The Realization

Chapter 7.

The Realization.

Kaius Ravensworth.

“What do you mean you can't find it?” My voice thundered down mercilessly at the incompetence of my staff. My patience was wearing thin in my home which was being upturned by them.

“We… I…" The man in front of me was shaking which added to my rage.

“You what? Speak or I will make sure you and your family are wiped out from the face of this earth!” My eyes shone in anger, my veins almost bursting out as I clenched my fists even tighter.

“You… You were the last person with it, sir.” He said lowly as he bowed, cowering away from my view.

The rage I felt was still building up in my chest as I punched the wall over and over again in frustration.

“Kai…" I heard my best friend's voice behind me. “We have to find it before the next shareholder's meeting.”

“You think I don't know that?” I shouted back at him, but he barely flinched as he took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, slipping out one, he lit it.

He puffed, before responding. “And the theme for the meeting…" He reminded me again.

What did he think he was doing? Riling me up more? My eyes darkened, and I turned to the nearest staff.

“Come here…" I said in a small voice, the chaos inside me was a contrast to how calm my voice sounded, and they all knew it.

His legs gave way the minute he stepped forward, and he knelt in front of me. “Yes sir.”

“I allow you all thirty minutes to find the location of that flash drive, if not…" I clicked my tongue and locked eyes with him. “Each and every one of you will not live to tell the tale. Mark my words! I don't care if you guys need to use all the metal detectors in this world, but you only have thirty minutes!”

I couldn't lose my company to those hungry grubbing shareholders who would sink my company in a blink of an eye if they successfully got their hands on the position of the CEO.

“Desmond.” I called out to my friend, not bothering to see if he followed behind me. “Let's go.”

*

“I thought you quit smoking.” My voice was hard as I looked straight into the road, weaving past cars and heading straight for the hotel. “Don't bother telling me that you're stressed about the missing flash because we both know it is a lie.”

He stubbed the cigarette against his silver wristwatch and gave me a dark look. “It's nothing. I also lost something of mine. Something very important.”

I didn't bother asking because I knew he wasn't going to tell. If he was, he would have said it already and not wait for me to ask.

“That makes two of us, I guess.”

There was a cold silence in the car, and all that could be heard was the air conditioning that was blowing. Desmond changed his posture on the leather cushion and tilted his head towards me.

“Are you sure you didn't misplace that flash yourself? If Salem finds out it is missing, she would use that opportunity…”

“I am aware of that, Desmond!” I cut him off with gritted teeth. “And I am not careless when it comes to things that concern the welfare of my company! You should know that by now.”

“Fine…" He drawled. “Just humor me for a second. I'm also trying to help.”

My hand held on tightly to the gear as I slowed the car down, we were reaching our destination. “Say whatever you want to say.” I spat out from the corner of my mouth.

“When was the last time you remembered holding it? And where was that?”

I eased the car into the underground parking lot. “At last week's dinner party. I remember having it with me. That was when Sebastian handed it over to me before he disappeared into thin air.”

He smirked. “Your private investigator is really something else. How do you even communicate with him?”

“That's none of your business!” I snapped at him.

He raised a hand in surrender. “Fine, I'm sorry. Back to my question. What did you do that night?”

I got even more angry. “What does it matter? I gave the flash to David and instructed him to put it in my suitcase!”

“He said you gave him a silver key instead of a flash.” Desmond pointed out.

“How will I give him the key to my car instead of a flash?” I countered immediately, getting tired of this back and forth conversation that was leading us nowhere.

.

“You may have mistaken the key for a flash, Kai. It happens to everyone.” He paused to give me a serious look, his brown eyes softening. “You're still human. You make mistakes too.”

“I. Don't. Make. Mistakes.” My voice hardened. I was tired of this conversation. I opened the door about to leave when he held me back.

“Fine. Just try to humor me, okay?” He pleaded a little.

“No. I'm done with your annoying questions!” I stepped out and slammed the door on him.

He opened the door on his side and came out. “You said you gave David the flash, right? I'm sure the CCTV camera would have picked it up. Why don't we review the footage instead? It would narrow down our search, don't you think?”

The sound of our shoes against the black epoxy floor echoed throughout the wide parking lot which was brightly lit with white lined lights.

“Desmond!” I called in a warning tone.

“Just humor me, Kai. You have nothing to lose.”

I scoffed and took out my phone, flipping through my contact list to get a hold of the security team of the hotel.

“Mr. Kaius, it's good to hear—”

“Draw out the security footage from last week's company celebration. Every frame that you can find me in, send it to me immediately!” I spoke into the phone, not in the least interested in his greeting. At least this would shut Desmond up.

Five minutes later, my phone pinged with a message and I leaned against one of my cars with Desmond beside me. I was about to open it when I gave him the phone.

“Watch it yourself. I already told you I gave him the flash.” With that, I took purposeful long strides away from him, heading towards the elevator at the far end of the parking lot.

It wasn't up to a minute later when Desmond's loud voice reached my ears. “I told you, Kai, you're still human. Besides, who is this woman beside you? I've never met her before.” He grinned at me with bright eyes. "Is she the woman for this year? You didn't tell me to prepare beforehand. How will I be able to lie smoothly about how you talk so much about her and how I'm sure you're going to marry her?”

“What woman?” My brows rose in anger as I turned to face him.