DEVON
By the time I reached Swindon, it was already an afternoon. My driver and Christine were unnaturally silent, shaken because of the accident we witnessed on our way.
We searched around for anyone but didn't find even a single human being. My gut feeling told me to leave that place as soon as possible, and I did exactly that.
"Christine? Christine?" I shook her shoulder lightly to gain her attention.
She blinked rapidly before turning to face me. I didn't ask what she was thinking because I already knew the answer.
"We are about to reach the factory. Have you arranged our stay in a hotel?"
"Boss we are in Swindon. The nearest city is about an hour's drive and you won't find an hotel to your taste."
"So?" I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously.
"So... I have asked the manager to arrange a place in the Swindon itself." She gave me a sheepish smile.
Before I could throw a tantrum, the car entered the gates of the factory. The large gates were closed immediately after the car was through them.
I looked around to see the guards stationed at various spots. I tried to locate the workers, but not a single orange-suited person came to my notice. The car stopped, and a small group of people rushed toward it.
"Ready?" Christine asked, but I was already out of the car.
As soon as I stepped out, the sunlight blinded my eyes. I took out my shades and wore them before buttoning up my jacket.
"Welcome Boss! Welcome! We were waiting for you since morning." A man in his late forties rushed to me with a bouquet of white and red flowers.
I looked at him, wondering how my father appointed him as the manager of such an important project. I took that bouquet from his hands. He smiled widely in confidence.
"Mr...."
"Smith Boss!" He added quickly.
"Mr Smith, thank you for the flowers but you should note that I hate them!"
The smile on his face vanished within a fraction of a second. I looked again at the bouquet before throwing it in a nearby dustbin. And not so surprisingly, my aim was perfect!
Unlike others, Christine watched the scene unfazed as she was used to my ways.
Smith recovered from his shock and embarrassment before clearing his throat.
"Boss, let's get inside. The sunlight must be bothering you."
I stopped him, raising my hand. "First I want to see how much work you have done."
The next two hours passed so quickly that I barely realised the passing time. I inspected every part of the construction and studied the plan in detail to see if the work that was done was according to the standards of the Sanders.
Smith and the team of his assistants and engineers explained every single thing in detail. Christine looked much better now and was putting up with me without any complaints.
That woman was many things, but the one of them that I appreciated the most was her dedication to her work.
"We have the permissions for this-" My phone's ring cut me in between. I thought of ignoring it at first but then pulled it out of my pocket, thinking it might be my dad.
But the name that flashed on the screen left me with no choice than attending that call.
"Excuse me, everyone."
I walked aside where I could talk in private. Receiving the call, I placed the phone against my ear to hear a feminine voice from the other end.
"Hello Devon!"
"Hello, aunt Julianne! Before you start, let me explain. I had to leave in urgency and that is why I didn't disturb you in the morning. Don't worry about me because I have eaten my breakfast on the way.
Christine is here with me, and we have reached Swindon safely. And now that you have nothing to scold me, let me remind you that I love you!" I finally stopped to take a breath.
I could see a smile threatening to appear on her lips, but she would not let it.
"Actually, you have forgotten something, my dear nephew." She said in a calm tone.
I tried to think what it could be, but nothing occurred to me.
"You haven't ate your lunch yet."
Shit! I cursed myself inwardly. How could I forget that?
"Oh, I am sorry, aunt! I was busy with work and... But I promise I will eat something right after your call." I added quickly before she lectured me again on taking care of my health.
Instead, I heard her sigh. "Okay. I just called to check up on you. Your mother told me that you left early in the morning and I couldn't help but worry. I hope I haven't disturbed you in the middle of important work."
My brows knitted in a frown. "No, aunt Julianne. You know you can call me anytime. But why do you sound so exhausted? Are you sick? Do you want to see a doctor? I can-"
"Devon! I am fine, my dear. I am just... never mind."
"It's him, isn't it?
The brief pause from her side confirmed my doubt. My mood instantly soured.
"What has he done now?" I didn't care if I sounded too harsh.
"Devon, please! Your father is already upset when he got that news on the call. I don't want you to feel the same. And don't worry, Madison is here with me to take care of me."
"Of course mom can handle him but... where is your dotting son? Shouldn't he be the one handling his drunkard father?" I spat with bitterness in my voice.
Both father and son were the same in many ways- destructive, manipulative and selfish.
"You know how Mason and Joseph don't like each other. If I had called Mason then even Madison wouldn't have been able to control the situation."
I rubbed my forehead angrily. "Do you want me to come back, aunt? Or is there anything else I can do?" I asked, lowering my voice.
"No, Devon. Your work is more important. That factory is your father's dream, and by entrusting you with that project, he has given his dream in your hands to nurture.
And I don't need anything. Madison has already settled the bill of the bar where Joseph got into an ugly fight with some people.
I just want you to take care of yourself and don't skip lunch, okay?"
"Okay. Tell mom that I will call her in the night. Bye!" I cut the call.
The group was waiting for me, but I stood where I was for a few minutes. I needed some time to calm down. I already have enough anger issues to put my employees through a drill.
I didn't want to lash out at them because of Joseph Burke, the leech that is impossible to yank away from my family.
If only my aunt was not so madly in love with him, then he would have been behind the bars or in his grave by now!
Ten minutes later, when I returned to the group, Christine whispered in my ear. "I got Mrs Burke's message to feed you lunch or she would make your father cut my salary."
I couldn't help but chuckle at my aunt's not-so-innovative threats.
"Yea, it was her call before."
Christine observed me for a moment before she picked on my uneasiness. "Joseph Burke?"
I only nodded my head in a yes.
"Oh, God! What is his problem for real? Like a father, like a son! These Burkes are the bad omen, I am telling you!" Christine muttered a few colourful words, which were mostly aimed at Mason.
But I agreed with everything she said!
The father and the son were indeed a bad omen.
After some more discussion, Smith took me inside the office, where the air conditioner had already cooled the room. It felt relieved to finally sit down after walking around in the sunlight for hours.
The lunch was served for me and Christine, while others decided to take theirs in the cafeteria. I didn't mind as I didn't like to be surrounded by an unnecessary crowd.
Christine was getting the water bottles from the mini fridge in a corner when she noticed something outside the office.
"Boss. Come here. I want to show you someone important."
"Not now, Chrstine. Later!"
"Come on, Boss. Don't be lazy." She was already by my side, dragging me out of my chair.
I was already irritated, and this woman was not helping me at all. I was about to snap at her, but she beat me to it.
Pointing her finger through the window, she showed me a man in his early fifties discussing something with three more.
He had a cigarette in his hand, and the smoke came out of his mouth and flared nostrils. His uniform gave away his identity. He was a worker in the factory.
"That man... he is the leader of the workers' union in Swindon. Oliver Bell, father of none other than the famous Elena Bell!"
Interesting!