The Devil's Harem

Chapter - 85

Matthew led Martha inside the building. They walked across corridors and made their way in one of the rooms way back in the building, which read, 'Store Room.'

God knows why but suspiciously, there was a bookshelf in the storeroom. Matthew walked to the bookshelf and slightly pulled a few books one after the other. After he was done, the bookshelf moved, and an elevator was in sight.

Matthew pressed the button, and as the elevator door opened, Martha followed Matthew inside. After they were in, Matthew pressed the red button and continued to do so, for about five seconds.

After that, the control panel switched, and another panel appeared. The manual panel was changed with a touchscreen one with no buttons there. Matthew bent forward and scanned his iris. After the identity was confirmed, a numerical keypad appeared, and Matthew entered some digits. When he was done, the elevator began to descend.

"You have done some great work in terms of security? I wanted to commend you for that, but you were not here in the morning," Martha said, "But... Is it really needed?" Martha asked.

"I am sure you know the importance of Chief's presence here in this city. It took us years to build this safe house. I can't show you around because of the protocols. But I can assure you, this is the centre of all the operations of our organization as of right now," Matthew assured Martha.

"You don't need to tell me anything. I know all about this. But you should change that bookshelf to something else. It looks suspicious," Martha smiled, "Let's hurry up. If possible, I would like to get back soon to Alex," Martha said.

"Yes, ma'am. But you don't need to worry about him. We always have someone stalk around Alex," Matthew assured Martha, “You can rest assured.”

"I know that, but they won't know if he is feeling well or not," Martha expressed her concerns.

Matthew smiled when he heard Martha, "Don't worry, I will arrange for something right now."

** Ding!

Martha nodded and stepped out of the elevator, followed by Matthew, who continued to text on the phone.

They stopped in front of a room, and Matthew opened the door for Martha. As she entered, George was right there.

"You are here?" George, who was sitting on the chair beside a bed, stood up and asked, "I am really sorry for all the trouble."

"Don't be. Did he wake up?" Martha asked, pointing at the man lying unconscious on the bed. He had an IV and pouch of blood attached to her veins while several machines monitored his organs.

"He woke up once but passed out soon enough because of the pain," George told her.

Martha nodded, "It was expected."

Martha handed over her bag to George and walked up to the man. She held his wrist and checked his pulse. Then she looked at the readings on the instruments and checked his reports one by one.

"All his vitals are improving. From what I feel, it's the fatigue and blood loss keeping him asleep. He will wake up soon, but he will be in a lot of pain when he does. Here are some medicines which might help him endure it when he is awake," Martha said as she wrote some medicines on the back of the examination report and handed it over to George. George took it and further passed it on to Matthew.

"It's all because of you that we were able to save him. I don't know what I would have done if not for you," George said and sat back on the chair. He was visibly tired, not this usual jolly and energetic.

"Come on, don't stress yourself on the trivial stuff," Martha said as she picked up her bag, "Look, I have brought food for you. Come and have something first. Matthew, you too" Martha started placing the small food boxes on the table one after the other.

"I am alright, ma'am," Matthew tried to excuse himself humbly.

"I don't like repeating myself," Martha didn't even look at him and ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Matthew was quick to acknowledge.

"You have left, but you, the legend remains," George laughed as he said.

"What can I say?" Martha was proud as she shrugged.

"How is Alex?" George asked.

"His fever is down now. Well, let me tell you something funny," Martha said.

"Well, I could certainly use something to lighten my mood," George told her.

"Well, what happened was---" Martha told him what happened after she reached home.

"Hahaha... I am sure you appeared in front of him at the wrong time. I know him. He does not have the guts to do something like this. He is a blot on the name of Rutherford's". George made fun of Alex, receiving the eerie of Martha.

"Hey, don't talk about my son like this, I am telling you, he is the best son one could hope for," Martha rebuked George in front of Matthew without leaving him any face.

"Fine... fine... I won't say anything about your darling son. Leave me some face. I have some respect here among my subordinates," George said, eyeing Matthew.

Matthew just busied himself with the food. He was not going to get involved in a skirmish between husband and wife.

"There is more," Martha continued, "Just before I was about to leave for here. He asked me to tighten my leash around you."

"Huh... Why is that?" George was interested in knowing.

"He said..." Martha looked at George with keen eyes, "You might be cheating on me."

"...Ough... Ough... Auh..." George almost choked on his food when he heard Martha. Matthew hurriedly got up from his seat and gently patted on his back while Martha poured water for him.

"Are you alright?" Martha asked, handing him the glass.

"Uhh..." George drank the water in large gulps, "It's nothing... I think something... uhh... got into my windpipe." George said and gently punched his chest.

"What's the hurry? Sit down and eat slowly," Martha said.

"Umm... Eeahhh..."

The man lying unconscious on the bed let out small moans of pain as he woke up.

'Thank god,' George looked up the ceiling. Martha, George and Matthew left the food and walked up to him.

"Peter... Peter... Are you alright? Can you hear me?" George asked as he lightly shook the man.

"George?" The man whispered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I didn't expect you to come," Alex said as he bought a glass of water and handed it to Margaret.

Just when Alex opened the door to leave for Margaret's house, she was there standing in front of him in her black off-shoulder top and tight blue jeans. Alex happily invited her in.

"I was out strolling when I saw Martha leave," Margaret said, "I thought it was another emergency. So I decided to..."

"Continue where we left?" Alex asked with a smirk as he leaned forward a bit towards Margaret.

"Not that... I thought... I mean... I should... as your... lov... I mean neighbour should check... on..." Margaret found it hard to continue with Alex inching closer to him with each word she spoke and almost had a slip of tongue, "Alex, you... you are too close," Martha said.

"But not close enough," Alex said, "We have been closer before."

"That was different," Margaret managed to say.

"Why? Because you were taking the lead?" Alex asked, "You enjoyed teasing me and playing with me, but now look at you, acting like a scared little kitten."

Alex words caught Margaret by surprise. He was not polite or formal with her, but rather casual, or to be precise, he was dominant. Margaret backed off a little.

"Since you are alright. I think you should leave," Margaret said and stood up to leave.

"What's the rush?" Alex asked. Alex grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her towards him. Now Alex was lying on the couch with Margaret on top of him.

He gently pulled her hair behind her ear and looked at her with a smile, gentle and calming enough to destroy all the barriers.

"I have been waiting for this for a long time," Alex said as he slowly pulled Margaret towards him and captured her lips in one fell swoop. He didn't even give her time to think.

With her eyes wide open, all she could do was look at Alex in shock while Alex, on the other hand, enjoyed her strawberry flavoured lips with his eyes closed.

* * * * *