The Devil's Harem

“Veronica?” Alex looked at Jessica in confusion.

“You know her. She is...” Jessica thought Alex did not remember who Veronica was.

“I know who she is,” Alex stopped Jessica, “But aren’t you like the big boss of Theation?” Alex asked.

Hearing Alex, Jessica sighed, “There is always someone holding a knife by your neck.”

Alex smiled. He could see the helplessness on her face, but she was not unhappy about it. In a sense, Veronica’s constant gibberish added spice to her dull life. And to be fair to Veronica, when she brought this topic up, Jessica did not put much of a resistance to the idea.

After Alex got back from his trip, Veronica was everywhere. Every time he switched on the television, Jessica was there. If Alex decided to watch a video, she was there in the advertisements. He left the house, and there she was on the hoardings. Everyone wanted to outdo the others when it came to Veronica. There were even discussions on if she had ever peed while in the shower.

.....

With such a ridiculous amount of promotion, Alex could not help but want to know more about Veronica. So he had Mary Jane compile everything she could find on Veronica and bring it to him. Alex was beginning to regret not agreeing with Veronica, even if that was a joke. At least he would have planted this seed in her mind.

On the other hand, similar was t e case for Veronica. She had always been looking for Alex, wanting to come across him one more time. She wanted to cross paths with him again someday after that meeting in the elevator. Jessica personally went on to look for Alex after the latter saved her brother from destroying his budding career and landing up in jail. She did not know that the two of them were the same person, but she was always looking forward to meeting him.

And after they parted ways in the hotel lobby in Ullu, Abir told her that he was the same Alex who had helped him during that predicament. Now wasn’t it convenient? Instead of looking for two different persons, she has to just observe one. Veronica was not like Jessica. She had nothing against men. She very much wanted to fall in love, go on dates and do everything a couple would do, but she had one condition, she had to find the person intriguing. And so far, only a few men have been able to make her curious. But after going on dates with some, the number dropped significantly. In the end, they all wanted one and the same thing on the first date. But this did not stop Veronica from hoping for the best.

So when she was offered this new project, being a minority shareholder in the company, she was present in the meeting where they discussed the possible partners in the new project. Most of them wanted to stick with their frequent collaborators, but Veronica, out of nowhere, put forward the name of ‘AR Entertainment’.

This was followed by a moment of silence before some of those present burst into laughter while others looked confused. Those who were confused had never heard of such a company, while those who laughed tried to ridicule Veronica. It was because of the resentment they had against her. Many of them had tried to pursue her in the past but were cut down to size in the most brutal of ways. However beautiful Veronica may be, after crushing their pride, she just could not expect them to move on. So they have been waiting for such an opportunity to humiliate her.

“I have said it time and again. People should stick to what they are good at,” one of the men said, “Or try not to pretend smart.”

“Acting a CEO behind the camera does not make you one,” someone else ridiculed Veronica.

“If not for her pretty face, she is no good than the dishwasher I have at home,” another man was even harsher.

Veronica listened to their ridicule, but the smile on her did not fade even a bit. Smiling, she continued to look at Jessica, waiting for her to intervene.

“I agree.” Jessica finally said.

The smile on the faces of the men bloomed even further. They were here on behalf of their families. Every project of Veronica’s was a big deal that the shareholders paid attention to. So despite the Theation hierarchy being filled with ladies, most of those in the meeting were men and arrogant ones at that.

“We should...” the first man tried to ride the wave but was interrupted by Jessica.

“I think Veronica is right. We need to have more and more partners to reduce our dependence on a limited few.” Jessica said, “This will also send them the message to not act out of line. Everyone is replaceable.”

“BAM!” As soon as Jessica spoke, Veronica slapped the table hard and walked out of the room, giving them a one-finger salute. Her job here was done, and she had no desire to continue bickering with the scums anymore.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“So, how about you tell me more about this project of yours?” Alex asked Jessica. There was no use talking about Veronica. They should rather focus on the business.

Nodding, Jessica looked at Daniel, who pulled out a thick folder and put it in front of Alex. That was some really thick and heavy folder.

Alex grabbed the folder, “Can’t even carry their own weight,” and ignoring the grudgingly looking Jessica, started to go through it.

What followed after that was a series of talks lasting for about half an hour, and by the time Jessica and Daniel walked out, Alex was brimming from ear to ear while Jessica had her face withered. Daniel, on the other hand, was nothing but a confused soul all along with this meeting. Alex was clearly taking advantage of them, and there were better deals in the market, but just because of the constant use of the term ungrateful, Jessica accepted almost everything Alex asked for.

“Let’s have a long-lasting collaboration,” As they walked out of the room, Alex extended his hand toward Jessica. He was very happy with the outcome.

“Long my foot,” Jessica was getting sick of that smiling face. Smacking his hand, she walked away, stamping her foot. Daniel was left alone with Alex.

“I don’t know what is going on, but that was really cold-hearted of you,” Daniel said and patting Alex on his shoulder, he also followed behind Jessica.

With both of them gone, when Alex looked around him, everyone was looking at him with questioning gazes.

“What?” Alex shrugged, looking at them, “Can’t I even take advantage of someone in business?”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Sir, we have searched every nook and corner of the city, but he is nowhere,” Matthew walked up into a room and said to George, who sat there, smoking a cigar.

“... I think he shipped away on an illegal boat. We are currently trying to locate and gather all those involved in illegal trafficking,” Matthew continued to report. He had hoped that George would say something or instruct him to do something, but George just sat there silently puffing his cigar.

Matthew stood there for a while, waiting for the cigar to smother, when George asked in a deep, contemplating tone, “Where is that girl? What was her name...?”

“Jessica?” Matthew guessed.

“Hmmm... Where is she right now?” George nodded.

“She is in Elenor. In fact, she met Alex today.” Matthew told George. After the incident, Matthew has been keeping an eye on her.

George turned towards Matthew and asked, “Why? Is something going on between them?”

“It should be related to business,” Matthew told George, “Jessica went on to meet with Alex without an appointment. And a couple of days back, there was this meeting in Theation where they decided to partner up with our company for their next project.”

George nodded, hearing Matthew, “How many like Jessica are under our watch?” He asked.

“In Elenor?” Matthew confirmed.

“No, overall, in the country.”

“There are thirty-two families, with all of them asking for at the very least two kids to be under surveillance,” Matthew replied.

“Do you like it?” George asked.

“It’s just a job, sir. Nothing to like or dislike about.” Matthew answered.

“But I don’t like how they treat us as some pushovers because we are babysitting their tweenie weenie sperm blossoms,” George stretched back on his chair and said. He had been in this room since the moment that old hunchback assassin ran away from the safe house.

Since the safe house was exposed, within an hour, they changed locations, but that prick in his heart won’t go away. He could not stop thinking about the words Jessica’s father used to threaten him with. He knew that the old man won’t be able to do a thing, but he hurt his ego.

“They have been the patrons of the organisation for very long, sir,” Matthew could sense what George was thinking, “Going against them won’t be the best thing to do at this moment.”

“But they should be shown their place,” George said, “And that, my head is not their place to dance upon.”

“Sir...”

* * * * *