IN EL-ZAKI'S HOME "You can't return to Mexico City when you've only just got back from Rome," Mr Ramirez argued. He was in his office when Caleb went to tell him of the new plan. "It's important that I do. I am the number one don now and since my name has been announced, I need to see all the men under my command and address them." He didn't want to tell him that El-Zaki was ill, which was his other reason for wanting to go back. Mr Ramirez knew Caleb was right about meeting members of the Mafia group he now leads, however, he felt that if he allowed him to go, the partnership deal he agreed to sign might be affected. "But you still have work to do here in Madrid," he tried to dissuade him. "I have you here, Antonio," Caleb picked up a crystal ball on his desk and fiddled it with his finger. "You can keep an eye on the goings on in Madrid while I'm gone." Antonio sighed seeing that he had run out of excuses to trap him. Moreover, if he forced him to stay, he could use his author
BLOOD TRANSFUSION"The test results are ready," Doctor Robinson said to Adriana, handing her the envelope containing all the results he had collected from the laboratory and x-ray unit. She opened it and brought out one of the sheets. "Tumour of the stomach. Malignant and rapidly spreading to the lymph nodes," she read out loud. Doctor Robinson adjusted in his seat, tugging the collar of his lab coat. Adriana brought out another sheet, "This one is his x-ray report." "What does it say?" he questioned anxiously. "Dark patches in the upper lungs region. Patient suspected to be having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," she read out again. Doctor Fernandez put down the two results and gave a poignant look at Doctor Robinson. "It seems we have a very delicate case in our hands." The older doctor nodded ruefully. "He needs to be operated upon without delay," he suggested in agreement with her. "I couldn't agree more," she added, "but I fear that the family, especially his wife
A DONOR EMERGES"Doctor, there is no AB-negative blood in the blood bank," the theatre attendant returned, a shivering look on her face."What!" Doctor Fernandez muttered behind her nose mask. Never in the history of Parklane Hospital had they run out of blood, even the rarest kind.She turned to observe the patient's face. El-Zaki was looking pale and yellowish as a jaundiced neonate."The laboratory attendant says we should bring a donor," the theatre assistant said making her look away sharply. "Get me Doctor Robinson on the phone," she declared to the assistant. The doctor answered on the first ring. "We have a big problem, Doctor Robinson. The patient is losing a lot of blood and needs a transfusion." The older doctor who feared that this might come up said hopefully, "Get it from the blood bank. Parklane Bloodbank usually has enough blood - even the rarest type." "I fear not today," answered Adriana with an exasperated sigh. "The blood says they're out of AB-negative blood."
A GRAND RECEPTIONCaleb hadn't been to the company since he was kidnapped and taken across the Caribbean Sea. The following day after his return from Madrid, he decided to drop by unannounced.The first person to notice him was Miss Daniels. She looked up sharply, the file in her hand nearly falling off because of the shock of seeing him. Caleb was looking smart in his black overcoat worn over a three-piece black suit, white shirt and a black fedora hat to give him that iconic don appearance. Very much like El-Zaki used to dress. She opened her mouth to say something but the words refused to come out. Caleb quietly scoffed and made to walk past her but she pulled him by the hand. "Excuse me, is this really you?" Feeling a little embarrassed but trying not to show, he said, "Miss Daniels, you never cease to be dramatic." Then he gently pulled away and feigned a polite smile. "How is work?" "I'm sorry, but you look completely different and I daresay boss-like in that attire." She
UNBELIEVABLE "Have you noticed there's a black Toyota Corolla car following behind us at a safe distance?" Caleb alerted Abhi. He looked closely through the rearview mirror and spotted the car. "Oh, yes. Who do you think it is?" he asked feeling a little disconcerted. "And since when did you notice it?" "Shortly after leaving the venue of the meeting." "Really? And we've navigated two bends cutting through different routes, still they follow us," he said grabbing the steering so hard his temples started to whiten. "What should I do next? Do you have a gun with you just in case? Since you've become popular, you should have your own official escorts who are licensed to carry guns." Abhi was talking fast, most of his sentences came as rhetorical questions while others were plain suggestions. "Pull over at the next eatery you see," Caleb ordered him. His tone was so full of authority it startled his friend. "I am ready to take on them this time." Abhi silently nodded and did as he
PLEASE FORGIVE ME!Mia stared at them with her mouth hanging open."The Don?" Then she quickly shook the thought off her head. "Don't tell me you're mistaking my-my..." She was struggling to find a name to call the ex-don. She didn't want to address him as her future father-in-law anymore until she was sure if she and Hart were still together. "Your what?" the waiter asked. "Never mind. The only man called 'the Don' is the father of my boyfriend," she answered nervously. Calling Hart her boyfriend was lighter to bear than addressing him as her fiance. The security guard holding the ID went to Caleb and placed the gold-plated ID on the table before him and said, "Forgive us, sir, for daring to question your identity. We only acted based on the call we received. Please do not use it against us." Caleb only kept on smiling. That made them more uncomfortable. The second security guard went down on one knee and pleaded, "We were only doing our job, sir. Please pardon us." Mia nearly
JEALOUSY SETS INCaleb responded with a nod of the head because his mouth was busy chewing food. "I'd like to personally apologise for the misunderstanding that happened a while ago," the manager went on, "And I hope you won't strike out our restaurant from amongst the top-ranked food vendors around the city." He was clasping his both hands in a plea fashion. Mia stood listening completely dazed. "When did he become a don?" she whispered to Elena. "Didn't you watch the news?" her friend returned. Mia shook her head. "My DSTV subscription had expired since...." She broke off not wanting to talk about her fight with Hart. Then she heard the manager asking Caleb what to do about the situation. "How do you want her matter to be handled, Don?" Caleb cleared his throat and took a sip of the Chateau Mouton Rothschild wine. He made a smacking sound with his lip to indicate he was enjoying the taste. "I wouldn't want her sacked outrightly as this may be her only source of livelihood," h
A TWIST OF FATE Hart got to the hospital and thankfully, his father was awake. His step-sister Bella was sitting by the foot of the bed pressing her phone. "What is she still doing here, Papa?" he barked looking at his father. "She was just showing me the show of shame meted out to you at an eatery," El-Zaki grunted out the words barely able to talk well. "The news is trending on social media. Even on international blogs and vlogs," Bella added. "What the fuck!" Hart cried. "Vlogs too? Like, they captured the whole incident on video?" Bella nodded pitifully. "And look what the caption is saying," she clicked something on her phone and began to read it out. "Billionaire CEO kicked out of the V. I. P. section of a restaurant because he couldn't afford to pay." Hart raised his two hands and placed them on top of his head and blurted, "But that's a lie!" "Another one here says, "Son of a deposed Don being treated like a commoner. And then the comments are really disgusting." "Wha