He watched as the man said a few things to her and she offered a tight-lipped smile before walking away to her car and driving away. Now standing alone, he could easily see the man, and he looked oddly familiar. He tried to recall where they might have met, but his process was interrupted by his sister who slammed the door loudly as she got inside the car.
“I’ve gotten everything I need. Let’s go.” his sister spoke and he peeled his gaze away from the male figure before driving away.
By morning, the news of the death of Jack’s father was starting to spread. Jack had authorized the hospital to include his dad’s name in the death register and had issued an official statement on his social media platforms. His phone rang continuously as different friends and business partners called to show their sympathy. He ignored all the calls and when they were getting too much, he switched off his phone.
“Cancel all my meetings for this week, I won’t be available.” he had informed his secretary that morning.
“Okay sir. My condolences to you.”
“Thank you, Lisa.”
“And, sir –” She hesitated, and he caught her hesitation, urging her to speak up. “Some of the shareholders are here. They requested an audience with you.”
“Dismiss them. Tell him all official duties from the office of the CEO are put on hold.” he replied.
“It’s about the death. They said they want to sympathize with you.”
“Convey my gratitude to them. Tell them I’d like to be alone with my family in this period.” he spoke with a tone of finality and she nodded. He ended the call and she turned to the men who were waiting patiently to hear from her.
She shrugged before speaking up “Mr Antonio appreciates your concern, but unfortunately, he won’t be available.”
___
Jack’s mother arrived late the previous night. Her car drove in few minutes past eleven and she walked in to meet Jack awake in the dining room, sitting in solitude and in the company of a bottle of whiskey.
“Welcome mom. ” he looked up from his glass as she walked in. “I bet you have heard the news.”
“Yes. ” a wave of emotions hit her as she fell to a seat, fighting the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She had been away in the UK for an important meeting. Apparently, her husband was to be there, but since he was sick and hospitalized, she had to represent him. She had barely spent three days there before his death. “I took the next flight immediately.”
They sat in silence. Jack continued drinking as he waited for her to say something more. Anything!
“His corpse is still at the hospital. Do you wanna see him before he’s moved to the morgue?”
She debated internally within herself. Seeing her husband dead, and lying cold on the hospital bed was going to unlock the pool of tears she had tried to block out. “Yes.” her voice was throaty and unsure.
Few minutes past midnight, they drove back to the hospital. Mrs cried as she looked at her husband’s body, stiff and lifeless, covered in a white hospital cloth.
“He’s really gone!” she wept into her son’s arms as he guided her outside the room.
__
Harry sat in Jack’s parent sitting room scrolling through the internet. News of Jack’s dad’s death filled every blog and news outlet in Los Angeles. Tired of seeing too many stories about the same issue, he dropped his phone and turned to Jack who was seated in a chair some distance away from him.
“What are you going to do now?” he threw the question at him.
“Mourn my dad. He was a good man.” Jack replied absentmindedly.
“I know. We all do, but there are some pressing issues you have to address at the company.” Harry argued. He had an unofficial director in Jack’s company. Jack had given him access to the monthly reports that went to the CEO’s office.
Jack raised an eyebrow at him, as if to question him.
He shrugged before speaking. “I know you are in a very hard place right now with all that is going on, but you have a business to run. Two businesses.” he corrected. “You aren’t going to run them with a bottle of liquor in your hands.”
Jack scoffed before turning to face him. “I’m the best businessman in Los Angeles. Top three in California. I earned that.” he bragged.
“I know, and you have to guard that. I’ve seen the monthly report for last month and it isn’t looking like something owned by you, for you. I’ve seen some rumors, and it seems things won’t be going the way they used to.”
“What did you hear?” Jack sat up, asking with seriousness.
“I can’t really tell since it’s unconfirmed, but it’s not to bother about.” he stated. He really hoped it was nothing to bother about.
****
Karen sat on a sofa in her sitting room as she switched on the television. She wasn’t going to the office today, so she might just watch the tv to keep her company. She switched to the news channel and lost interest as the broadcaster spoke of the newsworthy events that occurred. She was almost changing the channel when she heard the female journalist mention Jack’s name. Her curiosity was pricked as she paid attention.
“Mr Antonio, father of Los Angeles’ youngest billionaire and business tycoon, Jack Antonio has passed away. The revered businessman and philanthropist passed away yesterday at the city private hospital.” The lady read and a cold hit her. She lost interest in the rest of the lady’s speech as she rushed for her phone. She tried to call him and her call was directed to voicemail. After many trials, she dropped the phone, feeling weak and helpless.
Tears rolled down her eyes as she stared silently at the screen. How was Jack coping with the news?
Damian and a strange man sat in his sitting room. The man was dressed in black suit. He looked to be in his early forties and had a scar on his face. The television was switched on, and the channel was running a documentary on Mr Antonio.
“Mr Antonio is dead? Shocking but not unexpected.” the man commented.
“Why do you say so?” Damian questioned. He was intrigued about the whole story. He didn’t really know much about the old man until today. He only had a little idea about him while he was growing up.
“He was rumoured to have been sick a few times,” he replied.
Damian stared at the man, a smile lingering at the corner of his lips. First, he had gotten a great piece of information that could fast track his plans, and now, Jack’s dad was dead. Were the heavens really working in his favor?