FROM GRIT TO GRAND: A BILLIONAIRE IN GUISE

Derek's body pressed against Clara's back, fingers grazing her back and then he leaned in. Clara, his girlfriend raised her chin and their lips brushed.Clara didn't flinch. Her earlier shocking expression was replaced with something Akin to unrepentant.Anger shot through Elijah's veins. His hand trembled, unable to bear the weight of the box he was holding. The customized box containing the espressos slipped off and crashed on the floor. The content shot out from the box, rolling on the floor and splashing the Choco-strawberries all over the floor.“Are you crazy!!” Derek raised his hand sharply and it connected to Elijah's jaw. He stumbled backwards, almost hitting his head on the marble floor as the ruins on the floor slipped under his feet.Clara didn't run to help Elijah. She just stood there, watching Elijah with a strange expression on her face. It wasn't concern. It was pity.“Do you know this fool here?" Derek pointed at Elijah who was now bleeding from the cut on his lips.

Elijah's glances shifted between the Mr. Harland and the envelope which was given to him.He was the most Confused human right now.Is this some kind of prank? Grandfather? He adjusted on his seat, his hands barely balancing on the armrest and cleared his throat. “I don't understand what is going on sir.” He said genuinely, his eyes filled with the eagerness for something to really make sense.Mr. Harland smiled at him. “You understand, Mr. Brooke but you simply don't want to believe.” He said calmly.“But my mother never told me I had a grandfather. Not even once.” Elijah denied sincerely.Mr. Harland nodded his head gently as he now understood why Elijah was confused. He leaned forward, hands resting on the desk and he began.“Your grandfather, Theodore Langston is a reclusive billionaire who disowned your mother because she refused to listen to him.”Elijah raised his brow, curious to know more. “Refused to listen?" “Yes, Mr. Brooke. ” Mr. Harland nodded gently and leaned back

Elijah leaned in and grabbed the bottle of wine. He unwrapped the foil capsule and pulled the cork with a satisfying pop. He tilted it, the red liquid gently pouring out of the bottle. Everyone watched him as he gently took the glass cup to his lips, sip it, then gulped it down. Elijah licked his lips gently, savouring the taste of the wine. He nodded his head gently, satisfied and glancing at the label on the wine as he dropped the emptied glass cup.“Penfold grande.” He muttered, reading the label on the bottle.Elijah totally ignored the whispers in the aisle.As he was basking in the satisfaction of the meal, Mira walked into the restaurant and stood at the side with the Bill of the meal courses Elijah purchased.“I hope you enjoyed our dish sir?" Mira's face broadened with a practiced smile.Elijah nodded with a gentle smile and said. “It's the best I have ever eaten.” He said calmly and sincerely.Mira's smile deepened, satisfied that Elijah enjoyed the meal. Then she shifted

Elijah's life was beginning to look like one of those movies.No.Rather one of those stories he had read on meganovel about a worthless nobody mysteriously working his way to the towers of dominance and power.Laying on his lap in the customized food box of the imperial gold platter for his mother, a reminder of the cash flowing in his account..and his late grandfather's enormous wealth which belongs to him now.His mind reeled inside of the taxi like a carousel that won't stop.The driver stopped, dropping off passengers yet his thoughts never stopped.He wondered why his mother didn't tell him about his grandfather. He imagined how heavy her heart would be, keeping the secret away from him all these years, allowing them to live in the slum, faced with embarrassment and humiliations from people.His mother, Lisa juggles different odd jobs together. It was unbearable for Elijah..the job..the mockery. He had tried to stop her from going but she wasn't buying it.She would cry; “What a

Laughter rippled in collective waves across the cramped apartment of Mr. Bobby; tenants laughing out their ass like all the embarrassment was an entertainment.“Get your broke asses outta here!” “Mother and son, filthy duo! Poverty runs in you both veins like blood!" The jeering continued.Elijah's mother glued to the floor, drinking in the whole humiliations, her eyes flooding with tears that won't stop and her sobs were choking, her chest trembling with embarrassment.Elijah couldn't bear the weight of everything. They could hurt him for all he cares and he'll wave it off. He'd faced worse and this was just a tip but seeing his mother sobbing on that forbidden floor, something snapped behind his chest— his eyes darkened with rage, ten fingers gritted into tight fist, digging into his palm. He felt like punching the ghost out from Mr. Bobby's body but he Didn't. He breath shaply but the anger in his head knotted like blood clot. He crouched and held her mother's arm, pulling her