CHAPTER FIVE — A STRANGER.

Chapter 05

A STRANGER.

Brianna's POV.

Heaving a sigh, I settled on the couch, and rubbed my hands over my pant legs for a moment before burying my face in my palms. Ten million dollars was more than enough to put me out of my misery and give me the kind of life that I've always wanted. Not just for myself, but for Jason too.

As the thought crossed my mind, I lifted my gaze and glanced at him as he slept with a hand under his head. I could only imagine how much his hand would hurt by morning. Although, I would have stopped him from using his hand as a substitute for a pillow. I mean, I'd done that a few times.

But then I'd to allow him to be when he began to complain of severe neck pains. When it comes to pain, there's usually no option. But I'd rather have him complain of pain on his hand than his neck.

Before now, I would have taken the opportunity without a second thought. However, After my experience during Jason's delivery, I don't it's a risk I'm willing to take. Refusing the offer would only mean choosing to continue in my life of misery.

Tossing my head on the headrest of the couch, a tear trickled down the side of my nose as I glanced at the ceiling. Suddenly, a knock on the door broke in on my thoughts. I quickly lifted my head and wiped my face with the back of my palms.

For one, I didn't want whoever it was to knock again because I didn't want Jason's sleep to be cut short. With that thought in mind, I righted myself from the couch and proceeded towards the door.

Gripping the doorknob, I turned it open and then stuck out my head to see who it was. I wrinkled my nose as the strong scent of chrysanthemum hit me, which I believe came from the man standing outside.

“Brianna Brooks, right?” — the half bald man on a black suit standing outside with a briefcase in his grip asked.

From his looks, I could tell he was in his late sixties. Or perhaps, early seventies.

“Yes, you're right.” I said, the words seemed to drag themselves from my throat as I tried to figure out how he got to know about me. “Sorry, but who are you? I didn't quite catch the name.”

“Oh, my apologies.” he said, with a smile on his lips as he extended a hand towards me. “My name is Milford Summers.”

I dropped my gaze his hand which he held out towards me for a shake. I guess that was meant to clear the awkward feeling I felt around him.

“Alright. What are you doing here?” I asked, lifting my gaze to him with a raised brow. “What do you want?”

“Of course, you have no idea who I am.” he said, sucking in his teeth as he closed his fingers and withdrew his arm. “I am here for something very important. There's nothing to worry about; I'll tell you all about me. However, I need a favor from you.”

As he made mention of the word 'favor' my heart sank. Most often than not, when people use that word, they tend to ask for money. And if that's what he came for, then I must say that he'd made the wrong stop.

However, raking my eyes up and down his body, he didn't seem like someone who would ask for something like that. The scent of his cologne was enough to tell me that he wasn't hungry. Not to mention the design on his black shoes.

“What is it?” I asked, in a curious tone.

“I need you to let me in, please.” he said, with a meaningful look in his eyes. “Like I said, what I'm here for is very important, and I wouldn't want to talk about it out here with you.”

He looked around, especially behind him. On the other hand, I looked back in, taking Jason into consideration. Allowing him in would only mean that Jason's sleep would be disturbed. But then again, he really sounded so serious.

“Alright, you may come in.” I said, stepping aside as I opened the door wide enough for him to walk in.

“Thank you.” he said, sweeping his eyes all over the door frame as he took the first step.

I didn't see any reason why he did that. It wasn't as if there were cobwebs hanging all over the place. If anything, I made sure I created time to make sure every corner was clean.

Besides, I'd only seen that act in movies. You know, when vampires are invited in. But that's just by the way. As soon as he walked in, I closed the door and walked back to the sitting room with him.

“So what is it you have to talk about?” I asked, putting Jason's head on my lap as I stroked his hair gently while he continued to sleep. “I would really love it if you can make it brief. As you can see, my son is sleeping, and I'm also exhausted too.”

“Alright, I'll make it brief.” he said, taking out some documents from his briefcase. “I know this might sound weird to you, but I've been keeping a close eye on you for some years now.”

“Pardon?” — the word jolted out of my lips on its own accord. “I don't think I understand what you're trying to say here. What do you mean by you've been keeping an eye on me for some years.”

“I actually don't expect you to understand what I'm trying to say.” he said, arranging the documents on the table. “The last time we sat this close was when you were still a baby. In a nutshell, I've been keeping an eye on you for the past twenty-six years.”

“You aren't making any sense here.” I said, shaking my head. “Why would you keep an eye on me for the past twenty-six years? What are you? A stalker?”

“Not really.” he said, taking out some documents buried in a few others. “You lost your mom the very day that you received your admission letter into high school. Your ex-boyfriend left while you were in the operating room fighting for your life just to birth your son. And you've just been fired from your job in that mart. Do you need me to go on?”

My heart sank.

“Who exactly are you?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at the words. “And how did you get to know about all these?”

“Good question.” he said, lifting his face to me with a smile on his lips. “However, like I said, I've been watching you for a long time. But to answer your question, I'm your father's lawyer. Unfortunately, he's late now and that's why I'm here.”

“What do you mean by my father is late?” I asked, crinkling my face at the words. “I don't have a father. I lived all my life with my mother until she passed away.”

“You are wrong.” he said, his elbows on his laps as he clasped his hands together and looked me straight in the eyes. “You have a father. A very wealthy one at that. I'm sure you must have heard of JetFlex Holdings, right.”

He picked a document from the table and handed it over to me. Who wouldn't know of JetFlex Holdings? I mean, it's the biggest trade company in the country.

“Yes, I have.” I said, receiving the document from him.

“Good. That company belongs to your father.” he said, still looking at me. “And now that he's late, it's time for you to take over the company.”

“I don't understand. It just doesn't feel right to me.?” I asked, blinking my eyes in confusion. “Even if we assume that I'm his daughter, doesn't he have other children who would take up the company?”

“If you're that curious—”

“Of course, I am.” I said, my voice matching the hardness of my gaze. “However, it just doesn't make any sense. Do you really think that I would just believe whatever you tell me? Where was he when my mother was sick, huh? Where was he?”

“Look, I understand that this can be a lot for you right now, but—”

“No, you don't!” I yelled, as a flash of temper lighted my eyes. “You said you've been watching me for the past twenty-six years, right?”

“That's right.”

“And yet he didn't show up in front of me.” I said, trying to quell the sob rising in my throat as I shook my head. “Not even for a day. So why should I return home now that he's late?”

“Brianna, you need to understand that—”

“Leave.” I said, turning my face away as a tear trickled down the side of my nose. “This conversation is over.”

“Can you just hear me out, please.”

“You heard me, right?” I said, my voice as hard as steel as I wiped my face with back of my hand. “Leave. Don't make me repeat myself.”

“Alright then.” he said, gathering the documents on the table. “However, if you do change your mind, then here's my card. Give me a call.”