Casper drove like a madman until he got to his mother's mansion.He had gotten a message and a call from the butler that his mother collapsed.
"Where is she?" He yelled at the butler as he made his way into the large victorian style manor.His mother had a small trusted team of doctors and nurses to monitor and treat her cardiac issues on call at the mansion.The woman hardly ever goes to the hospital.
"Mrs Lu is...." The butler trailed off not knowing whether to keep lying or say the truth.
"Mom?" Casper called, surprised to see his mother emerging from the large staircase like a ball queen.She was growing in a long red gown.Her favorite color.Elegant as always.Anything but sick.Casper soon realized he had been played.The butler quickly ran away and hid.He didn't want to bear the brunt of the young master's annoyance.
"What is this mom?" Casper asked his mother who kept smiling. "We both know you would have made excuses if I had just asked you to come.I do not remember the last time we had a meal together." Fiona hit her palms together in excitement.
"I also want you to meet someone." Someone else emerged from the stairs.A young lady with flowing brunette hair and chubby face.
Casper heaved a weary sigh.His mother was at it again.Playing matchmaker.
"Nice to meet you Casper.My name is Meave." Her hands were stretched out for an handshake.The big smile on her face faltered when he left it hanging.
Casper had had it up to his neck.He had pretended to be civil in the past whenever his mother does this.But now he was tired.
Meave awkwardly put her hand down.She felt terrible under Casper's displeased gaze.
Fiona tried to dissipate the awkwardness by telling her son to stay with her and Meave for lunch.
"Meave,was it?" Casper spoke.He didn't try to mask his displeased annoyed expression and voice tune.Even a professional actor like himself could not act to be okay about this.
"Enjoy your time with my Mom.Goodbye." Casper said and walked out.Fiona's voice kept calling out to him which he ignored.
"He is busy dear, you know he is a popular actor.He is always here and there and doesn't get time for himself." Fiona explained to Meave.She really wanted the girl to be her daughter in law.But more than that,she wanted a grandchild.
Fiona was in her late sixties, sailing towards her seventies.Who knew if she would even live that long with her heart issues.Casper was her only child whom she conceived at the time when she and everyone around her had lost all hope of ever having a child.
Who in her position wouldn't want a grandchild as soon as possible? She would have to take matters further into her own hands.
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"Break a leg out there honey.Make sure the stylist gives you a pretty dress and put on your best smile okay?"
"Of course I will granny, don't worry." Raina answered Mrs Lizzy.Raina wore her black hoodie and her white facemask to disguise herself.It was superficial but it doesn't hurt to be careful as she is now more than an aspiring star.
"You should be given bodyguards.What is your agency doing?"
"That is only for super popular actors which I am not...yet.Besides,I love my freedom.It is hell to walk around with a group of bodyguards." Raina as she hugged the Mrs Lizzy goodbye and left the coffee shop.The woman waved at Raina from inside until she got out of sight.Raina stopped at an intersection to hail a cab when something was clamped over her mouth from behind her.Her attacker was strong.Her strong elbow jabs and back kicks were like baby punches to him.There was a car few meters ahead.The attacker tried to get her to it but found it difficult as she struggled fiercely.
"Move! Or I'II gut you right here." Raina felt something cold and sharp on her left abdomen.She looked down and was terrified at the sight of a dagger held close to her body.Couldn't he at least give her a sedative so she wouldn't have to face the situation? Worse was that there was no one around.The street had never been so quiet before.
Raina involuntarily moved her legs that had turned heavy from fear and adrenaline as the attacker led her to the Rolls Royce parked at the other side of the road.What kind of kidnapper uses a luxury car to abduct a victim? Clearly a high class one.