5
1130 Words
Chapter 5 - Who are you?
"Papa" she called out childishly.
The caller at the other end burst into laughter.
Emily paid attention closely and she noticed there was a lot of background noise.
"Where are you?" she asked, slightly worried.
"I'm meeting up with an old friend for coffee" his reply made Emily breathe in relief.
She felt glad, her father wasn't one to make friends, so, she was glad that he decided to rekindle an old flame.
"Okay, don't let me bore you, I will come back home later today" She started and faced the computer in front of her.
"I've made your favorite, how did it go?" he asked suddenly.
Emily looked around and noticed that no one was paying keen attention to her, so she bowed her head.
"It went well, we are now married. Short term" she whispered.
She would hear the sigh of relief from him.
"Papa, later," she said and hung up.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then returned to her work.
***
Star Cafe.
A man sat down in an extremely dark corner, but despite that, his physic was enough to draw attention to him.
His long legs were crossed and his casual outfit made him look relaxed but that didn't hide how royal he looked.
The mask and face cap he had worn added an extra vague mystery to his overall appearance.
Girls would giggle as they walked past his table but no one dared to approach him. His eyes were throwing daggers, constantly.
The door opened and the bell chimed making everyone turn to it.
A man walked in, from his body size, one would judge that he had once enjoyed the good things of life but something must have happened to him.
The man looked around and when his eyes landed on the mysterious man far off, his eyes widened.
He adjusted his shirt and limped to the man.
Without saying a word, he sat down. The mysterious man looked up at him, his eyes softened but still restricted.
"You must be Mr Hayes," he said in a tone that was hard to detect if he was asking a question or making a statement.
The white beard man coughed and then nodded.
"So should I call you father?" he asked rhetorically as his eyes mocked the man.
Mr Hayes smiled, he had heard about how great this young man would be but seeing him this close, he was glad of his decision.
"You are now married to my daughter, so it is understandable" Mr Hayes replied to him.
Alex looked away from the man before him, his lips curved upwards but no one could see that.
He turned and faced the old man.
"Why did you set me up with your daughter?" Alex asked abruptly.
He had an idea of what was happening but needed more clarity.
Mr Hayes smiled weakly and his hands quivered, his pupils dilated and his chest rose and fell faster.
"My wife uncovered something she shouldn't have. I spent my remaining years trying to keep my daughter from that industry but she is just like her mother"
"You are wealthy and powerful, you need a wife who won't leech off you. Your parents have high hopes for you and you don't want to disappoint them"
Alex listened attentively, for the first time, his stomach dropped staring into the man's deep brown eyes.
It was as if they were clouded with something, something he couldn't see or even identify.
Mr Hayes noticed the intense look he was getting from the man but he didn't stop.
"I grabbed the opportunity, you would protect my daughter while she soothes her curiosity, then you would get a wife to show to your parents" Mr Hayes outlined the main point.
Alex leaned forward, putting his hand on the table.
"Who are you?" he asked, staring at the man deeply.
Mr Hayes looked at him casually and stood up.
"You already know who I am," he smiled and turned to leave.
Alex stared at the curved back of the man, he sighed and lifted his cup of coffee to his lips.
***
Uriel News House
Emily did a little stretch and the cracks of bones gave her a sense of satisfaction.
She glanced at her watch, it was past 7.
A certain fear gripped her heart, she looked around and she noticed that almost everyone was gone, only a handful of people were left.
She shook her head and placed her hand on her chest as she tried to calm herself down.
Taking a long deep breath, it was as though she had disappeared for a while. She opened her eyes and logged out of her system.
She arranged the few papers on her table and stood up.
With her bag in her hand, she held her pair of shoes in her hand walking barefoot out of the building.
Her freedom was calling.
Sweet, sweet, sweet freedom.
She dashed out of the building and the cool breeze of the night welcomed her.
Emily stared at the many tall, shiny buildings around her. Indeed, Uriel News House had chosen a good spot for business.
She stretched her hand forth and hailed a cab.
"Green Valley" She instructed and brought her phone out from her purse.
She switched on her data and messages began popping in, she opened her class group chat, and all she saw were messages attacking her.
'I thought she had grown, turns out, she is still a little cat'@Ehayes
'To think we actually waited for her to show up, bathroom excuse'@Ehayes
Emily yawned and dropped the phone, she knew there would be no end to their madness.
She focused on the road, enjoying the street lights and the green trees. It gave her a refreshed feeling.
She felt her phone beeped but she wasn't bothered to check it.
Finally, the long ride came to an end, she got out and paid the cab man but she noticed how weirdly he was staring at her.
"Is there a problem?" she asked, offended.
The man regained himself and shook his head like a child caught stealing, he stretched his hand and gave her change.
Emily collected it but she noticed a small tattoo on his wrist. She didn't think too much about it and walked into her house.
"Papa!" she called out, throwing her bag aside.
"Papa!!" she called out even louder and stood up.
Her heartbeat increased faster and her brows turned into a frown.
She rushed to his room.
Her eyes widened seeing the man on the floor.
She rushed to him shaking him but then she noticed red liquid coming out from his mouth and a small pill cup fell from his hand.
- Writer
