His Ex-Wife Returned... Powerful!

19

– Drex Drane –

Ever since I got drunk at the wedding and Lisa's guard drove me to a hotel, I had wanted to talk to her.

Badly!

I would have visited her at her company, but no one needed to tell me how she'd react.

Which was why when David told me he was stepping down and giving the position to Lisa, I felt a different kind of excitement.

I also knew that it was my chance to explain my regrets on how I treated her in the past.

She might not have cared, but knowing she was aware made me feel a lot better.

A knock on my office door cut through my thoughts.

“Come in.”

The door opened after and Finn walked in, files in hand with his tab.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Hmm.”

“These are the Ethric Contract, sir. I'll need your signature.” He gestured to the files, then dropped them on the table.

“Where do I sign?”

“Here and here, sir.”

I put down my signature on each part, and he took the files. “Uh, you have a meeting in an hour, sir.”

“Okay? With who?”

“Mr Yusuf, CEO of the Inland Institute, sir.”

“Oh.” Finn had been keen on how much impact joining hands with that company would do in helping increase profits. “Where are we meeting?”

He checked his tab. “Uhm, the Blue Horizon Safari Park, sir.”

“Isn't that a zoo?”

“Yes sir.”

“Why would he want to meet in a zoo?”

“I… have no idea, sir.”

“Alright, you are dismissed.”

“Okay, sir.”

For the next hour, I completed as much work that needed completion, then left the company with Finn following.

We both got into the car, and he drove straight to the zoo.

It was just like any zoo I'd ever been to. Trees and shaded benches lined up the place, there were direction signs that led to each zone, and a few large fountains with animal structures.

“You must be Darren Dorsen!” The mid thirties male called from behind, a huge grin on his face.

He was dressed in casual clothes, definitely contradicting the purpose of this meeting. Business.

“Mr Yusuf.” I tried (and failed) to put an emotion to my tone, and he laughed.

“Oh please, call me Yat.” He stretched out a hand.

“Okay,” I accepted the handshake, “Yat.”

“You mind if we talk as we walk?”

When I shrugged, we both started to walk, Finn behind us with his tab to keep the minute of the meeting.

“I appreciate you agreeing to meet, but if I may ask… Why the zoo?”

“Actually, I was thinking of sponsoring this zoo, but I wasn't too convinced when I checked it the last time.” He threw something in his mouth and started to chew. “Although that could have been because I was drunk.

“Either way, I thought we could talk about business as we take a walk and in the end, you tell me if you enjoyed your experience and if it's worth me putting my money on it.”

“Oh.” It wasn't what I expected, but it didn't sound bad either.

“I guess I can help with that.” I said.

“Good good, now let's discuss the deal.”

“Yes, if there—” I stopped when a girl ran over, face wet with tears.

She didn't look older than five, but she was all alone.

I frowned, because such a little girl should not be standing in such a crowded place alone.

“Excuse me,” I told Yat, then crouched in front of her, “what's wrong, little one? Why are you crying?”

She sniffed in, her eyes filled as she stared at me. “I-I am looking for my mummy.”

“What's going on?” Yat came over and crouched beside me. “What is such a small girl doing all alone?”

“My mummy!” She started to sob. “I want my mummy!”

The sight made me frown. I felt my chest tighten just by seeing her this afraid.

So I lifted her in my arms. “Don't worry, I'll help you find your mummy. Stop crying, dear.”

Her bottom lip trembled and she rubbed her eyes. “W-Will you find her?”

“Of course.”

“Promise?” The way she said it melted my heart. She was so cute.

Very.

And it made a warm smile touch my lips. “I promise.”

“What's your name?” I asked, and she answered almost immediately, “Imogen.”

So simple, yet it managed to increase my smile.

What a beautiful name for the beautiful girl.

“I'm sure her mother will be searching for her, maybe we should take her to the security so they can announce a missing child.” Yat suggested exactly what I planned on doing.

“Yeah, let's go.”

We both turned, about to leave when a voice sliced through the place.

“Imogen!” It called.

The zoo might have been loud, and a little crowded, but that was a voice I would hear even in the loudest of rooms.

My head snapped to the direction. And there, in the distance, was her.

Lisa was running over, worry written all over her face.

When she stopped in front of me, she dragged the little girl from my arm, clutching her hard to her chest.

“Mummy!” The girl cried out, while I stood there, shocked.

Mummy? “Wait, what's going on?”