you're way below that threshold." Theo spat. "The Newman name has been an aristocratic empire way before many of you migrants who ventured into this soil by boat." He took a step closer. "And our claim on the government is way beyond your grasp." He took another step further. "Bloody Charlatans like yourself cannot fathom, but we're not just some business magnate who owns shares and companies around the world," and another. "We collect information, of every bloody citizen and we trade them or hold them and wield them to ransom, that is why your bloody matrix cannot stand a chance, Colonel. You probably didn't do your homework on us before picking sides."

"Theodore..."

"You may as well enjoy your marriage while it lasts, but you have a task to complete for me. I'll text you the details tomorrow, I hope for the sake of peace that you attend to it with all sincerity and loyalty, Colonel." He turned and left him standing there all jittery with nerves.
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