Enticing Disaster

Chapter 18 - Andrew

The truck pulls up in front of the house. Richard opens the back pulling boxes out one by one. He stares across the road and then back at me, shaking his head.

My heart pounds. In order for this to work, we need Emma's father to stop by the street.

Gabby hugs Richard before straightening her clothes. She looks like she belongs to a rich family but then once again, so does Richard.

Gabby's best friend, Ronald is here as well. He's dressed like he's a successful businessman even though I told him not to prepare that much in advance.

Gabby and Ronald have known each other since they were in high school and it's crazy to think they still know each other.

Richard coughs loudly, forcing me to look in his direction. He signals me and as I look across the street, Emma and her father are walking by.

I pull myself behind to door to not get caught because the minute he sees me, this whole plan goes in the bin.

I don't know what Emma did to convince her had to take a stroll with her to Watermill Road but I imagine it wasn't easy.

I go upstairs and stare down through the window, at a spot I'm sure he can't notice me from. Richard and the rest including Emma have microphones boxes attached to their clothes so I can hear everything. Richard, Gabby and Ronald all have ear pieces in the ears in case I need to pass them information.

"What's going on?" Emma's father says.

"I don't know. I think they're moving in," Emma replies.

I notice her father rub his hands together in excitement and walk over to Ronald and Gabby.

I'm about to burst out laughing because Ronald kisses Gabby in the mouth and the expression on her faces says it all. She plays along well though because she smiles and rubs his arm.

"You must be new here," Emma's father says. "I'm the head of the council for Williams Square."

"Ahh so delighted to meet you," Gabby says as she shakes his hand. "We've just moved in."

"We barely get any new people into this town. It's good to see a fresh face."

"Well my husband has successfully ran his business overseas and locally that he thought he'd bring it to Williams Square," Gabby says in confidence.

That captures her father's attention. "My name's Roger. If you need any help including how to start your business here in Williams Square then I'm your man," he says handing Ronald his business card.

Richard takes this as his cue to step forward and introduce himself. "Hello, my name's Richard."

Roger shakes his hand. "How old are you, son?"

"Twenty four," Richard replies.

I can see the wheels spinning in Roger's mind, in fact I think we can all see it. He pulls Emma forward. "This is my lovely daughter, Emma."

Everyone fake introduces each other because they all know Emma. I can notice the interest sparking in Roger's mind.

"How successful have you been in business?" Roger asks.

"Well," Ronald says. "I hate to brag but I've opened a total of twelve companies here locally and over sixty five internationally."

"Have you heard of Phantom Co?" Richard says.

Roger's mouth opens in shock because he has heard of it. Everyone and all their families have heard of it. The thing is Phantom Co had originally started in Algard by Gabby's husband. He was then able to make it successful and take it internationally. Prior to that Gabby had a cafe and used to work there. She stopped for a while and travelled with her husband abroad but when he died, she came back to Algard and continued to run the cafe. Phantom Co still runs and she's extremely rich but never shows it. People assume everyone from such a small town are bound to be failures.

"Of course I have," Roger replies after he controls his shocked appearance.

"My parents own it," Richard says pointing at Gabby and Ronald.

"Well it's our honour to have you here. I have heard so much about you, in fact I have even dreamt of doing business with Phantom Co," Roger says.

I notice Emma stifle a laughter as she notices her father sucking up to them.

Richard turns and grabs a box before walking inside. He steps out a second later to grab another box.

"You should join us for dinner tomorrow," Gabby instructs.

"We'd love that," Roger says. "Isn't that right, Emma."

Emma nods. "Of course."

Gabby and Ronald turn back to grabbing more boxes from the truck and moving it inside. A cue for Roger and Emma to leave.

"They seem like lovely people," Roger says.

Emma nods before disappearing from my view. "They certainly do."

"And their son, Richard seems like a good bloke."

"Of course. Much more polite than most of the boys in this town."

"And to think the owners of Phantom Co are in our town. Imagine all the possibilities."

I pull the ear piece out of my ear and head downstairs. Richard high fives me as Gabby pulls me into a hug. "You were right. The dude really loves his money," Richard says. "He was almost ready to hand Emma to me without word."

I nod as the truck driver drives the boxes away. The house is already set because Emma had designed it. The boxes and truck were merely to draw Roger's attention that someone new was moving into town.

Gabby smiles. "This was fun."

I laugh when Ronald laughs and then Richard and Gabby joins in. This is just the start.