The Reveal

ALEXANDER

'Am I speaking to Mr. Alexander?' The voice on the other end inquiries.

I immediately knew who it was. It's the call I've been waiting for since I received the package from my Private Investigator and discovered her dad is a patient at my hospital for Stage 3 prostate cancer. What a coincidence.

The package included everything I needed to know about her. I intend to use every information to get what I want from her.

'Who am I speaking to?' I feigned ignorance.

'This is the daughter of Mr. Gates, the man you had transferred to the penthouse.'

'Oh! How is your father doing?' Enjoying the drama a little bit.

'He's stable. Thank you.'

'I must admit I'm confused about the change of suite. We can't afford the penthouse…' I could sense the confusion in her voice.

I cut her short, 'The charges are on the house. We all want what's best for your father. Don't we?'

I could picture her face scrunched up in confusion, the same look she had the night I gave her my proposal.

'I'm sorry, do I know you?' She asked.

Knowing I had to cut short the drama, I replied

'Pearl, I told you I usually get what I want no matter what.'

'YOU!' Now I could hear the outrage in her voice.

I smiled, expecting that response;

'Yes, it's me, Pearl.'

'I own the hospital your father is in, and I intend to give him full standard care if it prompts you to reach a decision that will favor both of us.'

I knew it sounded insensitive, but I had to do what I had to do.

There was a pregnant pause.

'Are you there?' I asked.

'I will accept your generosity because of my father's health.' I could hear the resignation in her voice.

'But it doesn't affect my response in 2 days.' She continued.

'Thank you for your generosity, Mr Alexander.' I heard the clicking tone of the call ending.

'Please take me back to the house.' I spoke into the telecom to my driver.

I wasn't feeling up to going out again. I relaxed my head into the headrest, lost in thought about how no girl has had me on the edge like this before. It was partly due to me depending on her acceptance to make my plan go smoothly. But there was something else there. I could feel it. I could get another girl to accept my proposal in the twinkle of an eye, but it had to be her.

I remembered I had the bulky package the Private Investigator gave to me. It didn't only contain information on Pearl but on Gabrielle too,

I needed to know who I was going up against. I learned everything about Pearl. It was time to read through Gabrielle's report.

As I opened to read through, the car came to a halt, which made me realize we were back home. The family's mansion is on the outskirts of Manhattan on an expanse acre of land where mansions skulk behind high gates as home. The mansion's driveway bordered by oak trees that made the view pleasant to the eyes. It always brought memories of my childhood days when it served as a solitude. The sun setting cast a beautiful glow on the roses planted by the sidewalks.

The driver opened my door. As I alighted from the car, the butler met me to take my coat and briefcase. I didn't let go of the package.

I could hear the clacking of my mother's heel across the well-polished marble floor. She wore an air of royalty as usual in her purple flowing gown and hair tied up in a bun.

'You are back home early, Alexander.' She came to take my hands.

'Yes, I didn't feel good on my way out.' I replied

'Well, good you are back. Your father wants to see you.'

My father was a strict man, and I wasn't always so keen to visit him. He criticizes how I handle my business, even if all my life had depended on his approval and making him proud of me as a son.

'Did he mention what he wants?' I paused to look at my mother.

'Not precisely; he just said you haven't visited in a while.' She said and left me to my fate with my father.

I stood face-to-face with the magnificent gold door that led to my father's room. I didn't know what was behind the door for me today. I tapped twice on the door before opening it.

My father sat in a wheelchair, staring at the garden through the half-shut blinds.

'How are you doing, father?' I asked in a timid voice. Even in a wheelchair, his presence scared me.

'Alex!' he called out in a low, deep voice that sent ripples down my spine. He turned to face me.

'How is the business?' He asked.

'Going well. We sealed the Warson's deal this week.'

'And what are you doing about the Hodge's company trying to take us out of business?'

'We are doing everything possible not to make that happen, sir.' I said with my head bowed.

The truth was that Hodge's company was my nemesis, giving me a tough time. It was a puzzle I couldn't solve as the CEO remained anonymous, and the company was hard to breach.

'I want a full report on it by the end of this week.' He said as he turned his wheelchair to the garden view, dismissing me.

It was after stepping out to the hallway that I realized I'd been holding my breath through the whole conversation with my father. I needed a fresh breath of air, so I stepped outside to the pool area. The view was relaxing and brought me the calmness I needed.

I settled into one of the reclining chairs and placed the envelope I'd been clutching all through my ordeal on the table beside me.

'What am I going to do about this Hodge's case?' I pondered.

Why the CEO remained anonymous still baffled me. Something wasn't right with this, and I needed to get to the bottom of it.

I picked the envelope back, hoping to revisit the Hodge's case later. I opened through to Gabrielle's report. Skimming through, I noticed a name that stood out to me.

CEO OF HODGES' GROUP OF COMPANIES!!!

How can this be? I sat upright in shock.