19

"Dad", Ethan's cousin said to his dad. "I suspect that Ethan has an ulterior motive to why he is getting engaged." "Son do not worry, Ethan does not stand a chance against us. Let's play along with him. But keep one thing in mind, we have to get to the bottom of this and I trust you can get to the root of this."
"Dad it's gonna be tough but I don't think I have any other option than to get to the bottom of this. Seeing it will be beneficial to me if that Ethan of a thing does not get married."
Eric's dad laughed." I am so proud of you my son. I want you to come up with a plan."
" I will dad."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Clinton", a voice called out from behind.
Clinton was about to enter his car before the strange voice called.
"Clinton", the voice called out again.
Clinton turned. " You!" he exclaimed.
"Are you expecting anyone? Or did you just see a ghost? Come on, my presence should not frighten you," Eric said.
" Well it doesn't. What are you doing around here?" Clinton asked.
"I am here for the same reason as you are."
Clinton's face expressed confusion.
" I am sure the answer must be weird. Well I am here for business and that is what you are here for, right?" Eric asked.
Clinton was not here for business. He was here in order to arrange his friend's wedding.
" Yeah," Clinton said, wanly smiling. " I was here for business as you were." Arranging Daniel's wedding was business.
" So where are you headed to?" Eric asked, walking close to him.
" Home," Clinton said, checking his wrist watch for time.
" Well, can l hitch a ride? I didn't come in my car and I have run out of credit. If not I could have called my driver to get my car."
" Hitch a ride?" was the only thing Clinton could say.
" Have you got your car filled with things?" Eric asked.
" No... not at all. But, you of all people can't do without your car." Clinton said.
" It's a long story and one should try new things like going to places without one's car and doing things others do regardless of class and statues just as you."
Clinton pretended to believe him, besides he knew how deceitful and untruthful Eric could be. Eric was just bluffing and he bluffed only when he had some bad new stunts to play.
" Fine. Hop in," Clinton said in order to avoid more of his lies and bluffs.
He entered his car, so did Eric.
"So where are you headed to?" Clinton said.
" Water Falls Junction," Eric said smiling.
"I don't know the place and I have not heard of it before," Clinton said.
"Why don't I drive?" Eric asked brilliantly.
" Drive my car? No thanks. I can manage."
"Come on Clint, it's your car. I am not taking it. I only wanna drive," Eric said.
"This is nuts. Fine. Let's switch sides," he said, opening the door.
Eric came out too and went to the driver's seat. He closed the door and fixed his seatbelt on himself.
Then he started driving." Are you sure that once you drop me off you will know the road back?"
" I am too smart. I can find my way back home."
"So how is Ethan?" Eric asked turning the wheel of his car." You are his best friend, you must know how he is."
"You are his cousin, you must also know how he is too," Clinton sneered.
" Do not be arrogant. I just care to know how my cousin Ethan is doing," Eric said beaming.
" He hasn't been this happy, peaceful and complete."
Eric drove into a lonely and private street.
"Where is this? It looks so deserted," Clinton said.
" Just be patient. I am almost at Water Falls Junction."
Clinton's face had become so dull and worried.
A car was approaching Clinton's car.
Eric tooted the horn.
Yet the car did not move away.
"Clinton go out and check who has the car," Eric instructed. "Please."
"I will not do that," Clinton snarled.
"Please," Eric said. "I am driving. I can not come out." Clinton calmed his nerve and came out of the car. He walked to the range Rover in front of his car. "Excuse me," he said, knocking at the window of the car.
The driver did not turn the glass down, neither did he give notice to him.
"What is happening?"
They forced him into the range Rover.
"Drive this car back to his house," Eric instructed a man who had been hiding behind the car. After that Eric entered his own car which was packed at a corner and drove away speedily.
"Where are you taking me to?"
x x x x x x x x x x x x
"You planned this?" Clinton asked, directing the question to Eric's father.
"What could I have done? You and that nephew of mine, think so smart of yourself," he said, flashing a wicked smile at him.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Clinton asked, looking totally confused. "What do you by we think we are smart?"
"Your friend Ethan is planning on getting married, right?"
"How is that my business?" Clinton let out.
"You will soon understand how it is your business, when I fire a bullet from this gun into your leg," he threatened.
"If you love your life and you are really sure, you want to leave from here alive you better tell me all I need to know," he added.
"I do not know anything, just let me go."
A hard slap landed on his face.
"I know for a fact that he is engaged and I also know that you are helping him in all of this."
"If you know all this, then why did you kidnap me?"
"Listen to me carefully, you have no right to question me because as a matter of fact, your life is in my hands."
Clinton stared at him with horror in his eyes.
"I want you to wreck his marriage," Eric's father finally spilled out his plan.
"You know it is not possible," Clinton stressed his sentence.
"And you know that this is the only way your life will be spared."
"I can't do what you are asking of me," Clinton boldly said to him.
Eric's dad's facial expression changed to that of anger. "You will do as I have just told you."
Clinton let out a little laugh. "What makes you think so?"
"Name your price, I can pay you any amount," the man suggested.
Clinton decided to play along. "How much can you offer?"
"Any amount you want, just mention it," the sly elderly man answered.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I want a very handsome amount," Clinton voiced out.
"How much?"
"Five billion dollars," Clinton said loudly.
"I can give you that and many more. I promise to give you more, if you successfully wreck the wedding. You better not act smart with me and make sure no one comes to find out about this," the old man bargained and warned him with his words.
Clinton was finally released from their clutches. He went back home and thought about what do, whether to call Daniel and tell him about everything or pretend as if nothing happened.
His phone rang out, dismissing him from his thought. He looked at his phone and saw that the caller was Dave."
He accepted the call. "Hello Ethan."
"Hello Clint. What's up?"
"Mehn we urgently need to meet. There is something important I need to talk to you about and it's a must I tell you this."