Chapter 2: Catching a Fish
13 MONTHS BACK
"You have to help me Philip, he is my only son and he is so young, barely 17, I cannot let that monster have him. I beg of you do something, anything!" Miranda pleaded desperately
"Do you think I want this?" Philip retorted. "What choice do we have? Liam is our everything. Even if he is biologically not ours we have never considered him as not of our own. But he is a Devil in disguise. Once he made up his mind we are doomed. Be strong Miranda for the sake of our son." Philip rocked Miranda's sobbing body feeling devastated himself. He is paying the price of his sins, no his son is doomed to pay the price. He felt tired both physically and emotionally as he reflected on what happened few days back.
Philip Rogers took care of the accounts of the billionaire Bishop family. On the outside they were respectable, kind and extremely social who gave millions to charity. Bishop family had numerous politicians, the police force and judges in their pocket. Behind their sunny aura lies the dark murky truth. 70% of their business runs legally but the rest 30% is where the big games are played and money rolled. Philip was an expert in channelling illegal money through legal route. He was best in his field and thus was very handsomely paid. He had learnt to stay dispassionate and not to stick his nose where it didn't belong. In his 20 years of association with the Bishop family he had seen it all. Torture, murder, illegal trades, drug abuse he was exposed to everything. He still shivered when he thought of the first murder he witnessed. The bishop family prided themselves on being hands-on. They liked to torture and kill their targets themselves. They often involved their children as small as eight in those gruesome processes. Mr. Adrian Bishop called it early education.
Currently the family was run by Damien Bishop, Adrian's eldest son. Philip shuddered as he thought of Damien. Extremely handsome, charming with shrewd business sense at twenty eight , Damien was considered as the most eligible bachelor. Women swooned over him. He was always being interviewed by some news channel and often a front page news being the paparazzi's golden boy.
But Philip had never met someone more cruel and brutal. Damien was like a chameleon, charming and bright in front of the society, barbaric and atrocious behind the veil. A psychotic, cold blooded killer, yes that's what he was in actuality. Damien spend his mornings attending meetings, greeting foreign delegates, making brilliant, astute business decisions which earned him numerous accolades and applause. The nights were spent torturing some poor soul or engaging in sexual perverseness.
Having black hair and midnight black eyes Damien stood at 6.2 ft tall with fit muscular body. His face was curved by the devil himself which successfully allured innocent preys into his trap. They got fooled by his bewitching charms and promises of spending a lust filled night in opulence but more often than not they left in a body bag. Philip was not the one to snoop and he wisely pretended not to know anything. Looking the other way though gave him many sleepless nights, worked well until now and kept him safe except now when his life took a turn for the worst.
Seven days back on that fateful morning everything turned chaotic. He was already running late for a meeting with Drake, Damien's brother when his car decided to show him the middle finger and refused to start in the middle of the road. When he frantically reached Bishop Enterprise he had just seven minutes to spare. As he got out of the car fate decided to play a sick joke on him and he realised he left one of the major important files at home. Cursing himself he called home. Luckily Liam was still home and offered to bring him back the file though not without a bribe. Philip smiled as he recalled the conversation. "Sure dad, but you know how tired I get after morning practice, and there is a loooong wait at the bus stop and my feet is swollen and also I am hungry and also..."
"What do want in exchange of bringing the file Liam?" Philip countered
"Dad... dad ... dad tch tch! what do you take me for? I am your son, of course I don't want anything. But you know it would be good to give me the keys for the new convertible just this once? Just so that I can drive extreeeemely cautiously and bring you the file?"
Philip chuckled. Liam was the light of their life. Philip and Miranda was married for 4 years when they discovered they couldn't have a biological child. Philip had oligospermia that is extremely low sperm count. They consulted many specialists, Philip had undergone many treatments but every time they were heartbroken. They truly wanted a baby. Miranda never blamed him but he could see the sadness in her eyes. The nights became lonely, Philip delved into his work life and Miranda spent her days alone cooped up in their home. The bright young couple slowly, unknowingly created a distance between themselves.
For Miranda it just started with a few glasses of wine and before long she became an alcoholic. They both went to numerous counselling sessions and AA meetings but nothing changed. One of their friend suggested adoption. They were sceptical at first but decided that there was no harm in trying. They went to their destination suggested by the same friend without any expectations. That was where they met Liam and their world changed. Liam was a beautiful child. He had golden blond hair and sparkling brown eyes that held mischief. He was just 2 years old but very social and his smile lit up the Roger family's world. They decided promptly Liam was theirs. From there everything went on smoothly, they completed the formalities within 2 months and brought Liam home.
Since then Liam filled up their world with happiness and love. Liam was bright, funny, confident and witty. He was the centre of attention wherever he went. He was their pride and joy. He was extremely popular in school, had lots of friends. He was teachers' favourite as well . Though he looked very delicate, he had a beautiful sunny personality and people just melted whenever they came in his contact.
Philip cursed himself. He wished he didn't forget the file, he wished he was not late, he wished he waited for Liam at the entrance and not gone inside the meeting room.
Everything was going smoothly in the meeting room. Philip successfully gave numerous avenues to turn their assets legal. The spread sheet showed profit and Philip was beginning to relax a bit after all Drake though Devil's spawn was still not as fatal as Damien . After about twenty minutes into the meeting Damien entered the room unannounced. Though technically he didn't need to. Philip fidgeted Liam was still not there with the file. Damien looked stoic and unnaturally on edge for some reason. It was never good to poke the devil when he was in a bad mood. Philip decided to call Liam and ask for his whereabouts. As he was about to excuse himself stating the cause Damien looked up at him.
"Ah but that won't be necessary Mr Rogers, your file is here with me" Damien smiled brightly, too brightly. "I didn't know you have a charming young man as your son, what a pity! I should get to know my associates more, don't you think Drake?"
Drake didn't answer as he knew his brother wasn't looking for one. Damien continued "let me correct my unsocial behaviour Mr Rogers why don't you bring your family over dinner tonight at the mansion?"
Philip felt his world sway. All the colour drained from his face. " I .. I don't think tha..that's necessary sir, we all know you treat us extremely well there is absolutely no reason for any formalities." Philip stammered.
"Nonsense, I feel extremely abashed that I haven't considered knowing my employees and associates properly. Let me mend my errored ways by inviting you tonight." Damien said with his sickly sweet smile. Though he was smiling but his eyes glinted danger, daring Philip to challenge him. When he saw Philip bow his head in acknowledgment he got up from his seat and directed towards Drake "finish up the meeting brother I am going to prepare the bait and hook I have a fish to catch, see you tonight Mr Rogers, I would say at 7 sharp, don't make me wait." With that he winked at Philip and left the room.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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