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
Chapter Thirty-Six – Little nephew “Augustus Arthur Duncan.” Dominic muttered. “What do they want from me now after all those years?” The number called again and Dominic exhaled before answering, he kept it on loud speaker so he could keep the phone away from him. “Hello, who’s this?” “Good afternoon, sir. I’m Merida. Am I unto Dominic Thales?” a young lady answered. It made Dominic calmer and he replied, “Why yes.” There was no response then a deep voice spoke. “Dominic Thales, hmm. How have you been doing?” Dominic nearly kicked the phone despite the phone being far away from him. He gathered his composure quickly. “Oh, I’m doing well. Who are you now?” Why did the lady with the calm voice give the phone to a man? Was she the bait? What kind of prank was that?! “I don’t expect you to have this number but surely your mother had my other line?” the man asked. “You must be an acquaintance of my mother. I’m sorry but I barely knew anyone she knew. Speak to me like we’r
Chapter Thirty-Seven – Man in green Lucas sluggishly followed his uncle back to the car. “I didn’t know we’d be leaving as soon as we came.” His uncle rubbed his back. He would never have known that Casimir would be ready that soon but it was all good. At least, he’d be back to the office and be working when his uncle would drop by. “Don’t sweat it. Let’s go.” They jumped into the car and started the trip to Riverlane street. It was popular place for gamblers so Dominic had been a bit confused when Casimir asked to meet there. Still, he took the chance. They arrived after forty five minutes and Lucas jumped out of the car breathing heavily. “I thought we’d never get there. Why did they pick such a far location?” It was a good question. Dominic locked his car and held his nephew by hand. “At this rate, we've to finish up early with them and rush back. I’m having another guest soon.” The casino that Casimir had told him to get into was lively and looked like a bar. Domi
Chapter Thirty-Eight – Visit to Company The ride back home was quiet, and Lucas couldn’t place why. They had only met someone who was trying to murder their supposed aunt. But that wasn’t their problem yet so it shouldn’t make his uncle quiet. It was certain that that they’d not be having any desserts on the way. “Uncle Domi, I forgot to tell yesterday, but Jake called our houseline asking for a ‘play date’. It’s childish but I told him I’d talk to you about it.” Lucas broke the ice. Dominic looked away from the road. “Play date?” “Yeah, I think I’d just convince Suzy to play with them because I’m too old for that. But, you have to agree first and I don’t know if Miss Brielle knows of it.” Lucas replied. The corner of Dominic’s lips curved. “Oh well, do you think I’d rejected a play date offer with my boys? You should join too, Lucas. You might find it fun.” “I doubt.” Lucas frowned slightly. Dominic, immediately, called the Allen house line. Having the houseline for
Chapter Thirty-Nine – The Talk The voice sent chills down Dominic’s spine and he knew, immediately, who it was. He turned to see a middle aged six-feet muscular man. “Ah, isn’t that my little nephew?” the man chuckled. Little nephew? A vein popped up in Dominic’s forehead. Lucas, who was leaving to rest, turned back. “Good afternoon, sir.” Augustus Arthur Duncan smiled, bouncing in to the building, with a young girl holding his hand. “Hmm, good afternoon. With that face, I’d guess you’re Dominic’s son?” “Um… I’m Lucas Thales.” He hid behind his uncle. Who was that scary muscular and tall man walking in with a child? Someone Jake invited for the playdate? Dominic walked towards the man with outstretched hand. “You came. Nice to meet you, sir.” He sounded friendly. Augustus Arthur Duncan took his hand and they shook, but before Dominic knew it, he was pulled into a hug. “Come here, big boy. You’ve grown a lot. Look at you!” There was an aftermath vibration that ran
Chapter Forty – The Audacity Dominic gulped down saliva and nodded. So what that what caused the hatred that later affected him? Well, it was indeed disappointing. Augustus Arthur wiped sweat off his face and exhaled. “I was so heartbroken when my sister made that choice. I had so many eligible suitors for her…” “I don’t know if those men would’ve been good but,” Dominic interrupted. “I know for sure that you should let your sister make decisions by herself.” “And how did her decision help her?!” The man raised his voice. “She died! And her husband joined her, leaving his son! You grew up without parents. And with how she left, we were so embarrassed to take ownership of you.” Take ownership of him? Dominic scoffed, looking down. Was he some kind of property? They didn’t need to take ownership of him to show he was their family member? Occasional visits or letting him spend holidays at their place was enough to show that they were involved in his life. He barely knew h
Chapter Forty-One – Accuse One more thing left to do. Casimir exhaled as he picked his phone up and dialed Jean’s phone number. She picked up immediately. Of course, she was always with her phone texting or watching Tiktok videos. “Where are you? Are you free for your shopping?” he asked, packing his files into his brief case. “Um… no. Not yet. I’m still… working.” Working? Casimir looked at the time. It was past her work time and his mother had told him she was home. This was a first. Did she forget her shopping? “Are you okay? What are you really doing, Jean?” he was getting worried. Jean would trade him for her shopping and she liked doing it everyday if she could. She had never missed a day since he made a timetable for her in return for him always taking her. “It’s beyond me but my space is about to be hacked.” She chuckled a bit. “This is exciting, I’ve never been challenged so I’d skip shopping for today.” Skip shopping? “Wait, you are about to be hacked?”
Chapter Forty-Two – Proof Dominic sighed, moving away. Of course not. But if he wasn’t aware his mother owned a casino then his mother had more secrets that he didn’t know. “Since when did you know that you could be related to Thales?” Dominic asked. Casimir’s lips curved to a pout. “Four years ago. My mother told us weeks after you fell into the coma.” Selene's lips quivered. The lady told her children of the connection with such a powerful empire only after it was on the brink of ruin. She definitely didn’t have good intentions. Then she let her son create Timely Gadgets, which could rival Thales Empire some day with how fast it grew. Maybe Casimir couldn’t see it because she was his precious mother but the lady had lots of fishy steps. “I’d also add, that friends of this criminal are regular customers at that casino before your mother owned it. In other words, it’s been a criminal hangout.” Selene said. It certainly gave that feel when he visited but he didn’t kn