Their Release

 CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

 THEIR RELEASE

 Mr. Alfred was slowly pacing in front of the men who sat on the couches in the living room. About five men, including Mr. George. Some of the other bodyguards stood behind with their heads bent.

 "I've always told you guys not to ever listen to Michael. He's very stubborn," Alfred Watts said in a very calm tone, still pacing.

 "I'm very sorry," one of the bulky bodyguards that stood in front said, bowing slightly.

 "Alfred, calm down, please," Mr. George said.

 "I can't. I can't calm down!" His voice was rising. "This isn't business!" He was looking at all the men in the room. "It...s about my...son. Everyone in this room knows about Michael's illness. It won't be easy in this entire world if I lose Michael. No, it won't," he said and collected the glass of whiskey Mr. George had quietly handed to him. He gulped down the whole content. One of the men sitting stood up, and said,

 "Michael will be alright. The email his captors sent said he'll be alright if we send the money." 

 "It's been two days. Michael needs to take his medications."

 "When we searched his car, the drugs weren't there. Maybe they took it with them," another man said. 

 "That's a good one," the first man who stood up clicked his fingers at that.

 "As for the news, we've handled that. No one will ever know this happened," the man said.

 "Mmmh!" Alfred nods.

 Just then, his phone on the table began to ring. He ignored it, but Mr. George picked it up and answered it.

 "Hello! This is Alfred Watts!" Mr. George said, looking at Alfred, who paused looking at him.

 Mr. George was shocked and gasped, immediately removing the phone from his ear.

 "What is it?" Alfred panicked. Others in the room tensed up immediately. The ones sitting stood up.

 "I think I heard Michael's voice," Mr. George said slowly.

 "Don't play chess with me," Mr. Alfred said in between his teeth as he collected the phone from George's hand and spoke into the phone. "Hello!" And he paused.

 "Mine, are you okay?" His voice changed immediately.

 Everyone in the room sighed with relief.

 "Just say it. I'll do anything," he paused again. "I don't even want the public attention on this. If they want to do it quietly, I'll agree with them," he paused. "I should not trace it, huh!" 

 Mr. Alfred looks at the prosecutor, "Okay. Tell them I won't. They should tell me how I would transfer it. Should I do so in person?" He asked and listened. "George will do that. But then, are you ok...?" The phone hung up. "Hello...hello..." He removed the phone from his ear and went to sit quietly on the couch.

 Tears were already gathered in his eyes. After a while, he looked up and sniffed.

 "From his voice, I think he's fine. But my mind's not settled until I see him," he stands up immediately.

 "We still need to capture these people," another man said.

 "We will. Hope the call was traced?" Alfred asked.

 "The boys are still working on it. They used a burner phone, so the location's gonna take a while," the bodyguard replied.

 "Okay," he nodded and turned to George. "They already sent the bank account where we will transfer the money. Let's get Michael back first."

 Mr. George nods and walks out.

 Mr. Alfred sat back with the other men as they continued discussing strategies on how to bring Michael back.

 ****

 The next day, by evening, Michael was in his room. His physicians just left the room. Including Miss Hena and Mr. George. He was so glad to be back home even though he was feeling tired. Alfred Watts, who had been around his son since he came back, adjusts the duvet covering Michael's body.

 "Do you need anything else?" Mr. Alfred asked again.

 "No, Dad," Michael smiled. "You need to rest, Dad."

 "I'm fine. Mine!" His father's eyes were filled with tears.

 "I can't bear the thought of losing you. Thank you for staying strong, mmmh!" Mr. Alfred said, holding Michael's hand.

 "Dad! I missed you too. I was bothered about how much stress this whole thing would cost you," Michael said.

 "It's fine," Mr. Alfred sniffed. "I've already increased your security. This whole scenario will never happen again. As for Olseen, he should wait for me. I'll hit him where he never expected," Mr. Alfred said with a straight face.

 Michael sighed. "Dad, you'll have to find a way to release Chord. I made a deal with him."

 "Chord?! Chord was there?!" Mr. Alfred was slightly shocked.

 Michael nods. "What deal?" 

 Michelle was kidnapped alongside. She was with me that night. And so they took her too. Because of her, I promised to save him and set up his new net. I'm sorry, Dad. That was the only thing I could think of," Michael said.

 "It's fine, Michael. That's not a problem. But I'll break him first, for touching my son, and so he won't cause trouble ever again. Come here, I've missed you so much," Mr. Alfred hugs him.

 Michael smiled and hugged his father back.

 ****

 The next day, Mr. Alfred and Michael were in the car. Mr. Alfred was the one driving. Michael was listening to music through his headphones. He was staring out of the tinted car window.

 Michael's eye caught sight of a figure walking by the roadside. She looked very familiar, even though it was her back view.

 "Is that Michelle?" He muttered. 

 His father looked at him. They moved forward a bit, and through the side view mirror, he saw it was Michelle. He took off his headphones. 

 "Dad! Dad! Stop the car!" Michael hollered, unfastening his seat belt. The car came to a halt, and immediately Michael bolted out of the car. 

 "Be careful there, Michael," his father said, also unfastening his seat belt.

 "Michelle!" Michael called out when he got closer to her. 

 On hearing her name, Michelle looked up and smiled weakly.

 "Where are you going with the bag?" He asked when he saw her pulling along a travel suitcase.

 By then, Mr. Alfred was already standing beside Michael.

 Michelle bowed when she saw him.

 "Good morning, Sir!" She greeted him.

 "Good morning, Michelle," he replied, smiling. "How are you?" 

 "I'm fine, Sir," she replied.

 "You remember her, Dad?" Michael asked.

 "Yes, I do. By the way, young lady, where are you traveling to?" Mr. Alfred asked, still maintaining his smile.

 "Um..." She didn't know what to say as she looked at Michael.

 When she wasn't replying, Mr. Alfred quickly offered,

 "The morning sun is out and hot on the skin. Hope you don't mind taking a cup of coffee with me before you continue your journey!" He gave a lopsided grin.

 "Please don't reject," Michael put in.

 Nodding slowly, she said, "Okay." 

 Mr. Alfred opened the car booth and helped her put the bag in. He watched Michael open the car door for Michelle to enter. He even noticed the young girl was tense. But she entered anyway. Then Michael went to sit at the front. Mr. Alfred smiled before going over to the driver's seat.