Chapter 4: Finding Miguel

“Don Arthur, we had searched many areas where your grandson was last sighted and conducted varied interviews. We even search the whole vicinity of Lake Avenue for we thought he’s gone to other part of the stream due to water current brought by the tropical storm that night, but your grandson is nowhere to found. We are really trying our best to find your grandson as soon as possible.” Inspector Gomez, the assigned head of the search team has explained.

With Don Arthur’s walking stick, he approached the four policemen who were in-charge of finding Miguel and he furiously said, “Best? And where’s that best you’re talking about huh? I presumed that you came here by informing us that you already found my grandson! Look officer, it’s been 3 nights and 2 days since my grandson was missing, but 'til now, you didn’t prove that best you kept on spouting about!”

“I’m sorry Inspector, I understand you’re trying your best, but we just hope for a positive result in this matter as quickly as possible. You know, my father is stress-out lately, so please understood.” Simon cut-off the conversation. He understood his father very well because among all his grandchildren, he always favors Miguel. He’s certain that the news about Miguel’s lost broke his father’s heart.

After the police investigation team exited the Jackson’s mansion, Simon worriedly faced his father, saying “Dad please calm down. We don’t want your emotions to affect your health. I’m sure we would find Miguel, and he’ll come back to us healthily.”

Don Arthur take a deep breath as he sat down. When the police investigation team arrived, he called them in the mansion’s spacious study room where Simon was also present. It’s been 48 hours since the authorities have informed them about the owner of rolls-royce car that was found under the bridge of Lake Avenue. They speculated that the driver met an accident in that area. It was on Tuesday night that Miguel had an accident and now Friday came in, but they’re still investigating and finding. Actually, they were even in awe to find the luxury car in that area because there were only few among the wealthiest families in the country who owned such luxurious brand of car. So, when they identified the identity of the car’s driver, the police department in Brixton City were in all chaos to find the next heir of the Jackson empire. They knew that great rewards wait for them if they could find the heir of the enormous corporation in the city.

“How’s the company? Are the board already aware?” Don Arthur asked.

“No. For now, no one asked me about Miguel’s absence for they thought that he is out of town and busy for the upcoming company’s big event.” Simon responded. “Thanks to Ezequiel that the news about him has not yet escalated.” With heave of sigh, he added.

“But I’m sure in the next days, they will notice his absence and they will certainly ask. You have to be ready with the countermeasure. Just go with the plan for the company’s 50^th annual celebration and call for a board meeting. You know what to do.” Don Arthur tap his son’s shoulder before heading to leave. Butler Oman immediately assists the old man departing the study room.

When Don Arthur left, Simon fell into a deep thought. He was thankful that the news of Miguel being missing was contained and controlled by the help and influence of the number 1 entertainment company in the city; the A&A Inc. who’s under the leadership of CEO Ezequiel Alvarez; his sister’s husband. After all, A&A Inc. has wide influence in publishing, broadcasting, entertainment, and all media platforms. But, now, he’s contemplating if what would be the reaction of their company’s board of directors if they will know that the next heir of the Jackson Corporation is missing. The board is well aware that he’s about to step down from his position since he already rendered 30 years of good and unyielding leadership that lead the company to its peak. Now that Miguel is missing; he’s not certain if they’ll convince him to stay a little longer or pass the leadership to the other Jackson’s member, otherwise to the other candidate from the company who’s well equip to run the business. With this thought, Simon shades his face with his palms.

“Hon?”

Simon removes his hands from his face and look up to see his wife approaching and calling him.

“I made you a tea.” With a smile, Missis Natalie says as she placed down the tea in front of her husband.

Before sipping the tea, Simon smiled back to his wife and said, “Thank you.”

***

“Fuck!” Miguel cursed the moment he accidentally splashed the water into his wound. “If not because of that small bark of tree that hits and broke my front car's window shield, then I wouldn’t have this wound in my arm.” He buzzes angrily.

“Hey! What happen? Are you okay there? Do you want my help?” Andrea shouted as she knocks the door of her bathroom. She hears Miguel is groaning inside.

“If you want to see me naked, then come in!” Miguel shouted back. It’s his way of saying “Don’t come in, I’m okay!”

“Pfft! What a rude guy!” Andrea scoffed at the door. “Take your time. I will just wait here because I’m going to clean your wounds.” She shouted back, but she receives no reply from him. She placed her ear near at the door and when she heard the splash of water from the shower, she then left the room and went to the kitchen to check the food she cooks.

“Andre, I’m going to be late, so I’ll take my leave first. Are you sure you’re really okay to be left alone here with that guy?” Trina said the moment she went outside of her room and headed to Andrea's direction at the kitchen. Her 2-rest-days were gone, so she has to report back on her work now.

Andrea’s braces came out as she smiled and replied, “Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself. And I think he’s not capable of doing something bad. Can’t you see? He’s too handsome to desire someone like me. He said he’s not interested to a nerd like me, so don’t worry okay?”

With a shrugged, Trina replied, “But who knows he’s a kind of a Psycho?”

“Nah! Forget it! I think there’s no psycho that is handsome as him. Besides, I know some of the martial arts tactic, remember? I am being chased for more than 6 months and I was able to defend myself from them, so don’t wander your thoughts okay?” Andrea cleverly responded.

“Okay! Got that.” Trina winks as she agreed. “Alright, I really have to go but I’ll take this.” She said as she grabbed one of the salad sandwiches that Andrea made for breakfast. When Trina exited their apartment, Andrea has turned off the stove and prepares the food to be dined in. After a while, she gets the medicine kit and entered in her room again where Miguel used to stay. It’s been two nights that she slept in the next room. She and Trina were sharing the same bed while Miguel is sleeping in her room. According to him, it would only be their temporary set-up because he will be going home in less than two weeks.

“Mig-

Andrea’s tongue retracted the moment she saw Miguel. He was half naked with only a piece of dark blue towel covering his body. He was wiping his wet hair with his left hand while the drizzles of water are still evident on his brawny, beefy and well-built body. His biceps look so robust and powerful as he wiped his shiny and tapered tips black hair. "Oh my! Am I seeing god from the Greek methodology I've read?" Andrea gawks and unknowingly, gulps repetitively with the stunning view in front of her.

“Tsk! Do you want me to teach you how to knock?” Miguel inquired coldly to the nerdy woman whose standing like a statue in front of him.

Under her round eyeglasses, Andrea’s eyes blinked twice, and effectively, she withdraw her gaze from his stunning biceps and chest. She immediately reacted and blames, “Ah – how about teaching you to close the door? Do you want it too?”

Miguel’s brow creased on her sarcasm and Andrea saw it, so she is stammering, as she said, “Ahh – I mean the door is open, a-and I - I thought you’re done with your hygiene, so I went in because of this.” She raised and showed the medicine kit on her hands as she added, “Can I clean your wounds now?”

Miguel retracted his gaze on her and he demanded, “Help me put on my Top first.”

"Ha?" Andrea was stunned in her stance, repetitively blinking her eyes for what she heard. Moments later, silence engulfed the atmosphere.

When he saw her still on her feet, he exclaimed further, “Can you see? I accidentally soak my wound, it was so painful that I can’t barely raise my hand, so I badly need your help!”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Andrea closely walk in and select a black T-shirt from the compiled clothes inside the closet.

“I should’ve had listened to you; I should only have removed the bandage after taking a bath.” Andrea hears him complaining from behind.

The truth is she didn’t saw closely his muscular body on and after his first bathing, because when she cleaned his wound after his hygiene, he was already wearing his top. She knew he struggles, but he managed to put on the clothes alone, but now, it's different because he’s in so much sore as he wet the cuts of his wound. She came to his side and instructed him to sit at the edge of the bed. Then, she assists him in wearing his top. She wouldn’t dare to stare his muscular body so she nearly focuses her attention to the other side while helping him.

“You know you’re like a child being taken care of.” She silently giggles on her mind.

“Why are you smiling?” Miguel asked as he noticed Andrea’s hidden smiles.

Andrea’s smiles quickly disappeared as she replied, “Ah – I’m just glad that some of the clothes and garments I used to sell online were physically fitted in you so I don't have to buy.”

She gulps and silently wish for him to believe her words.

When she didn’t hear any response from him, she urged him to have his cuts clean and have dressing again, so that they could already have their breakfast.

Andrea has started putting an ointment to his bruises, and cleans his cuts when unexpectedly, she heard him say, "Thank you!"

Her heart skipped a beat for what she heard, and for the unknown reason, "Ahh!" Miguel hissed because she unintentionally pressed his wound harder. 

"Sorry - sorry - I didn't mean to do it." She frantically apologized, but in just a flick of the hand, she immediately shut her mouth. She seems so nervous meeting his sharp gazed.