Fifty-one

Fifty-one
Charles

Funny how peaceful sleep comes when your enemies can't find theirs.

Last night was amazing. Everything went awfully well… just like I had planned. Oh, and the look on each of their faces when Uncle Ian announced that I would be joining the company was priceless.

I wish I had caught it on tape.

Finn and his mother, Emma, are probably plotting their next moves. Knowing them, they won't just sit and leave their pathetic fates in my hand now that they're aware I know every one of their little dirty secrets. They'll fight to squirm away from my grasp.

However, all their attempts will be futile.

I've made it into the company, and I'm sure this will be all over after the gala.

A sharp knock came through the door.

“Come in.”

Lopez walked in, “The car's ready.”

“Let's go,” I uttered, handing him my briefcase.

Downstairs, the perfect family of three was having breakfast. Uncle Ian had slept at the hotel suite last night, so he was absent.

“Morning, everyone!” I greeted, my cheerfully sarcastic voice echoing all over the room. “I hope you had a wonderful night last night…because I did! Last night was the most amazing night of my entire life!”

Father still had the same scowl on his face from last night, which deepened as soon as I walked into the room. Finn’s face was unusually impassive so I couldn't tell what he was thinking. And Emma… well, Emma is smiling at me?

“I also had a wonderful night last night,” Emma replied, her smile broadening.

“Oh, is that so?”

“Definitely!” She responded energetically, earning a surprised and confused look from both Father and Finn. “You must be so excited since you're finally joining the company after many years. You wanna sit down?” She gestured towards the empty seat.

Okay. I must admit, I'm also confused… and surprised.

What could she be thinking? Could it be that she has already figured out a plan? There's no other plan for her… if Lopez goes missing, she and Finn will be the first people to be suspected and apprehended by the police.

I know Emma like I know the back of my mind… she's not stupid.

“Come on, sit.” The more her smile broadened, the more uneasy I got.

My initial plan was to sit here and annoy the hell out of them, but her sudden hospitality has thrown me off guard.

“No, thanks.” I declined, “You wouldn't want me to intrude in your little family moment.”

Father glared at me. I could feel every iota of his deep-rooted hatred and disgust for me from where I stood.

This man has always hated me, even before I was born. To him, I was merely a mistake of his spontaneous decision, which he still regrets to this day every time he sees me.

When I was born, he wouldn't even look at me and wanted to send me off to a foster home. Grandpa and Uncle Ian are the only reasons I'm here.

Oh, I hate him. I hate him so much.

I want to grab him by the neck and strangle him till his dying breath. After I'm done with Emma and Finn, he's next.

And after I'm done with him, I'll make sure that he wishes he were dead.

All of them.

I'll make sure that they wish they were dead.

“I'm heading to work.” I turned around and began to walk away.

“Oh, Charles dear.” Emma's extra-sweet voice made me turn. She tilted her head to the side, her smirk broadening. “Do be careful on your way.”

At this moment, I should have known what she meant by that statement… but I didn't.

“Oh, I will.”

I turned and walked off.

A few minutes later, Lopez was driving me to the cafe where Eve and I had agreed to meet up.

“What's with Emma?” Lopez asked suddenly.

“I have no idea.”

“She was acting all chummy and suspicious.”

“I know, right? Almost as if she has something up her sleeve.” I said, almost to myself.

“Yeah, but there's nothing else for her to do.” Lopez added, “You've got her completely trapped. Maybe she was trying to get on your good side.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

When I arrived, I wasn't surprised that she wasn't there. While waiting for her, Lopez and I had breakfast as we ran through the rest of our plans.

Lopez is the only one who knows every little detail of my plan. I trust him. And without him, I wouldn't have made it to where I am now.

I really am grateful.

“She's here,” Lopez suddenly announced, his eyes glued to the entrance.

I turned and found Eve standing at the entrance, her eyes searching all over for us. I waved at her, and she saw me instantly, her demeanor hardening.

She walked over to our table. “What do you want now?”

“Good morning to you, too.”

Judging from her slightly flushed pale face, I could tell she probably didn't have enough sleep. Even the makeup did a terrible job of hiding the dark smudges under her eyes.

“You can sit down.” Lopez rose to his feet and gestured to his seat.

“No, thanks.” Eve snapped at him without so much as a glance, “I'd rather keep standing.”

Lopez awkwardly sat back down.

“So, what do you want?” Eve demanded, “You've impressed your uncle and have gotten into the company… at my expense. Isn't that what you want? What else do you need me for?”

“The company is having a gala in about two weeks,” I pronounced, “I wanted to tell you to get ready for it because we'll be going together.”

“Ugh!” She scoffed in disbelief, “Is that why you made me come all the way here? To tell me that your fucked up family is having a fucking gala? You could have fucking sent me a text!”

She's swearing again, which means she's mad.

Her voice was so aggressive that people in the cafe turned to heads to have a look at what was going on.

“I just wanted to see how you were doing after last night,” I replied.

“Yeah, no shit!” She spat. “Because I was so fucking pissed at you last night, I said mean things to my mom, and she's still hurt till now. And as if that wasn't enough, I received a text from your creepyass brother… whom I bet eats wolves for breakfast… threatening me.”

“It'll all be over after the gala.” I finally revealed. “I didn't want to tell you in case things didn't go as planned, but I'm telling you now. After the gala, you can go your way, and I promise you that you won't need to worry about being in danger.”

“Really?” She enquired, her voice softening, laced with optimism.

“Yes,” I confirmed.

She seemed a bit relieved and hopeful, but there was still doubt in her eyes.

“Two weeks,” She mumbled to herself. “Okay. I'd better get going. I have an early morning class to attend to.”

“Sure.”

“I'm sorry, Lopez.” She apologized, turning to Lopez, “For my behavior towards you last night and right now. I wasn't in my right mind.”

“No problem.” Lopez responded with a faint smile, “I understand.”

“Thanks. Bye.”

She exhaled, then turned and walked out of the cafe.

After Lopez and I were done with breakfast, we were out on the road again, driving to Herman Empire.

But to our dismay, the traffic was crazy, with cars blaring horns at each other.

“What’s happening down there?” I enquired impatiently.

“I don't know, but let me go investigate.” Lopez stepped down from the car and disappeared, then returned a few minutes later. “Apparently, a big truck broke down in the middle of the road, so it's causing this traffic. What should I do? Should I join the lane or…”

“No,” I cut him off, impatiently glancing down at my wristwatch. “Take Route 12.”

“But, Charles, that route is a little bit… I don't know… a little bit scary and secluded.”

“Take it.” I said, “I can't afford being late on my first day.”

“Alright.”

The car plunged into silence as Lopez steered around the car and entered Route 12.

As Lopez said, the route was secluded, and I can see why he thinks it's scary, but it's the only thing we've got now.

We are now nearing the intersection.

“Hey, what do you think about Eve?” Lopez asked suddenly.

I arched a brow, “What do you mean?”

He shrugged, “I might be reading a lot into it, but I think she kinda likes you.”

“Don't make me laugh, Lopez. Eve hates my guts.”

“Yeah, but… I've seen the way she looks at you sometimes.” He insisted, “I believe you've also seen the way she looks at you sometimes. So you can't…”

“Lopez!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I saw it too late.

The gigantic truck coming from the right rammed into our car as though it had been waiting, sending it flying across the sky.

The car tumbled continuously over the road and landed on a tree.

My head throbbed so badly. I felt so dizzy and I couldn't even feel my body.

As the sharp screeching sound rang in my ears, Emma's words replayed in my head.

“Do be careful on your way.”

Ahh.

Of course.

This is what she meant. I should have seen this coming.

“L... Lo,” I wanted to call out to Lopez, but I couldn't.

My eyelids feel so heavy. Why is it suddenly cold? Why is it so pitch black everywhere? I can't see anything.

Oh, I'm guessing this is the cold embrace of death. Not that cold if you ask me.