CHAPTER SIX
Across town, a towering skyscraper loomed over the bustling city centre, its sleek glass wall reflecting the endless sea of traffic and people below. The building was a monument of modernity and power, its sharp angles and dark steel frame casting an imposing silhouette against the skyline. The lower floors were bustling with activity, while the upper floors seemed to pierce the heavens, creating an aura of dominance and authority. At the topmost floor, in an office that overlooked the sprawling city, the Vice President of Sky Holdings sat in a world of his own — a space that exuded wealth, power, and the kind of quiet influence that could shape the future of entire industries.
Sky Holdings was a family-owned powerhouse that acted as a holding centre for numerous subsidiaries. The Sky empire stretched into real estate, information technology, media companies, banking, fashion, and design. Few businesses in the city were not, directly or indirectly, influenced by its decisions.
The vice president was sitting at his massive desk, going through documents, when a knock interrupted him. Without lifting his eyes immediately, the Vice President called, “Enter.”
The heavy wooden door opened, and Felix, a well-dressed gentleman walked in. His tailored suit seemed designed to reflect discretion; the colour was a deep charcoal, cut to perfection. His face was hard, composed, with piercing eyes — a man who kept many secrets and made many things happen quietly.
Felix was head of the security department for Sky Holdings, but his job went beyond the walls of the Sky building. He was the secret ace that discreetly collected information known and unknown to the public for the interest of the company. He knew what companies were investing in what, what shares were going up and when they were about to plummet even before it happened. Hell, he could even predict scandals long before they happened!
His secret was simple, staying invisible and collecting information to bring to his boss. He was loyal to the Cruz family, the owners of Sky Holding because they had brought him up from his poor background and educated him in both matters of business and security. He was like a son to the Chairman.
“Oh, Felix, good timing. Have a seat.” The Vice President and heir to the Sky empire, stood briefly from his leather executive chair and nodded toward the leather sofa in the centre of the room.
Felix crossed the rich wooden floor and sat, smoothing his tie. “Your secretary is out for lunch. I thought this would be a good time to discuss progress when it's just the two of us.”
The Vice President nodded and walked over to the seating area, choosing an armchair across from him. His knuckles were knotted in anticipation — a nervous habit many mistook for confidence. “Great. Good timing. Any progress? Did you find her yet?” His voice was quieter now, more intimate, less the commanding executive and more a man wrestling with something profoundly important.
“I went to the countryside but I was too late, her grandmother already passed on.” There was a slight pause. “Then some men came and took her away. At first, I thought it was the loan sharks she had borrowed money from for her grandmother's hospital bills, so I visited them to find out how much she owed them. Surprisingly they told me that her debt had been fully paid, complete with a bonus on top, and that they have no issues with her now.”
The Vice President remained silent for a moment, letting this information sink in. His eyebrows tightened in disbelief. “Did they say who paid for the debts?”
“No. He paid in cash and didn't give a name. But I investigated the license number of the vehicle he was driving, and it belongs to Cole Enterprises. It’s actually the vehicle used by the president of Cole enterprises himself.”
The Vice President pressed his knuckles against his lips in thought. Cole Enterprises — the name seemed to hang heavy in the air between the two men. There were rumours about Vincent Cole’s growing influence, his expansion into sectors previously off-limits, and now…this.
“What does she have to do with Cole enterprises? And the president?” the vice president arched his brows.
“I still haven’t figured that out yet. But the Cole’s are having their annual charity event at Angel Heart’s orphanage _ the orphanage where their adopted daughter was raised before they adopted her. It’s normally kept away from the press but I have my ways of “coincidentally” being there when they arrive” he stroked his chin with a knowing grin. “All I need is a signed cheque with the amount left blank from you”
The vice president let out a laugh, “I had feeling this was coming Felix. Every time you come to my office you either leave with my credit card or a signed cheque” he said as he stood up and went to retrieve his chequebook from the safe.
“It’s a good thing I always deliver on your requests then, otherwise you wouldn’t be so quick giving them to me” Felix answered with a chuckle.
“This account is not associated with the Sky Holding, it’s the account that was set up for my expenses when I was living abroad” the vice president said as he handed an envelope with a signed cheque leaf inside to Felix.
“Great! I’m glad you now know how I operate” Felix said as he put the envelope in the inner pocket of his blazer.
“So what will you do after you find her? Have you thought about that?” Felix asked stretching his legs and leaning further on the couch. He seemed to be getting comfortable now that business was out of the way.
“I don’t know yet” the vice-president said as he sat back on the arm chair. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed.
“Finding her is the first step. Then there are many more steps to overcome before my parents can accept her”
“Dude! Aren’t you way ahead of yourself? Before she can be accepted by your parents you need to make her like you again. She may have been your first love but you never confessed to her! And then you disappeared!” Felix said throwing his hands in the air. “I’m just saying, you need to be prepared for the fact that she may have moved on.”
The vice president thought for a second, then shook his head,
“Nah! She can’t have moved on yet. I can feel it in my heart and my intuition is never wrong”
“When has the heart ever been wrong” Felix said sarcastically as he stood up.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, let me go spend your money as I search for your soulmate”
“You seem to be enjoying this!” the vice president chuckled as he stood up with him.
“Very!” Felix answered with a grin, “After helping your family with hundreds of mergers and acquisitions, the only thing I haven’t yet done is find them a daughter in law! I’m looking forward to a successful mission”
“Great. Keep me updated……. And remain positive”
" I'll keep looking for her, and you can remain positive for the both of us sir", Felix said putting his three fingers to his forehead imitating a salute to the Vice president.
"Seriously dude, i just don't want to see you invest heavily emotionally on something that may not bear fruit" felix said as his face changed from playful to sober. "You're like my younger brother."
" Hey, I know you mean well, man" The vice president said as he patted Felix on the shoulder.
It was a few minutes to 2PM when Felix left. Just before the vice president’s secretary came back from lunch.
The vice president sat a little for a few more minutes on the couch deep in thought. There were many questions left unanswered — questions about the motives, about what Cole was up to — but for now, all he could do was wait, with the hope that Felix would bring some good news after the afternoon mission.