It was morning, and Hank was fully recovered, and had gone back to his busy and solitary lifestyle. He sat by the window in his room, reading the daily newspaper as usual.
Suddenly, his phone rang and it was Daniel. ''Yes, Daniel. What is it?'' Hank answered with a cold voice.
Daniel's bubbly voice came from the other end of the line. ''Hey H. Why do you always sound as if we are going for a third world war? Can't I call and check on my favorite cousin?''
Hank was not in the mood for bickering with Daniel that morning. ''D, if you don't tell me why you called me this early in the morning, I will drop this call. Don't you have a company to run? You should either be preparing to go to your office now or you should be on your way.''
Daniel gave a long sigh and said, ''H, please, I will need your input and advice on the Gilmore deal. I will be dropping by your office at noon. I know you don't have plans at that time because of your same old boring routine.'' Daniel knew Hank's daily routine at the back of his head.
Hank couldn't help but frown his face. ''And what do you mean by the same old boring routine? I guess you don't need my help after all. Go find help somewhere else.'' Hank snorted.
Daniel and Hank were like two little boys. Always at each other's necks, but were inseparable.
Daniel became a lot more serious and said, ''Hey H. That was a joke, okay? By the way, I have something else to discuss with you. I will tell you all about it when I come to your office later.'' He quickly said goodbye and ended the call.
Hank was a little amazed at his cousin. He gave a little chuckle and said to himself. ''My God. This Daniel is indeed crazy. He keeps acting as though I am his lover.''
He dropped the newspaper he was reading and called his assistant. ''Gina, ask Asher to get the car ready. We need to drop by the florist before going to the office.'' He ended the call and walked out of his penthouse.
Asher was already waiting by the door. ''Good morning sir.'' Asher greeted him.
Hank just nodded and got into his Rolls Royce noire luxury car.
Hank was a man of few words, and spoke only when necessary. He got into the car and started working on his laptop.
When they got to the florist, he stepped out of the car, with his well-tailored gray suit and gold-rimmed oval glasses. When he walked into the floral shop, there were about four ladies and two men in the shop who had come to purchase flowers as well.
Once they saw him, their conversations stopped, and they sat in stunned silence. Everyone's attention was drawn towards Hank. Even the men gawked at him.
He walked majestically to the lady at the reception and spoke with a deep voice. ''Hello there. Please, I would like you to deliver a bouquet made up of pink peonies and white lotus.''
The lady at the reception was so drawn by his attractive face that she didn't hear what he said. She stood there mesmerizing over his unfathomable beauty.
''Did you hear what I said, miss?'' Hank asked while raising the corner of his eyebrow. The girl snapped out of her trance and said, ''Sorry sir. You said pink peonies and white lotus, right?''
Hank said yes and wrote down an address on a piece of paper. ''Deliver it to this address.'' He spoke with a disgusted look on his face.
Hank had never admired women who lusted after his physical features. Whenever he noticed people doing that, it greatly annoyed him. He paid the lady and walked out of the shop.
One of the ladies who had come to the shop said, ''Oh my goodness. Did you see that man? Who is he? God definitely created this man on a special day. He took his precious time and crafted this man. His girlfriend or wife should be so lucky. If I had a man like him, I would definitely never take my eyes off him.'' The other women who were there agreed with the lady.
Hank got to his office and went straight to his desk to work. Gina walked in and read his schedule for the day. ''Boss, I have the information you requested. We have finally found who tried to hurt you, back in Greenville.''
As she spoke, she placed a brown envelope on his desk.
Hank nodded his head, indicating that she should continue. ''They were Randy Barclay's men sir.''
When Hank heard this, he clenched his hands in a fist. ''That fool hasn't learned his lessons yet. He seems not to appreciate my little kindness. He actually took my leniency for granted.''
He picked up his phone and made a call. His voice was so cold and dangerous that it could freeze an entire room. ''I want Vesal Corp's stocks in Asia down before the break of tomorrow.''
Hank was not a man people could mess with. He could be a beast if anyone crossed him.
Randy Barclay had taken over his father's company as the CEO of Vesal Corp. That was the same company that had swindled Fitzwilliam Group and made them file for bankruptcy.
When Hank had succeeded in rebuilding Fitzwilliam Group, and making it one of the top five companies in the world, he had stomped on Vesal Corp like a tornado. He crashed their markets in America and Europe. Vesal Corp had no choice but to move their markets to Asia and Australia.
Vesal Corp was barely surviving. No company linked with Fitzwilliam Group cooperated with them, because Hank's wrath came like hail stones, and no one wanted to mess with him.
It was noon, and Daniel had come to Fitzwilliam Group to see Hank. When he walked in, Hank was on the phone and was speaking with his Russian partners.
Hank was multilingual, and was a great divergent thinker. Daniel sat down and waited for Hank to round off his call.
When he was done, he asked Daniel, ''So Daniel Fitzwilliam Rivers. What do you need my advice on, with the Gilmore deal?''
Daniel just looked at Hank and replied. ''Must you mention all three of my names? You are lucky you are older than I. If not, I would have...''
Before Daniel could complete his sentence, Hank chimed in. ''You would have what?''
Hank loved teasing Daniel because he knew Daniel could not fight back. Daniel just swallowed his remaining words and just took out a stack of papers from his suitcase and presented them to him.
''You know how the French run their business better. Gilmore is a sly fox, and he could reap you right under your nose if you aren't careful. So I need your advice on how to deal with this kind of man.''
Hank took a deep breath and said, ''Gilmore is indeed a sly fox, as you have rightly said. He will use yours against you. So, you should pay attention to your close collaborators.''
Daniel nodded. ''Thank you mate.'' His eyes shone bright as if he had remembered something great.
''H, you remember I told you I met a very kind and beautiful lady at the mall who helped me pick up the bright scarf I got for grandma some six months ago, right? Guess what, she actually works in my office. She is the new intern. She is even more beautiful now. I was thinking we could invite her over for lunch, and you get to know her.''
Hank, who had been looking at his laptop, raised his deep blue eyes and looked at Daniel. ''D, I am not interested in any woman you have to offer. I have told you this so many times. Stop wasting your time on this issue.''
Daniel was a little furious and raised his voice. ''Hank Fitzwilliam, when will you move on from Alexandra? It's been more than eight years already. You need to get your life back, man. And that mountain fairy, it's been more than six months and there is no news about her. Come on mate, just move on already.''
Hank's hands were clenched in a fist. He raised his eyes full of fury and spoke through clenched teeth. ''Never you ever, mention that name again.''
Daniel realized Hank was mad, and then he said in a more gentle tone, ''Listen H. I am sorry, okay? I just can't sit down and watch you torture yourself like this. You deserve to love and be loved again. You need to move on from your past. You can't keep hurting yourself like this. It hurts us when we see you working this hard and no one to share your happiness with.''
Daniel took a deep breath and continued. ''Anyway, it is Friday, and it's been a long time since we visited our trio kebab spot.''
When Hank's father was still alive, he would take Hank and Daniel to a famous kebab spot in central London. It was owned by his old friend Santiago. This made the three of them form such a strong bond. So when he passed away, Hank and Daniel seldom went there.
The few times they were at Santiago's Kebab spot, they would reminisce about their time with his dad.
Hank pinched the bridge of his nose, barely hanging on to the last bit of his patience. He was already tired of Daniel's persuasion.
''Okay, okay. We will go there later this evening.'' He muttered in a frustrated voice.
Daniel's eyes glittered with excitement. ''That is why I love you Hank. You are the real deal man.'' Daniel spoke with a high-pitched voice.
Hank felt as though he would pass out from Daniel's noise. ''Ewww. Daniel. That is so cringe.''
Daniel stood up and went out of his office with a face full of smiles.
Back at Rivers Holdings, Chelsy and her teammates had just finished working for the day.
''Hey Chelsy, what are your plans for the weekend? Cleopatra, Ruben and I are going for some kebab and some street karaoke later. Would you like to come with us?'' Erica asked.
Chelsy had no friends in London, and hadn't gone for a night out since she came to London. She nodded and said, ''Sure Erica. I would love to.''
Erica smiled and said, ''Great then. Finally, all four of us in our team will hang out together.''
The four of them packed their stuff, and left for the team night out.
They got to central London and had some street food in a busy alley.
Since it was Friday, the place was filled with people eating and others just having the time of their lives.
''Girls, who is up for some street karaoke?'' Ruben asked.
Chelsy stood up and replied, ''Let's go sing Ruben. It's been a long time since I sang with a microphone.''
Since Chelsy arrived in London she had been so caught up with work that she didn't have time to do some of her favorite things like singing and playing an instrument.
The two of them went towards the man controlling the karaoke machine, and gave him two pounds each per song.
Chelsy took the mic and started singing one of her favorite songs 'I will be right here waiting for you.'
Hank and Daniel were sitting in the corner, dressed in hoodies because they didn't want to be recognized by anyone. They just wanted to have some quiet time without any interruptions from women lusting after them.
Suddenly, Hank stopped eating, and said in a low voice that sounded like a whisper. ''That voice. That song. Where is it coming from? Why does it sound so familiar?''
He closed his eyes and tried to remember where he had heard that song. Then suddenly, it clicked. His eyes shone bright as if he had remembered something amazing.
He recalled hearing Chelsy singing that song the day they had spent the night at mount Halo.
''Could it be the mountain fairy? Is she here?'' Hank mumbled to himself.
Daniel, who had been a little confused by Hank's attitude, asked, ''Hey H. What's going on? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?''
The song suddenly stopped, and Hank asked. ''D, do you know where that song is coming from?''
Daniel was a little confused, ''Hey mate. It should be coming from the Kareoke box at the end of the street. Since when are you interested in singing? Don't tell me you are planning to audition for Britain's Got Talent.''
Hank didn't respond and dashed off to where the Kareoke machine was.
He met the man operating the machine, and asked, ''Excuse me mister. Where is the person that was singing here just now?''
The man looked at Hank like a weirdo and replied, ''Sir, there are so many people who have been singing here today. If you are talking about the person who sang last, she has left already.''
Hank had a frustrated look on his face and asked with eyes showing desperation. ''Please, can you describe how she looked?''
The man looked at Hank as if he was insane. ''Look here young man. It is not my job to describe the people around here. If you don't want to sing, please just step aside. There are so many people waiting in line to use the karaoke machine. Have a good evening.''
Hank stood there looking frustrated. Daniel had rushed behind Hank and asked while panting as if he had just run a marathon. ''H, what are you doing? Why did you run off like that?''
Hank looked at him and responded, ''Daniel, I think I heard the mountain fairy singing. I know her voice and I remember her singing that same song, the same way this person sang it. I just know it was her. I cannot be mistaken.''
Daniel shook his head and said, ''Oh my goodness. The great Hank Fitzwilliam has finally gone wacko. Do you really like this fairy girl that much in such a way that you have started seeing and hearing her in your imagination? Let's just go home, mate.''
Hank looked at Daniel with a stern look and replied, ''I am not imagining things. I heard her.''
As they stood there talking, Daniel heard someone call him. ''Mister Rivers? It is really you.''
When he turned, he saw Erica, Ruben and Cleopatra. He recognized Erica, because she had done a couple of presentations before. ''Miss Langley. You are here too.'' He responded.
''Yes sir. Our team came here for a night out. Chelsy is here with us too. She has just gone to the ladies.''
When Daniel heard this, he asked, ''So Miss Powers is here too?''
He turned and looked at Hank. ''Ladies, meet my cousin Hank. He is..."
Before Daniel could continue, Hank walked away without uttering a single word.
Daniel could not stand Hank's nonchalant attitude. He bid the team goodbye and followed Hank.
Cleopatra had stood there stunned, with mouth wide open as if she had been struck by lightning.
As Chelsy was hurrying back to meet her team, she accidentally bumped into a lady who was partially drunk.
The lady's purse fell and the contents of the bag were scattered on the floor.
''I am so sorry ma'am.''
As Chelsy bent down to pick up the purse, Hank passed behind her and didn't see her.
Chelsy later on joined her teammates and asked, ''what did I miss? Why is Cleopatra looking like she has just met with a ghost?''
Cleopatra gained her voice back and said, ''Chelsy, you just missed the most handsome man that has ever lived. The stories about Mister Rivers' cousin are true. That man was indeed crafted by God Himself. I think I am in love.''
Cleopatra was so melodramatic that Chelsy couldn't control her laughter. ''Erica, what is she talking about?''
Erica looked at Chelsy with her eyes looking lost too. ''Chelsy, we met Mister Rivers just a while ago. He was with his handsome cousin, the famous Hank Fitzwilliam. Girl, that man is everything.''
Chelsy just rolled her eyes and chuckled. ''Erica, are you in love too with the same person? Anyway guys, I am ready to call it a night. I need to go home and get some rest. Thank you so much for inviting me out. I will see you all on Monday.'' Chelsy spoke, and left.