CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT – MYSTERIOUS It was his third cup of coffee that day. It was becoming an unhealthy obsession, one he didn’t have before, four years ago. “I should stop.” Dominic sighed. There was another knock on his door. Knocks came a lot now he had employed workers. “Yes, come in.” A small red head boy peeked into the office. “Sir, I’m Allen. The one Mr. Luke recommended to handle one of your trucks. Nice to meet you.” Seriously? Dominic stared at him from head to toe. A kid was the one to handle his big trucks for transportation? Did he know he may have to travel far distances? Not wanting to disrespect the young lad, Dominic smiled and asked. “That’s great. Can I ask how many years in experience you have gathered in driving?” It still sounded a bit disrespectful after it left his mouth but he didn’t mind. The young lad looked like he’d pass out after a fight with a ten year old. “Six years experience, sir. Two in driving normal cars and four years for trucks.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE – ALL FAMILY Lucas and Dominic walked into Pommel hotel where they were to meet Brielle and the boys. The anticipating and excited smile on his nephew’s face made Dominic warmer. Hopefully, this meeting will be more eventful than the last one he had with his sons. Lucas paused, making Dominic alert, he followed the boy’s eye sight and saw Brielle getting down from the car with the twins. Dorian and Lucian ran into the hotel immediately while Jake, their cousin, stepped down as well. Brielle kept her hands on his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Jake, but you can’t come this time. Just stay in the car, okay? The door will be open if you want to stroll about, okay?” she rubbed him gently. He whimpered then nodded and jumped back into the car. Brielle left him, climbing up the stairs. “Who is he?” Lucas looked at his uncle. He looked down when he saw the cross expression on his Uncle’s face. “We are getting him out of there. Isn’t Jake part of her family?” Domin
CHAPTER THIRTY – CONFRONTATION Lucas wasn’t liking the atmosphere on the table. It was supposed to be a touching reunion, not shifting of blames. He was also disappointed to know Brielle never visited but at least she stayed with the children and that was something important. It felt that way to him since his grandmother, his one and only mother figure, had given up on him and killed herself. “Here.” Lucas gave the gifts to Jake, he just remembered that he had them, “For you and your brothers. And my name is Lucas Thales. You can call me Lucas.” Dominic darted his eyes to him and back at the table. He knew his nephew was trying to change the topic. “Yeah, it’s something I got for you three. I hope you like it.” As Jake held it, Brielle swiftly took it from him. “Thank you, we’d check it at home.” The twins slumped their shoulders in disappointment. “So Lucas, where've you been all along?” Brielle asked Lucas who’s displeased with the gifts not being opened. “Around.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE – THE RESTAURANT Dominic heard his nephew slam the door and frowned. He shouldn’t take his anger on the innocent car. “I didn’t know you would flip when someone abused Selene.” He didn’t seem to like her. “She’s annoying but I know all she did for us, compared to Miss Brielle who kept the twins from us.” Lucas replied. So he saw things more maturely? Dominic shut his eyes. “I don’t know if I should be happy or sad that you’re this matured at only eleven. You should still be a kid.” Lucas gave no reply so Dominic started the car. “Care for dinner at a fancy restaurant? It’d help your mood.” Since he received no reply, Dominic swerved the car roughly making Lucas look up at him. “Yes! We can eat dinner, Uncle Domi!” Lucas screamed. “Good. Let’s be on our way.” Dominic smirked, cornering on the next turn. His smirk fell when he remembered how the ‘reunion’ played out. Brielle was acting more aggressive than she should. Was she really not seeing her mi
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO – GOING DOWN Dominic and Norman exchanged dark glances. Some customers, around them, began to stare. “You are making my customers uncomfortable so kindly leave.” Norman repeated, taking a step back. “Oh, so now ‘kindly’ leave? And you are the one making your customers uncomfortable because I’ve been here a while with no problems.” Dominic replied. Lucas tried pulling his uncle away. There was no need to engage with the attention-seeking man as it’d just fuel his thrill. They were done eating so could as well leave. “Don’t let me call the security on you. Do you crave humiliation that much? Aren’t you already humiliated with your life?” the corners of Norman’s lips curved. Oh, so he was finally going down that path? Dominic looked down. The fact he was alive was enough so he can’t keep himself in the past anymore. He raised his head, startling Norman. “This your stupid restaurant with it’s bad meals will go down before your eyes.” he snapped his fingers
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE – HIS PRIDE “You said what!” Dominic went back so the wave of her anger wouldn’t burn him alive. “I said to Norman Santiago that his….” “I heard you the first time!” Selene shouted again before falling on a chair in front of him, groaning. Dominic frowned, wondering why she asked him again if she heard him clearly the first time. He cleared his throat but stayed quiet. Threatening to send Norman’s new restaurant to failure was a threat done on reflex and with anger but he’d very much like it to happen. “It can work though.” Selene sighed. “You said they have horrible food so if we make popular food critics get there, they may lose customers greatly.” Though it won’t be enough for the restaurant to go down. Santiago Company was a big enterprise and well known for their snacks, desserts and beverages all over Southern and Northern America. Their restaurant would be expected to have some issue since the company’s niche was snacks and desserts, no
Chapter Thirty-Four – Suspicious Dominic hesitated before replying. “I know nothing. Tell me.” As far as he knew, Casimir and Jean Jones had only helped him. Buying many shares, the most threatening thing they could have done, wasn’t even if their list till he told them. “Have you met their mother, Katarina Jones?” Bethany asked again. The questions, with no answers and just building suspicion, was tiring Dominic out. “No, if you are going to say something then do so.” “I’m just watching out for you because of our deal. I’d never care about the friends you make but Casimir and Jean Jones are suspicious fellows.” Bethany remarked.“In what way? How do you know?” he better start giving specifics or Dominic was ready to throw him out. Bethany adjusted himself on his seat. “See, if someone in the mafia tells you someone is dangerous, you better take it with more than a grain of salt.” Taking it with a grain of salt would first start when the information was backed up with
Chapter Thirty-Five – Be proud Sunlight rays pierced through Dominic’s eyes making him wake up. He had forgotten to close the window last night. He’d been so exhausted after the whole day’s event that he didn’t even take a bath or change out of his clothes. With great strength, he struggled out of his bed but fell to the ground. Why did he feel so down and so weak? His stomach grumbled and he held unto it. Did he eat something bad. “Norman’s restaurant!” he gasped and rushed into the bathroom to relive himself. That restaurant was surely going down. Was today starting with a bad streak again? After taking a bath and having the meal he ordered, Dominic went over to Lucas’ room to serve him his breakfast. The room door was half open. He peeked inside. “It’s very unlike him to wake up early and not come to see me.” He frowned slightly. The boy was holding unto a picture of their grandmother and grandfather with himself during his graduation into grade school when he was