CHAPTER 3
1317 Words
ETHAN'S POV
Eight years later...
"Ahhhhhhhh!" I heard screaming as I walked further into the underground warehouse. Two of the guards trailed behind me.
I stopped before a cell and my other men bowed. "Boss."
There was no need for me to respond, so I sat on the black chair and faced the traitor.
Just like I ordered, he was battered and was unrecognizable. His body was covered with blood and his skin was torn.
"Are you ready to talk now?" I asked in a low voice as I crossed my legs.
He raised his head weakly to look at me with swollen eyes. He whimpered as we we locked eyes.
"Plea... Please spare me boss. I shouldn't have betrayed you," he stuttered as he trembled.
The chains that bound his legs and hands rattled as he attempted to hide away.
Two minutes passed. The only response was heavy breathing and crying.
"It seems like my men didn't do a good job breaking you," I stood up ready to leave.
"I'll talk," he added with his tone a bit louder for me to hear. Good thing he knows it won't end well for him if he keeps wasting my time.
With my hands buried in my pockets, I turned slowly to look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Jason Crawford," he admitted.
Without a word I left the cell. I wasn't surprised that Jason was responsible for sabotaging that a business deal I worked so hard for.
I can always get ten times more profitable deals. The reasons I pursued this case was because I needed a good legible reason to deal with him.
He had the nerve to mess me and he has to pay for his wrecklessness.
"Handle it," I said to Tristan as I looked at him over my shoulder.
The engine of my black Lamborghini roared to life as I drove out of the compound.
I dialed Aiden's number. He answered on the first call.
"What's up man?" He asked jokingly.
I rolled my eyes. Always unserious.
"Gather all the dirt on Jason, his family and the company," I said in a serious tone, as I stepped on the brake. My gaze focused on the traffic light.
"Sure," he replied and I hung up.
I don't lose. I hate losing.
I tapped on the steering wheel, my patience running thin.
Thirty minutes later, I pulled up in my private garage at the company and headed straight to my office.
"Welcome sir," Norman my assistant followed me with increased pace to catch up with me.
After sitting, he placed a couple of files on my desk. "These are the legal documents regarding the acquisition of Lander Mall. Your signature is required sir."
"Hmmm."
I nod and waved him off. I spun the chair to look outside.
"Is there anything else?" I asked.
"Uhm, the HR of Williams Enterprise sent an email to remind you of the shareholders meeting scheduled for tomorrow," he informed me.
I massaged my temple and gritted my teeth. "How long have you been working here?"
"Three... three years, sir," he sounded nervous.
"And I believe that's enough for you to know the rules. No?"
He gasped loudly, "I'm sorry sir. I thought you might want to know," he pleaded.
I raised my hand and he snapped his mouth shut. "Make that mistake again and lose your job."
"Thank you, sir." He panted and ran out of the office.
Time, they say, heals all wounds but definitely not mine. I can only say my wound, the scar only got worse.
Because the more time that passes by, the older she gets and the nearer that dreadful event.
For the last eight years, I've worked tirelessly to found my own company and it has grown so well. Yet, the wealth, fame and power didn't make me happy.
What's there to be happy about when I lost the only rare gem that money can't buy?
"Hey man," Aiden's voice disrupted my train of thought.
"I got you what you asked for," he sighed as he slumped on the chair.
"Can't believe that fool messed with your business. Some people really do have a death wish." He added.
He stood up and stood beside me. "What's going through your head, Ethan?" He nudged me.
"A lot," I said in my head but didn't reply him.
Minutes passed and we stayed like that in silence.
"Jason is after a million dollar deal and his company is close to bagging the deal," Aiden spoke up.
"Who's in charge of the deal?" I groaned in a low voice.
"Mr. Liam Barbados."
I fished out my second phone from my pocket and called him.
He picked up almost immediately. "Hello, Mr. Ethan. What do I owe this pleasure?"
"Do me a favor," I said.
"Oh, of course. I owe my success to you. I'll do whatever you want. Just name it."
I rubbed my ear lazily.
"Revoke the project you want to give to Jason Cooper," I stated.
There was silence on his end but it wasn't fazed. Refusing me, simply means losing everything.
"That's not a problem but what do I tell them? They've pass the preliminary and final pitch assessment," he said in a shaky voice.
"He will be too busy to notice."
I heard Aiden chuckle.
"Do you have any company in mind that you trust and recommend? What about Williams Enterprise?"
"You can give it to Stocks construction."
"Very well, sir."
I hung up before he said any more words.
"Is my best friend not the best? Getting a million dollar deal that I didn't work for. Thanks mate."
Aiden laughed and patted my shoulder.
I shoved him away and sighed.
"Power is indeed a weapon," he commented.
I agree and people use it differently.
"Power makes people arrogant, but I'm different. I prefer to make promises and keep them."
"Hmm. Jason is done for. He should have stayed away from you."
My phone buzzed.
"It's your mother," Jason announced as he brought the phone before my face.
I just stared at her name on display. It stopped ringing but started again.
"You should talk you her, man. She missed you."
He urged and gave the phone to me.
"I'm leaving. Don't miss me too much.
I clicked on the answer icon on the third ring.
"Hello son," she said excitedly but I didn't miss the exhaustion that laced her voice.
"Mum."
She sniffled and cleared her throat. "How are you doing son? Hope you're fine?" She asked in a low voice.
As if scared that I might hang up on her at any moment. I may be angry at her but I don't hate her. She's not him.
"I'm okay, mother."
"I'm glad to hear that. Noah sends his regard as well as..." Her voice trailed off. I could tell that she didn't mean to bring him up.
None of us said a word.
"I have to go. Take care of yourself," I said.
"Hmm. You too son."
I nodded and hung up. After which I tossed the phone on the table.
I palmed my face and a deep breath.
I raised my head and then she appeared on the billboard across my company building. Her face has matured a lot. Her smile is more radiant than ever.
She was nominated for the best A-list corporate lawyer of the year across the country.
I have been stalking her since she became active online. The corners of my lips stretched into a sly smirk.
The door of my office was suddenly pushed open. I turned ready to lash out when I saw my personal assistant panting.
"There's a problem, sir."
My heartbeat increased. For some reason, my stomach churned. Whatever it was doesn't sound like a small deal.
I'm a problem solver but I wasn't sure if I could deal with what awaited me.
- Writer
