CHAPTER 35

James immediately called his boss to relay the message. He was sure this was something that could keep Jason back on track. He picked on the second ring.

"Yes, James. Why do I have your men tailing me?" Jason asked, peering at his rear mirror. He had noticed the black sedan tailing him almost immediately after he left the office. He could understand the security's need to keep him followed but never had he requested two full cars.

"You mean Sam and the men?"

"Yes. Who else?" He slowed the car to a reasonable speed then adjusted his belt. Putting the call on speaker, he asked. "Why the whole team anyway?"

"What do you mean the whole team?" James asked and was immediately chatting up Sam.

"Two cars are tailing me."

"No. Ours is the black sedan." He read Sam's reply. "They grey Camry isn't ours. I was trying to talk to you about that this morning." Sam and his men apparently found the car tailing them. The occupants were two black men in a dark suit, and the men were trying to get a good capture of their faces to run their profile on their database. He didn't tell Jason that. What he told him instead was. "We are on it. Are you on your way back here?"

Jason looked at the two cars behind him doubtfully. "When did this start?" He asked rather than reply to his security head.

James sighed. He knew this would upset him. "Two days ago."

He swore. "And you're just telling me this now?"

"You've been a little distracted lately." He tried to sound bland.

"I'm on my way." Jason said and disconnected the call. James immediately called Sam. "Stay on the men. We need to get their faces on our database today."

Jason turned the car at the next available turning without any signal. He watched as the other vehicle swerved dangerously to keep up, "The hell!" He swore, knowing the men in the Camry meant business. He continued to make several turns until he lost them then drove back to his office. "So, mind telling me what the hell is going on now?" He said as soon as he walked into the office. Dropping his suit on the chair, he turned to James, who was on call.

James got off the phone and told him, "They lost the men."

"Who are they, and why the freaking hell are they tailing me?" He repeated, feeling really stressed out.

"The men came into town the very day Robert Swiss arrived back in Miami." He paused to make sure the name mentioned sunk in, satisfied it did, he continued. "We think they might be associated with the Swiss."

"And why are they tailing me instead of the Swiss?" He said sitting down now. This didn't sound right.

"That we are yet to figure out." James said disappointedly.

"Then you better get to work."

"On it." He said and started to leave. At the door he stopped, "Mrs. Swiss agreed to meet."

"Okay. Good. Text me the details. And speaking of, get someone to stay with Evangeline 2.4.7."

"Okay, boss." James said and closed the door.

Jason watched the closed door. His mind drifted back to his baby mama and their last time together. Even thinking about her now was giving him a hard-on. He told himself to get a grip. Ellen would probably turn in her grave in disgust. He needed to stay away from Evan as far as possible. But even he knew that would be selfish, and Ellen would frown at that. The child she was carrying was his, and he had a duty to be by her side.

I just need to get my hormones on track... He cautioned. The file his team brought to him earlier in the day lay unattended on his table. He took his seat and opened the file needing a distraction. He wondered what their discovery was this time.

He hadn't read much to discover this was a brilliant idea. He picked the coms and dialed his secretary. "Get me the Lead Developer." He said, still looking at the file. A knock on his door made him glance up. "Come in."

The man stepped in and sat down when Jason pointed to a seat. "You wanted to see me, Sir."

"Yes. I must commend you and your team on this. It's amazing." Jason said. Still looking at the file, he flipped some more pages before turning to the man. "And I must say, I'm torn between the two projects." He skimmed through a few pages, "Using AI technology with the mobile phone and an advantage for the visually impaired."

"Perhaps I should ask first that how do you intend to do this? Before we discuss the second project."

The man sat up straighter and told him with bright eyes what they intend to accomplish. "With the AI image recognition software on the phone, visually impaired people can put it to great use. The phone can identify images, people, items placed directly in its camera view. This way, they can detect strangers in their home, unusual movements, read text messages, do some calculations. The possibility is endless, sir."

"Wow, I like that." Then, he looked earnest. "How about the profit margin? Did you make any calculations on the production cost and all?"

"Yes. We intend to make the software available in different languages, including English, so that users all over the world can access." Then he smiled. "Production will be slightly high at the beginning, but as more users subscribe, we can have our profits reeling in."

"Well, that's nice." Jason looked at the other project. "How about this other one. You intend to aid CCTV limitations using AI?" He bent over something in the file. "Hmmmmm, haven't we done this before?"

"Yes, but not quite like this. You know how crimes happen, and CCTV helps point out the offenders?" When his boss nodded, he continued. "We intend to help the CCTV to stop crime rather than detecting it only after it has been committed."

Jason nodded, quite fascinated, "Okay."

"To do this, we will enhance our technology to be super sensitive. It will detect suspicious movements, spot offenders holding harmful objects or weapons, and report on strange excessiveness that could lead to crime. Then the AI would alert the authorities. And our work is done. It is now left for the Police to take that up and be at the scene to stop the crime."

"Viola." Jason applauded. "This is amazing." He closed the file. "Tell your team leads and their members that I'm treating them to a fancy meal tonight. And a bonus in their salary."

"Thank you, Sir." The man bowed and took his leave. The look on his face was beyond happy.

CHAPTER 36

For Adriana, going back home to face a man who had stolen her heart all for revenge was the hardest thing to do. She had been pushing off this very moment. But it was inevitable. She knew it was something they'd have to talk about. And tonight, she intended to get this over with. She didn't cook. It was pointless. So, she bought some meals and microwaved them. As the twins chatted happily, she half-listened and half-watched them. Noah, on his part, played the perfect father. He answered their questions and cautioned them when they were out of line. Finally, the meal was over, and it was bedtime.

"Mom, you and dad should tell us a story." Elizabeth said pleadingly.

"Not tonight." Noah said, his eyes locked with his wife and he nodded.

Adriana was surprised. He had somehow sensed her foul mood. "Go to bed and be good. If you do, you'll get some treat tomorrow." She added, and the twins nodded happily while their father took them in. she cleared the table and stored the dirty dishes in the sink. Upstairs, she undressed and waited for Noah impatiently. He didn't come up immediately, and she wondered if he was avoiding her too. She went to turn off the light, hoping to catch some sleep in her widely disturbed state.

Tossing and turning, she gave up sleep and tried to remember how she had met Noah, wondering if their first meeting had been planned. Had he planned this revenge before meeting her? Or was it after he knew her as the enemy's daughter that he started this? They had met after a court case she had handled. Her mom had insisted she left the case, but she had been adamant. The client was a hardened criminal charged with the offence of killing his neighbor. Because he had served and was known with anger issues, it was easy to believe he committed the crime. To nail him further, forensic and psychological evaluation of the body pointed out that the assailant was angry. The depth of the wound was too deep to be ignored. The client's father had approached Adriana. He knew this time that his son was innocent as he was his alibi. They were together the day the murder happened. He was bent on clearing his son's name.

Several lawyers had turned him down, and Adriana was his last resort. She took the case and, having proven the man was innocent, dug her nails in. It was a complex case to crack. Even the jury found him guilty. After series of digging, the real victim, the neighbor's husband, was found. And Adriana had won again to the surprise of every lawyer who turned it down.

Of course, the media was ablaze. To evade the cameras, Adriana used the back door. As she stepped out, Noah had been there waiting for her.

She had used this door to avoid the cameras and all, but sometimes, it wasn't strange to find a few people waiting at the backdoor. That day, it had been just Noah. Maybe she should have been suspicious. But her relief when it was just one person lying in wait didn't make her see any foul play there. Thinking about it now, she remembered seeing another person. He was walking away from the courtroom.

"That was an impressive performance." Noah applauded as she came down the few steps. She smiled at him but continued on her way. "Everyone assumed you'd lose the case."

"What a vote of confidence. FYI, I have never lost a case." She gave him a look before walking towards her car.

"Another impressive record." He smiled at her.

Adriana had stopped when he smiled, and she was ultimately won over. He had a charming smile. "Do you need something?" She asked. "I'm exhausted."

"No. I just came to cheer you up. You did well."

"Thanks. Then, I have to be on my way." He was standing in her path, she reminded herself as she walked into the car. The driver started the car and was about to drive off when she noticed him murmuring something. She lowered the glass. "What?"

"Can I have your card? I might need a lawyer for this case."

Again, that smile! She handed over her card, smiled tiredly then tapped the car so the driver could take her home. They never did get round to the case he needed a lawyer for. He had called some days later. They had a few drinks. Then they went on a date, and before she knew it, they were dating and crazy over each other. One thing was clear now, Noah knew who she was from the beginning. He had been in the courtroom that day and knew exactly who she was and what she did. She tossed on the bed, wondering what was keeping him waiting.

Finally, the light flipped, and Noah walked in. He saw her squint at the light. "Sorry," he apologized. "I would have slipped into bed but decided something is bothering you. We should talk about it. Yeah?"

She nodded. Damn, right, we should. "Yes, let's." Sitting up, she said, "You can start by telling me what your name is and what I did to deserve this."

CHAPTER 37

Jason looked around The Shades, trying to pick out where Mrs. Swiss was. The place wasn't so packed full, but he couldn't find her. "Spence. Call James." The android connected him with his security detail. "Where is she?"

"Oh! She came with her husband. Ten 0'clock?"

Jason turned to his left and looked slightly up. "Seen." He disconnected the call and approached the table. "Good evening Mrs. Swiss and?" He asked, trying not to give himself away. He appraised the older man. This is Evan's dad. When he looked at the man, the apparent recognition hit him.

Robert Swiss smiled. "Yes. I know. She's a chip off her old man." They shook hands.

"Meet my husband." Mrs. Swiss teased as they didn't need any introduction. "Please sit."

The waiter was instantly on their table. Jason placed his order, as did the older couple. The man went away to get their meals. White wine was sent over to their table as another waiter filled their glasses and went away. Robert sipped his and looked through the glass at the man sitting opposite him. He was well built and looked like he could handle this. He didn't expect less from a man who had been forced to hold his family's empire at such a young age. He dropped his half-full glass.

"You must forgive my wife for giving you such a tough time." He could feel his wife's burning gaze. "She's worried about our daughter's dignity as well as the press."

Jason looked from him to Mrs. Swiss, who looked like she was going to murder her husband. "I'm sorry too. I should have let you both be aware of this decision before going ahead with it."

"Oh! Don't be modest." He sipped his wine again. "Considering everything, I'm glad she's helping in a way."

He nodded and smiled, "Yes, she is. It means a lot to Ellen and me. We wanted a child for so long, but fate dealt us a bad hand." Smiling, he added, "Then Evan came along."

Mrs. Swiss saw the smile and frowned. Did she detect affection for her daughter in those eyes? "Still, did you consider the press? When they find out she's on the way without being married? They will chew her."

The whole place was silent. The waiter came then with their order. Even he could sense the discomfort. He hurriedly placed the food tray down and left. He didn't try to take the food plates out of the tray.

"Honestly, I didn't think of that. Nobody did." He hated his reply, but it was the honest truth. Mrs. Swiss was correct; the press would make so much deal out of this when they find out. Why didn't he think of this when Ellen suggested it? But Mrs. Swiss was wrong in thinking Evangeline couldn't handle the press. She was one of the strongest women he knew. But that wasn't in his place to say right now. "What do you suggest?"

"The deal is done." Robert took out his food and his wife's. He set it in her front then passed Jason his. "We can give our story before they get wind of it."

"Or make her stay in Miami. We can control the press here. But LA?" Shaking her head, she reached for her cutlery and started to eat. She took a spoonful and closed her eyes to savor it. Jason smiled. Evan always does that, too, when she loves the dish. "Knowing that stubborn being I gave birth to, she will insist on going back to LA before the child is due."

"Yes. She's staying just the first trimester."

"I knew it." Mrs. Swiss said, dropping her cutlery, "What is her excuse."

"Work." He said blandly and grabbed his own cutlery. "I've tried to convince her."

"Try more." Mrs. Swiss said and shook her head at her husband who gave her a stoic look.

The three ate in silence before Robert Swiss thought of a possible solution. "I think we can do either two things; make her stay here or get our story out there before anyone gives any false story."

"Okay. I'll try to see if I can get her to stay. I doubt it, though." Jason said.

"That being said." Robert said, holding his wife's hand.

Jason began eating. The moment he walked in and saw Robert Swiss with his wife had been thinking there was more to this dinner. He waited patiently for them to spill whatever it was they had to say. Something tells him it had to do with the men tailing him. He dropped his cutlery and filled his mouth with wine. As he swallowed, the older man looked at him. "Did I do something now?" He asked knowingly.

"There's another reason for this meeting." Said Robert.

"I know that already." He lifted his drink in salute when Robert asked how. "Doesn't it have to do with the strange men that have been following me?"

"You're being followed?" Mrs. Swiss asked, looking surprised.

"Yes. I thought that's it. Shouldn't you have been seeing them too?" He asked the older couple. They gave him a blank loo. "Then why the hell am I their target?"

Nobody spoke until Robert said, "Because they already assume you're our ally."

"Ally? What's that to do with this?"

"A lot." Mrs. Swiss said.

"Then, I'd like to know what this is about. But first, let me get me PI" Jason called James and told him to stay on the call. "I don't want to repeat this." He said to him, "Okay."