The Last Laugh novel Chapter 69

***

Ace's POV:

I called Keith over to my apartment. When he got into the living room and found Heather and I on the couch in each other's arms, he froze, a smile spreading across his face.

"Did I miss something?" he smiled and approached us. We smiled back and I stood up to face him.

"Thanks, man."

"For?"

"I know what you did. Heather told me."

He looked at Heather who smiled at him.

"Well, I had no choice," he replied and I smiled at him.

"It was a risk but you took it, just so I won't break down on myself. I don't know how to thank you enough. You're a brother."

We hugged each other.

"I'm glad everything turned out well," he said with a smile, "I was afraid I might worsen things."

Heather stood up too.

"Well, you didn't, Keith. You don't know the great thing you did to us by telling me the truth. I'm as thankful as Ace. Thank you very much," she hugged him too.

"Aw, y'all are gonna make me cry. This is horrible," he joked and we all laughed.

We then took our seats.

"So this means, she really knows everything?" he asked me.

"Yes," I turned to Heather, "And she's on my side. She'll be of great help."

"I knew it!" he smiled, "What were you so afraid of??"

"I don't even know. But Heather and I are once again united, with no lies or secrets. Thanks to you, pal. I owe you a lot."

"You're welcome," he smiled and we all laughed, "Sheridan and Heather. What a step in the past. Now see how both of you have changed."

I smiled at Heather and she smiled back.

"Everything's gonna be just fine. I know it."

"Yes, Keith. And as from Monday, I'm getting back to business. I have a revenge plan to accomplish."

"Now you're talking!" he gave me a high five and we laughed.

"The witch's gonna pay."

***

Monday finally arrived.

I reached the office earlier than usual because I had a lot of arranging to do.

Before leaving, I'd left the place in a horrible state.  There were broken glasses, a broken filter, thrown chairs and a table turned upside down.

It'd been a week since I'd left the office in bad state. But now, all was fine.

As fast as possible and with enough ease, I got everything back in place and in no time, my office was as clean as ever. Things were gonna take a whole new turn. With my woman on my side, I was very determined to finish what I'd started.

*

At around eight, I sat down and watched all I'd missed from the past week, during my absence. The camera had continued to record all Christina's activities and conversations. I locked myself up and started to watch from the past Wednesday, when Rob visited her again.

"Christina, I got bad news!"

"What is it again??" the witch asked, exhausted.

"Elijah is no where to be found. He's escaped."

"What?? I knew it! That idiot!"

"He surely discovered. He knew that since he'd rejected your money and now posed as a threat to us, we would try to kill him," Rob explained angrily.

Christina looked broken and scared.

"I knew it! You should've killed him that same night he rejected the money."

"I couldn't. He didn't tell us where Paul's body was buried."

I felt a heavy lump in my throat. Elijah had disappeared. He'd done so without me discovering the exact place where my father had been buried.

Now I had to concentrate on Christina and Rob. I had to trick them. Christina especially. She was slowly ruining herself. I had to get the company.

I continued to watch.

Both evil people sat down thinking, both seemed panicked and scared. Their world was falling apart.

"Christina, what is happening?"

"What?"

"Things are falling apart. This company is falling apart."

"I know! I have eyes."

Rob stared at her.

"Christina, I think this is a sign. The past is catching up with us."

"Oh please, don't start. You're going coco too?"

"Chris, be serious. Don't tell me you don't see it. You're ruined. The company's falling apart. Some employees have quit because you've not paid them. Two investors have already let the company down. The products aren't selling."

She looked at him. She couldn't lie that he was making sense.

"Chris, Elijah has escaped. Wherever he is, he might decide to confess to the police. We– we're not safe."

I saw fear in Christina's eyes. Real fear.

I watched Rob hold her hand in his.

"My love," he started.

What??

My eyes widened in shock.

"We need to go far away from here. I have a bad feeling," he continued.

"No, Rob. We didn't do all this for nothing. Baby, we finally got all we wanted. I have the company and you got both Paul's and Ken's ranches! Don't tell me you want us to leave all this!"

I couldn't believe my ears. Everything became clear to me now. Rob and Christina had always been together.

He was her secret lover and partner in crime!. He'd helped her to get rid of my father and uncle Ken. It'd been their plan from the start. The lump in my throat was almost unbearable. How many more secrets were still to be revealed?

"We have to. I've already made plans to sell both ranches. We need to leave this country before it's too late. Make up your mind!"

Christina looked at him like he was mad

"Are you telling me I should–"

"Yes, Christina. Sell this company. Let's run away."

Christina stood up furiously.

"No, I am not selling it. No. I didn't do all this for nothing!"

Rob stared at her in disbelief and stood up too.

"You've lost your mind, Christina. Think of it. We'll start a new life. Afresh."

"I made this company mine. No!"

He stared at her.

"I love you. And if you love me too like you've always claimed, then I'll give you time to think. I'll come back next week Thursday. Christina, the faster, the better."

She stared at him.

"Find someone. Sell it at a great price. Then we'll leave. Think."

He leaned in forward and kissed her forehead, before turning and leaving her office.

I switched off the computer. I was in a state of disbelief. What I'd just watched was what had happened the previous Wednesday.

We were now Monday. Rob had promised to return that Thursday to get Christina's final decision.

Oh no, they were not gonna get away with their crime so easily. No. They would have to pay. And she would have to sell the company back to me.