The Mysterious Chairman Keith

Chapter 26

I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING 

Manuel hesitated, surprised someone would come knocking at his door at that kind of odd hour.

“Boss?” a voice called quietly. “Are you still awake?”

It was Tomas, one of the night workers from the outer fields.

Manuel opened the door. Tomas stood there, holding a folded ledger to his chest, his eyes wide with apology.

“I’m sorry,” Tomas said quickly. “I wouldn’t disturb you but, the irrigation lines on the west end… they fixed themselves.”

Manuel blinked. “Fixed themselves?”

Tomas nodded. “Collapsed for weeks. Tonight, the blockage just… cleared. Water started flowing like nothing ever happened.”

Something crept back into Manuel’s chest.

“Did anyone touch it?” Manuel asked.

“No,” Tomas replied. “That’s why I came. It didn’t make sense.”

Manuel thanked him and closed the door gently.

He leaned back against it, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts running wild.

Wait! Did he do it?! Did his cultivation fix the lapses?!

First, it was his energy flow, then the bottleneck gone and now, it was blockages clearing.

It looked like it was following a pattern, but he couldn't just place it.

He returned to the center of the room, sat back down, slower this time.

“Who are you?” he whispered inwardly and looked as though expecting answers from his empty room.

In no time, he fell asleep while still sitting on the floor. 

****

The next day, Manuel woke up on the floor, feeling pains all over his body, even though he slept well. 

He yawned and went to the bathroom.

Someone knocked at the door all of a sudden. 

“When should we serve your food sir?” One of the maids asked, her voice tiny. 

“I will have breakfast by 10:00am.” Manuel replied and took his towel, he wrapped it around his waist and walked straight to the bathroom to have his shower. 

Then, he noticed that Laura hadn't come that morning. He didn't know why her thoughts came to his head, so he decided to call her when he was done bathing. 

In no time, he was done bathing and he dressed up, ready to leave the house.

He walked over to the window, holding his phone in his hand, he dialed Laura's number and waited for it to connect. 

“Sir…?” 

Her voice rang out from the other end of the phone.

“Come over,” he said into the phone.

There was a brief pause on the other end. “Is something wrong?” Laura asked.

“No,” Manuel replied after a second. “I just… need you here.”

There was a pause from Laura's end and then she replied. “I’ll be there soon.”

He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.  

He stood still in the mirror, looking at his reflection. Ever since his visit to the hospital, he has been feeling lighter than ever, everything has been moving smoothly and he couldn't help but think about the changes that have happened to him.

He heard the sound of a car outside and he peeped and saw Laura step out from the car through the window. 

“Did Laura step out?!” He thought, looking at her through the window.

Minutes later, Laura stepped inside.

She looked tired, but composed, as always. Her hair was pulled back neatly, her posture straight. 

Still, the moment their eyes met, something shifted in the air between them. Subtle. A spark that neither of them acknowledged.

“I came as fast as I could,” Laura said.

Manuel nodded. “You can change if you want. We’ll be heading out soon.”

She hesitated. “Alright.”

She turned and walked down the hallway toward the room she’d been using lately. Manuel watched her go for a second before forcing himself to look away.

Focus, he told himself.

He waited for a while, but Laura was taking a long time to come out. 

He put both his arms in his pocket and paced his room, trying to wait for her.

He looked at his watch and then he frowned.

He picked his phone and placed it in his pocket and then he went over to the room Laura entered. 

He raised his hand to knock, but he paused midway.

“Laura?” Manuel called, pushing the door open.

What happened next unfolded too fast.

Laura had just stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped loosely around her. 

The fabric slipped. She gasped, losing her balance as she nearly fell forward.

Manuel reacted without thinking.

He was across the room in an instant, catching her by the arms, steadying her before she could hit the floor. 

At the same time, he turned his head sharply away and lifted one hand, covering his eyes completely.

“I didn’t see anything,” he said quickly. “I swear!!” 

Laura froze, her mouth wide open.

Her face burned with embarrassment as she clutched the towel to herself. Her heart pounded so loud in her chest.

Manuel quickly steadied her and then he turned sideways, a bit confused on what to do. 

How did this happen all of a sudden?! He thought as he turned his back to her. 

“I… I’m fine,” she said, flustered.

Manuel stepped back immediately, still not looking. “I’ll wait outside.”

He left the room and closed the door behind him, exhaling slowly once he was alone in the hallway.

Get it together, he scolded himself.

Laura on the other hand scolded himself for being too reckless. 

But, what was he doing in my room?! She thought, stamping her foot on the floor as she walked to her wardrobe.

A few minutes later, she emerged, fully dressed. Her face was calm again, but there was a faint pink tint to her cheeks she couldn’t quite hide.

“Sorry,” she said quietly.

“It’s fine,” Manuel replied, his tone neutral. “Let’s go.”

The ride to the hospital was quiet, neither of them spoke to each other while in the car.

At the hospital, Christopher was already waiting as usual, as if he always knew when Manuel would arrive. 

He greeted them with a nod and a faint smile.

“You’re right on time,” Christopher said. “Tea?”