Chapter 292 - Two Hundred And Ninety-two: A Thorn In His Side
The third point of view
Today was the D-day when Adam finally gets to pay for his sins. Eden knew many things could go wrong, but he had to be brave. There was no success without sacrifice; he would do the right thing if push comes to shove.
Taking one last look at himself in the mirror, he was set to go. Anabelle wouldn't be coming to the party, he wasn't giving the devil any chance - That is why he's going straight from his headquarters.
"Alright, I'll be down soon," He replied his secretary through the intercom. He was just informed that his chauffeur has arrived with the car.
Eden was dressed handsomely in a black tuxedo suit, the whole of his hair slicked back with gel. He exited his office and entered the elevator which took him down to the lobby. He went through the revolving doors and saw his chauffeur wave at him, he gave a mere nod as response and was about to walk over to him when his phone rang.
Eden looked down, it was a call from Niklaus so he picked at once.
"Hello?"
"Where are you?" Niklaus asked to his surprise.
"On my way," was his curt reply.
"You should be careful. We don't know what that man has in mind," was he worried about him? Eden couldn't believe his ears, Niklaus was going soft.
"I can't believe you're so concerned about me? You never told me you liked me this much" he teased Niklaus on purpose.
"Nope, I just don't want Anabelle to become fatherless nor my responsibility, knowing she'd be mine to train if you pass away miserable - I have enough kids on my hands already," Niklaus replied
"Sure, I'll be careful," He added, " My new lover,"
"Fuck you, get out of my phone," Niklaus ended the call at once.
Eden laughed to himself, he wouldn't mind teasing him like this if their relationship continues this way. He had just slid back the phone into his pocket and took a forward step when his car exploded, the blast throwing him back to the ground.
Eden groaned, aching all over. He managed to lift his head to see his burning car, there was no need to hope for the survival of his chauffeur; the man was gone. The explosion drew the attention of people at the arena, gasping and pointing in horror.
Adam.
It had to be him, no, it was him. No other person could have planned this and that means he knew about their plan. Niklaus was in danger. He had to inform him.
"Call the ambulance!" he heard someone shout.
No, he had to call Niklaus first, tell him of the impending danger. But Eden couldn't even lift his finger, he was feeling pains everywhere. Though he narrowly escaped the explosion, he undeniably suffered some burn injuries from the heat of the blast.
However, an ambulance suddenly arrived at the scene and paramedics rushed out to treat him. He was placed onto a stretcher before he could even understand what was going on and moved into the vehicle.
"Wait a minute," He said weakly, "I need to call someone," He said to both men who closed the doors and hit the body of the car as a signal for the driver to take off.
"I need to call... " He moaned, unable to reach for his phone since his hands were restricted.
"I'm sorry," One of them said to him with a crooked smile, "But you wouldn't be calling anybody,"
"W-what?" he couldn't believe what he just heard until the sleazy smile on the man's face deepened.
Uh no, Eden's eyes widened. This wasn't paramedics but men sent to finish the job if the bomb planted in his car didn't succeed.
"No, no, no, don't...." But Eden couldn't struggle out of this one as he was injected on the neck with a sleeping drug.
They underestimated Adam.
***********************
Niklaus stared at his wristwatch for the umpteenth time already, Eden still wasn't here. He was nervous. Heck! he was about to assassinate his evil father, who wouldn't be nervous? With Eden around to support him, he would have the motivation to go on with this plan of theirs.
It had been hard for Reina to let him attend this party, she was extremely worried for his safety and he couldn't blame her for that, Niklaus was sure his father would never spare him if he gets an idea of this coup d'etat.
"Niklaus?"
He heard someone call him and turned around to see...
"Emily?"
Niklaus hugged her at once. He was shocked to see his sister here. It has been quite a long time since he last saw her and he had been too busy to call.
"You're back from your trip," He pulled away, regarding her.
"Kind of. I'm just here to resolve some issues that include breaking up with my husband,"
And just like that, he spent the next minutes or so chatting with Emily. Niklaus discovered his sister had so many more problems than he thought and how negligent he had been to her.
"Don't worry, I will take the test and see if I'm eligible for the marrow transfer,"
"Don't worry, I've found a donor already. Akim should have the surgery once I'm back,"
"I'm so sorry. I got absorbed in my problems to realize you too needed my help," He said sincerely.
"No, it's okay. You have your life to live and I have mine. I can't keep depending on you for everything, Niklaus. Moreover, father contributed to all this problem because of his quest for power and you wouldn't be able to understand how much I hate him right now - no offense," she spoke with so much bitterness.
Though it wouldn't justify what he was about to do, Niklaus was somewhat relieved by her sister's comment. He had been wondering how he was going to look his sister in the eye after murdering their father, turns out she cared less.
"Then why are you here if you can't stand the sight of him?" he asked.
Emily looked him straight in the eye,
"I'm just here to say goodbye, Niklaus. I can't stay in this family anymore knowing I would see his face every day and get reminded of everything he did to make my life miserable,"
"Do whatever makes you happy but you should know that I would never let you get hurt again, I'll finally do what's right, "He clasped her face and pulled her closer, hugging her once more.
"I pray you find a man that loves you, sister, " He hoped.
"Oh, I did,"
Niklaus pulled back, surprised, "You did, already?"
"Let's just say luck shined on me again but don't worry, you'd know soon anyway,"
Niklaus pursed his lips thoughtfully, he just hoped this new guy was reliable else he'd send him to an early grave - without her knowledge of course.
"I'm sorry Emily, but I have something to take care of so I might need to take my leave,"
"Of course, no problem," she didn't stop him.
"See you later," Niklaus excused himself.
He walked past the room of schmoozing guests to reach the entrance.
"Has Eden made his appearance," he asked the security in charge of letting the guest in.
"No sir, he hadn't been seen yet," was his reply.
Strange, Niklaus mused.
"Thanks for your time," he patted the man on his shoulder and went back to the party.
Niklaus scrutinized the guests around, wondering if Eden had sneaked in unnoticed. However, when he came up with nothing, left for the garden to make a call since it was noisy inside.
"Hello, you have reached Eden. The reason I haven't picked up is because you have been rejected. Thank you," Niklaus was treated to Eden's ridiculous voicemail.
"Seriously, pick up, you son of a biscuit," Niklaus yelled into the phone, "Ugh!" this wasn't some sort of prank, right?
After a while of transferring his aggression on the phone, Niklaus decided to make use of his brain. Could it be that something happened to Eden? It wasn't entirely impossible.
Adam was an extremely smart man, had he somehow figured out their plan tonight. It was unlike Eden not to pick up his calls on such an important day unless someone got to him first.
Uh no, Niklaus' expression changed. His life was in danger and so was Eden, hence the reason for his absence. He had to leave now.
"Jesus Christ!" Niklaus almost suffered a heart attack when he turned around to see his father.
"Why do you look scared, son? Did you see a ghost," Adam asked expressionlessly.
Niklaus swallowed, he was treading on dangerous ground here and had to be very, very, careful, "You just popped out of nowhere, why shouldn't I be scared?"
"If you say so then," Adam a step took forward.
Niklaus was hyperactively aware of that move.
"Why aren't you at the party with your fellow merry folks," the man inquired.
"I came to call someone," Niklaus lifted his phone as evidence.
"You mean Eden?"
Boom!
At the mention of that name, Niklaus lifted his gaze slowly to meet his father's.
"You shouldn't bother, he's at a comfortable place,"
Niklaus was about to lunge at Adam, but he was restrained from behind by some men that came out from their hiding place. He had intended to capture his father and use him as a hostage to escape here but Adam saw through him. After all, he was the one who taught him that strategy - every wicked move he ever knew.
"Let go of me, you bastards! " He strived to be free but the men overpowered him.
"Since you have decided to be a thorn in my side amid my effort to give you a better future, I have no choice but to get rid of you - before you get rid of me," Adam disclosed.
"No, don't you dare," Niklaus warned the man bringing the drugged fabric to his face but his threats were useless.
The handkerchief was pressed against his nose and though he held his breath, his body couldn't function for long without oxygen, so he gave in and lost to the darkness.