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 little sister and marched past the receptionist who bowed her head as they left. “She doesn’t care how your flight went, Jean. She’s just being polite.” He said when Jean had a sober look. They got into a room within the first hall and Casimir sighed, releasing Jean from his hold. “Mommy!” she jumped on the bed. A lady in her forties was seated there, drinking a glass of alcohol, she had a slightly swollen face. “Hmm, Casimir, you came just in time, didn’t you? And you brought my little sugar plum.” Casimir wore a straight face. “Where you able to meet him before your ‘accident’?” He was cold. Jean began giggling. “Yes mommy, how did the ‘accident’ happen?” Their mother frowned playfully, then smirked. “I decided not to meet him when I heard recent news. Things haven’t been merry for him.” “What did you hear, Mother?” Casimir asked. “He was in a coma for four years and just woke up. And worst, Thales Empire is fallen.” Jean’s smile fell. “Fallen?” her tone sounded serious. “Who made such a great empire fall?” “Well, there are rumors around but don’t you think you two meet him yourself? He’d surely know his own enemies.” Their mother replied. Jean smiled again. “Roger! Let’s go, go, go!” She pulled Casimir's arm and began marching off. Their mother had a knowing smirk on her face and Casimir saw it. He frowned before leaving with Jean. The receptionist gave a short bow when they walked out again but Casimir ignored it and headed straight for the Lamborghini. When he got in, he exhaled. “Thales empire fell within the last five years. What do you know about it?” he asked Jean. She was holding unto a teddy bear. She shook her head. “Nothing. Mommy didn’t let me know anything about it till now.” Casimir started the car. “Very well then.” Meeting Young Master Thales and promising alliance after his empire has fallen didn’t sound like a reasonable deal to him anymore. His mother had been on about meeting the young master for five years now hence pushing him to difficult positions. He drove out of the clinic and sped into the road. Jean made a joyful yell. If the alliance wouldn’t be fruitful or he’d have to babysit Thales empire to maturity, what exactly does he gain by meeting the Young Master? Jean’s phone began buzzing. “It’s Lady Brielle!” The car swerved unnaturally but Casimir took control immediately, he stared at the road in shock then snapped his head at Jean. Lady Brielle? “Why the hell did you call her?!” Jean had a mischievous smile. “Oh nothing. She is Young Master Thales’s wife, right? I wanted to know how she and her husband were doing?” Casimir clenched his fingers on the steering wheels. Jean always annoyed him like that. Since she knew he had a crush on the Allen’s daughter, Lady Brielle, she always gave him heart attacks like this. “Pick the call then!” he yelled. Jean chuckled then cleared her voice. “Hello, Miss Jean speaking, is this Lady Brielle?” her voice sounded serious. “Yes? Who’s this and how did you get my private number?” Brielle answered, confused. “You are a public personality, that’s a stupid question. I’d like to speak with Young Master Dominic. I haven’t been able to get his line.” Brielle frowned. She was in her office clearing the last files on her desk when the call came. And that was the last thing she wanted to hear - someone asking her about her husband. Since she heard he had awoken, she had been very uncomfortable. Her reaction surprised her because she should be happy but she wasn’t. She never imagined he’d get over it, and she’s done so many regrettable things already. “Get his line by yourself. How dare you speak to me like that!” she snapped. Jean glanced at the phone and then put it in her ears again. She placed it on loud speaker so Casimir could hear it. “Lady Brielle, I’m Miss Jean from the Timely Gadgets. I’m calling in respect to a collaboration with your husband.” Jean said more curtly. “And I’m saying you should get lost! Contact him yourself. Are you trying to troll me too! I’d sue you!” Brielle was losing her temper. She was trolled by masses when her husband was in a coma and now she’s trolled again when he was out? No one gave her a break. Casimir stared at the phone wondering why she sounded so offended. “I think here in America, you must call the receptionist to book a collab.” Jean shrugged then faced her phone. “Alright, mad-ma’am, I mean, madam, have a nice day.” She hung up before Brielle could react. Casimir gave her a tired look. “Something is wrong. The fall of the empire is getting to her.” “She must be a terrible wife if she couldn’t get herself together because of that. She’d be pressuring the young master.” Jean sighed. The car stopped in front of a huge three-storey building, painted newly in blue and red. “Are these his favorite colors? It’s quite childish.” Jean said, still in her serious mode. Casimir got out of the car and helped her open the car door, she got out. “Jean, let me do the talking when we get in, okay?” “No way! I wanna talk too.” She whined, switching off her serious mode. He stayed quiet and marched into the office. There were no security guards nor workers, the bulbs inside the building were switched on still. “He must be paying heavy on electricity bills.” Jean shook her head and Casimir had to agree. They got to the middle of the building with no human in sight. “He must not expect visitors.” Jean said the obvious. “So let’s scream!” Before Casimir could stop her… “Young Master Thales!! Lady Brielle!! I’m Miss Jean from the Timely Gadgets!!” Jean yelled. Casimir took a step from her and adjusted his suit. It can’t be helped, he should just work on being presentable when they meet him. Silence replied Jean and she frowned. “Could nobody be in? But the building was open.” The door behind them opened. “What are you doing here?” Dominic stared down at the two human forms before him. He was just about drowning himself in coffee and documentations when he heard the scream. “And why are you looking for Brielle here?”What do you think about Jean? What exactly is their connection to Thales?
Chapter Twelve – Jones.“What are you doing here?” Dominic stared down at the two human forms before him. He was just about drowning himself in coffee and documentations when he heard the scream. “And why are you looking for Brielle here?” Jean made a small run towards him. “Hi, I’m Miss Jean from the Timely...” “I heard.” Dominic interrupted. “You didn’t answer me.” Jean stepped back. “Um, well…” “I’m Casimir Jones, CEO of Timely Gadgets. We came to offer condolences for the death of your grandmother.” Casimir said, coming forward. Dominic’s eyes darkened on him. Jones? The name sounded familiar, and not really in his good book. “Thank you for the thoughts.” He was sure there was no enterprise called Timely Gadgets that his grandfather collaborated with. He had recently checked the log books. “Anything else you need from me?” he asked, taking a step back to show he needed to leave. “Where’s Lucas? I haven’t seen him.” Jean said suddenly. Dominic frowned at her. What
Chapter Thirteen – Everett. Augustus Arthur. Definitely a powerful name belonging to a powerful man. Seeing the name alone made Dominic shake. “What’s the deal with him?” Dominic forced a smile to ease his discomfort. He kept scrolling but the name stayed on his mind. When done with the files of the day, he closed the building. He was heading for a meeting he looked forward to all day – meeting of the Dons. “This will be so exhilarating.” He said under his breath. “Another chance to trend!” The awoken Young Master gracing his presence at the exclusive party of young CEOs. Before his accident, he never took the meeting serious because it was just a glorified evening party yet he attended always. Showing his face at the party again will surely cause an interesting buzz, after all, he was still a young CEO just not as successful. He got in his car, drank bottle of water before starting the car. He’d be going for a two hours drive to make it, but he’d not miss it.
Chapter Fourteen – Ex-wife A tall red-haired lady, with pursed lips and curious eyes stood, hands on waist, behind him. She was a fashion model that took the world by storm four years back. It seemed she reached greater heights to be dining with young CEOs. “You aren’t a regular here. Don’t think anyone can just waltz in…” “Now, that’s just rude. You wouldn’t even ask my name since your eyes don’t seem to work.” Dominic sighed disappointedly. He had regained some of his features so was definitely easier to recognize, except she wasn’t big on the Thales family. Which would be unreal. Miss Avarez clenched her fists. “Who are you speaking to like that? Excuse me?” she called for a guard. Dominic expression became serious. Was this lady about to cause a scene? He grabbed her arm and pulled her to his face. The guard noticed the act and rushed to him. “Miss Avarez, I’m not used to not being known. It’s never been said anywhere that the Thales heir wasn’t identified.” His
Chapter Fifteen – Hiring The chill juice sliding down his throat cooled Dominic's nerves. He exhaled, dropping the glass down, then stared at Everett. “You want to help me? I’d say, I’m surprised.” “Don’t be.” Everett dropped his own glass. “I’m repaying a debt.” Dominic narrowed his eyes. That didn’t sound right. After helping him, he had no intentions of being friends again? He sighed. “Whatever. You have a clothing line?” Everett nodded, “I understand Thales empire released one before the fall. If they are good products, they can still make a debut in the market but in cheaper prices.” That piqued Dominic’s interest. He had been thinking of debuting the clothing line, since he had Suzy Jones as standby model, but he worried for it’s quality. “I bet they have great designs but the quality might be less now so take a bit from the price. You might run little loss but it’d give you first popularity.” Everett advised. Hearing Everett give good advice impressed Dominic bec
Chapter Sixteen – A secretaryThe light flickered above Jamie. He groaned. That would be the third time he would be changing bulbs within two months. Was his roof leaking water? His phone beeped again. He glanced at it and it came from a strange number. He looked back at his computer. “Timely Gadgets, huh? Their rise to fame was quite quick but not necessarily suspicious. I guess they really have the Thales’ aura of fast success.” He scoffed. He read the source from the article of the Timely Gadgets he was reading. The name of the source seemed Russian. There had been some rumors that articles written from Russia were usually lies and paid by the celebrities spoken about. Jamie didn’t know what to make of it. There was barely any material on Timely Gadgets because they didn’t have a big online presence. But it seemed to be well known in Japan. He left the webpage and checked for ‘Casimir Jones’. Also not very known but he was mentioned in a blog page on giving charity to
Chapter Seventeen – The 15%“Casimir Jones is a financial advisor, and I remember, he’s from Japan. His sister was an illegal hacker and their mom, a second wife to a Japanese Billionaire.” Dominic was stunned. That was a little bit too detailed. “Illegal hacker?” The adorable Jean he saw? “She was notorious but because she was a minor then, she was forgiven by government, also she had quite the talent. She works for IT now.” Selene explained. Dominic looked down. If that was their true identity, why did they come to him as Casimir and Jean Jones from the Timely Gadgets? Was there something else amiss? Even adding that they were his grandfather’s adoptive brother’s grandchildren? What was going on? “I didn’t think anyone would come all the way from Japan just to scam me.” Dominic remarked, not wanting to take everything on face value. “Timely Gadgets seems to be a real company too.” Selene added, like she agreed with him. Dominic studied her, arms folded. She was his
Chapter Eighteen – Sue you “’Transport Hub' is taken.” Lucas announced after typing. They were trying to register the transport service as a standalone instead of a courier service under the Thales Tech Gadgets. “How about Thales Transport?” Suzy suggested, lying on her stomach on the couch. Dominic didn’t hear her and Lucas acted like he didn’t also. “Check for ‘The Bumpy Ride’!” Silas yelled, nudging Lucas to type. Jamie gave him side eyes before looking away. Suzy frowned. If those men were going to come over to her house for their ‘meeting', the least they could do was listen to her suggestions. She rose up. “Uncle Silas. A similar name already exists. Bumpy Ride isn’t very comforting either.” Lucas replied. He was shoved aside as Suzy took over the computer. She inputted her suggestion. ‘Thales Transport.’ Dominic watched her. Her eyes brightened up. “See!” she giggled. “It’s not taken! ‘Thales Transport' captures the company’s name and purpose. It’s simple but al
CHAPTER NINETEEN – COMPETITION The amount he had spent on the duplex made Dominic unwilling to spend anymore on the stores. He had told the agent he’d think again then return within the week. “How did the price of a luxury apartment rise to almost two million dollars?!” he slapped the steering wheel. Or should he have settled for one that wasn’t luxurious? He had wanted an apartment with similar aura to Thales Mansion they had lost. So Lucas would feel proud of being a Thales member after he surely must have regretted it while he was bullied at the orphanage. Also the duplex would be mysterious and very uninviting. Not all would appreciate it’s black and gold designs. It’d be really unique to behold. He smiled at the house documents, then patted it. “We’d move in within the week. Let everything move as quickly as possible.” His phone rang and he reached for it.The caller ID had Casimir Jones on the caller ID, a frown came to his face. After realizing they approached h