Chapter 27: Chapter 27

If we all, just if everyone could think and find out the truth of a story before judging or taking a rash decision, life will be better.

- Grace Chanbee

[Author's POV]

Gilbert Sanders sat in one of his offices, putting two and two together, ensuring all the calculations were correct and monitoring the profit that came from the sales of textile that particular company centered on.

Being a business mogul, he had a chain of companies that dealt in diverse products. He was a very open businessman; he invested in anything which brought good money.

He didn't know why he continued chasing money and working so hard when he was already so wealthy, but he just did. One day, he'd be gone, the world needed to remember someone like him and it was only those who were rich that mostly got remembered.

Looking at the wall clock, he sighed at how time had flown by so quickly. He yawned tiredly and shut down the computer then looked around the office as if he were searching for something.

He was getting older and struggling from the young age of twenty to rise to the top from just selling hand-me-down clothes in the streets, his break was long overdue.

He had all the money in the world that could possibly feed the whole nation and save people from poverty, but he was still working and struggling so hard like he had done from when he was very little as well.

Every now and then, he kept on promising his wife that soon, they would go on a vacation and travel around the world, seeing different beautiful places till they were very old after which they'd come back to Los Angeles and spend some time with their grandchildren till they die.

That was the way Gilbert Sanders pictured his life but inasmuch as he wanted to do so, he just didn't trust anyone so much as to leave his company's funds to be overseen by someone who could later betray him.

Drew Al-Hassan... It had been quite a while since he last thought of him. He trusted the man and could have vouched for him, but at the end of the day, he turned out to be a lying criminal with nothing other than bad intentions.

The day he heard that he had committed suicide, he was angry and bitter. If he had enough nerve to steal, why couldn't he stay in jail for ten years? By now, his sentence would've been over and he'd have come out a free man.

Till date, his wife openly told him she felt like he had made a bad decision concerning what had happened. Although he acted like he had done the right thing; on days like these, he still felt unsettled. Drew had been his closest friend and someone he could confide in; he wanted him to pay for his crime but he never intended on pushing him to the point of committing suicide and that was what always made him reflect on the past.

He heard a knock on the door.

Heaving a sigh and rubbing his eyes tiredly, he ushered the person in.

Looking up, he saw his almost sixty widowed secretary of over fifteen years of working with him come in while wheeling a small safe. She stopped across from him and gave a dry smile.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"Yes, Ms Sarah, how may I help you?" He asked.

"Sir, can I have a seat?"

"Sure, sit down," He said, motioning at the seat opposite him.

She smiled in appreciation and sat down.

"What is it? If it's about your retirement plan, the accounting department is working on it..." He started but she cut him off, shaking her head in negativity.

"No sir, it's not that. I was actually thinking you may want to check out this safe," She said, nodding towards the direction where she had left the safe.

"And why is that?" He asked.

"If you must know, sir, it belonged to Mr Drew, you remember him? The one who you sent to jail and he ended up committing suicide. You remember him, don't you?" She asked.

"Yes, I do remember him. And?" He asked, urging her to continue.

"He left this safe at my place many years ago. He told me it contains important stuff and..."

He rolled his eyes. "So what has that got to do with me?" Gilbert asked, cutting in.

"Let me finish, sir," She said, slightly raising her voice.

Gilbert Sanders could do nothing but sigh. He hated any conversation involving Drew Al-Hassan coming up and he so much despised the fact that he couldn't talk back at Ms Sarah and ask her to leave because she was older than him and he treated her like she were his own mother.

"It rained that night. I had just drunk a hot cup of tea and I was about going to bed when I heard the sound of a knock on my front door. I was so pissed that someone could be knocking at that time of the night. However, I opened the door and when I did, I saw him there," She said and paused for a while.

"Who did you see?" Gilbert asked, not interested in the conversation, but still curious.

"Drew, sir, that's who I saw. He was drenched from head to toe. He was holding this safe, I wonder how he managed to carry such a heavy load all the way from the office. Yes, he was coming back from the office around 9pm, such a workaholic, isn't it?" She asked, slightly taunting her boss.

"So? Did I ask him to trek? I recall vividly that he owned a car," He said indifferently.

She cleared her throat. "His car was bad so that's why he trekked from the office and couldn't get a cab due to the heavy downpour. Anyways, he stopped by at my house cause it was closer to the office compared to his house at the time and begged me to keep the safe for him which I did. The next day, he was arrested and so, that's the last time I ever saw him," She said.

Gilbert rolled his eyes, not understanding why she had made so much fuss about such a boring story.

"You're not saying anything, sir," She said.

He scoffed. "What's there to say? Does this whole matter seem like it's my business? It doesn't even concern me," He said, almost yelling.

"Well, that's where you're wrong because it concerns you in more plausible ways than you could ever imagine," She retorted.

"How?" He yelled.

"Because it has information concerning that incident...the exact one you accused him of making away with the company's funds," She yelled back at him.

"What? And why are you saying this now after all this time?" He asked, his voice low, his heart pricking with guilt and with the fear that he may have done something wrong.

She sighed. "Back then, I thought that the important stuff which he said was in the safe was office work so I never bothered to find out what it was. However, I've been in the process of cleaning my house and selling all the things I don't need because I'm selling the house and moving to my hometown once my retirement gets finalised at the end of this year.

"When cleaning the basement, I saw this safe that I had long forgotten about laying in the corner and although I was surprised that I still had it, I wanted to throw it away to forget about everything that happened. Still, I was so curious that I called on my locksmith who came around and was able to get a key in opening it. That was when I saw that all along, without even knowing, I had been harbouring something that could have saved an innocent man," She said as tears slid down her eyes.

Gilbert Sanders' fingers quaked as the reality of what the woman said sunk in, engulfing him in the bosom of guilt...painful but well-deserved guilt.

"I felt terrible, sir, and I still do. I never checked on him when he was in prison, I never went for his trials, I never paid a visit to his family, I just let everything happen without trying to do anything about it because I was too concerned about just staying indifferent and sitting on the fence.

"When I lost my husband, he was the only one who showed up from the office and brought flowers for me and sympathised with me. Sir, Drew used to come by almost everyday, cuddle my cheeks, bring me homemade cookies, cover up for me when I was late in finishing my work, and yet, I never did much as place a call to the prison unit he was in to ask to speak to him. If I had done that, he'd have told me the truth, but I was just so self-centered and less concerned about someone who'd have walked through fire for me," She screamed, bitter and angry at her actions.

Gilbert Sanders eyes were red as he was moved to tears also even though no tear rolled out. He was good at concealing his emotions and he just acted like he wasn't hurt nor concerned about what had happened.

"You should go and get some rest. You've realised your mistakes now, I'm sure he's forgiven you," He managed to say.

Practically, Mrs Sarah wailed and shook her head emitting how sad and bitter she was about everything that had happened.

"I should go to the restroom, sir. As for you... You need to...to open the safe and know the whole truth for yourself," She said in a breaking tone then left the office in quick strides, still sobbing hard.

Gilbert buried his head in his hands as a drop of tear fell. He hadn't even opened the safe yet, but he knew that whatever he was going to find in there was going to hurt him and make him wallow in regrets.

Had the reason he thought of Drew once in a while been because he hadn't actually gotten justice? He wanted to open the safe already to find the proof of his innocence but he wasn't in the right frame of mind.

He had been totally wrong and he could finally see it now. Justin had called him cruel, same as his wife, he had heard his colleagues condemn his actions. How had he so much just believed someone who worked with him for over a decade was committing fraud without his knowledge? Being strict and a disciplinarian had gotten him to make a stupid mistake without proper investigation.

All he could do now was to check the safe when he could at the time he had stopped hating himself and he also had to let the world know of Drew's innocence; if he had the courage to do so knowing how well he was going to be bashed when the truth came to light.

*******

[Justin's POV]

My eyes slowly opened and I felt my back ache. Groaning, I managed to sit up then rubbed my eyes as I cracked my knuckles and neck, getting a tad of relief.

I looked around in wonder of the unfamiliar environment I was in yawning tiredly. My head thumped and I held it in my hands, trying to figure out where I was and what I was doing there.

The last thing I could recall was being hit by an object then I had collapsed against my will. Waking up in an unfamiliar location and being thrown into confusion just like that was the last thing I had expected.

"J for Justin," I heard my uncle's familiar voice say.

I looked up, contemplating if I had heard that statement correctly. There was only one person who said that to me; only one person who talked to me and played with me, but the last time I saw him was about five years ago.

As I had correctly guessed, the person who had called me that way was none other than my very own uncle; the one Grams kept on using as a reference whenever I refused to brush my teeth early.

"Uncle Mark!" I screamed in glee, like I always did when I was younger.

It was as if no pain had existed in my body in the first place as I was able to rise from the floor with ease, dusted the dirts off my clothes and ran into his embrace and he patted my back lovingly.

He let me go and sized me up from head to toe, so much excitement and happiness written all over his face.

"Look how tall you've grown," He said.

"And handsome as well," I chipped in.

He chuckled. "You've not changed, have you? Still the same boastful Justin I've always known," He said.

"You're right, I'm still the same," I said.

"Yeah. Except that you can now stand being around wealthy folks," His uncle retorted sarcastically.

I was taken aback. "Where did that come from? Did Grams tell you anything?" I asked.

"No, she didn't, but I have my ways," He said with a small smile.

I heaved a sigh. "You don't understand, Uncle Mark. Things are different now," I told him.

"Are they? Come with me," He said.

I didn't say a word and just followed him closely behind, wondering how he had found out about my new relationship with the highs and why he had come to see me. Like me, my uncle also despised rich people after having a bad working experience with them. The straw that broke the Camel's back was when my father was falsely accused and convicted by the court.

He stepped outside and upon following him, I got to realise that the compound was actually very big and the room I had been in was just a small section in that place.

He headed towards the gazebo and I did as well, facing downwards as my eyes couldn't withstand the bright summer sun. He sat on one of the chairs and made gestures at me to follow suit which I did.

There was a lighter on the table which he used to lit his pipe and then took a long heavy drag, puffing out smoke from his mouth and nostrils. He then coughed a little bit then cleared his throat.

"You smoke?" He asked.

"No."

"Why? You're legal now, aren't you?" He asked, making it seem like giving a negative reply to his question was weird.

"Yeah. I turned eighteen this year," I said.

"So why don't you smoke? Don't fancy it?" He asked, taking another drag.

"Yeah."

"How about alcohol? You drink that?" He asked, seeming concerned.

I shook my head in negativity.

He scoffed. "That's way too freaking boring for a guy like you. You're an Al-Hassan, we're not known to act as toddlers. Don't tell me you've been listening to all the crap my mum says about liver damage and baseless stuff like that," He said, sounding alarmed.

I chuckled. "It's not like that. I'm just too busy with school and work," I said.

"You're becoming a senior, right?"

I nodded.

"Good. It's about time you joined me in my business then, but that'll be after you graduate next year," He said.

"What business?" I asked.

He chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough. I can promise you though that it's risky and illegal. That's why my mum, your grandmother, doesn't take a dime from me. She found out about what I do and disowned me, reason I don't ever come to your house anymore, but you're her favourite, I'm sure she'll understand," He said.

I simply nodded, unable to grasp what exactly he was saying to me and still lost in thoughts about what was happening.

He cleared his throat. "Let's just go straight to the point. I'm sure you're wondering how you're here, right?"

I nodded.

"An old friend of mine sent someone to me because he has been going through several obstacles in his job. He needs my help and so, I gave him the go-ahead to get you so I could talk sense into you," He said.

"Sense? What do you mean?" I asked.

"I'm talking about the Blondie you're infatuated with," He said, a smirk playing around his lips.

"Amber?" I asked, puzzled.

"Correct! Amber Sanders, the daughter of the same man who put my brother, your father behind bars without thinking twice, labelling him as a criminal to the point that he could take it no more and so, he ended up ending his own life and dying crumpled to the floor like a homeless starved chicken," He said, a frown plastered all over his face as he pronounced each word with complexity to show he meant it.

I sighed and bowed my head, not knowing if I should feel ashamed or ask how he was aware of all these things.

"Justin, there's nothing like teenage love and I understand your feelings very well. Believe me, I do," He paused, looking at my countenance, then continued, "However, your father will be crying in his grave knowing fully well that you're helping the daughter of his archenemy. How could you do such a thing?" He asked.

I cleared my throat and looked down, fiddling with my fingers, not knowing the answer to give.

"Justin, say something," He said.

I sighed then looked up at him slowly, shrugging my shoulders. "I don't even know what to say. How did you know everything? How?" I asked.

"My friend told me and sent me with a message for you," He replied.

"What friend? What message?" I retorted.

"My friend isn't important but his message is: You must deliver Amber to him," He stated.

"Wait! What?" I asked, with upmost bewilderment.

"You heard me, Justin. Forget about a million dollars, how could you even be helping someone you should hate? My friend's aim is to get all of Gilbert Sanders' wealth. He'll give you 20% of it and just for your information, that's worth the sum of ten billion dollars, if not more," He said.

My heart leaped at the huge amount of money my uncle had just mentioned. Was he saying the truth? But who could his friend possibly be? Was it the man with the yellow irises? What did he mean by delivering Amber?

"I don't know what may be going on in your head right now, but Justin, this is the time to get justice for your late father. An eye for an eye, remember?" He asked.

I sighed, just deep in thoughts and confusion.

"Listen, I don't know how you're going to do it, but you're a smart kid, and once Amber is dead and gone, my friend will acquire all of Gilbert Sanders' wealth. You'll be given 20% of Gilbert Sanders' wealth, do not ever forget that," He said to me.

"But Amber is the only child, how then is your friend going to get what he so much desires?" I asked, still not getting the exact point of the matter.

"Leave my friend to deal with that, he knows what he's doing. Just play your part and let the rest of us play ours," He said.

I ran my hands through my hair. "I need some time to think about this carefully and give you a feedback," I told him after what seemed like ages.

He grinned. "Fine then, you may take all the time you need as long as you give a favourable response. However, you must know that someday, you'll wallow in regrets if you don't take this offer. Don't be a weakling like your father. What use is a girl without memories compared to getting justice for your father and becoming a young billionaire at the same time?" He asked rhetorically.

I sighed and watched him puff out smoke from his pipe again.

When all my relatives had left, only him stopped by to see us once in a while. I never knew why he stopped visiting and I never knew he was now a wealthy man through illegal means.

I felt scared and so confused. I had once told Gilbert Sanders I was going to have my revenge when I was just six years old, how come I had become friendly with his family instead?

Was I being stupid for doing such or was I on the right path? I hated that my father had to die at such a young age but what had Amber got to do with that? I felt stupid for even thinking about the offer, but what if, just what if this was the time to finally have my revenge and have my peace of mind?