Too many things are of importance to us but we make the mistake to see them as common things, things of no value but when we turn our back to look for them, they somehow disappear. Only we've just realised what we've been looking for the owl time has been in front of us but we are too ignorant to notice.
I have been trying to fill in the blank spaces but I've come to understand even with the document I still know too little to know what is going on. Grace on the other hand knows too much but the funny thing I've come to understand is she doesn't know how much she knows or if what she thinks she knows Is putting her in danger. She has the blood of my father and that is enough proof she can be dangerous to me even if I've taken a liking to her.
It's been hours now and it's getting late, this building has at least twenty rooms if my counting is correct and most of them are well furnished but it seems they've been abandoned for some time now. I could see her car driving inside the compound, from the car park to the mansion takes at least a minute if one is walking at a steady pace.
I walked to the parlour and sat down, she walked in with some files in her hand.
You waste no time, do you? I asked.
If only you know this family, here things are done in haste. It is almost time for the party, do get dressed.
I had no plan to come to a party.
I thought I told you to ask for whatever you might need?
Am afraid I don't know how to ask for things I don't have.
Oh, I forgot, your daddy abandoned you.
Why do you make a joke out of sad things?
Because you like it but don't have the humour to say it.
True, but many people don't think like me.
You are aware am a rich woman right?
You don't have to point out the obvious.
People will always laugh to my joke even if they find it offensive or insulting. At least that way I remind them who they are and who am I and plus, I get to say what's on my mind. Know this, from this point of your life you have no friends, everyone wants something from you, it may be now or some play the long game but eventually what they want will come to the surface, everyone around you is a potential enemy, you flush out their intentions by being rude, mostly to the ones you don't like at first sight. If you do this, being rich will be easy.
Thanks for the advice, I think you should write a book about being rich.
I already did.
Oh, I see.
Someone who knew someone said and I listened, they said you are involved with a gang. The red man flag.
You are aware the gang you just called is one of the most popular gangs in the country and they are not known for good things, in fact, they steal, they rod, they rape, they kidnap, they fight and they even kill? If I was one of them you would be in danger you know that right?
Of course, she said.
Then why ask if the probability of me being involved with them is high?
It's quite simple, I love danger.
You are... something.
You are not the only one in the family involved you know?
I knew from the moment I opened the door to the meeting.
Alright, go get dressed I will meet you here in an hour, I need to keep all these files somewhere safe.
We arrived at the venue at 8 pm. Soft music was playing and the sound was coming from the bar. In no time we entered and sat on an empty round table.
I thought this was a party?
Only in name dear. A lot of things will happen this night you can't miss.
Things like? I asked.
This was supposed to be a party but they are playing soft music, if you look to your right you will see Simon and he is talking to Trust, why is that?
I can tell the both of them are not on good terms but, it appears what Simon is saying is being considered by Trust.
What do you think? Is he going to say yes?
I think not.
Why?
Cause he is drinking his wine like he is paying attention but the way I see it, he's paying too much attention which simply means he's not paying attention at all.
And you can tell all this just by looking from afar?
Yes, if you pay close attention. if I predict correctly their conversation will end in less than a minute just wait.
I thought I am the one who is going to teach you how things work but it seems you will do just fine. Oh look, Simon is walking away.
Who do you think he will approach next? she asked.
If things had not gotten heated between me and his brother I would say me but, the next is Stanley.
Do you think he would be able to get him to their side?
From what I heard, Stanley is naive, if he's wise he would not be the one to approach him.
If not him then who?
Mary.
Why her?
She's young and pretty with a smooth tongue, seductive too, it will be very easy for her.
You do know they are siblings right?
Guys like that don't care, they always want what they can't get.
And how do you know that?
Look at Stanley and tell me what you see.
He's talking to the bartender she said.
He is smiling, he is excited but not by the fact that he just got rich but by the fact that he is talking to a pretty girl who happens to be a bartender, and that is why he chooses to stay there instead of to mingle with the crowd.
Wow, now, what about you?
I don't intend to meet anyone, the fact is they need me and I don't need them, they will be the ones to come to me, and believe me, come they will.
What if I tell you I want us to work together.
Can I trust you Grace?
You can trust me 80% of the time and that's all I can say.
My answer would be no if you said yes, time and situations change and so do people, you can't trust anyone 100% but, 80% is fair. So yes, we will do business together, after all, I don't know anything about this company.
Sir Desmond told me you never further your education, is that true?
What do you think?
I think not.
Wrong, he speaks truth. But I believe it's best we keep that to ourselves.
Like I said, your secret is safe with me.
One of these days you will tell me the secret you think you know about me but until then I have to speak to someone.
And who might that be?
Mary.
Mary has been looking at me for some time now and it's just a matter of time before she tells someone she knows if she already hasn't.
If it were another place and time I would think you are seducing me, sisters don't seduce their brothers in these parts do they?
They do not John, or is it, James?
Anyone you prefer, dear sister.
I should have known.
Know what I asked.
Was it all a game the night father died?
If it's of any consolation, I didn't know he died until the morning.
Why did you tell me you were from Scotland?
Do you want to know the truth?
Do tell.
I've never been to Scotland.
So you played me and father.
No, you are the one who got played, father knew the only time you are not listening to his conversation is when he's on a business meeting. In truth, we did discuss business.
Father was sad that day, there is no way he would discuss business.
Yes he was, he also told me a few things as well.
Things like?
secretes, confession and believe me, none of the tales he told me is in your favour. I hope you know what am saying.
Is that the card you really want to play James?
All I am saying is, your secret is safe with me, and I believe everything about that night has been erased from your memory as it is in mine.
I believe it is.
Good, I do hope we can do business together.
In a distant future.
Careful, tomorrow is considered a distant future for it is not certain for everyone, do heed my words, I believe we are going to be seeing more of ourselves in this your distant future. take care then I would let you drink your wine now before you go and seduce your brother.
And why do you think that?
Was that not what you and Simon were talking about before he left you? I know what your every move is before you make them.
Welcome to the family James, I believe you are born for this if it is of any consolation.
Thank you.