"You are not the son of a gateman, are you?"Manuel asked him after a prolonged seconds of silence. "What is that to you? You should stick to business and not beat around the bush."Alves scolded. He hated to think that Manuel was looking down on him. But on the other side, it was natural for Manuel to be surprised. "Forgive my manners."Manuel apologised. Alves had no idea what to make from that apology. Not yet. He had no idea whether or not it was genuine, or Manuel had said it for the sake of formality. Alves had several opinions on the person of Manuel, but he didn't want to jump into conclusions. He had agreed with himself that whatever details he missed about a business partner, he would lift them all from Villian. And now, he would do the only thing that brought him there; business. He watched as Manuel go through some well arranged files which were on his work table. Originally, Alves had thought that a company such as Austrix with great reputation, ought not to have any
Alves followed Manuel quietly till they entered into the large meeting hall. It was so beautifully organised and arranged. Its interior was rich, deep and mature. Not too flashy, not boring. There was a long mahogany table to which several chairs were locked. And occupying these chairs were so many men. Men who were quite old. Alves didn't need to be told that those men were the board members. He walked straight to where he was led to by the lady who had come to get both him and Manuel. As soon as he settled down, all eyes which had been suspended on him since he entered through the door were heaved and supplanted on Manuel. Everyone looked away from him as though he wasn't seated there. All attention on Mr Manuel. Alves could tell by the lot of things and the atmosphere building, off the chills of the air conditioned room, that majority of the men were not on good terms with Manuel. Though Alves had already been filled in on the details by Villian, yet seeing it by himself had
"Madam... Madam..."Simeon entered into the Casper living room, calling out loudly. He wss followed by Laura who was trying to stop him to no avail. There was no Casper in the living room but Gareth who was going through something on his tablet. "Simeon, what's the matter? Why do you seem to be on an edge?"Gareth turned to Simeon, looking from him to Laura who seemed to be another version. "Where is Madam? Is she in her room?""Uhm... I think so ---"Gareth wasn't done with the words when Simeon had walked out of sight, heading straight to Madam's room. Michael walked out from the other hallway which led from his room to the living room. "What's the matter with your brother? Why does he seem restless?"Michael asked, looking from Laura to Gareth. "Of course we are all trying to fall on the good side of Madam, but isn't he becoming sissy lately? Why is he acting as if he has something to lose?"Michael carried on. "He must be restless after the death of grandad. Anything could
The limo pulled over at the roadside. Out of the van which had pulled over at its front, jumped out several men dressed in suits. They hurried to the limo and got the door. Manuel stepped out first, followed by Alves. The men bowed to Alves. Manuel did too. Now that Alves was the owner of AUSTRIX, he would get all the honor ascribed to the owner.But then it felt so unreal to him. Manuel was someone whom he held in a high regard. He had read about the achievements of Manuel as well as his unique biography. Some of Manuel's life story inspired him also. And now to think that, the person whom he admired and respected in the field of business management, was bowing to him? It was an occasion which should blow him away. But Alves had trained his heart not to be swayed by things that come and go. All that mattered to Alves at that moment were two things: getting his revenge on Madam, and getting to root of his origin. The men in suit led the way and Alves, with Manuel by his side, foll
Alves was already on his feet. He wasn't paying attention to Manuel and Co who were asking whether or not he was fine. That didn't seem like his main concern. Though he could feel pain writhing in his sides, but he had just experienced something which was very strange. Something which mocked the human sense and the modern mind. Alves was walking briskly towards the two tall stalks again. "Mr Alves, are you sure you are alright? I mean ---"Manuel was doing all he could to get Alves to stop, but Alves had something else going on in his mind. He kept on walking till he was standing in front of the space between the two stalks which had blue smears. NO, THAT CAN'T BE. WAS I NOT IN MY RIGHT MIND? WHAT WAS THAT JUST NOW?He tried to ask himself some of the questions which had even stalking his mind. But no matter how long he waited, he couldn't get any answer to the questions. He knew what the only answer to the questions was. And he was willing to give it another try. "Mr Alves, you
Alves opened his eyes slowly. There was a light pain travelling across his body. He could feel that he was in a lying state. He moved his head slowly to his left. He was wondering where he was. He couldn't possibly still be in the forest. Before he passed out, he remembered that he was hanging down two hugging bamboo stalks. And the present position which he was assuming mocked that memory. "Boss, are you awake?A familiar voice came from his right hand side. He knew who the owner of the voice was. He turned. It was Villian. He wanted to ask Villian where he had been but had a change of mind. "For how long have I been lying here?"He asked, trying to seat up in bed. Villian wanted to help him, but he held up his hand. The pain he felt earlier when he woke up must had been in his head. "Please don't tell me that it's been another two weeks."He hated to think that he had wasted time over and over again. Villain shook his head actively, "Of course not, Boss. You were just sleeping
Alves coukd see the look on Madam's face. It was a great deal of surprise permeated by shock. Alves had never seen her look like that. Unlike when he went to the Casper's Mansion after two weeks of unconsciousness, Madam's face had a shade of curiosity to this new gaze. She stared like she wanted to say something. Of course, Alves knew that it was a matter of time before she rolled the words out. Alves walked into the office, and walked in the direction of the well arranged couches which were set in the office to a corner. He settled down in one of the couches, not for once sparing Madam a glance. He was much more aware of what that would cause to Madam. He knew how hurt she would feel, on top the confusion which had gotten the best of her. "I won't be able to stay long here, I have to attend to him. We'll talk some other time."Manuel said blantly to Madam, who was still finding it quite hard to take her eyes off Alves who had presently been surrounded by the men in suits. The A
"What are you not telling me, Manuel?"Alves didn't have the luxury for honorific at that moment. He was in the limo, been driven to the Huthi Farmland. He had thrown his inquisitive gaze at Manuel who looked quite shook. "I'm sorry I held it back from you. But I thought we already agreed in the contract that the Farmland would be at my mercy."Even though Manuel knew he was in the wrong, yet he knew too well to keep the stance. He was a man who knew his right and would stand by it irrespective of the situation. Alves understood that too. He didn't want to abuse his position. And also, truth be told, he didn't really go through the contract. He didn't read through all the details. I mean, who would sit down and read through that lengthy thing?!Plus that wasn't really the main concern at that moment. The main concern was getting to the Farmland before the government. If the government officials beat them to it, Alves couldn't even imagine what to think. Originally, the Huthi Farmla