Resilient Jewel

CHAPTER 2

“Granddad” Damian called out, peeking into the study. “Over here kiddo” his granddad motioned for him to come in.

Mr Ford had on a brown three-piece suit, with a clock chain dangling from his breast pocket.

He was in his late sixties but didn't look a day over forty. His white hair was slicked back neatly in a side part, causing him to appear younger.

He was reaching out for a book at the top of the shelf. “Let me get that for you” Damian towered over his grandad, picking out the book perfectly in one swoop.

“I always forget how tall you are. Thank you” he replied, collecting the book. “I need some of what you're eating” he playfully poked Damian's stomach, causing Damian to smile.

“Where's your PA?”, “I sent him on an errand”, Mr. Ford responded, sitting down.

“So, how has work been? Are you adjusting well to the new position?” Mr Ford asked, flipping through the book.

“It's been hard but I think I'm finally getting a hang of it” Damian responded looking around the study. Damian had just taken over Ford Realty from his grandad.

Right from childhood, he had watched his grandad build a legacy for himself and now he had to step in and fill a little chunk of those shoes because his grandad was considering retirement.

Even though it felt like a huge feat for him to accomplish due to his limited experience. He was grateful to have been accorded such great responsibility at a very young age.

Where he lacked, he always sought help and guidance from his grandad. He was grateful to still have someone with ample experience put him through.

“Your mum would be proud of the man you're becoming” Mr Ford adjusted his glasses, admiring his grandson. Damian beamed at his grandad, adjusting his suit as he sat down.

Damian had lost his mum when he was in high school. She had died tragically from a car accident on her way to pick him up from school. He wept profusely when he heard the news.

His mum had been his confidant and a major source of joy through his adolescent years. He lacked that bond with his father because he spent so much time working hard to prove his worth to Mr Ford.

His mum had fallen in love and gotten pregnant with him at an early age. Even though Mr. Ford didn't approve of the union, he placed his daughter's happiness before his feelings and allowed her to get married to his Dad.

“There's a gala event tonight Grandad, would you like to be my plus one?”

“Don’t you think you should be accompanied by a pretty young lady? Your wife maybe?” Mr Ford answered, taking off his glasses.

Damian rolled his eyes, not this again. His granddad had gone on and on about him getting married and having children.

He was too young for all that so he always weaselled his way out of these conversations.

“Okayyy… that's my cue to leave” Damian got up buttoning his suit. “We'll revisit this conversation later” Mr Ford smirked.

“I'll be receiving an award for successful under-30 CEOs, it would be an honor to have you” Damian placed a kiss on his grandad's forehead.

“I wouldn't miss it for the world. Think about what I said earlier” Mr Ford called out as Damian walked out of the study.

*****

Seated at the table with his parents and siblings, Damian checked his wristwatch for the thousandth time.

The Gala night had ended but his grandad was nowhere to be found, which was unlike him. He would have sent a text directly to him or called to apologize if he couldn't make it.

He checked his phone to see if he missed any texts, but there were none. Damian started getting worried, he loosened his tie a bit.

His father had gotten up to make a toast at dinner but he wasn't paying attention.

“Damian” a voice called out softly, it was his step-sister, Skye. “Are you okay?” her brows furrowed as she placed her hand on his. “Yeah” he squeezed back with a tight-lipped smile.

“Cheers to you Damian” his father ended his speech, and they all raised their glass to him. Just then, the waiters walked in with their plates of food, one assigned to each person.

“Ouuu fancy” Richard waved his cutlery in the air, rolling his eyes. “Richard…” Mrs Doberman called out in a warning tone.

“When can we leave?” Richard poked again. “Behave!” Skye shot him a death stare raising her voice slightly. He mellowed, staring down at his food.

Skye was the only one who could put her younger brother in check. Richard was in a silent competition with Damian. He hated Damian for even existing.

Damian's phone rang, he picked up with the speed of lightning.

“Hello”

“Damian it's me, your grandad's PA”

“What's wrong?”

“I found Mr. Ford sprawled on the floor of his study just as I was about to close from work”

“What?!” Damian stood up abruptly, startling everyone at the table.

“I panicked so I quickly rushed him to the hospital”

“Text me your address right now” Damian responded, disconnecting the call.

“Sincere apologies everyone, I have to leave right now” Damian rushed towards the exit.

“Is everything okay?” his dad called out but Damian had bolted out of the building.

*****

Swinging the hospital door open, Damian stared into the quiet room, he couldn't see his grandad in bed, “Grandad” he called out, walking further into the room.

A flush came from the restroom, and Mr. Ford walked out in a hospital gown, closing the door quietly behind him.

“Grandad!” his voice cracked as he bolted towards him, embracing him tightly.

Mr Ford hugged back, smacking his back with assurance. “This old geezer ain't going nowhere anytime soon”.

“What happened?” he drew back from the hug, assessing his grandad.

“I don't know. I just felt lightheaded when I got up from the chair in the study. I tried walking and my heart started beating so fast. Next thing you know, I was on the floor and I called out for Peter as my eyes closed. Suddenly, I woke up and found myself here” he shrugged.

“That's impossible, I've been to every doctor’s appointment you've had over the years and you're as strong as a horse” Damian responded looking confused.

“That's exactly what I thought but…” the hospital door slid open, disrupting Mr Ford. “May I have a word with you, Mr Doberman?” the doctor poked his head in.

Damian looked at his grandad for assurance, and he nodded. “I'll just take a quick nap before you get back” Mr. Ford added, smiling at Damian as he got up.

Damian walked out of the hospital room and said to Peter who stood at the entrance, “Keep a close eye on him”.

He walked with the doctor while speaking briefly to him as they made their way to his office. Once Damian sat on the chair in the doctor's office, the doctor blurted out.

“I think your grandad was poisoned”, “What?!”, “Whatever he ingested was supposed to kill him, leaving no trace in his bloodstream but he survived”.

Damian's heartbeat quickened as he racked his brain for who could do this to Mr Ford.

Who would want his grandad dead? Who would benefit the most from his death?

“Does he know this?” Damian enquired, “I thought it would be best to notify you first so you could figure out who.…”

“Doctor! Mr Ford has lost consciousness. He's having another cardiac arrest” a nurse ran into his office, out of breath. The doctor bolted out, with Damian following behind.

The doctor closed the door as he entered Mr Ford's room. The nurse entered five minutes after he did. Peter looked disheveled, staring into the glass of Mr Ford's room.

“You failed to protect my grandad twice today. What happened Peter?” Damian barked. Peter lowered his gaze with fear as he explained.

“I was guarding the room like you said. A male nurse appeared and said it was time for his evening medication. I let him in and a few moments later I heard tussling. I rushed in but he had fled through the window. I quickly notified a nurse to get the doctor and ran to find the male nurse”

“Did you catch him?”, “No sir” his head dropped lower.

“Did you see his face?”, “No sir, he had on a surgical mask” Peter said again, regretting his words as they came out.

“You're dismissed” Damian said through gritted teeth. Peter bowed, leaving the hospital.

He dare not go against Damian's order. Damian wasn't one to mess with when he got angry.

Taking a deep breath, Damian placed a call to an elite security service. “Send me your biggest and strongest men. I'm sending my address to you right now”.

Damian's main aim right now was ensuring a third attack didn't occur within the four walls of this hospital.

The doctor reappeared from Mr Ford's room. “Is he okay?” Damian rushed to his side.

There was a long pause before he spoke. “My sincere apologies, Mr Ford has gone into a coma” the doctor responded, taking off his glasses.

“I want his room changed to the ensuite room on the last floor. Clear the entire floor, I'll pay double for the other rooms” Damian barked orders at the hospital staff.

“I want his full schedule, no one gains access to his room without my permission”.

Six bulky men in black suits walked into the hospital hallway where Damian was standing with the nurses and the doctor. They bowed as soon as they got close to Damian.

The nurses sprung into action at Damian's order. Some going up to prep the ensuite room and others preparing Mr Ford for transport.

“You'll all escort them to his room upstairs” Damian ordered the six bulky men who chorused, “Yes sir” in response as they got into formation.

A message notification popped up on Damian's phone - it was from Mr Ford's lawyer.

Your grandad suspected some foul play. We were supposed to meet this evening to make adjustments to his will but he never got back to me.

He quickly sent back a text, scheduling a meeting for tomorrow morning.