Chapter 1
I leaned back against my high backed swivel seat and waited for time to move faster. Time seems to be moving slowly today. Maybe it's because I've been looking at my wrist watch very often today.
Today am finally putting my revenge plan into motion. I've waited for so long for this day.
Fourteen years ago, Victor Allan lured my dad into a business deal with fraudsters.
In one day,my father lost all he worked so hard to achieve all his life. It was so devastating. The banks threw us out to the street. We became poor and homeless and Victor Allan did nothing to help us.
My father was so heart broken and so he died of a heart attack.
"I vowed to make him pay"
Victor Allan must experience abject poverty just like he did to my father.
My mum struggled to raise my siblings and I. We watched her struggling day and night, just to put food on our table.
I was only fifteen years old when it all happened. My brother Derek was ten while Cara was just five years old.
Mum secured a job in a school as a teacher and she managed to cater for our daily needs and also send us to school.
After my high school and college,I restarted my father's company from the scratch and with hard work, diligence and determination I took AD&C to the top.
Today am a very successful business man and a billionaire.
Today, AD&C is known worldwide. My company's success makes it to the front page of the news paper daily.
Am very successful yet I don't feel fulfilled. There's so much anger and hate in my heart. I need to honor my vow to my father so my heart would be at peace.
For years now I've been gathering information about Victor Allan.
He's also a contractor. With all the money he swindled from other business men, his company should have been as great as AD&C but he prefers spending all his time and money fooling around with who're than taking care of his business or family. His wife died of heart break because of his wanton behavior.
"Indeed Karma is a b***h"
Now he has only one daughter named "Abigail" and I plan to use her to get my revenge on him. I'd make her fall deeply in love with me. When I've gained her trust, I'll use her position in her father's company to gain access to his house and office. The final evidence that'll put him behind bars forever is hidden away. It could be in his office or his house because he doesn't carry the black box around.
"I sincerely hope she's not involved in all his shady deals. I'd hate to see her go down with him."
As I sat there on my seat, I got lost in thought. I was brought back to reality when the door to my office opened and Toby walked in grinning from ear to ear when he saw her file in front of me.
Toby is like a brother to me. He's my best friend and confidant. He's the only one that knows about my revenge plans.
My family seems to have accepted their fate and adapted to this lifestyle. I don't want to open up old wounds and I don't want to drag them into my plot for revenge so I can only trust Toby with my secret.
Toby sat down on the chair opposite me and continued smiling like an i***t.
"What??" I asked him.
"It's nothing bro, just a crazy thought".
"Now you'll have to tell me what's on your mind. Spill I ordered him.
"It's just so funny that you are always looking at that file whenever I come in here. if I don't know better I'd say you've fallen for this girl".
" What the f**k are you talking about??" I asked him looking amused that he'll ever think that I Adrian Fernandez would ever fall in love with the daughter of my sworn enemy. It's f*****g crazy. I watched him laughing at me instead of giving me an answer and I got angry.
" How on Earth would you ever think that I'll fall for Abigail??" I asked him angrily.
" Wow!! I didn't know you guys are now on first name callings. Besides you don't need to be so defensive you know" "Unless you believe there is a truth in what I just said".
"You're crazy Toby".
"No am not. Am just stating the obvious" he retorted.
"Whatever" I said trying to look unconcerned about his insinuations. I don't know where he got that crazy idea from. I mean how on Earth would I fall in love with Abigail Allan?? That will be an insult to my father's memory.
"So what's your plan for tonight?? Toby asked bringing me back to reality because I was getting lost in my thoughts.
"Same as always. Nothing's changed."
"Come on man,I need the details" he kept pressing on.
"Really?? You want to know how I plan to woo Abigail?? Really Toby??" "Well guess what,, I ain't telling you s**t. I don't want you getting silly thoughts about my motives for wooing her" I told him pointedly.
"Jeez Adrian!! You need to take a chill pill and relax?? I was just messing with you okay??" "Come to think of it, now you've really got me suspicious about your real motives. you're only this guarded when you've got something to hide. Tell me Adrian, are you really interested in her for revenge only??"
I stood up putting on my jacket that was hung at the back of my seat. After wearing my jacket, I got my phone's and briefcase and headed to the door without giving him an answer.
"Are you ignoring me because am right or because you aren't sure of your real motives for chasing Abigail???
"No Toby. am ignoring you because you ain't thinking straight right now and I won't grace those stupid questions with an answer... Am leaving now. The fundraiser and charity ball begins at 6pm. I don't want to be late to the main event.. You're in charge while am gone and try not to screw anyone in my office while am gone.
" Don't worry bro, my office desk is cozy enough, he smirked.... And why are you leaving so early if the main event starts by 6pm?? it's just 3pm he said while pointing at the clock for me to see." "Or are you planning to take your time in your dressing room so your appearance can attract her to you?? he grinned, enjoying the anger on my face.
"Ha ha ha.. Very funny. You should be a comedian, it suits you well." "Now you and I know that I don't have to spend time in my dressing room to impress anyone, I slay effortlessly.. Am on the list of the ten most handsome and wealthy bachelor's in this city you know."
"Yeah right. proud ass!!" He said feigning annoyance and I laughed at his dramatics.
" You still haven't said why you're leaving the office so early" He reminds me.
"You just can't let it go can you??"
"Nope"
"For crying out loud Toby, am attending a f*****g fundraiser and charity ball.. I believe you're not daft. you do know the meaning of "Fundraising" and "Charity" right??
"Meaning what exactly???
"Meaning I can't ruin my reputation and go without making donations dummy.. It's true I have other plans for the night but that doesn't change the fact that I have to make a donation at the fundraising event tonight.. That's why am leaving early. I have to prepare for the event"
"Now if you're done being nosy, I have to go now." I said to him as I opened the door and went out.
As I came out of my office, I could see some of my staffs rushing back to their seats to continue with their jobs.
They know how much I hated seeing them being idle and lazing about so they always get busy when they see me around.
"Don't blame me for being strict with them with them ok. It took me a lot to get to where I am today so I love commitment and hard work.
As I left the office, I went straight to the bank to prepare my donation for tonight's event.
When I got out of my car to walk into the bank I saw a beauty, dressed in a business attire, walking out of the bank, heading to her car.
As she walked closer, my eyes widened when I saw it was her "Abigail"
What are the odds of running into her here, I thought.
Our eyes met as she walked past me and I gave a small smile that she acknowledged with a smile of her own before she walked past me and headed for her car.
I know she's here to prepare their donation for the fundraiser tonight which assures me that she's definitely coming tonight.
I went into the bank and finished my transactions, Then I went home to prepare for tonight's event.
When I got home, I showered and went into my dressing room to get dressed. I smiled when I remembered my conversation with Toby earlier today. He's right though. I really want to look good tonight for Abigail. I want her to fall hopelessly in love with me.
She recently started working in her father's company. She's been away from home for so long. The gossip column in the papers said she's not in good terms with her father because of her mother's death, but I know it's just gossip. There's absolutely no truth in that because she's been spending his money too. She keeps traveling all around the world, having fun and being wild. "Spoilt brat".
Now she's decided to come back and work for her father's company. I know she simply wants to help him swindle more people but I won't let them get away with it. I won't let them steal from people for much longer. They are nothing but thieves and I'll be the one to bring them down.
Her coming back to work with her father's company is just so perfect for my plans. I'll use her to bring him down. Then I'll dump her sorry ass and move on with my life like it never happened. That's what she'll get for being the daughter of Victor Allan.
I was just putting on my tux when I heard my phone ringing. I checked and saw it was my mum. I know why she called so I picked up immediately.
"Hi mum good evening" I greeted.
"Hey son how are you today and how is work??
"Am fine mum and work is perfectly normal.
"I was just talking to Derek and he mentioned that you won't be joining us to visit your father's tonight; You do remember that it's your father's anniversary today right??
"Mum you know I can never forget dad's anniversary; I went to the cemetery earlier today to pay my respects to dad.. You can go with Derek and Cara. I have a very important business dinner that I can't miss. That's why I went earlier to the cemetery" I said calmly.
"Ok son it's fine since you've gone already; I'll go with Derek and Cara. Be careful when you go out tonight. Don't get into business with the wrong people ok??
"Am always careful mum. I won't make the same mistake as dad I promise.
"I know you're smarter. Now run along so you won't be late. Love you Adrian.Be careful okay??
"I love you too mum... I'll be very careful trust me; By mum I said before hanging up.
Talking to my mom right now just made me more determined to get my revenge.
Even after so many years, my mom still finds it difficult to trust to trust people. Same as my brother and my sister. That scar can never be healed, all thanks to Victor Allan. "He'll definitely pay!!"
I finished dressing and grooming myself before I turned to look at the mirror.
"Mehn,, I look dapper"
Abigail would never be able to resist me... She'll fall for me at first sight. "I know it"
I boarded my limo and instructed the driver to take me to the venue of the event.
"It's gonna be a long night"