Johnny's nightmare

Chapter 1: Johnny's Nightmare

Mr. Johnny George Kennedy closed his apartment door quietly. He felt tired after a long day. He went to the bar in his apartment and sat down, pouring himself a glass of wine. As he sat there, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He turned to see his wife carrying their child on her shoulders. She gestured for him to come back to bed, but he waved her off.

Annoyed, he ordered her sharply, "Go upstairs."

His wife shook her head defiantly. In a fit of rage, he slapped her, causing the child to slip from her shoulders. In his fury, he pulled out a gun from his pocket and fired, hitting her. He laughed maniacally, then knelt down and struck his wife again. Suddenly, he woke up with a start to find his brother Tony shaking him awake.

Johnny sat up in bed, trembling. Tony asked anxiously, "Are you alright?"

"It was a horrible nightmare," Johnny replied bitterly.

"Was it the same one again?" Tony inquired.

"Yes," Johnny sighed.

"You should see Dr. Max," Tony suggested concernedly.

Johnny shook his head stubbornly. "No, it's impossible."

Just then, the maid entered the room with a tray of sandwiches and tea. Tony glanced at her curiously while Johnny's face brightened momentarily before he hurried off to the bathroom.

An hour later, Johnny left his villa. His driver was impatiently talking on the phone but noticed Johnny approaching with Tony. He threw his cigarette on the ground and quickly put it out with his shoe.

The driver opened the car door, and Johnny got in. They drove slowly down Fifth Avenue in silence until Tony spoke up.

"Do you remember Henri Michel, the driver?" Tony asked quietly.

"Yes, I heard he left the company a few months ago," Johnny replied thoughtfully.

"He was killed today while trying to escape from the police," Tony revealed somberly. "I read about it in the newspaper. He was in a car loaded with drugs that fell from a bridge."

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "How shameful."

Soon, they arrived at the company's door. Johnny and Tony got out of the car and entered the building. Secretary Katie greeted them and reminded Johnny cheerfully.

"Don't forget, Mr. Johnny, the theater's opening ceremony is today."

Johnny nodded and glanced at his reflection in the elevator mirror. His brown hair was starting to show streaks of white, but he still carried an air of youthful charm despite nearing fifty.

On the seventh floor, Johnny stepped out of the elevator with Katie, while Tony waited for the doors to close before heading upstairs. Johnny made his way to his office, meticulously examining the important documents laid out on his desk. The bright sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting a warm glow over the photograph of his wife, Christine. He paused, lost in thought, and tenderly picked up the picture from his desk, pressing a kiss to it.

A tear rolled down his cheek, a poignant reminder of the anguish and emptiness he felt since Christine and their infant daughter, Amy, had been taken from him. Composing himself, he hastily wiped away the traces of his tears with a tissue and replaced the photograph on his desk just as Katie entered to deliver a message.

"Mr. Bush, a representative from James Company, would like to meet with you," Katie announced.

Johnny nodded, allowing Mr. Bush to enter. The young man sat across from him, a blend of gentleness and seriousness in his demeanor.