Chapter 44: Gotcha I

Days later, Señor Diego arrived at his potential business partner's home and his presence was announced. He was welcomed in, and he stood in the same room with the man he sought to

impress.

"Señor Diego, I hear that you're one of the most successful furniture dealers in Costa Rica. I want to expand my empire and I think you'd be perfect to help me with that," the man said, his voice carrying daggers of ice. 

He was no other than the monster himself; Addicus James Worthington.

"Of course, Mr Worthington. My company is more than capable of helping establish Worthington Enterprise as the number one company in all of North America. But before we get into the details of the business, I have a gift for you," Diego said and had the painting brought in.

Addicus was seated and waited for Señor Diego to unveil the gift he had for him. Señor Diego however, took his time and savoured the moment.

"I sought after the best painter in all of Costa Rica to paint this masterpiece so I could present it as a gift for you, Señor Addicus. Never will you find a portrait more appealing to the eyes than this," Diego bragged.

He held onto the veil and pulled it off the painting. Addicus was no doubt impressed by the painting. He stood up and walked over to it to have a better look. He touched the canvas, his fingers trailing from edge to edge, his eyes focused on the art.

"This painting is exquisite," Addicus said in a tame but impressed tone.

"I know, Sir. The artist that made it is the best in all of San Jose."

Addicus stared at the painting with even more intensity. He couldn't understand why but the painting felt very familiar to him. The style of the picture, the blended colours, the presentation, everything about it made him feel like he had seen this painting, or at least something similar to it before. But where? He wondered.

"Who painted this?" Addicus asked Señor Diego and looked straight into his eyes, waiting for an answer.

"She's a standout artist that recently blew up all over San Jose," Diego said.

"A woman?" Addicus asked with serious interest.

"Yes, a woman!"

Addicus took two quick strides and stood directly in front of Señor Diego. His expression had switched over to that of a bloodthirsty creature that had caught the scent of blood.

"What is her name?" He asked intensely, without once blinking.

"Her name is Sharon Cooper!" Señor Diego answered with a little fright.

Addicus eyes widened at this revelation. Had his search finally come to an end? He needed to make sure because he had been disappointed before in his previous attempts to find Sharon.

"Describe her to me," Addicus ordered.

"She's very beautiful. She has blonde hair, blue eyes and rosy pink lips. She's also American!"

_Addicus was satisfied with the description. It was Sharon!_

After two years of searching for his run-away Sharon, he now knew exactly where she was.

"JJ!" Addicus called out to his most trusted bodyguard who was standing outside the office.

"Yes sir," JJ answered after coming in.

"Get my private ship ready for a voyage. It seems I've finally found the little rat that ruined my face, and we're going to go catch her," Addicus said villainously.

JJ left to go get everything prepared, leaving his boss to smirk evilly at the prospect of his plans.

"I'm coming for you, dear Sharon!"

**BACK TO THE COTTAGE...**

.

.

"That was how Addicus found me. I was stupid enough to think I could live a normal life and be a popular, successful painter even in another country," Sharon said to Peter.

Peter was fully tuned in, knowing that from this point on, only bad things were guaranteed to happen.

Just outside the cottage, JJ stood and watched, trying to spot Sharon. He was frustrated by the wait and decided to take a closer look. He crept up to the house and went to the edge of a window.

He slowly looked through the window and spotted Peter looking at someone. He took a good look at the person and after a few seconds, a smile was conjured on his lips. 

Sharon! She was there indeed.

He snuck away from the cottage and ran back to his car which he parked almost a mile away. He got into the car and dialled on his phone radio.

The line rang for what seemed like an eternity but was finally answered.

"JJ, any news?" Addicus asked from the other side of the line.

"Yes, Sir. Good news. I finally found her. I know exactly where the bitch is and this time, she's not going to escape us," JJ informed.

"Good! Make sure she doesn't see you. I'll personally lead my men to her and finish this, once and for all." Addicus said and hung up the phone with his left hand.

Why though? Addicus was right-handed.

After placing the phone down, he took his left hand and touched the place where his right hand should be but wasn't. He had lost his right hand.

"Two things you've taken away from me, Sharon; my face and my hand. Now, it's my turn to take everything you have left."