His fun thing and ploy

EPISODE 8:

The manor of the Deane’s stood tall and high and glamorous, it was of course seen from a lot of beautiful places in the city. The part of the city where it was located was vast, beautiful and far from what people would call an ordinary residence. Only the richest of the rich could be found living in such area and the Deane’s were one of them. What could one say, corrupt mingle with the corrupt. Politicians, business men and underground lords who had just too much money at their disposal could be found around that residence. Not everyone could afford such a place and that was why it was few of people and extremely secure.

 

The convoy passed through the security with a lot of grudges in their heart, and understanding as well. They had been doing this for what seemed like an hour, that was how secure that residence was yet it seemed like it would not be done and over soon. The security personnel were trained men who knew their jobs and who also knew them. They could not be hidden, the compass tattoo and the plate of the car could tell them that they were not simply visitors, but people who owned the residence as well, however, they still went on with their thorough security protocol. It was irritating to the guards who had been waiting for a very long time to finally drive through, but still, it was understanding. People living in that residence were not just anyone and it had to be secured enough to avoid sticky situations.

“And the person you are bringing in?” the guard asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. He had been asking that question for a while, and they had been told that it was the son of the Deane’s yet they kept insisting on asking and seeing the person’s face, which could not be done. They knew their boss, he never shows his face except he certainly needed to or wanted to. If everyone knew him by his face, how could he possibly be the chameleon he was so effectively. The driver who was in the same car as the boss groaned loudly and glared at the security agent who seemed indifferent about the whole hold up and situation. He thought of slicing his throat and feeding him to one of the dogs at the manor but if the guard felt those gaze, he didn’t act like he did. He remained calm, stoic and indifferent.

 

The man who was being inquired about however didn’t seem like he cared about the traffic situation. He was quiet, calm and was rather busy with his phone. He had businesses going on and he was focused on making sure that nothing was going wrong. He kept moving from one phone call to the other, while texting with the other phone. He had only just finished with another call and dropped the phone when he noticed his driver groaning.

“Maximus…” he called out to him.

“Yes boss,”

“What is going on?” he finally decided to pay attention to the traffic that had been building up.

“The security guard seem to be doubtful about your identity and insist on seeing your face,” he replied giving the security guard another glare.

“I see,” he responded and turned to the security guard who could not see him. Then he nodded his head and turned back to his phone that only just began to ring again. Saying nothing else, he picked it up, excitement rising from deep within at the caller ID.

Maximus frowned, realizing that his boss was not going to help matters at this kind of situation and groaned inwardly. He turned back to the security guard, deciding to handle the situation himself.

“Call the Deane manor, will you? I’m pretty sure that he is expecting his son,” he suggested. The guard frowned a bit at that, knowing how much trouble they would be in if that call was made. The owner of the Deane manor was always a nasty and cold fellow and though they were simply doing their job, he might take it differently. However, they were there now and he had to simply do his job. Reluctantly, he walked over to the other personnel and passed the message to him. He frowned as well but still went on to make the call.

 

Back at the car, the son and heir of the Deane was very focused in his call. He had been waiting for that for a while now and he could not help the excitement within. Finding a play thing was always so refreshing.

“Boss, she is still at her apartment. And the only plan she had today was to go for an interview at the company. She missed it though, probably because of her nasty dream and has been indoors ever since,” the man he had kept to watch her and investigate on her in and out, down to what she had for undies reported.

“The company huh?” a smile caressed his lips. There he was, feeling that his assignment might be very boring and tiring. I mean, any body could have carried out this assignment, but his father had entrusted him on this very matter personally. He thought it was going to hard and tiring, but his prey was walking towards him very quickly and he was simply waiting and getting ready to bounce on her for a delicious dinner.

“Keep your eye on her,” he ordered and ended the call. He thought back to that face and character that he had met the previous day and that morning. She was a complicated one and was between nasty, innocent, easily scared, very calm and at the same time bold. He smiled, taking a liking to such intriguing and exciting personality. Moreover, it looked like she was bound to be involved with the Deane’s with or without him.

 

Just at that time, the security personnel got the confirmation they needed with a lot of backlashes. Mr. Deane had been waiting for his son for over an hour already and he was very angry to have realized that they had kept him there not just to follow protocols but also requesting that he showed his face. With a glum look, they finally allowed the convoy to move to their destination. Maximus could not help the grin on his face when he saw how they looked.

 

The manor was by far one of the most beautiful houses in the residence that spoke of a lot of wealth and money. Right at the entrance, a golden plate stood atop the gate where the very words ‘Deane’ was inscribed in large, beautiful letters. This time, they did not go through any security check because Mr. Deane had made sure no one delayed his son any further, so the convoy rode right through the gigantic gate into the paved rode that stretched for a few minutes before the cars went round the fountain that stood tall in the middle of the compound and stopped at the entrance. Guards were all over the place, all dressed in the same manner and also looking very similar. Whoever walked into the compound would know that they were pretty dangerous men and the owner of the house was also a dangerous person as well.

 

The door of the car was opened and the very guest, or rather still, the owner of the house stepped out, with his eyes on the phone like it was the most important thing in the world. He only looked up when hefty voice yelled out.

“Welcome home sir,” they yelled in a military manner. He spared them only a brief glance and without acknowledging their greeting, he walked right past them and into the house that he had only been once in his life. He still remembered the event that went on during that time and if anyone could see his heart, they could tell how dark and ugly it had turned at that reminder.

Walking into the house, maids who had lined up in a single file greeted in the same manner that the guards had greeted as well and he gave them the same response. Or no response at all.

 

“Welcome back home,” Lucas, a man he had known when he was only a kid and, he, was simply boy bowed to him.

“There is nothing welcoming about this place,” he grumbled to himself, hating the memories that were growing and suddenly taunting him.

“Pardon,” Lucas asked

“You have aged,” he smiled and patted the man at his back. He had truly aged, a few years older than him yet he was still very sturdy, big and definitely handsome.

“And so have you,” Lucas replied with a smile remembering the boy who had simply taken upon himself to sacrifice his life for the sake of love so many years ago.

“Your father is right this way,” he added and pointed to a direction and began leading the way. He followed behind him, pushing his memories aside.

 

Lucas led him to his father’s studies and stood by the door. Then he bowed and left him while he took the handles and walked in.

Mr. Deane Stone was just finishing his lunch when his son walked in. He ignored the door and did not bother to look at who had just walked in. His house was too secured for anything bad to happen so he was not really worried. Moreover, he was only expecting one person.

“Father…” the voice of his son came and it sounded no different than it had always sounded for over twenty years. Only more mature, breathier, and colder. But just as it had been all those while that he gave himself up as the sacrificial lamb, he was cold and unemotional.

“You are a day late,” he grumbled and wiped his mouth clean before wiping his hands clean. A staff came into the studies almost immediately, like she knew that he was done and cleared the place up. Mr. Deane Stone relaxed into his sit and watched his son take a sit, uncaring about what had just said.

“I was busy,” he finally responded and relaxed into the chair. His eyes turned his father who had aged over the years. He had been sent away to take care of the business outside of San Diego and had not been back for over twenty years. It was most likely that people would have thought him dead even. His sturdy father now had a bit of grey hair on his hair and though no one might notice, he knew that his hair was not as thick as it was years back. His skin was good for someone of his age and his tattoo seemed to be shining ever brightly against his arm. However, he still held the ruthlessness and wickedness he was known for in his eyes.

“With a woman, I presume,” his father guessed.

“Don’t send people to spy on me, father, they might return dead,” he responded. His voice never losing its coldness or indifferent tone but Mr. Deane knew he was not joking. It had happened before.

“You began your assignment pretty quick,” he sighed, hating that he had to raise a son that was just like him at that particular moment. Father and son were supposed to have a better connection than what they had now.

“It’s never too late, is it?” he responded.

“Well, we are throwing a banquet for your return. A mask ball, since you prefer to hide your looks so much. Do not disappear on me and show up, everything is already on motion,” he responded.

“Okay. But I won’t be staying here at the manor. I have to be able to move freely and without being detected.”

“Understandable,” his father nodded his head. After that, nothing was said anymore and an uncomfortable silence fell on them. Father simply stared at his son and his son at the father. They had never really sat like this and if they had, it was no more than four times and they only discussed business. None had feelings and if they did, they didn’t bother showing it. Their world was dark, bloody and wicked and there was no time for monsters like them to show such emotions.

“Don’t you think you are getting too old to have redone your tattoo,” the son decided to break the silence. Mr. Deane Stone couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his mouth as he stared at his son.

“I can still beat the crap out of you without any help,” he boasted. The other chuckled as well, unable to help himself as well.

“Do you want to die so quickly?”

“You should be more scared of dying, boy,” his father’s voice turned cold as he banged his hands against the table. One could see the blood covering his eyes and the sound of his voice only allowed goosebumps fill his skin. Then in the next second, he busted out laughing, just as his son did too. The uncomfortable tension and strange atmosphere disappeared instantly and his heart ease dup immediately.

“Welcome home, son,” he smiled, his face radiating with pride and nothing but joy.

“Thank you, father,” he responded with a smile.

“But right now, I am famished,” he got up from where he sat and turned away immediately.

“Get ready for your grand welcome,” Mr. Stone yelled before he closed the door.

“Alright, alright,” he mumbled in response and picked up his phone to leave a text.

 

“Get Danica a job, as a waiter or an usher for my upcoming banquet.”