The Mysterious Chairman Keith

Chapter 28

SOMETHING NEW

Laura turned away under the pretense of checking her phone. 

As she did, she felt Christopher’s gaze on her and couldn't tell what exactly it meant.

She turned and caught him watching her from across the ward. He didn’t look away immediately. Instead, he smiled at her as though expecting her to reciprocate, but she just stared at him.

A moment later, Christopher came to sit beside her.

“Is everything alright? You look a bit distant.” he said, his fingers entwined while he stared at the wall.

“Yes,” Laura replied quickly. “Just tired.”

“You should have something to eat or drink, it'll help you relax…” Christopher offered, quickly standing to go get it, but she rejected it. 

“No please…” she said, calmly.

He didn't argue with her, he just sat back down, not even staring at her.

Later, Manuel stepped out of the ward to go speak briefly with a doctor, and Christopher found a more perfect opportunity to stick with Laura.

“You’ve been staring,” she said in a calm tone. “I hope it’s not a habit.”

Christopher chuckled. “Observation is part of my nature.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“It wasn’t meant to unsettle you,” he said gently. “You’re… interesting.”

Laura’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s vague.”

“So is life,” Christopher replied smoothly, looking straight at her face.

She watched him for a while, not knowing what to say, but finally found the right words. “You talk around things.”

“And you notice,” he said. “Impressive.”

Before she could respond, Christopher extended a cup toward her. “Tea?”

Laura shook her head immediately. “No, thank you.”

“It helps,” he said, still holding it out.

“I’m fine.”

Christopher looked at her more intently. “Just a sip.”

Manuel returned at that moment. “We’re leaving.”

Christopher withdrew his hand calmly. “Of course.”

Laura exhaled quietly in relief as they walked away.

Christopher watched them go, his fist clenched by his sides, but he quickly let go.

Manuel got home in no time and went directly towards his room, but Laura called his attention.

“Ain’t you having dinner, Nuel?!” Laura asked, standing behind him. 

Manuel turned to face her, “I don't feel hungry..” 

Laura paused, “but you haven't had anything since..” 

Manuel walked closer to her, “I'm okay.. you shouldn't worry.” 

Manuel walked over to the door and closed it behind him, before Laura could say anything else.

The first thing Manuel noticed when he got inside his room was the silence inside his own body.

He lifted his hands slowly, fingers curling into fists and then he exhaled, shutting his eyes tightly.

A force shot out from within him creating a dark mark on the wall and then, he opened his eyes in awe. 

The dark hole, he has been meaning to get to that level since, now, he was able to hit it effortlessly.

The dark hole was said to be another level of power and only a few people mastered it and it takes so many years to get to such level.

Now, his senses were on another level and he had better control of his body.

Each movement felt smoother. His internal energy flowed without resistance, circulating cleanly through channels that used to ache under pressure.

Manuel closed his eyes again and centered himself and power answered.

He could control his power now without even lifting a finger, just with his thoughts.

He smiled, he wanted to test his movement ability now, to see how much he could do.

He moved, faster than even, with his footwork precise. He leapt, twisted midair, and landed without sound. He increased the pace, chaining techniques together until the room blurred, still he controlled it well.

Finally, he stopped because he wanted to test something else.

His limits.

He braced himself, gathered energy deep in his core, and pushed harder than he ever had. The kind of push that used to leave him shaking before.

Instead, something inside him unfolded.

His hearing stretched outward, catching distant sounds from beyond the hall. 

Manuel staggered back a bit and took a deep breath.

“What the hell…” he murmured.

This wasn’t just improvement. This was a leap!

Later, when he finally left the room, Laura was already waiting in the kitchen.

“You’re early,” Laura said lightly, though trying to tease him.

Manuel eyed the cup that looked like the one Christopher always used to serve him tea.

“Did you get that from Christopher?” Manuel asked.

Laura chuckled, “get what?”

“The cup.”

Laura turned and saw the cup sitting on the table, “it has always been there..” 

Manuel nodded, but he went to where the cup was and picked it up. 

“What's inside?!” He asked Laura who was standing with her arms folded over her chest. 

“It's tea…but…”

Manuel didn't let her finish before gulping everything down. 

Laura looked at him, surprised at the way he acted.

“You were saying ?!” Manuel asked, after cleaning his mouth. 

“Nothing..” she said, a smirk spreading across her face.

He emptied the little drop that was in the cup in his mouth.

“This tastes… stronger.”

Laura watched him closely. “And?”

Manuel searched for himself. His core responded instantly.

“No discomfort,” he admitted, looking directly at Laura who chuckled.

“I'll be in my room in case you need me..” Laura said, turning to leave. 

Manuel lifted his hands, as though in surrender, shaking his head. 

“No, no… not doing that again with you.” He said, turning his gaze away. 

Laura laughed, “is that what you're thinking?!” 

“Wait! You ain't embarrassed by that?!” He asked, drawing closer to her.

She shook her head, though turning her gaze away as though shy. 

“You're shy now?!” Manuel asked, taking her hands in his. 

She looked at him and smiled, “no one ever holds me that way and goes scot free. You're the first.” 

Manuel laughed, “you should have dinner with me, I think we have a lot of things in common…” 

“Really?!” Laura asked, staring straight at him. 

He nodded, letting her hand go.

“I'll be waiting,” he said and walked away, stealing glances at her. 

Laura smiled and nodded.