Vincent was assembling some documents when he hears a knock on his door in the office."Come in," he said.Mr Khalid entered and made his way to Vincent's desk. He sat on the chair opposite Vincent as usual with his desk between them."I never thought you would come this early in the afternoon but as I said before, I would be expecting you. Care for some coffee?" Vincent said to Mr Khalid."No. Thank you." Mr Khalid replied.Vincent sipped on his coffee and put down the cup on his desk, "so, what is this urgent discussion you have been looking up to since yesterday?" Vincent asked Khalid.To be honest, Khalid never had any urgent discussion he wanted to have with Vincent. He said that lie when Vincent saw him with Veronica in their living room so he felt he had to come up with something to go with his lie or else Vincent will be suspicious of something."Well, you see... I came here on behalf of my son, Ferdinand." Mr Khalid answered.Vincent raised an eyebrow, "really?""Yes. I wante
After getting home from work, Khalid starts ignoring his wife even more.Alma was getting more pissed off and swore that she would make whatever woman behind this pay."Here's your..."Mr Khalid swung his hand and the plate of food his wife prepared specially for him fell off the tray and scattered all over the ground.That was the moment when Alma lost her mind, "are you fucking crazy?! I've been trying for days now to get on your good side but it seems to me that your mood is permanently sour around me!" she screamed.Mr Khalid ignored Alma and continued doing something on his phone."There's another woman, isn't there?" Alma finally asked the question she has been trying to avoid for a long time.Mr Khalid lifted his eyes from the phone screen to Alma's face. It was now that she had his attention.Alma smirked, "You think that I didn't notice you smiling to yourself when you walked in? Do you think I didn't notice that smile fade away the instant you looked at me? All I need to do
Vincent sat in his office the next morning very distracted from the world around him. There was nothing else he could think about but his mother and he kept wondering what it was that bothered her so much to the extent of not being able to share it."Will she speak up if I took her to Dad?" Vincent wondered.A knock came on his door which he did not hear or respond to. After knocking again, Ferdinand walked into the office and dropped some documents on Vincent's desk.Vincent didn't even notice Ferdinand's presence in his office until Ferdinand spoke and clapped in front of his face.Vincent shook his head and then looked at Ferdinand, "Oh! Ferdinand. When did you come inside?" Vincent asked."I knocked twice and let myself in when you didn't respond. What's wrong? What's on your mind?" Ferdinand asked Vincent.In the past few weeks, Vincent had formed a bond with Ferdinand and José as his friends and Kate as his girlfriend who was now deeply in love with him. He could move ahead wi
"What do you mean you invited the Idris' over to our home?!" Veronica exclaimed in shock after Vincent informed her of their coming."Relax Mom. Why are you...""Sorry. Sorry. I wasn't supposed to react that way." Veronica rushed to say."You see? This is exactly why I invited them. You haven't been yourself lately because you've just been cooped up here with no one to talk to and no friends. I just want you to spend time with them that's all. Can't you do that for me?" Vincent said to his mother.Veronica sighed, "You didn't have to invite their entire family.""I only invited Ferdinand, José, and Kate. Not their parents. Why? Do you want me to invite...""No! No!" Veronica shouted, raising her hands and shaking it quickly rejecting the idea.Vincent held her hands, "Calm down. You can do this." he said to her.Veronica calmed down. At least now she knew that Khalid wasn't one of those that Vincent invited over.Maybe it wouldn't be that bad after all.The doorbell rings and Vincent
Vincent's words shocked Mr Khalid but he stayed quiet first, looking at Vincent with confused eyes."Did Veronica tell him anything?" Khalid wondered. "No. She can't. Not after seeing the video I played before her eyes. She would be too scared and not want Vincent to see such a video." Mr Khalid concluded in his mind."What do you mean by that?" Mr Khalid asked Vincent, fully facing him and looking like he was just insulted.Vincent loosened his fists and calmed down."I'm just kidding," Vincent said and laughed, giving Mr Khalid a gentle punch on the shoulder. Mr Khalid laughed along with Vincent."Well, that was uncalled for." Mr Khalid commented."Yeah, sorry. It's just that you hardly spoke to my mother and I was thinking that maybe there was something wrong." Vincent replied."So you thought of playing a prank on me?" Mr Khalid questioned jokingly."Yeah. My mom is the most important person in the world to me. I can do anything for her... And I mean anything." Vincent said, firml
The next day, Vincent knocks on his mother's bedroom door."Who is it?" Veronica asked."It's me," Vincent replied.Recognising her son's voice, Veronica permitted Vincent to enter."You don't usually come to meet me this early in the morning," Veronica said, yawing and stretching her arms out."That's because today is different," Vincent replied."Really? How is today different? You have a surprise for me?" Veronica questioned."Sort of. I guess you can call it that. Today you are starting your new job at Mr Khalid's company." Vincent informed his mother."What?!" Veronica got up from bed and waited on her son to say it was all just a joke."No. I'm turning down the offer," she added."I will only have my peace of mind when you go for this job. And besides, being among other people to me means that you are safe because why would anything bad happen while others are present and watching?" Vincent walked into his mother's bedroom."Vincent I don't want that job. I will feel much better
The next day while Veronica was delivering Mr Khalid some files, she heard some of the employees whispering and noticed it was about her when her eyes caught their glances at her."She's married. That's even worse. I just hope her husband doesn't find out after today." someone said."I feel very bad for her. The poor lady seemed to be so absent-minded about it yesterday." the lady who had shown Veronica around on the previous day said."What's that all about?" Jared asked the same lady after Veronica had walked passed them.The lady hissed and walked away without saying a word to Jared whose worries were quickly growing with the odd whispers.Should he call Vincent now?No.Not when he isn't certain that there is danger. He couldn't just make Vincent come here for nothing.Veronica went into Mr Khalid's office nonetheless and that was when someone next to Jared taps Jared."Don't worry about it. The lady will be fine." the guy next to Jared said."I don't get it. Was she in danger bef
Vincent squatted down in front of Mr Khalid and held him by the back of the neck."People like you do not deserve a second chance at life." Vincent clenched his teeth and started banging Mr Khalid's head against the walk.It was at that moment, his mother broke."Vincent stop! Please stop! His mother screamed.Vincent felt weak all of a sudden and he let go of Mr Khalid, moving and getting up right after.Half of Mr Khalid's face was covered in blood and Vincent had blood stains on his palms, fists, and on his white shirt."You can't be a murderer Vincent. Please just stop it. I can't see you behind bars as well. Your father is in jail. I don't have anyone else in this world." Veronica cried and covered her face with both of her hands.Vincent went to his mother and held her close to himself in an embrace.Stroking her hair, Vincent said to his mother in a calm voice, "It's okay. I'm here now. I'll protect you. Shhh... Please stop crying.""Vincent I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...""What ar
Time seemed to pass slowly as they waited, each minute feeling like an eternity. Vincent's mind was flooded with memories of his time with Chloe, all the moments they had shared and the bond they had formed. He couldn't imagine a world without her.Finally, after what felt like hours, the doors to the emergency room swung open, and a doctor stepped out, still in his scrubs. Vincent stood up, his heart pounding in his chest."How is she? Is she going to be okay?" Vincent asked, his voice filled with desperation.The doctor's face softened as he looked at Vincent. "She's stable now," he said, his tone reassuring. "The bullet narrowly missed any vital organs. She's going to need surgery to remove it, but she's strong, and we expect her to make a full recovery."Relief washed over Vincent, the weight lifting off his shoulders. He thanked the doctor profusely, gratitude filling his eyes. They were given permission to see Chloe, but only one person at a time, due to limited visiting hours.
With that, Vincent and Carlos laid out the plan, assigning each person a specific role to play. They spent hours going over every detail, making sure to account for any possible scenario.With everyone ready and committed, they began to execute the plan to bring down Mr. X. It was dangerous, and they knew they could be risking their lives, but they were determined to see justice served.Days turned into weeks as they worked tirelessly to gather information and plan their attack. And finally, the day came when they made their first move.As they landed at the airport, Vincent could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was it. It was time to face his demons.They made their way to the hotel where they had arranged to meet with Mr. X. Carlos had already set up the meeting, and they had a few hours to prepare themselves.Vincent took the time to meditate and clear his mind. He went over every detail of the plan in his head, making sure that he had covered all the bases.As
Vincent stepped out of his bedroom with Carlos. He could see everyone else was in a waiting position in the living room.When they saw him, they stood up straight, physically loosening up but Vincent knew that they were very tensed up on the inside."It became OUR fight since we all became a family. So if what you're about to say is that you're going to do this alone, that ain't gonna happen." Chloe said before Vincent could breathe a word out."I wasn't going to say that," Vincent told her."Oh." Chloe stepped back, "That's good then.""So, what are we going to do, Dad?" Eli asked Vincent.Vincent looked through his family consisting of his ex-wife Tasha, his wife Chloe, his daughter Lily, and his two sons Samuel and Eli."I will be appointing you roles to play in taking down Mr. X based on each of your strengths," Vincent said."Mr Carlos here has given us an opportunity. He is the highest shareholder in Mr X's companies and his plan is to go from eighty to a hundred per cent. We wi
Frustrated and seething with anger, Mr. X clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. It was inconceivable that his target had slipped through his fingers, escaping to an unknown destination by taking a flight. "How could this have happened?!" Mr X shouted, furious.He had meticulously planned every step, leaving no room for error. And yet, his meticulously laid-out trap had been shattered in an instant.Mr X's mind raced, desperately trying to piece together where his quarry could be headed. His heart pounded with rage, his blood boiling at the thought of his carefully concocted plans falling apart. He had invested precious time and resources to ensure that the person who had caused him so much misery would no longer haunt his days, only to watch them vanish into thin air once again.He paced, his footsteps echoing. Anger twisted his features, causing his clenched jaw to tremble with rage. He couldn't shake the image of his adversary slipping away.The feeling of
Chloe and the others managed to get Vincent to the hospital in time. He underwent emergency surgery and fortunately, the doctors were able to save his life.Chloe stayed by Vincent's side the whole time after the surgery, praying for his recovery. When he eventually woke up, she couldn't contain her happiness and tears streamed down her face."I thought I'd lost you," Chloe said, holding Vincent's hand tightly.Vincent smiled weakly and replied, "I'm not going anywhere."Chloe smiled and hugged him, grateful for his safety and their love for each other. That was a narrow escape from death and it scared the hell out of everyone."Where is everyone else?" Vincent asked, slightly scared that something bad might have happened to someone else as well."They are all okay. I will get them here." Chloe said as she gently slid her hand away from Vincent's hand and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.Chloe left the room and when she returned, Tasha, Lily, Samuel, and Eli walked in after her.
The meeting took place on the outskirts of town in the same warehouse where Eli, Tasha, Lily, and Samuel were being held."I'm sure you're wondering why I wanted to meet with you," Mr. X said, his voice smooth as silk but his eyes sharp and deceiving."I can't imagine it's for a pleasant conversation," Vincent replied, his eyes fixed on Mr. X as if insulting his brain."You're right," Mr. X said, a smirk crossing his face. "I want to make you pay for what you've done to me. You've cost me everything, and now it's time for me to get my revenge."Vincent knew that he was in trouble. He could see the anger and hatred in Mr. X's eyes, and he knew that he needed to get out of there as soon as possible but he couldn't do so without those being held there by Mr X.Mr. X approached him, a knife glinting in his hand. "You should have known better than to cross me," he hissed.Vincent could feel his heart pounding in his chest as Mr X brought the knife down. But before it could make contact, Mr
"Eli! Come on man! Slow down!" Samuel shouted.Eli stopped walking when he was sure that he was far enough from Vincent and Samuel stopped to catch his breath beside Eli."Why did you follow me?" Eli asked Samuel."We are best friends. That's the dumbest question I've ever heard." Vincent replied."Not in this case, Samuel. I want to be alone." Eli stated firmly."Then we can be alone together." Samuel placed his hand on Eli's shoulder but Eli shrugged it off and turned his head to Samuel."I don't get it, Samuel. Don't you have any brain? Are you stupid or something? I fucking ruined your life by taking the place that was meant to be yours and yet you're following me to make sure I'm alright?! Why?! Are you not capable of hate? You think you're so perfect don't you?!" Eli shouted angrily."I don't hate you, Eli. You were just a kid. And I don't think I'm perfect. I've made mistakes too. I just want to help you because you're my friend." Samuel said calmly.Eli sighed and wiped his te
After calling the police on Mr. X and he got arrested, Vincent, Chloe, Samuel, Eli, and Lily, believed that it was a great win for them.They all needed someplace to stay for the night and no longer caring about what her mother thought or might do, Lily volunteered her home."Are you sure it's fine if we stay here for the night?" Vincent asked Lily, "We didn't exactly speak to your mother about it." he added."She never cared about me so why should I care what she thinks of my choices? She spent all her life searching for her missing son and neglecting me." Lily replied, "She never once called me since I left. probably never noticed in the first place."Vincent stayed quiet and allowed Lily to lead the rest of them into the house.Vincent's phone started to ring and his wife, Chloe, wanted to stay back and know what the phone call was all about."Who is it?" Chloe asked."Someone from work," Vincent answered and picked up the call. He rushed outside the house while speaking, "Hello?"
"Vincent, what was that all about?" Chloe asked after following Vincent to their bedroom.Vincent paced left and right in the bedroom, thinking of what to do now."We can't let them go through with whatever they are planning to do," Vincent said."Go through with what? Can you stop and explain what's going on to me? Vincent please!" Chloe demanded."I heard you mentioned Mr. X. What's going on?!" Chloe asked again.Vincent looked at Chloe with eyes filled with sadness, "It's Samuel. Eli's best friend.""What about him?" Chloe asked."I think... He might just be my son and Eli isn't." Vincent replied."What?! How come? If Eli isn't our son then who are his real parents? How did all this happen?" Chloe panicked."That's something I'm yet to figure out. I know that Kate left her child with me and there was certainly no interval where anyone must have switched Eli. Could it be that the baby at that time wasn't Kate's? She just pretended to have abandoned her child?" Vincent thought deeper