Apart from my PA and the security team, no one in the office knew that Sarah was my wife. I was surprised myself that for all these seven years no one suspected anything. Not even a single guess that we were even dating or have they guessed something...
"Ben," I hear a voice coming into my office and looked up to see my father coming in.
"Good Morning father,"
"Just got bored at home, so came to see how things are here," he said looking around, and seeing a smile on his face I looked where he was looking at.
Yes, the first group photo of the company was still there in the same spot. Some of them are still working with us as consultants and some have their kids working with us now. They were like a family to him.
"Father, have you met Mr.Alexander before?" I asked with a concerned look.
"Hmm...I think I have met him briefly. Is there any issue regarding his project?"
"No father. But do you think you can find out about him a little from your acquaintances?"
"You hardly ask for something like this son. Is everything ok with Sarah?" now he looked worried. As I was about to tell, Alex came in with a big hug to my father.
"Uncle, were you bored or missed Little Bud," he asked seating beside him.
"Both," said my father. "So Ben, tell me what's the issue,"
Alex and I unfolded what happened yesterday and what Sarah said about not being comfortable in front of Liam - Mr.Alexander's son. And because of that, we started to investigate him.
"Son, have we triggered some of her old memories?"
"It's hard to say because she didn't say anything further or mentioned it after that," said Alex calling Dr.Lu, Sarah's dedicated doctor.
"Father, do you remember who won the Riverston project that year?" I asked as I just remembered something.
"The Harriot's, our rival,"
"Really!!" I was surprised, as they were a company mostly backlisted - not officially - by others as they are known to do dirty work behind.
"If I remember correctly, Mr. Alexander was one of their investors those days. But later he pulled out,"
"Do you have any idea why?" I asked as we found a clue.
"Hmm...no,"
A dead-end again.
----------------------
"Ok, Thank you, doctor," Alex came close to us.
We both looked at him to tell us what the doctor said.
"Well," I was impatient.
"Dr.Lu wanted us to keep a watch out in case she gets headaches or sudden mood changes," Alex said a bit worried.
"Did he say why she suddenly had some uneasiness?" asked my father.
"He said may something or someone might have triggered her a bit, but it soon to say she will remember,"
Suddenly a knock came on my door to see my PA - Jason and Markus coming in.
"Sir James, How are you doing?" asked Markus.
"I am fine, son. Hope these two kids are not giving you a hard time," said my father with a smile on his face.
"No sir," and Markus looked at me while handing a file, "Details about Liam Alexander,"
We all went through with it and,
"Uncle see, he was one of the team members from Harriot's in the Riverston project," said Alex.
"Then why haven't I met him at any of the initial meetings of the bidding," I said with a confused expression.
"Do you mean that someone was impersonating him?" asked Alex.
I just shrugged my shoulders. This is so confusing. At the same time, Sarah came into the office with some drawings in hand.
"HI my little girl," said my father, looking at her lovingly. He loved her as his own daughter from the first day I introduced her.
"Ben, you didn't tell me father was here," she said with a fake angry face.
"Sorry dear, we were chatting about something and I forgot to tell you,"
"I hope it's not about going on a fishing trip?" she asked as she hated it.
"Thank you for reminding, little bud. So guys, next week we'll go on a boring fishing trip, no girls allowed," said Alex giving a high five to my father.
"Whatever. Ben here are some updated ideas I noted down for Mr.Alexander's project. Go through it and let me know your thoughts," that being said she went back to her office room.
We talked for a while when Jason came back with some documents and photos in hand. They were all related to the Riverston project meeting photographs and documentation. But Liam was not in any of those photos.
"Markus, on the day of the accident, you went to a gathering with Sarah?" asked my father. I couldn't attend that day due to another meeting abroad with Mr.Edward.
"Yes sir,"
"Do you think you can find anyone familiar in these photos from that night,"
Giving him some time to go through the photos, we checked on the documentation at hand.
"Sir," said Markus with a suspicious look.
"What is Markus?" I asked as I felt something was not right.
"That night, this person was trying hard to get too close to Ms.Sarah,"
"Do you remember his name by chance?"
"Hmm.. If I remember correctly Ms.Sarah called Peterson,"
I quickly ran to the documents given by Jason earlier.
"Liam Alexander Peterson" I was shocked.
"Ben, are you ok, dude," asked Alex. I showed them the document and his name.
"But how come?" said my father.
"They look different in life," said Alex.
Markus being confused, "Sir, why do you say they look different?"
Then only I remember on the day of the meeting, he was following and keeping Sarah safe. So I requested Jason to get the security footage of that day.
"This is not that person Ms.Sarah met three years ago," he said with confidence.
"Are you sure, Markus?" asked my father.
"Yes sir, I am hundred percent sure," and he went on to look at the other photos and the video for a few more minutes.
"This is like a mystery movie," said Alex sitting on the sofa, while sipping off a cup of coffee.
"Could there be an imposter," I said as I was now so confused.
"Ben, did you take Sarah for the bidding meetings regarding the Riverston?" asked my father.
"Yes, she came with me for all of them, except that gathering they had. Sarah went with Markus," I explained.
"Could there be a chance they knew you two were married,"
"What!!" said Alex.
"Just a thought," said father.
"So you mean to threaten us they harmed Sarah, that day?" I said, without a blink.
"Could be,"
"OH! GOSH..." said Alex, spilling his half-filled cup of coffee on the floor.
"Mr.James, Ben, and Alex sir, " said Markus. We went to him at once.
"I think both these people are the same Liam Alexander Peterson."
He gave us a bomb and a shock at the same time.
"What do you mean Markus?" I asked.
"Both of their figures look alike, except for the face," he explained.
"You mean he had done a plastic surgery?" asked Alex.
"Might be. Because that day the while that hit us was going too fast. But we didn't find any vehicle that hit us." said Markus.
"That means his face was damaged and he did surgery to fix it. Which made him look different," said father after a thought.
"But how did Sarah feel uneasy seeing him?" I said as I wondered.
"Sir, his eyes, they are the same," said Markus suddenly.
"The only thing that is hard to change," said Alex.
"That means Sarah recognized him with his eyes, even though she doesn't remember," I suddenly felt so worried about her safety.
"Sir, don't worry we won't let anything happen to Ms.Sarah again. I will protect her with my life, sir," said Markus.
I knew Markus had a soft spot for Sarah and always looked after her as his little girl - I mean like a sister.
But do I go ahead with this project or not.... or put Sarah again in danger...