Chapter 8 NATASHA MOVES

Three years later, on a Saturday morning, Rex lay on his bed fast asleep before being woken up by a call and it's from Natasha. He answers it.

"Hey Rex, good morning. I have big news for you." Natasha said.

"Seriously, Nat, we've already graduated from high school. What can it be now?" He asked, groaning with sleep still in his eyes.

"Relax Laser Brain. I didn't call to challenge your intelligence." She replied.

"We both graduated. What do you mean by challenging my intelligence?"

"One of us graduated with the best results in our H.S.L.T. and the other got in through the narrow route."

"Hey, we both graduated and that's what matters... By the way, what is H.S.L.T. I just called them final exams."

"High School Leaving test. Come on, Rex, you're smarter than this." She said, slightly annoyed. "Anyway, can you guess the big news I have for you?"

"You know I will not guess so you might as well just spill it," Rex replied

"Ugh! You are such a killjoy." She said as she groaned.

"Thanks. I take practice." Rex replied sarcastically.

"The big surprise is that I just got a scholarship to Oxford University to study Natural, Theoretical and Physical sciences. Can you believe it?" She said excitedly.

"Holy Ravenclaw! Oxford, as in the Oxford University in England?" He asked, surprised.

"Yeah! I couldn't believe it and neither could my mom." She said.

"How did you get it?" He asked curiously

"A perk of being an intellectual." She replied to him and Rex grinned. "Anyway, I'll be heading to London next month, the first Sunday of the month after church, and I wanted to know if you could accompany me to the airport."

"I don't know..." he replied.

"Come on Rex, I've seen your schedule. I know you're not occupied."

"Fine, but we're taking your dad's car!" He said.

"As long as you don't crash it." Natasha said. "My mother will probably go along, so I'm sure she'll drive."

"Your loss Lily! You'll miss out on a final joyride before you move to the land of tea."

"Oh, how will I recover from such a massive loss?"

"Don't ask me!"

"Later, I'll be with you a lot this month so we can prepare for me to leave... and get our last memories in."

"Can't wait!" Rex said and hung up the call, trying to process what he just heard.

On that set day, Rex and Natasha were at the Sky Harbor airport as Natasha prepared to travel to England. She set her belongings and sat on a bench, holding a first-class ticket with her mother beside her.

"Can't believe you'll be leaving me for 5 years." Her mother said.

"Relax mum. It's fine. The years will pass by soon."

"Promise that you'll always keep in touch, okay?"

"I'll call you every morning of every day I'm in England," Natasha replied and hugged her mother tight.

"See you in "26, dear!" Her mother said and went back to the car, as Rex approached them.

"Hey Nat, come over here, I want to give you something." He said, pulled her aside, and took her to the back of the building to hand her a watch.

"Wanted you to have this, stole it from my dad's bag," Rex said.

"Wow. Is that what I think it is?" She said as she took the watch from Rex with Joy. "A personal VALT watch."

"VALT watch?" Rex asked, feeling confused.

"It's like Siri or Alexa, but in a watch and more advanced, these are rare and expensive." She answered. "Your dad won't be mad at you?"

"Eh. Fuck the old man anyway. I don't care that much." Rex said.

"You shouldn't have," Nat said, still admiring the watch.

"I honestly shouldn't have, but let's be honest, I do a lot of shit I shouldn't do." He said. "Plus, I wanted to get something that you'd remember me by. I know it's cringe." He said, blushing.

"I think it's really sweet. Trust me, I won't forget you." She said, holding his hand.

"You will come for the holidays, right?" He asked.

"I won't come for the holidays. In fact, I won't come back till I complete my 5 years in school. But trust me, I won't forget you."

"You sure Nat?"

"I've known you since I was 3, down to me being 17 right now. I'll never stop trying to keep in touch."

"I mean, you are going to chill with da Brits innit," Rex said, attempting a British accent which made Natasha chuckle.

"That was a terrible British accent." She said, smiling. "But it's more than that. I have a name to live up to and people are expecting a lot from me."

"And they aren't expecting from me?" Rex asked.

"Even if the universe depended on you getting an A. You still wouldn't get it."

"You don't tire of teasing my grades, do you?" Rex asked as he grinned.

"Never have, Never will." She said as she put her body into Rex's for a hug. "Promise me you won't forget me, Rex."

"I honestly don't make promises. But I'll try not to." He said as he let go of Natasha, who went into her bag and brought out a flash drive, handing it to Rex.

"What's in this drive?" He asked.

"It contains a montage of all our best memories together. Figured it'll help you remember me better."

"Thanks. I'll try not to forget it." He said, and he put the drive in his pocket and they were ready to kiss when the PA system made an announcement.

"ATTENTION! ATTENTION! THE FLIGHT TO ENGLAND TAKES OFF IN A FEW MINUTES. ALL PASSENGERS MOVE IN THE PLANE IMMEDIATELY."

"Oh snap. Let's move." Natasha said, and they moved towards the plane where passengers were boarding.

"Alright Nat, guess it's to England!" Rex said.

"Promise you'll keep in touch?" Nat asked.

"Always. See you in 2026 then," Rex said as he said goodbye and turned his back before Natasha called to him.

"Goodbye Laser Brain," Natasha said.

"Goodbye, Lily," Rex replied, and Natasha got on the plane.

Two weeks after Natasha left for England, FT industries held a board room meeting in FT industries. A round table was at the center of the board room with Steve and Mark seated at both ends of the table while the other directors sat at the sides. Steve got up and addressed the board.

"Good morning, my fellow directors. We are here to discuss the future of FT industries and review all our goals we set for this year," Steve said.

"And we shall also discuss our finances and financial implications," Mark added. "But before that, I would love to introduce my new intern, Kai Rollins," Mark said, pointing to Kai, and applause followed this. And then the members of the board discussed new projects, how to improve upon their current projects.

"Okay, then I trust that we have discussed everything we should. Does anyone have anything else to say?" Steve asked.

"Well, your son Rex has been displaying Rude and disrespectful behavior towards the other staff and even to some of us." Dr. Grant Said.

"Oh, take it easy, he's just a boy," Stella replied.

"His behavior needs to be tamed if he is to be a part of this company," Grant said.

"He will be a part of this company anyway," Stella said, rolling her eyes at Grant.

"It's okay! He's my son and I choose how to handle his behaviour, but you're right Stella, he will be a part of this company as long as I'm still here." Steve said.

"Dr. Fleming, you have a meeting at Baku, Azerbaijan, this weekend, right?" Mark asked.

"Yes, I do. I'll be taking the company jet," Steve answered. "Without further ado, does anyone have anything else they want to contribute?" There was silence, and Steve continued. "Okay then, because I have something to ask," Steve said as he put his hand in his bag and brought out a bio-powered blaster. and everyone in the room gasped in shock at the sight of it.

"Steve. What is that?" Mark asked, still shocked.

"Funny, isn't that what I should ask you?" Steve asked with anger growing in him. "How many of you know about this?" Steve asked, and one at a time, the board members raised their hands to signify their knowledge.

"Steve, it's not what it looks like!" Mark said, trying to calm Steve down.

"Don't tell me what it does or doesn't look like because all it looks like Is that you've been doing deals behind my back!" Steve yelled and opened a compartment in the blaster and brought out a little container and Mark was stunned. "This is our biofuel, isn't it? Isn't it?" Steve retorted.

"Calm down Steve, don't jump to unnecessary conclusions. I was going to tell you." Mark said.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Steve asked. "You've been using our technology to build weapons, and no one told me!"

"Get a hold of yourself, Steve! Those funds go into further developing the company and they brought us a large profit." Mark fired back, almost getting as angry as Steve but still seated down.

"WE DO NOT PROFIT OFF WAR!" Steve yelled with great anger and it stunned the other people present, but they dare not utter a word, as the two CEOs argued.

"I received money for weapons. I produce weapons. That's how business works, Steve." Mark said, getting up from his chair.

"Our policy is making the world a better place in science and technology. How does making weapons fit into our policy?"

"That policy means nothing if we can't make the maximum profit we want to make."

"We could've discussed this. You have been producing these weapons for years and I have zero knowledge of it," Steve said, looking straight into the eyes of Mark.

"That's because you would say no because of your self-righteous nature and your futile policy. Need I remind you that money from weapons formed this company?" Mark said and the other board members gasped and murmured among one another.

"I knew for some time that you were doing this, but I wanted your daughter to be gone first," Steve said.

"Again, this self-righteous attitude, without it, just imagine how high we could soar. We were on the verge of greatness. We were this close." Mark said.

"You won't continue selling weapons. Trust me, you won't. Not with our technology or our scientists or even our parts." Steve said and Mark walked towards Steve.

"Steve, for your own good, don't get in my way. You ignored it for years. I'm sure you can keep ignoring it."

"Is this a threat, Dr. Toney?" Steve asked as he stared Mark down.

"A threat? No. I'm stating the fact you should know." Mark replied and turned back and sat on his chair and Steve did the same.

"That aside, I'll be traveling to Baku this weekend for a convention and I'll be back by Tuesday," Steve said.

"Meeting over!" Mark said, and they all left the board room. As they left, Mark went to Steve and whispered to him. "I'm sorry, brother." And walked away to his office.

Steve arrived at FT industries very early that Saturday morning as he prepared to travel to Azerbaijan for a conference meeting with him were Sylvie and Rex. The place wasn't as busy as it normally would be, but some scientists were there, including Stella Sanchez.

"Dad, I told you I want to come to Azerbaijan with you," Rex said, whining.

"Why do you want to come? You don't even have any interest in the company." Steve said.

"Of course, I don't. I'm going there to hang out and make new friends. Check out that beautiful place called Baku. I've seen shit loads of pictures on Instagram, and that place looks nice." Rex said.

"I would take you, but you haven't given me any reason to take you with me. If you had shown more interest in the company, maybe you would go with us on this trip." Steve said to Rex, who became furious.

"Not like you showed more interest in me," Rex said, and Steve sighed.

"Oh. Rex, I wish I could make you understand. I really wish I could."

"Don't you see dad, there's no point in making me understand cause I fucking won't!" Rex said, still raging

"Language Rex!" Steve cautioned him. "Maybe you're not old enough to understand."

"What do you even mean?" Rex groaned. "I'm 16 turning 17 by July. What are you saying?"

"You can't understand as you are now." Steve calmly said.

"I can't understand why my father won't have time for his only son, HIS ONLY KID. Sometimes it's not just what money brings dad, sometimes I wanna take pictures and watch a football game with you but BLOODY NO it's one business trip after another, one project after another." Steve, hearing this, shook and his expression wavered a bit as he didn't look directly at Rex, instead performing a hand gesture telling Sylvie to leave them and she did just that. "But I have a poor attitude, right? Even mom who's a Senator actually has time to talk to me. I'm gonna be honest, and I don't care if you ground me."

"Rex, relax."

"Do you know why I don't have an interest in FT? Why isn't it at the top of my list? Why I'd rather throw parties than attend meetings? And why am I rude and arrogant to these workers?" Rex asked. "You! The owner of the company doesn't have interest in me. I'm not on top of his list. He'd rather attend a meeting than attend my 10th birthday." Rex said as some emotion set in. "Thanks a lot, dad!" Rex said and stomped away from Steve and towards Stella.

"Hey Rex, good morning." Stella greeted him.

"Fuck this morning!" Rex said as he walked away angrily. "And fuck this company too!" He yelled out, causing everyone who was there to look to him and Steve covering his face in confusion as Sylvie walked to him.

"Hey honey, everything alright?" She asked.

"No, nothing serious." He replied as Stella walked up to them.

"Dr. Fleming, Mrs. Fleming! Good morning, the jet is ready." She said with a smile on her face.

"Ah, thanks once again, Stella. Where is my assistant, Katherine? I want to speak with her." Steve said and Stella left and came back with another lady who was older than her.

"Dr. Fleming, you asked to see me?" Katherine asked

"Yes. Stella, Sylvie can you two please excuse us?" Steve asked and both of them walked towards the jet as they discussed with each other. "Katherine, have you prepared the papers?"

"Yes, Dr. Fleming, the papers for your purchase of Mark Toney's shares of the company are prepared and they will complete the deal on Tuesday after you return from Baku."

"Excellent. If Mark wants to turn FT industries into a weapon manufacturing company, then the best thing is that I take sole ownership of this business." Steve said.

"Agreed Dr. Fleming!" Katherine replied.

"Do not inform anybody of this plan. Okay?" Steve said.

"Okay, sir."

"Good," Steve said as he walked away to meet Sylvie and Stella.

"Okay Stella, we're heading to Azerbaijan. Since Natasha isn't around, please monitor Rex, so he doesn't trash the house." Sylvie said to Stella.

"Okay, Mrs. Fleming," Stella replied, and they walked towards the jet.

"Won't you speak to Mark before you leave?" Sylvie asked Steve.

"Won't be necessary darling," Steve replied and towards the place where the jet was, Rex sat there using his phone with his headphones in his ear. "Goodbye, son," Steve said as Rex waved to him unenthusiastically. Steve and Sylvie moved to the hangar but didn't board the jet after some time because the pilot was fixing it up.

Steve and Sylvie took the company's private jet to Baku while their entourage, including Steve's assistant, Katherine, went to the airport to take a plane there. Steve himself requested he fly alone with his wife.

In their jet, Steve sat next to Sylvie holding her hand and tapping his tablet.

"Hey, honey. Things got heated between you and Rex over there. What did he do now?" Sylvie asked, feeling concerned and worried, and Steve let out a tremendous sigh.

"I don't think it's about what Rex this time did. It's more of what I did or what I didn't do," Steve replied.

"Honey, I don't understand. Did you forget to give him his allowance because I can always send it to him right now?"

"This isn't about money. I told you about how my dad never had much time for me because of health issues. I'm doing the same thing to Rex, except this time I'm healthy." Steve said as he covered his face with his palm. "I really wish you could've done better."

"Babe, relax. It's not about what you didn't do, it's about what you can still do. You're alive and that's what matters." Sylvie replied, trying to console him.

"You think I can?"

"You create innovative ways to enjoy life, you donate to charity and the public loves you. I'm confident you can get your son to embrace you too," Sylvie replied and Steve smiled. "Now come on Steve, I want to show you something," Sylvie said and brought out her iPad and played a video of her and her husband teaching Rex to walk when he was 2 years old which only made Steve tear up.

"You know I've been too busy with work that I ended up forgetting the work I have here at home," Steve said and they watched more videos till they fell asleep.

Some hours later in the plane, both Steve and Sylvie were fast asleep while the Pilot flew them out of America and towards Europe when they woke up.

"How close are we to Azerbaijan?" Steve asked.

"Just relax, Dr. Fleming. We'll be there in no time." The pilot replied. After some time, however, Steve and Sylvie heard a sound that sounded like a countdown.

"Set to blow in 20 minutes. 20 minutes remaining." These were the words that kept on sounding, which changed to nineteen minutes remaining.

"Honey, turn off your alarm already," Sylvie said.

"That's not mine and I doubt it's an alarm," Steve said as he stood up to trace where the sound was coming from, he went to the back and shifted away some of their belongings to find a black object with a timer on it.

"IT'S A BOMB! THERE'S A BOMB ON THIS PLANE!" Steve screamed in terror as he ran to Sylvie, who had freaked out.

"A bomb how? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?" Sylvie asked, panicking, and Steve went towards the pilot.

"THERE'S A BOMB ON THIS JET!" Steve screamed while the bomb counted 15 minutes remaining. To Steve's surprise, the pilot had already set the jet to autopilot and had worn a parachute. "IT WAS YOU! YOU PLANTED THIS BOMB!" Steve shouted. "WHO SENT YOU?"

"I'LL NEVER TELL!" the pilot said.

"YOU EVIL CREATURE!" Steve yelled as the pilot opened the door of the jet.

"REST IN PISS FLEMING!" The pilot jumped out and Steve rushed to where the bomb was as he tried to deactivate it while Sylvie ran to the pilot seat and picked up the communication device.

"May-day May-day! We need help. There's a bomb. Someone, please come in. WE NEED HELP!" Sylvie cried into the device, but there was no response. "Honey, no one's answering!" Steve kept trying to deactivate the bomb.

"Try calling your entourage or mine!" Steve said and Sylvie did it, but no response, which only made her more frustrated. "Relax, love, I can deactivate it. I know I can!" Steve said, feeling tense and scared.

"Honey, we can't die. What about Rex?" Sylvie asked, confused.

"Check around if there are any more parachutes in the jet." Steve said while still trying to deactivate it as he opened up the wires."

"Honey, there are no parachutes. How much longer till you deactivate it?" Sylvie asked, trembling and fidgeting.

"10 MINUTES REMAINING." The bomb said as Steve kept trying to deactivate it.

"Who could do this? Who would do this to us?" Sylvie asked, still visibly panicking and close to passing, but Steve calmed her down. He looked like he was trying to deactivate the bomb, but he accidentally cut the wrong wire.

"INSTANT KILL ACTIVATED! 2 MINUTES TILL DETONATION." The bomb said.

"What did you do Steve?" Sylvie asked in fear.

"This is FT technology. Whoever tried to kill us is from the company," Steve said in panic. "We won't survive this, Sylvie. This is how we die." Steve said as he broke into tears and Sylvie rushed and hugged him.

"God save our son please!" Sylvie said as tears filled her eyes, and that of Steve.

"30 SECONDS TILL DETONATION." The bomb said and at that sound, Steve pulled Sylvie into one last kiss, as he wanted their last moment on earth to be of love and not of pain.

"I love you, Sylvie," Steve said.

"I love you too, Steve. See you up there." Sylvie replied and as they locked lips, the bomb exploded, destroying the plane into pieces and killing both Steve and Sylvie. This was on April 25th, 2021, with both of them 50 years of age. 26 years of marriage ending in tragic circumstances.