Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"This is no joking matter" Marie whispered, shifting closer

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Boss... Owena Hospital is not---"

"I said it's alright... Angela, your father will get transferred to the hospital by tomorrow"

Angela stared at him for a while.

Did he seriously just pull that off?

What amount of power made him---

She looked at her phone as it rang

"H–Hello..." She lowered her head as she answered the phone

"...what?" She gasped, looking up immediately

"Y–You mean..." She sobbed softly,

"Yes... He's here right now" she walked towards Trent stretching him the phone

"Hello" Trent looked at her as he answered the phone.

"Trent... Man... I don't know what to---"

"What's happened? How's he? I just made a call for it and---"

"Yes" Mikhail sniffled,

"I just got a call from the hospital. He's to be transferred tomorrow..."

"Oh. I thought..." Trent exhaled,

They already moved on it?

That fast?

"T–Thank you so much" Mikhail murmured, "I–I... I don't know how to---"

"You're my Friend, Mikhail... You're Theo's friend and you're like Family"

Marie held Angela looking at Trent.

Did he just pull that off from one call?

To Owena Hospital... Where even Congress members don't have the authority to go?

"Boss..." Theo walked closer

"...Who are you? Some hidden son of the President or---"

"Ah. I forgot to tell you... You've actually met my father"

"I've met the President?" Theo raised his brow

Marie chuckled, glancing at Angela as she slowly pulled herself away.

"Mr. Anton..." She shook her head as Theo looked at her

"What?" He gasped, turning to Trent.

"That's your Dad?"

Xander stared at Angela as she walked to Trent.

"Are you... should I get you---"

"I–It's alright..." She smiled, lowering her head as she reached Trent.

"Angela..."

"T–Thank you so much" she sniffled, bowing her head.

"I... I thought we were going to lose---"

"It's alright" he chuckled, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"You're a dear friend to me, Angela. And an employee that means a lot to me... To Marie... Xander... and Theo" he pulled her in for a hug

"You mean a lot to us"

Theo and Xander looked at each other.

"Thank you, Boss" they bowed

"You're like Family to us" Marie chuckled, walking closer and placing her palm on Angela's back.

Angela stayed like that for a while, crying softly.

What would I have done?

Being that helpless... Not being able to solve it my way...

The tears rolled down effortlessly owning her cheeks.

"I'll meet Mia for something to eat" Xander muttered, turning to leave.

Angela bowed as she left his embrace and took her phone, walking to take a seat as Theo steadied her.

"Great job, golden Boy" Marie stood right at his front and whispered.

"You... deserve more than a head rub"

"A kiss?" he mused, staring into her eyes.

She chuckled, dragging his shirt closer and kissed his cheeks.

"You'll get more"

Theo turned his face away as she turned back.

The Captain's such a great man.

How much will it take to pull something like that?

And what? Old Man Anton is his Dad?

Was he the Son he told me about?

So... He's my benefactor's son?

Why didn't they tell me before?

He exhaled. There's no need to think about it. What matters is the fact that he's a good person.

"I'll make preparations for you to follow us to Kraven if you want to" Trent looked at them

"I–I have to---"

"Mikhail will take care of it" Theo nodded at her, "And I'm sure he'd want you to go with us"

"I... don't know if---"

"Just call him" Marie cut in, looking at Trent.

"It depends on if she wants to come along. I promise that the hospital will give priority to your dad— the kind they'll give to the President"

They looked at him.

What made him have such confidence?

"Trust me"

Marie exhaled.

He might hide things from us, but He's never failed trust.

Not even once

"I'll stay..." Angela shook her head.

"I want to be with him when he gets transferred"

"Alright... Whatever you'll need in the country when I'm out, just let me know and I'll have it prepared"

Xander entered back in with Mia, holding a tray of snacks and drinks.

"Good evening, Sir, Ma'am..." Mia greeted as she walked past them.

"Good evening, Mia" they answered looking at her.

"We'll be going to bed" Trent chuckled, looking at Marie's face.

"Somebody's in a hurry" She mused with a grin.

"Goodnight, Cap... Goodnight, Marie"

"...Goodnight"

"Goodnight, Sir"

_____

"Good morning, lightweight..." He chuckled, turning to her as she sat against the bed post.

She scoffed, looking at him.

"You're just an alcoholic"

"I believe the word you're looking for is that I won" he chuckled.

"After all the talks of beating my ass"

"Didn't mean you should take advantage of me" she rolled her eyes.

"I don't think that's taking advantage of you... You'll make people misunderstand"

"Well... You have too much energy. We really had to do all that?"

"We might get invited to a social gathering when we get to Kraven... And it's just polishing your skills, it wasn't that hard"

"Right..." She scoffed.

"You should get ready" he stood up

"The pilot's here and everyone's ready. We'll leave after breakfast"

"What about you?"

"I've taken my bath. I just need a change of clothes and I've packed the bags"

"How do you know what I'll need?" She chuckled, standing up.

"I packed lightly—just one of each duplicate item, and everything that you only had one of"

"That's pretty efficient..." She nodded slightly, "But what if I needed something else, huh?"

"We'll just buy it"

She laughed softly,

"Spoken like a true billionaire"

"I'll be at the dining room" he chuckled, walking towards the wardrobe.

"I'll take the bags like this if it's alright with the lady..."

"It's alright... My Prince" she curtsied, laughing.

"We'll just buy it" she laughed as she walked into the bathroom.

_____

"That was wonderful" Trent looked at Mia as she packed the plates.

"Yeah... I'm going to miss you, Mia" Marie sniffled jokingly.

"It's just 3 days" Mia chuckled, looking at her.

"I'll bring tons of spices from Kraven so we can try some dishes"

"That'll be wonderful" Mia laughed softly, nodding as she turned away to leave.

"Theo and Xander are waiting outside" Trent stood up.

"Let's go"

They sighted Angela leaning on her car as they walked out.

"She must be waiting for you" Marie tapped his back, walking off

He glanced at Theo and Xander and walked to where she stood.

"G–Good morning" she greeted as he got closer

"Good morning. I hope you slept well"

"I did..." She chuckled, "I just want to be there when they transfer him"

"You should've left already, then" he chuckled, "I'll try to visit when I get back, if that's okay"

"Sure..." Her eyes brightened

"That's very okay. My Dad will be so pleased to meet you... I just spoke with my elder sister— she just entered the country"

"Oh. I hope she's okay"

"She'd have come here if I didn't stop her— she wanted to thank you"

"I'll visit when I get back" he chuckled, "The hospital will do their best to make everything comfortable. Don't worry about anything, I'll take care of it"

"...Thank you" she bowed

"You're welcome. Greet her and Mikhail for me"

She smiled, waving towards Marie before getting into her car.

"She seems alive now" Marie looked at him as he reached her.

"Yeah... That's good. Let's go"

They all walked towards the helicopter and after some exchange of pleasantries, took off.

_____

Trent stretched as he stepped out, looking around.

"They really let you land here, huh? How much did you get the VIP ticket?" She asked as she stepped out, behind him

"I got it for free" he chuckled,

"Guess I'm that awesome"

"Show off"

"Let's head to the reception"

She looked at Scarlet and Xander.

She's the spy secretary, huh?

They've been so glued to each other throughout the journey.

Does Xander know about her?

Well... He's probably found out, no?

She exhaled, walking besides Trent.

"Isn't that?---" Trent paused, signalling her to look forward.

"Ornand Curry?" She blinked,

"Why's he walking towards us? We're not supposed to make contact---"

"There's no reporters here so it's okay, I guess... It'll just be a casual meeting"

"Mr. Ackerman" Ornand called out as he walked closer

"Mr. Ornand Curry... To what do I owe the honor?"

Ornand smiled at Theo and turned to Trent,

"You've got a really beautiful wife, Mr. Trent. It's my honor to have you people take time from your busy schedule to come watch the tournament"

"You'll be staying here too, Mr. Curry?" Marie asked, chuckling.

"I was just about to leave. I decided to stop by for a greeting..." He paused, looking at them.

"Eighty seven" Trent muttered softly, just enough for him to hear.

"One" Marie chuckled softly.

"Permit me to take some minutes from your time, Mr. Ackerman"