“Miss Sheraton, who was the young man that called us in?” one of the police officers inquired with his neck nudged for immediate feedback.
She rolled her eyes in shunned perplexity. “I don't know who he is. I couldn't get hold of his name before he hastily exited.” She chimed in still entrapped in inward thoughts. “Whoever he is, I'm most grateful.” The cloud continually rumbled vigorously and it was only a matter of time for the City to feel the full aura of the grooming rain. Charleston Park Shopping Mall has been in the service business for over a decade. However, for the past twenty-four months, the Business enterprise has grown beyond expectation and has enormously attracted the likes of celebrities, wealthy juggernauts, and prominent personalities who often come to patronize. Remarkably, the Atlantic Showdown Enterprise has ranked Charleston Park Shopping Mall among the top five most successful large retail businesses across European shores. “Gosh! Michael Scofield! You are late!” “Madam Catherine Augustine has been on our throats on your whereabouts!” One of the staff outrightly uttered with a worrisome disposition. He was about to respond slightly to the alarming speeches before a thick, uncensored voice from the background bashed into words. “Finally!” “The long-awaited son-in-law has arrived for the anniversary,” Madam Catherine, the Administrative Manager, contemptuously mouthed, her speech ozzed with disgust. He already knew bad drama was underway, as his mother-in-law would never make such a public gesture if she didn't have plans to taunt him deep to his bones. “Hello everyone, as the feast unfolds; let us jam our hands in respect to my daughter's pathetic husband for showing up late,” she continually ridiculed, her tongue smacked with disdain. He endeavored to keep his cool and darted his eyes across his beautifully clothed wife with her bodacious curves showing off; who stood beside her mother while she flashed a glare at him. She was certainly disappointed that he didn't show up for the tenth anniversary earlier. Most of the invited personnel understood the assignment and bawled into scornful giggles as they sarcastically clapped with their teeth shining in absolute mockery. Michael had been a staff of Charleston Park Shopping Mall for about two and half years as the Inventory officer and has been a spiritual backbone to its sudden growth in the last two years, which his mother-in-law and wife were completely oblivious about. Within four months of his diligent service to the establishment, the CEO, Mr. Charleston Augustine, picked special interest in his visionary and incorruptible traits and welcomed him into his household. “Ladies and Gentlemen; most of you have graced our business anniversary for over five years. However, today's events would take a different dimension,” his mother-in-law bounced back to words as a devious evil smug formed across her left cheek. The invited personnel and all the staff of the establishment all paid apt attention to what would soon unfold given the fact there was a reason behind her words. “I need to publically inform you all that our unfortunate son-in-law, Michael Scofield, has been decisively laid off duty and will no longer assume the position of Inventory Officer in Charleston Park Shopping, not while I'm still alive!” Her voice thundered like a thunderbolt and fell deep into their nudged eardrums. Immediately those words echoed, the sky vigorously unleashed a heavy downpour of rain which showered the streets of Manchester City. Her words abruptly ushered in moments of shocked silence with an immediate inquiry sound. “Huh? Really?” Most of the invited personalities muttered and mumbled as they shot a condescending glance at him. He gazed at her mother-in-law in abrupt disbelief with his lips temporarily zipped in silence. He swiftly turned towards his wife who deliberately didn't stare back at him. He perceived there had been an initial scheme to sack him beforehand. “You’re getting me fired? Huh?” “That’s preposterous!” He heightened in a loud gasp. “What is my offense? I have been a faithful and hardworking son-in-law to your family even when I knew all you have done was hate me like I'm not a human. Why sack me for nothing?” he let loose of his voice without second thoughts. Madam Catherine flashed him a menacing smirk. She didn't expect anything less from his outspoken son-in-law who always seemed defensive no matter how you attempted to taunt him. ‘Oh! How much I hate his guts!’ She mused with her breath sharp in building anger. Most of the invited personnel had somewhat undeniable ties with the Administrative Manager and, hence, continually muffled mocking gestures against Michael to spite him after being cut off from the business. He bashed back to words without giving a hoot of the consequences. “I have worked tirelessly in the development of this establishment and don't deserve to be led off like this.” “Mr. Charleston, your husband, would wince at his sick bed if he should grasp what you're about to do. The agreement was that I would get promoted as the New Departmental Head on the tenth anniversary. Why am I being fired instead?” He didn't keep calm as hell had already let loose. He knew his mother-in-law hadn't been a great fan of his right from the moment she knew of his engagement with Michelle. However, he never thought she'd go hard against her husband's assurances just to humiliate him. Mr. Charleston had initiated a union between Michael and his daughter which had initiated a silent feud in the family. Two years and three months ago, Michael meticulously exposed some old high-ranked staff who had schemed to embezzle funds from the Mall's financial box. That singular audacious act changed the narrative as Mr. Charleston instantly admired his personality and deemed him worthy of Michelle even when he was undoubtedly poor. A few weeks later, after exposing the black sheep in Augustine's family business, he was promoted to the new Inventory officer, and two months later, he was joined in holy matrimony with Michelle. “I am the law and I take the shots!” “I make the rules, and not my sick husband who has suffered from dementia for over a year!” She audaciously exalted herself to mock him the most. Michelle deliberately unleashed a scornful scoff and elegantly marched towards him while stylishly whispering to his left ear. “...Michael, I'd advise you to tighten your seatbelt, for what's about to be unveiled...” “Cause it would hit you like a thunderclap.”Michael narrowed his eyes at his wife and muttered. “What do you mean by that?” his reflective question resounded but she continually exuded a cold gesture. He knew his wife hadn't truly been in love with him in their union which was contrary to how he felt. ‘Madam Cathrine would have simply displayed all these in private. Why show them off on the tenth anniversary? Could my wife be a cohort?’ he questioned inwardly as their words formed a thick voice in his head. He could feel more was underway but was yet to wrap his head around what his mother-in-law intended to achieve from her condescending public display in the past twenty minutes. “My confused husband of all wealthy successful men across European countries to give his beloved daughter's hand in marriage. He ridiculously chose you. He picked, “I wanna be rich someday, dude!” “What a joke!” her words reverberated in cooked-up insults as though she specifically waited for the tenth anniversary to entirely unleash her ills a
“Woo! Pregnant?”“She's pregnant?” irresistible questions sprung off among the elated guests.“Really? She is?” The hall was stormed with distinct and indistinct communication oozing from different corners filled with distinguished personnel from several walks of life.Michael Scofield muffled a heartbreaking chuckle that got his head spinning in disbelief.His wife's last words echoed like an alarming bell struck deep into his chest.“What more jokes do we have today?” he spilled with his eyeball bulging out in anguish.“A few minutes back, your mother got me fired, and the next action was publicly announcing a new suitor while you're still my wife and treacherously you're pregnant?” “What in heaven's name is going on tonight!” He heightened as he held grip of his saddened overwhelming emotions.His eyes gleamed for absolute answers as his heart tugged in reverberating heartache.His ears nudged for explicit feedback in silent prayer that all revelation thus far was a prank.He endea
Amidst the unprecedented disarrayed twist of Michael's epic response, a certain man in his late fifties sprinted through the back entrance of the hall and made his way toward the stage.“I’m… I'm sorry for being late. I had an emergency at the last second,” he managed to spill out while still catching his breath.He stared around the hall and beheld different faces in undefined countenances. “Why does everyone seem stunned?” “Where is Michael? Didn't he make it for the tenth anniversary?” he continually inquired as he drew closer to the Augustine family who were still rattled.Madam Catherine drew a breath with somewhat curved lips. “He just exited the hall… there's something weird about–” she was still in words when she hastily got interrupted.“I don't care whatever! Has he been divorced?” Barr. Frederick proactively expressed.“Yes… he has…although there was something strange about…” Michelle responded in a stuttering aura as she was unable to wrap her head around how her ex-husba
“Who sent you!” He screamed at the top of his lungs while he raced as two assassins audaciously sprinted towards him. After a few moments of not closing in on him due to how swiftly he paced, they returned to the moving van and zoomed toward him with one absolute mission; ‘Kill him!’ Within ten seconds in a marathon race to preserve his life, hot, dripping sweat engrossed his head as he could breathe the hotness of the thick air. He perceived no one could come to his rescue and the only option was to keep running till his legs failed him. The black van dangerously swerved towards his sprinting position, and before he could blink his eyelids, it viciously slammed him through. He uncontrollably fell across a field floor surrounded by thick bushes with his shoulders plunged against the wet grasses. He uncontrollably lost control while falling and somersaulted multiple times with his head persistently colliding against the thick bushes across the road a few miles from Mancheste
“Sir!!!” A hasty thudding footsteps persistently approached in a gasping breath. “Please come with me!” “Sir!” the stormy voice reverberated in its thickness. A seemingly frightened young man in his early twenties, in a fast heartbeat, vigorously sprinted towards Livingbird Memorial Cemetery, which was barely three minutes away from Southgate Godfrey's Lake. “It's extremely urgent!” “Please come with me!” The same alerted voice echoed across the quiet moody ambiance. On reflection, an angry, concocted voice expressed with brows furrowed. “Who the hell are you?! Can't you see I'm having quiet moments with the deceased?” a light-skinned man in his late sixties barked out in a sharp exhalation. “I’m sorry, but if it wasn't life-threatening. I wouldn't have called for your help. You need to–” he was still in speech before being aggressively interrupted. “And what!? What in heaven's name happened?” his eyes still on the cemetery ground. The young man replied after letting out
Within a twinkle of an eye, time swiftly raced with urgency as one hundred and sixty-eight hours traveled around the ticking clock. “He’s awake!” The light-skinned man voiced out in astonished delight. “Thank heaven! His pulse has normalized.” “Welcome back, Mr–” The herbal healer and his son stood in awe while in speech when Michael groggily cut them short. “Please, where am I? Who are you?” His words were charmed in puzzling questions as he rotated his weakened eyeballs across the herbal-decorated room. “Ahhh! My head! It hurts!” He screamed out in an attempt to raise his head out of curiosity. “Easy boy. You need to rest your head for a few more hours,” the light-skinned man helped dress his body in the wooden greenish chamber. On reflection, he sluggishly gave himself a full-measure stare and noticed his head and two arms were bandaged due to the intensive injuries he sustained from the car hit and manhandling beatings. “My name is Ethan, my grandfather is the herbal
“Would you want to occupy the Royal Suite Bedroom or the Kingship Mortgage Bedroom?” Lord Eric delightfully inquired in a flash of hours. Michael Scofield stood in awe as his eyes profusely darted across the eye-catching spacious living room; absolutely a phenomenon. He irresistibly stood at a spot for almost two minutes with delightful, thick words hanging in his throat. “Any of the bedrooms would be perfect Sir,” he politely responded, still enthralled in bewilderment as he was yet to grasp who Lord Eric really was. In his past life endeavors, he had seen beautiful edifices and castles, but being a man with instilled maximum composure, he didn't really get swayed by them. However, Lord Eric’s mansion preceded his prominent personality as the wealthiest man in the Northern Hemisphere and the top five most influential personnel in Europe, which Michael wasn't yet aware of. The mansion was nothing short of premium and high class which exemplified his distinctive taste for va
“Miss Sheraton Morgan, meet the young man who refused to bow to death. The one I told you I found lifeless at the edge of a lake after being viciously submerged a week ago.” “Michael, meet the Production manager of Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise. The City's Goddess of Beauty,” he did the honors in the introduction as he arose with his face enthralled in smiles. The two faces stood still for over ten seconds with their eyes glued on each other in slow motion with words stuck in their throats. “Great Lord! He's the one!” Miss Sharon echoed in a gasp of shock; thick goosebumps shivered her shoulders. Lord Eric hastily cleared his throat and blinked a few times in silence. He was yet to make sense of what she meant by him ‘being the one.’ He was already struck in another unexpected puzzlement just like he hooked in confusion when the old herbal healer proclaimed Michael as ‘The one’ “I’m completely in the dark, have you two met beforehand?” he eagerly inquired with his eyes fl
***“Welcome to the abode.”“Here would be your hideout till we figure out somewhere more secure.”“You can call me— “Bold-9.”The mysterious masked faced personnel chipped in…While in the car, after partially giving hints of how Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise should crumble— silence overwhelmed the atmosphere as both personnel had their lips zipped.Two minutes ago, the mysterious personnel drove into a simple flowered bungalow with the plans to cohabit with Marshall.He folded his arms, still engrossed in perplexity on what really Bold-9 needed from him, that had him take such high risk in helping him.His mind flashed toward his father and how he'd cope when he learned of his assassination plot against Michael Scofield.If for a second he knew that his scornful enemy would become the next COO of Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise, then he'd have manufactured an excuse not to attend the seventh winery anniversary.“Do you love whiskey?” Bold-9 once more jolted him off his deepened thou
Marshall, in a ragged heartbeat, took one of the greatest risks of his life and jumped into the front street in the hope the mysterious, unknown personnel could be an angel.His eye hastily glued on the strange figure who wore a red face mask and zoomed off at once, riding towards Aaron County Bridge Fifteenth Avenue.Silence overwhelmed the two as the only sound that could be perceived was that of the speedy car engine.“What has my son got to do with this?! As far as I know, he never had any relationship with Lord Barus Israel, so why the order to arrest him?”Olivia King questioned one of the cop men who wiggled his brows towards the new COO who ultimately should have a better response.As he strode towards Michael, his chest, for awkward reasons, kept skipping and thudding.“Please, what did Marshall do wrong? I know he's capable of many things but scheming to crumble Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise, I doubt if he'd do such a thing.”Michael gently turned, facing him, both eyes glu
All eyes flashed on Lord Eric and, of course, the new COO of Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise, who were unperturbed about Lord Barus’s barkings. From his hasty defense mechanism, he wasn't prepared to get arrested without pulling forth a fight. “I’m disappointed!!! Was that why you invited my company for the seventh anniversary? To have me humiliated in front of these honorable guests and the viewers at large.” “We are definitely rivals ‘cause we produce wines, that shouldn't give you the effrontery to blackmail me. That’s a spit on my face!!!” “Fuck!!!” The head of the police team winked at Lord Eric to do the needful before Lord Barus uses his petty talks as a route for a deserving escape. “Are you done spewing trash?” “Lions don't roar when the rabbit is engaged in a rat race,” Lord Eric sneered with a smug enmeshed on his cheek. “You have been ratting about evidence? Surely, we'll show you one.” Lord Barus was somewhat unsettled as a smidge of spine vibration was fe
Bewilderment and puzzlement struck deep into the atmosphere that most personnel had their mouths widening.The shocking aura entrapped on the staff's faces was like a statue that would live for a lifetime if captured.Lord Eric Sanchez didn't fuss at the growing disorganization with his arms positioned in akimbo posture; he already anticipated a similar outcome.Indistinct and distinct conversations were induced in the hall— most of the guests didn't understand what was unfolding.“Wow! How did the CEO get to know Michael Scofield!?” the staff asked among themselves with darting eyelids.“Does his name ring a bell? What the hell is going on?” Lord Barus Israel and his cohort were plunged in perplexity.“Oh, Lord!”“Michael Scofield??? I hope it isn't what I'm thinking about?” Marshall mused in discomfort, his stomach rumbled in fear.As seconds swiftly raced into a minute, the uproar of confusion, anticipation, and excitement intensified.Amid the multiple questions with no appropriat
***It's one week down the lane with all underground work put in place by both discreet parties.Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise, after years of rebranding, would celebrate its seventh anniversary and would air live on different broadcasting media stations in less than thirty minutes.“Y’all are welcome!!! We are honored to have y'all grace the occasion!!!” The gorgeous host charmingly uttered.For the first time in over five years, after persistent invitations of various winery companies— five industries that have been labeled core rivals of Eric Cottage Winery Enterprise consented to grace the feast with Lord Barus Israel leading the Ultimate Branded Winery Industries to the event.[Why the sudden change of heart?]“Please, the event will soon kickstart. The red carpet session should already be rounded up. Our esteemed guest please make it to your designated seats. Thank you.”Several distinguished figures from various work endeavors were also invited to mark a memorable seventh-year
“Michelle!!!”“Catherine!!!”Marshall's voice reverberated as he sprinted with heavy hot sweat contorted on his face.“We’re over at the balcony. Come over there!”Augustine's family received a hasty phone call from him demanding an urgent conversation.Different thoughts clouded their hearts and it was only moments for answers to be known.“Why the urgency? Has your father changed his mind on our concealed engagement?” Michelle inquired in sharp breath with eyelid profusely blinking.“Hey, next time add ‘Madam’ while addressing me,” Catherine spatted with a somewhat furrowed expression, her right finger positioned on her waist.He stormed before them with no ounce of giggle registered on his face“If my dad has changed his mind? You had better wake up from your delusional fantasies.”“I would no longer add ‘Madam.’ You lost that respect the moment you chose to sleep with Barr. Frederick.”“...Well, we have a bigger problem!”“Again!!?” Catherine and Michelle shrieked in deep worry, t
“It’s been twenty minutes since his abduction, and we have no clue what the assassins want! Not even a single call from them!”“We don't even know if Michael Scofield is still breathing!” Lord Eric bawled out, which induced more tension in the atmosphere; his emotions switched from fear to enrage.The seven household staff members in the living room lowered their gazes downward; they knew better not to stare upon the Great Lord when furious.“Enough is enough! I'm calling in the Chief Police officer to handle the kidnap case! I can't watch my boy die without a fight!”Sheraton widened her mouth to speak, then, within a split of seconds, swallowed hard with thick words clung to her tongue.A voice calmly mouthed from the atmosphere. “The Great Lord, please let's wait till at least thirty minutes of his kidnap. Once you make that phone call, Michael Scofield’s undercover would be blown, and the media would know he's linked with you.”Lucas held tight his gripping goosebumps and managed
The heavy gunshot birthed moments of gripping silence as seven bewildered faces irresistibly glanced at one another with mouths somewhat widening.It's been over thirty seconds, and no words, not even a scratch of the thick grasses, were perceived.Suddenly an uproar of intense laughter broke out like a troubling storm.“Hahaha!!!” All gang members barked out in severe chuckles and giggles with their hands held onto their stomachs.Michael, who had been holding firmly to the gripping laughter, couldn't help but widen his mouth and have it all gutted out.“OMG! You guys are excellent actors. At some point, I thought I was dealing with seasoned entertainers!”“I could bet that most eyewitnesses thought I was actually being kidnapped after the precise uppercut!” He gave in to more chuckling.“Haha! Richard? Was that gunshot necessary? You still haven't changed, still the same good actor right from college days!” Michael happily teased while the two embraced each other after long years of
***“Lucas! Fetch Great Lord a glass of water!”“Be fast!” Sheraton yelled with terrified bulging eyes.Lucas, one of the senior household staff, without further ado, sprinted towards the kitchen to do the needful, his heart racing with urgency.“Great Lord, please… breathe… try and breathe out,” she voiced out in gripping fear.Ten minutes ago, Sheraton stormed into the mansion to explain better about Michael's abduction as the Great Lord couldn't make sense of what she was spilling in the phone call.“My God! Please hold on Sir… Lucas has brought the water.”In great palpitations of the unprecedented negative news, Lord Eric's breath has been distorted for almost two minutes, his airflow and blood flow disrupted due to the shock of the kidnap.He managed to sip in half of the glass of water, followed by an exasperated sigh of sadness.“Oh, my boy. Do you think they had already killed him?” he mouthed from the deepest part of his heart, his veins quickly running cold.His question us