"An eagle always make sure to provide the needs of the eaglet after it hatches but when it"s time to fly, it would go to the extreme to help the eaglet that is yet to take flight." Chamberlain explained still walking with no direction in mind."Are you threatening me?" Carl asked taking a defense stance.
"No, I"m just telling you." Replied Chamberlain casually without turning back.
"You"re an eaglet, you might not know it and you need to fly now." Chamberlain added. He had long shed off his playfulness. This is the only thing he could do to make Carl come out of his sh.e.l.l, push him down. If he dies, then too bad. If he doesn"t, another talent under his wings.
"I"m human." Carl snorted.
Chamberlain smiled wryly. He did not know whether to hit Carl for not understanding he was only making a reference or scold him for acting like he did not understand.
"Gentlemen any problem?" A familiar voice asked. Actually he had witnessed the whole scene but he was not sure when or how to interrupt. He knew Carl was not comfortable but they were only talking so he only watched from the sidelines.
Happiness shrouded Carl. He had been looking for a means to get away from Chamberlain, Hughes gave him hope.
"None." Stated Chamberlain.
"Carl, I"ve been waiting for you." Hughes commented. Chamberlain couldn"t tell if he was lying or not and he did want to draw the attention of other people. Besides, he was done talking to Carl.
"I"ll be taking my leave now." Carl hurriedly said, moving towards Hughes but was stopped by the men. Chamberlain had not given the order so how could they let him go?
"I"ll see you some other time, Carl." Chamberlain said before leaving with his men making Carl sigh in relief.
"You, come with me." Hughes said, going into the elevator. Carl briskly followed behind.
In the elevator, Hughes pressed the b.u.t.ton for the third floor and watched the number increase. He said nothing, Carl kept mute too watching the elevator move upwards.
"Ding." The door opened and they both stepped out.
"What trouble did you get yourself in?" Hughes inquired, holding his head. He did not like getting attached to people or b.u.t.ting into other people"s business but he had done it before he could stop himself.
Inside the elevator, he had contemplated whether to ask Carl about the situation or not. He wagered if anyone got in, he wouldn"t ask. As no one got in, he had to ask.
Carl thought for a while then he shook his head, "I"m not sure..."
"What do you mean? What did you do to him?" Asked Hughes. His expression was stern but it didn"t hide the worry in his eyes.
He folded his arms before answering, "Nothing."
"Then why… What does he want then?"
"He wants me to work for him, I refused but he seems obligated to force me into "taking flight".
"What flight?" Hughes asked in confusion. He only saw them talking but did not hear what they talked about.
Carl was not sure how to explain the eaglet story, "It"s.. he wants me to grow."
"It seems he won"t give up anytime soon. What are your plans?"
"I have none." Said Carl, lowering his eyes. Even if he stakes all he has, he couldn"t go against the Stans, what could he do? He either has to work for them or wait until whenever the "eagle" attacks him.
Hughes stood unshakable like a mountain, he observed Carl as he spoke, "They seem dangerous, especially the boss, are you just going to wait until he pushes you down?"
"What can I do? I can"t avoid him and I"m not powerful enough to go against him." Reasoned Carl.
"So you just want to give up?"
Hughes question made him tremble. Even if there was no way, he needed to make one. He could not afford to sit pending when he would be attacked.
"I…"
He did not have the chance to answer when Kim stood by him greeting Hughes. He was surprised to see her. As she stood by his side, he felt comforted.
…
"Just a repeat of what happened yesterday." Carl said casually not wanting to elaborate. He drew back, holding her hand instead.
She was really curious about it yesterday and wanted to ask but she did not want to remind him with the explanation he gave. "You did not tell me what happened yesterday." She simply stated.
"Fine, I"ll tell you." Carl said sighing. It"s not like it was something to hide anyway. Besides they lived together just in case her safety was compromised because of him.
"It"s just a man who wants me to work for him…" Thinking back, he recalled Chamberlain met with his father recently. He had forgotten about the report. "What is he planning?" Carl pondered.
Taking a deep breath, he recounted what happened in clear and concise terms.
"So what will you do?" Inquired Kim. She stared at the hand holding hers and her grip became tighter.
Her little action encouraged and comforted him, "I"m not sure, let"s just see where this is going."
"I"m sorry." She apologized with her head lowered. She let her insecurities and fear of abandonment cloud her reasoning.
Truth be told, her earlier confidence was just a front, it was a shield in case her fears really come through.
"It"s fine," he said pulling her closer before adding, "Let"s go home."