Chapter Three

A sleek black limousine idles on the tarmac, its lone passenger patiently waiting for an important call. His hand-tailored suit is impeccably ironed, his cravat unrumpled. An air of confidence fills his smooth features despite the visible toll of old age. Marcel Woods is classically handsome. His green eyes land on the cordless phone settled beside him as it rings three times.

He picks it up. “Yes?”

“It’s been a very long time, my friend.” The voice sounds distant, the rich Southern accent echoing through the receiver.

“I presume you have the news?” Marcel has no time to bandy civilities. The future of Helterground Corporations is at stake here and he isn’t about to lose it.

“The board of directors wants an assurance that Helterground is still in proper hands. The media is clamoring, feasting on our children’s improper public behavior. I think it is time we make a proper move, Marcel.”

“Do you think they are ready?” Marcel’s voice taints with doubt. The recent events haven’t been favorable, and they have contributed a lot to the growing controversy threatening to crumple his years of work to make Helterground the number one company in the world.

“We’ll have to force them into this, I fear. We have no choice.”

“But can we trust them to succeed? They are both miscreants. They won’t listen to us.”

“We have the long-established tradition, my friend. They are destined to their fates. They can never run away from their responsibilities. They are born into this.”

Marcel involuntarily sighs. Destiny, huh? It has played its role for cycles, forcing people to meet, leading them to their future. “I guess we’ll just have to put our faith in the stars.”

“Indeed.” The line goes dead. Marcel waits to get his bearings before getting out of the limousine. What he’s about to do is the least righteous yet he is compelled to see it in action. He knows he’s a coward to step out of the problem and let others do his work instead, but what choice does he have under the circumstances? He could not bear to see his company be destroyed by some ingenious council who wants Helterground Corporations for themselves. His ways may be cruel in nature, but he’s ready to take all responsibility for it.

Forgive me, Felicity, but it is time.