“You made the best decision.” Harry patted Jack on the back.
“Let’s hope so.” Jack’s response was unsure and lacked conviction. After meeting with the board of directors of the company which no longer existed, he had driven back home where he met Harry waiting for him. He needed to clear his head.
“Thank you for coming down here. Your presence means a lot, bro.” Jack spoke after a stretched minute of silence.
“Anything for you.” Harry replied. “I believe you’ll bounce back soon.”
“Thanks. So, how is your girlfriend doing?” Jack asked, shifting the focus of the conversation away from himself.
“She is perfect. Best gift I got this year, and that’s on jah.” Harry replied.
“Any plans to settle down? You know you’re getting really old. You should make me an uncle already.” Jack joked and they both laughed.
***
“The infamous Damian Woods. Nice to finally meet you.” Jack said. He was seated in front of Damian in his office. Weeks after merging his two companies, things were starting to go well for him so he decided to pay Damian a visit. It had been in his thoughts to visit the fast rising business magnate.
“I could say the same for myself. Nice to meet the man who is now my competitor.” Damian mocked with a cunning smile. “Whiskey, champagne or wine?” Damian asked, getting up out of his chair.
“Nothing. I don’t drink when I’m with a stranger.”
“So you do not consider me a friend, ouch.” Damian held his chest, showing fake hurt. He was clearly enjoying the conversation.
“You know, I find you to be an interesting course of study that needs to be figured out.”
“Is that so?” Damian’s smile never left his face as they stared at each other.
“Let’s see this. You suddenly appear in Los Angeles. Acquire some properties, own and fund a company. Get the best of the investors to work with you. How is that possible?” Jack inquired, unable to hide his curiosity much longer.
Damian laughed. “I see, I have become a object of study.” he paused, staring at Jack before continuing. “Two things can make that possible. Money and knowledge, and I have both.”
“That is what gets me even more intrigued. You have knowledge, you claim to have money, but you do not have a name. You’re unknown.” he paused, staring at a smiling Damian dead in the eyes. “I wouldn’t want to think too far. I have questions and I believe time will answer them.” Jack concluded.
Damian stared at him incredulously. He had great audacity. Coming to his office to spill trash about him. Anger surged through him, but he remained calm as he spoke “Should I consider this meeting threatening?”
“Of Course not, Mr Woods. It’s just to familiarize. I heard a lot about you, had to come see for myself.” Jack smiled at him, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “A glass of champagne would do.” he added, referring to Damian’s earlier request. “I think we need to toast to our new found friendship.
Damian scoffed. “Definitely.” He walked over to the drink cabinet and pulled out a bottle of expensive champagne with two glasses and dropped them on the table. He opened the bottle and turned a quantity into the two glasses. He picked one while Jack picked from the other, drinking its content in one gulp.
“Nice champagne. You must have great taste.” he commended.
“Greater than you can imagine.” Damian replied.
Jack sat in the chair in silence, debating within himself before he finally spoke out. “What relationship do you hold with Karen smith?”
“Who?” Damian asked again.
Jack brought his face closer to the table, his tone getting hard. “I know you heard me, but I will repeat myself. Why are you after Karen?”
Damian leaned back into his chair and smiled. He picked up a stick of cigarette from the ash tray and lit it, taking a drag.
“Why are you asking me that? I thought we were talking business?” he puffed out smoke from his mouth before speaking.
“Yeah, and Karen is my business.” Jack replied indignantly.
“How so?” he asked in a bid to piss him.
“I don’t know what shit you have going on, but stay away from her. She clearly doesn’t want you. And, I know you know this, she is carrying my child. I do not want any harm close to her.”
Damian stared at him in silence as she continued smoking. “A child. Is that only what both of you share?” he mocked. “What makes you think she doesn’t want me? You don’t even know half about our journey together. I could give her a child, or better still, take away yours. What do you think?” he laughed but Jack could feel the seriousness in his tone.
“Stay away from her. If anything as much as a headache happens to her, I swear, I will destroy you.” Jack threatened menacingly, meaning every word he spat.
“You sure are a man of threats.” Damian noted, feeling undisturbed by Jack’s many threats. “Karen is mine, and I’ve come to claim her. It’s that simple.” he clarified.
“We will see about that. Good day Mr woods.” Jack stood up to go. Damian stood up too and the two men stood menacingly, staring deeply at each other with spite. Jack offered his hand for a handshake and Damian took it.
“I do not give advice, but have your eyes on your back.” The handshake ended and Jack walked out. Damian sat on his chair as he stared at Jack’s retreating figure. He was going to have to act quickly.
***
Lisa’s phone buzzed with a text message. She suspended her work and picked up the phone, scrolling through the text. It appeared to be empty. She hissed and was almost dropping the phone when a call came through.
“Good afternoon. This is Lisa, front desk officer of Jack Antonio. How may I help you.” she offered with professionalism.
“I wish to speak with your boss directly.” the man’s deep voice replied.
“Mr Antonio is out of seat right now. You can call back in an hour or drop a message.” she responded.
“I’ll call back.” the man replied.
“Okay. Thank you sir.”
He dropped the call and dropped the phone on the table. He sat on the rocking chair as it went to and fro.
“Are you sure of your decision, sir?” another man who stood in front of him asked. He was the personal assistant to the man who sat on the rocking chair.
“Have I ever made a wrong judgement, or taken a bad decision?” he questioned dimly
“No sir.” the younger man answered sharply.
“Then trust me on this one too.” he stated. The man on the chair was one of the richest men in New York though he operated mainly in the underground world where he headed drugs and arms trafficking. He was the highest ranked member of the deep four organization, and had affiliations with different mafias in different parts of the world. He was a business man too, owning and investing in different businesses across the country.
His name is Roy Smith. Karen’s Dad.