Ava couldn't wait to get home.
She's been airbound for four hours and she wished she could say she enjoyed the luxury of flying first class, but she didn't. Frodd's crass behavior irritated her. His presence had become increasingly unbearable. He wouldn't just let her be, but she was glad it was all over now.
She had resigned— A difficult decision, she wasn't expecting to make soon, but it was nothing compared to her peace.
Now she wanted peace—from any being called a man, cos all they've ever been to her, was a torn in the flesh.
Her father.
Lucas.
Dr Phyl.
Marcus Thompson and now
Frodd!
She had had enough, and the only way to avoid further unnecessary issues, was to be her own boss. She had gathered expertise and riches enough to start her business and build her self to the kind of wealth she desired. She would work contracts at her own terms, and still have time to tend to Alfred.
Alfred!
Time was ticking.
He had been quiet all through their stay in LA, except for the time he had called her briefly while she looked from the balcony at the handsome stranger, whose question caught Frood off guard. The same one she saw in the hotel, on the aisle,opposite her room, the first night they arrived.
Alfred had told her something about seeing a note from Marcus on his bed. She had been too distracted to listen, "Alfred, can this wait for a sec?, there's something l need to finish up." She had told him. She had seen that he had grown sullen. "Alfred, it won't take more than ten minutes, l promise."
She wasn't even back in forty-five minutes because she had been looking for a stranger that never knew she even existed.
Funny, how this one man had been the first to mark an impression on her, even without meeting him,so much that she tried looking for him, when she returned to the balcony to find he was no longer there...
"Mom, we are almost home!"
Ava nodded, then smiled—grateful that Alfred had brought her mind to the present.
"Are you happy living here Alfred?"
"Yes mom. The only time l was quite afraid was the day you heard someone call you, but we never saw who did."
"And no one broke into our home that day, till the following morning we traveled." Ava completed their experience.
"What if they eventually broke into our house while we were away?"
"It would have been breaking news, then!" Ava, smiled encouragement. Alfred nodded.
"You have a story which you haven't finished yet Alfred.l ca..."
"I told you not to bother Mom. You were too busy to even listen." Ava's stomach tightened, and sadness etched deeply into her face. Alfred was her family. Her only family on earth. How quickly did she forget that nothing else should come inbetween.
"I wanted to tell you of the letter,written by Mr Marcus, and the dreams l often had about the seizures, coming again. I had one that afternoon, that was why l called you."
Tears sprang into Ava's eyes.
The chauffer, Frodd hired, to drive them , arrived at their home in no time. The weather was warm. Summer had a way of cheering her, as if it had answers to her problems.
The chauffer helped them carry their luggage inside.
"That would be all Ma'am." He said, tipping his cap, and turned to go.
"Wait!" Ava said quickly. She searched her purse for some notes, and squeezed them into his hands.
"Thank you!"
The man looked at the crisp notes and gasped.
"A thousand dollars?"
Ava nodded.
"Thank you for being kind and patient to wait, even while we ate at MacDonald's.
"Mr Frodd had taken care of every inconvenience Ma'am l assure you. This is not necessary. " He said, extending his hands to give Ava back the notes.
"Let's call it an extra from me then." Seeing she insisted, he tipped his cap again. "Thank you Ma'am!"
Turning to Alfred, she saw how he beamed with smiles that made her heart leap in joy. She stooped to meet his eyes.
"We will always reward kindness to people, especially strangers..."
"Like Marcus did to me Mama. I was going to reward his kindness, but he didn't show up for my birthday party."
"Maybe that's why he wrote a letter remember?"
Alfred's face lit with surprise. He hadn't expected his mom to see it that way. But he was glad she did,and it freed his heart to tell her more.
Ava took his hand in hers. She held them tight as if something might go wrong if she didn't.
Alfred was too happy to notice. He had on his mind a story he couldn't wait to tell.
*********************
Marcus arrived NewYork in his private jet—Alone.
He had instructed his personal investigators to stay back in Baltimore. He wanted an everyday report about Ava's safety.
He didn't want to risk loosing concentration on executing his plans on how he would gain entry into BlueBird. Ava's safety was the only thing that could distract him, and he didn't want it.
Walking into a poular luxury Vinothèque, he longed to taste the latest wine imported from Spain.
NewYork hadn't changed. He didn't expect it would anyways. The city had more exciting flare. New tech buildings were already standing on one of the busiest streets in Manhattan.
Taking a seat close to a window, where he could still see the buildings, he relaxed at the ambience of the wine bar. Every business in NewYork had a rival, and an upgrade to remain relevant was non-negotiable.
"Hmmm!The competition seem firece already. BlueBird may have to stepup in tech else..."
"They don't have a chance without Marcus, that's what the others see as an advantage."
Marcus turned.
He wasn't sure if what he heard or who spoke was meant for him, cos he was seated alone and...
A man stood to meet him from behind, extending his hand towards him. Marcus took it, still wondering if..
"Thomas!" The man greeted, smiling at Marcus' confusion. "I heard you clear and loud. Lino Vinothèque walls amplifies sounds quickly. Care for company?"
Before Marcus nodded. Thomas was already seated.
"I heard you speak of BlueBird. That's why l got interested. Even in death, Marcus seems alive cos BlueBird still tops Forbes list."
Thomas waited for him to react, and when he didn't he continued.
"Tech demand had increased in three years since Marcus died, and it looks like BlueBird's having trouble electing a new CEO. Their meeting is always being postponed."
"Looks like everyone is eager to know what happens with BlueBird's future..." Marcus managed to say.
"I am!" Thomas cut in sharply, his eyes narrowing darkly. "My company stands over there." Thomas said, and pointed to the building Marcus had been interested in since he walked into Lino's. " l am so eager to see BlueBird crumble fast. It's time someone new emerged."
Marcus was stunned.
He didn't realize the level of firece competition against BlueBird was this...hateful! He noticed that Thomas saw him frown, and knew he must have divulged too much information too quickly to a man he had never met.
Marcus loved it. His mission number one had been accomplished, which was observing silently, and reading the room of everywhere he visited for any information to boost his plans for a come-back.
Thomas saw the smirk on this stranger's face.
He wondered if it was from the things he said or something else—He was about to find out.
Straightening a little taller, Thomas held Marcus' gaze.
"Forgive my manners, you look like you're new around here. Let's start with your name. Do you have one?"
Marcus smiled inwardly. Things were becoming tense already.
"Mar...Merrick! My name's Merrick."