“Yes, Young Master.”
“Okay. Don’t grant him access to the estate anymore. Did you get me?”
“I got you, Young Master. But he is still in the estate.”
“What?”
“Yes. He is yet to take his leave.”
“Where could he be? Father said he had left his apartment long ago.”
“We have not seen him.”
“This is serious. Then, comb the entire estate.”
“I will do that, Young Master,” he promised him.
“If you find him, arrest him for loitering and suspicious movement. I’m on my way.”
“It is all right, Young Master,” he said and began to search for him.
At the Bailey Native Home
That day was a nightmare for Stephen. After he left Arthur’s apartment, he got into his car and began to grumble and curse. When he got tired of fighting someone stronger than him, he deemed it fit to robe himself with more troubles and called Denise, which he regretted. After Denise scorned him, he rested his head on his car steering for a few minutes and pondered on the discussion he had with Arthur a few minutes ago.
(Yes, being with the right partner will guarantee the success of the relationship if each person works hard to be the appropriate partner.)
“Could Ann be the appropriate partner who would have given me the kind of life I needed if I had attempted to be a good partner?” He asked himself regretfully.
Previously, he declined all her efforts to make their relationship work. When he was not forthcoming, she was discouraged and focused on raising her son alone. Meanwhile, Stephen gave his actions a second thought and was ashamed of himself. The embarrassment his inaction had caused him, especially the humiliation he got from a small boy like Denise, was the height of it.
Subsequently, he turned on his car ignition and drove towards the gate, but he met his Waterloo.
At Mr. Fields’ Apartment
After Denise got out of the call, he breathed in and out. To avoid causing his wife to panic, he calmed down before walking back to the guest room. He was happy to meet her still sleeping.
This time, he sat beside her and called out, “Sweetie.”
She opened her eyes slowly and answered, “Hubby, are you back?”
“Yes. You need to wake up,” he advised her.
She smiled weakly and looked into his eyes. He kissed her temple and lectured her, “You need to wake up and have your breakfast. You are aware that it is time for your routine drugs too.”
“It is okay. Thank you for reminding me.”
“You are welcome.”
He helped her to get up from the bed and sashayed to the bathroom. Then, his phone rang and it was Freya.
He picked it up immediately and greeted her, “Good morning, Big sister.”
“Good morning, Denise, what is the matter?”
“Let me call you back in the next ten minutes.”
“It is all right,” she said and cut the call.
“Is that Auntie Freya?” Olivia asked when she walked out of the bathroom.
“Yes, dear. I want to visit the Native Home.”
She looked at him askance and he explained, “Something came up that needs my attention. I will be back soon.”
Olivia gave her approval before he hugged her and announced, “Make yourself comfortable. Mrs. Fields is ready with the breakfast.”
“I got it.”
“I will be back before you know it.”
“It is all right. Be careful.”
“I will,” he answered and walked out of the room.
He informed his Godfather of his intention to visit the Native Home and requested his car keys.
“I hope there is no issue?” He asked him.
“Nothing serious. I will be back soon.”
“It’s all right,” he said and handed over his car keys to him.
“Thank you, Godfather,” he appreciated him before he inched away.
“You are welcome,” he responded.
“Be careful,” his wife said even though he was out of the house.
Not quite long, Olivia joined them at the dining table.
On The Road to the Native Home
Denise called Freya as he promised and she picked up the call eagerly. He narrated the discussion he had with the Security Officer and concluded with, “I’m on my way to the Native Home.”
“Huh! Do you mean he is still in the estate?”
“Yes. The. CSO said so.”
“That is good to hear,” she said and cut the call.
At that point, Freya and her husband, who must protect the relationship that they had brooded, hit the road too.
When Stephen got to the gate, the Security Officer accosted him. He was dumbstruck to see the Security Officer who welcomed him warmly an hour ago speaking to him with so many hostilities.
“Park and get out of the car, quickly.” The Chief of the Security thundered.
Stephen parked angrily and stormed out of his car.
“What do you think you are doing?” he barked with a standoffish tone.
The officer ignored his question and ordered, “Raise your two hands and remain calm.”
He gave the Security Officer a hard look and ignored his order.
Likewise, he continued to yell arrogantly at him, “Who are you to order me in my family house as though I am a common criminal?”
Nevertheless, the Chief Security Officer was intoxicated by Denise’s order and never cared whose ox was gored. Without minding his age and status as a family member, he admonished him, “One more word from you, I will treat you like the criminal you have just informed me that you are.”
“What?” the befuddled Stephen screamed.
They were still arguing when Denise drove into the compound like a Mafia and parked. He got out of his car and was filled with a murderous rage. Meanwhile, his dressing walkout portrayed him as one who came prepared for a war.
Then, he walked up to Stephen who was visibly scared.
“What do you think you are doing, Denise?” He questioned him with a false boldness that concealed his trepidation,
In response to his incoherent question, Denise unleashed several slaps across his face and roared, “You wastrel, how dare you talk about my parents in such an imprudent manner. Are you of the same class with them or are you out of your mind?”
At that point, Stephen had staggered backward before he landed with his butt on the floor. He looked at Denise in astonishment. He could not comprehend why a child who addressed him as ‘uncle’ a few minutes ago would give him such disgraceful treatment. Then, he noticed that he was bleeding, and began to wipe the blood that was dripping from his nose with his shirt while Denise berated him further.
“If I ever see you moving about suspiciously, I will…”
At that point, Stephen gathered momentum and puked rubbish, “I am a member of the Bailey family, I am free…”
In a twinkle of the eye, Denise furiously advanced towards him again.
Now, Freya and her husband, who just arrived, screamed, “Denise, stop.”
But Denise must make use of the fist that he had raised. So, he gave him two punches in his mouth to shut it up before he stopped. Then, his sister, who just got out of the car, continued from where he stopped.