A Deep Abyss

Episode 3: The Proposal

Roman's POV

Standing in the highest authority office, through the floor to ceiling glass window, I could see the buzzing streets, filled with cars and motorbikes, and pedestrians roaming about the area.

"Knock, knock". The door behind me sounded but no response came. The door sounded for the second time and propped open.

"Mr Roman...." the voice called out, but there was no response. "Mr Roman?..." the voice called out again and I turned to look at the person calling out.

Sitting at my desk, I gestured the standing soul to come forward.

"Mr Roman, here are the documents you asked for." Rita, my secretary said, keeping the papers on my desk. I glanced at the paper work and sank back into my seat.

"You may leave." I said barely even speaking.

"Yes.." she said, bowing to the earth.

The door closed behind her and I stood up and went into the lounge. I took out the smallest bottle of liquor and poured myself a glass and gulped it all at once. I stepped out and walked to the large window and kept staring outside. There was a vibration from my body. Dipping my hand into my suit pocket, I brought out my phone and glanced at the caller ID...

"Speak." I commanded.

"Mr Roman, the matter has been handled." the other end said. I hung up immediately and kept staring outside. After what seemed like an eternity, I turned and left the office.

"Take me to the hospital." I instructed the driver. Few minutes later and we were at the entrance of the hospital. I got off the car and walked towards the ward where Theresa was being monitored. I entered and met Tina seated at a corner with tears in her eyes.

"Tee.." I called out. She looked up and met my gaze. I moved closer to her and crouched down to her level. Using my fingertips, I wiped the tears at her eye corner.

"What's the matter?" I asked, showing concern. She didn't respond and only sobbed. Knowing she was in a bad mood, I pulled her into my embrace. She leaned into me and sobbed even more. I patted her back and comforted her.

"Everything will be fine Tee, everything will be fine." I said still stroking her back. She lifted her head and met my eyes; her brown eyes looking at my hazel eyes. I could see the urge to control the tears which threatened to fall at the slightly impulse. She shifted her gaze and it fell on Theresa on the bed.

"It's been a few weeks and she..she hasn't responded yet." she said, crying even more. Then she looked up and continued.. "What do I do Roman? What can I do?" She looked so pitiful and it made my heart tighten. I could barely control my emotions, but I knew I had to be strong for her. Her pain made my heart ache more but then, I had to help her hold on.

"You need to remain calm, for me."

"I'm trying to, but..." she choked.. "The more I try, the harder it becomes.." she finished.

"Don't worry about it from now on, I will handle her affairs from today." I said. She raised her head and looked at me.

"What... what....what do you mean?". she asked, her voice cracking.

"I will handle your sister's affair from today. I will get her the best doctors and make sure she wakes up soon." She looked at me, smiled and then returned to her normal state.

"You mentioned it the last time but why is it taking so long?" she said aggrieved. The last time? What last time?

"Don't you remember?" she asked, noticing my confused reaction. I didn't respond as I didn't want to make her look bad. She nodded slightly and continued "The night you gave me an assurance never to leave me, you said you would take care of her." she paused and looked at me again. Seeing I had no reaction, she continued "Did you forget??" I nodded in response. She smiled. "I don't blame you, you must have been busy." she said, concluding the matter.

A while later, we left the hospital together and headed to grab a meal. Tina barely said a word and just laid her body towards the window.

"I have made the arrangements." I told her, but she nodded absent-mindedly. I didn't say more and just looked the other way. The car stopped at the entrance of the restaurant and I got down.

"Ain't you coming??" I asked the absent-minded Tina. Waking from her thoughts, she got out of the car and walked beside me.

Tina's POV

Lost in thoughts, I barely noticed the car had stopped and parked at the entrance of a restaurant

"Not coming?" Roman's voice called out and I snapped out of my thoughts. I got down from the car and met up with Roman who was waiting.

"Not comfortable?" he asked and nodded in disagreement.

"I'm fine." I said with a warm smile on my face. He simply nodded and stretched out his hand to hold mine.

"Let's eat then." We walked into the restaurant which had a classy lifestyle around it. From a glance, you could tell it was a high end restaurant. We walked to a table which to have been reserved as no one dared to come close to it.

"Welcome Mr Roman.." the waiter greeted. Roman ignored the waiter and pulled out a chair for me before sitting in he's. I looked around saw many high socialites and couldn't help but feel inferior. Although I came from a high family too, my family wasn't as influential as the ones here. Speaking of my family, I couldn't even remember what they were like anymore after my parents disappearance.

"What are you thinking about?" Roman's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing." I replied. I could feel his sharp and warm gaze on me. "Have you ordered?" I asked, trying to avoid hid gaze. He smiled and nodded. Silence followed and we sat, waiting for our meal to arrive.

"You sister has been transferred." Roman said, breaking the silence. I looked up in surprise.

"So fast??" I asked.

"Uhmm.." he nodded. "It was arranged previously but I had to make sure everything was in order." I kept mute for a while, feeling guilty for the way I made him feel earlier.

"I'm sorry.." I said.

"For?"

"I thought you didn't care since you had promised before but then..."

"I understand.." he interrupted.

"But......" Just then, two waiters came to our table and placed the dishes..

"Let's eat." he said. I could sense he didn't want to continue with the matter, so I lowered my gaze and ate up. The dishes were exquisite and delicious. Just the aroma alone could get you filled up.

"Don't choke up" Roman said. I raised my head and met his gaze. Choke on the food? Don't you know your gaze alone can choke me??

"What are you thinking of?" he asked. I nodded my head and quickly lowered my head in shyness. A warm sensation settled on my neck. I could still feel his gaze on me but still, I kept my head low.

"Let's get engaged.." he finally spoke up after the short moment of silence.

"What??"

Damien's POV

I walked into the club and sat down, ordering a bottle of drink from the counter. It had been long I came here but I couldn't forget some places. The club was lit and everywhere wasn't as noisy as a usual lousy club. This place was rather quiet and calm, filled with socialites and high bosses. I looked around and scanned the room with my eyes. I had come in search of someone but it seemed nobody was here.

"The boss is not around so we should leave." a voice sounded behind me. I turned my head to the area where the voice came from. I saw a man with a saggy pot belly, accompanied by three to five men. The men all looked trained; well trained to be precised.

"What does your boss take me for? Huh?"

"I'm sorry chief but my boss really isn't around." the attendant tried to pursue him.

"Then I will wait. He can't escape me today." the pot belly man said, slamming the table hard.

"Chief, even if you wait a long time, he wouldn't still come. Today, you meeting him is not possible so I advise you leave....ah.." the attendant was knocked to the ground by one of the men standing behind the chief.

"What did you say? Say it again." demanded the chief. The attendant was frightened and trembling.

"Say it again!" the chief yelled.

"I'm sorry chief but what I said is the truth. My boss won't be available..ah." screamed the attendant who was kicked hard, harder than the first time. I watched as the scene got more intense. Just as I stood up to defend the attendant, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

"What is it??" I asked, feeling disturbed.

"The master wants you home now." the voice on the other end sounded.

"What for?" I asked again, my patience running out.

"He wants you to have dinner with him and the others....."

"What others..." I interrupted..

"No idea young master. I'm just following orders." The call ended. I stood up in anger and left the club. Why did the old man want to see him? How did he know I had arrived?. Entering my car, I drove off to the mansion. Arriving at the gate, the bodyguard allowed my pass and I parked close to the entrance of the hall. I scanned the premise and walked in, trying to suppress my anger and other emotions which seem to well up.

"Young master Damien has arrived." announced the house keeper. I ignored the housekeeper and went to sit on the sofa. The mansion had not changed a bit, at least from the looks of things. The old man still hadn't made changes to the house, meaning he still honoured my mother. Few minutes later, the old man came down and sat close to me.

"I'm glad you are back..."

"You seem to be well informed." he said, cutting him off.

"I have power, remember?" he replied.

"What a joke." I sneered at his statement. I looked at him for a while before asking.

"What about the others you talked about?"

"They will be here soon."

"And the devil?" I asked, my face showing no emotion. I watched the expression of the old man. He looked at me and smiled.

"Don't call him that, he's your brother."

"Brother?" I sneered. "I don't have a brother." I said, my words leaving a wild coldness. The old man did not reply but instead took out his phone to make a call. My patience was running out but I had to maintain my demeanor. Just as he finished the call, footsteps were heard coming from the entrance. We turned our heads and met the figures that had just arrived.

"Father.." my aunt called out. She walked up to meet him, kneeling after approaching him. I looked at the scene and scoffed.

"Father are you doing well?" she asked, showing a concerned expression.

"Of course." He lifted his gaze and said. "Damien, pay your respects."

"To whom?" I asked.

"Our Damien is back?" my aunt said, looking towards my direction.

"I suppose you aren't blind." he replied, staring at the figures in front of me. She shot me with a cold glance and turned away.

"Father." the man who had been standing quietly finally spoke up. The old man looked at him and gestured for him to sit. My aunt also stood and took a seat.

It seemed the devil wasn't going to show up.

"Dinner will be served soon." the old man said.

"Father, isn't my nephew coming?" the woman asked. Even I wanted to hear the answer.

"He's busy with the company's affairs. He said he would call if he could make it..."

"Isn't that a silly excuse?" I said.

"I don't know about that, but if he says he's busy then that's what it is." Silence followed after he spoke. Of course, the devil could have the chance for excuses but I couldn't. The maid came forward and announced that dinner had been served. The old man smiled and gestured us to the table. I hesitated for a moment before joining them. Everything seemed to be going on well till a phone vibrated. It was the old man's phone. A slight smile appeared on his face and we could guess who had called.