CHAPTER 8: It's a joke

NARRATIVE

   In the business area of Birmingham's city, stood the sixty floors headquarters of JP's Enterprise. The building stood tall amidst several huge industries and companies. Each floor was occupied by employees in various departments of the company. 

   However, there was a secret underground office that runs the private investigations of the chairman. Only few knew of its existence.

   In there, Finley stood with his arms crossed, giving out orders to the expert hackers and programmers specifically hired by the chairman for business purpose. 

   'Make sure you find her. Keep typing, tracking, scanning, hacking or doing whatever you have to do. Just make sure you give me a location in the next five minutes.' He said as he began walking about the big room, his hands now folded at his back. He ran his blue eyes over each of the 50 hackers and their computers, dropping some comments when necessary.

  It wasn't even two minutes later when the only female hacker amongst them, called his attention. She was known to be the fastest and smartest hacker amongst all of them. She was specially selected by Chairman Grey himself.

   'I got his location.' She said as she continued to type, her fast fingers working magic on the computers before her.

   'Really? That's so smart Lexi.' Finley was already at her side, peering over the computers as he watched a photo popped up in scanning process.

   'His name is Mason Stone, the right hand man of Aimee Brooke_ former resident of Birmingham City. They're presently with the girls at Aimee's family farmhouse in Middlesbrough. I'm sending you the home address right away.' Lexi said.

   'Oh that's great. Y'all keep an eye on the address, I'll let the chairman know we've found her.' He said, pulling out his phone from a side pocket in his suit and walking away to call Jamie Grey.

******

   At the highest floor of JP's Enterprise, the chairman sat in his office busy with some documents. He stopped upon hearing his private line ring.

   'Finley, have you found her?' He asked immediately he accepted the call.

   'Yes, Mr Chairman. She's at Aimee Brooke's farmhouse in Middlesbrough currently. Shall I dispatch some men over?' Finley carefully asked from his end of the line.

   'Aimee Brooke you said?' Jamie Grey asked, reclining on his chair.

   'Yes Sir. Should I send some people over?' Finley repeated.

   'No.' Jamie deadpanned. 'Leave it be for now, you've done well. I'll handle the rest myself.' He said.

   'Okay Sir.' Finley said and Jamie ended the call.

   'Aimee Brooke...' He muttered with a small smile, stroking his beards again. Something he does anytime he's in thought or when he is trying to think.

Soon, he picked up his phone and dialed a number. However, It wasn't received. He then sent a short text to someone.

NARRATIVE

   'Hahahaha,' Scarlett laughed, clapping her hands in feigned enthusiasm. 'That was such a fantastic line mother, you almost got me there.' She laughed emotionlessly again. Scarlett stood up shakily, her knees weak and her legs wobbly beneath her slender frame. She stares at Skylar as she laughed. 'Sky, did you see that? My mom's gotta be the best actress there is, don't you agree?' She laughed as she began walking aimlessly around, while shaking her head at intervals.

She refused to believe all that's happened from the moment at the canal to this time. Her Mom must be really joking. Scarlett felt tears pool at her eyes as she paced about the room dazedly. Her head was in complete chaos right now. 

   Skylar wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. In a matter of seconds, she hurried to Scarlett and pulled her with her to sit down. Scarlett finally gave in to her emotions as she began crying convulsively while her eyes held a desperate pleading stare at Aimee.

   'Mom, tell me that was a joke right now. Please, tell me that wasn't true.' Hot tears ran down her cheeks and her vision blurred. 

Aimee sniffed from her tears and shakes her head at her.

   'I'm so sorry Scarlett,' she cried. 'Baby I'm so sorry.' Scarlett went to grab her hands that instant.

   'Does this have anything to do with your reluctance in letting me come here?' Aimee raised her eyes to her and nodded slowly. 'I'm sorry for being stubborn and not listening to you earlier. Let's go back home. We can do that right?' She asked. Aimee slowly shake her head in disagreement.

   'Scarlett, we can't!'

   'It's fine Mom,' Scarlett sniffed. 'I...I really wish it is.' Tears ran down her cheeks. 'This doesn't change the fact that I'm still your daughter right? I am, right?' She asked tearily. Aimee immediately cupped her cheeks and caressed them -ever so gently- with her thumb as she nodded positively, trying to manage a teary smile.

   'You're still my baby Scarlett, that doesn't change. But you must return to your father. He needs you.' She stated. Scarlett raised a brow in confusion while Skylar sat up on her chair.

   'My father?' Aimee nodded.

IMOGEN

   'She only needs a few hours of rest and she'll be fine.' Doctor Greg announced after his examinations on mother and I exhaled in relief. 

   'Thank you Doctor Greg,' Ashton said beside me. I came back with the doctor to find him in Mum's room already. 

Well, I don't know what they'd discussed but I don't think it's that important, other than Mom wanting to find Dad. 

Doctor Greg tapped Ashton's shoulder and smiled at me before he walked out with his bag.

   'Mum,' I went to sit on the bed beside her and she smiled at me.

   'See? I told you I'm fine.' She brushed my hair with her hand and I pouted. 'Ashton, don't forget what I've told you. You have to keep an eye on your Dad for me.'

I know it wasn't more than that...

   'I'll do that Mum.' He looked at me. 'What happened to the business meeting with Song and Kwan Group? Don't tell me you were rejected again.' He chuckled mockingly and I rolled my eyes at him. Sometimes I doubt we're related but hellooo, we are Twins!

Stupid freak...