"Anyways, I'm just gonna make this quick for you, I won't be taking much of your time," Hussaini exhaled and began, "And I hope that you'd understand what I'm about to explain to you considering you're majoring in business."

"Shoot," I instructed impatiently.

"As you already know how we've always run our operations efficiently. We had our stocks, we cleared them within the deadline and we'd never fall back on our supplies. But recently, I noticed that there's been a lag in our distribution network. They're no longer complying to our flow chart, so our revenue declined immensely due to that," he elaborated.

"Carry on," I said sternly.

"We investigated deep within our operational chain of command and found something odd. Apparently our Chief Logistics Officer went AWOL for a couple of months. So, that's why we came here and would like to enquire if you'd happen to know of his whereabouts," he continued.

"You won't find him here," I responded briskly. "I got fired and he walked out on me a couple of months ago so I absolutely have no idea where he's been."

"Well, that's startling news. I thought you're his spark of joy," he gaped at me.

"Apparently I'm not anymore. I just extinguished his merriment," I answered sarcastically. "Anyways, we're no longer taking interest over each other's whereabouts. So I am sorry that I'm not much of a help but I have no idea where he is right now."

"There's definitely something you know," he insisted. "Take your time to recall anything pertinent that would lead him to his current location. We don't mind staying here all day if we have to."

"If you want to squeeze the juice out of me, by all means go ahead," I growled. "But breaking into my house for some answers that I don't have is an absolute futile because I'm running out of juice to offer you."

"Be careful with your words, young lady," Hussaini's patience wearing thin. "We are an expert extractor and we can squeeze areas you never thought you'd know, especially in that sac of yours."

He reached out for my belly but I managed to recoil. I jumped out of the sofa and looked down at him. "Don't touch me, sir. I don't think the person you're looking for would approve that either."

"Why would I respect him if he doesn't even respect me?!" he outraged. "Why should I comply with his demands? He's a bloody coward for quitting his job without tendering."

"I wish I could agree to you but apparently I want no part of it," I said unenthusiastically. "You can find other avenues to search for him. Use the available technology for a start, you may find wonders with the tracking app that is available out there."

"I'm not a tech savvy person, kid," he roiled, getting annoyed with my cynicism. "Nobody can get out of me easily, not even you. If I don't get anything from you, I'll gladly use you as a bargaining chip."

"So this is what I am for? His bargaining chip?" I creased my brows in vexation. "Just like how you use your wife as bargaining chip?"

"Don't you dare talk about my wife, you slut!" he fumed, taking me by my throat and slammed me to the wall next to me. I tried to balance myself on to the centre of gravity but the tossing was impulsive and beyond my reflexes that I ricocheted helplessly and fell onto the floor. Although impact from the hit was bearable, it triggered the soreness of my body especially below my torso.

I felt a bearable pain stinging my womb as my breathing suppressed. His men then lifted me by both arms, levitating me where my feet weren't able to touch the floorboard. I groaned and winced, trying to endure the consequences of his wrath for bringing up the past. Hussaini looked at me in devastation, feeling disappointed for not being able to find the answers he wanted.

"Next time watch your tongue, kid. I'm known for reaping people's lives and body parts. Don't make me reap yours," he fired, slowly moving his bloodshot eyes down towards my torso. "I think I know a way to get him out of his hideout."

He glanced over his shoulder, signalling for Mark with his cocked head which Mark understood immediately. He took a few steps back, allowing Mark to immediately emerge and swooshing his karambit knife under my belly button, slashing the layers of my shirt and leggings before penetrating into my flesh for a long deep cut wound. I gasped out of shock and wasn't prepared to retaliate to his attack. I froze for a second before slowly realising the inflammatory stinging around my pelvic area from the slitting. When the throbbing grew tenacious, I felt pain that I've ever experienced before, more agonizing than falling from the zinc roof at the car wash, more excruciating than the beatings of Cane and Mark at the warehouse. I slumped onto the floor, trying to stop the blood from gushing out and drenching my clothes.

I coughed vehemently to a vomit before cagily looked down at my bleeding stomach and screamed in confusion and pain. I forced my head tilting towards Hussani, withholding the anguish throbbing in my stomach. "You bastard!" I barked.

Hussaini ordered the rest to leave while Mark took out his phone to dial a number before he handed it over to his boss.

"Yes, emergency. There's been a stabbing," Hussaini spoke to the dispatcher on the other line. "330, Maine Road. And please, hurry. I think she might have had a miscarriage."