Chapter 3
1210 Words
Sir Douglas entered the dimly lit room in haste, where three of his men were waiting for him. Each with a face cap on for disguise, as they surrounded a lifeless body tied to an iron chair.
“Who did this?" He barked at them.
"Good day, Sir.” They chorused.
Their top suspect has just given up the ghost. Sir Douglas and his most trusted workers have been on a trail to catch the culprit behind his company's money laundering.
He asked again, furious. “How on planet earth did this happen?"
Everyone in that room knew they couldn't afford to lose the suspect caught if they wanted to get to the root of the pressing issue.
One of the men, with a stern look, replied. “No one knows Sir."
Sir Douglas faced him, “Did I not tell you not to make him suffer from terrible torture? We need him alive for crying out loud." He yelled.
Another man replied, “Sir, we did as you told us. No one touched him.”
The other two nodded in affirmation. Still, in a confusing state, Sir Douglas moved closer to the deceased.
"How else did he die, without spitting the truth?” curiosity piqued on his face.
“We met him dead already on getting here." The third man replied.
“We must have been exposed, or is there any better explanation for this?" Sir Douglas said, after pacing around the room.
The first man answered with a suggestion. “Obviously, and we need to be more careful henceforth.”
"Alright, you,” Sir Douglas faced the first man. "Clean up this mess, but I need my answers ASAP."
“Understood sir." The first man said.
The men bowed, and Sir Douglas adjusted his cap and left. He had thought an end was coming to the fraud and theft when the culprit was caught but as it is now, he's far from ensuring justice.
He was more worried because he could not point to any of his workers or hold them accountable for the fraud, as they all seemed to be diligent with their work. This alone is killing him within.
**********
AFTER 31 DAYS
Lillian was discharged from the hospital the following day. Since then, she became jobless as she couldn't go out to work until she completed her medication.
“See how you have become useless." Thomas barged in on Lillian.
"Haha, babe, why would you say such a thing.” Lillian, still weak, managed to sit up “At least I am much better now." She stood up to show him and sat back.
"You think I don't know what you are trying to do. You don't want to give me the money so you came up with whatever this is to you.” He said, foaming in anger.
"Babe!" Her eyes were teary. “How cruel can you be?"
He smirked, "Do I look like I care to you? Oh, you do take me for a fool.”
"Thomas!” She yelled holding her head tightly
He rushed to her and landed a hot slap on her left cheek. Lillian held the check as she endured the pain.
“Don't you ever raise your voice at me again, this is just a warning.” He said aggressively.
"Why are you doing this to me?" She asked with a cracked voice while sobbing.
Thomas did not answer her. She was convinced she must have made Thomas angry for not fulfilling her duty to him.
She went on her knees, “I am sorry, my love. I promise to start work as soon as possible.
She held his legs firmly, “All I ask is for you not to leave me.”
Thomas smiled, shook her hands off, and stepped back. “Do as I say, and we are good. It is that simple my dear.”
"I will make it up to you, it is a promise." She pleaded rubbing her palms together.
“And how do you plan on doing that? You are literally jobless.”
"I will get another one.” She replied.
"Good. And be fast with it.” He said in a commanding tone and left. He only comes over whenever he is in need.
Lillian pondered on how she would get a befitting job. Luckily for her, she remembered she took Sir Douglas's business card that fell as he rushed out of her room at the hospital.
“Where is my bag?" She said to herself and went close to the wall where she hung the bag.
She had kept the card in it the day she got back home. Fortunately, she saw the card and dialed the number on it.
Sir Douglas was in his study having his quiet time when his phone rang twice and on the second ring, his voice came live from the other end.
“Hello!" He cleared his throat and waited for a reply.
“Hello, good day Sir," Lillian responded, trying to sound pitiful.
"Go on.” He sounded again, this time more calmly.
"My name is Lillian sir, the lady you…. You helped to the hospital." She said.
“Lillian! Is that really you?" He asked out of surprise, his expression seemed happy.
“Please, can you call me back sir? I am running low on my recharge,” she replied instantly, rushing her words.
He smiled, “I think I understand you."
Sir Douglas disconnected the call, dialed her number and their conversation continued.
"Oh dear, I am sorry I had to leave abruptly. It was something urgent that needed my attention.”
“You need not apologize, sir,” Lillian said with all sincerity in her tone.
He smiled and continued, "I learned you went home the next day. How are you faring now?”
"I guess I am fine now sir." She replied.
"Dr. Thompson could not provide any details about you to me when I asked him. So there's no way I could reach you. Did he give you my number?” He inquired curiously.
Lillian sniffed, "No sir, I got your number from the card that fell from your pocket when you were leaving.”
"Oh, I must have been in a haste. Well, it does not even matter now, let me hear you."
She kept silent for a second and said, "Sir, I am fit to work now.” She paused and continued. “I was wondering if I could work as your household or cook or anything, in as much as I get paid."
Sir Douglas let out a long laugh. And he went silent for a minute.
"Are you there sir?" She asked, lines of worries on her forehead.
Sir Douglas heaved a heavy sigh, he said. “I don't think I can give you what you want now but I can give you what I want to."
Lillian's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean sir?"
Sir Douglas smiled. "Meet me at the coffee shop down Kingsley's street tomorrow at 5 pm. Come alone."
And with that, the call was disconnected, leaving Lillian to wonder what Sir Douglas really wanted from her.
Who was Sir Douglas, and what did he have in mind?
- Writer
