Chapter Three:
By the next day, Dominic hastily prepared to move out. It was the day – the day he’d meet up with his lovely wife and kids.
No matter what his family had become, he was still her husband and father of her kids.
He wore the shirt and shorts he owned, the exact ones he wore during the accident four years back, the most expensive clothes he currently owned.
As he left the building, he sighted the door mat, a small ragged cloth, washed and kept to dry on a wall. Was it also done by the good Samaritan?
A smile came to Dominic’s lips and he marched to the Allen’s company. “I’d recover all. Brielle, for what you’ve been through, I’d get back enough money to wipe your tears.”
Passing a glass door of a shop, he stopped to look at himself. Would she recognize him? His voice now sounded scrawny like twelve year old’s.
Shouldn’t she have known he was discharged? Why didn’t she come to pick him up? Questions and doubts were filling his head and he left the glass door and hurried to Allen’s company.
The building was a four storey-building. Huge men on black suits stood in front. He tried walking past them but was stopped.
“Don’t go in from here, use the other door. Or do you have a card?” one of them asked, his voice gruff but polite.
Dominic tried putting his hands in his pockets before realizing that he wasn’t still a VIP and didn’t have a card. That was the VIP entrance.
He glanced at the other entrance which he’d never used or thought he’d use. This was a harsh way for fate to humble him.
Also the VIP entrance led directly to the Managers and CEO quarters while the normal entrance would lead to a receptionist to get an appointment.
He didn’t have the time – but he couldn’t protest either.
A small gathering of people forming as two small cars rode Allen’s company. Dominic watched the gathering, wondering if it was another protest.
The cars drove to the back of the building, the garage. Some people tried running after them, throwing stones and sticks.
The security immediately held them back and the place became disoriented.
“The public is enemy with Allen’s family. That would come to my advantage when I’d destroy them.” Dominic muttered, while sneaking past the security and towards the garage.
Whoever was inside the car would be an Allen family member, and he can lay his complains.
However, his eyes widened and he paused when a lady stepped out of the car. He knew she was his wife, Brielle, but she had changed.
Brielle stepped out from the car, adorned in a gaudy display of jewelry, wearing a skin-tight red dress that screamed for attention.
Her aura was cold and not a single streak of smile or friendliness was on her face – and that was what worried Dominic the most.
Had she been worried about him that she became that inexpressive? The passenger door was kicked open. A blonde boy ran out of car, gasping for breathe.
Dominic recognized him as Brielle’s younger sister’s son, Jake. The boy was still five when his mother died and Dominic fell into coma.
Dominic exhaled and with calculated steps, approached them, feeling quite out of place within their sophisticated aura.
Someone else stepped out of the car and Dominic stopped his walk.
“Jake, next time, don’t ride with your mom and I. We have important things to talk about.” It was Lady Allen, Brielle’s mother.
A rush of anger ran through Dominic and he felt the urge to hit her. She and her husband had taken his wife and his sons.
They also had the guts to insult him when it was his influence that made their company see the light of day.
“Jake, always ride with me. Your brothers bicker and are too rowdy so let them stay alone, okay?” Brielle immediately countered her mother.
Jake smiled and ran over to the other car. Dominic was glad Brielle and her mother still didn’t see eye to eye.
“Dorian, Lucian! We’re here.” Jake peeked into the tinted glass. “Lucian, what’re you doing? Put on your shoes!”
The car door was opened and a three year old boy with long hair flew out of the car.
Dominic tilted his head. The boy turned towards him and his face became clearer, he had sharp blue eyes with a stoic face expression.
Dominic went back, the boy looked a lot like him! Was he his son? He had been in coma for four years so his sons should be at that age.
He always thought they’d be much smaller.
“I want to stay barefoot! The shoe isn’t my size anymore!” Lucian shouted, then stomped to his mother.
Another three year old, same size as Lucian but with shorter hair and slightly taller, rolled out of the car. He nearly landed on his head but hung.
“I’m hungry, mommy! I want to… ahhhh!” he fell on his back. Jake sighed, while pulling him up to prevent him from soiling his milk white sweater.
Dominic smirked, beaming with pride, seeing his sons. They were really his boys if they were that rowdy and outspoken.
Realizing he was yet to introduce himself, his heart began to race. He took a deep breath and marched confidently towards them.
At that moment, he locked eyes with Lucian. The boy’s stoic expression released and he looked curious. But suddenly, he hid behind his mother.
“Bad people.” He muttered.
“Bad people?” Dominic repeated.
“Who are you?” Brielle immediately asked, also noticing him. She looked defensive as Jake and Dorian came closer to her.
Dominic looked at them confused why they were reacting that way when he wasn’t close yet. Lady Lillian had an annoying disgusted expression.
“It’s Dominic. Dominic Thales, your husband!” he said, not as confident as he wanted.
There was silence between him and Brielle before she spat her next words. “Get out before I call the police!”
Shockwaves ran through his body. His eyes widened, “And why? But it’s me! I recovered from the coma..”
“Are you mocking me?!” She clenched her fists. “I said out before I do destroy your sick body and you’d never recover!”
Dominic’s shoulders slumped.
Why was she yelling at him? Why were his children looking at him like he’d hurt them?!
Chapter Four – Determined. Seeing his wife he loved so much, shoot him daggers at him was enough to break Dominic’s heart. And his sons were hiding from him? Why exactly were all these happening? “I said, I’m Dominic Thales and I recovered from the coma. Can you stop acting this way in front of our sons?” his voice wasn’t very audible. “Did I hear you say ‘our sons’? You're retarded, young filth!” Lady Allen rose from the car. “How dare you address my grandchildren as yours…” “Rebecca! Just shut up! I’d engage you when I’m done with Brielle!” Dominic scolded her immediately, using her first name. Brielle was stunned and looked from her mother to the man. Did they know each other?Security ran towaeds Dominic held unto him before he could resist.“Brielle, it’s me. It’s really me!” but he slapped across the face by a security man. “Even if you’re her husband, you don’t have a place here. But you’re obviously not! Don’t you protesters tire of pranks!” Lady Allen yelled. Pranks?
Chapter Five – Clash of Caliber.Brielle barged into her office, seething and cursing after just lashing out at her employees. Her twin sons followed behind her. Lucian had a disgusted face looking at his brother, Dorian picking his nose. Brielle shook her head, slumping into her chair.“Dorian, you’re being an animal.” Lucian said. “Just like mommy was yelling at people.”His mother shut her eyes. The child spoke a lot like someone she disliked. Master Thales, his grandfather and the man who raised Dominic. Brielle’s mind went to the prank that happened. That man seemed to know her mother and acted out the prank like he was indeed Dominic. She reached for her phone immediately. “Could Dominic really be awake?” she whispered to herself while calling the hospital. “The doctor clearly said he may never awake for the next ten to twenty years but, what if…” the line went through. “Hello, Doctor Phil?” “It’s Matt, my love. How'd I help you, milady?” Brielle internally cringed. The
Chapter Six – United Two months passed since Dominic had been hosted in Selene’s apartment. His mental health had regained stability. His physical body was nurturing but his emotional wellbeing had been shambling upon shambling. New discoveries about what the Allen family had achieved while he was in coma dug holed in his head. “They now have three branches abroad?” The Allen’s group could barely be known in their home country if not for him, then how did they attain some popularity? Well, it wasn’t surprising. Some slander had been placed on the Thales family. Slander used by the Allen’s family to chase clout. An accusation that Master Thales, Dominic’s grandfather, had killed his daughter and son to have the company to himself. Also, his grandson, Dominic was kept in a vegetative state because of him. It made sense why Master Thales ran away and why the company fell because of disappointed and gullible supporters.Also, before that, Allen’s group made Brielle withdraw a huge
Chapter Seven – Embarrassed Rekindling old friendships, fine. But rekindling old business connections, no. Dominic kept on swiping left to all the business owners his grandfather had worked with. Many of them had jumped on the Thales slander and fueled it, many also worked with the Allen’s company while knowing they betrayed him. “No second chance for scums.” That’d be his new motto. He sat back and glanced at his watch. It was almost 3pm. He’d have to pick up Suzy and Lucas at school. Selene was busy handling his company’s cases so the least he could do was pick Suzy up too. Dominic gulped down fruit juice on his desk and then left the table. “I should pick them up now.” Walking through the hall, he remembered when the place bustled with workers and machineries. The machineries remained but none to manage them. They were like vegetables, as he had been months ago. “Don’t worry, you'd run soon.” The car he rode to Suzy and Lucas’ school was one of Jamie’s he bought from him,
Chapter Eight – KidnappedThe environment was pitch black and low police sirens could be heard. Dominic slowly moved his head but a sharp ache made him put it down. Where was he taken to? He remembered the accident and then being taken out from the car.The men in black suits left Lucas in the car and it worried him because he didn’t know what injury Lucas had sustained. Light pierced into his eyes, interrupting his thoughts. “Oh, you’re awake now?” a familiar voice said, followed by a snicker. Dominic tried to work his brain to identify the voice. He couldn’t see the person’s face clearly. “I almost had PTSD when I heard you awoke. You are supposed to be dead, how did you live?” the man sighed. He was supposed to be dead? It made Dominic wonder if the accident that happened was more fatal than he thought. “Where’s Lucas? If you want just me, then leave him alone.” “He’s still a Thales, you know. But yes, I’m not interested in killing him. Don’t worry.” The man replied. Kill
Chapter Nine – At the ward. Again? “What do you mean?” Damien wasn’t stunned Allen family wanted him dead, he’d be hurt to know but at the point, he had given up. But what did ‘again’ mean? “Your accident four years ago. Didn’t you realize they were involved with it? My father precisely. My sister knew nothing.” Bethel explained. Dominic’s heart pounded heavily in his chest. Four years ago, he almost died but luckily or unluckily fell into coma. Sir Allen did that? “Of course, you don’t need to know the reason why…” “I can guess.” Damien interrupted, darkness filling his eyes. “He only wanted Brielle to marry me for my wealth. It planned a long time ago.” Bethel watched him intently as his voice lowered, he looked away. “It’s an inner strife by my father and your grandfather decades back.” Dominic’s head rose. “A decade long strife?” Why'd he never heard of it? Did his grandfather know the Allen family before he married Brielle? “Yet, that’s what led to the unnecessary
Chapter Ten – I’d pay “To give an advice or two.” Sir Allen replied with a calm demeanor, still sporting his fake smile. Advice? Dominic stared, hopelessly, at the man. He wanted to smash his head to a wall but that’d cause a messy scene. But he didn’t want to care. The man caused his life to be such a mess yet he came with an advice? Why were the Allen’s so fearless in taking him on. He knew Sir Allen was only there to threaten but after coming from his son’s place, Dominic was fed up with any Allen telling him what to do. “Get out while I’m still sane! I’d likely not repeat myself again.” He showed him the man the door. Sir Allen shook his head. “This will help you, you know. After four years and returning to the business world, you’d need some…” The man’s neck was dragged and his smile fell. His face was closer to Dominic’s. “Allen, you took my wife from me and then my sons, unless when I want to finish you, I don’t want you showing up in front of me!” Sir Allen
Chapter Eleven – Jean In front of a clinic, a red Lamborghini had been parked for twenty minutes before a man stepped out of the driver’s seat. The security guards that had been watching the car were stunned when an elegant looking man stepped out of the car. The man walked briskly to the other side of the passenger’s seat and opened the car door. A blonde girl jumped out of the car and ran to the entrance, she stood and gaped. “Awww! This is the clinic, isn’t it?!” The security guards gawked at her beauty with subtlety. The man sighed and walked to her, folding his arms around hers. “Mother is in, let’s go.” he pulled her along, ignoring the gawking of the security guards. As they walked into the clinic, the receptionist ran to them with smiles. “Sir Casimir, Miss Jean! Good morning. Hope you had a nice flight?” Jean grinned widely. “We sure did! There was this old lady who got mad at me for talking in the first class…” “We did. Thank you.” Casimir interrupted his lit