In Grayson manor,
A maid came running in the study room.
"Master, Master, Madam she is.."
Joshua didn't wait for the maid to complete her words when he stood and flashed past her.
The maid followed her master. Joshua reached in front of a room. He said in a stern voice.
"Go away. And don't let anyone enter this area."
The maid nodded at him and went away quickly.
Joshua breathed in and opened the door.
The room was dark. The only light inside the room was the sunlight coming from the windows.
A woman was seen sitting in a corner with her head buried in her knees. She wore a white casual gown.
"Mom," called Joshua softly.
A small sob escaped from the woman's lips when she heard Joshua.
"Josh. Is that you?" she said in a broken voice.
"Yes,"
Joshua went near his mother and kneeled beside her.
He touched her head and said,
"Maa, Look at me."
The woman slowly lifted her head and looked at Joshua with tear-filled eyes.
"Josh, I-I..," she started crying.
"*shush there, mom don't cry."
Joshua said comforting her. He hugged his mom and caressed her back.
"Mom no one's gonna hurt."
The woman sobbed against his chest and hugged him back.
Joshua felt miserable that he couldn't make her mother go back to being normal.
"Josh, he will be there. He is gonna get you away from me."
His mom said while holding his face in her hands.
"Mom, no one's gonna come. I am your son," said Joshua caressing the back of her hand.
The woman was not convinced. She thought for a while and then nodded her head like a child.
"YES-Yes you're my son. My son," she said as reassuring herself.
She then stood up and went towards the bed. She lifted the pillows as if she was searching for something.
"Mom," Joshua said helplessly as he stood up and followed his mother.
"Joshua, you are a good boy. I'm going to give you a candy," said his mother.
"Mom I don't need a candy," he replied.
"What? You-You are just like your father. You can't appreciate your love for me," she fumed up as she heard his words.
Joshua was shocked and tried to calm her down.
"Mom, Wait mom..," he said.
"No, You are just like that beast. you are also a beast. I hate you both go-go away from me," she shouted at her son.
"Mom," he pleaded with sad eyes.
"No get out," his mother shouted and covered herself with the blanket.
He stood rooted to the floor. After a while, he heard soft snores. He sighed and went near the bed. He adjusted the blanket for his mother and kissed her forehead.
"Mom, I'm tired. I am so tired," He said as a tear escaped his eye.
He walked to the window and gazed outside. He watched the sunset and sighed.
"Please," he said looking at the sky.
His eyes held a careful pleading to his God.
Joshua went out of his mother's room and headed towards the study.
He dialled a number on his phone. It rang for a while after the person he called answered.
"Brother," the voice was soft.
"Evelyn."
Yes, brother," she said.
Evelyn Rosé Grayson is Joshua's younger sister. She was doted by her brother. But because of their mother's condition, Joshua sent her abroad.
Now she was studying business abroad. She wanted to assist her brother in his business.
"Mom, she.." Joshua trailed off.
"Brother, can you not mention the sad things, Can we please talk happily?" said Evelyn.
"Eve, sis, I am tired," said Joshua.
(Eve is the nickname for Evelyn).
"hmm, brother that's why I tell you to go and found some girls. You don't even have to say anything and all the girls will be on your lap. After all, you are already a famous Casanova," Evelyn said in a teasing tone.
"Hmph, You know that I'm not a real Casanova. It is just the rumours," Joshua replied bitterly.
"Hahaha, I know, I know my brother is so pure. *Whispers And he is s still a virgin," said Evelyn laughing.
"You__ hahaha," Joshua also burst out laughing at his sister's humour.
"Tell me, how are your studies going,?" asked Joshua.
"Goin' good, bro," replied Evelyn excitedly.
"You seem excited little sister?" asked Joshua raising a brow.
"Yes, (*Shrieks excitedly) Brother he is so amazing," said Evelyn.
"Who is HE?" he asked warily.
"He, hmm he is a boy in my school. Bro, he is so handsome, amazing and even sexy," she said the last word almost as a whisper.
"Sexy," fumed Joshua.
"And bro you know he is so kind and respectful towards all the girls. Everyone calls him prince. He is very kind to me," Evelyn said not detecting her brother's raged voice.
"Ok baby sis go and take your class. I also have some work to do. We'll talk later," said Joshua.
"Ok bye bro. Bro visit me next time. I'll take you to meet him," she hung up after saying this.
"The hell I would meet him," shouted Joshua.
He almost threw his phone. But he restrained himself for doing so.
He immersed himself in the work he had to complete. He was still a general. So he had a lot of work to do.
He first finished his companies' files and then instructed his fellow soldiers about some missions and cases.
He was on a video meeting with his soldiers when one of them said,
"Marshal, someone was looking for Code XZF."
"Davis, are you sure?" asked Joshua from the soldier who spoke.
"Yes, sir," replied Davis.
"And the identity of the person?" asked Joshua.
"Hmm, sir it was someone from Desmonds," replied Davis.
"Hmm, Anything else," asked Joshua.
"Sir as you know only the owner of Code XZF knows what is it. So we were not able to get anything about it. And sir all the information about it suddenly disappeared," said Davis.
Joshua pondered for a while.
He then said,
"Leave it for now and prepare for the things I told you about."