Four Circles

My childhood friend, whom I hadn’t contacted for years, kept calling nonstop during an important meeting.

After the meeting, he spoke in a sharp tone.

“Do you think you’re too big for your britches? I’m getting engaged and you’re not even coming back to help out. Do I have to invite you?”

I was representing my country at an international scientific forum, so I could only decline politely.

Unexpectedly, he turned all haughty.

“Fine then. If you’re not coming back, then just send me a gift with four circles and I’ll let it slide.

Four circles? Thinking he meant ten thousand with four zeroes, I immediately agreed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars as a wedding gift.”

“Ten grand? Who the hell are you kidding?

“My wife is the eldest daughter of the Jeffersons, the most prestigious family in Cirrus. Only the most distinguished people are on the guest list. Seeing that we’re old friends, I’m letting you attend. It’s your great honor!”

He cursed angrily and sent me the invitation.

I was struck dumb the moment I opened it.

My aloof ice queen of a wife, who kept strangers at bay, was locked in a passionate kiss with her arms wrapped around my childhood friend’s waist.

“Four zeroes, huh? How about four wreaths?”

My gaze darkened as I clutched my phone. Four funeral wreaths ought to count as four circles, too!

Hearing my acquiescence, Fabian Gates was overjoyed.

“That’s dope! I knew I hadn’t misjudged you! Since I’m being considerate, just get me two brand new Audi R8s. If you’re short on cash, I can hook you up with an absolutely reliable money lender!”

R8? Over three million dollars each? What am I, his sugar daddy?

I sneered and probed cautiously, “Have you gotten permission from Ms. Jefferson’s husband to marry her?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of someone swallowing.

“Stop eating, you little glutton! My good friend here says you’re married. Explain yourself!”

Huffed in displeasure, Tiffany Jefferson said in muffled speech, “My husband… is none other than my darling Fabian. That useless fool… still treasures that fake marriage license like it’s gold!”

Fueled by desire, Fabian tossed his phone aside and pulled Tiffany into a passionate embrace.

Soft moans, curses, and lustful cries filled the air.

The sounds pierced my chest like needles threading through my heart.

“Darling, have mercy… I’m dying!”

Snapping the call off, I retrieved the marriage license from under the bed and immediately called the director of the Cirrus City Clerk’s Office.

Upon verification, the marriage license was indeed fake!

Enraged by the discovery, I summoned my assistant.

“Contact the attorney general and the city police commissioner immediately. Launch a full investigation on the Jeffersons. Any illegal activity will be dealt with severely!

“And go to the florist and order forty floral wreaths for me!”

Once I was done with all the instructions, I stared at the distant faces on the marriage license before crushing the whole thing into a ball.

She must’ve forgotten.

Without me, there wouldn’t be any Jefferson family.

Her whole family would pay with their lives for her audacity to insult someone like me.

After informing my superior, I drove to the Jeffersons’ villa to retrieve my daughter.

She was nowhere to be found, and when I asked the servants, they dodged my questions and mumbled vague replies.

Only when I roared at them did one finally lead me to the backyard, where a doghouse crudely made of stacked bricks was located.

Before I could make sense of it all, the servant tapped the dog bowl.

A small, barely clothed girl crawled out.

It was my daughter.

The blood in my veins turned to ice. I couldn’t believe my own eyes.

“Maddie!”

I called out and pulled her tightly into my arms.

She trembled violently, sobbing as she pleaded, “Don’t hit me… Maddie won’t eat… Maddie goes back to the kennel…”

Her words stabbed straight through my chest.

I had only been away for a few months. What the hell happened?

That wretched woman, how dare she!

Once my daughter calmed down, I learned the truth.

While I was away, Tiffany had spent her days entangled with Fabian on a daily basis. They even locked my daughter in a doghouse.

She would only clean and dress Maddie up as I was about to return, and threatened the girl not to say a word.

Maddie’s exposed skin was covered in horrifying bruises and several burn marks, which must be Fabian’s handiwork.

Seeing her frail, shriveling limbs from starvation, I almost lost it.

Those two scums!

I swore I would turn their wedding into their funeral!