It was a bright Saturday morning. The sun had come up early, illuminating its light on the blue sea. Smith stood outside his yatch, enjoying sea smell and cool breeze as it blew on his face. He was headed for the coast. He had his security team closely around him this time. Naturally, he would have preferred they remained in the shadows but after the accident that almost occurred yesterday on his way home, he had chose to thread with care.
It was around his closing hour yesterday. His driver, John had brought his audi around to the front of the building. Smith had planned to retire to his penthouse but on the way, he had received a call from Bugle to meet him at Smith's club for an important discussion. Smith had then, instructed John to head to the club instead. Thankfully, it was a short distance from the office to his club, and John was not on high speed, when the incident occurred. When it was about two kilometers to get to the club, the car brake began to cease. John nearly rammed the car into another car parked carelessly by the road side.
"Jeez, John! What are you doing?" Smith asked, alarme
"I'm surprised too sir. I think the brake is malfunctioning. I'm sorry sir". John replied, slightly embarrasse
This has never happened to him in all the years he has been driving his Boss. He pondered
"I'm afraid we can't continue in this car sir". He turned slightly to Smith. Would you prefer I order a ride for you to the club? Then I'll come pick you up in another car, when you're about to leave"
"No, it's fine. I will take a walk and Bugle will drop me home when we are done. Just do me a favor." He paused waiting to get John's undivided attention. Then continued.
"Don't get yourself killed", he said patting his shoulder before he started out
John was surprised but he appreciates the care. He felt warm all over. He quickly signaled the security detail to step forward as he briefed them, before sending two after his Boss
Smith took the short walk down the club, wondering what the whole scene was all about with a failed brake and his open display of affection towards John. John has been his driver for over ten years now and he had come to care for the old man in his own special way but open display of affection has never been his thing. Not since he was thought his lesson the hard way. The thought of the car incident didn't bother him much but he had seen the look of worry on John's face and he just hoped the old man is not paranoid
However, Smith had received a call in the early hours of dawn from the manager of his auto repair company that it was not just a case of brake malfunctioning but someone had initially tampered with it.
Smith's body revbirated. He clenched his fist so tight, his knuckles hurt but he didn't care. He wants to know who would throw caution into the wind and mess with him like that.
He would crush the very soul of that person. He promised himself
There's a storm building upfront. He stared intently at the sea, willing the storm be calm. The yatch has just left the dock, making its way into the sea. Smith's thought once again travelled back to the conversation he had with his friend, Bugle last night. Bugle had not only been his childhood friend, he's also his legal advisor and he had come to trust and rely on his judgement about certain matters. One of which was his recent findings about a stranger caught lurking around his cottage for the third time in a roll. Unfortunately the trespasser had disguised so well, it was difficult establishing his or her identity
There was a long queue outside the club when he got there. He went through the back door. Straight into a room he had converted to an office. He pulled out his phone and dialled Bugle's line.
"Hello," Bugle said to his phone speaker, straining his ears to make out words in the midst of the noise around him
"I'm around now. Come into my office, let's talk"
"Okay, good
Bugle went up the flight of stairs to Smith's office. He knocked once before admitting himself in
"Powerful! Boss man!", He hailed Smit
"Dirty Cassanova", Smith playfully retorted as both of them enveloped each other in a bear hug
"So what is this important news you have for me that can't wait till morning?" Smith asked as he walked towards a small bar.
He asked Bugle if he cared for a drink before pouring some liquor into two glasses. He turned back, walking towards Bugle, expecting a response to his question. He passed Bugle his own glass of drink, as his gaze landed on pictures carefully placed on his table. He moved closer, as he caught a familiar figure on one of the pictures. He picked it up for careful observation. His face contorted in fury, was directed at Bugle
"What is the meaning of this? What game are you playing?" Smith said in a dangerously low tone, as he willed himself to remain calm
"Calm your nerves boy!" Bugle replied before launching into details of what had been transpiring between his team and a spy at Smith's property offshore.
"Yesterday afternoon was a different case however, as fortune did not smile on the trespasser. Strict measures had been put in place since the last occurrence, thus, Bugle's team was able to nab and unveil her identity. It's still a shock to Smith when Bugle told him it was the same lady in the picture from last night. It seemed possible someone had been keeping tabs on his activities. Or could there be a mole amongst his team?
Those were the thoughts shadowing Smith's mind since the revelation of yesterday. Bugle had been smart enough to keep it all away from him. Until they have a face of the mysterious trespasser. Though Smith had questioned Bugle's right to hide such information from him from onset, knowing what was at stake but Bugle had reassured him that no harm would come to his gem
Smith quickly called Mike, instructing him to clear his schedule for tomorrow. Then he placed a call to his captain, Francis, to make his yatch ready for a trip. He would be visiting the coast, first thing tomorrow morning. He needs to find out how much she knows of his plan and how long
The crew were working hard to still the yatch against the heavy storm. Capt. Francis barking order. Smith stepped away from the rail and went inside his room. He decided to take a short nap as he hadn't gotten a bit of sleep since last night. He closed his eyes slightly, while facing the interior design of the roof. His thoughts were filled with Mary's. His mind conjuring her face, harmless smile and her great body physique
There was a knock on Smith's door. He barked out order for the person to come in. Bugle stepped in looking defeated. Smith immediately became alert, abandoning his day light fantasy of Mary
"What is it friend?" Smith aske
"I've got a bad news Smith," Bugle said stiffl
"Spill it out, man"
"I just received a call from the coast now. Tessy escaped" He paused, gauging Smith's reactio
"The boys on duty don't think she acted only. Looks like she got some help escaping." Bugle added.
"Fuck! I want Ella out of there this minute!", Smith said, his jaw set in a grim line. "I want my daughter safe" He repeated
He looked around, agitated. He walked back and forth the room.
Bugle wisely excused himself from the room. He too, like Smith, was really upset when he received the information about Tessy's escape. He looked up, eager to get to the coast quickly. Perhaps, they could still give Tessy a chase. The coast, though still far off, is now in view.
The yatch kept gliding along the waves. It was a relief that the storm has now subsided. Smith had stopped pacing the room but he looked ready to launch at anything or anyone that stands in his way. He felt the yatch pulling up into shore. He immediately stepped out of his room taking the small stairs two at a time. When the yatch eventually pulled into dock, Smith was already out, with Bugle at his feet. He won't waste another minute of his already ticking time. Until he gets to his daughter, he wouldn't be able to be at peace.
"Good thing Mary is now in the picture. Ella is coming with me. Enough of this hide and seek game." He said forcefully
Bugle nodde
Few feet to his cottage, they heard a gunshot, then another, closer this time. His security team sprang to action, guarding both Smith and Bugle to safety. All the while Smith's heart thumping loudly as fear gripped him
Oh please, be safe Ella. He kept repeating