chapter 23

Ahead was a the picture of Aliza which dropped from the file.  Charles's vision fortuitously falls on her digits and he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Their engagement ring was still on her finger. His eyes went wide in a sweet surprise staring stock-still at her photo like a billions worth deal has just been showered upon him. He was off the space enthralled with excitement and his heart races with a speed of thousand miles per second until Jack brought him back with his words. "Sir, what happened, are you okay? Is something wrong?"Charles couldn't control but leave his lips spread to a jubilation. His stance was filled with happiness to know Aliza was still his. He felt he was over the moon and the most happiest person on earth. "Yes. I'm fine Jack. Nothing is wrong." He stressed on the word 'nothing' in blessedness. "In fact after years of continuous consternation my kernel settles happy and stable now with your file. Thank you for the help. You did a great job." He patted Jack's upper arm in appreciation.Jack was elated too to receive accolades from his boss. "Sir I will soon deliver to you the baby's details too." He spoke enthusiastic slightly bowing his head with reverence and left Charles's office.  The employees working in Richmond industries always strive to give their humane boss the best result and make him delighted because he filled their pockets handsomely for the best pay master he was with no trace of retrench.As soon as Jack left Charles contacted his personal Assistant to book him a flight to Boston. Two hours later before leaving to his flight Charles received the mail from Jack as promised, the mail which changed everything for the kind hearted CEO. Jack kept his word any yes, it was the DNA report of Asher. Charles had his doubts about his son but this mail confirmed to him the genes to his boundless happiness. In the moments next, to say in simple words Charles became the school boy who was about to receive the trophy from his principal. He fisted his hand in air and yelled aloud "yes...yes he is mine." He was on seventh heaven.*****It seems like the Almighty was examining Charles for his patience in the hastiness he was to meet his long lost family. Ten minutes after the flight took off there was an unexpected technical issue and the flight had to forcefully land back in California airport. Though the journey was only around five hours, Charles had to wait in his private airport lounge for more than two hours till the issue was solved and the flight was ready for a take-off. The result being by the time he reached Boston it was well passed eight.As luck could have the least of it on him the sky was completely dark surrounded by cumulonimbus clouds. Within fifteen minutes there was a heavy downpour. What is this unexpected nature's fury? It wasn't the season to rain with a cloud burst and black sky. Charles's conscience presaged something unwelcome but he argued with himself. He was a young businessman who spoke about efficiency and output rather than believe in fate and destiny.When we are honest in our thoughts nature will always favour us. He said to himself and putting away the soft voice predicting caution, he proceeded towards his destination - the home where his wife and child stayed. His thoughts were filled with enriched feelings of a smiling family on his way to reach Aliza and their kid. All his apprehensions and sorrows shed away like dirt after he saw the engagement ring still held on Aliza's finger.Charles trusted her and gave her complete freedom in doing things on her choice but Aliza wasn't worth the pay. She was foolish, betrayed him, her fiancee by trusting an acquaintance. She rewarded him with her adamant attitude in running away for the generosity showered on her by him but Charles wasn't the person to keep his hands folded. Aliza hasn't seen the monstorous side of him because he loved her but now it is time to pay back for her black deeds.Charles thought he should have never given her the liberty to act her choice. The moment he found through his security service Larry's calls in her phone he should have questioned her. When she spoke about Asher he should have better investigated the issue instead of believing her words. Aliza has lost her respect in the eyes of Charles forever with hiding things from him.Charles believed in trust, the foundation for a successful marriage but Aliza wasn't worth the respect. The price for which he is bearing since more than two years filled with grief, agony and restlessness. Now he was going to have replies for all his sufferings. He was going to bring his wife and son back whether it is in accordance to Aliza's willingness or otherwise.*****It was almost ten and Aliza was about to switch off the light in the sitting room after studying the reports of Asher when the doorbell of her house rang. She wasn't expecting any visitor at the time. Ms Rickfield had no one as her relative who would be bothered to visit her at this time of the hour.Going slightly surprised at the unexpected call Aliza looked through the peephole and the ground washed away under her feet. She opened the door vanquished and the only word that left out of her lips was - "Charles?"Charles walked inside without saying a word. A man probably his driver was standing a step behind him holding the umbrella. It was raining heavily and his well tailored black coat had traces of water drops on it.  He looked back and ordered. "Roll I will be little late from here. You can go back home." The driver bowed to him before greeting him 'Good night' and left the place."How are you Aliza?" Aliza stared numb still in shock to receive Charles at her doorstep. Both of them looked at each other lost with a trance in the reels of a flashback but the voice of Ms Rickfield brought them out of the stupor. Charles took a step forward diverting his vision from his fiancee and extended his hand to the old lady slightly bowing his head in respect. "Good Evening Ms Rickfield. Aliza wouldn't have told you about me because she was heavily bent on erasing me from her life. I am Charles Rodriguez, her fiancee."The old lady gaped at him blank for a few seconds but then her eyes sparkled in brilliance. "You are...you are the famous industrialist Charles....Charles Rodriguez who gave a recent interview to Forbes about your upcoming projects." Charles nodded his head in humbleness. "Yes that's me. I hope I am not a bother here, Ms Rickfield.""Oh no son, absolutely not. You can call me Julia." Ms Rickfield replied in a joyful surprise. "I am glad you came to see Aliza and Asher. Asher is really very cute. You should see him when he is awake. He is a very active baby, naughty and fun." She prattled to Charles animatedly in never ending words of excitement to describe Asher like he was her own grandson. Charles kept nodding his head in smiles. The happiness he was feeling to learn about his son from the old lady was immense."Here are some flowers for you, Julia." He handed her a bouquet of white roses. "I hope you like them and some fruits and cakes." He placed the bag on the center table.Ms Rickfield was very pleased at Charles simplicity, courteousness and respect for her - an ordinary middle class widow in spite of being the top entrepreneur and richest billionaire in the world. "Why do you keep standing? Please sit down son." She offered him a seat. "I understand you came here from quite far. What should I get you to eat?""Thank you so much Julia. But I'm in a hurry. I need to leave back to California by tomorrow morning as I have a new launch of one of my company's products tomorrow. I adjusted some time in the busy schedule and came here to pick my fiancee, my son. I'm sorry to bother, this was without notice and in an odd time but you know about Aliza. If I inform...." Charles trailed away. "Oh I can understand." Ms Rickfield nodded before Charles could feel embarrassed.She placed a few chocolate croissants and a glass of water though for Charles on the table. "Asher loves chocolate croissants very much that is why I often prepare them for him." She once again babbled about him. "I'm sure he loves them because I love them too and these are very delicious." Charles took a bite and complimented Julia.   No sooner Aliza heard Charles sentence of moving out air stopped its flow to her lungs and she choked heavily. Charles handed her the water glass brought for him and turned to Julia. "Julia I'm very thankful to you for giving a shelter to my fiancee and son. Whenever you require anything please give me a call and I will be fortunate to help you. Here is my card and keep this with you." Charles placed an envelope in her hands. "What is this?" Julia asked in astonishment."It is just a small offering on behalf of me and nothing when compared to the help you have done to my family." He spoke standing up with his hands placed inside his pant pockets. Before there were more words between them there were baby sounds heard in the bedroom.  Charles looked through the house from where the sound was heard and asked Julia enthusiastic. "May I....if you do not mind." Pointing to the open door of the bedroom. "Of course please get inside son."Aliza couldn't assimilate what was happening around her. Everything went on in a spur of a moment. Charles was ignoring her to the fullest like she wasn't ever existing except in his speech when he spoke about her. He had always a way to deal with people but Aliza did not know he was this excellent and Ms Rickfield was no exception. She is already head over heels for his simplicity. Charles is humble and polite in spite of his reputation for people to fall for his charms.Aliza did not understand if it was a blessing or a coincidence. It was like the entire lucky stars in the sky were following Charles's way. As soon as Asher saw his father he pulled his hands up to be lifted and snuggled into Charles arms putting his little arms around his neck. He was a very shy child and never liked to be invited into the arms of new people but like it is said blood has always got its magic he went to his father without hesitation. "Aliza I am taking my son with me. If you have finished playing your silly games you can join us too." Charles spoke in a no nonsense tone giving zero space for Aliza's arguments.  "No you cannot do that. He is my son.""My son or our son Aliza?" Charles spoke soft but Aliza very well could understand the threat behind those words. "Please do not do this to me." Aliza cried. Charles knew taking Asher away was his best option to win his fiancee back without an effort. He hid the smirk and resigned to speak serious.  "Go to the highest court but this time justice is with me. My son stays in my house. The only option left with you is to join us or stay back wherever you want to be""Please do not say that. Asher is sick and he requires his mother with him." Charles went in an alarm. All his fun mood vanished in a second. "What happened to Asher?""Asher was....