NEXAGEN TECHNOLOGIES  Lucas and Jamie were already making moves on how to pull Manuel down. “You’re late.” Someone said behind a tinted glass door as Jamie and Lucas approached the big building of the Nexagen technologies. They looked, trying to get where the voice was coming from and then Lucas noticed the tinted glass in front of them and guessed the sound should be from there. Jamie stiffened instinctively. Lucas didn’t. He adjusted the cuff of his tailored suit and replied evenly, “We’re right on time.” They had booked an appointment with the Nightingale's only rival and the CEO of Nexagen technologies, Tommy Lyden. The glass door opened on its own accord when they stepped on the monitor. As it opened, it revealed the interior of the company, it w

FIRST ENCOUNTER “Dad?!!”Jamie called his father, who was already walking away.He didn't even spare him a glance or try to hear him out anymore, he only wanted his word to stand and that was final. “Father!” Jamie called again, louder now, but Lucas kept walking as though he wasn't hearing him. Lucas walked faster so he could meet up with him, but soon people started flooding his path and didn't even regard him. He stood and waited for them to clear from his path before moving again.When he looked, he saw Lucas almost close to the car and he saw how the people he met on his way bowed to him and then he knew, he has really lost everything.The car that brought them was waiting outside, the driver ready to take them back anytime they wanted. Immediately, Lucas approached, the car door was still locked. The driver was supposed to open it before he got there, but the driver's mind was absent and didn't know when they got there. “Why's the door locked still?!” Lucas asked, raising

WHAT IS THIS TEA?  “How's my father doing?!” Manuel asked over the phone.  He was on call with Christopher, who happened to be there, taking care of his father.  “You might want to see him…” Christopher chuckled over the phone.  Manuel nodded and dropped the phone, his gaze on the wall for a moment.  Then, he stood up at once and motioned to the door. “Get the car ready. We're heading to the hospital now.”  Laura nodded and at once, she sent the driver to make sure the car was ready and spotless.  When Manuel got outside, he saw how neat and ready the car was and a smirk spread out across his lips.  Never has he thought in his life that a day he'd be giving commands would come. It was something he never drea

SLIGHTLY NOTICEABLE Manuel and Laura exchanged glances and then, he nodded.Christopher smiled to himself and walked over to the flask on the table as usual.He prepared it as usual and then he served it in a cup and then gave it to him.“Here you go…” Christopher said, handing him the tea. Manuel took it from him and he gulped it down.He lifted his face, as though absorbing the air around him. He felt this ease he hasn't felt in a long time. Again, his tea was doing wonders and he couldn't help but wonder how Christopher prepares his tea to be so soothing. “I'll leave you now. I'll be outside if you need me.” Christopher said and stepped outside.Laura watched him closely as he shut the door behind him.“You feel different,” she said later, as they stood beside Dave’s bed.Manuel glanced at her. “Different how?”“Stronger,” she said after a moment. “Your aura… it’s clearer.”Manuel frowned slightly but said nothing.The next day, he returned and even the day after that.Each tim

A LIGHT GESTURE  “Ladies are not always fast with things…” Manuel said, already sitting at the dining table, waiting.  A maid walked over to him, “you have a date, sir?”  Though, she immediately bent her head over after saying it.  Manuel wasn't surprised at her reaction, the servants always treated him like a very big figure, even though he was.  “Uhm, not really, it's just dinner…” he said finally after thinking it through.  He didn't know if he should call dinner with Laura a date yet. To him, that was too far.  The maid nodded and smiled at her, while walking away with her head still bent over.  Manuel stood and looked over the hallway and there was no sign of Laura yet. He tapped his foot gently. “