45

Armani Pov

Having to deal with work, and cleaning up my father's mess before keeping up with my personal life can be very exhausting. Why did father have to retire now of all times?

What evil plan is he trying to pull off? I know my father, he is never the type to sit still and do nothing. His head is full of strategies that can be used to ruin or manipulate others. He will never willingly give up his power for whatever reasons.

So, I hired someone to keep track of his men and report their activities to me.

One would think I am not afraid of Father since I am his son but you have got to be kidding. Anyone who deals with this man will know enough to always watch his back while he walks. He thought me that.

I am in my office, attending to some paperwork when the man I had to monitor Father sent in a video.

I clicked on it immediately, trying to find out what it was about and there goes a few of my father's men, beating up a man. At first, I couldn't see the face properly leaving me completely clueless about what is going on until I begin to hear their conversation when they begin to argue with each other overtaking the wrong man. "There is nothing to worry about, another state. He is also a Brown, he is James's second son. So it's okay to go ahead with our plan." He said, and they continue to torture him.

I couldn't tell what happened next because the video was short, but one thing I am sure about is they got Davis instead of their Father's puppet, Michael. So, I called Mike to know what is happening.

"Mike, what is going on there?"

"I was just about to call you sir, did you see the video?"

"I would not be calling you if I did not see the video. What is going on?"

"Your Father men held a man captive, and if I am right, then I think the man is your brother-in-law. It seems to be a mistake though, they wanted to take the eldest son but they got this one instead." Mike narrated.

"Tell me what I don't already know, Mike."

"Your father is here."

"Father? For what reason?"

"It seems like he is trying to get back at James for whatever he might have done. He even threatened to kill his son, but James looks unbothered."

"Will you try to explain yourself better? What do you mean by James is not bothered by the threat? Is he there with them?"

"Yes sir."

"Mike! I am paying you to find answers to my questions, not add to my curiosity. Do your job properly and give me a piece of better information other than this crap." I almost yelled.

"Hmmm, you might want to hear this sir"

"So why are you hesitating?"

"It's your wife sir."

"Will you go straight to the point and stop getting on my nerves?"

"Sorry, your father said if she manages to find out about all that is going on, then she is as good as dead."

"Do you by chance know what he doesn't want Lila to find out?"

"Not yet sir, but I'll find out."

"Do so quickly and get back to me." I hung up on him, feeling both itchy and irritated by the news.

I called Charlotte to clear my schedule for the rest of the day, and I'll like to visit my father.

I don't know what he is up to but for some strange reasons, I don't want Lila to get hurt in the process. One would probably think I care about her, but I don't. Instead, I think I am the only one who has the right to make her feel things, be it happiness or sadness. She has been on her best behaviour for the past few months, giving me no reason whatsoever to give her any punishment. But my father is a completely different person. He doesn't care to know whether or not I have her under control, he will instigate pain in her if he felt threatened by her. And I doubt she will be able to survive it. She is too petite for all of these.

I went to my Father's house unannounced and he knew why I am here already.

Apparently, the idiot I had on his tail is not doing his job properly. How can you be slacking when you are dealing with Robert of all people?

He is smart, quick wit, and very observant. Whosoever wants to deal with him must be twice as smart. No wonder the idiot couldn't find out many details.

"What did I do to deserve such a surprise visit?" He asked with a knowing smile.

"Father, what are you up to?"

"Hitting the nail on the head, I like that." He smiled.

"Father!" I called out louder than needed to emphasise that I am not here for his mind games.

"Let's get down to business," he said, his whole demeanour changing.

"Yeah, why did you have Davis kidnapped and what business do you have with James that I am not aware of?"

"Now, listen son. Whatever I do with my time is my business, not yours. I owe you no explanation whatsoever and I will like to keep it that way."

"It became my business the moment you called for a meeting and announced your retirement. I have to officially take care of your shits which means I have a right to know what is going on."

"Is your little spy not doing enough?" Just like I had imagined, he knew about

Mike, fucking idiot.

I knew he is not going to share anything with me, so I left his office angrily.

I went home feeling irritated and I was welcomed by Jenny, narrating what happened while I was away.

Jenny keeps track of Lila by getting close to her. Jenny is my most trusted employee. She knows things that could get me behind the bars for the rest of my life but she would never talk.

"Where is Lila?" I asked

"She went out with Hailey shopping."

"And she is yet to be back?"

"They left late because Lila went out not long after she came home in the morning."

"Where did she go?"

"I think it has something to do with her friend, Bella."

"Is she okay?"

"I don't know, she didn't say anything about it."

I was sitting comfortably in the dining area when Lila gets back with her hands filled with bags.

Where are you coming from?" I asked, slightly irritated. "I went to do shopping with Hailey, I am sorry I didn't inform you earlier." She apologises. "When did you get back home?" I asked knowingly.

"I came back in the morning." She said, leaving out the details of going back to Bella's place.

"And when are you going to mention going back to your friend's place again, this afternoon?" I asked. "Hmmm... She stuttered. "It skip my mind" she lied with a straight face. "Of course, it did." I retort

"What is with the occasion anyway, why shopping all of a sudden?"

"I have been offered an admission." She smiled cheekily at the thought of it once again.

"Congratulations.

You might want to visit the hospital tomorrow though."

"Why?" She asked. "Because that stupid brother of yours manage to get himself there." "Omg, is Davis okay?

I didn't give her any more replies and I went into my room instead. She must have been getting too comfortable to be asking me questions.

I had a long day so I went to bed early and I got ready for work as soon as I woke up. I was half waiting for Lila to come to my room because she didn't get to ask where her brother is before I left her in the dining yesterday.

Right on cue, she came into my room, all dressed, asking for the hospital her brother is in.

I have heard a lot of news about ladies getting harassed in that area so I told her to wait for my driver and that he will take her there instead.

I left for work after having my breakfast because I have an important meeting by 9:00 am.

I called Luca, my driver to go to the hospital where he dropped Lila off in the morning to go and pick her up because there is no how she would have got home without her car.

It didn't take long when he called back to inform me that Lila has taken her brother to another hospital. I tried to find out where she took him but no one knows.

Maybe I really shouldn't be stressing myself out over her matter.

I called Charlotte and told her to cancel the rest of my plans for the day before I headed home.

Lila wasn't back when I got home and I didn't bother asking about her because I know she would be with her brother.

I left my office to retire for the day when I met her coming up the stairs.

"Hey" she greeted me when she noticed me.

"Are you just coming from the hospital?"

"Yes," she answered curtly.

"I sent my driver to go back and pick you up, they said you have left already. Where did you go?"

"Hmm, Davis wasn't comfortable at that place so I had to switch his hospital."

"Oh, I see..."

"Hmm, he told me about what happened. Thank you for telling me about him."

"Are you trying to ask me something?" I asked irritated, I hope Davis won't be stupid enough to tell her what actually happened.

"No, I was just wondering if Father has anything to do with Davis and how you found out about it. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting anything, I am only asking out of curiosity."

"I don't have any answer to your questions."

She looked down sadly like my answer had hurt her and I find myself saying "sometimes, it's better to be left in the dark." I didn't explain further. Instead, I left her standing there and went into my room.

*********************************************

I didn't know how I manage to sleep off immediately after getting into my room, by the time I woke up, it was already 7:00 in the morning.

I went straight into the shower and once I was done dressing up, I went downstairs to have my breakfast. Not that I ever eat the food but Jenny gets mad each time I leave for work without eating. She has a soft spot in my heart. She was there for me all the time while I was growing up, she literally a family to me.

I take my seat at my usual spot as I stare down at the newspaper, reading the latest business news. I heard steps coming toward me and I already know it was Lila but I ignored her.

" Good Morning" she greeted and I raised my head to take in her appearance. She is dressed in a beautiful dress that complements her skin. Is she going on a date? Why did she have to look so dressed up? "Are you going somewhere?" I find myself asking, ignoring her greetings.

"Yeah, I am going to check on my brother, if that is fine by you of course."

"You are going to the hospital dressed like this?" I questioned suspiciously.

"Yeah, is that a problem?"

"No, it's not," I answered after giving her a cold long stare.

She pulls out a chair and begins to eat.

Once she finished her food, she went into the kitchen to carry the food Jenny had to prepare for her brother.

She said her goodbye and was about to leave when I stopped her midway.

"I want to see how he is doing for myself, I will drive you there."

She looked at me with a questioning look but kept quiet.

I took my car keys and take the lead. She followed closely behind him into my car and she gave me the address to the new hospital and I drive in silence.

"Hey, Davis" she greeted her brother with a smile the moment we entered the room.

"You are early, he said, returning with his smile."

"Of course, I couldn't have left you here, looking like this."

Davis looks all better than he was yesterday. I should have left his sorry ass in the abandoned building.

"Can you excuse us?" I said to Lila, and she kept quiet, looking between Davis and me.

"Lila!" I called out in a more firm tone, leaving no room for argument or questions.

"I will be outside, call me if you need anything." She said to her brother before leaving us alone.

"What did you tell Lila?"

"Why did you care!"

"Don't give me that bullshit, I warned."

"Or what?"

"Don't make me regret taking you to a hospital you fucking idiot."

"Oops, my mad. I forgot I am meant to thank you for taking me to the hospital when your father is responsible for my condition."

"Blame it on your ill luck, now listen to me, Lila must not find out about what is going on or her life will be in danger."

"We both know you do not care about her, why are you suddenly acting like a caring husband because you are very far from it, you are just an animal."

"Say another word and this will be nothing compared to what next am going to do to you."

Lila slammed the door close behind her which indicate she heard my last statement. I adjust my suit as if nothing happened and faced Lila.

"I will see you at home, I said before exiting the room