Chapter 24

NICHOLAS

"Okay, make the necessary corrections and submit the final paperwork in two days!" I was in a meeting with five of my employees. They all responded 'yes sir' and the meeting ended there. I was tired and I craved soda. Mama always nagged me, telling me it was bad for my health. Well, I didn't take it regularly. It gave me the needed energy boost so I took it once in a while, like today.

"An update from your home, sir," Vivian walked into my office. Before I replied, she continued, "It's from Ken. Apparently, May left the mansion with her bodyguard, Abby. He wasn't taken along."

"Do you mean you don't know the current location of my wife?" I asked instantly.

"We do," Vivian replied. "There is a tracking device in the car they took so Ken already tracked it. We have confirmed that May and Abby are currently in Greenfield hospital. I have a spy there so I am currently finding out the purpose for the visit."

"Be quick about it!" I replied. "Also, you need to something for me. I wish to get May a gift. Probably a beautiful necklace."

"I will check the department store and have them send samples to you!" Vivian replied begrudgingly. I could tell from her voice. However, I could care less.

"You can pick the necklace. You are a woman too so pick what you'd like if I gifted it to you," I replied calmly.

"Is it for me?" Vivian asked.

"Of course not! It's for my wife. Don't tell me you plan to make an issue out of picking one gift for my wife. Is that a problem?" I asked. I stood up and began to pack my things in my briefcase. I was leaving work earlier than usual.

"I understand, sir," Vivian bowed and turned to leave.

"Also..." I caught her attention. "Make sure there is a tracking device in the necklace. You know the professionals, don't you?"

Vivian looked surprised, "I will get it done, don't worry."

Vivian bowed and left the room. I finished picking the items I needed and placing them in my briefcase. I walked to the garage where my car was parked by myself. It was time to go home.

**

I thought I would have to wait for May's arrival but ironically, she got home before I did. I was welcomed by Mama and when I wanted to go into our room, Mama held my hand and pulled me aside.

"I think May is pissed off right now. She looked so angry when she entered her room. I think you should be careful around her..." Mama muttered.

"Why should I be careful?" I muttered. I wasn't going to be bothered. "Does she plan to hurt me or what? It's not as if I was the one who pissed her off."

"Just be careful, please. Now isn't the time to hurt her," Mama told me. I nodded halfheartedly and entered the room. May was lying on the bed with her head buried in the below.

"I said I didn't want lunch!" She shouted upon hearing the door shriek. She must have thought I was a maid.

"I didn't bring lunch," I replied ordinarily. May almost jumped out of her skin when she heard my voice. She sat up immediately.

"It was you?" She muttered.

"Mama told me you were pissed. Tell me what happened," I told her. It seemed the many lessons I had gone through about communication weren't in vain. Rather than ask if she wanted to talk about it, I ordered instead.

May must have been convinced that I was someone she could talk to. She told me everything that had happened and I listened attentively. She didn't keep anything from me nor did she filter her emotions. It was the first time I was seeing her pour out her frustrations in such a raw manner. When she got to how Charles had whispered such an impudent statement, I found myself clenching my fists unconsciously. Maybe it would be hard to believe that I felt angrier than May. Let's just say I felt equally angry.

All I did was give May a listening ear. After she was done, I didn't tell her everything would be fine or motivate her in whatever sense. I simply excused myself and called my trump card. I didn't know his real name but he was Raymond in the business.

"First name is Charles. I don't know his fucking surname. He works at Greenfield hospital and he is the only doctor to Marcus Greenfield," I told Raymond over the phone.

"Orders, boss?" Raymond asked.

"Bring him over to the usual warehouse. He won't come with you peacefully," I cut the call immediately. That was my subtle way of asking Raymond to kidnap Charles. Raymond was good at what he does. He had several men under his command and all he did was obey my orders. He did all the dirty work and to be safe, I was the only one who knew about him. Even Vivian had no idea I had someone like Raymond working for me.

At dinner, I received Raymond's text. It was sent in code and when translated, it meant that the mission was successful. I left my meal and headed out.

"Where are you going?" May looked concerned.

"Go to bed early. Don't wait for me," That was my reply. I drove by myself that dark night and arrived at the warehouse in no time. The warehouse was not used for its usual activities. Instead, I used it for things like this. Raymond's men had beaten up Charles and the latter looked so weak by now.

"You've done a warmup," I turned to Raymond.

"Yes, boss. He is ready to answer your questions now," Raymond said with a smile on his face. I took a chair and sat near Charles who was tied to his own chair. His lips were bleeding and he had a small cut a few inches to his eye.

He raised his head, "You are Nicholas..."

"You know me?" I smiled. "That's great. You must know why you are here as well.”