CHAPTER 4

“Dad, here are the documents you requested,” I said, handing over the documents.

“Are you done with all the paperwork?” he asked flipping through the pages.

“Yes, I have. The Miners are demanding a 15% increase in work wage, hence they won’t release their signatures until it’s resolved.” I alerted him of the problem at hand, not waiting for him to notice the missing documents and question my competency.

“Okay, let the head of finance handle that. Good job Elizabeth. You will make a good C.E.O.” he let out briefly.

My eyes widened in shock. I was startled by the sudden compliment from my father. As much as he loved me, he had never been one to be expressive about it, especially after my mother’s death. He had kept to himself more often.

I wasn’t offended by his actions, I didn’t know what it felt like losing a loved one and having her lookalike as a daughter.

I tried to understand his pain, I was a replica of my mother whom he loved dearly and looking at me brought back memories he was trying so hard to bottle up. It must be hard for the old man but sometimes I can’t help but miss Dad’s affectionate and lively side.

“Thanks, Dad,” I uttered softly, hoping he would look at me just this once.

“You may leave now.” He said, still focused on the papers.

Disappointed, I turned around to leave with a heavy heart.

“Elizabeth.” He called out.

“Yes, Dad.” I halted at the door.

“Where’s Ethan.”

“oh! Ethan, I gave him a week off.” I lied unwilling to jeopardize Ethan’s job.

“You know he’s preparing for his wedding, so he requested some time off,” I added to make my story seem more believable.

“That’s fine. He’s been a diligent worker. Tell him to see me in my office when he returns.”

“Sure,” I replied, leaving his office.

Speaking of Ethan, it has been three days since I heard or have seen him.

This made me rethink my decision to let him know about his fiancée's infidelity.

I had hired a private investigator to track Stella’s movement, discovering her involvement with different men under the guise of business partners and Ethan was oblivious about it.

“Has anyone seen or heard from Ethan?” I went over asking around the office. All I got was a negative response from them.

“Ma’am he called in sick and requested a week off.” The senior driver informed me.

“Alright.”

I returned to my office and sank into my chair. I needed to Swing into action, I had a mountain of paperwork lying on my desk which I needed to complete. I couldn’t help but worry about Ethan. I knew he was okay but I was still worried, it didn’t seem right to go running to him immediately as this would seem suspicious. He required space to think, to grieve, and also to process his thoughts.

As I struggled to focus on the task at hand, my phone buzzed. It was a message from the private investigator, Mr. Parker. “Urgent update on Stella. Call me”

My heart raced in fear. I knew there was more to her than eyes meet. I grabbed my phone and dialed the number.

“Ma’am you need to see this. Stella’s activities are more dangerous than we thought,” the investigator spoke in an urgent tone.

“what do mean?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Meet me at the café on Sterling. I’ll explain everything.

I had reached the café on time. If there was something dangerous about Stella, we needed to know immediately and act fast. I can’t afford to let Ethan get hurt twice.

“So, tell me. What is it about Stella.” I demanded, impatiently looking at the man seated across me.

The investigator brings out an envelope from his pocket and slides it onto the table.

“What this?” I raised an eyebrow at him, confused as to why there was a lot of misery surrounding the whole issue.

“Open it” he ushered, pushing the envelope towards me.

I picked up the envelope, noticing it was light-weight. I wondered what could be inside, as I tore it open.

There were photos of Stella beside different weird-looking men, taken from different locations and angles.

There was one that caught my eye, she was standing beside some women handing over a parcel to them.

I looked up at the Investigator, waiting for a better explanation. I had a grasp of the situation but I needed it to be clear.

“Well, you see, Stella is into resource looting.” Mr. Parker began “ She helps those men import and export such goods with the help of young women like her and she has been feeding your company’s information to a company that steals diamonds and gold with hopes of buying your workers to assist in their scheme.”

My face fell in dismay. “Diamonds and Gold?? using our company?”

“Yes. They have been using your logistics routes and mining operations to carry out these activities. Stella’s relationship with Ethan and Tony was a calculated move to gain access to your family business. And I’m afraid it would be hard to involve the police as it is well organized.”

My mind raced, connecting the dot. “That’s why she’s always asking Ethan about his work, his access-.”I gasped in shock at my realization.

“So, what do we do now?” I whispered with a faint voice, scared of alerting the people around.

“Ethan’s life could be in danger if Stella and the associates suspect he’s onto them. They won’t hesitate in hurting him or anyone.” “We need to alert him to lay low and avoid contact with Stella. He could use the cheating as a perfect excuse for being distant while we dig further before informing the enforcement agency.” Mr. Parker spoke

I nodded in Agreement to his words. I had to protect Ethan at all costs. He was a victim in all these. Right at the café, I dialed Ethan’s number but, his phone was still off.

Mr. Parker, noticing my worries beamed with a smile.

“You must care about him.”

“What?” I frowned.

“Ethan. He’s fine, I kept track of him. He’s at Esctic Bar.” Mr. Parker said, before standing up to leave.

“Thank you” I uttered with tears in my eyes, unsure if he heard my words.

I stood up hastily. I had to get to Esctic Bar immediately.

******

At the bar….

I scanned the room in search of Ethan, it was easy to fish him out as the bar seemed pretty empty. He was seated by the bar table, obviously intoxicated by alcohol.

I walked towards him, having a sat beside him.

“One more shot, please” I hear him burb out.

“This seat is taken. Go find elsewhere.” He murmured not bothering to look up.

“Ethan” I called out softly, hoping to get through to him.

He lifted his head, sparing a glance at me before turning back to the bartender.

“Where is my whiskey, I said one..one more whiskey!!” He yelled.

Seeing Ethan in such a state was heartbreaking. Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood, shocked to see him looking haggard and dejected.

“Ethan…” I called out, hoping he could hear me call out just this once.

“Lizzy, you came,” he said with a childlike excitement before bursting out in pain.

“She’s a cheat, Lizzy, She’s…she’s a fucking cheat!.” I could feel the pain in his voice as he spoke.

“I loved her. I…i…cherished her…I gave her my all…I was willing to do anything and everything for her Lizzy and what did she do….she threw it all out the window.”

“ I caught her on the bed with another man.” He continued angrily. “And guess what?” “My fiancée said I’m no fun, she needed something exciting and unpredictable unlike me.” He picked the shot at his front and downed it in one gulp.

“More!” he yelled once more, stretching forward the shot glass to the bartender.

The bartender turned to give me a look, signaling that Ethan had a lot for tonight and wasn’t ready to risk having someone dead over alcohol.

I didn’t bother to speak a word to Ethan, I knew he needed to let all these off his chest.

He looked at me, with tears filled in his eyes.“What did I do wrong, Lizzy? Why did she do this to me?”

“you didn’t do anything wrong, Ethan. She’s the one to blame” “You’re an incredible person and we all can see that.” I said, patting his back softly.

“Guess what Lizzy.” Ethan buried his face in his hands. “I now realize why my guys never liked her, why they didn’t want me around her. I’m such a fool. I was blinded by love, a love that didn’t exist.” He broke down.

I could feel the pain in his eyes as she spoke, it hurt to see such a strong man break down in such a way.

“Ethan…” I called out. “Don’t say that. You shouldn’t be getting worked up over a woman that refuses to see your worth. You’re rare and a lot of women would die to be with you.”

“Like you?” He raised his head, looking directly into my eyes.

“Huh?” I was taken aback by his question. Confused as to whether he knew about my feelings for him.

“you know I have always admired you, Lizzy. You were just so…so…kind, real and perfect.” I felt a rush of emotion at his confession.

My body jilted as he cupped my face closer to his, my lips slightly brushing his “Never mind. You’re way above my league.” He pulled away, waving his hand off the thought.

“Ethan, come with me. There’s something I need to show you.” I said, pulling him off his seat.