The Island Doctor

Chapter 5

There is nothing that a parent would do just to ensure that his or her son will be pampered while he or she lives his or her life. That is the case with Margarita Kraishek. Her daughter, Ally, grew up knowing nothing but to go shopping with her mother, going to parties with her friends, and being attended by their maids at home. Alex, on the other hand, lives independently. His only care is to see his dad happy, but it seems that his only living parent had lived his life in the past. He rarely smiles, and if he does, it's only for seconds, then he would go back to his melancholy state again.

It's been a week since the disappearance of his son. Chairman Kraishek called his secretary and asked her to inform all the executives and directors of the corporation about an urgent meeting regarding his son. Alyosha is the CEO of the company and he only reports to his father regarding their company. "Schedule a meeting now. It's been a week since his disappearance. I don't want any chaos to envelop my company. I have to tell them not to panic and everything will be taken care of."

During the meeting, the chairman briefed the directors about his missing son and told them not to worry about it because he was certain that he would come back.

"But chairman, you have to assign someone to fill his position. He is not here and we do not even know if he is still alive," said one of the directors, Leonardo Ruiz, Margarita's cousin. "It is not good for the company if the post is vacant, chairman! I know that he is your son but other people around you could replace him," he added.

"Director Ruiz is right. We have to assign a capable enough person to be able to replace the CEO. Tell us when the meeting will be for choosing the new CEO, chairman and we are willing to help you choose a better man for the position." another director said, obviously a friend of director Ruiz - Victor Royal.

The chairman got up from his seat and walked with his hands behind his back. He knows that the people that are now in front of him do not want his son to succeed him as the next chairman. They are also power-hungry and the news of the chairman's lost son is such a piece of good news for them. He does not trust them, only his son, who is still nowhere to be found.

"Gentlemen, my son is coming back to resume his position. I have no plan to replace him. I called this meeting only to inform you that the company will continue as usual and the CEO's responsibilities will be transferred to my office for the time being."

There was chaos inside the meeting area. The executives could not believe that they were hearing the chairman saying those words. Everyone wanted to talk and questioned his decision, but he waved his hand and signaled them to keep quiet.

"It only means you don't trust anyone but your son, chairman..." lamented Director Ruiz, who was eyeing the CEO position even before Alex assumed the role.

"I know you are going to say that, Victor! You want to become the CEO but you have to wait until my son's body is found, but as it is, there is nothing definite about his demise, so I certainly hope that he is alive and will come back soon. Let us end this meeting, gentlemen. I hope next time, the CEO will come and join us. Thank you for your time." the chairman got out of the room while the directors were still talking behind his back.

Leonardo Ruiz is a thirty-four-year-old bachelor who is the younger cousin of Margarita. He was a bit short, plumb, and wore his glasses all the time. Many of the directors thought of him as a puppet of her cousin, but some lauded him for being a competent executive, but not enough to match the talent of the young Kraishek, who, at the young age of twenty-three, had proven himself to be an excellent heir to the company. He and his friend Victor were the only people left in the meeting room. Both of them were standing facing each other. "You should talk to your cousin to back you up, Leo! You are capable of handling his job. After all, you've been working for the company for more than ten years. Aside from that, his son needed more experience to even become the CEO and he had that job because of his father, who is the chairman." Victor told him, without taking into consideration how the young Kraishek proved himself to them when he had led some of the projects of the company with regards to the building of condominium units outside the city. He even represented his father in various meetings with some government officials and other people involved in the latest project that they had been planning. The young CEO graduated c*m laude in college and he had a degree in Civil Engineering. He is smart and he also has an impeccable charm that comes off in handy when he deals with other businessmen like him and his father.

Director Ruiz grinned at his friend. He knew that the young man's position was never given to him on a silver platter but he worked hard for it. "My dear friend, Alex is doing well with his job, if you will ask my opinion, but he is missing and the fact that he could not be found is one single reason that he had to be replaced, but his father is stubborn and will never do that. Hmm...it's time for lunch. Come join me, I know a good place to eat."

His friend agreed and both went out and dined outside. Meanwhile, the chairman stayed in his office and only ordered food through his secretary when an unexpected visitor came in the afternoon - it was Monica's brother, Elias Gonzales. He let him sit on the chair facing him and asked if he wanted to eat or drink anything but he said no. "How are you, chairman? Pam told me about Alex, that's why I came here. Is there any news regarding him?" he asked, looking straight at the gray-green eyes of the chairman.

"I'm sorry Elias, but I have no idea where your nephew is," he replied, his voice shaking, wanting his visitor to know that he was so unhappy about his son's disappearance.

Elias Gonzales was the younger brother of Monica. He is of medium height, with brown skin, a well-toned body, and handsome. His sister resembles him a lot. He got married ten years ago and had children of his own. Elias never asked any help from the chairman and never did he come to the Kraishek's mansion to see his nephew. He only met the young man outside his school and sometimes the latter visits him at his house. "My dear sister could have been worried by now, chairman. You know how much she loves her son...it was a pity that she died early." he lamented, remembering how the last few days of his sister's made him very sad.

"I know, but I am doing everything to find him. He is still alive, I can feel that, Elias. If I receive any news about his whereabouts, I would certainly tell you. I know that my son would be glad to know that his uncle has never forgotten him."

"He is my nephew, chairman! I do care about him. Sometimes, I want to take him away from you, but I always remember what my my sister told me that he has to stay with you. That is why I did not interfere with how you have brought him up."

"My son Alex grew up well, Elias. He is not a spoiled brat, but a kind-hearted person. Wherever he is right now, I know he remembers me and he will come back to me..."

"I hope so. When that happens, please do not forget to inform me. I am his mother's only sibling and I care for him just like I care for my kids...I'm going now, Ivan! Thank you for sparing some time for me, bye!"

"Bye, brother-in-law! Thank you for taking care of your sister when I was away. Don't worry about our son, he will return and I will punish the person responsible for his disappearance!"

Elias smiled at him, then turned around and left the chairman. Ivan knew how loving and caring Elias was to his sister even though he was against their relationship. For him, Ivan is not capable of loving Monica, which was proven wrong in the end. Another day passed, Chairman Kraishek went home as usual and found his daughter alone in the living room. "Where is your mother, Ally? Did she not come home yet?"

"Hello, daddy! Mom called me and said that she would come late. She is with her friend right now."

The chairman did not ask any more questions. Instead, he went upstairs and took a shower. When he came out of the bathroom, he noticed that his wife had come already. He was half-naked, his lower body was only wrapped with a towel. "I thought you were coming late. Why are you here now?" he asked.

His wife suddenly ran towards him and embraced his waist, then kissed him on the lips. "I miss you, Ivan!" The towel that was covering him fell, showing his naked body. Margarita immediately moved her hands toward his body from his chest down to his thighs while her lips were kissing his neck down to his well-chiseled body. "Stop it or I will have to push you!" Ivan warned his wife but she did not listen and continued to touch every part of his body, including the one between his legs. Ivan moaned so hard and was enjoying the pleasure that his wife had given him. They ended up on the bed together with his wife on top of him and enjoying every minute that they had shared together. "Thank you for not pushing me away this time, Ivan! After all, you have needs that only I can provide. I love you honey!" she kissed him again passionately.

The following morning, Margarita woke her husband up and told him that she wanted her cousin to be the replacement for his son as the CEO of the company. Ivan's eyebrows knitted and looked at his wife angrily. "You can never dictate to me what to do with my company, Margarita! It is not your business and you have to stay away from it. Last night, you just caught me off guard and it will never happen again. I don't love you and what happened between us last night was not love... it was lust, Margarita! Ever since we got married, that is the only feeling I have had for you. I can never love you because you are nothing compared to the mother of my son. Do you understand, huh?"

Margarita got up and sat on the bed. She was smiling at him while she looked at his angry face, then replied, " Wow! You still look incredibly handsome and hot when you are mad, honey! I know that you never loved me, Ivan, but we are married and we have to do what normal couples do, even though it does not involve any emotions. Don't you know that every time you push me away I have to go out and find a man to satisfy my needs? Well, I did cheat on you, but it's all your fault. If you had only learned to love me then, I could have been faithful to you, honey!"

"It's not gonna happen, you know that! Especially now that I know that you are the reason why my son disappeared and I swear you are gonna rot in jail together with the people you have hired...."

"Do you have any evidence to back your claims? All you have are assumptions, dear! I have nothing to do with him." she chuckled when she remembers something in the past.

"Is there something amusing in what I have told you, Marge? I will find evidence against you. Don't worry! Meanwhile, I have to get up now and take a bath. Don't you dare touch me again, okay? If my body heats up and needs someone, then I will find a woman to satisfy me. Do you understand? After saying these words to his wife, the chairman went to the bathroom and took a bath.

On the other hand, Margarita was still sitting on the bed, remembering what happened to them the previous night. "Well, Ivan, you can do as you please. After all, I've already been having relationships with other men every time you reject me. Regarding your darling son, he is already dead and is now resting in the deepest part of the ocean and you will never find any proof that will link me to his death. Hmm, but last night was the best, even though I had to work hard to satisfy my lust for you. Yes, there is no love between us but lust...and that consumes me every time I see your handsome face and your hot body." she told herself while she dressed up and waited for the chairman to finish taking a bath.

They ate their breakfast together without talking to each other. Margarita went to the shopping mall with her daughter while Ivan went to his office and work. While he was busy looking at the documents that were scattered on his desk, he received a text message from an anonymous number with the message - "I'm okay, daddy. I will come back to you soon. Please do not tell anyone that I'm alive. Keep this a secret, please. I will send a message to you again. I love you dad - Alyosha"

Ivan's face lighted up and he read the message repeatedly. Now he is more assured than ever that his darling son is alive and he only needs to wait for his return. He tried to dial the phone number but no one answered. "Oh, what am I doing?" he asked himself. "My dear Alyosha is alive" and promised that he would come back again. I hope he will text me again or much better if he calls me!" For the rest of the day, the chairman felt happy within himself. Now, he has to calm down and try to rest his mind, knowing that his son will return to him...soon.