Story: Something’s Not Right

“Dato’ Seri, everything is in order. She signed the term sheet,” Khairul Illias made a sudden call to a familiar Dato’ Seri.

“Good. Let’s get this running as soon as possible. My creditors are breathing down my neck. I’m even scared for my life,” said the anonymous Dato Seri.

“As soon as we formalise this, I’ll create the necessary shell company to transfer the funds to us…”

“She won’t notice a thing. She knows nuts about finance. But be careful. SPRM has been sniffing down our backs lately. I don’t want this to lead to us…”

“Consider it done,” Khairul Illias said confidently.

The next day, Khairul went to see Alicia at her co-working space in Bangsar South.

“Soon Alicia, you’ll no longer have to share a working space with others. You’ll have your own space, maybe a corner office with a plain view of KLCC. You’re among the big boys now,” Khairul beamed with a smile as he gripped Alicia’s hands.

Alicia couldn’t believe that her dreams came true. She radiated happiness with a wide grin and a twinkle in her eyes. All that she could think of was going full steam ahead with her expansion plans. She had gasped in disbelief when RRCapital doubled their promised investment to her. Thoughts of the moves she will be making next, and the dream team she will hire, oscillated in her mind. She was overwhelmed with excitement, thinking of all the future possibilities.

“Khairul. You deserve a drink from me with all that you’ve done…”

“Don’t mention it. I don’t deserve anything. I believe in you,” Khairul affirmed his confidence in her and continued, “Anyway, you should receive the money later today. We’ve prepared the wire this morning. You’ll receive RM1 million via our social enterprise fund handled by our koperasi partner. The rest are staggered payments as you reach each milestone according to plan.”

Alicia felt she needed to pinch herself in disbelief.

“Thanks, Khairul. I should have not doubted you from the start,” Alicia felt a tinge of guilt run through her bones.

As they were about to leave the office, Khairul’s phone rang.

Alicia tilted her head and saw the screen light up with the caller’s name.

It was Dato’ Seri Azim.

Alicia looked puzzled.

Back home as Alicia was preparing for bed, she opened her online banking account just to be sure that the wire came through.

Incoming transfer: RM1,000,000 from Koperasi Aman Kasih.

“This is happening too quickly. I don’t know anything about Koperasi Aman Kasih.”

“A call from Dato’ Seri Azim? My ex?”

Alicia started to develop an uneasy feeling about this.