Chapter 39 Lights.Camera.Action
THIRD PERSON’S POV.
The bedroom swung open and Trisha swung, aiming for the head.
“Yo! What the fuck” Rose screamed ducking just in time.
“Rose?” Trisha breathed, “What are you doing here?”
“Why are you attacking me with a weapon?” Rose yelled.
That’s when Trisha looked down at her hands that were still gripping firmly on to the golf club.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic.” She leaned the golf club against the wall. “It’s not a weapon, and you didn’t answer my question."
“You asked me to bring you a file from the office, remember?”
Rose was Trisha’s secretary and yes, Trisha had completely forgotten.
“Why didn’t you call me or use the doorbell?” Trisha asked, heading for the bathroom, she was already running late.
“I came in through the back gate. And I did call, you didn’t answer. That’s why I came upstairs to check if you were okay.” Rose added, “Also, I accidentally broke your lamp.”
“Well, you are lucky I didn’t break your jaw with my golf club.” Trisha called from the bathroom. “Go clean up the broken lamp while I shower. We will head out together.”
Outside the gates, Jonathan decided he’d wait for her to come out before making his move.
He pulled out the tranquilizer, checked it once, then slipped it safely into his pocket. Reclining his seat, he settled in.
And waited.
“How’s it going?” Damian asked popping his head through the door.
“Good, they’ve got me fully prepared to face the reporters.” Serena answered with a smile.
She hadn’t got to see much of Damian since arriving, Oscar and the media team had bundled her into the boardroom immediately after she arrived, insisting she needed to be ‘media prepared.’
“That’s good to hear.” He said when he stepped closer to her. “It’s almost time.”
“Are you nervous?” She asked him.
“No, I’m confident in us.”
She laughed softly, “Well that makes one of us.”
He turned fully toward her. When he noticed the engagement ring sitting pretty on her finger he grinned.
“You look perfect,” he said, “and I know you are going to be perfect out there.”
Her cheeks reddened, “Thanks.”
“Alright then,” he added, “someone will come get you when it’s time.”
She nodded and Damian left the room.
When she was finally alone. She texted Trisha:
SERENA: THEY ARE ABOUT TO START. HERE YET???
The reply was immediate.
TRISH: ON MY WAY!
Relief washed over her. Serena smiled.
Trisha was finally ready.
Rose walked out the door first, and Trisha had forgotten one of her phones upstairs so she ran back to grab it.
Rose was standing by Trisha’s car, having not driven there. She stood with her back facing the house.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her neck, but she couldn’t protest, her body had gone weak from the tranquilizer.
She stumbled backwards and straight into Jonathan’s arms.
He turned her around so he could loft her up but when he peered into the face looking up at him, it wasn’t Trisha’s.
He panicked.
If this wasn’t Trisha, then that meant….
He didn’t finish processing his thoughts. Something heavy slammed into his head from the back. He staggered forward.
Using the last of her strength, Rose wiggled out of his hold and dashed for the car.
Jonathan spun around to see Trisha standing there, golf club raised and ready to take another swing.
“You!” She shouted when she saw his face.
When she had spotted him from the bedroom window sneaking up behind Rose she had only seen his back and immediately ran out.
“What are you doing in my house Jonathan?” She swung again.
He caught the club with one hand and yanked it from her grip.
“Shut up,bitch.”
He raised the club to strike her but the roar of an engine speeding toward him made him jump aside.
“Get in!” Rose screamed.
Trisha leapt into the car, and Rose sped off.
“Fuck,” Jonathan spat, running to his own car.
He threw it into drive and took off after them.
He pulled up beside them, “Stop the car right now,” he screamed.
When they didn’t stop, he rammed into their side, the tires screeched but the car didn’t stop.
He hit them again, harder this time.
Trisha’s car screeched violently,the engine roaring as Rosie fought for control but the car tyres refused to grip.
The car tumbled down the road until it finally rolled off a hill.
The sound of the car crashing into the ground caused the birds to flee from all the surrounding trees.
Jonathan Panicked. He hadn’t planned to run them over the hill.
He had two options now. Rush to where they had fallen and try to get them out before the car explodes or leave.
If he drives off and they die, no one will ever know he was there.
He chose the latter and drove off at full speed.
Down the hill, two bodies lay in the crumpled car. One hand weakly tried to dial 911 and the other lay lifeless.
The conference had started and Trisha was still nowhere to be found. She had texted to say she was on her way but that was over thirty minutes ago.
Serena considered calling her again but one of the secretaries came to tell her she was needed outside. So she followed the lady out, hoping Trisha would show up soon.
As she walked past the offices, she couldn’t help but notice how alive everything felt, how busy and massive it was compared to her family’s company.
How could Damian alone shoulder the responsibility of such an important place? And how will he ever forgive himself if he lost it?
Guilt tugged at her chest.
The secretary led her to the front of the building where the press conference was being held.
Reporters gathered in dozens,crowded together in waves. Cameras flashed from every angle. Microphones strained forward.
The secretary instructed her to stay behind the other staff, this way she could stay hidden from the reporters until it was time to make an appearance and she could also listen to Damian deliver his speech.
Oscar climbed the tiny podium first.
“Can I have your attention please?”
He waited for the place to quiet down before he continued.
“We have been made aware of the lies being spread about our company.” He said evenly. “The integrity of our CEO Mr Damian Crowne has even been put to question.”
Murmurs erupted from the crowd.
Oscar raised a hand to silence them.
“Mr Damian Crowne will address you now, I implore you to remain calm and listen to his side of the story.”
Damian picked his speech from the chair behind him and headed to the podium, when he walked past her he gave a reassuring nod and then ever so subtly, he winked at her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The crowd fell silent as he reached the microphone. He bent slightly; it was too short for his height.
He cleared his throat, Serena could understand his seriousness, after all the words he would speak on this stage today would determine the final fate of his company. He looked tired
“Good day, everyone,” Damian began, his deep, commanding voice carrying across the crowd…