Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Seven"Uncle Adrian, when will mommy get here?"The little girl sat upright on the bed and stared expectantly into Adrian's face, with startling deep blue gray eyes. She was a beautiful child, with a full head of blonde curls, a small delicate doll like face and pretty features. Her skin, however, was the unhealthy color of paper at the moment, and she looked too thin and small for her age. Adrian gently caressed her blonde curls, "She'll be here soon, angel." He said softly, as he gently lowered her back on the bed, "You know you have to rest. Do not try to sit up, Arielle.""But I'm not sleepy," Arielle protested, jutting out her bottom lip in a cute pout.However, she did not resist as Adrian gently arranged the covers around her, making sure she was comfortable, especially with the small hand, which had a tube stuck in it, and was attached to a drip bag above her.The large room was filled with medical equipments, monitors beeping quietly and consi
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Eight St. Hayes, Moreno. He was in the water again. He wanted to move, but his lungs were burning and his limbs felt like lead. The water surrounding him was colored with the deep red of blood. His blood. He was sinking, slowly but surely sinking. The life was going out of him. He was going to die. Then, she appeared above the water. She, with the red hair, almost like the blood pumping out of his side. Her face was hazy and he wanted to see it so bad for the last time. To touch it, to etch it in every part of his memory as he feels his life slip from him, but he could only hear the terror in her voice as she screams piercingly, "Damien!" He jerked awake, and tumbled out of bed unto the ground, breathing laboriously. It was like he was still in the water and his breath was coming out fast and shallow. The man couldn't breath, he peeled off the light cotton shirt off his body, which was soaked through with sweat, and tossed it to the side. The
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Nine. The sounds of cutlery and dining filled the room as they had their breakfast. "Its just a regular breakfast." Pa Eugene grumbled, "Did you have to bring out the silverware? What's the great occasion?" "I'm celebrating being back home after such a long time, grandfather,"Maya rolled her eyes, then winked at Noah, 'as well as being reunited with Noah." "What the heck?" Pa Eugene asked, his eyebrows high in confusion as he was perplexed by his grand-daughter's behaviour. Noah ignored her, focusing on his meal. Maya picked on her food as well, her eyes following every of Noah's movement as he ate. He ate like he was royalty or something, eating fish and rice with such grace. Maya watched as he tried to switch forks while eating, then awkwardly set it down as he realized there was only one meal set. This puzzled the brunette and she asked curiously, "You seem to be familiar with such dining style." She chuckled, "I was going to impress you a li
Chapter Two Hundred Noah doubled over the ropes, trying as much as possible to hold in the discomfort he felt. He was seated on a small fishing boat, which belonged to Pa Eugene, his huge self and long legs almost taking over the small boat, adding to his discomfort. The rhythmic rocking of the boat was enough to lull him to that familiar drowsiness which he always felt whenever he came on expeditions like this with Pa Eugene. But he swallowed hard instead, pushing down the bubbling of air threatening to erupt from his mouth. All around him, in little fishing boats as well were men, toiling hard for their daily catch. They seemed serious, casting nets and pulling them in, gutting fishes and cleaning them, generally making themselves useful. But at the same time, he could feel their eyes on him, watching him, waiting for that moment when he would double over the side of the boat and throw up his breakfast. And then they'd roar in derisive laughter, and talk about how less of a ma
Chapter Two Hundred And OnePa Eugene gazed at Noah for a long time, before he nodded and turned away. He was very much aware that Noah had been struggling with recovering his memories.He knew how much the young man struggled with insomnia and his dreams. Sadly, there were no doctors in the small town could help him.They believed a part of himself which was lost in his accident was only trying to reveal itself. If he could harness it, he would be able to get clues from it to recover his memories.But the problem with the dreams was that, even though it was the same thing that repeated over and over again, it was still as vague as it had been four years ago.Pa Eugene really wished the young man would get his memories back, so he would be happy.Noah was very much out of place here, and even though Pa Eugene tried to make things as comfortable as he could for him, it was only right that he regained his memory and his roots.He was an energetic young man, always eager to work or learn
Chapter Two Hundred And TwoThe men laughed rauciously, except Pa Eugene. They winked at each other at what they thought was Noah's foolery.This gigolo looking guy, who does not even remember his name wants to sort out a book of accounts.They snickered and nudged each other in derision."Looky here, Noah, we know you like to show off, and strut around like some kind of mysterious guy," Jeb said harshly, "But this is not something for you to do. Give it here!"He yanked the book right out of Noah's hands, and threw it down on the table, eyeing him with derision, "you can't even gut a fish and yet you want to sort out a book of accounts. What a fool, ha ha ha."The men laughed once more, but this time the laughter was cut short by Pa Eugene who slapped the back of Jeb's head hard."Oi, what you hitting me for?!" The young man cried out in pain, rubbing the back of his head. He glared at the old man who wagged a thick, stubby finger in his face,"He says he wants to try." The old man s
Chapter Two Hundred And ThreeMaya hurriedly placed the lunch box, with packed meals on the kitchen counter top, before hurrying over to dish the breakfast they'd be having that morning.She was bubbling with excitement, mostly because of the activities of that day. Finally, after four years of waiting, Noah would be moving with her to the city. She almost did a little twirl as she ladles soup unto a bowl and placed it on a tray.Everything was really going smoothly for her benefit though, and that literally made her want to scream for joy. Its about time Pa Eugene sends him to the city anyways.It was clear the man does not belong in this little fishermen town. She'd take him to the city, have him brush himself up and thereby, have him start a good life altogether.She was sure Noah would be able to fit in well in the city. Once she'd gotten him settled, he'd be so grateful that he had her in his life and then they'd think about their future together. With these delusional thoughts
Chapter One Hundred And Four.Maya swallowed hard as the men stared at her, waiting for an answer.She shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other as she tried to make sense of the situation, although she needed no seer to tell her that they were talking about Noah.What did the detective say just now? Our boss?!Was Noah in some kind of gang or Mafia?The men had mentioned Oakcrest.Oakcrest was a mega city on its own and had a lot of powerful people. Maya had never been there herself and she hoped she would soon but Noah was from there?!That explained his regal grace and character. He must be one of those powerful people.A slight smile curved her lips as she thought of these. This smile died down however, as soon as she looked at the men in front of her.They did make her unsettled."Where is the town head?" The man spoke up again, making Maya jerk slightly from her tied up nerves.She inhaled and exhaled deeply, and fixed the detective who spoke with a stern glare, "I alread
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-TwoThere was stunned silence in the Regional Head's office as Noah made that statement."Wh...what did you say?" The regjonal.head asked in shock and disbelief, "The batches for the deluxe products are being siphoned?! By who?"The regional Head voice was rising by the minute, and his hands curled into fists on his seat."I don't know about that, sir." Noah said, carefully choosing his words else he let something slip.He did not intend to reveal the one behind the crime, mainly because he did not know who the mastermind was.Secondly, he had no evidently of the ones he suspected. These little details will be brought to light when the Regional Manager sets the auditing team to work."When I noticed a pattern of weight discrepancies as well as other inconsistencies in the record, I had to check for myself." He continued but was stopped by Fred."What do you mean, inconsistencies?" The man asked, "What did you discover in the records?,""There were a lot
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty OneGary quickly rushed after her before she could get to the door and drew her back sharply."Hold on, you little bitch," He snarled as he accidentally grabbed her hair as well and pulled her back.Maya winced in pain as she felt strands of her hair being pulled from the scalp, "Ow!" She cried out in agony, "Let me go. At once!""Not until you explain what you mean by that little statement which you just uttered," Gary fired back heatedly."I meant exactly what I said, you piece of trash, " Maya said as she mustered her energy and stomped on his toe with her heeled foot."Ahh!" Gary cried out in anguish as pain exploded in his foot. He let go of her hair at once and doubled over in pain, trying to hold his throbbing toe but it was much too painful.Maya, seeing as she was free from his hold, turned back and stared at him in disdain, "You think I won't take protective measures for myself? You've got to be joking, Gary." She spat out, "You take care of an
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty "Something of utmost importance?" The Regional Head repeated in puzzlement, "What could that be?"Maya's heart slammed in her chest as she heard Noah say those words. Franticaly, she glanced at Gary who had also gone a little pale.A look of terror passed between them and they immediately knew what the important news Noah had for the regional head was."Stop him!" Maya seemed to say with her eyes, glaring at Gary and making motions with her head towards Noah.She was so agitated that she could not stand still. She had been so eager to want to leave this place earlier but now she wouldn't leave for all the world.She had to stay to hear what Noah had to say to the Regional Head.Quick as flash, Gary stepped in between the Regional Head and Noah.Smiling nervously, he started speaking, "Regional Head sir, why don't you allow the Senior sales manager to take you to his office, while you wait for the reports on the audit?" He turned and nodded to Fred, who
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Nine"Infact, these has got to be the best results I've ever seen in a while."Everyone stared in amazement at the Regional Head.He was giving Noah a warm and approving smile, while patting him heartily on the arm."You say they are the best reports that you've ever seen?" Fred asked as he stepped closer to the Regional Head."But that's inpossible," Gary uttered through gritted teeth, "He has no qualifications. How is he able to prepare the best reports you've ever seen?"Everyone almost groaned in annoyance at Gary's stupidity and shamelessness.Maya rolled her eyes and stomped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.It was bad enough to stand here like some kind of lackey, and watch the regional director do his job but now she had to listen with her heart in her mouth, hoping that Gary does not let any information slip."He talks too much," she thought angrily, biting her lower lip in annoyance, "if he dares to say anything concerning the deluxe pr
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty EightJaws dropped in shock as Noah stepped out of the throng of employees and stood directly in front of the Regional head.Everyone was shocked at his boldness.This was a chance for him to make his escape and blame the superiors for giving him such an important task.He was not that learned nor did he have much qualifications. They knew that, yet he was still asked to prepare the reports in such a short time.Although he did not have much chance of defending himself, since he was a lower level employee, yet the Regional head was known to be fair to others not on his level.He hated any sort of unfair practice and he would definitely side with Noah if he revealed he had been pressured into making the reports.Yet, Noah had come out boldly, as if he was ready to take the fall, the consequences of making such sloppy reports."He's done for," Greg sighed in despair, watching Noah with pitiful eyes."He really is just a golden haired dumbass," Jason agreed
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty SevenThere seemed to be a shift in the air as the regional head uttered those words.Fred immediately turned to Gary who had provided the reports from Noah.Within seconds, the report was in the senior sales manager's hands, and Fred passed it onto the Regional head."Here you go, sir." He said, "Everything has been prepared for you. We can send the shipment right away of you want."Very calmly the man took hold of the reports and went through it. The Vulcan reports were supposed to cover every detail of a huge shipment which was being sent out in a month's time.The regional head aimed to start from the report because whenever there was a big shipment such as this one, there was always one problem or the other.Whenever huge contracts like this one was given to the company, the regional manager makes sure to come down to Crestview and oversee everything himself. Now everyone, including Noah waited with bated breaths to see how he would react to the r
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Six"What?"Gary started asking but then a telephone began ringing loudly on one of the desks in the office and a colleague picked it up."Hello? really?!" The man looked alarmed. He nodded frantically as he ended the call, and looked at them all, "The Regional Head is here!"There was a general wave of murmurs and a flurry of movement occurred as everyone arranged their works, and gave their repirst last minutes touches.Gary glared at the man who had announced the Regional Head's arrival. The little fool had announced it before he even had time to think of his next plan. He turned back to Noah, who was giving him a calm look, his face devoid of any sort of emotion.Gary wagged his fingers ar him, "No games from you." He gritted, "If you try to pull a quick one on me in front of the Regional Head, I'll make sure it boomerangs on you."There was a bit of silence after that statement where both men just stared at each other, quiet hatred and fury simmer
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty FiveNoah stared him down calmly, even though he was boiling with rage inside, "Where is what?""Where is the freaking file?!" Gary screamed as he flung all the reports to the ground in one swift move of fury.Noah bounded to his feet in anger, "Gary!" He yelled, "Enough of this!"Gary was stunned but in the next minute he burst into a ridiculous laughter at Noah's audacity. "Look at him," he laughed, pointing at Noah's enraged face, "he's yelling at me! Wow, you must have some guts now because of what you discovered, right?"At that moment, Noah leaned forward to say in his ears, "Yea, that's exactly what's up."As those words left Noah's lips, Gary froze on the spot. He had not exactly believed Noah had the file even after Maya told him so but now he did.He was not a man of weak spirit but as soon as he heard those words from Noah, he knew without a doubt that he was doomed.This golden haired gigolo really did have the file.He stared at Noah in h
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Four"What are you talking about?"Gary asked, with a small frown as he pressed the phone closer to his ear. "I said, what the fuck did you do with the deluxe products file?" Maya asked once more in a low but fierce voice. "Oh, that." Gary sounded bored, then his voice turned sinister, "The Deluxe Hydration kits. I got rid of it. What about it? Why are you asking about it?"Maya scoffed, "Is that so?" She hissed, "then tell me why Noah has a file exactly like that one? Tell me why he stood in front of the shipment in the warehouse which were siphoned?"There was a moment of silence as Gary tried to process her words, "You're lying" he snarled, his pulse going into overdrive immediately, "There's no way he'd know about that!""Well, he does," Maya snapped in a loud voice and when she received sharp looks from her colleagues, she bared her teeth at them and lowered her voice, "I'm telling you, I saw a file similar to that one in his hands.""For God's