Operation find a new mummy

5

A WEEK LATER

Strolling into the five star restaurant, I was dressed in highly sophisticated suite.

The suite I wore was quite exquisite giving me both the refined business look and also making me look quite dashing .

Because when it came to business, I love to be taken seriously.

My aura was fierce and impeccable with my heels clicking against the floor as I moved in.

The people around couldn't staring but I only flashed a confident smile as I walked right past them.

Today, I was on my way to see five of the top most important investors, each from different companies and dealing with them wasn't easy.

"Ma'am, right this way" the a female employee pointing me to where they sat.

Coming into view, their eyes all turned to me and while most of them had smiles on their faces, the rest well...

The same couldn't be said for them as they had quite the stock up look.

But no matter, I waltzed my way in. My hips swaying with my movements.

"Miss Irene" said the gentle man at the far end of the table.

"Finally you made it" he said. His voice serious but still laced with a hint of amazement.

"Really? Here I thought I would would never get to see the face behind those marvelous jewel works" said the other.

He was the oldest amongst them, I could tell from his white beard that hung up his chin.

"Here I am indeed" I said taking my seat placing the files on my hand to the desk.

Literally I could see the amazement that flashed their very eyes from the moment I stepped.

And the reason was quite simple.

I was known as Irene Lockwood.

This was my new identity ever since I fled from my past.

A famous jewelry designer known for her artistic skills.

Most of my designs were used to produce the jewelries we see today.

Of which of my works were the famous one called 'Black clover'. It was sophisticated going wide and far.

But yet, the face behind such works was never seen.

Not even in pictures, or articles.

This made everyone so curious.

But yet the company I worked for 'JEWELS ENTERPRISES ' gained quite the recognition.

"The face behind jewels enterprises is a young lady?" said the woman in their mist.

Her eyes unbelieving of what she saw but yet, a smile...

Cryptic and subtle flushed her lips.

"I here you came with a business proposal" said the gentleman at the far end of the table.

"Of course I do Mr...."

"Mr Davis" he stated filling in the gap.

"Let me introduce. To my right is Mr Grinch" he said for Mr Grinch to slightly nod at me.

"And to my left, is Mr Roger" he introduced for my eyes to divert to him.

Mr Roger was the oldest amongst them. 

Eagerly flashed a wink at me to which I reciprocated with a simple smile.

"And finally... Mrs Laura" he said for Mrs Laura to stare at me firmly with no smile to her face.

I could tell the fifth was missing because the chair was left empty but before I could even ask about that, Mr Davis had beat me to it.

"We'll start the meeting while we wait for the representative of C&D empire to arrive"

He said and to this I nodded.

I could tell the people around the table were all important people belonging to different companies who showed their interest to invest in the newest project at hand.

"So what did you bring for us. Let's get on with it "

"Of course " I said bringing the prototype that I came along with.

And in no time, the talk about business arouse.

They all listened, paying attention to each word and syllable I said.

The confusion of any sort they heard cleared, and the questions risen was answered.

There was a momentarily silence.

"So tell us Irene, what's so about this piece.

What would want to make us invest in your project?" Said Mrs Laura, her gaze wholely on me.

Hearing this I pushed myself forward, a confident smile to my lip.

"This is a prototype of the actual design... BLUE DIAMOND.

It's quite unique because not only can it be worn in exquisite and glamorous occasions, it could also suite simply with a simple attire.

From a grand occasion to a simple date or even, a burial occasion.

You could say it fits just right for every occasion.

From the crystal diamonds to the sapphire dust from which it came.

You could also see it's quite lovely and attractive" 

I explained to see them nod and no doubt they were captivated by my speech.

The smile on my lips never falted. 

It was confident and firm.

"I see. Quite impressive" said Mr Rogers who couldn't help but throw flirtatious glares to me.

But instead of pretending to see them, I simply focused my gaze on the other members.

"Quite impressed" Mr Grinch.

"Thank you" I said.

"If there are no other questions, why don't we go ahead and seal this deal"

I said bringing out the contract work.

Each of them had a copy and their gaze read through, I brought out a pen.

They prepared to apply the signature only to be stopped by Mr Davis.

"Unfortunately, we can't" he announced making my smile to falter.

A sense of confusion creeping through my mind as to why.

"Why? The contract is quite simple and..." I said when I was abruptly cut short.

"It's not about that dear" interrupted Mrs Laura as she dropped her pen.

To which I also noticed everyone dropping their pen and relaxing back on their seat.

"Then may I know why then?" 

"It's simply because the representative from the C&D empire aren't present.

And we can't sign it without their signature first being applied "

"But I could get their signature later because I'm sure they would be willing to"

"That's a risk we can't take.

The C&D empire must have their signature on the paper before ours. It's simply business " said Mr Rogers.

Now there was an air confusion hovering over me as I failed to understand until Mr Davis went to explain why they couldn't.

It was simply because the C&D empire was the biggest world wide known business.

It could be said that they had almost never experience loss's when it came to business.

And with them being the number one in the the business industry the others were sure to follow his lead.

And by the others I meant them, their companies.

"So I must get their signature"

"It's not going to be very easy but I must tell you, you're in luck because tonight their holding their company's anniversary.

Trust me dear you'll want to be there because aside celebrating anniversary, it's an avenue to take. The opportunity and get the your project signed.

Everyone comes there for business and the one and only owner and CEO of C&D empires is going to be there"

Said Mr Davis for me to see the importance of attending tomorrow night's occasion.

Definitely I couldn't miss it.

"I see" I said.

"We'll get going now " they said. And one by one, they decided to leave until finally Mr Rogers was left behind.

He came closer to me seating next to me.

"I must say you caught my eye and I couldn't help but admire your beauty" he said taking my hand in his.

His thumb brushed lightly against my skin, his eyes brazenly staring at me.

The look of irritation loomed within me but standing to my feet, I masked my feelings with a smile on my lips.

He too stood and the moment he bent to place a kiss on my hand, he was halted by my shiny object on my finger.

"You're..." 

"Yes, I'm taken" I smiled brightly before walking away and Mr Rogers could only stare on as he watched her pull her phone up.

With my heels clicking away on the marble floor, I reached for my phone where I gave Miranda a call.

"Miranda, get me a dress and make it glamorous" I ordered.

***

MEANWHILE, 

Over at the mansion, for over a week, ever since Lucian laid eyes on that little child he has been restless.

His sleepless night increased and his anger kept unleashing itself every now and then even More often than usual.

Jarry who was called into his study came with reports and on seeing him, his eyes lit.

"What did you find?" It's been a week and he hadn't heard anything.

Now he was for some sort of information, anything that would lead him to her.

"Sir I..."

"Well out with it" Lucian said almost in a low intimidating growl.

"There was nothing. The men found no news other than the same thing you've been hearing.

Madam Clarissa's whereabouts still unknown.

They've checked through the city, the list of those going in and out but nothing"

"How's that possible? Did you carefully check the area the Little girl was found?" 

"We did but still nothing"

"That's not possible. She looks like Clarissa. The little girl looks like her"

"True but from the information found, the little girl was most likely to be Elena's, Clarissa's sister.

From the report, it was found that Mrs Elena had just stepped into town a few months ago and she had a daughter of four years old"

"And..." Lucian said not understanding where Jarry was heading with this.

He had asked for reports on Clarissa not Elena 

"Elena is Mrs Clarissa's sister and she bore similar resemblance to her.

Meaning, the little girl found was mostly likely to be Elena's daughter" he informed making Lucian to take a step back probably shocked with the news he heard.

Yes he knew that Elena looked like Clarissa as they bore some resemblance to her.

But then... The child, he could swear he was seeing Clarissa in her.

"Also, Mrs Elena was said to be around the area" he said and that summed it up for Lucian.

Disdainfully, he sat down on the chair.

Frustration.

Anger.

But worse, the empty void had returned once more.

Truth be told underneath his hatred for Clarissa, there was a longing.

One that wouldn't go away.

He longed to see her.

It turned to a wild craving he couldn't get rid of.

It gave him sleepless night and every time they would bring a report to him, deep down, he always wished it was a useful information telling about her whereabouts.

But how was it possible that she could disappear from the earth without trace.

Still lost in his thought, the crashing sound came sounding pulling him away from his thoughts.

It came again, louder than before.

A scream was heard before which a maid came running in.

"He's at it again. The young master has gone crazy" she said with a trembling voice and like the speed of lightening, Lucian ran out of his study towards his son's room to find the door to be locked.

"Damon open up!" He yelled banging his fists on the door.

"He's hurting himself" said the maid behind him.

His mother quickly ran up upon being informed of her grandson's dilemma.

"Damon, open up now!" He yelled but still no response.

With his teeth gritted in utmost annoyance, he slammed his leg against the door.

Jarry also helped until the door was forcefully pushed open.

The room seemed empty when staring at it but Lucian proceeded to go round the bed to find his son sitting down with blood stains all over him.

"Go away!

Go away!" 

He shouted banging his injured hands on his head.

"Hey! It's me" said Lucian pulling him into a hug.

"Go away.

Tell the bad lady to go away" he cried struggling to free himself from Lucian's grip but he never let go.

"It's me. It's your father" said Lucian. Only then did Damon stare up at Lucian, the tears hung on his eyes finally rolled down his cheeks.

"It's alright. Call the doctor now" he ordered for the maids to do as told.

"Everyone leave us" he ordered. Lucian's mother had no choice but to leave with the rest of the servants that had gathered.

Only when they were alone did Damon finally calm down but his hands still went to pinch itself into his palm while his other hand held the broken glass.

Lucian seized the glass tossing it aside, a sigh leaving his lips.

He stood going to look for a first aid box to which he wrapped his hand around it.

"Dad, I saw the bad lady again " hee muttered.

"But she's not here" Lucian said for Damon to look around to see there was no one.

Tears welled up his eyes once kore before he uttered.

"Am I... Am I crazy?"

"Of course not"

Lucian couldn't help but feel pity for his son and everytime he couldn't help but blame himself for the way he turned out to be.

Damon's lucid imagination was getting the better of him.

About two years ago, he had hired a nanny to take care of his child but the worst happened.

It turned out, the nanny was drugging his son and as a result, it made him to imagine things that weren't there.

Just like the time he imagined Chloe to be maltreating him.

There were several times he had imagined Chloe hurting him.

But it was all an effect of the drugs and when they found out, the damage was done.

The nanny even confessed to her crimes.

But the damage was done.

Ever since then, Lucian had brought the best therapist to help his son recover.

They even had to send Chloe away for some time just so he could recover but no,  it seemed like everything was to no avail.

"Remember what I said okay? Big boys don't cry" he said wiping the blood off his hands.

In no time, the doctor came to fix his wounds.

He gave some prescriptions before speaking to Lucian.

"How is he doc?" Said Lucian's mother with a worried tone.

"The injury he's inflicting on himself isn't a minor one.

You should be keeping an eye out for him and if you can't, find someone to do it.

His condition is worsening" said the doctor before taking his leave.

Lucian's mother couldn't help but cry over the incident that befell her grandson.

"Lucian... We aren't always around and you know it.

Why don't we find.... A nanny"

"No!"

"No!" Both Lucian and Damon yelled but all, it was Damon's voice which was the loudest.

"I don't want a nanny.

I don't want a nanny!!!" He shouted.

Lucian glared daggers at his mother for bringing up the topic and upsetting his son.

To him, his son was the biggest priority and nothing else.

Going over to his son, he sat beside him on the bed.

"No nanny.

Tell me, what do you want?"

Damon went silent for a while, his chin raised as though thinking of something.

"You promise to give me what I want?" He asked.

"Promise"

A bright smile finally lit up Damon's face as he shouted loud and clear.

"I Want A New Mommy!!!"

Lucian heard the words of his son, shaking his head, he brushed the topic away.

"You have Chloe"

"No, I don't" he said for Lucian to sigh.

Standing to his feet, he tucked Damon to his bed.

Jarry had just stepped in.

"Sir, it's time for you to get dressed for tonight's event "

He reminded Lucian who had almost forgotten about tonight.

"Oh yeah. Get Damon prepared, his coming with me" Lucian's had said to a look of excitement wash over Damon's face.

"But kids aren't aloud " said Jarry and this Lucian knew.

But he couldn't leave Damon alone up on seeing the harm he caused himself.

He would have left him with his mother but seeing her ill state at the moment, he couldn't let her handle him.

"Well, tonight's an exception " he said before walking away.

Damon who had Lucian's word quickly sprinted up from the bed.

His body more energetic than ever. He knew lots of people would be at the event.

Now, he had a mission.

OPERATION FIND A NEW MUMMY!