Chapter 2 End of bliss

Four months ago had been thrilling for Davis; life had been rosy, beautiful, and triumphant. Success, fulfillment, and advancement had all gone according to his expectations. His company's turn over in that quarter had prompted him to give his workers special bonuses for the hardwork, he had also secured a multi-million dollar deals that had being the desires of all CEOs in the country making his company advance further— the deal had taken several months of negotiations, planning and re-planning to finalize. His R&D department has also been able to achieve a breakthrough in a major project that had plagued them for the past six months. A team he had set up to attract foreign investors had also returned with triumphant news and new investors investing in the company, bringing in more profit. The accomplishment was a testament to his relentless effort, precise decision-making, and unmatched leadership. His personal life was not left out. Having dated and loved Vera Louis for more than a decade, it's time to tie the knot. In regard to this, his engagement to Vera Louis, the heiress of the influential Louis family, was publicly announced, solidifying a powerful alliance. Invitations had been sent, preparations underway, and whispers of admiration filled the social circles they both frequented. The future felt secure, each piece of the puzzle fitting perfectly. With the impending alliance, he was hopeful of a helper who would join him to take the Allen group higher. His schedule has already been planned for months to come, and partners have been lined up waiting to be considered for collaboration. The success was a reflection of his ability to inspire and lead. He had felt invincible, a man riding the crest of a wave. But fate, as unpredictable as the winds, had other plans for him. If a soothsayer had predicted these turn of events, Davis wouldn't have believed him for anything. He couldn't have imagined his story would turn around in a short period. It was a quiet evening, the kind Davis treasured, a brief rest after the stress in the office and a slow pace of handling outstanding issues before going to bed at midnight. He sat in the study of his mansion, a glass of wine on the desk and papers scattered before him, with his laptop light as he was relaxed, working on some of the outstanding projects. The view of the city's glittering skyline stretched out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, as his mind raced in making decisions and adjustments. The sharp ring of his phone interrupted the silence in the study. He glanced at the screen—Ethan, his assistant. Davis frowned. Ethan rarely called unless it was urgent. "What is it?" Davis asked, his tone calm but firm. Ethan's voice on the other end was fraught with tension. "Sir, we are having a critical problem at the foreign branch in Europe." "Calm down and tell me the details", he said, rubbing his brows with fatigue etched on his face. Ethan progressed to file a detailed report of the incident. "There's been a major accident during the testing of some of the projects, and several lives have been lost. While the administrative manager said he had compensated the family members, the situation had attracted the attention of the public and the government. If not properly managed, the company will be losing billions of dollars". Davis leaned back in his chair, processing the information. He couldn't ignore this. The situation isn't one that his managers will handle. He has to handle it himself to ensure the credibility and to preserve the company's image. "Schedule a flight," he said, rising from his chair. "I'll handle this personally." Davis moved quickly, gathering his laptop and documents, his mind spinning rapidly to come up with solid countermeasures. He didn't bother informing anyone of his departure, not even his fiancée, Vera. There wasn't much time left. He made a mental note to put a call across to her before boarding the plane. The drive to the airport was calm at first. His driver, a seasoned one who had worked with him for several years, navigated the streets with practiced precision while Davis reviewed the various reports Ethan sent to his phone. The city lights blurred into streaks as the car sped toward the private airstrip where his jet awaited. But then, the unexpected happened as they approached a major intersection, shattering the tranquil night. A delivery truck barreled through a red light at full speed, its horn blaring, too late to warn anyone. Davis's driver swerved swiftly, attempting to avoid the collision, but 'boom truck clipped the car's rear, sending it spinning out of control. Time slowed and the sound of screeching tires, the shattering of glass, and the crunch of metal filled the air as the car somersaulted severally times before coming to a stop on its roof. Davis's body jerked violently against the seatbelt, his head slamming against the window. Pain exploded through him before he was engulfed by darkness. When Davis regained fleeting moments of consciousness, it was to the sound of frantic voices and the wail of sirens. He tried to speak, to move, but his body refused to obey. The last thing he remembered before succumbing to the blackness again was the cold touch of the paramedics' hands and the faint smell of blood and gasoline. That night brought to an end his blissful world and is undeniably the beginning of his nightmare in the time to come. The accident made headlines immediately, and the images were broadcast across the country. Footage of the wreckage—crumpled steel and shattered glass—was enough to make anyone believe that survival was impossible. Yet, against all odds, Davis had been pulled from the twisted remains of the car, barely clinging to life. But survival came at a cost, he was crippled. There's no hope of his leg recovering again. While he battled silently for survival, his world outside was crumbling. The accident opened a new Chapter in Davis Allen's life—a Chapter marred by betrayal, loss, abandonment, and uncertainty. He is no longer the invincible figure who once commanded boardrooms and navigated challenges with unshakable confidence; he is now a man forced to face the fragility of his existence and life bitter truth. This was not a Chapter he had anticipated, yet this phase of his life has come tosta, and he is left with the option to make it through or be drowned in it.