Chapter 5 Face To Face With The Enemy I

FACE TO FACE WITH THE ENEMY POV GABE As I entered the restaurant, everyone came towards me. All they did was lick the ground I walked on. And there was only one thing I hated more in life than Ernest Abertton: peoplesycophantic. I went straight to the second floor, where I had reserved the entire space for the family dinner; Ernest's, of course. Because I didn't have or want anything to do with what some people called family, which for me was nothing more than people who had the same blood and were looking for emotional ties because they were weak and incapable of living without needing anyone. As soon as I reached the table, I saw Ernest Abertton materialize in front of me for the first time. I took a deep breath and tried to keep my sanity, even though I wanted to beat him to death. I didn't need to pretend to myself that I'd never had the chance to him breakin half and have separated and the body parts sent to different parts of the planet. However, for a decade I planned that revenge, the aim of which was to make him suffer until he ended his own life because he couldn't take it anymore. And without haste and with tranquility I waited until I found his weakness, which was Olivia, the bastard daughter. I looked at his wife, Rose Abertton, a beautiful blonde with long hair with lighter strands at the ends, slightly wavy due to a hairstyle she must have paid a lot for, even if she couldn't afford it. Her blue eyes were vivid and her thin nose was upturned, just like her personality. She was the kind of person who didn't have a penny, but pretended to be a millionaire, even though she was broke. The girl with the long, brown hair full must have been Isabelle Abertton, the youngest, aged 13. She was skinny and wore lipstick that shone brighter than an expensive diamond. She was wrapped in a tight dress that showed off her childish body, as if it were for sale. I hadn't done much research on Rita Abertton, the eldest. All I knew was that she was a brunette with brown eyes and a normal body who was an aspiring model. She was supposed to fuck everyone in exchange for jobs. There was nothing that caught my eye. - Your family is not complete, Mr. Abertton. - It was the only thing I said when I saw him with his hand outstretched towards me, standing up straight. - Yes, it is! - It was his wife who answered. I looked at her with disdain, making it clear that to me she was as insignificant as my stepdaughter. Olivia was the chayote and Rose was the leaf, in other words, more worthless than the chayote itself. - Olivia, my middle daughter, is missing. But she... - He started to explain himself and I stopped him by raising my hand. As soon as I made the move, one of the restaurant staff was already at my side. - I want a private place so I can talk to Mr. Abertton alone. - I made that clear. - Yes, Mr. Clifford. The man left and Ernest asked, with narrowed eyes, completely confused: - But your secretary said you'd like it to be a family dinner. - It was," I laughed mockingly. "But you're not even good for that, since you only brought part of your family. - The family is complete - the chayote leaf intruded again - Olivia is not part of the family. I couldn't help looking at her. Why did that woman think I would speak to her? - The room is ready, Mr. Clifford. - The waiter said. - Come along, Abertton. - I spoke without looking back, sure that he would accompany me. We were put in a totally private setting, with a view of the city through the large glass window. I didn't particularly like that place, which charged a lot and the food wasn't of such good quality. Their chef hadn't even been abroad, so his menu wasn't good enough for my taste. - Good evening, Mr. Clifford. - He said as he sat down in front of me, his eyes so wide they looked like toys. - Why isn't Olivia Abertton at this dinner? He hesitated for a moment before answering: - Olivia is my daughter... Out of wedlock. - And she doesn't live in your house? - Yes, she does, but... I looked at my Rolex. My time was too precious and I didn't want to waste it with the man I hated most in the world. So I got straight to the point, avoiding the explanations that Ernest would give and that I didn't care about. - I know your company is going bankrupt. He swallowed: - I... I don't think it's a business secret, Mr. Clifford. - It wouldn't be my business if you went bankrupt... As long as you didn't owe me. - I... I didn't take out any kind of loan with Clifford. - He narrowed his eyes, confused. - No, you didn't. But you took out bank loans. And you gave everything as collateral... Just not the family, because nobody asked. - I didn't hold back a smile when I saw the look of astonishment and helplessness on his face. - But... It still has nothing to do with Clifford. - Even with the air-conditioned room at room temperature, I noticed the droplets of sweat on his forehead and felt like laughing. Yes, after more than ten years I felt like laughing for the first time. And I never imagined that the man who made me cry for the first and last time would also be able to make me laugh again, even if that momentary joy was the reason for his failure. - Actually, it is. I bought the bank. Which makes your debts mine. Ernest pursed his lips, trying to understand. But I don't need to explain to him that I bought the bank so that the debt would be mine. That would be handing him part of what I had prepared for him with so much dedication over the last ten years. - I... I don't understand what you're getting at, Mr. Clifford. - I'll come straight to the point, Mr. Abertton: I want your daughter, Olivia, to marry my brother, Jorel. Ernest's lips twitched again and one eyebrow rose questioningly. He tried to say something, but his voice seemed to betray him and wouldn't come out. - His debts are overdue. And the house is about to be taken over by the bank. - I explained. - I... I put the company up for sale - he claimed - The highway concession could be given in the name of the debt. - No! I'll take your house, I'll confiscate your property you'll ,have to give it to the dealership. You still won't pay off your debts to the bank. - The interest rates... It's too high. - Frankly, I don't care. You signed the contract. - I don't understand why Olivia is in this conversation. - I want my brother to get married. It's time he made a commitment. It's as simple as that. - Jorel Clifford... He's a very famous man in the national media... - Yes... - I smiled. - For bad things. - He swallowed. - Um, is your daughter a princess porcelain by any chance? - For me she is. - I see... That's probably why you stayed at home while the whole family was here! - I smiled, not holding back - These family and parental ties make me long for this! - I sighed - You could come back in two lifetimes and you still wouldn't pay your debt to me, Abertton. - Your brother is not a good match for anyone. - You're not in a position to choose. - Jorel Clifford is a drunk addicted to gambling and women. Here's something I didn't know: that Jorel gambled. But what time did I have to read gossip? My life was too busy to babysit Jorel. - As far as I know, Olivia was born from his relationship with one of these women of dubious origin. - You have no right to talk to me like that.