Chapter 02: No love lost between them

Meanwhile, a hundred and ninety-four kilometres away in the town of Siavonga, thirty-year-old Frank Rogers who lay fast asleep on the hospital bed was awakened by the presence of a shadow looming over him. When he opened his eyes, he locked eyes with a pair of cold and unfriendly molten brown eyes belonging to his grandfather, Enrique Ngwevu, dressed in black. 

Frank's first instinct as he pulled himself to a sitting position, was to look around the room for anything he could use to defend himself with. Pain, as sharp as a thousand needle pricks shot up from every possible body part. The effort he put into pulling himself up so soon after surgery left him breathless and sweaty. 

'Old man, what are you doing here?' 

'I see you survived.'

'You must be very disappointed.'

Enrique Ngwevu's lips curled into a reptilian-like a snarl as he cast a hateful look at his mixed-race grandson. He moved to the edge of the bed, picked up the medical chart and flipped through it.' You are a lucky bastard; you were never supposed to survive that.'

'Sorry to disappoint you. Since you have already proved with your own eyes that am still alive, shouldn't you be in your secret evil lair scheming with your minions? If I were you, I would make sure that I succeed next time. Who knows, it might be your last strike.'

Enrique looked up and threw his least favourite grandson a smile. If someone had walked in at that moment, they would have thought that it was an affectionate moment between a grandfather and his grandchild who had nearly died. But looks can be deceiving. 

Even though the tall, wrinkly faced and white-haired man appeared fragile, polite and innocent; it was all a veneer that masked his dark, ruthless and callous nature and Frank knew that all too well. To the outside world, he was a dependable, strong and loving man who they had put on a pedal stall. But to his own family, he was a terror; mean and incapable of showing any affection. 

Around Enrique, one could only let down their guard at their peril. 

'Be careful what you wish for a son, you just might get your wish,' he replied, his mouth spreading into a wide smile, showcasing all his pearly whites.

'You can keep trying, but you will keep failing each time. Try hiring smart baffoons next time hmmm?'

'Is that a challenge son?'

'Get out,' Frank replied too tired to continue playing his games.

Enrique walked back to his side, hands thrust in the pockets of his trousers. 'You're surviving the accident upset my plans but it doesn't matter, I will still go ahead and do as I should, had you died."

Frank raised a pair of his bushy brows at him. He couldn't help but scoff," And what would that be? Dance on my grave?"

Enrique didn't immediately reply. He stepped closer to the bed his eyes levelled on the bedridden and much-hated grandchild. "Tomorrow, I am going to have the board appoint Dylan as the new president. If you are up to it-' he broke off to mockingly assess his swollen and bandaged body.' You are welcome to join the meeting.'

Enrique's utter disregard for his left Frank lost for words. He glared at the cunning old man as unbridled rage washed over him. 

'Is that it? I nearly lost my life for a stupid seat? Do you hate me that much that you will let that idiot run the company? We both know that he will sink the company and ruin us all.'

'That's a chance am willing to take.'

Frank had taken over the seat as the company president almost ten years ago after a car accident which had left Enrique incapable of handling company affairs. At that time, he had only been twenty and still at UNI. It was later discovered that his only favourite grandchild, Dylan, who was a compulsive gambler had tempered with the vehicle. With Enrique's death, he was set to inherit millions.

In the four months that Dylan had taken over management of the company, it had almost gone belly up. Had Frank not stepped in; they would have lost everything. But did he get any thanks for his efforts and sacrifices? No. They thanked him by scheming, criticizing his every move and attempting to end his life. Frank had lost count of the number of times his grandfather had attempted to take his life. 

Frank was convinced the reason the old man had pushed himself beyond his limits to get better was so he could oust him out of his seat.

'You will leave to regret this old man. I am warning you, you are making the biggest mistake of your life.'

Enrique leaned closer to his ear.' My greatest mistake in life was letting you live. You have been nothing but a thorn in my flesh since you were born. I hope after tomorrows meeting, not only will I get you the hell out of my company, but out of our lives too.'

'Don't worry the feeling is mutual, now get the hell out of my room,' Frank replied in a cold, dispassionate tone of voice.

Having achieved his objective, the arrogant patriarch of the Ngwevu family turned to walk away; a triumphant smirk on his face. At the door, he ran into a tall, dark-skinned man with a friendly face clad in a pinstripe slim fit suit with a briefcase in his hands.

'Grandfather,' Wayne Mumba greeted him. 

Enrique grunted something under his breath that could be likened to a reply. Enrique has never been a fan of the young hotel heir because of his association with Frank who he considered as trash.

'Finally, a familiar face. I needed you here like five minutes ago.'

'Did you two fight again?' asked the twenty-nine-year-old cooperate lawyer. 

'What else do we do when we are in the same room?'

'I take it that you already know about the board meeting tomorrow?'

'That old fool is crazy. He is going to drive us all to bankruptcy all because of his stupid hatred for me.'

'You have nothing to worry about. The board knows what a great job you have done over the past years.'

'Yeah, but you forget that half of the board is family while the other half lack integrity and loyalty.'

'What will you do then?'

'I am tired of these Tom and Jerry games, if he wants the company that bad, let him have it.'

'Sure? The company is where it is today because of you.'

Frank looked at his elevated, broken leg set in a cast.' But it is not worth my life.'

'Alright, then I will go back to the office and get the paperwork ready.'

'You do realize that once am out, you will be the next to follow right?'

'Don't worry about me. Right now you are my primary concern. By the way, I already have a police report. Do you want to see it?'

At his nod, Wayne reached in his briefcase and handed him an envelope. Frank skimmed through it then closed it after a while, fuming.

'Drunk? I wasn't drunk! Those bastards drugged me and drove the car off the cliff.'

'You know the Commissioner of police is friends with your grandfather. There is no doubt someone was paid to doctor the report.'

'He's gone too far.'

Wayne informed him the private PI was already on the case and that he had brought the best security to guard him till he left the hospital.