Emmeline shared the situation with Abel, prompting him to express immediate concern. âHow can someone from such a dysfunctional family enter into marriage? The family dynamics are utterly chaotic!
Albus motherâs behavior must have been improper since her youth,â he said.
She sighed. âIâm at a loss. My mother wonât believe me. Sheâll accuse me of fabricating lies to escape marriage, and finding witnesses is nearly impossible.â
He embraced her tightly, locking eyes with her. âEmmaâ he said with determination. âI canât dwell on all that anymore. My priority is to protect you.â
âAbel,â she implored, her anxiety palpable. âWhat do you propose we do?â
Abelâs voice grew hoarse as he spoke, âI wonât let you return to Albus just to save Aunt Kimberly. I strongly disagree! Iâll confront him about this, and it marks the end of your association with the Zeller family,â
Emmeline paled and protested, âNo, Abell My mother wonât be able to handle it. If something happens to her because of this, can you imagine how I would ever forgive you? Could I go on living? I canât let my mother know about the rejection from the Zeller family.â
He furrowed his brows, remaining silent as he contemplated the situation. Youâre right, he thought. Aunt Kimberly might not be able to change her ways. If something happens because she canât accept it, how will Emma be able to continue living?
He felt the weight of the decision and said, âSo, am I just supposed to stand by and watch, not caring, and seeing you beg Albus again?â His heart felt as though it was shattering. âEmma, by breaking my heart, are you requesting my life?â
Iâm sorry. Iâm sorry!â Emmeline sobbed, her voice filled with anguish. âThereâs no other way! I canât let my mother get into trouble. I canât hurt her anymore; she canât handle it.â
His mind raced with desperation, and he wondered, What else can I do? He held her trembling body.
overwhelmed by despair for the first time.
After lunch, Emmeline answered Vernonâs call and headed to the World Trade Building.
Sitting on the couch, Abel lit a cigarette, and with a thin mist of smoke in the air, he made a phone call âWhere are you?â he asked, his voice low.
âIâm at the shop.â The person on the other end, a man with a hoarse voice, replied, âWhatâs going on?â
â
âHelp me take care of someone,â Abel said with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
The person chuckled. âYouâre decent, but do you need to do this?â
âI have no choice!â Abel insisted. âThat person must be dealt with.â
âCome over,â the person said in a hushed tone. âThis matter can only be discussed in person.â
Abel extinguished the halfâsmoked cigarette in the ashtray and grabbed the car keys to the Santana before leaving.
An hour later, he arrived at Centennial, the most remote of the twentyâone townships in Altney. Despite its size, the town had only two intersecting streets, with a scattering of a dozen or so small shops. It included a department store, a music and video shop, and a trendy digital camera gallery.
He parked alongside the road and discreetly entered a compact music and video store. Though relatively small, the store housed various audiovisual products on its shelves. As he navigated the narrow aisle, he brushed past another custoiner.
âIâm here, someone within the store announced.
âMr. James,â Abel greeted as he stepped further inside.
In the dimly lit corner, a small desk occupied by Mr. James came into view. Behind him, a small glass window allowed only the silhouette of his imposing figure to be visible, obscuring his face.
âPlease, take a seat, James invited from the shadows.
Abel settled onto a round stool facing the unassuming desk.
âAre the items I brought back last time still in good working condition?â James inquired.
âI took them mostly for amusement; they werenât necessary,â Abel responded.
âThey are all equipment utilized by the Myrindor mercenaries, topâofâtheâline gear, James explained.
It became evident that James was the supplier of the stun baton that Abel had given to Emmeline some time ago.
âIt could become quite a hassle if one had to use such items daily Abel mused.
âThe stun baton is not a big deal, James said, âbut the one that can emit smoke? Itâs not suitable for me anymore. Others want it, but itâs not easy to get it now.â
ââLetâs keep it for a while,â Abel said. âWhat if it comes in handy?â
âYou said you want to deal with someone personally?â James sneered, âYouâre a serious person. You should weigh your options carefully.â
âI donât believe that besides me, there hasnât been any other serious person who has come here. Abel scoffed.
âThere have been, James threw a cigarette at him. âBut I donât want you to get involved in this mess!â
âBut I have to get involved!â Abel said. âThat person cannot be left alone!â
âI owe you my life,â James said. âSo, if you need assistance, Iâll do my best to help