Chapter 14
Stanley sat beside Sapphire on the sofa leaning back with his hand resting on the hand support. His eyes were on the TV connected to the handicam. A proud smile was adorned on his brims waiting for the reel to play.
But, Alas! His happiness was short lived. Somebody had tapered the video. Instead of the arms deal, the songs of Justin Beiber were played.
Sapphire turned her looks to her father, shocked and in a trance. Her lips fell apart but nothing was coming out of them and her mind was blank.
"It is okay. Failures are stepping stones to success. Carlhas been the chief of the mafia for the last seven years. Do not underestimate him, princess. Next time you execute something like this, you have to be double careful." Stanley patted the back of Sapphire in encouragement though he was disappointed inside.
Sapphire was not able to get out of the stupor. How could this happen? She leaned forward on the sofa holding the head in her hands. And then something stuck in her mind.
During the process of running and saving herself from the mafia attackers, someone hit her forearm and the handycam fell from her hands.
Sapphire picked it up from the ground. Her eyes were around the place trying to escape from the bullet rain and reach the vehicle waiting for her as soon as possible. That was the culprit's clue. She did not check who was the person and what he was doing with the evidence.
The person who dashed her was for sure Carl's employee. He cleverly manipulated her by exchanging the reel and brought her back to square one to catch the mafia leader.
******
Carl looked at the young guy lovingly and ran his hand on his head. "What is your name and since how long have you been working on the docks?"
"Sir, my name is Stephen. I have been working here for the last three years. I bring drinks and cigarettes to the men who work here. With the salary earned from the bar as their delivery boy along with some tips people at times give, I look after my sick mother."
Carl found Stephen's story pitiable as well as heartwarming. "What about your father?"
"He left us when I was a kid." The boy spoke with no emotion like he was numb from heart as soon as the conversation about his father cropped up.
"I did not promise you of any payment. Why did you help me? How did you know to replace a reel in the handycam?" Carl asked him curiously.
"I know you would pay me if I helped you. I only heard good things about you from your men and that woman was trying to trap you by shooting that video. Regarding your second question, my cousin does videography and runs a photo studio. I go there often to do petty jobs and earn some money. So I know how to change a reel inside a handycam." The boy called proudly with a smile.
Carl nodded for him to continue. "Last night my cousin gave me a blank reel to feed Justin Beiber songs in it. I did the work and went to return the reel. But I did not find him in his shop. The reel was still resting in my pant pockets. When the lady was running to save herself from shooters, I dashed her and the handycam fell from her hands. When she was watching around to keep herself safe from your men, I quickly exchanged the reel inside it."
Carl was very impressed by the spontaneity of the boy. "You know those people would have arrested you if you were caught doing what you did."
"But they did not." The boy spoke immediately with confidence. "I have been watching these deals take place for the last three years. There is risk everywhere and I'm not born with a silver spoon. I weighed my options. Keeping my lips sealed and helping the lady will not get me anything. But if I help you, you will give me money."
Carl raised his brows at the acute vision of the boy. He was sharper than he expected. Carl took out some dollar bills from his wallet and placed them in his hands. "You have helped me from getting arrested. I will return the favor by putting you in a school and financing your education. I will also bear your mom's hospital expenses. You need not work here by risking your life because your mother will soon be a normal person again."
The boy was very happy with Carl's assurance. He took him to his small hut situated beside the docks with just a single cot where a woman was sleeping and a few utensils. Stephen had barely anything to survive. Yet he looked happy. Carl saw Stephen as an inspiration on how to stay happy even with little things that God bestowed us.
*****
A week later it was Friday and working lunch for the employees of Johnson group of Companies. The firm had opened a new branch in New York and wanted to throw a party for all the people who contributed to its success. But, the employees voted for a working lunch instead of a weekend party because of the holiday season about to arrive.
For the starters were burritos, s'mores and twinkies. And the main course was Eggs Benedict, pancakes with maple syrup, beans stew with cinnamon rolls, croissants, hash browns. For the sweetening of teeth were smoothies and key lime pie.
Carl was very happy when his employees appreciated the lunch. He wanted to talk to the receptionist with whom she placed the orders.
Elena was helping the guests and serving the food on their plates while Claire was assisting her. There were around more than five hundred people, some just the employees and some were high class officials.
Jennifer was at the sweet section serving dishes to the guests. When everyone was relishing the lunch amidst chatter, Sapphire studied the enormous and extravagant air conditioned room. Carl owned this place. He was super rich. Obviously more wealthy than the records stated. Where will all the mafia money go? These business people turn it white by starting new businesses like this. The hall wreaked opulence and money.
Her eyes moved around the people laughing and talking when they connected with certain forest greens of a handsome man clad in a custom made suit engaged in conversation with a group of dignitaries and a drink in his hands.
Claire's eyes bulged out of sockets. He was an extremely handsome man oozing machismo from every angle. His mannerisms and his habits pronounced power from all sides. The place screamed wealth and it was evident to him, being the CEO of Johnson industries. Where would he be hiding all the wealth he earns?
Elena looked at her like she had grown two heads when Sapphire was behaving weirdly and ignored her.
As if she was bitten by something, Claire ran around the complete floor of Johnson Industries. She was lost in the section of enormous and endless rooms on her way to escape the striking machismo and carry on her research. While she was racing, looking behind, her face came into contact with a large oak wood door.
Claire cursed her stars to be in the same place where he was and rubbed her forehead to get rid of the pain she just contracted with the hit.
He could feel the familiar scent wafted in the air. How could she be here? Carl's eyes searched around the group of people.
Neatly polished black shoes in powerful strides knocked the marble food and there he was! Walking closely towards her.
Claire quickly twisted the door knob which looked like her only escape and gazed around the spacious, lavish room.
When she heard the sound of footsteps, she swiftly went under the working desk to hide.
Carl twisted the doorknob and walked into his room. He sat on his executive chair to sign some urgent cheques when he heard heavy breathing which wasn't his. He carefully looked around the room and suddenly ducked his head to look under the table.
"What the fuck!....."
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