Tales Of Love

“I am right here,” Santiago declared. He looked expressionless and his eyes traveled around everyone seated. His cold stare makes everyone automatically silent, especially the antagonizing Ramon Axel. His presence radiates a chilling aura.

He took a few strides to where Aurora was seated, bent and kissed her briefly. He straightened himself, totally hiding the pain he felt when he bent. He took his seat and rested his eyes on his uncle.

Aurora was astonished. Santiago is out of coma already? He even flew back to Florence City. Until Santiago came to kiss, she felt she was hallucinating. Didn’t think Santiago was truly out of bed. She followed Santiago with her eyes and saw him sit down, then her eyes became teary.

Everyone present watched the lovey-dovey Santiago kissed his wife and went to sit down. For over sixty seconds, no one made any utterance. They looked from Aurora to Santiago and vice versa. They wondered at Aurora’s teary eyes which is in paradox to her broad smile.

Santiago locked eyes with Aurora once and winked at her. Almost immediately Santiago’s facial expression turned fierce. ” If you have anything to say, then speak, Mr Ramon Axel” Santiago declared.

Ramon least expected that Santiago was going to show up. He only wants to pull Aurora’s legs before the shareholders present but didn’t know he was already by the door when he asked. And of course he had nothing to say rather he looked away in contempt.

Having no objection whatsoever, Santiago Axel was left to remain the president of the Axel group and thus the meeting came to an end.

Everyone congratulated Santiago and soon only the Immediate family of Santiago remained. Ramon and his son had also stormed out leaving grandfather Axel, Palmer, Aurora and Santiago.

Before Palmer, could say or ask any question, she heard her son “Grandfather, mother, reserve it for a later discussion but now, I want to be alone with my wife”

In St Petersburg, when the Rowan’s got to know that Santiago was out of Coma, he and Mia had arrived in Florence City.

Luke Rowan and his wife were happy, feeling greatly relieved. Santiago was fine and had even traveled already. Now they can now think of talking sense into that fellow Eli and plead with Jasper Milo or Santiago himself to drop any charge they intend to raise against him .

Eli on the other hand, was almost going maniac. He still couldn’t find his wife Lisa. For heaven’s sake, she’s pregnant with their first child. He decided to turn to his elder brother Mile. He drove to the hospital to find him and went into his office.

Mile was writing a prescription when Eli arrived. He raised his head, seeing it was Eli , he ignored him and returned to his writing.

Eli saw that he was writing, he therefore waited for him to finish. But he didn’t sit, he was pacing back and forth, looking perplexed.

He should have been at the military base already, but applied for a sick leave. He may not be physically sick but he is emotionally sick. “I can’t find my wife Lisa” he blurted out as soon as he saw Mile stood up.

“Ok” Mile stated and walked across the desk towards the door. Eli was taken aback by Mile’s single syllable word. He seemed not to care or does he think he was simply joking? He can’t possibly be joking about something as important as Lisa sending him a signed divorce papers and next, disappeared into thin air.

Eli stood before the door with his hands spread, obviously blocking Mile’s path. The latter looked at him from his head to his toes before ordering “Get off my path!”

Ignoring his order, Eli asked “Did you even hear what I said earlier? I can’t find Lisa anywhere and she’s sent me a signed divorced papers!” Eli stuttered.

For the first time since he arrived at Mile’s office, the latter seemed to listen to him. Mile squinted and saw Eli’s worried expression. He looked perplexed, and felt he was being serious. Lisa left? Even leaving a divorce paper? That’s serious.

“I really do not concern myself with your present state of mind. I will only tell you one thing. If anything happens to Lisa and that unborn child. Not only Aurora but I will sever every relationship with you as well” Mile declared.

“I need you to help me find her. I couldn’t go to anyone, I couldn’t even inform dad and mum. Please Mile. I need to find Lisa, she’s carrying my baby for goodness sake” Eli pleaded and held Mile’s hands.

“There’s no way I can help you find her. I am not a security agent nor am I a private detective. You are a lieutenant, assign some military men under you to conduct a thorough search” Mile suggested and wrangled his hand free of Eli’s grip.

He’s looking so worked up because he couldn’t find his pregnant wife but can shoot someone else’s son, his own nephew. Why won’t Lisa find a place to hide away from him?

Eli explained that he had done that and for the past 24hours, nothing was found that can serve as a clue to her whereabouts. “Your cross Eli , you need to bear your own cross just as Aurora and Mia bore theirs” Mile declared.

Eli felt speechless.

He knew Mile’s indifference attitude towards him was because of what had happened. “Believe it or not, I didn’t shoot Santiago intentionally, I only wanted to scare Aurora with my pistol but….” He trailed off when Mile blurted “you pulled the trigger” Mile completed the statement.

“I am sorry bro” Eli apologized. “You were sorry in the past, you are sorry today. You will definitely still be sorry tomorrow. Are you a kid?” Mile demanded. The regular use of the word ‘sorry’ had made it lose its significance to soothe an offended person.

“Yes, I am a kid. To you, sister Mia, dad and mum. I will always remain a kid to you all. Please forgive this kid and plead with Aurora and sister Mia for me” Eli confessed.

Mile turned a white eye.

In the Axel group in Florence City, Santiago was still in the conference hall. Aurora was more than happy to see him. She went to him and kissed his forehead. “Santiago, you’re alive” Aurora was having a mixed feeling of excitement and tears.

“I am alive, my love. Thank you Aurora for standing by me “Santiago said and held Aurora by the hands. He’s not yet totally recovered and couldn’t stand any stress. He further asked Aurora where the kids are and the latter said they are with Millie Logan.

Santiago held Aurora’s hand and;Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.