The Unknown Billionaire

Chapter 16

Vere found himself unintentionally dozing off while watching television on the comfortable couch during the early morning hours. As he lay there, his cell phone suddenly sprang to life, silently vibrating and casting a subtle glow across the room with its screen. An unknown caller's name blinked on the display, causing Vere to briefly hesitate.

However, the thoughts of Mira, his beloved, swiftly overcame his momentary uncertainty, and he quietly chose to answer the call.

His response was a soft-spoken, "Hello," tinged with both curiosity and concern. The voice on the other end, identified as Mira, replied, "Dear, it's me," yet it was evident from the slurred speech that she had been indulging in some drinks. Vere's heart quickened its beat.

"Mira, sweetheart," Vere confessed, his voice filled with relief upon hearing her voice, "I've been so worried about you." Mira let out a soft, slightly slurred chuckle. "I used my friend's cell phone, it's Ivie's number, we had some shopping," she explained. " And after, we decided to have a little party and enjoy some drinks."

A rush of understanding washed over Vere as he imagined Mira and her friend Ivie having a good time.

"Okay, my love," he responded with genuine concern.

 "I'm grateful you called. Please ensure you get some rest when you get home."

Despite the influence of alcohol, Mira's voice still carried a hint of affection. "Alright," she replied, "I love you." Vere's smile grew as the worry that had gripped him slowly melted away.

"I love you too my love," as Vere whispered tenderly into the phone. At that moment, Vere was overwhelmed with a sense of relief and comfort. He knew that Mira was safe and, on her way, home.

Following their late-night conversation, Vere ascended the staircase to his room, yearning for the embrace of his bed to continue his slumber. Its warmth welcomed him, and he soon drifted into a restful, uninterrupted sleep.

The next morning, Vere and his mother shared a leisurely breakfast together. As they finished, Vere readied himself for a day at the office. Just as he settled into his office chair, a sudden knock broke the silence, and James, his trusted assistant, entered, holding a bundle of documents. Vere furrowed his brow as he scrutinized the contents. "James," Vere began, his tone deliberates,

"I need you to take charge of these matters. I'll be heading back to the other city to join my wife and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez. There are some pressing discussions we must have, particularly regarding Mr. Perry.

James nodded, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "Certainly, Mr. Vere," he responded,

"I'll manage everything during your absence, and you can rely on me to closely monitor Mr. Perry's activities." With a nod of appreciation, Vere rose from his desk and prepared to embark on the journey that would reunite him with his beloved Mira and her family. As he exited his office and walked to his car and there his bodyguards were always waiting.  

Vere's return to Mira's place was indeed a surprise, and he had kept it a secret from his wife and his in-law's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez. He finally arrived after the three hours' travel by car to the magnificent Fuentez mansion. As he stepped out of his car and walked towards the grand entrance, the surprise was palpable on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez, who were outside enjoying the morning air. And so, his wife Mira. Who rushed to give him a welcome hug.

Mr. Fuentez, a dignified gentleman, smiled warmly at Vere. "Indeed, Vere, it's a pleasant surprise," he said, extending his hand for a hearty handshake.

"We're glad to have you back and together again, Vere." Mrs. Fuentez said.

 As they all gathered in the comfortable living room, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of warmth and joy. Vere, sitting with his wife beside him, explained his sudden return.

 " I decided to come back right away as I finished checking all my business and besides James is good, at taking care of everything”, Vere began.

Mira drew nearer to him, her gaze shimmering with affection. She spoke in a gentle, hushed tone, "Having you here means everything to me."

Then Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez shared their thoughts, "In any case, Vere, we were contemplating a short getaway out of town. It's a chance for us all to unwind and bond, especially since you and Mira are here on vacation. It's high time we took a break from the hectic work routine."

Vere responded with a warm smile, appreciating their consideration and looking forward to the relaxing moments ahead.

On that day, Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez acted swiftly to secure their reservation at a well-known island resort. The very next morning, Vere, Mira, and Mrs. Fuentez, along with her husband, eagerly rose with the sun to embark on their adventure. As they approached the lively port, their eyes were met with the splendid sight of a luxurious yacht, basking in the golden morning rays.

As they stepped onto the yacht, an air of anticipation enveloped them. Vere couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming, "This getaway is going to be incredible. I can already sense the stress melting away."

Mira's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she chimed in, "It's going to be a delightful time together, simply unwinding and savoring the beauty of this island." Mr. Fuentez, wearing a contented smile, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, this break is well-deserved for each one of us."

Upon their arrival, they headed straight to the resort to check in to their reserved hotel rooms. The reception area exuded an air of luxury, and the staff warmly welcomed them. As they received their room keys, Mira turned to Vere with a grin.

"Let's make the most of this trip, darling," she said, her excitement infectious. Vere couldn't agree more. "Absolutely, Mira. This is a chance for us to unwind and make cherished memories together."

With their hotel rooms sorted, the group was ready to embrace the island's beauty and all the adventures it had in store for them.

That evening at the island resort, Vere and Mira decided to head over to the resort's lively bar to enjoy some drinks and live music. The night was filled with the sweet melodies of the band, and they savored their wine as they swayed to the rhythm. As the night progressed, a familiar face approached their table. It was Red, a schoolmate from Mira's past.

A joyful reunion ensued, and they invited Red to join them. The trio relished laughter and memories, basking in the lively atmosphere of the resort. However, the evening took an unexpected turn when Vere announced his intention to visit the restroom.

As he began to walk away, he was accosted by three intoxicated men who had been consuming their fair share of alcohol. These men had mistaken Mira for Vere's girlfriend and had become increasingly rude. Vere's patience wore thin, and he couldn't tolerate their disrespect any longer.

In a heated moment, he delivered a punch to one of the men, attempting to defend Mira's honor. Tempers flared, and the situation escalated. In that critical moment, Red swiftly intervened, pulling Vere away from the altercation and diffusing the tension.

He managed to convince the drunken men to depart, averting a potential brawl. As the commotion settled, Vere felt a mix of emotions gratitude towards Red for his timely intervention and frustration at the inebriated individuals who had momentarily disrupted their otherwise enjoyable evening.

Nevertheless, they resumed their night, focusing on the music and each other's company, cherishing the moments they shared on the island of paradise.  

After a pleasant evening, red bid them farewell, extending an invitation to join him on a trip to explore the island the following day, addressing them as husband and wife. He left them his calling card, a tangible reminder of their newfound friendship and the adventure that awaited.

The next morning, Mira and Vere gathered the courage to inform Mr. and Mrs. Fuentez about their plan to join Red for a jungle exploration on the island. As they shared their excitement over the idea, they reassured Mira's parents that they would stay safe and be back in good time.

With their blessings and well wishes, Mira and Vere set off with Red to explore the lush, untamed jungle of the island. The dense vegetation and the vibrant chorus of wildlife surrounded them as they ventured deeper into the heart of nature.

While they were exploring the mountain path, enchanted by the exotic plants and wildlife that surrounded them, an unforeseen and terrifying event unfolded. Mira, in a single, unfortunate step, lost her balance and fell over the edge of a cliff. As she vanished from their view, time seemed to stretch into a disorienting and agonizing crawl.

Panic surged through Vere and Red as they rushed to the edge, desperately searching for any sign of Mira. The thick and grassy terrain below made it challenging to spot her. Fear gnawed at their hearts as they realized the gravity of the situation, and they knew they had to find her quickly.