The Return Of General Antonio

Chapter 009

Antonio noticed the sudden change in her expression as she held her phone to her ear, the warmth on her face just drained instantly.

He watched her closely and took a step closer, his voice calm but firm. “Meghan?”

She stood still, her hand dropped to her side, phone still clenched in her palm like she intended to break it.

“I have to go,” she said, barely above a whisper.

Antonio's confusion increased, he moved beside her. “What’s going on?”

She turned away, trying to compose herself, she feels Antonio has gone through alot since his return and her personal family issue shouldn’t add to it. “It's…. nothing serious, just some minor things to sort, i’ll call you later”

She forced a smile. The kind that obviously hurt more than tears.

Antonio knows better not to stop her, he knows she is hiding something but he wanted her to walk away, pretend she had it under control, and he will surely come to her aid when she doesn't expect.

As she left Radisson, Antonio was quick to put a call through to Benjamin at Techcity base; he needed every bit of information to make sure his beloved was safe.

After running through a quick check, he get back to Antonio: “ she is heading home sir, nothing is strange” Benjamin assured.

But he wasn’t convinced enough, the look he saw in her eyes earlier was worrisome. With that he decided to pay her a visit.

He hasn’t visited Meghan or let her visit him, though he is busy trying to fulfill the mission of dealing with the entities that destroy his family. He still thinks he should have made more time for Meghan because she is as important as everything else.

A girl that cares for his family while he is away without expecting anything in return, she deserves it all.

It's been thirty minutes since she left and now he tried to reach her, not going through. He decided to go to her house.

Antonio has a weird history with Meghan, since high school days, he noticed how she cares about him, but he was too focused on Jennifer.

Not realizing Meghan interest was genuine and Jennifer was just using him as a play thing because he was brilliant and a standout in school, both academics and sport.

Now that Jennifer has shwon her true colour, he won't hesitate to deal with her, especially confirming that she is involved with his family downfall. He promised himself not to spare her.

His earbuds sparks to life, it was important message from techcity : “General, we observed a recurring back and forth movement from Miss Meghan for the past 10 minutes, we don't know the details , just thought we should inform you”

Antonio now more tensed than ever: “ i’m on my way to her just keep track” he then request the Taxi driver to hurry.

The Techcity control room are getting Meghan live location feed and movement from the bracelet on her risk, it was a gift from Antonio. He did that just to keep her safe in his attempt to counter any potential attack on her in the future.

He didnt include sound in the device just for her privacy, it was just a location tracker and only activate it when he suspect there is an issue, just like the one right now.

He got to Louise family house, it was an estate in a serene location at central Kingstonian’

Antonio remembers high school days, he had thought Meghan was one of the privileged kids only to discover later that she was an orphan that was adopted by Mr and Mrs Louise, then he understood why she got bullied alongside people like in him.

But now he is changing it all.

Rewriting history.

And just as ever, the security guards were quick to attack him, always shallow minded individuals.

One of them yelled :“Hey brat, this is the wrong time to roam around here, Mr Louise ain’t in a good mood”

Antonio was not in the mood for quarelling, he just need to confirm Meghan is okay, he try talking nice to them while he texted and dialled Meghan number.

Meghan comes out and dismisses the securities. But the look on her face was telling Antonio he shouldn’t be there. She grab his hand and try to march with him to a safe distance , but a loud voice from behind alter their steps.

“You never told me you are interviewing a new security or is it gardener” Mrs loiuse said, disgust evident in her eyes.

Antonio stood there confused, he thought Meghan's adopted mother will remember him because they have met once in the past when she visited the high school. Made him wonder if he has really changed so much in physique and physical appearance.

Meghan was firm in hitting back, she says “he isn’t a security. He is someone dear to me”

Mrs Louise isn’t interested in any of her gibberish talk, she has a wedding to plan. “This isn’t the time for your jokes, there is less than 45 hours to prepare for the wedding, this is a big moment for the family, she paused and shoot her a deadly glare. “We have taken you in since you were little and brought you up to become like this, how dare you hesitate to obey our words?”

Antonio was taken aback by her words, he knew something was wrong with Meghan expression back Radisson but never believe it can be this.

Meghan who is still frustrated and not ready to accept her foster parent decision to marry her off, yelled: “i’m never agreeing to arranged marriage, that is not inline with my intended career”

Mrs Louise face turn red, boiling in anger. She takes a fast and calculated stride towards Meghan.

Smack! Smack! Her palm cracked across Meghan's cheek in quick succession. “That is for talking back at me”

Meghan wailed in pain

Antonio clenched his fist, hurting his love one in his presence triggered some adrenaline like he is at war, and right here, he could do and undo. But he keep his cool, because not only that Mrs Louise is an elderly but because she is still like a Mother to Meghan even if not related by blood, he respect that little bond.

But she is trying to not respect herself, Marrying her adopted daughter off against her wish isn’t a good thing to do, and now that he knows Meghan is not interested in this, it will be easy for him to break her free and deal with her foster parents if they prove stubborn.

Antonio move closer to Meghan and hold her tight, and start a bold statement: “with a due respect ma, she isn’t interested in your arrange marriage and i’m afraid you will have to respect that”

Mrs loiuse burst into laughter, its been a while someone try hard enough to make her laugh, she sigh and cursed : “how dare a wretch like you speak to me in that manner!?, is it because i haven’t question how you got in. get out while i’m still being merciful or you regret being a nobody”

Antonio who had already texted Benjamin at techcity to quickly look into the situation, cuts in: “the one who will regret is you and your husband if you don't put an end to this now”

“You have taken care of her till this moment, which is commendable and you can take all credit for that or anything you want, you name it. But perish the idea of marrying her off” he concluded.

“And what if i do!?” a rock solid and domineering voice yell from behind.