123 A Compulsion
After attending the new recruiting ceremony, Marcel returned to the top floor again. As usual, he was accompanied by Kenny Brown who always walked beside him. They were directed to the accounting team office which was on the third floor.
As soon as Kenny entered the door of the large room with several desks, everyone there immediately stood up and bowed respectfully. All members of the RJC knew that Kenny Brown was the Major or the number two position holder in the big group.
But what surprised them all even more was another man followed behind the man with the ponytail. That was Marcel Douglas, the leader of RJC who rarely even entered the accounting office. This made all the employees look at each other with confused faces mixed with tension. There must be a big problem coming.
Kenny immediately approached Andy Tan, who was the head of the accounting division. It was the man who used to provide Kenny with final financial reports and consult on RJC’s financial matters. Now, he became very tense when the figure of Marcel Douglas also approached him.
“We want to see the most updated financial reports to date,” Kenny said.
“Right.. right now?” Andy stammered again. But he didn’t need an answer from the big man’s mouth. Just from the look in his sharp eyes, he already knew that the man didn’t accept any excuses.
“Everyone! Get your latest reports out!” Andy commanded all his staff.
“Ok!” The ten staff behind the desk with the computer, replied simultaneously.
Then, within five minutes, Andy had the latest data requested by his boss. After that, Kenny took the collection of papers given by Andy and passed it to Marcel. “Now, I want you to explain this report to Boss,” Kenny said.
.....
Andy gulped before taking a deep breath and starting to explain, “This week’s expenses have swelled tenfold. It’s because of the addition of new members which has increased the cost and salary. The special martial arts training for the members also takes quite a large fee. Due to the nominal deposit for the Black Hole which is also increasing, making income and expenditure unbalanced, so we have to put our hands into the cash depository.”
Marcel remained silent as he looked at several sheets of paper which showed several graphic images, numbers, and various details that he found quite confusing. However, that didn’t mean Marcel didn’t understand the report. He just didn’t like the look of it.
Kenny nodded slightly at Andy whose face looked a little pale from having to face the leader face to face and being forced to tell such very bad news. Then, Marcel stepped out of the room with Kenny following him. Everyone in the accounting room immediately rose to their feet and bowed respectfully again to their two superiors.
“We have to talk about this, Marcel,” Kenny said by closing the room door.
“I know.” Replied the tall man in the white shirt with the unbuttoned buttons to reveal half of his muscular chest. He stepped firmly into the special meeting room which was on the same floor.
“Until today, I have received reports of three attacks in our territory. Two of them were from the Creeper group. It seems that they also have felt pressured so they are getting desperate.” Kenny said once they were both sitting side by side at a large table surrounded by a few chairs.
Marcel didn’t answer, just gritted his teeth with a thoughtful face.
“Marcel, your decision to add members was not wrong, because we really need it. But with expenses that have swelled to that much, of course, we have to double our income. Otherwise, RJC will be the next Hell Gate.” Kenny continued with a serious face.
The Major understood very well how important the money was. And, he was also not stupid to know a fact that, indeed, they could handle one or five members who want to leave the group. But they wouldn’t be able to control the hundred or so members who force their way out. Obviously, a group would have many members because of their good financial condition. But if they go bankrupt, they could not expect the members to share the misery together. Because, basically, loyalty was only owned by a handful of people. The rest were only concerned with their respective advantages.
“I’ll think about it,” Marcel said by standing up.
But before the man left, Kenny held his hand, “I hope you still remember my input yesterday. Please consider it. Actually, I represent the guys.” he said.
Marcel stared at Kenny for a moment then nodded, “Go get some rest. Tell the accounting department too. It’s getting late.”
Kenny sighed softly then bowed respectfully, “Sure, Boss.”
The bedroom door opened, providing a view of several blocks of road covered in snow that was still pouring down. Marcel stepped over to the window that ran along the walls of his room. Again, tears slowly rolled down his cheeks. Tears he couldn’t hold back. Are those tears a sign of weakness? Or did the tears signify how heavy a burden he could no longer bear? He didn’t know which.
Marcel Douglas, a man who had lost many things in his life. Now, he had many things to protect. Moves in a lie to protect the feelings of the person he loved. Doing things he didn’t want to do to keep his promise to his older brother who had left the mortal world. Had to struggle with the trauma that kept feeding him.
He leaned his back against the cold glass. His knees couldn’t hold it anymore, so he slowly slumped down to sit on the floor. Alone, without being able to express what he felt to anyone. Have to face all the trials alone.
“What should I do? I shouldn’t do it, right? This is called breaking a promise, right? Am I right, Jack? Then what should I do? I don’t know what to do..” He sobbed.
It seemed like crying was the only thing Marcel could do to keep himself from going crazy. Cry alone at night, but must become a strong Marcel Douglas and be feared in front of people. Every night, Marcel always imagined a vision that would never happen. An image if Jack was still by his side. The two of them would protect their grandmother and their dreams together. Like a man who had two legs, so he could stand sturdy. Not like Marcel who now had to stand alone, supporting everything alone.
***
“What? B-but.. why did it go up so much?” Asked the middle-aged man who was standing in front of two tall men in black coats.
One of the men who had a bald head nodded, “Sorry, Sir. There’s been a lot of spending lately. So, our boss was forced to increase the deposit fee.” he said.
“I see. B.. but.. It’s tripled. That’s too much..” He mumbled as he looked again at the circular letter he was holding.
Suddenly, a tall man in a light brown coat appeared. The two black-cloaked men immediately stepped aside while bowing their heads respectfully.
“Boss.. W-why is this..” The old man gave a pitiful look.
“Things around this street are in a state of dire. Because of that, we have to pay more to protect this street. I hope you understand. If you refuse, then we will stop protecting this street and you guys may please defend yourself.” Marcel said with a straight face and both hands tucked in the pockets of his long coat.
“B.. but this..” The man was still muttering with a scarred face. He thought about how the sustainability of his business if the deposit money had to be this big. Meanwhile, he had four children who were still in school and a sick mother. “C-can you give me a little relief? You.. you know how my family’s condition is, right?”
“Everyone has their own problem. And, it’s their responsibility to solve it. I’ve generalized the costs for each shop. No one will be privileged here.” Marcel said before leaving the shop that sold various processed chickens. Then, he got into his car door which Kenny had opened.
Kenny walked briskly to the driver’s door and got in, then, he started the engine. He had nothing to say to the leader. He knew he was in a bad mood.
Kenny had known Marcel for a long time. He had received a mandate from Jack Douglas to protect his younger brother. He knew how the two brothers were doing. He knew how much trouble they had to go through to get to this point. But now, Jack was gone. He left Marcel alone to carry out all the responsibilities of their dream come true. But, it seemed fate was playing tricks on them again.. No.. it was no longer them, but only Marcel Douglas.
Marcel and Jack had promised to protect Redvalley Street, the place where they grew up. Protect all the citizens and shops there. However, because of the current problem, Marcel was forced to make a tough decision. Now, he looked like any other gangster who extorts the people who live within his territory.
At first, Marcel had thought about increasing the Underground Cave entrance ticket, which they had previously increased in the same month. However, based on the results of the discussion, the RJC core team suggested not to increase the ticket price again. If the price was too high, the place would have lost a lot of guests. It was more fatal because the Underground Cave was their main source of income. If the place went bankrupt, the RJC would have been finished.
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