Chapter 4
1058 Words
Miguel sat awkwardly on the edge of his office table rooted to one spot, one of his legs hanging loose. He did not know whether to just direct all his anger at the lawyer Dr Kidman or to be honest and squarely face the orchestrator of the whole thing – his late grandfather.
“Good God.” He heaved a sigh in an attempt to bring himself under control. Despite the situation of things and the intense pressure surrounding him now, he knew he had to put himself together to avoid saying or doing anything that would bring dishonor to the memory of Grandpa Williams.
He ran a hand over his hair. He knew Grandfather in his last final years on earth, had always been silently against the way he led his life as a bachelor. He had always seen his scowls in the mornings just after the nights he brought in ladies or organized night parties, with fun-filled noises emanating from his portion of the estate.
“When are you going to snow me the woman of your dreams boy? Is it after I’m gone” Grandpa was fond of always asking. Miguel’s response then was always the same old repeatitive “Soon Grandpa very soon.”
“And u never got to do that. What a shame.” He muttered despite himself feeling a measure of remorse, observing a moment of silence.
Then after some time thoughts of the will and Richard Miller’s daughter crossed his mind once again reminding him of the actual difficulty of the task ahead once again. Miguel gasped and let out a frustrated sigh.
“How am I supposed to find her in a year, just how?”
He adjusted his tie and got up, pacing around the length and width of his spacious office.
“The old man really did me dirty.”
He mumbled again putting both hands behind his back.
About five years ago, Grandpa had asked Miguel his CEO to declare a one-week holiday at the Peterson’s group of companies nationwide to honor the memory of his childhood friend and business partner Richard who was rumored to be assassinated by political opponents after he announced his interest to contest for a seat in the State’s house of assembly. Despite the blood stains found in their apartment, the media stations from ABC News to Zenith Network had all broadcasted it as a kidnap yet up till this very moment information of the whereabouts of their bodies or eventhe corpses were still unknown. Except for his first daughter who had been seen by the help of some adjacent surveillance cameras, from the neighboring street escaping through the back fence of their yard that very night. It was the only video recording that had been obtained from the scene of the crime. Grandpa himself had tried taking up the case. He might have succeeded, because there weren’t up to five people in the state who were as rich or as powerful as the Peterson’s family in San Francisco. But grandpa had to stop due to Legal advice from Dr Kidman and also because he was battling with his arthritis. Confined to the walls of the estate all grandpa could do was burn candles and light incense every night to mourn the memory of his friend.
“Some very powerful figures were behind it “
“oh I wish I could help.”
“oh I wish I knew her name.”
These where Grandpa’s most commonest statements in his last days, he would often talk to himself unendingly, biting his lip, fumbling with his fingers.
Thinking about it over and again. Now, Richard reasoned, maybe it was even the weight of grandpa’s grief for his friend that had killed him rather than his ailment.
“Oh I wish I knew her name.” Miguel found himself repeating Grandpa’s words. Where was he even going to start from? Even if he found the lady now, how was he sure he was going to love her enough to make her his wife.
He went back to seat on his rotating chair, still lost in thoughts when his phone vibrated on the table nudging him back to reality. He leaned forwards to pick it up. The caller ID flashing was that of his Chauffeur GlennRodriguez.
“Yes Glenn.”.
“Good morning to you boss. I just dropped the other keys back with Flint, the one at fourth street, Flint Winterstone.”
“Good, about tomorrow, find out more about available office spaces at Park Avenue and then get back to asap, am I clear?”
“Clear as the blue sky boss.” Glenn responded with his loyal croaky voice.
“One more thing.” Miguel continued
“Yes boss I’m listening.”
“Miss Florence my nanny, needs an extra hand at the house tell James to take good look around and get me someone capable, preferably a female, I will meet with you both tomorrow night.”
There was some silence at the other end of the line, Miguel turned his phone over to confirm if the call was still connected.
“Are you there Glenn?” he asked
“Oh sorry sir, I think I was cut off for a moment.”
“Okay so am I clear on my last instruction.”
“About that boss, I think I’ve found someone that perfectly fits the description.”
“Male or female?”
“Female boss.”
“Good arrange a meeting with her at the estate 9pm tomorrow.”
“Got it boss.” Glenn said before Miguel hung up.
Miguel sat up on his chair spinning slowly round, glad for the slight distraction the last call with Glenn had provided.
He thought about how it was already more than six years now since he got to meet this loyal Chauffeur ofhis. It was Dr Kidman who had introduced him to Miguel. Now Glenn too was introducing him to someone else, how nice? He thought. Although all through those six years Grandpa never felt at ease with Glenn. Never liked him.
“The kid looks like one of those criminals I saw atBoston in 98. Take look at that scar on his neck” Grandpa had once whispered to him.
Miguel let out an absent minded smile.
- Writer
