Chapter 4

MICHAEL’S POV

I glanced at my watch, the silver Rolex gleaming in the fading light. “How long till the business meeting?” I asked as I reached for my cigarette pack.

“An hour, sir.” Alex replied. I nodded, taking a long drag on my cigarette as I leaned against the car.

Great, enough time to enjoy the cool evening breeze before listening to the ramblings of old men.

Just as I was starting to relax, Alex spoke up again.

“The Elite group also wants to meet up concerning the approval of that deal. They suggested meeting tonight as well.” I raised an eyebrow then turned to Alex, my eyes narrowing

“So, you scheduled a meeting with them… tonight?” Alex nodded his expression neutral. 

“Yes sir”

“Cancel it. I have another engagement.” 

What was he thinking? All day I've been in and out of meetings with different companies and groups  nope, not tonight, I need to rest.

“Your grandfather thinks it's better to finalize the deal tonight.” He paused

“Think about it, they’ve been sending representative all week to plead their cause, discharging them once and for all would be better”

“And …” He continued, his eyes flickering with amusement “It’s not like you have a woman to return to.”

“What!”

He was already laughing when I turned to meet his gaze, unamused.

“You make poor attempts at jokes, Alex.”

He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “At least I try. You never joke.”

I rolled my eyes, feeling annoyed. Alex was in his mid thirties, once a karate champion and had undergone Executive Protection and Bodyguard Training. He was my Personal assistant and most trusted bodyguard, since he was the closest person to me, aside from my grandfather, he was also my closest friend.

He was with me everyday and escorted me to confidential meetings. We had stopped on this road to take in the cool air, before attending a business meeting.

We have been friends since childhood, his family has been working in our mansion ever since I was a kid, I enjoyed his company and had begged my grandfather to allow him to play with me.

He was the only one who knew the real me, more than my grandfather or the executives that work with me.

He was the first to know that I was harassed at school in 4th grade. The other kid had bullied me because I was the richest kid in school, The heir to a multi-billion company. That should’ve scared them off right? But I was bullied because I was too ‘quiet’

After the incident, I became withdrawn. Alex often saw me cry in the basement, I felt weak and miserable.

One Friday evening, when my parents had their vacation in Hawaii, Alex taught me kickboxing. He showed me how to kick, punch and practice self defense. I was determined to learn and master the sport, eventually I became strong.

I started gaining confidence in school, I knew I could beat any boy that crossed me, but I promised Alex that I won’t use my skills on anyone, but when Ethan, their leader, tried something, I immediately grabbed his shirt and punched him so hard on the face. He was instantly knocked down, scrambling up from the ground.

Since that day, the bullying stopped, Everyone feared to cross me.

Alex was there when I turned rebellious after my parent’s death, they were involved in an accident. I was only a teenager. He saw me get drunk, try all kinds of drugs, he never left my side and I treated him like an older brother.

As I finished my cigarette, I felt a sense of gratitude towards Alex. He was more than just an employee or a friend- he was family.

“Your grandfather wants you to stop avoiding his calls,” Alex suddenly said, his voice breaking into my thoughts. 

“He has arranged a list of dates, You’re to go on” I almost choked on my cigarette 

My eyes widened and I shot him an angry look

“What?” You must be kidding me. Up until recently, My old man has been rambling about some marriage, I hoped it was all a joke.. “Ughhh” I groaned. The fact that he complained I was getting old annoyed me. I was only 27!

And I had no intention of falling in love.

“I have no interest in that”

“He didn’t want me to tell you, but he expects you not to miss his monthly meeting with you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Whatever” I muttered, tossing my cigarette butt onto the ground. “Let’s go.”

As I reached for the car door handle, a figure emerged from the darkness of Adam's estate. The streetlights which had been malfunctioning all evening, suddenly flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the scene.

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the figure, since we parked close to the estate, It moved towards us but, with an unsteady gait.

As the figure emerged from the darkness, I realized it was a girl, her slender body swaying unsteadily with each step, as if she was struggling to stay upright. Her eyes were sunken, seemed to bore into my soul as she stumbled towards us. Alex instinctively moved to block or attack as she moved closer, but I raised a hand signaling him to stand down.

Without thinking, I stepped forward, catching the girl as she collapsed onto my shoulders. Her body felt fragile and delicate.

I looked down at her and realized she was unconscious, her face was pale and her hands had wounds on them.

As I gazed out into the distance, I caught sight of Victor the moment he stepped out of the gate and onto the street  I knew I had to get out of there- fast. I glanced down at the girl still unconscious in my arms, and made a split-second decision. I had to leave with the girl with me.

“We have to leave now!” I exclaimed, swiftly carrying the girl into the car.

“Yes sir,” Alex replied, jumping into the driver’s seat. In a matter of seconds, we were speeding away from the premise, headed for my mansion.

“Place a call to doctor Lee,” I instructed, my eyes fixed on the girl’s pale face. “We need to get her checked out ASAP.”

As we drove, I stole glances at the mysterious girl. Who was she? What had happened to her? And why was Victor Adams the notorious playboy involved?

“Alex” I said, my voice firm. “I want to know everything about this girl and what she was doing at Adam’s estate. Get me everything you can find.”