Reprisal

Chapter 13 : Doomed

"I should be going now. It's 10 already."

Christopher said to Foxen only as Isabel had excused to use the restroom moments ago. Aiden was also, shockingly, at home and was seated with them in the hall. Throughout the dessert, he behaved civilly with Christopher which the later surmised was a result of Foxen's surely given lecture but he was not stupid to actually believe Aiden was friendly now.

He casually touched his pant pocket and realized his phone was not there.

"I think I have left my phone in Isabel's room-"

"And here it is." - Isabel said, descending the stairs and flaunting his phone in her hand. "When I entered my room, it was ringing as well but by the time I reached it, the call ended."

Christopher felt his heart taking a dip. She stopped before him and he took his phone from her. "Oh. Who was it ?" - he asked with a casual smile while his insides were messing up over the possibility of her having seen the caller id.

"Dunno. I didn't check." - she replied, shrugging.

His phone rang again in his hands. Isabel's eyes automatically went to the screen and he sighed inwardly of relief as it was someone else and not Margarette.

"My friend. Excuse me..." - he said and received the call by moving a few steps aside.

It was actually Lucas on the other end who was not his friend but an informer who provided him with valuable information that could be related to the Wilders in any way.

"You were right Chris. The project Aiden has been given by Foxen is a facade." - Lucas began in a quiet tone but he need not worry as Christopher always kept his calling volume at the lowest. "He is actually trafficking drugs and exporting abroad. Been doing it for a couple of years now. AND, the most interesting fact is that Foxen has no idea about it."

Christopher's face morphed into a satisfied smirk, his gaze subtly going to Aiden. His mind raced faster than the bullet train and thrill went through his body at the different possible ways he would do the damage to Foxen Wilder with that information.

"But I can't come at the moment. It's already past 10." - he said, making his tone apologetic.

"Are you at Wilder Mansion ?" - Lucas asked, understanding at once.

"Yeah. Why don't we... make it tomorrow ?" - Christopher said, smiling at Isabel who was giving him her complete attention.

"See you tomorrow then." - Lucas said.

"Superb. See you then." - Christopher said and ended the call.

"Everything alright, son ?" - Foxen asked.

Christopher's insides burned. Whenever Foxen addressed him as 'son', he felt like being stabbed straight to his heart. With utmost difficulty, he forced a convincing smile on his face.

"Absolutely. Some university friends just got to know that I'm getting married so they are planning on a hangout." - he lied smoothly.

Isabel's eyes widened. "Oh it reminded me, my friends were insisting to throw me a bachelor's party but I refused. Now they're keen on a barbeque night coming Saturday. Would you accompany me ?" - she asked, biting her lip.

He paused. Next Saturday... meant their wedding eve.

"They have insisted to bring me along or you want me to go with you ?" - he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She smiled. "If they had not asked to bring you along then I simply had refused to go because I want your company."

Christopher was at a loss of words once again. She didn't care Foxen and Aiden were present there. Or maybe she forgot they were even there ? Her eyes looked at him like he was alone before her, around her and in the whole wide world.