THE UNCOVERED MYSTERY

CHAPTER 8

Dave:

As I drifted off into my thoughts, I just realized how much Meena had taken over my mind. I'm captivated by her in a way I can't explain. Her unique beauty and captivating presence left a lasting impression.

I had met many elegant ladies, but there's something about Meena that drew me in. Her beauty is like nothing I've ever seen. Her elegance and poise are fascinating and I found myself mesmerized by her every word as she spoke. I had to exercise self-control to maintain my composure in her presence.

I saw something in her eyes that gave me pause the moment I grabbed her, but it's probably just my imagination. How would I think she felt something for me under the circumstances? I wonder how she's feeling now and how she's putting up with all of this.

If only my father would let things go. He had succeeded in killing the main culprit and almost eradicating the whole family. Why not let the innocent lady go? I won't let anyone hurt her, not even him. I don't mind if he feels betrayed but it's for a good cause. I need to figure out a way to handle him. He's so rigid when he's determined on something, I doubt if anything can change his mind. But he's still my father - he'll listen to me.

I was still lost in thoughts before a knock on the door interrupted me.

"What?" I snapped.

"You have a call" the voice replied.

"Enter," I said flatly, knowing it was my father's hitman and handyman at the door as I recognized the voice.

"Your father seeks your presence," he said, stepping inside.

"Got your message, you may leave" I muttered, not bothering to glance his way.

"Yes sir." He uttered and left.

My father has a stubborn and stringent personality, so convincing him won't make an impact - I still pondered over my thoughts of a better plan but couldn't come up with one as I drove his way to meet him.

He stays in Delus at the family house while I live in the neighboring village, Denvis, both in Nevilla town.

"Dad, you sent for me," I said as I walked into his large, luxurious room.

"Oh yeah...I did, boy. Have a seat," he said, gesturing for me to sit.

"You could have easily called on the phone, why send Billy? Is everything okay?" I asked nonchalantly, as I sat on a thick brown-leather couch in the corner of the room, though I knew exactly why he summoned me.

"Not at all, son," he said, his tone laced with concern. "I'm starting to wonder why I'm not getting updates from you. Didn't you say your men found the girl? You were supposed to take care of her." He paused, halting his pacing to face me directly. "Is there something I should know?"

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "All I desire is to see her gone...to see her corpse, then I'll be fulfilled. And I'm sure my father—your grandfather—would be proud of us wherever he is." His voice dropped to a menacing whisper as he crouched to my level, our faces inches apart.

"Dad, I know I did tell you we'd found her, but my men dropped the ball, they messed it up. I didn't want to bother you with details, knowing how you'd react. I figured I have to wait till the job is done before updating you. Sorry, Dad." I said, forcing a calm tone to keep my facade intact.

"Dave," he called, his voice dripping with disappointment as he moved to sit in his comfy armchair. "I was so optimistic, handing this minor task to you. But what did you do? You came back with a dumb excuse spitting it right on my face. You did come here to ridicule me, ugh. Just one simple job...one simple job, and you couldn't carry it out." he took a sip of the liquor he had been holding the whole time.

"Why do I get this feeling that you are going to betray me?" He muttered, his gaze darkening.

"I don't know what you talking about," I said, feigning innocence.

"Oh?" he expressed, skepticism etched in his tone.

"Dad, I've already told you my men messed up, and she managed to escape," I said, keeping a straight face.

"I've spent twelve years tracking her down, and it took you only four years to find her, only for her to slip away. How did she evade you? Did she know you were coming? I'm starting to think a mole is feeding her information." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "I asked you for details when you showed me her photo, but you brushed me off, said you would handle it, and took the photo back. Alright, so what's your plan to recapture her?" He sipped his liquor, his gaze expectant.

"My men and I are working on it," I said.

He chuckled, pouring more liquor into his glass from the mini wine bar at the edge of his room. "You're working on it...," he repeated, his voice laced with skepticism as he settled back to his seat.

"I understand that you're disappointed and I apologize. I don't want any strain between us. I'll put in more effort," I said as I await to see his reaction.

"I give you one week to provide the girl. Otherwise, I will have to accomplish your failed mission for you," he finally concluded assertively.

"Dad, this girl is innocent, she was just a child when you killed her parents. Haven't you avenged enough? You made sure you eliminated her grandfather alongside his wife. That should have satisfied your thirst for vengeance, but no, you went ahead and assassinated her parents. Now, you want to eliminate the last of Judge's lineage. That's not justice – it's cruelty."

"Shut up! Shut up, boy!" he barked, rising from his armchair. "How dare you lecture me? You think you know better?" he sneered. "You'd be nothing if that monster had its way with me...you wouldn't exist. And you're talking about lineage? You don't understand the struggle. Your grandparent's lives were cut short because of that family, and you're suddenly concerned about sparing some descendant? Now I'm certain you're hiding something."

He angrily threw the glass of liquor on the wall, and the glass slashed all over as he looked at me with so much outrage.

"You're trying to betray your father? This is ridiculous, I can't believe this. You're siding with a total stranger, your enemy, over your own family?" He growled.

"Dad, you're missing understanding. I'm not betraying anyone here. I'm only trying to make you see reason..."

"See reason?" He interrupted. "Now I want to ask you, where is the girl?"

"I have no idea," I said calmly.

"Don't test me, boy! Where the hell is she?" His voice rose

"Dad, maybe you need to take a break; you are overstressed," I suggested gently.

"How dare you ?!" He shouted, striding towards me and delivering a heavy slap.

"What? Dad! What did you just do?" I stood up, placing my hand on my stinging cheek, shocked by his action. He'd never led his hands on me.

"And I will blow your head off if you don't get out of here. You better deliver the girl to me within a week. If you don't, your reprieve ends. I will not only execute her when I find her, but you will join her on the chopping block, traitor." He growled.

"Is that a threat Dad?"

"No, boy, it's a promise. And you know I'm meticulous about keeping my word," he said, his face inches from mine, our eyes locked in a fierce stare.

"You know the fate of traitors like you, don't you? Being my son won't make a difference. Just one week, and you'll barely recognize the man you call Father!" He turned and walked away.

"Then watch your own back, Dad. Remember, you turned me into the monster I became. If you're willing to take your own son's life, I won't hesitate to return the favor," I said, with a cold voice before storming off.

I sped to my penthouse, rage simmering beneath my surface. My father's threats still echoed in my mind. I thought I understood him, but his overreaction shocked me. He sounded unhinged, almost... deadly. If I didn't deliver Meena, I'd become his target too. The realization unsettled me – I didn't know my father as well as I thought.

I showered and tried to sleep, but my mind raced. Being at odds with my father wasn't ideal, but neither was letting him harm Meena. A man willing to kill his own son is capable of anything.

Perhaps I should've let my men handle it without intervening. But could I have lived with myself, knowing an innocent life was lost? I've taken lives but never have I taken that of an innocent. This wasn't my battle, and I wouldn't be drawn in.

My father's threats sealed his fate in my eyes. A man who saw me as an enemy, who'd kill me without hesitation, didn't deserve my loyalty. I'm ready for whatever comes next. "A week, you said?" I thought, determination hardening within me. "Let's see."