Chapter 12

• While at work she had had an unsettling feeling and had called her parents to see if they were okay and to her relief, they were fine. Whenever she has that kind of feeling, something terrible would happen. Alex was somewhat relieved yet she was filled with fear because she knew that something bad was to happen if not that day, next, or maybe the upper day, her instincts had never lied to her.
• Could not do much work so she left to hurry home unless she gets home and sees everyone is okay, then she would know that all is okay but until then.
• Coming home and meeting things the way they wear confirmed her suspicions, she was trembling and could not get herself inside.
• Alex had calmed down and took a deep breath then went inside to meet the most gruesome sight ever.
• Her brain was forced to assimilate what her eyes saw.
• Her parents were lying in their own pools of blood with several open wounds from bullets here and there, her brother was lying unconsciously by her mother's side. He might have returned from school to see them like this.
• This incident could not have happened in less than 30 minutes because it was an hour ago she called her parents.
• She saw her world crumble and slumped to the floor. It was too much for her to bear.
• She can't believe that someone would have the heart to murder her parents. They were not the trouble type.
• All Mr. and Mrs. Coker always preached about was peace and they have never failed to give it. Who could they have offended for them to be murdered in their pools of blood?
• Alex could not find her voice, she could not cry even if she wanted to. She was so empty and did not even know where to start from. Her parents were her life, she had never for once thought of living without them and now death had made her not imagine but to have it as a reality.
• In a few weeks, college would be over and she was looking forward to making her mama and papa proud. What was the essence of happiness and a better future when the people her life resolved around, were not there anymore? Life has taken more than it has given to her.
• Alex wept and lamented, it was unfair on her own part. Her parents were not privileged to be rich yet death dares to take them away.
• Who was going to ruffle her hair and call her dad's pride?
• Things would never be the same.
• Alex knew that if she cries from then to the future that her tears would never bring them back but it does not mean she can't let her parents see how she felt. They should have struggled and lived for her but one can't cheat death.
• She managed to revive her brother who still looked shaken when he became conscious and another round of crying started from both of them. These two realized that it was them both against the world, death might have taken their parents but their own life was not over yet, and maybe, only maybe, when the time comes they would find their parents' killer.
• The following day, the parents were laid to rest by well-wishers after Alex had promised to take care of her brother for them.
• No family member was in attendance because they don't have one or rather, they were not introduced to one. It was what it was for Alex.
• From that day, a whole new world began. She became her brother's parents and she has been doing a good job since then. Now the boy is in college, finishing next year. It was something she did and would be forever proud of herself.
• Alex shook her head to clear the memories.
• " Continue to rest in peace dad and mom, we miss"
• She muttered and sighed.
• ******
• Senior Bleak sat on his huge king-size bed as he examined the files in front of him while his bodyguard stood at arm's length.
• He has been on this for five minutes now, his expression is that of a serious business guru. Of Course, he is a successful business guru. He is the owner of Bleak construction company. One of the leading construction companies in the state. For over forty years now the business has been waxing stronger but his Son, Bleak Junior who has taken over the management from him as he ages, has been in on his mischief for so long, his son is not giving him what he wants.
• Junior Bleak chooses to spend happy moments with his wife rather than get engrossed in the affairs of the company.
• Senior Bleak can not do more than he has already done so he has decided to hand over the company to his grandson Luke because he believes Luke will become responsible after he is married by tomorrow. He saw potential in Luke and Luke was the right candidate for him because he has shown interest in the family business. He had made plans to hand over the company to him as a wedding gift but now that there is no wedding.
• He wondered.
• He sighed and turned the files he was reading to the next page.
• Josh has never been interested in the family business because he has established an airline business for himself and he is doing well. His grandfather must commend him for his hard work. He has done so much for himself at the age he is and that's why Senior Bleak overlooks his excess every time.
• And now that it is Josh that is getting married instead of Luke, he has no idea what to do. Senior Bleak is thorned between giving the management of his dear company to the person who has no interest in it but has met his criteria and the person who has an interest in it but did not meet up to his criteria. It is a difficult choice to make and he hopes he makes the right one.
• All of these are weighing his old bones down.
• His phone rang and Silas, his bodyguard, brought it to him.
• "Sir, your phone"
• He said, bowing and handing the phone to him.
• Senior Bleak stared at his phone screen and then put it to his ear.
• "Hello"
• He said the moment the call got connected.
• "Sir, from the information we gathered, it's likely we have found our target. It corresponded with what we have here but we will continue to dig deep in order to find what is necessary and how to tackle the issue"
• The guy at the end said and senior Bleak nodded his head.
• "Thanks, James and do well to report from time to time and make sure tomorrow goes as planned, understood?"
• "Understood sir, have a good evening"
• James said and hung up the call.
• Senior pulled the phone from his ear and squeezed his face. It's like it is what it is but how? He is what he is going to figure out soon.
• He closed the file and handed it over to Silas.
• "Keep that safe and prepare my bath"
• Senior Bleak said to Silas dismissively, Silas bowed and left to carry out the duties given to him by Senior Bleak.
• *****
• Josh was on his way to his grandfather's room when his phone rang and he hissed audibly. He hates to answer calls whatsoever it is, whether important or not.
• You would do him a favor if you want to contact him by dropping a message for him on his social media space because he is there every minute of the day. He hates that shit called talking to people on the mobile.
• He saw the caller and raised his brows, Stacy should know better than to call him on the phone.
• Stacy, his supposed girlfriend who heard the news of Josh getting married from Luke, can't help but wonder if Josh has been placed under a curse. This is her love of life, someone she has done the world for. She just wants to confirm if it's true or not, then if it's true, God helps the gold digger because she would destroy her with everything she has got.
• Luke thought if he let Stacy know what was going on, she might help him stop the wedding. That's the only thing he could think of at the moment and if that did not work out, he would look for another alternative.