Hidden Mask of a betrayed son-in-law

Chapter 7.

“What is wrong with him!” Maureen said casually as they watched Derek rush out of the office without a word. 

Everyone shot him a confused look, not because he walked out but because the energy he pulled while walking out was something extraordinary. 

“If he keeps disappearing like a ghost, it will be much easier to blame his incompetence and push him down from his position!” Maureen mumbled to Nicole, who smiled awkwardly. 

Nicole looked anxious, not sure of why Derek stormed out like that. He was not scared but he felt something was about to go wrong. 

Derek drove off blindly, dialed Jaden's number immediately. “I need you to watch Maureen, watch her from a distance. I'm going to see father, will be back by evening,” he concluded and ended the call, exhaling heavily. 

It was a long drive, he used a location map because this was him coming home after nineteen years of being in the hiding. His father had taken him away when he was just Eleven. 

“Finally!” He exhaled as he reached a giant iron black gate, surrounded by about five security personnel, he smiled casually. “It feels good to be home,” he muttered to himself and texted Maureen just for self clarity. 

“I will be back soon, family issues,” he wrote and clicked send. “That is if Nicole is not with her phone, she is such a careless blind woman. Let nothing happen to my baby, that's my major concern,” he hissed under his breath and stepped down from the car and walked towards the gate without being stopped, instead they bowed slightly to him. 

“What was that!” He exclaimed casually, as the gate ran some detector tests and opened on its own. He entered quietly, looking around the whole place but not recognizing a thing. He already met two security personnel at the entrance who bowed their heads in respect to him also. 

Nobody stopped him or asked questions. He wondered how they knew him. He caught sight of his father resting at the balcony of the building. He also saw three extra security personnel standing miles away from the balcony. 

“Dad!” He called out as he rushed towards him, kneeling down beside him. His father had aged so much since the last time he saw him. 

“I'm here father, but not fully back home,” he said calmly, still kneeling beside him. 

His father turned to look at him, “Derek!” He called out, touching him by his head down to his shoulders with a smile. Derek smiled too as he hugged him slightly. 

But something struck Derek, he found out his father's eyes were dull with movement. “Dad! Can you see me clearly?” he questioned bitterly, scared that what he feared might be true. 

His Dad Mr Lucas, was quiet for a while before he spoke up with a soft smile, “Yes Derek! I can see you maybe not clearly but I can!” He said gently, patting his shoulder. "No one knows though," his father added. 

Derek slumped on the floor, he had feared this day more than anything in his life. The day anything would happen to his father. Not because he can't protect himself but because he should be able to protect his Dad, the only surviving family that he had. 

“Dad! What happened to you?” Derek sat down on the floor, very close to his father's chair. Not minding his status or anyone watching. He just wanted to be close to his Dad. 

“Just tell me what happened without leaving anything unsaid,” he muttered bitterly, holding his father's hands. 

“Derek, my son! I don't want you to worry about what has happened. Just focus on what lies ahead of you,” his father said calmly, stretching his legs out. 

“Hey! You, come here!” He summoned one of the security personnel, who ran to answer him immediately. 

“How long have you been working here?” He asked him strictly. The young man looked at his father and then back to Derek. 

“Three years Sir,” he responded, bowing his face. 

“Derek!” His father called him softly. 

“Just let him go, I will explain everything to you,” his father uttered, coughing slightly. 

“Let's go inside, the walls have ears,” he muttered to him, as Derek rushed up to help him stand up. “I'm strong Derek,” he joked with a smile. They walked into the living room, passing so many securities along the hallway. 

“About three years ago, I hired a new cook. I didn't know he was a secret spy, I found out six months later that she had been using poison in my food. It didn't show immediately but gradually, my eyes and lungs were affected,” Mr Lucas explained in detail, leaving Derek shocked throughout the whole time. 

“Dad, you didn't even care to call me three years ago. I was already grown then, I could have been here to protect you not now you had gotten worse,” Derek said bitterly, his heart aching badly. 

“When she was caught, they came to fight. So involving you then was still a huge risk,” his father said sharply. 

“Dad, I promise you, I will bring them down one by one. They will suffer more, I'm sure they will be awaiting my return,” Derek said angrily, running his hands through his head. 

Derek's phone ranged and it was Maureen, he picked up and turned slightly from his father. 

“I'm going for a party, won't be home early so don't wait for me,” she threw nonchalantly and ended the call. Derek turned back to his father. 

“Your girlfriend?” His father asked curiously. 

“Uhm, My wife….. actually but we are getting divorced soon,” he stammered, scratching the back of his head. 

“Wife? You are married?” His father questioned surprisingly. He had never mentioned anything about Maureen to his father. It was only Jaden that knew he was married. 

“It's been four years actually, and she is pregnant. But we will divorce as soon as she gives birth,” Derek explained calmly with a sarcastic smirk. 

“Her family is a thorn in my flesh but they will be shocked soon,” Derek added, biting his lower lip. He didn't mention their name so his father didn't bother asking too. 

Derek's phone rang again, it was Jaden. He ignored it at first but then picked it up after continuous disturbances. 

“Maureen got hit!” 

Derek's jaw dropped as he stood up from his seat.