Abel Scott, Back from the Dead.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Taxi, Taxi” Abel Scott waved. An old blue cab slowed to a stop. The driver rolled the window down

“Where are you headed, sir?”

“Take me to the Auburn apartments,” He said quietly, sliding into the back of the car. 

His chest was heavy, the vibe corporation building, the cold receptionist, the mocking laughter in the interview room, the smirk on Lisa’s face as she said “Well, well, look who crawled out”

It all clogged his mind like a spider web that cannot be shaken off. 

He shut the taxi door muffling the noise of the city. For a moment, there was tranquility and a faint smell of gasoline. 

He leaned his head against the glass, staring blankly at the buildings rushing by. The voice in his head was louder than the horns outside. 

“Well, well, look who crawled out of the shadows” The words Lisa Lawrence struck deep pain into his heart.

“What was Lisa doing on the interview panel?” 

“The vandels have not even purchased the company yet.”

“She has the effrontery to show her face again after what she did to Sarah?”

She enjoyed belittling him and Sarah every chance she got. 

“She is going to pay,” Abel Scott muttered. He clenched his fist and then loosened it. 

 The driver looked at him curiously through the car mirror. Abel Scott closed his eyes steadying his breathing. 

The taxi jerked into traffic, snapping Abel out of his thoughts

Then, there was silence. 

Buzz, Buzz

Abel Scott's phone rang out. 

“Hello, Mr Jackson” 

“How did the interview go, sir?” Mr Jackson asked.

 “It was a humiliating experience “ Abel Scott sighed bitterly. 

“Can you believe that I came across Alex Vandel today?” 

“What!? Did he recognise you?” Mr Jackson probed, fear lacing his voice. 

“No, he thought I had died.” Abel Scott responded. 

“Mr Jackson, we are buying the parent company of the vibe. And Westbridge today. Set up a meeting and make it happen.” Abel Scott ordered.

“Alright, lord abel,” Mr Jackson said. “But this wasn't part of the plan.” Mr Jackson added.  

“It is now,” Abel Scott said, firmly. “It has become our first step to shrinking the influence of lord Ammon Vandel.” 

The driver turned his steering wheel to the left and came to a stop in front of the apartment building. Abel Scott paid him and alighted from the taxi.

“Keep the change.” He said flatly.

“Home sweet Home” He said to himself as he walked towards the front door. Before he could reach for the handle, the door opened. It was Sarah standing smiling. 

“You are back!” she said excitedly, then her voice lowered, “How was the interview?” 

Abel Scott hesitated. He was still tense and tired from all the sulking and pain welled up inside him. He did not want to tell her after everything she had endured these past months. 

But her eyes refused to let go until she received the right answer.

Abel exhaled slowly, "Sarah, your cousin, Lisa was in the panel today.” 

Sarah froze. “Lisa?” her hands tightened on the door handle. “Lisa?” she said, this time her voice barely above a whisper, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

“Yes.” Abel Scott's voice was low and rough.

“How did she get up there?”

Abel exhaled sharply. “It's a long story.” He said this to avoid going into details about the Vandels and raise questions he was not ready to give answers to yet. 

“She humiliated me in front of everyone. She made sure that they all saw me as nothing.” He lowered his gaze. “Just like when your grandma asked us to leave the mansion”

Sarah grips the hands of Abel Scott, her voice is soft but still trembling. “ I am sorry. Abel. I'm so sorry for Lisa's behavior. She carries our name but doesn't represent the legacy of the family. I'm so sorry you have to go through all that. Don't let her words wound you.”

Abel shook his head, he lifted up his eyes and held her on her chin. “No Sarah, you must not carry their blame. They are nothing like you. You are a good woman”

“They don't define and they will not break me” Abel Scott added.

His words made her tremble, “ I that you have to suffer because of me” she said, leaning her forehead on his chest. “If only I wasn't…”

“Stop.” Abel Scott cut her off. His voice was firm but kind. “What she did, is what she will keep doing. It is in her nature. And that is on her and not on you. One thing is sure, Sarah, Lisa, Bianca, all of them, will pay for the humiliation and wounds they have caused.”

She lifted up her eyes and whispered, “just don't let hate consume you, dear. I have seen how hate can eat a person up. Don't let it swallow you”

Abel Scott brushed his fingers across her cheek, “hate can't consume me, Sarah, but you see justice, it drives till the end.”

“So, how was the meeting with Mr. Schmidt?” Abel Scott asked. 

“It was fine.” Sarah said, disappointment lacing her voice. 

“You finally got to meet him?” Abel asked. 

She shook her head, pressing her lips together. “No, he had a last-minute appointment out of the country. Apparently, he flew out this morning.”

Abel Scott frowned, “What? After all the practice, he just vanishes at the dying minute?” 

“He did not vanish,” Sarah said, almost laughing. “He sent a representative to fill me in.” 

As Abel Scott eased into the couch, Sarah’s phone chimed on the table beside her. She picked up.

“What is it? Abel Scott asked, noticing her brows knitting together she read. 

Sarah looked up slowly.” It's from Mr Schmidt's office, they want me to be at Aston Hills tomorrow morning.” 

“Aston Hills?” Abel Scott adjusted himself, “That's two cities from here.”

“Why do they need their new CEO there?” Abel Scott asked. 

“Mr. Schmidt wants me to go on behalf of the company and spearhead a big acquisition. It is supposed to be significant” she replied. 

“That's huge, babe.” Abel Scott said, happily. 

Sarah's phone buzzed again, this time ringing loudly. She froze looking at the screen.

“What is that, Sarah? Who's calling?” Abel Scott asked

Sarah turned the phone screen towards Abel Scott. His jaw tightened as he read the name of the caller of the screen. It was Lisa Lawrence.