Chapter 11 – Jacob idea

Andrew's POV:

I did not know why I did what I did. The idea of the ice pack was not mine, to begin with. I was not the one to visit the pharmacies to buy salve for the wounds I distributed around the town. We had our sweet Jacob for those purposes. He showed up in my cabin carrying a pharmacy bag. On investigating, I got to know that bag held an ice pack which I had to give Aurora as a sign of what? Sorry? I snorted at the idea."Come on Andrew, you literally acted like dick yesterday," Jacob deadpanned, handing me the bag.

"I had already warned her not to enter my cabin without permission," I reasoned.

"If you haven't been crashing down your cabin, she wouldn't even have tried to," he rolled his eyes. Where did he learn that? I thought to myself.

Anyways, after the thorough discussion about the pros and cons of giving this little blue bag to Ms. Aurora, Jacob said dejectedly, "Alright dude. I got this for you.

Now, it is entirely up to you to decide what to do with this ice pack."

I tried to change the subject, "Any leads on ethan?"

Jacob sighed, "Not yet. We have no idea what is he planning to do now."

I raised my eyebrow, "If he is planning to do something."

Jacob pocketed out the pack of cigarettes and offered me one, which I refused. He lit his cigarette and took a long and deep inhale and then said, "What do you mean? He is surely not going to sit

on his bean bag watching some comedy movie while knowing that we are planning to ruin him."

"He might be doing exactly what you just said, Ryan. Now that he knows that our worst enemy is Alan Goodridge, who is also one of the most powerful businessmen out there. He had joined hands with Alan so maybe he is resting a bit in hopes that we are afraid of Alan," I clenched my jaws at the thought.

Jacob replied confidently, "In that

case, we should not wait for him to

strike us. Whether he is expecting

or not, we should carry on with

our plan."

"I am glad we are on the same page," I smirked.

After a thought, Jacob said, "We need to move forward really carefully, andrew. We are facing two of our strong enemies at the same time. We should not rush. I would suggest that first, you finish this project with Lockhart Chemicals company, and then we will focus on this."

I nodded in response, looked deeply into his eyes, and conveyed my message; Let's do this.

Jacob nodded back and took

another drag of his cigarette, bid his goodbye, and left the office leaving behind the ice pack, of course.

Later that evening, I signed some of the documents that Mary left on my desk, and then got up, ready to leave the office. It was already about 5:30 pm. This new investment project with Lockhart Chemicals was tiring. Lockhart Chemicals was the rising and flourishing chemicals company that was planning to launch their new product soon and they chose us to take care of the matters

related to money.

This was one of the biggest projects I got my hands on, that's why all of my focus was fixed on it. Even dealing with Luca was put aside for the time being.

I picked my coat from the coat stand, wore it, and was about to leave my cabin when my thoughts went back to the blue bag Jacob placed in the mini-fridge before leaving. I was trying to ignore that since morning. After not giving it much thought, I picked it up in the freezer and went outside. There, behind the reception desk was Aurora , hiding her bruise

behind a mustard sleeve. I wanted to walk back into my office but thought otherwise. "There was nothing to be nervous about, andrew. Just get over with it,' I told myself over and over again.

I had no idea why the hell I was feeling nervous. Anyhow, I mustered up all the courage I could get and took steps in her direction. Her face was still hidden behind papers when I reached her desk. She did not even lift her head to acknowledge my arrival. For some reason, I was thankful for that act of rebellion at that time. Without stopping in my track, I dumped the ice pack at the edge of

her table.

As soon as I left the office building I regretted my decision. I wanted to go back and snatch that ice pack back, maybe I should try some excuse like; Sorry, it wasn't for you. Or maybe, I want it back. Because come to think of it, she didn't offer me any sort of ice pack after punching my nose. So, why the hell did I?

I was confused that why was I confused. I told myself that what's done is done, there is no going back now. I sat in the back seat of the car and told the driver to take me to the penthouse. Back to my

safe zone, where there was no sign of Aurora jennings.

In the evening, I did some extra exercise just to clear my head and think properly; about business and my foes. One thing was for sure, Luca was not going to sit back and wait for us to attack. He very well knew that I was not afraid of Alan. I needed to strike before he did so. He was silent after the meeting, but I knew he was planning something big. We needed to make a move, derive a plan, and work on it as soon as possible. After overusing my muscles, I went to the changing room and took my protein shake out of the gym bag. I did not like its bland taste, but I needed it inside my body nevertheless. No compromise there.

Once, I was outside in the fresh air, I spotted my car and started towards it. I suddenly stopped in my tracks when I spotted William Roberts on the other side of the parking lot. This time, it was me who rushed towards him. As soon as I reached him, I lifted my fist and punched him hard across the face. He stumbled back, covered his nose with one hand, blood

dripped down his jaws which finally brought me some relief.

"What the hell are you doing here? Does your bloody father send you here to spy on me?" I shouted at him.

He took a deep breath and replied, "Why Andrew? Do you sign million-dollar deals here in the gym that I needed to come here to spy on you?"

"Just fuck off. I do not ever want to see your face." I hold his collar in my fist, "Your father came for me once again. But, this time I am ready and prepared," I said angrily

but confidently.

He looked into my eyes and said, "I know, Andrew. I also know that Dad and Luca have joined hands. I have been trying to talk to you for so long, but you never bothered to reply to my texts and calls. I even came here so many times."

Oh, so that was why he was making an appearance before me every now and then?

"Why were you trying to reach me? In order to warn me?" I laughed. "I no longer need your help, William . There was the time when I trusted you and needed you but you

shamelessly stabbed me in the back," I spat the words out.

"You have been punishing me for just that one mistake since forever. Do you think I am the one to blame? Then ask yourself. What had you done if you had been in my place?"

I replied immediately, "Certainly nothing even close to what you did."

He made a small laugh, "It is easy for you to say that because you were really not in my shoes."

"That's because my veins do not contain the same vile blood as

yours," I smirked.

His nostrils flared, "That's enough, Andrew."

He shouted, "All this time, I have been trying to explain you something and you have clearly refused to listen to me even once. I thought there must be some misunderstanding which can be solved with a talk. But I was so wrong. You are the person who has no morals, who always takes relationships for granted. Did you ever listen to me? No. You are just living inside your own head." He paused and then continued, "But not anymore. If you are constantly

refusing to listen to me then I can't do anything. I have tried to save our relation but one sided relationships can never be saved, I guess. If you are not in it, then I also quit. Best of Luck. And Goodbye." He turned and I could see his shoulders shaking. He did not look back again.

Did he think I live in my own head? What did he even know about me? He was resting in his king size bed, in the air conditioned room, popping grapes into his mouth when I realized the ugly truth and games roberts had been playing behind my back. Now, when I was on my own, he

came here apologizing and acting as he cared for me? Then where was he when I needed him the most? When I was wandering alone on the streets, did not even have food to eat, a place to sleep? Where was he? If he would have been there for me then, I would not have needed to fight the world all on my own. I never found him when I needed him. He, the one, who claimed me as his brother, was not there in times of crisis. Now, when I had become a stable and powerful person, he cared for me. Perfect.