William POV
“Antonio is not helping matters, William,” Lucas says as he lifted his glass of wine to his mouth.
I exhaled the smoke from my nostril and shook my head.
We're both sitting in a tavern having a drink.
Antonio is one of my boys, I sent him on a mission to spy on a client who has stopped trading with me; he's not sharing any details, neither picking my calls.
“What do we do?” Lucas asked, adjusting himself on his seat.
I leaned back on the metal chair while flipping the butt of my cigarette in the ashtray.
Antonio knows me well, I do not understand why he's testing my patience.
I averted my gaze from our table, and it landed on a woman.  Hang on, it was not just a woman.
It's not really late at night, but the bulbs brighten the whole place.
I watched as she talks to the young man sitting across her, she has really grown into a more beautiful woman.
But who's the man?
Was she her husband?
But he looks younger.
F**k,
I'm less bothered about that, but I'm not missing this opportunity for anything.
“Are you okay?” I heard Lucas, but I didn't turn to him. The man got on his feet and I watch as she also stood up, carrying her blue bag on the table, and they both walked out.
I dropped my half smoked cigarette and sprang up. Lucas also rose to his feet, watching me with confusion plastered on his face. “Follow me,” I instructed as I walked past him.
“But why are we following them?” Lucas asked for the third time. “If you miss them, you're going to regret it,” I warned, not sparing him a look.
I heard him breathe out.
“Okay” he says.
We drove behind them till they make a U-turn and drove into an estate.
“Slow down, will you?” I groaned at Lucas, adjusting the hat on my head. “Didn't you ask me to follow them?” He retorted.
“So you want to make them know we're following them?” He shrugged.
“Since you're not saying why we're after them,” He says, driving slowly now.
I sighed softly and looked out the window.
“That's Stella, the mother of my child,” I told him, and I heard him gasped. “The same woman you've been looking for?” He asked in disbelief. I turned to him and gave a short nod. “Halt the car,” I ordered.
“Let's wait and see which of the buildings they're driving into,” I added.
Lucas nodded curtly.
***
I should be happy I finally saw Stella today,
 but no, I feel sad instead, which I can't figure out why. Stella is the only woman I used to love, her small smile illuminates my day, she gave me so much joy.  Many ladies envied and threatened her times without number, but I made sure I put them in their places, making them know that Stella is a different piece.
But there was this unfortunate day, the day I dread the most was the day she found out the nature of my job, she was so saddened and furious for been deceived.  
And that same day, she wanted to leave the house with our daughter- Sofina.
I pleaded with her not to go, but she said she can't afford to continue living with a criminal.
That statement shattered my heart and I promised to change my ways yet, she insisted. I was forced to take it in another way round, I declared she's not going anywhere with my daughter. And to my utmost surprise, Stella fetched a knife from the kitchen and threatened to stab me if I refuse to pave the way.
I was shocked to the bone, I mean I never saw Stella like that- I laughed it off and strode closer to her, begging her earnestly.
“Stay back William otherwise I will stab you" her words replays in my head. "I'm not joking right now, stay back!” She yelled.
I held her hand and made to pull her to myself closely, but I got stabbed in the stomach instead.
“Yo Dad” David's voice jerked me back alive.
I sniffed and sit up properly on the couch, I was really lost in thought.
David took his seat across mine, staring intensely at my face. “Are you okay, Dad?” He asked with concerned laced in his voice.
 
“Get me a glass of water,” I ordered.
He stood up and hurried into the kitchen.
He returned with the glass of water and gave it to me. I gulped it at once and gave him the glass cup.
“I feel good now,” I told him.
He nodded and walked into the kitchen, probably to return the glass cup.
I'm getting you soon, Stella.
It's been long I saw my daughter, so I need to see her. “Guess what, Dad?” David says with so much ecstasy as he returns to his previous seat. “You've finally learned how to use your gun?” I asked nonchalantly, picking my pack of cigarettes on the coffee table.
He chuckled softly while shaking his head sideways. “What's it then?” I asked, a stick of cigarette in between my lips.
“The girl is here,” he announced.
I glanced at him and lighted my cigarette.
“The same girl you want to have, Flora,” he added. I looked at him abruptly.
“That lady with Zayn?” I asked him and he nodded happily. I rose to my feet.
“Where's she?”
“In the guest room,” he replied.
David opened the door slowly, I stepped into the guest room, and what I saw broke my heart immediately. She's asleep, her hands and legs are tied up with a plaster on her mouth.  I ran to her on the bed.
I loosened the rope quickly and removed the plaster from her mouth.
I stared at her face as she sleeps soundly.
She's so beautiful. I removed her hair from her face and stood up from the bed; David met my gaze and quickly lower his head.
I got to where he was standing and slapped his cheek very hard.” How dare you?” I roared. “Didn't I tell you to treat her, right? Huh!” I yelled silently, I wouldn't like to disrupt her sleep. “Is she a criminal?” 
“I'm sorry, Dad,” He apologized.
I glared at him and stormed out of the room.
Fool.