Trouble

Malcolm lazily reclined on his seat, playing with a pen as he listened to the men in the meeting make reports upon reports. The meeting had been going on for hours without a single word from him. No one dared force him or complain. They dared not for the fear of being ruined by him. Suddenly the door opened quietly and Alex walked in and inched closer to him.

Alex bent and whispered, “The young master has been found.”

His gaze turned extremely chilly. Pushing his chair backwards, he stood up and looked at the men whose gazes were now all centred on him and then without a word, he turned and left the room, his aura as terrifying as ever. They could only watch him leave without a word.

That was the kind of power Malcolm Knight wielded.

  “Hello Dwane.” Lauren greeted the bartender as she walked into the hotel lobby.

  “You came back?” he sounded half surprised.

Lauren rolled her eyes, “You can guess who asked me to. She wants the windows re-cleaned.” She leaned in and whispered, “Where is she?”

Dwane smiled, “Upstairs. I heard some big shots came so she is attending to them personally.”

Lauren heaved a breath of relief. Mrs. Patricks detested lateness and was ready to fire anyone who was one minute late.

  “Hey, can you help me pass this tray to the table at the other end? I think Kate is still in the restroom.”

  “Sure.” Lauren replied collecting the tray containing two glasses of cocktails. Turning, she caught sight of a little boy with his parents and was suddenly reminded of Bunny.

Had he gotten home safe?

Was his father mad at him? Did he forgive his father already?

Somehow, she wished he had let her drop him off. perhaps, she would have had a chat with his parents so they don’t dare neglect their son next time. She smiled as she pictured his cute hazel eyes winking at her. Thinking about him made her melt! Suddenly, the smile on her lips froze as the air around her began to change. She began to feel stuffy and found it hard to breathe properly. She turned to look at whoever it was that emitted such evil aura when she bumped into a hard rock wall. Her mouth gaped as she stared at the muscular wall clothed in a once immaculate white shirt that now had streaks of purple unwanted designs.

  “I…” The words got struck in her throat as the air became more dangerous by the minute. She couldn’t even look up to see the face of this fearsome monster that reminded her of the blood-sucking humans in ‘vampire diaries’. Her entire body quivered. Her legs were jittery and unable to move. She just stood there transfixed with a quivering body.

After what seemed like eternity, someone pulled her roughly to the side where she stood still unable to get a grip of herself.

Who the heck was that person?

She could hear Mrs. Patricks’ pleas and deduced that must be the big shot Dwane had talked of. If only she had forced herself to look up and see what he looked like… a slap jolted her back to her senses. She held her cheeks, her eyes stinging from the after effect of the slap. There stood Mrs. Patricks in front of her with bloodshot eyes. Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t afford to lose this job just yet.

  “Mrs. Patricks I— “

Another thunderous slap interrupted her.

  “Security!” she called sternly.

Three men dressed in cops’ uniform appeared, “Yes Ma’am.”

  “See her out and make sure I never see her anywhere near this hotel.” She ordered and without a word, they dragged the still dazed Lauren out of the hotel.

Lauren walked back home languorously, unable to believe what happened moments ago. she just lost a major job! Not just that, she just offended a big shot.

Would he have her killed?

It was already dark and she walked home, her heart half filled with fear; fear of the unknown. She got home soon and walked in only to meet Grace in the living room sipping a cup of coffee. She knew immediately that trouble was prowling.

  “You are late.” Came her stepmother’s soprano voice, as cold as ever.

  “I’m sorry I—“

A sigh interrupted her, “You know what to do.” Standing up, she headed upstairs but stopped halfway and turned back to Lauren’s direction. “Michelle called. She needs some cash and if I remember correctly, your pay check arrived last week so send her some money.”

Michelle was Lauren’s stepsister. Grace’s daughter.

Lauren made to protest.

  “It’s not my daughter’s fault that this family fell from grace and you seriously don’t expect your father or me to do menial jobs to be able to take care of her. Moreover, I was kind enough to allow you stay so you should learn to show your gratitude and stop whining!”

Lauren sighed exasperatedly the minute Grace was out of sight. She was using the same pattern to take money from her, again. Turning, she left the house quietly and settled beside her father’s parked car, leaning on it. The cold didn’t bother her, the pain in her heart did. Sleeping outside was her punishment for returning home past 8pm. Grace wouldn’t let her sleep elsewhere either. She must sleep outside the Byrne mansion without a blanket or even a coat. She thought of Grace’s earlier request.

A request? It was rather an order.

After the fall of the Byrne family, Michelle had blatantly refused to be part of the shame and had nagged her mother until she was sent outside the country to study while she, the school drop-out had to work many jobs to send Michelle money monthly without fail as part of showing ‘gratitude’ to the Byrne family for raising her. Sighing, she rubbed her neck. She’s had enough bad luck for one day and was damn fagged out. Catching her hair in a messy ponytail, she caressed the visible scar just before her ears with stinging eyes. She could still remember how she got it ten years ago as punishment for dating Michelle’s dream guy.

A tear dropped down her cheek. Then two. Then a silent flood.

She knew the story of what happened between her mother and father. Her mother had recounted it to her. They had both attended the same High school where she always did his assignments as well as his quizzes and in return, he would pay her. She had come from a poor family with no social background and his family had quickly rejected her because of her status. She had wanted to leave but Warren had insisted on her giving him time to convince his parents. She loved him so deeply and couldn’t afford to lose him so she agreed to wait until two months later when she discovered she was pregnant. Her mother had been very angry and wanted to chase her out but she assured her mother that the father of her baby was going to marry her. She kept the baby a secret from him, afraid of his reaction and because he was out of the country for a business meeting. A month later, her joy was short lived when she accidentally stumbled across a tabloid whose front page carried a picture of her Warren and another woman in a wedding dress.

He was married!

He had actually lied to her and made her wait in vain. She tried calling him but he had blocked her number. She was dejected, hurt beyond words and was left to cater for her pregnancy alone. She eventually gave birth to Laura and raised her herself until she was nine. She then fell sick and refused to be treated. Knowing she would die, she had no option than to look for Warren again. She wouldn’t let her daughter suffer the way she did.

Lauren sobbed as she remembered the story now. That perfect family she had always dreamed of was nothing but a fairy tale. Now, the only thing she could ask for was to be loved and not neglected like she was a slave. Somehow, she managed to cry herself to sleep. In as much as she was sad, she needed her strength especially now.

The door opened and a figure dressed in black entered the almost dark room. He stopped in front of a table and placed an envelope on the table.

  “I got what you asked me to.” His gruff voice sounded.

A finely manicured palm with nails painted bright red stretched out and took the envelop leisurely, opening it and removing a picture from inside.

  “Good. Let me see how you are able to escape from this one, Malcolm.” She pushed back the envelope. “You know what to do.”