Chapter –Unexpected visit
August 22, 2021 – Five years ago…
*Ravenwood County*
Rain poured heavily from the dark sky. The road was drenched, water splashing around on every passing vehicle. Streetlights blurred behind the curtain of rain, their reflections shimmering across the waterlogged road.
The car moved through the storm, struggling against the rain. The wipers rushed faster back… tak… tak… tak…
Inside—
She sat by the window, watching the chaotic rain crash against the glass. Her fingers rested against the window, tracing the tiny trails of water as they raced down the glass. Her thoughts lost somewhere in the noise of the storm…
FLASH! Lightning lit up the entire road for a second—
Suddenly— "Hey… careful!" A blinding headlight appeared right in front of them…Everything froze… then shattered in seconds. The tyres slipped on the wet road…
A harsh brake sound—SCREECHHH . Thunder roared—
BANG!
The car lost control, spinning violently before crashing to the side… Rain hammered against the broken silence. Smoke slowly rose from the damaged bonnet, disappearing into the darkness as the rain continued to pour.
Inside—
Silence…
A thin line of blood ran down her forehead… her vision blurred as another lightning flash filled her eyes.
She tried to keep her eyes open, but the world around her seemed to sway. Her breathing grew faint, and the sounds outside became distant, almost as if they were coming from another world.
Her eyelids slowly closed… The last thing she heard… was the storm screaming around her.
---
August 26,2025 __PRESENT NOW.....
*Westbridge County*
Adrian William.
His name alone was enough to make people straighten their backs. At twenty-eight, he was the youngest CEO of William Holdings—a man known for his sharp decisions, unreadable expression, and an almost frightening ability to get what he wanted.
He sat behind the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, the city stretching beneath him. The afternoon sunlight reflected off the glass buildings, casting faint patterns across his desk. Beyond the windows, the city continued its usual rush, completely unaware of the man sitting above it all.
A file lay open on his desk. He didn't touch it. His attention was fixed on the phone in his hand. "Your grandfather wants you at dinner tonight," Ashu (his female friend and assistant) said from the other end.
Adrian's jaw tightened. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting briefly toward the documents scattered across his desk. "Tell him I'm busy."
"I already did."
"And?"
"He said, and I quote, 'If Adrian doesn't come, I'll come to his office myself.'" Adrian closed his eyes for a moment. A quiet breath escaped him as he rubbed his forehead, already imagining the stubbornness he would have to deal with tonight.
The office door opened. A man in a dark suit walked in, a file in his hand. He paused near the entrance, waiting until Adrian's attention shifted toward him. "Mr. William."
Adrian looked up "What is it?". The assistant walked toward his desk and placed the file in front of him. The soft sound of the file meeting the polished wooden surface broke the brief silence. "The file you asked for, sir."
Adrian picked it up and opened it, silently going through the documents. His eyes moved across each page, carefully reading every detail. He turned the pages one after another, his expression remaining unchanged as he absorbed the information.
After a few moments, he closed the file. His fingers rested against its cover as he leaned back slightly in his chair. "Cancel all my appointments for tomorrow." The assistant looked at him. "All of them?"
"Yes." Adrian placed the file aside. "I have some important work tomorrow." He turned toward his female assistant, who was standing near the desk. She had been watching the exchange, and at his words, her eyebrows lifted slightly.
"You take care of the office tomorrow." She raised an eyebrow. "Everything?"
"Everything."
She sighed dramatically, letting her shoulders drop as she folded her arms across her chest.
"You're giving me all the work again."
Adrian gave her a brief look. "You're my assistant. That's literally your job." She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll handle it."
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his attention returning to his phone. He had already dismissed the matter in his mind, leaving her to deal with the responsibilities he had just handed over. "Good."
The male assistant quietly nodded and left the office. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Adrian and Ashu alone in the room.
Ashu stayed for a moment, watching Adrian. Her gaze lingered on him as though she were trying to piece together something he hadn't said aloud. "You're hiding something." Adrian looked at her. "I'm not."
"Your face says otherwise."
"Then stop looking at my face."
She laughed softly, shaking her head at his response. "Whatever you say, boss."
_____
*Villa*
By the time Adrian reached his villa, the evening sky had turned a deep shade of blue. The last traces of daylight lingered along the horizon, while the lights inside the villa glowed warmly against the approaching darkness.
The massive iron gates opened as his car approached. The security guard stepped forward and bowed respectfully. Adrian barely acknowledged him. He drove through the gates and stopped in front of the villa.
As he stepped out of the car, his eyes immediately caught the light coming from the living room. He frowned. He hadn't expected anyone.
For a moment, he stood beside his car, looking toward the illuminated windows. He had made no plans to receive visitors tonight, and certainly hadn't asked anyone to come over.
Adrian walked inside, loosening his tie as he entered. The familiar quietness of the villa surrounded him, but before he could take another step, someone caught his attention. Then he stopped. His grandfather was sitting on the sofa. Waiting for him.
Adrian stared at him for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. He slipped his tie loose around his neck, his expression settling into one of resignation. "I told you I wasn't coming to dinner."
His grandfather calmly lifted his eyes from the newspaper in his hands. He didn't appear surprised by Adrian's arrival, nor did he seem bothered by the irritation in his grandson's voice. "I know"
"Then why are you here?"
"Because you refused to come." Adrian gave him an unimpressed look."So you came all the way here?".
His grandfather folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. He adjusted himself against the sofa, looking entirely comfortable in a place where Adrian clearly hadn't expected to find him."You're my grandson. Am I not allowed to visit your villa?"
"You don't visit without a reason." A small smile appeared on his grandfather's face. He looked at Adrian with the quiet amusement of someone who knew his grandson a little too well.
"Still as observant as ever."
Adrian walked past him and poured himself a glass of water. The sound of water filling the glass echoed faintly through the otherwise quiet living room. He took a sip, hoping the conversation would end before it could become another long argument. "I've had a long day, Grandpa. Whatever it is, can we do this another time?"
"No."
Adrian slowly turned around. His grandfather's expression had changed. The teasing smile was gone.
For the first time since entering the villa, Adrian gave him his full attention. He lowered the glass slightly, studying the older man's face as the mood in the room shifted. "I didn't come here for dinner, Adrian."
Silence settled between them. Adrian remained where he stood, waiting for his grandfather to continue. "I came because we need to talk."
Adrian set the glass down. His fingers lingered against the rim for a moment before he withdrew his hand. "About what?"
His grandfather looked directly at him. He held Adrian's gaze without the slightest hint of hesitation. "Your future." Adrian's expression hardened. His shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly as he stared at his grandfather.
"There's nothing to discuss."
His grandfather leaned back against the sofa. Rather than arguing immediately, he watched Adrian for a moment, as though he had expected those exact words. "That's what you think."
Adrian said nothing.
***********
