The Kidnapped Bride

"We gathered here to talk about the mission, not to fight, remember this!" Charles commented with his eyes burning with fury. 

Their heated arguments over the silly reasons were enough to make him boil in rage. 

At this point, the son-father duo eyed each other with deadly glares,  with no motive to step back. 

Witnessing  that the intensity level never died down, only made Charles ' frown get deeper and deeper with the time, "You both are acting like a seven years old kid!"

"Brother, that is his doing, not mine. I have done whatever I can to prove myself. In return,  all I'm asking is for Jennifer. Is this wrong?" Javier said, but no one had an answer.

Charles remained silent for a few minutes but then opened his mouth to say in a loud voice. "Javier… this isn't the time to discuss that. We all are in a difficult situation... None said you are wrong but this is important…"

His brother's words brought a fake chuckle out of Javier's lips. His head turned in his brother's direction, where a mocking started to trace his lips. The powerful glint passed by his eyes where he showed his displeasure.

"You are speaking his language brother.."

"I'm not trying to take anyone's side, Javier.." Charles immediately clarified the false accusation, only to add more, "All I wanted was to complete this without anything being compromised."

"So do I. I'm not denying to get ruby but….giving Jennifer back, does not have my approval." Javier slightly raised his voice which made Shawn's eyebrow hardened even more.

However, he did not interfere in this matter anymore. 

Rather, he kept his hands to support his chin to silently observe his son's actions, as his mind worked in some other direction.

Meanwhile, Javier passed Charles a meaningful glare, containing thousands of unsaid emotions of his. All he hoped was for Charles to understand that he isn't willing to let go of his wife at any cost, especially after having her after so much of his struggle.

But to his dismay, Charles shook his head, "Jennifer was kidnapped to get things done by Lucas. If we don't give Jennifer back, then do you think that he will give us the ruby?"

"But that is YOUR TASK! Plan something out yourself!!!" 

At last, Javier stood from his chair to stare at his brother with the furied eyes. The seriousness of the circumstances had increased to the next level where all he felt was the sense of hopelessness that covered his heart and mind. 

"I will leave this to you both."

"But remember, no one else but me will be able to execute this except me… think twice before making a rash decision.." 

With this, Javier turned around to glance at both of them for the last time, at least for the day before his legs moved towards the door. 

"Javier…" Charles muttered his name but it was of no use since Javier was already out of their study, shutting the door behind himself tightly. 

Just when he stepped out, He was ready to make his way back to his room. Unfortunately, his eyes fell on the ground beneath to find a scarf of a pink-reddish color, 'This….does not it belongs to Jennifer?' 

His heartfelt a sudden squeeze with the time. 'Only if this isn't…'

Bending on his knees, he sat on the floor to take the same into his hand. Staring at the scarf with his twisted eyes, just from the glance, he could recognize that it belonged to his wife. 

Why? He has seen her wearing the same tons of times since this is one of her favorites.

'But...what is this..doing ?' he wasn't sure either. A frown curved over his head, as some horrible possibility struck his mind, 'Don't' tell me...she heard everything… Was she here?' 

…..

At the same time, inside the cabin.

A tired sigh escaped Charles' face when he rubbed his temples. Closing his eyes, he kept his head on the couch behind him, to find no relaxation.

"Charles, you are thinking too much," Shawn said when he noted his son's uneasiness-filled actions. "Javier will not mind to that extent…" Shawn answered, sounding a bit distant and ineffective as well.

Hearing the same, a faint smile covered his lips to reply, "He won't mind? Dad, I think you don't your other son well then..'' Charles's taunt was enough to make Shawn's lips turn into a straight line.

There was no denying that Shawn Johnson and Javier Johnson never connected with each other, whether it is on the work front or personal level. It was always Charles, who acted as mediator between the two.

"He is acting as a mere hostage. She ain't worth his attention…" In Shawn's eyes, the lady wasn't even suited for his son even a bit.

For him, his business can flourish only if a girl like Emily, be his daughter-in-law, whose family can also extend their help in Javier's future, as well as Charles' one too.

"If he is stubborn, so are you who is determined to act according to your rules. Are you taking his feelings into consideration?" Charles asked, without opening his eyes.

In response to the same question, Shawn didn't mutter even a single word. However, his lips contained much power as compared to his wordings.

At this point, Charles opened his eyes to direct his gaze straight at his father who was lacking in words already. "What happened? Do you have something to say?"

"I..I.."

"Before pointing your finger at him, first ask yourself why he is so rebellious when it comes to you," Charles answered back with the total sharpness in his voice. 

His gaze never tired from his father's until he lifted himself to walk out of the cabin. Yet, his steps halted on hearing his father's meaningful question from behind.

"Do you think I'm a bad father, Charles?"

...

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