The Counterattack: KAZMIR
“How is that even possible?!” I got off the chair, lookin’ into Darius’s face. “How is that even possible?” These were the only words I could mutter and confusion happened to be an understatement for what I could feel runnin’ inside of me.
“I don’t know, too-” Darius got on his feet and shook his head. He paced the space and let out. “However they’re plannin’ to do this, we can’t let them have the company or even win us in this battle. Do you hear me, Mr. Draven? We have to do somethin’ ’bout it but I don’t know how we’ll go ’bout it.”
I turned to look at the man who heaved a sigh. I did the same and took a seat on the chair again.
“We can’t let this man bother us. And to think that I believed I was done with ‘im for a long time. How didn’t I know he would show up again? Is he tryin’ to threaten me or somethin’? What does he think he knows ’bout us? Who is he to dare me, Kazmir Draven? Does he care to know ’bout what I am capable of?” I paced the space, not takin’ a seat anymore.
“I think I have an idea.”
I stopped pacin’ and turned around again to look at the man who was lookin’ at ‘im, a glint in his eyes.
“Take a seat, boss. I have somethin’ to tell you.” He urged and in moments, I was seated on the chair once more – impatience written all over my countenance.
“How ’bout we – you, I mean, reach out to ‘im and let ‘im know you’re ready to watch ‘im do his worst?” He said and adjusted on the chair. “This way, the man would know that we know what he is up to, and maybe retrace his footsteps. If he doesn’t, we’ll look for what to use against ‘im and that’ll be a war itself.”
Darius was soundin’ reasonable, as usual. “Wait,” I looked away, relaxin’ on the chair so that I could digest what he just said. “Let me think ’bout this for some time.” And the place went silent, while I thought ’bout it. Truly, Theodore Crowley doesn’t know anythin’ ’bout us knowin’ ’bout his plans.
It will shock ‘im when I reach out to ‘im and let ‘im know I know-which may also cause ‘im to withdraw and let me be, or charge ‘im more to do what he plans to do, while myself and Darius on the other hand would try our best to see if we can use somethin’ against ‘im.
“Perfect!” I was almost shoutin’.
“This is the best you could do for me since we started workin’ together, Darius. How do I go ’bout it? Tell me at this moment and watch me do as you have said.” Since it was ‘im with the ideas, I was more than ready to hear ‘im and put his words to practice.
“You’ll reach out to ‘im at this moment, like right now,” Darius started and I looked at myself, then the table before standin’ on my feet and askin’ the younger man to hold on so that I could get my phone. When I went into the bedroom and out once more, Ophelia and my wife were busy with a show on the screen of the television which gave me relief – at least they don’t get to hear whatever conversation I am havin’ with Darius who ne’er brin’s his voice low.
“Go on,” I sat on the chair, waitin’ for ‘im. “Did you say I should dial his contact?” I looked at the man who gave a nod. “So what am I supposed to tell ‘im if he takes the call? I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know we have had eyes on ‘im for all this while. I sensed since a long time ago that he’d move mad one day and this is it. What do you think I should say to ‘im?”
Darius sipped from his glass of water – the one I came out with a while ago.
“Say anythin’, Mr. Draven.”
Right.
I took the phone from the table into my hand, searchin’ for the number of my only rival when it came to business, but it looked like Darius had somethin’ more to say to me.
“You should just let ‘im know that he is bein’ watched and of course, let ‘im also know that you are aware of his plans to brin’ down one of your companies and take it for himself with stories of Nyssa’s illness flyin’ ’bout the internet only in a bid to expose ‘im.”
Right.
I continued scrollin’ through my screen and finally, caught sight of the contact I had been lookin’ for since all this while.
“I found ‘im,” I announced with a shaky voice, scared for myself and at the same time, more than ready to keep myself, my wife, and my company safe from the hands of a monster like Theodore Crowley.
“Do it.”
It was either my instincts or Darius who said those words. Listenin’ to the voice, whoever it was that owned it, I started dialin’ the number while waitin’ for ‘im to pick up my calls which looked like it wasn’t even goin’ to happen. “He’s not takin’ my calls, Darius. Do you think he knows of our awareness?”
“I believe he doesn’t know ’bout what we know-” the man said and commanded again. “Do it again, Mr. Draven. We can’t give up, not like this.” And I dialed the number again, stoppin’ to hold my breath for one moment when the call was taken. I gave Darius a nod and he gave me a go-ahead signal.
“Hello, Mr. Draven!” The old man shouted from the other end. “Owner of so many investments in the city. You have called to speak with me today and I cannot help but wonder if all is well with you over there.”
A smile came alive on my countenance.
What should I say?
“Mr. Crowley,” I called. “It’s nice to hear from you again, especially when it’s been almost a year since we last talked. I thought in my head that I should reach out to you and let you know that I still have your contact. In case you have forgotten. I can see that you also have mine which is a good thing for the both of us.”
The old man coughed from the other end and for a fleetin’ moment, I wished in my mind that he would cough to his death. The next thing I heard was the sound of water gulpin’ down his throat – causin’ my anger to increase but what could I do? I was yet to pass the message I wanted to pass to ‘im.
“So my friend–” he resumed. “Why do you call me? Is there somethin’ you have to say to me?” He coughed – causin’ me to look at Darius who listened to everythin’ we said since the phone was loud and on speaker.
“I was callin’ to let you know that I know ’bout your plans, Mr. Crowley—” I let out with a chuckle. “And I know that someone who we are yet to find out has been feedin’ you with information ’bout my wife, which makes you have the guts to think you can threaten me with exposin’ me to the public. Do you think I am that weak, Mr. Crowley?”
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ ab-”
“-oh! Spare me that!” I cut ‘im short.
“I am only reachin’ out to you so that you’ll know of my unwillin’ness to release any of my companies to you – in exchange for a threat. I am a man who has seen a lot and cannot be moved by mere threats. I also need to let you know that my wife, companies, and reputation will be fought for at all costs, so back off or bring it on-!”