C2 The Aftermath of a Tragedy

As Charles got into the office, Helena Hughes came in, mounting elegantly. She approached Ethan who was sitting outside Charles's office on his swivel chair.

Quickly, he placed a call to Charles as Helena waited for a response. The phone beeped in Charles's office and it broke the silence.

"Sir, the general manager would like to see you. May I permit?" He asked over the phone.

"Let her in." He said swiftly and beads of sweat were visible on his temple due to anxiety.

Ethan stood to his feet and opened the door for Helena.

"Thanks." She said as she beamed a smile at Ethan.

Helena Hughes - a woman not more than 27 walked in as gracious as an elite high-class personage. She is slim and of average height.

She has dark hair which was parted in halves into a classy bob. She had a straight brown skirt on her matching her beautiful brown eyes. She wore a plain white shirt and black stiletto heels to complete the look.

Also, she wore stud earrings and a simple necklace. Her earring was visible because she tugged her hair behind her right ear. She had a casual makeover and she looked simple but expensive.

"Sir, the meeting has been organised." She informed Charles who sat behind his desk.

It was obvious that he was impatient to receive her feedback as he swivelled his chair anxiously.

Quickly, he stood up and they made their way out. As they passed Ethan's desk, worry lay on his face as he was just as helpless as Charles. Being so close to his boss, he felt so bad.

*****

Arriving at the conference room, they all had long faces and they looked so pitiful.

"What has been done concerning finding the aircraft?" Charles asked, bearing the longest face.

"We're in touch with the area controller and we're waiting for their feedback." Mr Shane, the Chief Information Officer replied.

"Is that all you can tell me? What's going on with the maintenance team? From the reports I have here, the weather was calm so, how did an aircraft go missing? How? Are you all aware of the number of lives at stake and the implication of this?" Charles yelled as he banged a file on the desk.

He was fed with all that had been happening and he was putting his frustration on his workers. Not that he's being mean, it's just that an aircraft that flew in perfect condition with no complaint from the flight crew is suddenly missing and stands a chance of not being found soon.

You won't blame him for being harsh and angry even though it might have also appeared as a surprise to them. Everything was getting to him because the company's reputation will be tarnished publicly.

After he left the conference room, he headed for his office and placed a call to the air traffic controllers. Swiftly, he grabbed the landline and placed the receiver on his left ear in panic. Indistinct sounds erupted from the phone and Charles put his frustration on the caller at the other end who tried to explain things to him.

"Do something!!" He yelled and dropped the phone.

He became unstable and started pacing in his office space. He was dissatisfied with everything: the conference meeting, the non-productive phone call and worse, the disappearance of the aircraft which is the root of the problem. As he paced, he placed his hands behind his neck with them clocked and he breathed out. He was feeling weak as the situation was getting out of hand.

He was fully aware of the implications of the plane's disappearance as well as the fact that it must have crashed- a phenomenon that's known by all. Still, in confusion, he reached for his whiskey, poured it into the glass and took it in a gulp. He did this repeatedly and after he took three gulps, he left the area and sat on the couch with a glass of whiskey in hand.

He was losing it and fear washed in. Due to this, he became sombre and a tear fell from his eyes. His heart was racing and its speed was uncontrollable.

It seemed unbelievable because Charles is a strong individual who is used to fighting battles of the heart. Nothing has proved possible to sway him after his experiences as a child.

After conquering his past and his afflictions with his family, he decided to mould his life according to his prospects and live by them. At this point, he felt weak and helpless because he didn't want all his hard work to be in vain.

He became lost in his thoughts and due to his dissatisfaction with the matter at hand, a scowl formed on his face. With his back resting on the couch, he shook his head and another tear fell off his face. He spread his hand over his face and breathed out. Tired of thinking, he sat up and swallowed another gulp from the glass in hand.

*****

It's 3: 05 p.m. A phone beeped in the Jacksons' residence and it came from the study room.

James Jackson, Charles' father and a man in his fifties faced the window staring at nothing in particular. His shoulders were firm and his dark hair shone on his grey suit. As soon as he heard the beep, he left the spot and reached for his phone which lay on the desk.

"Any news Andrew?" He asked his personnel who kept him updated about West Land Airlines.

"Yes, Chairman but it will displease you," Andrew answered.

"Let me decide that. Go on." James ordered and silence surged for a while before Andrew spoke.

"Sir, the flight that took off this morning for Tokyo is missing. I'm sorry sir."

"What!!!" James yelled in surprise and his phone dropped due to the shock he was in.

"I'm sorry sir. Andrew said again before the call got disconnected but James was too shocked to respond.

As his phone fell, he lost balance and put his weight on the desk as he rested his hand on it. Soon, he was facing down and squeezing his chest. As James' voice bellowed in the mansion, Henry Jackson, Charles' fifteen years old brother came rushing.

"Dad! Dad!!" he called out but his father who clutched at his chest didn't respond. He placed his hand on his father's chest and held him firmly as James was becoming weak. James groaned and this made Henry scared.

"Dad!" He called out again but James collapsed.

Without hesitation, he spoke again. "Mom! Mom!! Somebody!" he shouted and Veronica Jackson, a beautiful, elegant and classy woman in her early fifties and Charles' mother came in.

She was shocked by the scenario as her husband lay on the floor with her son looking helpless and the sound from her heels gratified her as she started rushing toward them.

"James! James!!" she yelled as she shook his body.

"Martha!" she yelled again and a beautiful maid arrived.

Just when she stood by the door, Veronica ordered. "Call Daniel. I need him now."

Quickly, Martha went out and came back with Daniel, James'. Daniel rushed toward them and assisted Henry in lifting his father.

"Call the doctor immediately!" Veronica ordered Martha and the young lady rushed to grab the phone.

"Okay, ma'am."

She checked the phone book which was in James' room and did as she was told. Veronica was worried about James and it lingered on her face. She was panicking because she didn't know what went wrong. With Daniels's help, James was placed on his bed.

"Ma'am, I've done as you instructed," Martha said as she came into the room and then, she stood looking at James.

"I hope it's not serious," Daniel said.

Veronica was disgusted by this as she hates being in the presence of the workers. Veronica was more disgusted by their commentary because she doesn't see why they should share their opinions or get involved in personal issues.

Veronica moved closer to James' bed and sat by his side. She held her husband's hand and looked at Daniel before she spoke.

"You can leave now," she said rudely and they both looked at her a little surprised. Martha was more surprised because she didn't expect Veronica to behave like this in such a situation.

"I said leave my presence!" she ordered and they rushed out.

Henry was surprised by his mom's attitude because all they did was worry about his father's state of health.

"Mom, that was unfair to them. You called them and all they did was help."

"You said it. I called them, that means that I can dismiss them whenever I want as well," she replied.

"Mom!" he called out in surprise.

"Look, that should be the least of your worries. What happened to your father?" Veronica asked and Henry frowned.

"I don't know. I'm confused." After his utterance, Veronica looked at him in a confused manner.

"What do you mean by you don't know? I met you with him," she said.

"I heard dads voice and I rushed to study. When I got to him, he was clutching his chest and I tried to help him but he collapsed in my arms."

"Did you see him doing anything before he fainted?" she asked worriedly and waited for her son to reply.

"No. Wait, his phone fell. I think he received a phone call."

"Oh goodness, it must be related to the company's stocks. I've told him to stay off the business since Charles has been running it. Why can't he adhere to instructions? He's too stubborn." she said angrily.

"Mum, this isn't the time for lectures and besides he isn't awake. We should hope that it isn't fatal." Henry suggested.

"Excuse me, ma'am, Doctor Michael is here." Martha interrupted their conversation.

"Send him in," she said without turning to face her.

"Good day." Dr Michael greeted them as he came in.

"Good day doc," Veronica responded.

"What happened exactly?" he asked and Veronica was quick to respond, "He fainted after he received a phone call."

"I hope it's not fatal." she continued.

"Can I have a moment with him?" Dr Michael asked and Veronica nodded before answering. "Sure!"

Quickly, Veronica left the bedroom and Henry waited outside while she went to the study. Henry's words sparked her senses and she became inquisitive, desiring to find out what led to James' condition. She picked up his phone and searched through the call logs. Without hesitation, she dialled Andrews's number.

"Sir," Andrew answered.

"Andrew, what did you tell James?" she spoke.

"Ma'am I'm sorry about what I'm about to tell you," he said, realizing that Veronica was the one calling.

"What is it?" she said anxiously.

"Westland aircraft are missing." Veronica stared wide-eyed after his utterance, it sank in and she fell out of breath.