Paper Rings (English)

Chapter 7

It was bright and sunny outside, but the grimness in the face of the Mortel Mall President has never been more apparent than today. While jutting his chin, he darted a sharp look at Lowell Sebastian, who was casually sitting right across his office table. Unlike the man’s usual high-tension demeanor, his ear-to-ear smile especially irked the hell out of him today.

“So, let me get this straight.” He rolled his eyes in defeat and placed the pile of papers he was holding on the tabletop. Despite feeling a bit annoyed, he managed to keep his tone low. “You want to steal the show during my wedding? Did I get that part right?”

“Stealing the show is a rough way to put it,” the SMU Publishing’s CEO smirked at him and fiddled with his collar. “I just want it to happen in the most unexpected moment.”

“Why does that ‘unexpected moment’ have to be my wedding?”

Lowell nodded dismissively as if not wavered by his protest and continued to scan his visage. Instead of answering his sarcastic query, the man only shook his head. The smugness on his face and unfazed smile made Sander grind his teeth. Today surely wasn’t a great day to irritate him. With all the client meetings he had to attend unwillingly, and how he had to ask Sydney to take care of the matters regarding Primrose, he felt like he could snap at anyone any minute now.

“What are you looking at, Lowell Sebastian?”

“Considering that this is just a fake wedding, you seem too upset.”

“I’m not upset,” he denied and shifted his gaze back to the computer screen.

“Then, can I assume that you’re agreeing to my request?”

“What? No.” When he tilted his head up again, the young man was already standing right in front of his desk with both hands in pockets. He had to heave a deep sigh to contain his frustration before huffing and lifting a brow. “I know that I still owe an apology to your girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean I’ll give you a free ride with my affairs. We’re not that close.”

“Your affairs? What a clean way to put it. I guess you’re considering it real, after all.”

“Do I need to get a plane ticket just to catch the point of this conversation?” He removed his reading glasses and folded both arms across his broad chest. “Fine. Go and ask Primrose for all I care. If she says yes, then so be it. I just don’t have any reason to agree with you right now.”

“You’re a tamed married man now, I see. playong along with your wife's decision.” Lowell clamped his lips and held his hand up as soon as he saw him scowling. “Chill out. Is this what they call wedding jitters?”

“Now that you got what you want, can you please leave? As you can see, this married man has a lot on his plate, Mr. Sebastian.”

“Sure, sure.” Just when he thought the man would start stepping out of his office to give him the privacy he needed, he was dismayed when he heard his halting footsteps. More so, when he glanced in his direction again. “I’m not the type who likes commenting on things, but if you feel attracted to someone, I assure you that suppressing it won’t do you any good.”

“What nonsense are you saying? I don’t care for opinions coming from a man drowning in the poisonous sea of love,” he tried to disengage with the conversation and pointed at the door. “I won’t see you out. Goodbye.”

“Think about it carefully. That’s the least I could tell you.”

Sander rubbed the back of his neck as his glance returned to the source of his irritation. He was about to frown when his phone rang. Now all he could do was dart a stern gaze at the man before shifting his attention to the cell phone screen. As if casted with a spell that has awakened his senses, he grabbed the phone in an instant upon seeing his sister’s name.

“Sydney, what’s up?”

“I’m not sure yet, but listen to what I'm about to tell you. I think you should know this.” Sydney cleared her throat, trying hard to stitch her thoughts together. “It’s about Primrose. I was with her just a moment ago like you asked, but —”

“What happened?”

“Her assistant said that Mayor Dia was rushed to the hospital, so she left the cafe immediately. But the expression on her assistant's face didn’t sit well with me. That’s why I tried to follow them.” She paused for a bit, followed by a reluctant sigh. “This isn’t a hospital, Sander. I don’t think she’s safe.”

“What do you mean she’s not safe?”

“I saw this on the news last week. It’s the hotel and casino that was shut down due to tax evasion.”

The Mortel Malls President loosened his tie and rose from his seat. His sudden movements and the darkened look on his face made his observant guest wary. However, he had no time to mind his obvious concern. He turned away from his direction and drew his mouth into a straight line while processing the information he’d just heard.

“Send me your exact location,” he managed to say despite the loud drumming vibrating in his ears. “And be careful. No matter what, don’t get out of the car until I arrive.”

“Did something bad happen to Sydney?” the SMU Publishing CEO asked as soon as he saw him put down the call.

“No. I just need to go fetch my wife. I’ll talk to you later.” He reached for his coat from the rack and pressed a button on the multiline phone. “Elisha?”

“Yes, sir?” A soft voice was heard from the speaker. “Should I bring in snacks for your guest?”

“No. I want you to cancel all my remaining appointments for the rest of the day.”

“Cancel? But sir, you have a promotional event with the Starry Tower investors tonight.”

“Have two security teams follow me out. I’ll be down in a minute or two.”

Without any word next, he ended the call and marched to exit the room. He didn’t bother to glance back and bid Lowell goodbye. His mind was too consumed to even notice how dumbfounded his entire staff were upon seeing him walk out of the office earlier than usual.

The next thing he knew, his hands were already on the steering wheel, and he was already driving to the location Sydney had sent him. Behind his car was his security team tailing his every turn. It didn’t take too long until they arrived at their destination.

When he stepped out of the car, one of his guards nodded and motioned his head to where Sydney’s car was parked. He raised his hand mid-air to let her know that he would be handling the situation from here.

“One team should stay and guard my sister. Don’t let her get out of the car even if she insists on following me inside.”

“Yes, sir.” The leader of the pack signaled the group of black-suited men by swatting his fingers in the opposite direction.

The news was buzzing with reports regarding the closure of this famous hotel and casino owned and managed by Wilson Dia's company. Although it was stated that the operation was seized due to an ongoing tax evasion case against the corporation, the place seemed too lively for a non-operating establishment. There were cars going in and out of the parking area and the usual crowd of people that often indicate continued business.

His eyebrows gathered together as he approached the side entrance of the building where some guests were seen going through. He wasn't too surprised to see that there were already a handful of armed men facing his way, ready to block him from getting in. As he and his men got closer, the tension became even more apparent. The halting of their footsteps was a signal, making them straighten their backs and clenched their jaws.

"I'm sorry, sir. Only authorized guests are allowed to enter this vicinity."

“I bet you waited quite a while to say that.” Sander tilted his head back and let out a heavy sigh. He exchanged knowing looks with his security team. Seeing that they were on the verge of taking action, he shook his head to ease their mind. “And I’m quite sure you already know who I am and what I’m here for. There will be no commotion, just let me fetch my wife, and we’re done here.”

“She’s not here, sir.”

“You see, unlike my father-in-law, I’m not a very patient man.” He tapped his wristwatch numerous times and shifted his narrowing eyes to the main entrance. After he didn’t get the reaction he wanted, his hand reached for the shoulder of one of his security personnel standing beside him. “I’ll count up to three. My men are ready to phone the authorities. I just need to give the signal.”

“A-authorities? What is it for, sir?” Unlike the unfazed demeanor of the man earlier, his taunting tactic seemed to work wonders on him this time.

The Mortel Mall President pinched the tip of his nose before glancing over his shoulder. He motioned his chin to the main entrance, where some of his men were seen opening the glass door and pulling up the blinds that make the place appear not in operation. Behind the curtains revealed the blinding lights and people sitting at poker tables, gambling their way before the sun bid its farewell.

“A business operating despite being shut down by the court is a grave offense, isn’t it?”

“That’s —”

“One,” the impatient man started counting. He ran his fingers through the strands of his hair before placing a hand inside his pocket. “Hurry up and decide. Once I get to three, the political career of your boss will pop in the air like it never existed.”

“Getting a little hot in there, my fierce son-in-law.”

Wilson Dia appeared on the surface like a genie in the lamp rubbed open with his contempt and threats. The old man looking like a defamed magician adorned in a pandora hat, bow tie, and black tuxedo, walked toward him and traced a casual smile on his lips.

“Why don’t we talk about this over a cup of tea? There’s no need to make this complicated. We’re family now, aren’t we?”

“Are we?” Sander couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow when the father of his fake wife patted his back down. From the corner of his eyes, he could see his security team getting ready to pull the frail man away from him. He wouldn’t want to go that far, so he raised his hand mid-air to stop them. “Do you normally treat your family this way? Greeting them with armed men right at your property’s doorstep?”

“Come on, cut my boys some slack. Besides, even your family would flinch when they hear the threats you just spoke of.” The hand holding loosely behind his back was a clear sign that Wilson wasn’t threatened with his words at all. He even leaned closer to whisper something in his ear. “If you care enough about your family’s reputation, ruining one of their strongest political ties isn’t such a great idea. Don’t you think so?”

The last male descendant of the country’s most prominent oligarchs held his chin high. His eyes, gleaming with confidence and spite, were as sharp as knives.

“Do you think I care that much about my family’s reputation?” He gave off a shrug to chase away the urge to trample this vile old man to the ground. “Unlike you, we run a company quite neatly. We handled lawsuits, but we’re still here even with the changes in the government.”

“Are you saying that your company can stand without government support?”

This time, he politely removed Wilson’s hand from his back and curved a small smile on his lips. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he scanned the man in front of him from head to toe and shook his head.

“What makes you so confident, Mayor Dia? Your local government position? The political party that endorses you as a strong senatorial candidate?” As soon as Wilson bestowed a darting glare in his direction, a peal of laughter emerged out of his throat. “Getting a little hot in there, my fierce father-in-law?”

“This is the reason why I can’t entrust my daughter to the likes of you —”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Sander clapped his hand in the air to interrupt him. He glanced over at his security personnel. “I’m supposed to have a live event today, right?”

“Yes, sir. It’s for the construction of Starry Tower, a project contracted with the City Government.”

“What a nice coincidence. I’m with the man of the hour right now. How about we set it up here?” Before the Mayor of the City could voice his protest, he scooted to meet his eye level and grinned. “Maybe I can appeal to the viewers to look for my missing wife.”

Wilson backed away from him. The veins almost popping in his neck indicate a clear victory for the young man. When his wife’s father turned to look at the men blocking his way, they all moved aside to clear his path.

“This way, sir.”

He was about to walk past him when he felt a bit unsatisfied. His feet halted and reached a hand to tap his father-in-law’s shoulder.

“Try doing this again. I’ll make sure those threats will turn into your worst nightmare, old man.”

After dropping those words, he resumed marching forward. He was led in front of a hotel room at the corner of the hall. The entire floor was empty and guarded by black-suited men from left to right. When he pushed the door open, he was welcomed by the sight of his distraught wife—seated on the floor, hugging her knees and in tears.

When their gaze finally met, there was a hint of relief in her pair of almond eyes. He pursed a smile and walked inside.

“Sorry for making you wait.”