LOGAN'S REVENGE

CHAPTER 3

                   He arrived at the office and told Samantha to handle his meetings for the next few days. He took a few important documents with him and drove to the NGO to see Marie before he left. He didn't need to search for her. She was surrounded by teenagers in the living room. They were cutting different pieces of fabric. Marie excused herself from the group and came to meet him.
               “Good morning Logan. What brings you here so early? ” she asked.
            “I can see that preparations for the fashion show are in progress. I wanted to inform you that I'm going to dad's estate. Samantha will send someone to take your luggage to the house. I'll be gone for a few days. Mrs Pritchard will keep you company”
             “He doesn't come to see me like he used to. I miss him ” Marie said.
              “You know dad loves you very much. You have enough with the fashion show and the kids. I'll tell him you miss him ”
           Logan didn't tell his sister that their dad had slipped on the stairs a few weeks ago. But thankfully he had escaped with only a broken leg.
              “Logan you're hiding something from me. I've always had this feeling since we were kids that you're hiding something from me. Its not just you but dad too. There were times you and dad sent me to places I didn't want to go to. I'm not stupid Logan" Marie said and wiped her tears. She hadn't realised she was crying.
               Logan didn't like it whenever Marie was upset. His little sister had grown up. He hugged her and kissed her forehead.
             “I'm not hiding anything from you Marie. Its the other way around. Its you that's hiding something from me” He held her shoulders. “I know you Marie. Something serious must have happened that made you come back here. We'll talk more when I get back”
               He touched the scar on her neck that had almost ruined her life. She flinched and touched it too.
              “Its a good thing your hair covers it well.”
              “Yeah. I don't get embarrassed by it anymore. Tell dad I send him my hugs and kisses”
             He kissed her on the cheeks  and drove away. If he drove fast enough, he would get there before nightfall. He called his manager in Bluesky and gave him some instructions.

******************************
             Logan arrived at his father's estate much earlier than he had expected. His father had finally fixed the rocky road that led to the estate. He spoke to the security guards at the gate and they opened the gate. Hus father's estate was huge. It was more than 200 acres of land. It had been in their family for generations.
           The estate had a well stocked stable that bred the best horses. The  plantation was at the other side of the estate. The labourers lived here. They planted, sowed and sold the best strawberries and raspberries. They also sold wine. Their wine “Collingsworth” was one of the best. The harvest had been plentiful this year and his dad had given the labourers a raise.
           They were like family to him. That was one of the reasons his dad had had an early retirement. The labourers were loyal and loved his dad. He drove by the fountain and was met by his father's butler and best friend by the door. His father had had the mansion repainted last year for his birthday.
              He loved this estate. He had spent most of his life here. It smelt of beautiful flowers and fresh fruit. It was even more beautiful in the winter. He turned off the car and took the lunchbag.
          He hugged Henshaw when he alighted.
          “Master Logan. Its good to see you. Your father has been expecting you. He's having tea in the garden”
          “its good to be back Henshaw. There's some luggage in my car. Have the servants take it up to my room. They should prepare my bath. I've had a long ride”
            “No worries son. I'll do that and have Mary prepare your favorite”
            Mr Henshaw had been his father's butler and best friend since he was a little boy. He was in his mid fifties but he was very hardworking and efficient. His wife, Mary took care of the cooking and she supervised all the servants. Their twins,Richard and Robert were in charge of the plantation. They had all grown up together. His father ensured that they lacked nothing and in return they gave him his loyalty.

       Logan took the back entrance to the garden. The smell of roses filled his nostrils. This garden was different from the rest around the house. It was the only one in the mansion and his father planted and cared for everything in it. His father  smiled when he saw him.

           “Logan, you've finally arrived. Take a seat and have some jasmine tea”
            “How are you dad? I can see your foot is back to its old form”
           “I'm very healthy and full of life. I spend most of my time here. The garden has helped me greatly”
      Lucas looked at his son when he poured himself a glass of brandy instead of tea. He knew Logan hated tea.
         “You need the brandy son. What I'm about to show you will bring your nightmares back or reduce it. ” Lucas said and sipped his tea.