TWENTY FOUR
I left early and headed to the province. I told Kylie to stay in the condo while I was away. I don’t know how long I’ll be there. As long as Ley is not seen or there will be no news of her I will stay there first. I give her every detail about the condo so she can stay there as long as she wants.
While on my way I couldn’t help but imagine what had happened to Ley.
If she was injured or maybe she had an accident?
But still, I do not know the answer.
All I know now is she’s putting me in danger. What she right now, I would not be the only one ruined when something might happen to her but also my family.
Even on the road I still look around when the opportunity arises. Maybe I’ll see Ley. But until I reached the place, I couldn’t find even Ley’s shadow. I decided to go home first to talk to my father. I need his help because Zacharias will definitely kill me because of what happened.
When the maid saw my car, she immediately approached me.
“Good morning sir Hunter, you didn’t announce you were coming.” She then took the bag I was carrying.
“Where’s dad?” I asked when I couldn’t see him in his favorite spot that he always hangs out with every time he has breakfast.
“He’s in the office, sir.” I nod at her then go straight to dad’s office. “But sir, he has someone there with him.” I already get it. For sure she means that there is a girl with dad right now, tsk! It’s still early and lust is already in mind.
I knocked three times to let them know someone was outside. But I didn’t get any answer so I knocked again.
“Who the hell are you!” Dad’s anger by asking who was outside.
“It’s me, Hunter.” There was no answer from within until the door opened.
A woman about my age came out the door. She’s wearing one of a maid’s uniforms. Its hair is still a bit messy she’s not like a professional prostitute. She looks like an ordinary housemaid.
“I’ll call you back later,” dad said to the girl.
I have just shaken my head and then went inside.
“You still haven’t changed,” I seriously said from the entrance and go inside.
“Why would I, Is that necessary?” He asks sarcastically.
“You’re getting old,” I said Calmly.
“So?” He laughed at the question.
“You didn’t respect this house anymore.” His laughter grew louder as he shook.
“This is my house, I can do whatever I want.” He then pointed to the chair opposite him as a signal for me to sit there.
“Bringing slaves and make them your whore? Those gals are just chasing you for money.” I crossed my legs while stretching, he in turn walked towards the wine pouch.
“So, I’m after of their body also. They used me, I used them, and thank you,” he said then poured the wine into the glass. Carrying the bottle and two full glasses he walked towards me and sat across from me.
“Your acting like you don’t have a daughter.” He handed me the glass then lifted his. He drank it first before answering.
“Nothing really, I’ve rejected that sister of yours since she go with your mother, and oh please don’t say that to me.” She’s referring to my youngest sister who is in America.
“But she’s still your daughter.” and I know she loves my sister for than me.
“Please Hunter, don’t tell me that what to do. Coming from you who treated Ley like a shit? It’s like you don’t have a sister.” He threw me back what I said earlier and instead of answering him I just drank the wine he handed me.
“Oh, you’re quiet? Because you’re doing the same with Ley aren’t you?”
“How did you say I was treating Ley badly?” I asked him as if I didn’t know what he was saying.
Does he know what’s going on with us?
But he gave me a smile, then re-translated our glasses.
“Besides, Ley and mom are different, me and you are way more different either,” I added.
“Really, then tell me why you’re here?” He looked at me seriously, then imitated my position. I swallowed my own saliva as he smiled looking at me.
Dad and I always talked like this. Open to each other but remained formal.
“You can’t speak, but, I know why you’re here.” And again, he smiled at me then came a little closer. Not too focused because there was a small table between us.
“Because Hailey is missing, right?” he asked then returned to his seat.
“How did you know?”
“How did I know, you’re asking me how did I know? Have you forgotten that Hailey’s father is Zacharias Amaranth?” He stopped as if everything was normal for him. “Zacharias called me last night and he said Agustin Cruz called Charlotte and I guess you know what he said to her, to them actually.”
It was as if cold water had been poured on me because of what Daddy had said. So they knew, everyone knew. How can I fix this now? How else can I clear my name to Ley’s family especially his daddy?
I let out a long sigh then looked at daddy seriously. “I need your help,” I said and waited for his answer but he just smiled at me and poured the wine and immediately drank then replied.
“I can’t help you.” Then he poured a wine again and handed it to me. I could do nothing but accept the wine. “I warned you from the start that never messed up with the Amarant’s but still you did. You’ve been together with your mother in another country so you don’t know how Amaranth works. I didn’t miss a reminder from you but you never listen, so now harvest what you’ve planted.” The way he talked, it was as if he wasn’t afraid of anything that might happen to me or to him.
“Let’s say, I’ve messed up with them, aren’t you afraid to get involved?”
“No, because Zacharias won’t interfere with me. You are the only one who just hurt his daughter. Not because I’m your father and you are my son we are one indeed. Besides, he knew me and he knew that I wouldn’t agree with your bad behavior. So, he knew that I don’t know what you’re doing,” his long explanation to me.
“You will choose them over me?” He just smiled as he shook me.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“No, I choose money and power over you.” He answered directly.
“I am your son.”
“Listen, Hunter, you said that I bring here slaves and make them my whore, how can I satisfy the call of the flesh if I lose everything I have. If Zacharias pulls out all his investment, 80 percent of my property will be gone in a minute. Can you imagine that?” I was shaken by his answer. Just because of that he can’t stay on my side. He could ignore me and let me go.
“I can’t fucking believe you. Are you really my father?”
“Of course, that’s why I let you stand on your own. To teach you a lesson on how to stand alone. You chose that messed, I choose not to join your mess.”
“But at least help me on this,” I said like I am begging on him.
“Ok, I will, if you can tell me how. How can I help you exactly, Hunter?” I couldn’t answer daddy’s question. I even asked myself. How can my father help me, how can I help myself? Ley put me in this situation already, I’m going to be ruined, how can I clean it now.
“I’m waiting for an answer, son.” He then looked at his wristwatch.
“Dad.” The only word I say, he smiles at me then stands up and stands beside me and tapped me on my shoulder.