Chapter 5 AN EYE FOR AN EYE

Chapter 5: An Eye For An Eye

The bustling airport is filled with the sound of announcements and chatter, accompanied by the hum of suitcases rolling across the polished floor. Long lines of people wait patiently at the check-in counters, eager to drop off their luggage and begin their journey. Amidst the chaos, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafts from nearby cafes, enticing weary travelers to grab a quick bite.

Tasha exits the plane, accompanied by her twins, who are dancing with excitement. "Please stop running around, children," she cautions them. "Okay, mama," Kendell responds with a chuckle. "I'm eager to get home and meet my new friends," Ken says, holding his PJ Masks toy in his left hand.

"We'll be home soon, darling," Tasha assures her son, crouching down to his level. She gently places a light kiss on his forehead. Kendell's face falls into a pout, her arms crossed over her chest.

"What about me, Mama?" she asks, her voice tinged with jealousy. Tasha chuckles and obliges, placing a light kiss on Kendell's forehead as well. "Of course, one for you too," she says with a smile.

"Alright, kids, let's head to the cab waiting for us across the road," Tasha announces, pointing towards the vehicle. She takes the lead, and her children follow closely behind.

Upon arriving at the cab, the driver assists with loading their luggage into the trunk, ensuring everything is securely packed. With their belongings stowed away, Tasha ushers her children into the cab and takes a seat beside them.

With his passengers comfortably seated, the driver sets off immediately, familiar with Tasha's destination. As they cruise through the city, Tasha's gaze wanders, taking in the breathtaking views and marveling at the remarkable transformations that have occurred in just a few years. "This city is beautiful," Kendell exclaims, equally captivated by the scenery, her eyes fixed on the window.

"I want to see too," Ken chimes in, his curiosity piqued by his mom and sister's admiration of the view. He has been watching them gaze out the window, and now he wants to see what's captivating their attention.

"Stay in your seat, Ken," Kendell responds, tugging on her brother's arm. "You don't need to see everything," she adds, slightly annoyed by his sudden interest.

"No, Kendell, you shouldn't be mean to your brother," Tasha admonishes her daughter firmly, having always encouraged her children to live in harmony. "As the eldest twin, you should be looking out for him." Kendell attempts to protest, but Tasha interrupts her.

"No excuses, Kendell. Be kind to your brother and let him sit by the window for a while..." But her words are cut short by the loud screeching of the car's tires and the heavy thud that follows, leaving her speechless.

"What the...!" Tasha exclaims, shutting her eyes as she processes the scene unfolding before them. Their car has collided with another, and the owner of the other vehicle is visibly enraged.

The cab driver quickly exits the vehicle and approaches the angry man, attempting to placate him. "I am so sorry, sir," he pleads, his face etched with fear.

Tasha observes the scene unfolding from her seat and senses that something is amiss. She finds the cab driver's excessive pleading with the owner of the other vehicle to be unsettling. His demeanor is overly submissive, as if he's beseeching a superior being, which she finds distasteful.

Tasha attempts to catch a glimpse of the man's face, but he has his back to her. However, based on his physique and build, she can tell that he is a young man, and a handsome one at that.

Her gaze shifts to his car, and her eyes widen in surprise. It's the latest model, a trendy vehicle that's highly sought after in town. "He must be extremely wealthy," she thinks to herself, "which explains why the cab driver is being so obsequious in his apology."

Tasha decides to intervene, sensing an opportunity to assert herself. She recalls her own rags-to-riches story, having turned a mere $20,000 from a chance encounter into a billion-dollar fortune.

With newfound confidence, she turns to her son and says, "Why don't you take my seat, dear? You can enjoy the view of the city from here." Her son's face lights up with excitement as he accepts her offer.

"I'll go find out what's happening," Tasha says calmly, turning to her children. "You two stay here and don't argue, okay?" She steps out of the cab to assess the situation herself. Approaching the cab driver, she asks,

"What's going on here?" The driver, visibly shaken, begins to explain. Before he can finish, the owner of the damaged car turns to face her, his anger boiling over. "Are you the reckless woman who hired this incompetent driver?" he accuses, his voice raised.

Tasha's eyes widen as she takes in the face of the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on. Her gaze lingers, entranced, until his voice breaks the spell. "Hello?" he says, his tone hinting at amusement. Tasha snaps back to reality, mortified by her own behavior.

She realizes she has been staring at a stranger with unbridled longing, and her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Regaining her composure, she shoots back at him, "Were you blind not to see our car?" Her words are laced with irritation, and she glares at him, attempting to hide her earlier lapse in decorum.

The man's eyes scan the surrounding area, incredulous, as if to confirm that Tasha's words are indeed directed at him. Never in his life has anyone spoken to him with such blatant disrespect. "Incompetent fool," Tasha adds, her voice dripping with disdain.

"You should move your damaged car from the road before I call the authorities on you," she continues, her tone unyielding. The man stands frozen, stunned into silence. "Let's go," Tasha instructs the cab driver, and without hesitation, the driver hastens to depart, relieved to have narrowly avoided further confrontation.

Tasha hands the man a check for 2 million, saying, "Use this to repair the minor scratch on your car." She tosses the check at him before entering the cab.

The driver promptly accelerates, and the vehicle disappears from view. The man remains stationary, still reeling from the unexpected encounter. His phone buzzes in his pocket, snapping him back to reality. With hesitation, he answers the call, placing the phone to his ear.

"Speak fool!" she commands the caller gruffly. "Sir, Desmond, the businessman from France, is here," his manager stammers. "I'll be right there," he responds, ending the call. He pockets his phone and returns to his car, his mind still preoccupied with the enigmatic woman.

Despite his desire to confront her for her dismissive behavior, he can't shake off the feeling of familiarity. Why does she seem so familiar?