Watching the man as he scanned the room like he were some surveying officer, Charles wondered why Rodrigo Ordinaz would send a man who reeked of danger to his house that too when Isabella was there. Then, after that thought, he pondered on what the reason for the sudden drop by could be.

According to the letter, he was meant to contact Rodrigo. Or was it the other way round? Charles pocketed his free hand as his eyes squinted as he tried to recall what the contents of the earlier sent letter was.


"Like I said..." The man's voice cut through the silence. "Mr. Ordinaz has sent me here." He had his seat on the black couch closest to the huge polished wooden door which was part of a four set couch which were arranged in a u-shaped way.

"What is this message he wants to send?" Charles asked, he and Isabella finding their own seat adjacent to the man.

The man wore a big smirk as he leaned forward, his elbows against his thighs, giving him a more threatening posture. "He is glad his son has finally gotten a wife. He is also glad you are taking him serious."


Charles scoffed, his thumb running over his lower lip as if it would do a great job of taming the emotions he was feeling immensely at that moment. "Why is he being so mysterious?" The man shrugged. "Listen, tell Ordinaz to shove his games up wherever. If he can't face me or give me a way to meet him directly, he should forget it."

The dark haired man sat up. "But-"


"It is just absurd that someone who has never been part of my life would want to be so controlling." Charles furiously threw his hands in the air as a form of gesticulation. "I might have been crazy from the start, but right now... I just want to live a peaceful life."

He could feel Isabella's eyes watching him gently. He wondered what was on her mind. Their somewhat unwanted visitor cleared his throat before saying, "I will still like to deliver his message though." Giving an annoyed sigh at first, Charles motioned to him to get on with it.

"Well..." The man adjusted in his seat. "Mr. Ordinaz is truthfully also yearning to meet the only son he is yet to see. But he has changed his mind concerning the inheritance."

"Like I told you, I have no interest in his wealth," Charles said snappily receiving a tap on his arm from Isabella who told him with her eyes to keep calm.

"And he doesn't intend to give it to you anymore. He wants a grandchild from you. That grandchild will inherit the-"

"Tell Rodrigo Ordinaz that I don't have time for these games. And who does he think he is to dictate when to have my child?" Charles abruptly got up, his eyes finally wearing the anger he had been keeping in. "If he doesn't decide on time, the arrangements for us to meet, he should forget he has another son out there."

A curt nod from the tall man and he got up. "I will convey your message Charles Oxford. But..." He locked eyes with the man who was so close to seething. "My boss is not a man who gives up easily."

"Well, I don't give up easily either. If he fails to cease acting like he can control my life, he'll see how much of a crazy person I can be. Then..." Charles's eyes narrowed with menace. "He'll regret ever deciding to find me."

"Very well then."

After the door closed after Ordinaz's messenger, Isabella got up, placed her hand on his flexing biceps and asked, "Did you mean that Charles?"

He sighed. "I did some thinking before we came down here. I don't know why I didn't see it earlier, but that man is trying to play games with me. And I won't let him go any further. Not now that I have found you." He affectionately cupped her cheeks. "I don't want to put you through another drama all thanks to my father."

"But he is your father Charles, your real father."

"Bella, forget about it." His thumbs caressed her face as his eyes looked worried. "Why do you look so pale though? Sit down for a minute."

"Charles..." Isabella started after she had heaved a crazily heavy sigh while he helped her to the couch. "There is something I should tell you. I should have said this a long time ago but-" His phone's ring tone cut through her words and she gave a short nod at the man as he excused himself to take the call.

Few seconds later, his back was no longer facing her and as Charles put his phone into his pocket, he faced her and said, "That was Augustus. He just informed me that Ben Idoh is looking for you."

"Wh-why?"

Charles squatted in front of her and began to play with her hair while he said, "Because he is now back to being in debt."

~

"Isn't it funny how this hotel keeps hosting us and the people around us?" Isabella noted as her and Charles walked down the hall hand in hand towards the room where Augustus had informed them Ben Idoh was residing for the main time.

"Hmm," Charles gave a low grunt to her earlier observation, his face wearing a serious look. "Bella?"

"Yes Charles?"

"Is this the right thing to do?"

"I'll like to believe it is," she replied, letting her hand out of his hold so she could hug the jacket she had on closer.

Before they had both embarked on hours journey back to the States, Isabella's mind became plaqued by the things she heard from Charles and a part of her wanted to spit in Ben Idoh's face and another part wanted to hear him out then spit in his face. Charles did not hesitate to show his displeasure at her idea but she swayed him with the determined look on her face.

So, after a few calls to Augustus who provided them with adequate information about the man , they boarded the next flight to New York.

"Bella, I am no longer bothered that you want to see this man. I am worried you are going to let him go easily. He should pay for what he has done," said Charles who looked at her with a hardened look.

"Is having to pay the debts he tried to evade not an enough punishment?"

"That man murdered your father," Charles firmly pronounced, his hand pointing ahead of him like an accuser of a witch from the old days.

"We don't have evidence Charles. This is the best I can do to get some truth."

"And do you think he will confess?"

"He will have to." They stopped their tracks and stood in right in front of their destination. "I will make him," Isabella said with determination in her voice.

"Alright then." He gave her a quick kiss before hugging her to his chest. His arms wrapped securely around her, he said, "I'll be out here in case anything happens."

"Thank you so much Charles." She never really could stop thanking him.

"Stop with the gratitude woman," he released her and gave her another kiss. This one lasting a bit longer. "Good luck in there."

"Thanks I need it." With that, she pushed the double doors of the room open and Ben Idoh who seemed to be staring at the entrance for his own reason had his face lighting with surprise.

"Isabella you are here," said the man a bit too excitedly. "I have been trying to reach you."

"You are being too excited Uncle Ben." Her voice carried some kind of menace. And as she closed the door behind her, she said, "You shouldn't be, because I am not here to play."