Old Jack

Earlier in the day…….

Going down the stairs,Grant paused a bit,relishing the feelings that coursed through him a moment ago.

It was….special in a way.

Sure,being the CEO of one of America's largest companies was there any kind of lady he hadn't seen or met? Definitely not!

From those that were extremely beautiful to those who were rich, powerful and influential,he had met them all. Coupled with his other,hidden identity he was not boasting if he said no woman could move him as even those powerful women with nation toppling beauty received no more than the perfunctory exchange of greetings before dove into business.

To him he had always believed that all women were the same–either out for his money or trying to rise up the social ladder with his influence.He had always been correct,that was until today.

That lady was…..different.

What happened on the stairs a while ago,how many times it had happened,he couldn't count as some ladies actually went as far as staging the whole thing.

Typical Cinderella storyline(no pun intended hehe).However,they were always given a harsh scolding before they retreated in shame.

But that lady… when she fell he instinctively reached out to save her before he had even thought about it.

Considering how distanced he was from his emotions,he was surprised when he grasped her wrist as the normal him would have just….looked on, but that girl…. there was just something different about that girl.

And boy was he right,the moment they locked eyes a heartfelt feeling ran through him with the force of a charging bull.

His first thought was;”Oh my God!"

The second was; “ This must definitely be a divine being descended!"

From her enthralling beauty,to her soul locking almost ethereal blue eyes,everything just seemed magical.

She was unlike any woman he had met and probably will ever meet.

“Oh damnit.”

Snapping his fingers he remembered that he didn't have a means of contacting her.

As the situation was somewhat awkward then,he forgot to collect her contact details.

Time was tight or else he might have gone back to find her.

“Well since she was going up and from the way she's dressed,she probably is working here. I'll be seeing her around then.” He thought as he walked down the stairs into the car waiting for him.

Right now he had something serious to attend to.

………….

“Bye bye Gina,see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Angelina, be a good girl and take good care of yourself when you get home.” Gina replied in that her motherly-like tone causing Angelina to give a mock reply while rolling her eyes at her.

“Alright mama, Angelina will be good and listen to your instructions.”

Gina chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes. "You're such a goofball, Angelina. I'm just looking out for you."

Angelina smiled, shouldering her bag. "I know, Gina. You're the best. See you tomorrow!"

As she walked out of the office building, the cool evening air enveloped her. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, leaving the stress of the day behind.

The day had been hectic and she felt a sincere need to relax,however, relaxation was not on her to-do list right now.Even though she really wanted to just go home and collapse on her bed like a sack of potatoes till the next day,she couldn't!

She had to make a trip to the grocery store at Jenny's to grab some supplies as her refrigerator was looking dry.

“How nice would it have been if I won that last bet with Tonia,then I wouldn't have to make the grocery run.”Angelina grumbled, imagining the convenience of having someone else handle the grocery. Tonia, her roommate, would have taken care of it if Angelina had emerged victorious.

Originally,Angelina lived alone in her two bedroom apartment,however,as the apartment was really spacious she sometimes felt lonely.So on one fateful Saturday morning she sudenly decided to rent out the extra space.

Posting an ad on a popular roommate-finding website, she received a DM after just half an hour of posting. Surprised, she responded and they scheduled a meeting that same day to know each other and negotiate on the price, immediately the met they knew they were destined roommates and by that evening,Tonia's last suitcase made it's way into her house.

“Or technically OUR house now.” She thought as she flagged a cab.

“Where to ma'am?”the cabbie asked.

“Just drop me at Crimrow avenue.”

“Okey dokey!”

……….

Forty-five minutes later, Angelina stood outside the grocery store, her right hand grasping two enormous shopping bags.

One bag was hers while the other was given to her by a kind old lady in the store after she maxed out her bag's storage. Without it, she'd have been hard-pressed to make it home.

Instead of heading home however, Angelina had a detour in mind. She walked for five minutes, arriving at a dimly lit alleyway. The sun's descent had transformed the area into a foreboding shadowland, the kind of place where one might expect to be mugged or ambushed–bad guy area in simple terms.

Undeterred,Angelina ventured into the alley, her footsteps echoing off the walls. She let out a low, five second whistle, breaking the silence.

Approximately five seconds later a sharp, responding whistle came from behind a dumpster. Angelina smiled as a disheveled,homeless man emerged from behind the truck.

"Hey Old Jack,how's life treating you? I got your message this morning,you know it almost caused me to arrive late for work."

Old Jack's weathered face creased into a toothy grin as he scratched his head.  "Haha, sorry 'bout that, but you came, didn't ya? and what I have is crucial information you know."

Angelina closed in, rummaging through one of the shopping bags. She pulled out a smaller, brown paper-wrapped package and handed it to old Jack.

"Yeah I know crucial info this and that what's the info about anyway?" she asked, curiosity etched on her face.

Old Jack's eyes gleamed as he accepted the package, unwrapping it to reveal a stack of sandwiches, fruits, and a bottle of liquor.

"Thanks, kiddo. You always know how to take care of me," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Taking a bite of a sandwich, Jack's expression turned serious.

“It's concerning the recent chain of murders.”

Immediately,Angelina's face turned intent.

"You've got leads?”

Old Jack swallowed while nodding gravely;" Yeah,yesterday I chanced upon some shady looking Mafia guys at the park,they seemed to be discussing about some “Al Capone” and how they've been eliminating those traitors. Curious I trailed behind them for a while before overhearing them talk about a ‘mission’ tonight at an abandoned complex tonight.”

" Al Capone,hmmm."

So where is this place?”asked Angelina.

" I think they said it's on the outskirts,what was the name again…… I'm getting old–haha,the old Terramix shopping complex!

Angelina's grip on her shopping bag tightened.

"Time?" she asked, her voice firm.

If am not mistaken,it should be around past ten.”

Rising up, Angelina turned to Old Jack her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks a lot,Ireally appreciate your efforts, I'd have loved to stay a while longer but I have to get going now."

Jacob nodded, his weathered face creasing into a warm smile. "Be careful, kiddo. Remember they are the mafia, they're ruthless people who aren't to be trifled with."

Angelina nodded, shouldering the two shopping bags.

"I will."

With a final nod, Angelina turned and walked away from the alley, disappearing into the evening shadows.

Looking at her retreating figure Old Jack muttered to himself;”Was I wrong back then by telling her? But she deserved to know the truth behind his death.Sigh…may the Lord be with her.” With that he vanished back into the darkness while munching on his sandwich.