Greg rubbed the bandaged spot at the back of his head, wincing at the sore feeling the touch evoked. It had been almost a week since he was mercilessly banged on the head while perusing a document in this office but there had been no headway into the investigation.

He had ruled out his boss, because, well, what would the man gain from clobbering him? Gabriel was careful when it came to private matters, including his relationship with the opposite sex. What he didn't want the public to know, they couldn't sniff it out. Which, ultimately, rendered the document he saw common. It probably meant nothing seeing he found it so easily.

Once Gabriel had been crossed off as a suspect, Greg had narrowed his search list to two viable assailant. One was Udom, their Project consultant, whom he had a tussle with two weeks ago over the same woman, and the last but not least was Malcolm's over-zealous assistant, Jedidiah Ofoma.

The vulture-like scarecrow had been looking for ways to get a leverage on Gabriel after the presentation blunder and was quite prepared to go to any length. He hung off his boss's arms like a handbag looking for favors and recommendations that would get him to the top of the chain faster than notable works and diligent promotions ever could. And if they wanted an upper on their number one enemy, a secret document pertaining to Gabriel's next step in the business world was the catch. Besides, what day would be most convenient except the day he knew Gabriel would be out of office? Him getting bashed over the head was a miscalculation on Jed's part.

"Is it still swollen?"

The sharp, deep tone snapped him back to reality, forcing him to remove his searching fingers from his head.

Shaking his head mildly, he tried to be brave. "Not that much," but remembering the symptoms associated to the injury, he broke down, singing like a canary. "But, Sir, the headache I have is the pounding one. I swear, this headache wants to crack my head open. And that's not all. It affects my health as well. I can't breathe properly, I can't stand for so long without fainting, I'm always feeling weak, and my eyes are turning on its own."

He took a three-day sick leave to get treated after the incident, but being lazy for two whole days had prompted his body into demanding for more rest. Adding strenuous work to the hustle and bustle that was called 'Lagos life', he'd take any leave his lying tongue could fetch him.

"Really? Well, that's serious. I thought you'd be better by now," Gabriel remarked, frowning slightly as he sat up in his chair, studying his assistant.

"No, Sir. I'm not better. I'm not better at all." Shuffling slightly, Greg touched his chest and a huge rumble sounded, wracking his body with cough. Wrapping his hanky over his mouth, he allowed nature to run its course, before settling quietly.

"You have a cough, as well. I see." The amused look on Gabriel's face was one of mockery but Greg would not be dissuaded.

"Yes, sir. The cough came yesterday morning when I woke up and the doctor said it's because the wound may have been infected."

"So, what would you suggest?" Gabriel asked suddenly, settling back in his chair to study him. "It's obvious you can't work in this horrible condition. I'll have to get a temporary replacement in your absence until you're feeling better."

Greg refrained from grinning widely at how easily this matter was being handled.

"But you'll have to let me know how long your leave will last so the accounts department can calculate the appropriate wage to pay your replacement from your salary. We can't have whoever that is working on your behalf doing it for free."

Eh? Was he going partially deaf?

"Sir?"

Greg was dumbfounded. How did sugar in his mouth suddenly take the form of ash? How could someone be so vile? He was certain only Gabriel Asika would be this heartless.

"So, how long?" He raised a questioning brow, lifting the phone to his ear, the dialing tone sounding loud in the serene environment.

"Sir, I don't want to take the leave again. I'm feeling better now." He didn't know what possessed him to utter such words but he had calculated how much would be gone from his salary were he to take this leave. And since Gabriel was not in support of this decision, he would approve nothing less than a week just to punish him.

"But some minutes ago, you said,..."

He clenched his fists by his side to prevent from throwing a snide remark at his boss, and reiterated his words. "I'm not at my optimum health but I can still carry out my duties efficiently, Sir."

"I thought you would." Gabriel hummed, before facing his computer screen, ignoring his assistant who cursed at his bad luck that was his boss.

As a green-eyed graduate, he had been ecstatic when he was informed by the HR manager that he would be working side by side with their top project manager in creating and developing new agricultural innovations.

At first, working with Gabriel had been overwhelming, the man was a hard taskmaster but he was diligent as he was meticulous. He metted out work to his subordinates based on their capabilities, and as he had been so eager for a promotion, he had superseded expectation. It didn't come as a surprise to the rest of his team when Gabriel chose him as his assistant two years ago.

New job title meant more workload, longer breaks and more money in his bank account. New job title meant a personal relationship with Gabriel, one he didn't know whether to view as a blessing or a curse. It was after a few months of working closely with him did Greg realise why he wasn't the most loved employer. The man was as calculating as he was manipulative, and Greg feared this was one of those conniving moments the man engineered to soothe his plans.

"You must think I'm heartless by asking you to sacrifice part of your salary for your sick leave, but, trust me, I have your best interests at heart."

It doesn't look like it.

"The person that hurt you must be brought to face justice. This is what the security department should have done but they are failing woefully in their duties."

After you forbade them from searching your office for clues, how can you expect them to do their jobs?

"What are you saying, Sir?"

The man looked fully at him now and smirked,

"What I'm saying is that I know how we can catch the culprit and you're going to help me do it."

++++++++

Malcolm was huffing and puffing as he made his way to the large conference room situated at the end of the eight floor of the Asika holding corporation.

In his right hand was the memo he had received barely ten minutes ago, and as he placed one feet clad in black leather shoe in front of the other, causing his navy blue suit to crease at the effect, he couldn't help but grit his teeth harder at the injustice of the matter.

What was that son of the devil up to now?

Ever since Gabriel had confided in him about his ambition to take over the chairmanship reins from their father, he had been calm in terms of activities in the company, the only time he roared was to demand he be allowed to fund his project by himself. After deliberations, lots of thunderous shouts and insults coupled with threats, he had gotten the approval, the board laughing at his 'foolishness'. But Malcolm knew his brother enough -at least he would claim he did- to deduce that a mad man always knows what he's doing.

And Gabriel was a madman, after all.

He reached the glass double doors in minutes, memory blessing him with the altercation he had with Gabriel nearly three months ago in this same room. Even remembering how he was humiliated that day added fuel to his fury.

He pushed open the door and stepped in. He took in the room in one fell sweep, capturing the object of his loathe standing near the projected screen elaborating to his attentive audience which from all indication were his project team. The smile on the man's face was enough for his blood to boil over.

"You bastard!"

Heads whipped to his direction instantly, most shocked at his outburst, the rest looking amused that another possible brawl was about to take place.

"What did I do this time?"

The laugh that escaped him was mirthless, belaying how pissed of he actually was, Gabriel's laconic reply not helping matters.

"Are you asking me that? Are you seriously asking me that?"

Gabriel stood still staring at him as if he had horns atop his head. Turning to his live audience, he flicked his hands and they all filtered out of the room in seconds.

His stance registered incomprehension, and his eyes blank, he replied curtly, "I am, since I have no idea what you're ranting about. Please, be more detailed."

Malcolm bit his lips, an action he delved into when he was trying to discern between using 'a pen is mightier than a sword' and 'shoot first, ask questions later' approach.

Choosing the first approach, he pushed the brown file at Gabriel who gave him a skeptical look before accepting it. Opening the brown file, he began to read loudly the contents of the memo.

To: The board,
audit and risk compliance.

From: Mr. Gregory Ajala.

Re: Investigation into various fradulent acts committed by Mr. Jedidiah Ofoma.

"Why is your assistant throwing accusations at my assistant right now in the boardroom? Circumstantial accusations that hold no grounds?"

"Oh, that," he sighed, a sly smile coating his features as he closed the file and dropped it on a desk. "He told me he needed to punish his attacker and I gave him the go-ahead. Although, personally, I'm not sure why Greg would do something like that. He's always been level-headed."

"I'm not fooled for a second by your ignorant act. You know something, Gabriel. I can see your handwork all over this." He gesticulated by stretching out a palm.

Gabriel seemed to think for a minute, before turning slightly to face the U-shaped seating arrangement of the conference room. "You're right. I'm not entirely innocent here since I was the propelling force. But you must understand, the man was brutally injured in his workplace. If he can't get the justice he deserves, it would look bad on us and we'll lose the trust of our employees.

"I know you, Malcolm. You'd do exactly the same if you were in my shoes. Our assistants are like our left arm. We can't function properly without them completing our body framework."

"You're unbelievably arrogant that I'm ashamed to be called your brother." He spat out, the loathe in his eyes glimmering.

Gabriel's sneer matched his unequivocally. "Trust me, I've always wished I was an only child all my life."

"And you can't wait to achieve that, can you? This 'only child' nonsense that you crave?" Malcolm had a scornful look.

"You have no idea how hard it is to get what I want. People keep interfering and poking their noses  into things they shouldn't."

"People like who? Me?"

Gabriel groaned, sounding exasperated that Malcolm was stunned. "Definitely not, you're an idiot. I was referring to Greg. I found him snooping around in my files, looking for something that was obviously no concern of his. Walking in on him like that, I had to act quickly. So, I grabbed the stapler and knocked him out. Did you know how happy I felt after that?"

Malcolm was aghast. "You're crazy! I can't believe we're related!"

Gabriel chuckled mirthlessly. "Please, don't tell me you believed me? I didn't enjoy hitting him. I've told you, already. He's like my left arm."

"And yet, you encouraged him to go accusing my assistant of something you did?"

"Don't whine about it. Jed was getting on my last nerves and I wanted him gone. This seemed like a clever idea at the perfect moment so I took it."

Enraged, Malcolm rushed over and grabbed him by the collar and squeezed tight. Making sure they were gazing intently into each other's eyes, he grated.

"I want you to follow me now and say what you just told me to the board."

"And if I don't?" Gabriel smirked, freeing himself from the hold easily. "Excuse me, but I don't see what good that would do since the board have already reached the conclusion to suspend him. I'd bet my Ferrari on a six months leave without pay. Enough time to get my plan executed, if I must admit."

"You don't even have a Ferrari!" Malcolm was beyond exasperated.

"My point, exactly."

"That's it! I've had it with your mind games and schemes. You are coming with me to tell them the truth of what you did right now, so Jed can go scot-free."

"And what will you do if I don't?"

Malcolm gave him a suspicious smirk that depicted he did not want to know the answer to that. Placing two fingers in his mouth, he whistled loudly, watching as Gabriel winced sharply from the sound. His eyes snapped to the door when two heavily built men with bulging muscles stepped into the room to come stand before them. They looked identical with matching black on black get up.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"You'll soon find out. Gentlemen, shall we?"

Like in the movies, the men stepped forward and reached for his two arms, and despite his feeble struggles, had him imprisoned firmly with their elbows. He tugged just to be certain, and then grew frantic when they wouldn't budge.

"This is ridiculous, Malcolm. Tell your stupid goons to let me go. This is clearly against work ethics."

"What stupid work ethics when you've been bending the rules to your favour all this while? That's what you're doing again with this Greg issue, but thank the heavens, you've just ratted yourself out."

Gabriel stomped his feet stubbornly, refusing to move an inch with Malcolm yelling at him to stop stalling.

"You either move or they drag you, but I'm getting you there and after, I'm getting the confession out of you."

"You're not a priest, so, why should I confess to you?" Was the retort, as he pushed back against the force propelling him.

"Move, you fat cow!"

"You move, brother of a fat cow."

"If you don't move, I'll have them knock you out first and drag your unconscious body there."

"I refuse to be manhandled like this!"

"Then cooperate!"

Aggravated, Malcolm signalled for the men to hijack Gabriel by both arms, lifting him off his feet effortlessly. Determined to not yield to rash force, he nudged the huge man imprisoning his hand, then tried it with the other hand when he didn't budge.

"Once I get out of these, I'll use your face as my punching bag. I promise you," he seethed, his nostrils flaring as Malcolm snorted, chuckling at his predicament.

Struggling, pulling and dragging his feet coupled with occasional insults and jeers at his brother, they arrived the double doors at the opposite end from where they exited from. Appalled when the men didn't ease their hold on him, he panicked.

"Malcolm, this childish game of yours has gone too far. Tell them to release me now, or else my retribution would be far worse than you've ever imagined."

"What you're saying are empty threats. You can't do anything to me anymore, not with my bodyguards around, so I suggest you shut up and allow them to escort you inside like the good older brother that you are."

"I can give you my prototype for our next production conference," he claimed, realising the only way out of this mess was to yield. That is, if his pride would let him.

"I thought you said we should stop doing those and focus on impressing father some other way."

"Well, I lied." Was his simple explanation. "Haven't you ever lied before?"

"You hypocrite!" Malcolm spluttered. "This is even more reason to throw you inside, sef."

"You know what? Forget that offer, let's do this instead. I'll tell the board to neglect the allegations thrown at Jed, but you know that won't get him reinstated immediately."

Malcolm gave his signal to the men who made a step forward.

"Fine! I'll tell the board that Greg is only making assumptions about Jed based on what I told him. Come on, even you know I'm trying here."

"I want the whole truth, Gabriel."

They reached out and pushed the door open and stepped forward.

"Alright, fine. I'll admit to committing the said 'crime' and taking all the blame. Does that make you happy?"

"Yes, very much."

"And you'll forgive Greg for listening to me and allow him to keep his job?"

"Absolutely. Now that we have an agreement, gentlemen, let him go."

Releasing him, he staggered slightly before dropping to the floor in a heap, buttocks first. Glaring at the huge mountains that were Malcolms' bully mechanism, he huffed and stood to his feet, dusting himself. Glancing at his watch, he muttered a string of curses before glowering at his younger brother.

"I'll get back at you for this, you'll see."

Choosing to exercise his power some more, Malcolm stretched out his foot and drew a line that demarcated them. Smirking at Gabriel, he taunted,

"If you're sure you aren't scared, I dare you to cross this line."

His face contorted into an ugly sneer as he purposely placed a feet on the invisible line. Stepping back, he adjusted his blazer and his cuffs before pushing the door wider to step in. Malcolm followed him, and was immediately taken in for a surprise.

He had barely made it past the door when the voice of Mr. Jang rang out booming from the speakers attached to the walls.

"Based on the evidences presented to this board, I would find the 'accused' guilty of said crime. However, his professional work has been notable, which is why he would be given a six months leave without pay. In his absence, a new assistant shall be appointed.

"In lieu of this development, the board has reached an agreement. With the Chairman's approval and signature, Miss Adannaya Ugboaja has been appointed as Mr. Malcolm's temporary personal assistant. She is to begin work immediately."

Shocked by the news, his mind wandered. He remembered her perfectly. Adannaya Ugboaja was a sex goddess. In fact, he may have had feelings for her at one time, despite her being in love with his elder brother, but that was a flaw in his personality he could not erase no matter how much he tried.

Ada and Gabriel had been an item when she was still in the university. They had even planned for a wedding only for Gabriel to stumble upon her naked in bed with a close 'friend' of hers. When she couldn't handle the shame, -being from an influential family like theirs- she had left the country, and as far as he knew, she was supposed to be in the States getting her MBA degree.

Why, then, was she here at this precise moment? What was Gabriel up to?

Malcolm frowned, watching as Gabriel made his way to the front to honor their agreement. Out of the blues, he was overcome with doubts when his eyes darted between a beaming Ada and a forlorn-looking Jed. Malcolm sighed audibly, not sure if he should be happy with the new development or not. Ada was a beautiful and intelligient woman who would uphold work ethics till her dying breath, but Jed was a loyal minion who did what needed to be done without questions. He hated his options right now.

Gabriel snatched the microphone out of Mr. Jangs' grip and brought it to his lips, forcing the committee made up of Greg, Jed, Ada, and three executives to glare at him.

"Pardon the intrusion, but, I came here to announce that there has been a slight mistake concerning the personal assistant issue," Gabriel spoke, looking apologetically at his assistant.

"Greg made a terrible mistake switching his theories about his attack with my letter asking for an inquiry into Mr. Jed's bank account records. The purpose of that request was to fish out untrustworthy employees, and I'm glad it was taken into consideration, since Mr. Jed's financial report came back with queries. I believe you said siphoning of funds, Mr. Jang?"

"Yes, that's what I said, and that's why we agreed on the leave. Will you stop beating around the bush and get to the point of why you interrupted this meeting?"

Malcolms' mouth dropped when he understood what Gabriel had done all along. He had convinced his assistant to follow up the attack with a suspect in mind, a suspect that was already on the Company's blacklist for other crimes. The rule of order here was to let one man take the fall for all crimes in order to protect the company's image. Jed might never work in Asika holdings again. Or any other company for that matter.

He focused his fireballs on his brother, wishing he could incinerate him on the spot. Gabriel had played him yet again, acting it out perfectly. How could he have been so blind?

"No, there's no need for that anymore. I believe my brother has understood what is going on here."

Feeling himself a fool, his blood boiling over, Malcolm watched with rage as Gabriel straightened to stare at him, a devillish smirk playing on his lips, and his eyes danced with the question he had posed earlier.

What will you do?

Fists curled, teeth clenched, Malcolm turned and marched out the boardroom, one destination in mind. He would not be humiliated like this ever again, he swore savagely.

The game is on, he decided, making his way steadily for the tenth floor.

~~~~~~~~

Dun! Dun!! Dun!!!

If you noticed Gabriels' ploy to escape his crime, signify by raising your hand.

Out of the blues, a girl Gabriel was acquainted with in the past is Malcolms' personal assistant. I smell something fishy.

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