The bar hums with activity as Austin expertly places the bottle of whiskey and fine glasses on the tray. Just as he is about to pick it up, a familiar voice calls him."Excuse me?"Austin turns to the far end of the bar. It is the woman that tripped him and embarrassed him the other day in the club. He did not want to answer her but he has to. It is his job. She has her hand raised to catch Austin's attention. He hesitates for a moment but with a practiced smile, he approaches her."Good evening, ma'am. What can I get you?" Austin inquires, maintaining a professional tone.The woman, her features contort into a displeased expression, snaps, "So you are still working here. I thought you would have been fired."Austin keeps silent, does not reply to her. He does not want another event lik
The woman picks up her handbag and takes out her phone."I'm giving you one last chance to do the right thing." The woman says."Austin, I'm sorry. But there's nothing I can do. I wish there was another way." The manager says with pity in his eyes. He knows how Austin begged to get this job. The manager had rejected him the first time but Austin kept coming, pleading for anything to do. Austin came for one week before the manager accepted him to work."What is your name?" Vincent asks the woman."Debbie. Debbie Rice." The woman replies with a sly smile.Vincent nods, "Ben, give me my phone."Ben takes out Vincent's phone from his pocket and hands it to him."And I'm giving you one last chance to do the right thing, Debbie." Vincent's g
The sun glitters through the curtains of Austin's bedroom. He squeezes his eyes before gently blinking them open. His phone on the nightstand rings. He extends his hand to it and grabs it. He sees Vincent as the caller. He answers the call."Hello." Austin greets, his voice raspy."Morning. Hope you're preparing to meet up for breakfast?" Vincent asks.Austin quickly sits up. He was so tired that he forgot and overslept."Yeah, sure. I'm almost done." Austin jumps out of the bed."I'll meet you in the next ten minutes." Vincent says."Sure."The call disconnects. Austin undresses and jumps into the bathroom. He showers quickly and rushes out. He checks the clothes in his wardrobe that best suits a breakfast theme in a restaurant. He chooses plain trousers and a blue shirt with a tie. He dresses quickly and wears a black shoe before rushing out of his apartment.Austin takes a bus to the restaurant. Getting there, he sees Vincent getting out of his car. They must have arrived at the sa
Austin takes a sip of his tea before continuing eating his breakfast. He did not have the appetite to eat anymore but he has to force himself to eat. It would be a shame to waste the food.The breaking news flashes across the television screen behind Austin but Vincent can see it.The news anchor reports, "We have received information that some days ago, Ariel, the prominent businesswoman, narrowly escaped a potential accident. Her boyfriend managed to save her just in the nick of time."Austin looks up in shock and faces the television. He did not know the accident would be reported by the news. It did not sound serious when Ramsey told him about it.The news report continues, "The police are now on the lookout for the culprit, Alex Manuel, involved in the accident. If anyone has information regarding this person, please come forward." Vincent looks at Austin with curiosity etched on his face. "Do you know Ariel and her boyfriend?"Austin hesitates for a moment, the painful remembra
Austin treks down the pathway leading to the river under the Golden bridge. He spent time with Ariel when they were still newly married. Ariel would always prepare a small picnic. It was usually night time that they came here. The night air holds a familiar chill as he gets closer to the stream.He sits at the edge and looks at the stream. The lights of the city; buildings, cars and the one of the Golden bridge reflects on the surface of the stream. The events of the day floods Austin's memories. He remembers how Vincent came up to his defense in the restaurant. Vincent could have easily sent him out but Vincent stood for him. He wished that Vincent had been in his life earlier but better late than never. Austin chuckles silently as he can't believe he almost thought of Vincent as someone who was after his life, someone who wanted to ruin him. Thank goodness that confusion was sorted out if not he would have lost a good friend.Austin picks up a stone nearby to throw it in the river a
Gabriel's voice fills with joy and relief, takes out his phone from his pocket and dials Christian's number. As the call connects, he heads to the doctor's office."Christian," Gabriel begins, his words carrying emotions that swirl within him. "Rose has woken up."Gabriel had been so worried that Rose would not wake up. Two days had passed and that was enough to make him worried. He was beginning to get worried for his daughter and his company. If something were to happen to Rose, he would lose it and without Rose, his company would no longer be his. That could not happen. His blood, tears and sweat went into it so it has to be passed down to his own generation.There is a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Then, Christian's voice, laced with disbelief, responds, "She's awake? Are you serious?"Gabriel confirms, "Yes, she's awake. It's like a miracle."Christian expresses his gratitude, "Thank you for letting me know. I'm on my way."Gabriel arrives at the doctor's office
Christian's shoulders slumps with guilt as he listens to Rose's accusations with a heavy heart.He did not want to escalate to this level. He is just glad Rose is alright and the fatal phase is over now. Now she just has to recover."It's all my fault," he admits, "I should have never given you that medicine. I'm ready to take all the blame for what happened.""If I had fainted in that conference room," Rose shouts, her voice rising in anger, "Everyone would have thought I was incapable of being the president. I could have lost everything because of your stupid mistake!"The intensity of Rose's words reverberates in the room. Rose is not ready to back down. She wants Christian to feel her pain. She wants to humiliate him in front of father."And what if I hadn't been found in time?" Rose continues, her voice trembling with fear. "I could have died, Christian! All because you didn't think before giving me that medicine."Rose can shout as long as she wants. Deep down, Christian is glad
Luther is already up before the sun rises to the sky. It is pitch dark outside but it is gradually brightening up. He has finally found a way to get the money and get Alex out of the country. He opened a fixed deposit account when he demanded money from Ariel for one or two things. He knows by now some investments would have returned in the money and the balance would be higher than previously. But there is a lot of risk involved in this because he will lose everything he has built over the years. It's still worth it. He can't risk Alex getting caught.Luther picks up his phone on the nightstand beside his bed and calls Alex. It beeps once before the call is answered."Hello, Alex." Luther greets."Do you have the money?" Alex asks, straight to the point."Yes, I have it." Luther replies,"What about the ship? Have you spoken to whoever is in charge?" Alex asks, impatiently."Yes, I have. He is going to keep you hidden in a basement so that even if the police search, they won't find y