"Uncle, who are you talking to?"
sigh.
sigh.
His heart didn't stop beating.
Frans shoved his cell phone hastily into his trouser pocket. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart. The man who was over fifty looked back slowly.
"Grace?" His smile widens. Cover the nervousness. "You're here? Why didn't you tell Uncle?" Frans approached the girl while looking at what the girl was carrying in her hand.
"You brought Uncle some more food? Even though Uncle said not to bring Uncle any more food, you seem to be stubborn!" Frans was about to take food from Gracia's hand. However, the girl avoids Frans.
"What will Uncle do this afternoon?" asked Gracia with a serious face.
Frans narrowed his eyes, "Did you hear all of Uncle's talk earlier?"
"No, only part of it?" replied Grace. "Listen, Uncle. I don't like Uncle changing just because of money and power," said Gracia, her eyes widened.
"Hey ... you know what, girl! Isn't your uncle that kind of person? Have you seen Uncle ever act greedy?" Frans asked while spreading his hands. Proving that he is not the person Gracia thinks he is. Grace just shook her head.
"Besides, what you heard was not a crime. Your uncle's job is not as an ordinary staff, but..." Frans embraced his niece. "A CEO and leader of a large company. Surely there will be many problems that Uncle will face, like that one earlier. And also a robbery where Uncle works!"
"What? Why didn't Uncle tell me?"
"Hey...you take it, easy little girl!" Frans said poking the tip of the twenty-year-old girl's nose. "All done Uncle!"
"Oh, I see!"
"Yes!" answered Frans. "That's why don't like eavesdropping on people's conversations!"
"Who told Uncle to talk in the middle of the road," said Gracia.
France laughed. "By the way, is it food for me?" Frans said looking at the hand in his niece's hand.
"Oiya, I almost forgot!" Gracia gave me a bag filled with homemade food. "Here... I made your favorite food, Uncle!"
"Thanks, and hopefully it won't be as salty as yesterday!"
"If it's salty, why did you eat until you gorged yesterday?"
Frans laughed hard. "I'm just kidding! Come on, let's go to Uncle's office," Frans asked.
"Sorry Uncle, today still can't!" refused Grace. "I have to go to the library to do my homework."
"You, why don't you move to my house? Wouldn't it make it easier for you to go to campus or the library like this?" Frans suggested. "Instead of you commuting and taking a long time!"
Grace just smiled. "I feel sorry for you, Uncle. It's impossible to leave that old mother!"
Frans just smiled while stroking his niece's hair. "Okay, it's okay. But don't be too tired, I don't want you to get sick!"
"Okay Uncle. I promise it won't hurt!" she said while saluting. "I'm going, Uncle!" Gracia continued walking while waving her hand. Frans replied with relief.
"It's a good thing he didn't hear everything! Otherwise, my plans would have been exposed!" he whispered. He went back into the building, following Edward who had already entered the building.
Then, not far away, Gracia heard the voice of a young man she met while helping the cat. "Uncle, why did it take you so long to call him? I have something to ask you!"
Gracia turned her head, but unfortunately, Edward and Frans were nowhere to be seen. "That voice just now... wasn't that the young man who helped me?" Her curiosity made her run, but Gracia was unlucky, she couldn't see Edward's face. The young man and Frans had entered the elevator.
She could only grunt and then left the front of the building. Continuing her delayed journey.
****
Then in a building that is no less magnificent than the company that Frans manages. A modern architecture building with more than 40 floors decorated with glass that reflects the dazzling sunlight.
Brandy was seen walking into the elevator after his car was parked on the basement floor. He seemed to be in a hurry to enter the elevator, wanting to report what Jack had assigned him.
The elevator was moving slowly after pressing the numbers. One by one the employees entered the elevator like the one Brandy was using at this time. Then, the elevator stopped at the last number of employees in the company. The man with the profession of a lawyer stepped towards the door at the end of the hall the floor.
"Can I help you, sir?" asked a bespectacled woman with her hair in a bun, in a white shirt in a short black skirt.
"I want to meet Mr. Jack!" said Brandy.
"Do you have an appointment beforehand?"
"Yes, I must see him now!" Brandy replied, he felt suspicious of the beautiful woman.
"I'm sorry, but right now Mr. Jack can't be disturbed. He has guests and can't be disturbed by anyone, you better come back tomorrow!"
"Excuse me, I have an appointment now and I must meet with Mr. Jack now!" added Brandy barging in even though the woman was blocking it.
"Sir... wait, Sir! You can't just go around," the woman chased. Brandy kept shaking her hand from his arm.
BRAAAK.
Brandy forced Jack's room open. And his eyes bulged quite a bit when he saw state of Jack holding a sexy young woman in half-naked clothes.
"Sorry Sir, I didn't mean--"
"Aah... Mr. Brandy. It's okay, come in," he said as he tidied up his clothes. And the young woman rushed out with her face downcast. Brandy tried to recognize it while frowning. "Come on in, and have a seat please!" he said.
Brandy entered with some hesitation. He slightly recognized the woman who had just left Jack's room. But he can't remember when or where he met. The lawyer sat down, placing his briefcase on the table. Jack sat across from the man Katty considered parlance.
"How? Have you met the girl?" Jack went straight to the point.
"Yes, an interesting girl to help with your plan, Mr. Jack," said Brandy. Jack laughed happily.
"I want you to help free her. Either way, I don't care! And I want to quickly get rid of Edward and the old man who will complicate my plan to take all of my brother's inheritance!" concluded Jack. "I want that old man to die first so I can get rid of that snotty brat!"
His eyes looked petty. His smile grinned with a wrinkled forehead, indicating that he was one of those people who were so greedy for wealth. Jack felt that all of Edward's possessions were worth having. Not anyone including Frans and his other siblings.
"Then get rid of the other bullies without bothering to get my hands dirty!" Jack added, showing his pettiness even more.
****
To Be Continued.