The man steps out of the dark revealing a very familiar face. Xavier Stone a.k.a Fred Shane.
' Dear Arianna, I have no beef against you but it is so unfortunate that you had to be involved with my enemies. You are quite capable I must admit and your family doesn't seem ordinary. I have no choice but to use you as a stepping stone to achieve my long overdue revenge.' Fred says. There's no trace of the meek, quiet man but a psychotic man seeking vengeance.
The Khuranas were the reason why his family had to be in hiding. The Khuranas were the reason why he had to change his identity. The Khuranas were the reason why he lost his mother. The Khuranas were the reason his father was unable to show his face to the world.
All things wrong in his life traced back to the Khuranas.
Fred was his grandfather's name and Shane was his mother's maiden name.
His father had told him about Damien Khurana.
Damien Khurana had killed his wife and Raymond's mother and Fred's father ( Eric Stone) was witness to the murder.
Eric Stone had to go into hiding and his wife was caught and killed by Damien Khurana.
Father and son had to move to a desolate town in another continent. He only returned to America when his father told him that Ken had started regular school and he had to keep an eye on him.
Believe it or not, Fred had been going to the same school as Ken and Arianna throughout Middle and high school. So he was naturally aware of how close they were. So when he met Arianna in the airport with a baby, he was sure that the baby was Ken's. That was when he started plotting on how he could use Arianna against Ken.
He wasn't even free to be himself. His hair was dyed brown and he even had to wear brown contact lenses. Why did he have to live his life on edge while the Khuranas enjoyed theirs?
Six years ago, he and his father plotted and killed Daniel Khurana, Emily and their newborn child. Now he would slowly torment Ken and Damien.
Tonight everything would change. His plan was simple. He had specially ordered an aphrodisiac from a town that dealt in herbal medicine. He would have someone incite Ken into toasting with Arianna. The wine will be spiked with the drug and Arianna would be dead sure that Ken had drugged her. He had even drafted contract stating Arianna would transfer all her properties to Ken's name and he would place it in the room he had arranged. The Havanas would handle the rest on their own.
*********************
Raymond looked at his phone. It was his father. How many times must this man call him.
' Hello Dad.' Raymond says.
' Don't dad me! When are you going to bring that girl home? I want to have my grandchildren as soon as possible.' Mr James says.
' Dad, I'm only 23. I still have time and besides you need to be patient. I'm working very very hard, your future daughter in-law will slowly warm up to me.' Raymond replies.
Mr James was delighted when he found out that there was a girl who rejected his playboy son. He made up his mind that the girl will be his daughter in-law. He had thought that it would take 6 to eight months for his son to woo her but it had been 5 years.
' You have three months Raymond James or else I will have to step in.' Mr James threaten.
' Don't worry dad.I will talk to you later.' He replies smiling.
***************
' Gather round guys!' I called out.
Everyone gathered
' We have successfully concluded our preparations for our company launching party. After the party tonight, you will all be transferred to your various working posts. We treasure loyalty a lot so remember to resist temptation to embezzle. Remember recruitment is your responsibility, don't be partial in recruitment. We can have impromptu staff examination and you might lose your job because of a mistake. I believe we can work together to take ARADEC to greater heights.Now let's enjoy ourselves, we deserve a treat.' I say. I was up last night memorising the speech Arian wrote for me.
They all cheered and we all dispersed to get ready for the party.
*************************
' Brother Ken!' Sage called in her shrill voice. Leo shivered, didn't she know how she sounded?
' Miss Thompson, Let's go.' Ken says.
In the car,
' Brother Ken you didn't compliment me.' Sage says attempting to act cute ( which did not suit her).
Ken glances at her and looked away. What was he meant to say? He couldn't tell her that she looked like she got hit by a makeup truck. Or that her lipstick made her look like a vampire who just had a meal.
Sage waited to hear the compliment.
Leo noticed the irritation in Ken's face and saw he was about to say something which would probably be awful.
' Um.. Boss the project we were working on, We are yet to choose a date for finalizing it.' Leo says.
Sage glared at Leo. Ken was about to compliment her before this man interrupted. Just wait till she and Ken get together, he would be the first person she would ask Ken to fire.
**********
' Mom! Dad!' Arianna calls out.
Oliver and Brenda alighted from a car and Arianna ran into their arms.
' When will you grow up?' Brenda says.
' Dad! Your wife is bullying me. Didn't you say that even if I was 65 I would still be your little girl?' Arianna says.
' Of course you are my little girl.' Oliver replies.
' Grandfather! Grandmother!' Arian calls out.
' My darling grandson!' Brenda says showering Arian with kisses.
' There's my little man.' Oliver says.
' Godfather! Godmother!'
' Mom! Dad!'
' Uncle! Aunt!'
' Look at them all grown up.' Oliver says.
Ashley, Riona, Arthur and Mira goes to Oliver and Brenda.
Raymond and Skyler walk towards them.
' Hello Uncle. Hello Aunt.' Skyler says.
' Ah, my future son in law.' Brenda says.
' Good to see you again.' Oliver says.
' Mom! Dad! This is Raymond James, I told you about him.' Arianna introduces.
' My future son in-law.' Oliver says smiling.
' No uncle you misunderstood.' Raymond replies nervously. He didn't like "like" Arianna, he liked Riona.
' Arianna, I thought you said he liked Riona.' Oliver says confused.
' He does.' Arianna replies.
' I do. Sorry I thought you were talking about Arianna. I want a wife not an overgrown child.' Raymond says and everyone laughs.
' What do you mean by overgrown child? I'm the most mature person in this world.' Arianna says pouting.
' I believe you Mom.' Arian says as he kissed Arianna's knuckles.
' Do you really mean that?' Arianna says touched.
' Of course I don't. I'm saying this out of obligation and so I can get more icecream.' Arian replies.
' You cheeky little boy.' Arianna says.
' Look, it's Aunt Bella and Uncle Julian.' Arian says waving.
The group chit chat till it's time to start the ceremony.
****************
Havana Main hall,
Havana Graceland, England.
Ava walked in,
' Greetings grandmother. I need your advice on what I should..... o what are you watching.' Ava says.
' This is going to shake the event world. A brand new 3 in 1 company with established branches. That's right here we are at the grand opening of ARADEC industry....' The reporter was saying.
ARADEC? Wasn't that the company Olivia planned on launching? Ava turned green with envy.
Why was Rosalind who hardly involved herself in the affairs of the younger generation watching Olivia's company's launch?
How would Ava know that Arianna had called Rosalind to ask for her blessings and even pleaded with her to watch the broadcast since she couldn't attend.
*******************
Four men step out of a car and enter the venue through the back entrance.
' We are here now.'