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CHAPTER 2
~20 Years Later — Leo Sparks~
The screeching sound of the car resounded all around followed by a crash that echoed loudly.
"Mum."
Immediately Ariel's sight was greeted with the pained stricken face of her mother, her burgundy waist-length hair falling slightly over her face just like how hers did moments ago.
"Mother."
"Hahhaaa..."
Chills ran down the length of Ariel's arm following the wicked laughter that tore through her mother's mouth but if she was certain, she doubted it was, considering the latter's lips weren't moving.
"Mother..."
Her words were cut short quickly when her mother, Giselle, snapped her head up, glaring at her daughter.
Gasp!
Her once pretty face was now marred with bloodstains flowing from her eyes, nose mouth and ears. She darted her gaze to the side only to lock eyes with a similar horror on the face of her father.
"No!"
The cry of a child rushed into her ears—one she had been familiar with and the sight before her completely cleared away followed by the same explosion that killed her parents.
"Ariel... Help us! Ahhh... it's too hot."
"Mum?" Her voice broke, betraying her confidence as she whipped her head from side to side trying to pick up where the sound was coming from and when she looked at the flames once more, she saw two burnt bodies, walking out of it.
Within seconds they appeared before her, standing with their hands stretched out as blood flowed out of their empty eye sockets.
"You did this, Ariel," her father uttered.
"How could you? We loved you. Ariel, you did this," her mother's crackled voice accused as well.
"No... I... mum, I didn't. I... no, it's not true."
"You did. Now we must come for you, Ariel."
"Ariel. Ariel. Ariel."
"Enh..." Ariel gasped and almost jumped out of her seat, blinking as the piercing ray of sunlight entering the office through the window settled on her eyes.
"Ariel?" The deep bass of a man called out sharply with slight worry laced in his tone.
"Ms. Leo, did you hear everything I just said?"
"Um... yes, yes. Very well," Ariel chuckled lightly. "Sure, I did. Why?"
It was a new day at a new job.
More than anything, the hardworking Ariel knew what that day brought.
A day when she had to do her best to impress her manager and ensure she kept her job.
She had thought that when she saw her manager, he would be full of smiles while explaining to her the nature of her work, but all that changed the second he began talking.
"If you say so." His doubtful gaze fell from her face down to his desk and the tag before him. And when he parted his lips to speak again, he ensured he gave her a handful.
"Ms. Leo, I must inform you that your performance today on the job would determine whether or not you will remain here with us," he began.
"I should also let you know, I dislike sloppy workers, nuisance and clumsy souls the most as well as absent-minded employees."
Listening with rapt attention, she watched him list his dos and don'ts, and all of his expectations to her while wondering if the new form of torture would ever end.
"Also, since you were paying attention," his voice laid enough emphasis on 'paying' and she knew she was done for.
"I won't need to go over the major rules again. Now here's your tag," he said and handed over the tag on his desk. "Your supervisor is waiting for you with your change of clothes. You may leave."
After a good twenty minutes, Manager Theo as he was usually called, finally dropped the lecturing and she was set for work.
She found her supervisor, a lanky-looking young male, not looking above thirty, with a less serious expression than Manager Theo.
He offered her the work clothes and showed her the changing room then left her to her business.
Standing in front of the mirror in the changing room, Ariel accessed herself in her new work clothes, appreciating the fact she got another chance at a job.
Finding herself working here as a waitress wasn't, particularly the kind of job she foresaw herself in after having a first-class degree in business administration.
But with her misfortune, she couldn't be choosy at this moment.
Slowly, her eyelids closed and she drew in a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what was to come next.
"I know when the nightmares come, bad things happen but this is the first time I was having a nightmare at work."
She twisted her lips to the side, her mind trying its best to understand what had triggered the nightmare.
After thinking and coming up with no solutions, she shook her head and wore her best working smile.
"You've got this, Ariel. You have control in your life. Now, let's rule and show Manager Theo I am not a lousy waitress."
**************
In front of three sets of luxurious Range Rover Jeeps, a couple of men uniformly dressed in black suits and dark shades lined up systematically at each side of the Jeep, their gazes locked as all of them stood at attention, looking ready to welcome someone important.
"The boss is here," one of the men boldly announced, informing the others to ensure everyone was ready.
From a tower-looking, modern skyscraper, a tall, handsome dark-haired man dressed in a sleek white tuxedo emerged from the exit, amidst a flurry of activities.
He adjusted his cufflinks and straightened his bowtie before confidently striding towards his destination. His presence commanded attention as he walked across the pavement, his every movement radiating an air of sophistication and elegance.
He surveyed his surroundings with a detached, almost indifferent expression, seeming oblivious to the hustle and bustle around him.
As he walked towards the sleek, chauffeur-driven car waiting for him, the voice of his P.A. crisp and efficient, began to deliver a rundown of his upcoming schedule for the day.
"What do we have?" His deep voice questioned.
"The old business construction site at Beta Z collapsed this noon."
"What?"
"Yes sir. Also, we got a call about the injured workers, the branch manager is handling things at best."
His expression darkened but he refrained from speaking and waited for the next words from his P.A.
"And the investment with Brainy Software Limited is…" He paused, casting a side glance at this boss and when the latter arched a brow expectantly, he released a breath and continued, "They are withdrawing their investment."
"You said…" His voice trailed off slightly. He could not afford to get angry now. That was his next big project and now they were pulling away?
"My a…"
"Don't you dare apologize, Adam. What's next?"
"Your next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 pm with the Board of Directors of the Hilton Hotel, New Dawn's CEO and Clay Royals President at Leo Sparks."
He stopped in his tracks, his left hand still tucked into his trouser pocket as he puckered an eyebrow at him.
"And what is the time now?"
The P. A. lowered his gaze to his wristwatch only to hesitate slightly before answering. "I-Its... It is 3:05 pm, sir."
"I'm late."
At first glance, anyone who saw him would think he was okay until they saw the clenched jaw and frustration that worked up in his eyes.
"Sir, I regret to inform you that Traffic is heavy, so you may have to allow for extra transport time or cancel the..."
"Not on my watch. We are going, Adam. Ask Dane to drive fast."
Lowering his head, he agreed quickly. "As you wish "
With that, Drax coolly slid into the backseat of his car, already lost in his own thoughts.
His eyes moved over the cityscape, dispassionate as always, as the car pulled onto the busy street.
His cell phone remained clutched in his hand, the epitome of control and efficiency in every move he made.