“Send a direct message to Jack, stating my interest in investing with him and book a flight to Los Angeles for tomorrow.” He ordered. His personal assistant nodded and walked out. This was going to be his first business visit to Los Angeles since he left the city about two decades ago. He had vowed not to return, but he was breaking that promise today.
***
A week later, Jack had prepared and was waiting for the arrival of the investor from New York. There had been series of phone calls and mails sent between both parties. The man had introduced himself simply as Mr R. C smith, a businessman from New York who loved investments. He claimed to have come across a business article about his company and had taken interest in him.
Jack had done a little background check on his prospective investor, and seeing that he was clean and had no charges, his anticipation grew. He had spent the past months working hard to get back on his feet and getting a new investor was enough to push him back to the top.
“Good afternoon, Mr smith.” Jack greeted the man who looked to be in his mid or late fifties. He had few strands of grew hair that he noticed after the man had taken out his cap. “Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands and Jack noticed the domineering aura the man possessed. He looked really expensive and fit. Slim and had a height perfect for his body build. His perfume wafted across the room and Jack perceived it. It was one of the most expensive brands in the country.
“The pleasure is all mine.” The man smiled at him. He had a big smile that was enough to calm anyone.
“Thank you for reaching out to me, and my company. We’ve received your mail stating you want to do business with us. A very good move, I must commend.” Jack began. Even in the face of the challenges his company had just faced, he was proud of what he had been able to achieve.
Mr Smith nodded as he listened to Jack speak. A renewed interest grew in him. “I have been following up your company for the past five months. I’m aware of the financial challenges it faced and I’m proud of the way you handled it.”
Jack smiled at the compliment. “Thank you, Mr smith.”
“You are the type of business man I want to work with. If I invest with you, I’m sure of profits no matter what happens, right?”
“Absolutely”
They continued their conversation and he cited how much he wanted to invest. The figure was staggering and had left Jack’s mouth hanging agape in surprise. It was almost double the figure of his current investments.
“Sir-” he paused to stare at the man who was neither smiling or frowning. “Isn’t this figure too much?”
The man stared at the figure quoted on his document again, trying to act surprised. “Mr Antonio, I am a businessman, an investor, and in everything I do, my aim is to make profits. I identified your company as a good Business to invest with, and I feel it is right to do so. And if you’re thinking about my source of wealth,” he paused and passed a few documents to Jack. “you can read up the content of that document.”
Jack gulped. The amount quoted was enough to get his business bouncing again, and even knock Backend out of business. It was enough to get the company back at the top and attract more investments.
“Thank you very much, Mr Smith. Thank you for your confidence in us.” Jack got up from his seat, shaking hands firmly with his guest.
“My pleasure. One more thing, I wouldn’t want to see my name in the papers. I like to always remain anonymous.” Mr Smith informed. He picked up his cap and walked out. He was doing this for two reasons. One, to bring down Damian, and the other was out of love for Jack’s work. He had done a little digging on him, and found him to be an honest and hardworking man. And plus the fact that he and his daughter had something going on between them. Though they were not officially in a relationship, he hoped they would end up together. Jack would always have his blessings. As for Damian, he was starting to bite on the fingers that fed him. He had to be curtailed before it got too much.
__
Karen walked out of the shower with a towel tied round her waist. Another towel was tied round her hair as she walked to her dressing table. She creamed herself, dried her hair and got dressed in a flay gown that stopped at her knee. She rubbed her baby bump with a smile on her face as she lay on the bed. She had been feeling awfully tired and weak lately. She picked up her phone and was about to unlock it when a sharp pain hit her, causing the phone to drop back on the phone.
She screamed as another pang of pain hit her. Her breathing became hard. She touched her leg and noticed water going down her legs. Then it hit her. She was going into labor! The baby was coming. She struggled and got up from the bed and walked to the closet to pick her bag. She had packed her clothes and everything age would need for the trip to the hospital into a bag few days ago. She picked up her phone and struggled out of the room. She got to the staircase when another contraction hit her. She screamed as tears rolled down her eyes. It was becoming too difficult to walk in the condition. Her bag dropped from her hand as she leaned on the wall. She scrolled through her contact list, stopping at Ciara’s name. She almost dialled it when she remembered that her friend was out of town. She had travelled some days ago and was to return today, later in the evening.
According to their calculations, the baby was to come in the next four days when Ciara would already be back in town. Having no choice, she dialled Jack’s number and he picked it within seconds.
Her breathing was laboured as she tried to form a sentence. “The baby- help!” Another contraction hit her and she screamed into the phone. Her hands shook, making the phone drop from her hands.
__
Jack was in his office when Karen’s call came in. He had just ended his meeting and was relaxing in his chair. He picked up as soon as he saw the caller and the first thing that welcomed him was Karen’s slow and laboured breathing. Her voice was low and strained. He immediately stood up in alert as he heard her mention the baby. His hand found his car keys and was already leaping out of his office when he heard her scream, followed by silence.
He literally ran all the way from his office to the elevator and tapped on its button continually until it opened. His heart was beating loudly as he feared something bad might have happened to her. The elevator stopped at the down floor and he ran out, running all the way to his car that was parked outside. He unlocked it and jumped inside, slamming the door.
“Hang on, Karen. I’m coming!” he muttered before stepping on the gas, speeding off.