[Harris come over immediately, your father is being hospitalized] The voice roared and hung up the phone.
Harris's heart raced as the news of his father's hospitalization sank in... The bustling city streets blurred into a mosaic of lights as he hurried to his car. Sammy, still in shock, trailed behind, realizing that the stoic façade of his boss might have been a well-crafted armor hiding deeper emotions.
On reaching the hospital, they rushed in.
The sterile scent of antiseptic and dish soap hit his nose.. Harris approached the receptionist.
"Ahem. He cleared his throat, I'm am looking for Gideon Lancaster. He was admitted here few hours ago"
"Oh, hi handsome. Are you a relative or? She greeted and began checking her computer.
"I'm his son!"
"Okay handsome. Gideon was admitted few hours ago. Check the VIP ward, room..."
"Harris!...Son, come with me" Beth's voice echoed through the hospital
Bethany, Harris's mother, awaited him in the somber waiting room. Her eyes, usually filled with warmth, now held a mix of worry and fear. Without exchanging words, they rushed to Gideon's ward.
Inside, the sterile atmosphere clashed with the gravity of the situation. Gideon lay on the hospital bed, surrounded by medical equipment. The air hung heavy with tension. Bethany clutched Harris's hand, and for a moment, as reality hit them in the face of uncertainty.
A doctor entered, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Lancaster, may I talk to you privately?
They both walked outside, and he closed the door behind him.
"your father has had a heart attack. He's stable now, but we need to run more tests."
The revelation hit Harris. His father, the embodiment of strength and influence, lay vulnerable. The weight of responsibility bore down on him.
"That not really terrible is it?" He asked the doctor
"Not as deadly as I presumed at first. But until then we need to keep close watch on his condition, till he stabilizes" The doctor concluded.
"That's a relief. Please if there's anything else you need me to do, don't hesitate to draw my attention"
"That's fine" The doctor concluded with a curt nod and left him
Just then his phone beeped twice and a message came in. Frown lines etched on his forehead as he read the content.
[Bro am back!]
"This rascal---" he murmured
--__--__--__--__--
The city was bustling as Sammy maneuvered through its streets, his destination set—sun- city International Airport. Tonight wasn't just about business; it was about family. Harris younger brother, Ezekiel Lancaster, had just tossed his graduation cap into the air, marking the end of his college journey.
Sammy parked the car at the entrance and came down to search for his boss's brother.
As he navigated the airport crowds, he couldn't shake the image of Ezekiel—the jovial, carefree soul, always ready for a good time. Ezekiel, or Zeke as everyone called him, was the family's burst of energy, a stark contrast to Harris's composed features. There was no resemblance to them at all. Ezekiel was tall, had broad shoulders and had always grown his hair long which he always parked in a messy bun. Though his features were nothing compared to Harris's. He was also very handsome, when it came to facial features.
Spotting Zeke amid the sea of travelers, Sammy couldn't help but smile. He would rather not keep Harris waiting alone inside the car. Dressed in vibrant colors, Zeke's presence always brought everyone joy, especially him.
"Yo! Sammy!" Ezekiel grinned as he walked towards him
"Sir! The city misses you, you know," Sammy exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. Finally someone who can intervene when Harris punishes him.
Zeke chuckled, "The city isn't going anywhere, Sam. Where's my brother?"
"Yeah that's true. We shouldn't keep him waiting. He's in the car" He concluded and they headed towards their vehicle
Harris was relaxing in the car, his head bucked on the headrest. His brain had already travelled miles, the weight of the situation sunk in on him.
"Big Broo! Ezekiel's loud voice brought him out of his illusion along side the vigorous shaking. I'm back!" He declared as he spread his arms wide
Harris stared at the younger man. He still hasn't changed a bit. Still as cheerful as always. "Welcome" he said dryly
"What! He widened his eyes in shock. I guess you're not glad to see me as I am for you" he sulked, pouting.
Harris raised an eyebrow, "I prefer a quieter celebration. You know that."
Zeke laughed, "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Billionaire. But hey, loosen up a bit! Life's not just about board meetings and spreadsheets."
As they exited the airport, Harris decided to delve into the reason for this reunion. "Zeke, let's talk. Dad has been admitted into the hospital for some days now"
"What! He spat. How come nobody told me? That's not fair. I deserve to know" his expression became serious
"For some reason, Mom thought is best you didn't. You know, he's been talking about you, and he thinks it's time you consider settling into some business of some sort."
Zeke's face turned gloom, "Come on, Harris, I'm not the corporate type. I've got dreams, man—dreams that involves living life to the fullest."
Harris wished he's parents would just understand them, and give up on this their family legacy. But one thing was certain. He won't pressure Zeke, and he won't make his choices for him. Never!
Zeke held Harris shoulders. "Are they still pressuring you to marry Veronica Peters?. Damn, that must be hard." He gave his brother a quick glance.
"Let's get out of here Sammy!" he ordered him. And the engine roared to life, and the tires pelled off the sand.
.
.
.
Days rolled into weeks, and Gideon gradually began to respond to treatment. His health gradually stabilizing. As soon as he woke up, he had some news to break to his family.
The sterile hospital room buzzed with tension as Gideon Lancaster, still weakened by the recent heart attack, summoned Harris. The air crackled with an unspoken weight.
As soon as Harris arrived in his room,
Beth helped him sit up.
"You sent for me?"
"Indeed, he nodded his head weakly and looked at his wife. I need to speak to my son. Alone."
Beth, a little surprised glanced at them curiously. Before exiting the room.
"Ahem. He cleared his throat. I can't continue overseeing Lancaster Enterprises," Gideon admitted, his voice strained.
"What? The news hit Harris hard, then who would...?"
"My elder brother, Gregory, will take charge temporarily in my absence."
Harris's jaw clenched; his brows furrowed. Gideon continued, his words like icy daggers.
"I can't allow that. Anyone but Uncle Gregory. Remember how he tried to bribe some of our company shareholders. He's a greedy person father."
"Harris, your only choice here depends on two things. Find a wife within the three months of my recovery, and ensure in the mean time, you work with Gregory and achieve success in running the company. Fail, and your Uncle takes over the major branch, as the new CEO."
Harris objected, "Father, this is too much. I can't be rushed into marriage, and Gregory—"
Gideon cut him off, his eyes piercing, "I make the decisions here. If you can't handle it, the company goes to Gregory. Simple."
Beth, outside the door eavesdropping sensing the tension rising, intervened, "Gideon, don't push him too far. There's a balance between legacy and personal happiness."
Harris, unable to contain his frustration, stormed out of the room, leaving a trail of unresolved tension in the hospital. Just what was his Father up to?
------
The drive back to his house was silent, the weight of expectations hanging heavy.
On reaching his house, he was surprised to see the lights on. Suspicions pricked his senses. The rumors about burglary in the neighborhood had gotten to him. But he didn't pay attention, cause his house had security measures.
Gripping a brass knuckle from beneath his seat, Harris approached his own home with caution, the soft thump of his heart beat filled the air. Stealthily ascending the staircase, he pushed the door ajar and slipped inside.
Shadow of the intruder and it's footsteps drew closer. As the shadow moved closer, his back turned to Harris.
Harris pulled him swiftly, and his hand lashed out, striking the man with the brass knuckles across his face. The crack echoed through the living room.
The man groaned and blood spilled out of his mouth. Harris turned him to face him, a gasp escaped his lips ---
Harris stood frozen, the brass knuckle hanging loosely in his hand as the reality of his impulsive attack sank in. Ezekiel, wiping the blood from his lip coughed,
"Harris?, what the hell? Why would you attack me? You hate me this much?"
Regret etched across his face, Harris stammered out apologies, "Ezekiel, I'm.. so sorry. I thought there was an intruder. I didn't expect to find you In my house."
"An intruder? Why would you react like this? You could have injured me far worse. What's wrong huh?"
Harris, looking solemn struggled to find the right words,"I can't tell you now. I promise I'll explain later."
Frown line etched on his forehead, as he wiped his bleeding lips with the back of his palm. And winced in pain
"Am so sorry, I thought it was someone else" he apologized sincerely
"The hell! That doesn't explain it at all Zeke got up and moved towards him, who were you not expecting, that made you super punch your little brother? Tell me!" He asked, anger written all over his face
The air was thick with the unresolved tension from the hospital room."I can't say. For now"
"You can't? Zeke flashed him an angry gaze. Whatever. You owe me for this. He pointed at his swollen lips. Come, I've served dinner"
As Ezekiel tended to his wound, the air in the room hung heavy as he kept shooting Harris fierce look.
The doorbell's sudden ring shattered the uneasy calm. Ezekiel, with a puzzled expression, went to open the door, only to be shocked by the figure that stood there, with a sick smile on his lips and calculating gaze.– .
"Well, well, if it isn't the prodigal son and Mr. Billonaire" .