A THREAT

Same night.

Xavier, Carl, Arthur and Dave were all sitting at the patio right beside the firepit. I walked towards them as I could hear giggling and laughter. I have always considered them as family ever since my dad decided to take them in. We all grew up together and cherish one another equally.

"Hello, Boss." They said in unison as I approached them.

The cold wind blew as the trees gracefully swayed from left to right. As I sat between Xavier and Arthur and told them to drop all formalities and talk like before. Even though I did not contribute in the conversation, I was happy being around them not because of work but to share a moment with them away from all chaos and responsibilities.

I realised each one left after the other and was wondering if something was wrong but Dave neither said anything nor leave.

"What are you looking at?" I asked him with a hint of curiosity. He shook his head. He stood up from his seat and sat close to me, by the firepit.

"Is there anything you want me to do for you?" He asked his hands placed over the fire for warmness.

I stared at him for thinking about work even at this very moment.

"Is work all you think about? Do you want me to grant you a leave? Can't I just talk to you like always?" I was a bit annoyed. He kept silent.

"You are now the acting CEO, at your young age. Your dad is taking care of the international branch in New York and your mum.....ever since she left you haven't been the same. You don't usually associate with the others neither do you spend time with us. I understand, they understand and we care about your well-being, don't feel pressured about the load of responsibility you have now. We will forever be your family and your father also trust us to take good care of you." He calmly explained.

I nodded in response. Then silence followed, as we continue to stare at nothingness.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you......

The guys actually surprised me for my birthday and it was planned by Dave which I couldn't believe. Dave is a rockheaded guy who doesn't show any emotions neither does he show any affection.

"Thank you so much, everyone. I really appreciate it". I said with a deep smile.

The celebration continues until late in the morning. It was already 3am when we decided to take a night rest. Xavier and Carl were both drunk while Arthur was taking them to their rooms. Dave and I barely drunk anything, we were still sober as we walked towards my room.

"Wait! I want you to find every information about the person in my room. Also, this must stay between us. No matter how much I think about it there is no way it could just have been a coincidence." I added.

"Are you still having those nightmares? Do you think he's working for them? Is that why?" Dave added staring at me closely.

I knew the answer within my heart but I could not trust myself to repeat the same mistake that happened last year. I keep getting nightmares of that same night. The night I found out everything about my ex-lover.

"It's best to do this to avoid any more mistakes," I said and entered the room.

THE NEXT MORNING.

It's still my birthday and I cannot even get a day off. I received a call from my dad earlier this morning and asked me to choose a gift for myself which I obviously refused. We were making our way to one of the biggest hotel in Oxford owned by Mr Garza, a shareholder in the Edwards corporation, an investment company. The main purpose of this meeting is to decide on a merger between his pharmaceutical company and our hospital. My dad decided it was the best thing to do and each company can benefit from it instead of having partnership with other international pharmaceutical companies which could affect the company due to the increase in rate.

"What time does the meeting start again?" I asked Dave as I scrolled through my phone.

"It starts at 11am and it's already 10:15am. I believe we can make it on time". He said.

We later arrived at the hotel nearly fifteen minutes to 11 o'clock but was informed Mr Garza hadn't arrived yet. We were ushered into the conference room to wait.

Few minutes later, a female employee came to inform us the meeting has been cancelled.

"What is going on?" I asked.

"Well....erm....the boss has been....been involved in an accident on his way here. It was a head on collision." She said with an agitated look on her face.

"Where is he? I asked making my way towards the door.

"He has been admitted to the hospital 15 minutes away from here." She said closely following behind.

We hurriedly left the hotel to get to the hospital. Upon arrival, we were informed of his surgery which was probably ongoing due to the fatality of his condition. He had lost a lot of blood and he had a fractured leg. A nurse came out to inform us he needed a B+ blood type. Mr Garza has a daughter and she was currently not available. We were later decided to donate our blood, Dave and myself but was rejected after we informed them about drinking the previous night. The situation became grievous and there was no way out.

several minutes later, the same nurse came to inform us two people had already donated their blood and it would be enough for the surgery.

"Two people? Where are they?" I asked confused.

She pointed towards two manly figures standing far ahead along the corridor. They turned and walked towards our direction. As they got nearer, the more their appearances became visible.

"No. You did not!" I yelled at the two men standing in front of me. Immediately, Dave and Xavier came to overshadow me, their body's stood in front of me giving no space for the men to intrude.

"Did your boss do this? Did he cause the accident too?" I was infuriated, my hands were already in a fist ready for any attack.

"We are not here for you. We are here for him (preferring to Mr Garza)." One of them said.

" And why is that? I interrupted moving closer to them with my hands still folded into a fist.

They kept silent for a while - contemplating on whether to inform me or not. They decided not to but before they left, they left a message which got me enraged. I quickly grabbed my phone to call the house telephone.

"Answer, answer, answer," I quoted.

The telephone kept going to voicemail, the anxiety that I was feeling was beyond me and I could neither explain or understand it. My mind was clouded by the past events that occurred leaving me with nothing but despair. The pain, the betrayal and the invisible mark on my heart as my chest tightened. I would relentless control my breathing but this time was different, even the pain. My bodyguards rushed towards me asking me to control my breath intake. This was not their first experience neither could it be their last - I guess.

"Can you hear me?" Dave asked but my hearing was muffled.

I took a deep breath to soothe myself and clogged my mind away from the nightmare. My breathing rate was back to normal and I decided to call the house again but this time, the housekeeper answered.

"Have you seen anyone in the house? I asked her but she said she hadn't seen anyone. "If anyone shows up. or you see anyone in the house, call me immediately."

"Yes, Mr Edwards." she softly replied.

"We're leaving now". I said to my bodyguards already on my feet as Dave took the lead.

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