Chapter Four

Brian stared at Melanie from head to toe in shock.

"OK, I don't get it. You own those men?" Brian asked. Melanie didn't strike him as someone with that power.

"No time for questions. We have to get out of here." Melanie answered.

She hooked her arm into Brian's and lifted him. Brian winced as his body hurt. But the pain didn't suppress his surprise.

"How did you know I was here?" he asked.

"I said no time for questions." Melanie snapped.

When they neared the exit of the alley, Brian saw a black Mercedes Benz waiting. And, at last, he saw the men standing by the car. They were dressed in casual clothes and had nose masks on their faces. 

Brian's jaw dropped. He became scared that it took all of his willpower to walk properly. These men were built up with so many muscles that Brian could see their chest and broad shoulder outline on their shirts. Their biceps popped out in their long sleeve.

"Who are those?" Brian asked. He felt like a child in the presence of the men.

"Chill. They are here to help us," answered Melanie.

One of them opened the car door for them. Brian hesitated but moved in when Melanie nudged him. She entered after him, and the door was slammed shut.

Two of the men sat in the front seats. The car started and moved. In the rearview mirror, Brian saw a car trailing them from behind.

"Um...Melanie," Brian whispered to Melanie. "What's going on?" 

He lowered his voice. "Who are these men? And where are we going to?"

"Just relax. You'll see soon." Melanie replied and kept her eyes on the window.

Brian relaxed, thinking they were taking him to his rental apartment. But they zoomed past the apartment building when they reached it.

"Uhm, home is there," Brian pointed out. Maybe they didn't see the building.

"No, that isn't where we are going," replied Melanie.

"But my mother. She'll be worried."

"Charlene took her."

Brian furrowed his brows. "Charlene? Is she part of..." He glanced at the men, "...you guys?" 

Melanie nodded. "She is already at our destination as we speak." 

Brian rested his back, confused with everything that was happening – almost being abducted, saved by these strange men, and now, being taken to a place he had no idea about. Today has been full of surprises.

The journey was a silent one as no one was willing to speak. Brian appreciated the silence. He didn't feel comfortable talking in the presence of these men.

After what seemed like an hour or two, the car stopped by a huge gate. Brian opened his mouth and marveled at the sight of the gate. It was made out of silver that gleamed under the floodlights attached to a pole by the side.

The gate opened automatically and the car drove into the most beautiful environment and mansion Brian had ever seen. The environment consisted of a lawn separated on two sides by a driveway that led to a fountain in the middle. 

The driveway went around the fountain and separated into branches. The lawns had flowers of different beautiful varieties and species and the fountain spurted water that shone under the moonlight. Brian was so dumbstruck that drool slid down his lips before closing them.

The car drove around the fountain and stopped at the front of the huge cream-colored mansion. The car trailing from behind stopped behind them.

One of the men came out and opened the door for Brian. 

Brian stepped out and gazed around. Was he dreaming?

Melanie cleared her throat to get his attention after she came out. "Follow me." 

Brian followed Melanie. The two men trailed behind like bodyguards. Or were they bodyguards? Brian glanced back at them and faced front quickly. They climbed the porch.

The front door of the mansion was double and seemed to be made out of gold. It had a Phoenix design on it.

Two men dressed in black suits and dark shades stood on either side. On Melanie's signal, they opened the door for them, revealing the luxurious living room behind it.

Brian didn't have time to gaze upon the living room for long as he climbed up the stairs in the room. All he knew was that it was furnished grandiosely and screamed elegance.

Brian tried not to look down as they climbed up the stairs with silver railing. Melanie led him to the top floor of the mansion and emerged out to a hallway. 

Brian gazed at the artifacts and artworks hung on the wall in the hallway, lit by white bulbs in enclosed fixtures. By his left structured a balcony.

The artworks and artifacts looked expensive, like the ones auctioned in those classy events. Whoever owns this mansion must be stinking rich.

He was led to the last door at the end of the hallway. There was a turn to the left at the end of the wall.

"Here we are," Melanie announced when they arrived at the door. She opened it and stepped aside.

"After you," she said, gesturing inside and bowing down at the same.

Brian blinked in surprise at what Melanie had just done. The Melanie he knew would never do that. 

He shook his head and walked in. 

The room behind the door was a study. A table and swivel chair were stationed behind a bookshelf with different books on the wall opposite the door. There were brown cushioned seats and couches, leaning against the wall.

Only two people were there. One was Charlene, while the other was a woman with black long wavy hair and dark spots on her face.

The woman gasped. "Brian." 

"Mum," He exclaimed and rushed to her. His mother got up from the seat and hugged her son tightly.

"Thank goodness. Are you hurt?" She ran her hands on his body after she broke the hug. "Look at your bruises. What did those monsters do to you?"

"Mum, relax. I'm fine." Brian assured her. 

"Do they still hurt?" asked his mother, referring to the bruises. 

Brian shrugged. "Not anymore."

Brian heard the door close and he turned to Melanie who just entered.

"I owe you one, Mel. Thanks for helping me with those guys." he thanked her.

"That's my job," Melanie replied curtly.

Brian blinked. "Job? What do you mean? What are we even doing here? Shouldn't we go to the police or something?"

"There will be no need for that."

Everyone's head snapped towards the door where the voice had come from. A man had just walked in, dressed in a well-tailored gray suit. He looked like he was in his forties with brown hair, as long as his face. His jaw was covered by a well-trimmed black beard and his face skin was smooth without blemish.

"Hello." He greeted, his face beaming with a smile.

Brian knitted his brows. The man looked elated to see them. But he had never seen this man in his entire life.

Brian's mother, on the other hand, had shock completely written on her face upon seeing the man.

She blinked speedily as if dust had clouded her eyes. "Edward?"

"Rosanna." The man's smile widened.

Rosanna gasped and rushed to him. She flung her arm around him and enveloped him in a tight hug. Brian's mouth hung open.

Rosanna left her arms wrapped around him for a while before slowly leaving him. She looked at his face, her eyes filled with surprise. "Edward, you are still alive?"

"Mum, you know this man?" Brian asked.

Rosanna turned and looked at him. "Brian, this is your father."