Chapter 25: The Second Problem

It was almost noon. Chris walked back and forth in his room while touching his forehead. He felt his head throbbing after getting a call from Chris. It turned out that his brother hadn't stopped his plan to destroy him.

She hadn't done any work all day because her mind was racing, not giving her a chance to do anything else. She decided to see Briana now. Maybe after this meeting with Briana, she would feel calmer.

"Briana ...."

Joe called out, then continued to step into Briana's room. It was very quiet. Briana was nowhere to be seen. A bad thought crossed his mind, maybe she left while he was in her room earlier. He walked quickly, hurriedly opening the bathroom door. After that, he stood in front of the door.

"What's wrong?" Briana asked quietly. Her face was still pale, and her hair was a little messy. She was cleaning her face in the sink.

Daren immediately hugged Briana tightly. "I thought you'd left the house."

Briana pushed Joe to let go of her embrace. But Joe didn't budge, he just tightened his embrace even more. As if he didn't want to let go of Briana.

"I'm having trouble breathing," Briana said while patting Joe's back.

Finally Joe moved away from Briana. His eyes looked straight at Briana, checking her current condition. His hand reached out, touching Briana's forehead which was no longer feverish.

"Thank goodness your fever is gone."

"I think I need to leave this house. There's something I need to do," Briana said quietly. She reached for Joe's hand that was still perched on her forehead, then brushed it away lightly.

"Don't be crazy! Chris is still after you," Joe snapped. The look in his eyes implied an urgent and non-negotiable request.

"But..."

"There is no but. You must follow all my words."

"Fine, if that's what you want. I don't seem to have any other choice," Briana returned Joe's gaze innocently.

"Let's have dinner first." Joe tugged on Briana's hand. He led her downstairs to the dining room.

***

They were sitting on the back porch overlooking the large meadow. Two cups of coffee lay on the table, still emitting hot steam. Their dinner was finished about half an hour ago. Now they wanted to enjoy the clear night sky, and talk about something very serious.

"I have to do something to you." The words slipped smoothly from Joe's lips after a minute of silence. He looked at Briana intently.

Briana frowned. Not understanding what Joe really meant. Joe's words were very suspicious.

"What do you mean exactly?"

"I want you to go somewhere safe with Antonio. You're still in danger if you stay here," Joe explained.

"I can't possibly do that. I'm afraid to be alone," Briana replied.

"Of course you're not alone. Maria will be there with you. I'm doing this for your safety," Joe continued.

"All right if that's what you want. I can't do anything about it," Briana said resignedly.

After that Joe told Briana to go to her room to rest. He wanted to see Antonio and tell him about his plan. He had to save Briana at all costs.

***

"When did you compile this report?" Joe asked after Antonio faced him. He had just found a report on his company's embezzlement a while ago.

"Wait a minute. I'll try to remember." Antonio accepted the paper, reading it carefully from one to the other.

"Try to remember."

Antonio replayed his memories. He seemed to be familiar with this report. He found an irregularity when checking the financial report that was to be given to Joe two months ago.

"I remember it. I wanted to give you this report, but you fell asleep," Antonio said and handed the paper back to Joe. "I put it on the table. After that I don't remember what happened next."

"Thank you for your explanation," Joe said. "Can you guess who embezzled the company's money?"

Joe looked like he was thinking. He had a very serious look on his face. Then, he smiled as if he had gotten a clue. One name came to mind.

"The finance manager, of course. Who else," Antonio said, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm sure he did embezzle. But, he didn't play alone." Joe concluded.

Joe turned his face away from Antonio. He tried to think, who would dare to conspire with the financial manager of his company. No one came to his mind. All this time, apart from the finance manager, all his subordinates were very loyal to him.

"Who do you think did it?" Joe turned to Antonio, and looked at the man straight.

"I haven't found it yet. Looks like I'll have to investigate secretly."

Joe nodded in agreement. In his heart he hoped that Antonio could find the traitor. Actually he had gotten a clue. But he didn't dare to reveal it because there was no clear evidence yet.

***

The next day. Joe decided to go to his office. Surprisingly, he didn't go straight to his room.

Joe took the elevator to the roof of the building. Now he wanted to be alone to calm his mind while finding out the perpetrator of his company's betrayal. After taking the elevator, Joe had to climb the stairs slowly because the stairs were very steep.

When Joe was on the top step, his body immediately turned stiff. Not far from him he heard someone talking. He focused his attention on that person.

"How come? You should have sent me some money immediately after everything I gave you. " The man's voice sounded like he was urging.

Joe took a step forward. He watched the man's gestures which seemed very upset. Then, something Joe never expected happened finally. The man turned his body around. Their eyes met. A name automatically slipped smoothly from Joe's lips.

"You're ...."

That man was the financial manager of his company. Just as Joe had expected. Jo walked quickly to the man and delivered a hard punch right on his jaw.

"Tell me who told you to?" Joe snapped impatiently. "Tell me quickly!"

"Chris ...." The man replied with a frightened face.