The Last Laugh

Chapter 62

***

Ace's POV:

By the time we were leaving the office at seven that night, the dinner Heather and I were supposed to

share was cancelled. She'd been called and asked to travel that same night. I felt awful but I had to live

with it.

I had to concentrate and observe the company's outcome.

Heather would be gone for a week or so.

***

The next day, I got down to business. Christina opted for less costly milk and raw materials. That

wouldn't help. Not at all. James was still adding whatever he was adding.

About two weeks passed and the money I'd given Christina was finishing. Rumours were going round

that our industries might shut down, that Christina was ruined. Some employees hadn't been paid yet.

Perfect. Everything was working out for the best.

During one lunch time, on my way down the corridor of my floor, I saw that same man I'd seen leaving

the building the other day, now leaving Christina's office. I stared at him for a long time. He seemed so

familiar.

And then it hit me. I remembered.

I had a flashback.

That night my father had disappeared. That night I was spying on Christina in that kitchen. The young

man she was speaking with! The one I'd never seen! He was the one! The person I was trying to see

just before someone hit my head and I lost consciousness.

I had to follow him.

Discretely and at a safe distance, I followed the man down and out of the building. He took a taxi and I

followed that taxi with my car. We drove through the city for a long time. He lived at the other end of the

town.

I'd probably be back at work late but it was worth it.

His taxi finally dropped him in a dangerous quarter with strange houses. I observed him from the other

side of the road till he entered a house which seemed to be his. I knew what to do. I had to know why

he'd met with Christina again. After all these years, I had to. I finally returned to the office.

*

That night before heading home, I bought multiple spy cameras. I had to put them in Christina's office.

Why didn't I think of that a long time ago?

That night, I made sure to connect them to my laptop, so I could observe and watch her every single

day. Recording any important thing she would say. I told Keith about everything. And he had a brilliant

idea.

"If you plan on placing these mini cameras in her office, then it's now or never."

I looked at the time. It was eleven PM.

"You think?"

"Now or never. You got the keys to the building right?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's go. I got masks."

Keith was right. We got dressed and got our masks.

*

We headed to the office, masks on our faces. We sneakily got into the building, avoiding all cameras. I

was able to get into Christina's office with ease. We placed all the spy cameras in strategic corners of

the witch's office.

"With this, we got a lot of Christina's secrets to discover," Keith said.

"I hope. I'll record enough to show the police. But only once the company is fully mine."

"Everything will be alright, pal. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

*

We were back at our apartments by midnight. I took a fresh shower and got comfortable in bed. I

missed Heather so much. She'd been absent for two weeks now. I was about to sleep when I received

a call from her. I quickly replied.

"Baby, I was just thinking of you."

"Ace, I miss you so much! This fashion week lasted longer than I thought it would."

"I know right. When will you be back, honey? When? I miss you so much. We just got together and

you're already far away?" the issue seriously hurt me.

"I'll try to return after tomorrow. I miss you. Ace, I can't wait to be in your arms. Immediately I return, I–

I'll come sleepover, mm? What do you say?"

My brows shot up a little.

"That'll be– that'll be great, honey."

"Okay," she giggled a little, "I have a feeling that I've always known you. This little time I've spent away

from you has made me to think a lot. In such little time. I feel like I can trust you."

My heart began to race and I smiled to myself.

"You can, Heather. I promise you."

"Thank you. I can't wait to be with you."

"I can't wait to be with you too. Love you."

"Thank you. Goodnight, Ace."

"Goodnight love."

*

Heather's POV:

Never had I proposed to offer myself to someone. I'd just done so with Ace. Literally but indirectly.

"What's up with you? What's so special about you?" I asked myself.

We'd not even been together for months. Just a few weeks. But I couldn't last without seeing or talking

to him. I got under my blanket to get good sleep.

-------

'I'm with my father. We're smiling at each other. But I'm twenty two. I'm not ten. I begin to cry with joy,

hugging him tight.

"Oh my darling. You've grown so much," he says with tears in his eyes.

"I miss you, dad. Mom is– she is unbelievable."

"I know. You're mother is going to be judged. Her time is fast approaching."

I look at him.

"What?"

He smiles at me.

"As for that young boy, keep him," my father says with a smile. I stare at him, lost.

"He'll avenge me. Keep him."

"Ace??" I ask lost.

"Who is Ace? I'm talking about that young boy. The young boy."

"Sh– Sheridan?"

"Yes! The young boy. Keep him."

"He's alive?"

"Yes! Keep him!"

"But Ace–"

"Who is this Ace?! Keep the young boy. Keep him. Promise. He's not dead."

I begin sobbing.

"Yes, dad. I'll keep him."

I hug my father one last time.'

------

I woke up all sweaty.

Was it a mere dream or a vision?

My dad had confirmed that Sheridan was alive. I felt sudden joy in my heart. Sudden happiness.

But reality set in. It was just a dream. Fruits of my imagination.

I thought of Ace. What would I do if Sheridan did pop up? I sat down, thinking. I had to talk to Shirley

about these dreams.