Who dares?

MARIANO's POV.

I paced to and fro in my office. I kept wondering:

"Who could have sent those men? Had Mariano grown weak, they weren't even sacred"?. 

"I need every CCTV camera footage on that street all through the day, especially during the attack. I want to know who would dare pull that cheap stunt on me". I told one of my men.

Torillio walked in. I was annoyed. I could have died last night due to his negligence. 

"Where were you all through Torillio "? I questioned him,

"You told me to keep an eye on Jocelyn; I was also at the mansion when I got your message to meet you at the office". At that point, I knew I couldn't blame him, he acted on my orders. 

"Forget it! Thanks to that young man, I was able to get away unscathed". I could see the dismay on Torillio's face. 

It was a close call. "How did you know I was there?" I asked the young man that helped with my narrow escape.

"My name is Marco; I live directly opposite the asylum. I saw those men attacking you from afar, so I decided to help."

"Thank you Marco, are you a police officer"? I asked in haste. He saved me by blaring the patrol car's siren wildly. It scared off those men.

"No, it belongs to my friend; he's out of town." I thanked Marco for saving my life again. I told him to come see me later on. I had something for him 

'No one harms Mariano without a consequence. Likewise, no one helps me without compensation.'

"You can't trust him, boss". Torillio was always paranoid. I could understand though. 

"Marco was a stranger at the right place and the right time, isn't that suspicious "? Torillio asked me. I cared less.

"Enough Torillio", I called him into order. 

"Let's talk business. Our shipment will come in three days' time. We'll be there to oversee the operation". 

Becoming the young multi-billionaire heir is no easy weight, I had to make sure everything ran smoothly and perfectly.

 My father died a long time ago; I was raised by my most feared grandfather, Don Pedro. The mere mention of his name makes me quiver. He built our company by himself.

He groomed me into the man I am. Strong, dominant and powerful. He was my parent, taking on the role of my father and mother. 

Everything Don Pedro says is right and must be followed, he is a strict dictator. It worked for him and it's working for me. 

Utmost power and money mattered the most to Don Pedro, failure didn't exist.

Me, being the C.E.O, changed nothing. I must report everything to him. "This shipment must go on without any hassle, Torillio."

"What should we do to Dr. Bernard? Do you think he will keep his mouth shut? He asked me 

"Yes! Torillio, he had no choice. When Mariano bargains, he gets what he wants". 

Bernard is a fragile, soft-hearted man. He will be off his job tomorrow. I found a replacement for him. 

"Boss, do you think this new man is a better replacement?" 

"Not better than Bernard, but he'll get the job done". 

I cared less about what went on at the asylum, I knew Bernard would keep to his word. But the new guy made me concerned. I was in a fix when I chose him. I can't tell if he will survive working with me. 

"His drive is the money."

People who are easily swayed by money shouldn't be trusted", Torillio said in support.

" Torillio, I called you here for something different". It was about the phone call when I was with Emilia. 

Was it true? It can't be true, right?

Torillio was facing down. It meant it was true, someone was looking for Adrain, and the person had his picture with him.

"How could anyone find that out; it was between you and me, Torillio? How"?

" I'm still looking into it. I was able to stop the man from investigating further but he was shot before he could tell me who sent him."

I was confused. Adrian can't be found, not now. "What did you get monitoring Jocelyn?" 

"Nothing, boss, it's either she's clean or she knew we were watching her".

I wanted to go and sleep. I was tired and stressed out.

"I'll be sleeping here in the office; you can leave if you want." 

"No boss, I will stay here" Torillio was, devoted. What happened today was just an ordinary humiliating scenario. 

I jumped on the bed, my back was stretched and relieved, I took the locket off my neck; it was my mother's. All through my life, I got to see her only three times. On my 5th, 15th and 20th birthdays since then she never showed up again, not even at my wedding to Jocelyn or Emilia. 

My marriage to Emilia wasn't elaborate but I expected her to show up. Talking to my grandfather about her was pointless.

I was banned from talking or speaking of her to my grandfather ever since I was a child. I hope she'll show up soon. I will be 30 in a few weeks' time.The last time we met she gave me that locket, it's been almost ten years.

My phone rang…

"Who's calling me at this time? Let's guess one of my women"?

It was an unknown number; "Hello baby boy! Should I come over?"

I guessed right, these sluts can't get enough of me. I'm done for the day. "Mariano needs to sleep". Ignoring the caller was easy. She should understand, I must not be disturbed.

Sleeping naturally is impossible for me. I know it, I have to use these sleeping pills. These newly prescribed ones work efficiently.

My phone ringed again, it was my second cellphone. Only important callers had that number. The caller was lucky I hadn't popped those sleeping pills. I turned on the phone, I saw a mail, the CCTV Footage was sent to me. 

I picked the call, 

"The asylum is on fire!!! Emilia is in danger.!!!".