The Return Of Lee Young

CHAPTER 4

The sun is up, and its golden light kisses the earth. Lee had already woken up before the sun rose. He did his chore in the house, cooking breakfast for the Wales family. After he had set up the dining table, he hurried off to get dressed for his interview.

Cathrine was still asleep, her hair slightly rough. Lee smiled as her lips were partly opened. Her pretty face was all he needed to start his day.

He lurch his eyes to the mirror at the left, falling his brown hair backwards. He wore the best suit in his closet, adjusting his tie in front of the mirror. He sprayed cologne and smiled at his reflection.

“You look good.” Cathrine said, rising from the bed.

“Thanks. Good morning.”

“Good morning.” She chuckled, hugging him from behind. Her small face rested on his broad back, holding him tightly around her arms.

Cathrine freshened up before leaving the room with Lee. When they got to the living room, everyone was at the dining table, about to have breakfast. They all turned to see Catherine and Lee holding hands, which pissed them off.

“Do I have to beg you to sit for breakfast?” Lady Wales shot her eyes at Catherine.

Catherine nudges Lee to join for breakfast, but he declines.

“I'll be late for my interview.”

She walked up to her spot at the last end of the table. But Lee's seat opposite her was empty.

Lady Wales prayed before they could eat. It was the family's custom to pray and eat together, except Lee was not regarded as a member of the family. He stood there, watching them eat. He could not leave except Mrs Wales says so. Doing otherwise will get him banned out of the Wales mansion.

“I heard your job interview is today.” Lady Wales chewed her food as she spoke. “Why get dressed up in a suit just to collect garbage.”

They all burst into very loud laughter.

“I would mistake him for a CEO.” Bianca blurts out.

“I'm doing my best to save Mrs Adams. And since you're not willing to help, I don't think any of you should get yourselves involved with my job.”

Dev slammed the table, throwing off cutleries violently. “Why act so proud over a job you're not sure of getting? Get you ass out of here and go earn some fucking penny.”

“Enough.” Cathrine yelled. “Watch your mouth Dev.”

“Lee, I think you better leave now – You don't want to miss that interview.”

After he left the Wales mansion, he sped off, tires screeching as he pulled up at Westbridge Group – The big players in cars: sales, deliveries, taxis, you name it.

He parked his car at the end of the Westbridge parking lot. He got out of the car, about to enter the company when a loud screeching noise pulled his attention.

He looked back and saw a tall man in a charcoal suit and eyeglasses, emerging from his car with the help of a security guard dressed in black suit. Another security guard got off the driver's seat.

As he walked up closer in his shiny shoes, Lee got to see him clearly. Turns out it's Cole Smith. Lee wasn't sure why he was here, but he knows as much to avoid trouble.

He'd crossed paths with Cole once, when he tried to touch Catherine inappropriately at a bar where they went to celebrate his birthday. He tried to make a move on Catherine, but she rejected him. Even when she tried to stop him, Cole still pushed harder. Luckily, he was there to beat the crap out of him.

Lee ended up in jail for three days before Cathrine bailed him out. They've hated each other since then. This is the same Cole who Lady Wales wants to marry Catherine off to. He would rather die than live to see that happen.

As soon as Lee stepped into the Westbridge Group, he instantly lost all hope. Hundreds of applicants lounged around the waiting room, craving for their names to be called. They held their folders tight, desperate to get the job.

The possibility of him getting the job seemed thin, and his stomach sank at the thought. Maybe if he had woken up earlier, or if he hadn't wasted time with the Wales drama, his chance of getting the job could've been higher.

How long would he have to wait for this crowd to get interviewed before it gets to his turn? How would he raise a million dollars if he blew this?

Everything went blurry for a moment, he could not think straight and his heart paced just at the thought of losing Grace. He would not forgive himself if anything happens to her. She's the only person he's ever had before Cathrine came into his life. How would he be able to live if she's not in his life?

Amidst all the thought that ran through his head, he tried hard to remain hopeful.

“Mr Lee Young, come in.” A voice from the speaker called out.

But no one stood up. The applicants threw glances at themselves and a murmur followed.

“Is there anyone by the name Lee Young?” The voice called out again.

Lee jerked up from his seat. “I'm Lee Young.” He raised his hand nervously. A young lady approached, and he followed her to the Manager's office.

“Was he deaf?” Someone from the crowd asked.

“He thinks he can just walk in and overstep us! I won't let that happen.” A man in his early fifties walked up towards Lee and the young lady.

“What's going on? We've all been here before 7am, and this young man thinks he can just walk in before us? That's not going to happen.!” He yelled and some people from the crowd joined him.

“Is this how people are treated here? So unfair.” A woman yelled from the crowd.

“Please step back.” The young lady said politely. “You all have to calm down.”

“No, that's not happening.” They disagreed, blocking Lee and the young lady from passing.

“Security.” She called out and three huge men in uniforms walked in, clearing the path for Lee and the lady accompanying him to pass. They kicked out those who tried to cause a commotion. And those who tried to fight back were beaten to a pulp.

Lee believed he was dreaming, cause who'd have thought he would be interviewed and protected?” The door to the Manager's office opened, and a cold looking man glared at Lee from his head to his suit and then to his shoes. A smug look of displeasure appeared on his face.

“Seat,” he orders, typing something on his computer.

“What's your reason for applying at this company?” He asked.

Lee stared at him anxiously. “Because I believe my experience in the field will benefit your company.”

“Your resume.” The manager stretched his hand forward.

Lee searched for it in his bag, but there were too many files that got mix-up.

“Stop wasting my time.” He growled at Lee, which got him scared for a moment.

“I'm sorry sir. Here,” he handed the file to him.

The manager checked his resume and noticed he has a clean driving record and his driver's license is up-to-date. He nodded his head slightly.

“We have open spaces for the driver's position, you get to decide which you'll do.” He slid a document to Lee.

As he went through the documents carefully, he finally made a choice.

“This,” He pointed out.

“As a private courier driver, you're expected to transport clients and packages that require discretion.” The manager explained.

“You'll be given a route that should be followed exactly.”

“I understand.” Lee said.

The manager slid a set of keys towards Lee. “Your job starts in an hour. Check your phone, I just sent you the location of an airport where you'll meet a client, his information is included too.”

Lee took the keys, staring at them in daze. “Thank you so much sir.”

“Don't thank me, I didn't give you the job.”

“Then who did?” Lee asked curiously. He knew someone at the upper hand must've helped.

“You don't need to know, unless you don't want the job.”

“N– no.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Sorry for being intrusive.”

“We'll discuss your payment after today's run. If you do well, you stay.”

By late morning, Lee was behind the wheel of a black sedan. The interior smelled clean and expensive.

Lee arrived at the airport 10 min before the scheduled time. He quickly ordered a cup of hot coffee and a burger with french fries.

Lee walked out of the car, lounging on a nearby chair. Ten minutes ticked by but there was no sign of the client. His phone buzzed in his pocket and the Manager's name showed up on the screen.

“Where the hell are you?” He shouted at the top of his lungs.

“I'm at the airport sir, but the client is yet to arrive. Is there a problem sir?” Lee asked calmly

“What is this loser ranting?” He asked himself, loud enough to Lee's hearing. “What airport are you?”

“Sky international airport sir.”

“Is your brain loaded with shit?”

Lee checked the address on his phone again and noticed it's Ski international airport. It looked very similar.

“I'm sorry for the mix-up sir.” Lee apologized with a trace of fear in his voice. “I'll drive off now, it's just a few kilom…”

The manager hangs off abruptly at his end.

Lee dashed to the car, speeding off. He had barely finished his meal before the call came in. His hand trembled around his wheel, scared of getting fired. The pay is quite high, and he can't afford to lose it. The hospital had called earlier, updating him on Mrs Adams' condition. It was getting worse, and she needed surgery to survive the next day.

He tried to steady himself but his entire body wiggled. His breath fastened and he could barely breathe. He stopped the car for a while to catch his breath. The road was clear, so it seemed safe to have a break.

A big truck approached Lee, but he didn't see it coming. When the sound of horn from the truck drew closer, Lee raised his head while struggling to kick start the car but it was already too late. The black sedan was thrown aside, crushing the car beyond recognition.

The truck driver didn't stop to check on him, he sped off rather.

Lee went unconscious, bleeding heavily.