Chapter 2 Two

The incessant cries of the babies that echoed around, left Nick irritated with the situation in which he found himself in. He wished himself somewhere else than here. Thoughts of all the deals he would have cracked satisfactorily by now caved into his mind, but involving himself in his friends happiness was much more crucial.

His best friend, John Russell was happily married and now his happiness seemed to have multiplied with the arrival of his twin baby boys. Nick felt ridiculously envious of his buddy's blissfulness, shocking himself with his feelings, he once believed himself incapable of.

Lately Nick felt restlessness in everything he did which had nothing to do with his business empire. Nicholas Fortune was considered one of the world's most richest self made billionaire, feared by most people because of his ruthlessness when conducting business, some portrayed him as the most bewield or rather the most domineering man.

"Hello....hello...earth to Nick," Emily Russell waved her hands in front of Nick to gain his attention. Startling Nick from his wayward thoughts.He immediately looked her way, expecting that knowing look of hers.

" A penny for your thoughts," she grinned at him mischievously, naturally a smile graced his face, revealing his dimples which Emily was pretty sure what made several ladies swoon to his good looks but not her, she was oblivious to it as her heart belonged to her college sweetheart and best friend, John. They all had spent college together but somehow she ended up falling for John, who was built like a hulk, at least that's how some people would describe him at first sight.

" Just thinking about how sexy you look with babies, darling," Nick winked flirtatiously at her for which she laughed and playfully swatted his arm.

" Flattery will not get you out of this, so spill," she said studying his face quite expectantly, all the while admiring his baby blue eyes. Nick sighed knowing she wouldn't leave him until he told her but he was not really in the mood for advice or lecture which she was pretty good at.

" Nothing important but I do need to leave though. It's a long drive back and I'm having a meeting early tomorrow so gotta prepare some stuff for it," he replied evasively just as John joined them from putting the babies to sleep. Finally!

" So there's no chance of you joining us for dinner then ?" said John joining in on the conversation.

" Afraid not , maybe next weekend if nothing important comes up," he regretfully replied. As much as he loved to catch up with his friends and adore theirs twins, Nick really felt like spending time alone for his own state of mind, the previous weeks were quite hectic not to mention filled with consequential incidents.

" Yeah sure, whenever suits you and maybe we could have a barbecue, it's been a while since my wife here had some long overdue and her most needful rest," admitted John while putting his arms around Emily's shoulder, gathering her close to his side . In response, Emily instinctively slid her right hand around his waist while she looked up at him and smiled affectionately. John looked down at her, their gazes met whilst they shared a few kisses.

"Ewww gross, go get a room before you start making out in front of me and probably conceive in my presence. I don't want to be scarred for life," Nick shrieked dramatically. They both pulled away from each other,Emily blushing furiously, John grinned at Nick arrogantly. He added teasingly." and I really do have to get going now so spare me the exhibition," without waiting for a reply, moving forward and hugging the couple and saying his goodbyes, and walked outside towards his car.

He owned several collections of cars but his most prized possession was the Lamborghini Huracán which he preferred to drive for his own convenience. Nick liked to buy old cars and remodelled them after which he sold them out. That was almost like a hobby to him, somewhat like a side job. Even though he owned several Hotels and Resorts establishments spread or rather scattered all over the world.

The tabloids titled him as ' The Fortune Hotelier'. Along with several headlines associating him with several socialites, rumors of supposedly affairs that he sometimes never knew he had.

Nick was reveried out of his thoughts when his phone beeped with a message , he glanced towards it, ignored it, and focused back to the road in front of him. Not preferring to communicate with anyone at the moment.

A few minutes later he drove across a service station , he turned on the indicator and turned right to enter and parked the vehicle , took off his seatbelt to get out. He only spared a glance at the battered vehicle parked across from him as he went inside the service station. As he entered the bell on top chimed , he walked forward and picked some stuff from the shelves, pulled out his cell phone and sighed.

There was no signal in here. Putting it back in his pockets as he approached the cashier counter and paid for his stuff , making small talk with the cashier who was more interested in flirting and checking him out. Unbelievable.

Nick picked up his package from the counter, bid his goodbye to the girl and exited but as he approached his car, he looked across and saw four men arguing beside the old blue vehicle.

They were so engrossed in their argument that they failed to notice Nick. Not giving them any more thought, he opened his door and slid inside, putting the package on the seat next to him, absently noting that he left his car unlocked. Nick strapped on his seatbelt and started the car, the powerful engine roared to life, startling the men as all their attention shifted to the car that was across them and everyone looked in awe, admiring it.

"Could've stolen that beauty," one man commented as they watched the car drive away.

"She got away. We lost her, what are we gonna tell the boss now ?".