5 Old Dafour's Decision

[October, 9th]

A fine morning and another working day with the sun's rays peeping behind the clouds. The city slowly began to bustle while the morning joggers retired to their residents as the students slowly trotted to the bus stop for their ride. The kindergarten kids held their mother's hands as they trotted to school. While the outer atmosphere buzzed with beauty and dazzle, the interior of PCC zoomed with gloominess.

They hadn't rested for almost ages since the last comic was released and hit off with the sudden disappearance of the only trusted script writer. The usual stoic face of General Dafour Maltimore majestically occupied the seat in his large office.

He had already arrived at the office earlier than all the workers and that was his usual routine. The company being large, had night and day shift workers. As the night workers left at 6:30 am, the day workers continued from there.

Chairman Dafour sighed for the nth time and for the first time, he felt stuck. It looked as though it was going to be a hassle to release the final comic before retirement. He suddenly thought of his great-grandson, Ares.

He had tried all ways to make him learn all about business however, it was all in vain. The family business had developed over years and it was time to hand it over. Chairman Dafour stood from his seat and headed towards the floor-to-ceiling window.

He saw the once-dark forest and now the bustling view of the city. He had watched it develop from scratch to a big block. A soft knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts but he quickly masked it.

Unsurprisingly, he didn't reply. A few seconds later, the knock came but the chairman didn't bother with it. He already knew that it was another set of fake proposals so it was best not to lose his temper.

He heard the footsteps slowly fade while they retreated away from his door. Suddenly, the landline telephone on his desk let out its irritating tone. He sauntered towards it and answered, "Yes, hello?"

"Chairman, there's a proposal folder here," said the other party in a slightly trembling voice. Chairman Dafour vibrated on the phone, "Oh please, give me a break."

With that, he ended the call and leaned back against his chair. For some unknown reason, he felt a voice whisper in his mind, 'What if this one is different, are you sure you don't want to take look?'

Sighing defeatedly, chairman Dafour called the secretariat desk, commanding, "Bring the script proposal right now."

Within what seemed to be a few seconds, the proposal landed on the Chairman's table. His face was stoic and had a shade of a frown between his thick brows. The naked script lay on the table as the old man began reading through it while the secretary on duty stood still as a statue.

However, he trembled while he wiped the invisible sweat drops on his face. He had been among the pioneer secretaries who happened to be around while PC was founded.

He meticulously studied the Chairman's expressions and noticed a decrease in the frowns on his face. Finally, a smile and gasp escaped the chairman's lips as he excitedly commanded, "Yes. This is just what I needed now quick, call the script guy in a few."

Though there was a faint smile on his face, he was vividly excited. Two hours later, as the chairman had studied and read the script for the 10th time, he was interrupted by a knock on his door.

Composing himself he nonchalantly replied, "Enter!"

The door opened with a soft click and emerged a mysterious young man dressed in a black butler's suit. His expression was quite solemn which matched the chairman's taste.

"Good day, Chairman Dafour," began the man with a shadow of a smile.

"Have a seat Mr," the chairman said.

"It's Zedric," introduced the mysterious man.

"Yes, yes. Very good Zedric. I loved your script and I want to use it for the next release," chairman Dafour said.

Zedric smiled and replied, "As you wish, Mr Chairman. However, I have a condition."

Furrowing his brows slightly Old Dafour replied, "Name it."

Zedric briefly remained silent before he said, "My condition isn't that hard. All I want is that before you release the comic please contact me. I repeat please contact me."

The way Zedric named his condition, he looked to be more serious as his eyes held a warning in them. That, if they failed to contact him, something bad would happen.

Chairman Dafour saw this however, he didn't take it seriously and thought that maybe the guy was threatening him which he hated so he reluctantly accepted, "Of course, Zedric."

"It's a pleasure to work with you, Mr Chairman," Zedric smiled mysteriously and with that, he exited the office with the aid of Old Dafour's secretary.

After Zedric took his grand payment, he left the large building of PCC. Later that evening, the Chairman called for a board meeting. In the meeting, they talked about the proposal and the day of release and finally, the company regained its usual atmosphere.

Outside the Company, Zedric glanced at the huge building with an unfathomable gaze. Before he smiled uttering, "Finally, I'm back. After so many years of practising magic. It's time for some revenge, Dafour Maltimore, I'm coming for you."

"Well it all began here and it ended here, " he mumbled to himself. Casting a last glance at the huge building, he turned and left the area with his long cloak trailing behind him.

The smile soon turned creepy as he walked down the streets and he emitted danger that was enough to destroy anything into ashes.

"Well, well, well, it seems Dafour you're still doing well however, you're days are numbered," sarcastically concluded the man.

With that, Zedric disappeared with a hazy mist. Fortunately, the streets were quite empty so none noticed anything amiss.

Author's Quiz.

"What do you think of Zedric?"