Mr. Johnny George Kennedy closed his apartment door quietly. He felt tired after a long day. He went to the bar in his apartment and sat down, pouring himself a glass of wine. As he sat there, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He turned to see his wife carrying their child on her shoulders. She gestured for him to come back to bed, but he waved her off.
Annoyed, he ordered her sharply, "Go upstairs."
His wife shook her head defiantly. In a fit of rage, he slapped her, causing the child to slip from her shoulders. In his fury, he pulled out a gun from his pocket and fired, hitting her. He laughed maniacally, then knelt down and struck his wife again. Suddenly, he woke up with a start to find his brother Tony shaking him awake.
Johnny sat up in bed, trembling. Tony asked anxiously, "Are you alright?"
"It was a horrible nightmare," Johnny replied bitterly.
"Was it the same one again?" Tony inquired.
"Yes," Johnny sighed.
"You should see Dr. Max," Tony suggested concernedly.
Johnny shook his head stubbornly. "No, it's impossible."
Just then, the maid entered the room with a tray of sandwiches and tea. Tony glanced at her curiously while Johnny's face brightened momentarily before he hurried off to the bathroom.
An hour later, Johnny left his villa. His driver was impatiently talking on the phone but noticed Johnny approaching with Tony. He threw his cigarette on the ground and quickly put it out with his shoe.
The driver opened the car door, and Johnny got in. They drove slowly down Fifth Avenue in silence until Tony spoke up.
"Do you remember Henri Michel, the driver?" Tony asked quietly.
"Yes, I heard he left the company a few months ago," Johnny replied thoughtfully.
"He was killed today while trying to escape from the police," Tony revealed somberly. "I read about it in the newspaper. He was in a car loaded with drugs that fell from a bridge."
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Johnny raised an eyebrow. "How shameful."
Soon, they arrived at the company's door. Johnny and Tony got out of the car and entered the building. Secretary Katie greeted them and reminded Johnny cheerfully.
"Don't forget, Mr. Johnny, the theater's opening ceremony is today."
Johnny nodded and glanced at his reflection in the elevator mirror. His brown hair was starting to show streaks of white, but he still carried an air of youthful charm despite nearing fifty.
On the seventh floor, Johnny stepped out of the elevator with Katie, while Tony waited for the doors to close before heading upstairs. Johnny made his way to his office, meticulously examining the important documents laid out on his desk. The bright sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting a warm glow over the photograph of his wife, Christine. He paused, lost in thought, and tenderly picked up the picture from his desk, pressing a kiss to it.
A tear rolled down his cheek, a poignant reminder of the anguish and emptiness he felt since Christine and their infant daughter, Amy, had been taken from him. Composing himself, he hastily wiped away the traces of his tears with a tissue and replaced the photograph on his desk just as Katie entered to deliver a message.
"Mr. Bush, a representative from James Company, would like to meet with you," Katie announced.
Johnny nodded, allowing Mr. Bush to enter. The young man sat across from him, a blend of gentleness and seriousness in his demeanor.
"Our company is interested in purchasing the square land for five million dollars," Mr. Bush began.
But Johnny cut him off abruptly, leaning forward with a scowl. "The land is not for sale."
As they conversed, Tony entered quietly, observing the interaction with surprise. Mr. Bush, sensing the finality in Johnny's tone, departed without another word.
Frustrated, Johnny slapped his palm on the desk. "He wants to buy the square land."
Tony, perplexed, asked, "Why did you turn down the offer? You've never mentioned the Devil's Land."
Johnny sighed heavily. "You don't understand."
"What do you mean?" Tony pressed, furrowing his brow.
Johnny leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples wearily. "The Devil's Land is cursed. It's been in our family for generations. Strange things happen there. I can't sell it."
Tony looked skeptical but didn't press further. Instead, he changed the subject. "Are you going to the theater's opening ceremony tonight?"
Johnny nodded distractedly. "Yes, I'll be there."
"Good," Tony replied with a nod. "It'll be good for you to get out."
Johnny forced a small smile, grateful for his brother's concern. "I hope so."
As the afternoon wore on, Johnny immersed himself in his work, intentionally keeping thoughts of his unsettling nightmare and troubled past at bay. He focused intently on the tasks before him, determined to stay occupied until it was time for the evening's event.
Yet, amidst the paperwork and business calls, his mind kept drifting back to a secret Marcus had confided in him before his untimely death. Marcus had revealed the land's potential for growing rare narcotic substances, cultivated at an astonishing rate. It seemed Marcus had been involved with a dangerous gang, and Johnny now grappled with conflicting advice: Marcus's urgent recommendation to sell the land versus his own unwavering resolve not to part with the cursed Devil's Land.
As the day progressed into evening, Johnny found himself at the theater's opening ceremony. The venue was adorned with elegant décor and filled with a buzzing crowd. Amidst the glamour, a captivating young woman caught Johnny's eye as she entered the room. She took center stage, and Johnny watched her with a peculiar intensity as she prepared to perform.
When the music began, Johnny was mesmerized by the beauty of her voice. He listened intently as she sang, her sweet melodies filling the room. As the applause erupted at the end of her performance, she gracefully bowed to the audience in her stunning blue dress.
Seizing the moment, Johnny approached her before she could retreat to her dressing room. With a gentle smile, he complimented her, "Your voice is truly beautiful."
A smile brightened her face as she thanked him warmly, "Thank you very much."
Johnny felt a flicker of something unfamiliar stir within him as he engaged in this brief exchange. It was a welcome distraction from his usual somber thoughts and the weight of his responsibilities. For a moment, he allowed himself to be captivated by the enchanting atmosphere of the evening, wondering what other surprises might await him as the night unfolded.