THE DEVIL’S HEART
The Devil’s Heart – Chapter 26
(Her possessive devil)
©Goodness Okoye
_____________________________________________
Hazard’s eyes narrowed.
Wayne stepped closer.
“You’re not protecting August,” Wayne said.
“You’re protecting Pispa.”
Hazard remained silent.
But Wayne had already figured it out.
“That means you want her too.”
The words hung heavily in the air.
Wayne chuckled.
“This just got much more interesting.”
Hazard’s voice was calm but dangerous.
“You will not claim her.”
Wayne tilted his head.
“Try and stop me.”
Outside, thunder rumbled in the distance.
Two rivals.
One woman.
And neither of them planned to lose.
The thunder outside growled louder.
Hazard and Wayne stood inches apart in the office.
Neither man moved.
Neither man blinked.
Wayne’s smile was slow and mocking.
“So,” he said quietly.
“You really want her.”
Hazard’s expression didn’t change.
But his voice turned dangerously calm.
“Stay away from Pispa.”
Wayne laughed softly.
“You keep repeating that like it’s an order.”
Hazard leaned slightly closer.
“It is.”
Wayne’s eyes darkened.
“You forget something, Hazard.”
He stepped around the desk.
“I don’t take orders from you anymore.”
Silence.
Then Wayne added slowly—
“And I don’t lose.”
Hazard’s jaw tightened.
“You already lost once.”
Wayne stopped walking.
The air turned cold.
“You’re talking about the past.”
Hazard’s voice was sharp.
“You’re the reason people died.”
Wayne smirked.
“And you’re the reason August’s father is dead.”
Hazard’s eyes flashed with anger.
Wayne watched him carefully.
“Oh?”
He smiled.
“Did that hit a nerve?”
Hazard’s fists slowly clenched.
“Be careful what lies you spread.”
Wayne chuckled.
“You should be careful about the secrets you hide.”
Hazard suddenly grabbed Wayne by the collar.
The chair behind Wayne crashed to the floor.
“Say another word,” Hazard said quietly, “and I’ll end this right now.”
Wayne didn’t look afraid.
In fact…
He looked amused.
“You see?”
Wayne whispered
.
“That’s the real you.”
Hazard shoved him away.
Wayne straightened his suit calmly.
“You’re angry because you know the truth is dangerous.”
Hazard’s voice turned ice cold.
“Stay away from Pispa.”
Wayne smiled again.
“I’m already very close to her.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened.
Wayne continued calmly—
“And the funny thing is…”
“She might choose me.”
Hazard laughed once.
But there was no humor in it.
“You don’t know Pispa.”
Wayne tilted his head.
“No.”
“But I know pressure.”
He leaned slightly toward Hazard.
“And right now…”
“August is running through the forest trying to save her.”
Hazard froze.
Wayne saw the reaction.
And smiled wider.
“Yes,” he said.
“I let him escape.”
Hazard’s voice dropped.
“You what?”
Wayne shrugged.
“I wanted to see what you would do.”
Hazard’s eyes burned.
“You’re playing games.”
Wayne nodded.
“I always do.”
Then his tone became darker.
“But the real game is about to start.”
Hazard didn’t move.
Wayne stepped closer.
“If Pispa must choose…”
“Who do you think she’ll pick?”
Hazard answered instantly.
“Not you.”
Wayne laughed.
“We’ll see.”
*
The forest outside the academy was dark.
Rain had started falling.
August was running.
His ankle throbbed painfully.
Branches scratched his arms.
But he didn’t stop.
His phone buzzed suddenly in his pocket.
He pulled it out while running.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?”
Wayne’s voice filled the phone.
“Still running, August?”
August froze.
“You—”
Wayne chuckled.
“You really think you can outrun this?”
August’s voice turned cold.
“What do you want?”
Wayne’s voice became quiet.
“I want you to watch something.”
August frowned.
“Watch what?”
A message appeared on his phone.
A video.
August opened it.
And his entire body went still.
The video showed Pispa.
Standing outside the academy.
Talking to someone.
Wayne.
August’s heart dropped.
Wayne’s voice whispered through the phone.
“The choice is about to happen.”
August felt panic rising.
“Stay away from her.”
Wayne laughed softly.
“That depends.”
The line went silent.
August stared at the screen.
Then he started running again.
Faster.
Because now he understood something terrifying.
Wayne wasn’t hunting Pispa.
Wayne was forcing her to choose.
And if she made the wrong choice…
Everything would fall apart.
**
The cooking academy was quiet that morning.
Students moved around the large kitchen, chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients while instructors walked between the tables.
But inside Hazard’s office, the air was tense.
The door opened.
Mr. Edwards stepped in.
His face was serious.
Hazard looked up from the papers on his desk.
“Mr. Edwards,” he said calmly. “Is something wrong?”
Mr. Edwards placed an envelope on the desk.
“I’m resigning.”
Hazard looked at the envelope but didn’t touch it.
“Why?”
Mr. Edwards’ voice was firm.
“You know why.”
Hazard leaned back slightly in his chair.
“This is about Pispa.”
Mr. Edwards’ eyes hardened.
“Yes.”
Hazard remained quiet.
Mr. Edwards continued.
“My wife and I just left the hospital. Pispa told us everything.”
Hazard’s expression didn’t change.
But his attention sharpened.
Mr. Edwards took a deep breath.
“You humiliated her. You pressured her. You treated her like she was nothing.”
Hazard’s voice stayed calm.
“You’re misunderstanding the situation.”
“No,” Mr. Edwards replied. “I understand it very clearly.”
The older man pointed toward the envelope.
“I have worked for you for years. I respected you.”
Hazard folded his hands together.
“And now?”
Mr. Edwards’ voice became colder.
“Now I see the way you treat my daughter.”
The room fell silent.
Outside, faint sounds of students practicing in the kitchen echoed through the hall.
Mr. Edwards continued.
“She is not your property.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened slightly.
“I never said she was.”
“But you act like it,” Mr. Edwards said.
Hazard slowly stood up.
“I have never harmed Pispa.”
Mr. Edwards scoffed.
“You don’t need to hit someone to hurt them.”
Those words hung heavily between them.
Mr. Edwards pushed the resignation envelope closer across the desk.
“I won’t work for a man who disrespects my daughter.”
Hazard looked down at the envelope.
For the first time, something like frustration crossed his face.
“If you quit now,” Hazard said quietly,
“you’ll lose everything you built here.”
Mr. Edwards didn’t hesitate.
“My daughter is more important.”
Hazard looked back up at him.
Mr. Edwards’ voice softened slightly, but his eyes were still firm.
“She’s been through enough already.”
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he stopped and said one last thing.
“If you truly care about her…”
He looked back at Hazard.
“Then stop hurting her.”
The door closed.
Hazard stood alone in the office.
The envelope still sitting on his desk.
For the first time in a long while…
Hazard didn’t know what to do next.
**
News traveled fast in the cooking academy.
By afternoon, everyone knew.
Mr. Edwards had quit.
Pispa stood near one of the kitchen tables, staring down at the cutting board in front of her. The knife in her hand hadn’t moved for several minutes.
Her friend nudged her.
“Pispa… are you okay?”
Pispa forced a small nod.
But inside, her chest felt heavy.
Her father had worked at the academy for years. It meant everything to him.
And now he had left.
Because of her.
Across the hallway, someone watched quietly.
Wayne.
He leaned against the wall, observing the scene with calm interest.
Everything was unfolding exactly how he expected.
He pushed himself off the wall and slowly walked toward the kitchen.
Pispa didn’t notice him until he spoke.
“That must be difficult.”
She looked up.
Her expression immediately hardened.
“What do you want, Wayne?”
Wayne smiled slightly.
“Just checking on you.”
Pispa placed the knife down.
“You’re the last person I want checking on me.”
Wayne didn’t seem offended.
“I heard about your father,” he said gently.
Pispa’s eyes flashed.
“You had something to do with that too?”
Wayne shook his head.
“No. That was Hazard.”
The name alone made the tension in the room grow.
Wayne stepped closer.
“He pushed your father too far.”
Pispa didn’t respond.
Wayne lowered his voice.
“You know… none of this would have happened if you had taken my offer.”
Pispa’s anger flared instantly.
“You think I’d sell myself for money?”
Wayne sighed.
“You misunderstand me.”
Pispa crossed her arms.
“Then explain.”
Wayne looked directly at her.
“I was offering you freedom.”
Pispa scoffed.
“Freedom?”
“Yes,” Wayne said calmly. “A new place. A better life. Enough money so your family never struggles again.”
Pispa stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Wayne leaned closer slightly.
“Your father just lost his job.”
The words hit her harder than she expected.
Wayne continued quietly.
“You could fix that.”
Pispa’s voice turned cold.
“By belonging to you?”
Wayne didn’t deny it.
“If that’s the price.”
Pispa’s eyes burned with anger.
“I would rather struggle with my family than live one day under your control.”
For the first time, Wayne’s smile faded slightly.
Pispa stepped closer to him.
“You think you can buy everything.”
Wayne looked down at her calmly.
“Most things.”
Pispa’s voice was firm.
“Well not me.”
She turned and walked away.
Wayne watched her go.
Instead of looking angry…
He looked intrigued.
Very intrigued.
He murmured to himself,
“We’ll see.”
Across the building, Hazard stood in his office window.
He had seen the entire conversation.
And the expression on his face was darker than ever.
Because Wayne had just made his next move.
**
Night had fallen over the cooking academy.
Most of the lights were off, and the halls were quiet.
But Wayne was still inside.
He stood outside Hazard’s office, looking through the glass door with calm patience.
Inside, Hazard was working.
Wayne pushed the door open without knocking.
Hazard looked up immediately.
His expression darkened.
“You again.”
Wayne walked in like he owned the place.
“You look busy,” he said casually.
Hazard closed the file in front of him.
“What do you want?”
Wayne smiled slightly.
“A conversation.”
Hazard leaned back in his chair.
“I’m not interested.”
Wayne didn’t leave.
Instead, he sat down in the chair across from Hazard’s desk.
“You know,” Wayne said calmly, “your academy is impressive.”
Hazard didn’t respond.
Wayne continued.
“But running a place like this costs money.”
Hazard’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Get to the point.”
Wayne leaned forward.
“I’m buying the building next door.”
Hazard frowned.
“That has nothing to do with me.”
Wayne chuckled.
“It will.”
Hazard’s patience was running out.
“What are you planning?”
Wayne’s smile returned.
“I’m opening my own cooking school.”
The room fell silent.
Hazard stared at him.
“You’re joking.”
Wayne shook his head.
“Not at all.”
Hazard scoffed.
“You know nothing about cooking.”
Wayne shrugged.
“That’s what chefs are for.”
Hazard leaned forward slightly.
“You’re doing this because of Pispa.”
Wayne didn’t deny it.
“In a way.”
Hazard’s voice hardened.
“You’re pathetic.”
Wayne smiled calmly.
“No. I’m patient.”
Hazard watched him carefully.
Wayne continued.
“If Pispa doesn’t want to come to me…”
He paused.
“…then I’ll give her a reason to.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened.
“What reason?”
Wayne’s voice became quiet.
“I’m offering the best chefs in the city double their salaries.”
Hazard immediately understood.
Wayne wasn’t trying to win Pispa.
He was trying to destroy Hazard’s academy.
Wayne leaned back in the chair.
“And when your academy starts losing people…”
He smiled again.
“…Pispa might realize she chose the wrong side.”
Hazard stood up slowly.
The tension in the room became sharp.
“You’re starting a war.”
Wayne stood up too.
“I already did.”
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned slightly.
“Oh, and Hazard…”
Hazard didn’t answer.
Wayne’s smile grew colder.
“I just offered Mr. Edwards a job.”
Hazard froze.
Pispa’s father.
Wayne opened the door.
“And he’s thinking about it.”
Then he left.
The door closed quietly behind him.
Hazard stood alone in the office.
For the first time since Wayne arrived…
This wasn’t just about Pispa anymore.
Wayne had just turned the entire academy into a battlefield.
TBC…
