“Get him! Get him!” A thin feminine voice shouted in the street as two men quickly grabbed Jamal’s arms.
He struggled to set himself free, looking perplexed.“What’s this? Let me go!” He rebuked but the men overpowered him.The woman walked over to them and crossed her arms, standing gallantly before them.“It’s you again? The rumor of theft has been spreading since morning but I never knew you would have the mind to do it again.” The woman pointed a finger at him, speaking arrogantly as crowds started gathering.“Madam, I don’t know what you are talking about.” He was already tired and hopeless coming back from Mia’s place. He was heading back home to drown in his sorrow since that was his birthright before crossing paths with these people.“What do you mean you don’t know what I’m talking about!” The woman cried out in anguish, he looked scared.Shortly, the men searched him and brought out a silver wristwatch from his pocket, Jamal shook his head continuously as he tried to step back.“Not again. I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it.” He retorted in full vim.“That lady must have gone cool with you but I won’t.” The woman took the watch from the man and started dialing a number on her phone.“Madam, I was just walking back home. I don’t know you and I didn’t steal your wristwatch. Please, investigate this before pointing fingers at me.” He said.“You will explain that at the police station.” The woman scoffed curtly.“Police station? No, madam. Please, don’t take me to the police station.” He begged as a big frown enveloped his face. He was at her mercy because he couldn’t afford to have any criminal record.“Your begging won’t do anything. You’re nothing but a mistake to humanity. Being poor isn't enough and now you choose to be a thief.” The woman yapped, walking away from him.“There!” He suddenly freed himself and pointed at a car in the street. She gave him a disgusting uninterested look.“We can check the dashcam to see if truly I’m the criminal.” He suggested confidently as a small smile rested on his lips.He finally had hope that at least his name would be cleared after watching the dashcam.The woman agreed after a few persuasion from the crowd and the men opened the car to check the dashcam.After a few minutes of watching the video and sharing it with some people present, the woman started laughing.“I was a fool to believe you in the first place.” The woman commented.“I don’t understand.” He raised a brow. By this time, the crowd had begun shaking their head in disbelief, insulting him and spitting on him.“The video is valid evidence that you really stole from me.” As soon as the woman’s statement finished, police sirens could be heard in the street. Jamal wished all this was a dream.“Two complaints in one week, young man you are truly a misfortune.” The officer shrugged as he removed the handcuffs and threw him in the empty jail.“Sir, please believe me. I know nobody wants to trust what I’m saying but I’m a victim here.” He tried to explain everything to the officer, grabbing the bars.“Stay quiet. You will be out whenever the woman wants.” The officer informed him curtly and left to his desk.Jamal fell to the dirty ground as his eyes slowly became wet, memories rushed like adrenaline into his mind and he tightly closed his eyes. He tried to succumb to the pain even when it was impossible.Jamal was released later from jail, his skin had tanned and he had grown thin. He returned to his apartment to quickly settle himself and prepare to retrieve updates from college but found his belongings outside.“This is your receipt. You can move in immediately.” He saw his landlord speaking with someone who looked like a new tenant.“Sir, I thought I had explained everything to you.” His voice was dried, though he struggled to speak.“Explain what? Do you think I have no idea that you have been fired?” His landlord sneered in disgust. "You are a jobless man now." The landlord reminded him of the awful truth.“I’m still looking for a job - -” He was rudely interrupted.“I can no longer accept you, Jamal. Take your things out of my compound if you don’t want further embarrassment.” The landlord began. “At this state and rumor spreading in the city, who would employ someone as wretched and useless as you?” The landlord raised a brow, staring at him in mockery.“The thing is - -” The landlord threw his clothes in the gutter, forcing him to keep shut.“If you don’t leave, I will do something worse!” The landlord threatened seriously.Jamal had one option which was "suicide". He couldn’t bear it, he felt no one wanted him, no one loved him and no one trusted him. He dragged his belongings on the evening street, looking for where to rest his head.Suddenly, a black limousine cornered him and he staggered backward, looking afraid and confused. A middle-aged man stepped out of the car and approached him. Jamal looked back and front, doubting if he was the one the man was aiming at.“You must join me, someone important wants to see you.” The middle-aged man informed him with utmost respect.Jamal cleared his throat, about to speak but wasn’t allowed to do so as some guards in expensive-looking black suits pulled him into the car.He marveled at the sight that welcomed him after a long peaceful ride, before him, was a gigantic five-storey landscape mansion, a very vast compound, different models of cars everywhere, lights, waterfalls, and guards surrounding the entire mansion. Jamal couldn’t tell what was going on, he had no connection with anyone and the place he was in didn’t look like his college.“We have arrived.” The middle-aged man’s voice resonated in the atmosphere and Jamal nodded.As soon as he stepped down from the car, every guard that was present bowed to him.“Welcome back, young master.” Jamal froze in shock.Jamal cleaned his eyes over and over again, pinching himself as he consciously denied the reality. He was in a grand expensive mansion. What was happening? Who were they and what was he doing here?Rather than admiring the interior breakthrough, he was bothered, and eaten by anxiety."Old master would love to see you now." The middle-aged man's voice unintentionally disrupted his reverie, he swallowed hard on nothing before following the man through the hallway."Please, who are you? And where is this place?" The hallway seemed endless and he couldn't endure his curiosity. "Maybe you shouldn't answer that but, why am I here?" He asked seriously with anxiety lancing in his sharp eyes."Your questions will soon be answered, please be patient." The middle-aged man said and suddenly paused beside a door. It was the only door in the hallway they were in."Old master is at the brink of death, please don't make him worry or ask too many questions." The man warned him politely before the door
Even before the fat receptionist came to wake him, Jamal had already left the motel room. He arrived at the bank so early that even the bank wasn’t fully open to accept customers.“Good morning, Miss.” He greeted the female banker at the counter but she ignored him, concentrating more on the handsome-looking man that was behind him. The same thing happened with the next cashier lady, he was harshly treated until he decided to check back in the customer care service desk.There was no queue other than customers having their account officers manage their cases, so he decided to try his luck with one of the customer care ladies.“Good morning Miss.” He greeted politely. The lady gave him a long look before sighing and narrowing her eyes back to her keyboard.“What was that for?” He thought inwardly, clenching his fist in anger. He tried to control himself since it was something he was used to.“Miss, please can you attend to me? I have been standing here since God knows when.” He cried o
Jamal has never been proud, excited, and happy in his entire life until this day. He had money. He was a rich heir. Everything was under his control. He started seeing himself in a new light and by the street transparent glass, he admired how handsome he was.His sharp ocean-blue eyes sparkled and his face was smooth and admirable. He had a brown trendsetter hair. It was now he realized how handsome he was. Maybe Mia was right, with money every man is hand-some.He confidently walked into the most expensive mall in the street with gallant strides and walked over to the racks of things that caught his attention. Who would have thought that a time would come when he got to visit it?The attendants were busy with other rich-looking customers and even when some of them saw him, no one agreed to follow him because of how he looked. His outfit was stale, patchily sown, and outdated. He decided to do the shopping himself and make payment.He picked a white can from the rack and smiled.“The e
“By withdrawing the compensation fund, it proves that you have agreed to take up responsibility,” Dennis informed him courteously.The driver stood outside while Jamal and Dennis discussed inside the black-tinted SUV's latest model car.“I wanted to check if all that is happening is real, no doubt it wasn’t a dream.” He curled his lips.“But I still don’t get that I’m from a rich family. Do I have any more hidden family members?” His voice was filled with sarcasm which made Dennis chuckle.“Not really but yes. Your late father got married to three wives and each of them had two sons excluding your late mother, and I must say your family is quite critical. As time goes on, I will explain everything to you.” Dennis explained abruptly. “Be rest assured, Old Jack left you under my care and I won’t bring any hurt to you,” Dennis added.“I’m not afraid of hurt. I’m just confused, honestly. All these are too much to take in.” He sighed heavily.After a brief silence, Dennis brought out a gol
“What? Dad, what are you trying to do? Of all people, you chose to side with this creep?” Audrey barked at her father.“Mr. Jamal, I’m so sorry for how they must have treated you.” Audrey’s father apologized with a short bow and all of them were confused and surprised.“Dad, he is the one who started this in the first place. If he hadn’t dared to punch a rich person in the face, he wouldn’t have gotten here. He is a rag that almost forgot his position.” Audrey ranted in annoyance.“Yes, uncle. He did something dreadful and must be punished, how can a poor rat forget his status!” Audrey’s brother adjourned.“Stop! Just stop it.” Audrey’s father snapped them out of their thought.“He isn't a poor boy or common man as you think.” Audrey’s father said, giving Jamal a short look. “The man you see here is the he- -” Jamal grabbed his hand before he could spill his secret.“What’s going on? Who the fuck is he?” Audrey’s uncle queried in anger. “How dare he punch my son as low as he is.” He c
Shallowed in anger, distrust, and disappointment, he yelled the middle-aged man’s name disrespectfully: “Dennis! Dennis!” He screamed as he stormed into the mansion, the guards tried to hold him back but somehow he fought his way through. “What are you - -?” Dennis couldn’t hold him and he fully entered the living room. He paused at a spot, breathing heavily as he stared at the cold-looking people seated on the armchairs with confusion lingering in his eyes. “Mr. Jamal, why are you here?” Dennis broke the long silence nervously. “Here comes the famous thief in town.” An aged woman laughed, clapping her hands. “I never knew Dad gave birth to a few more rats.” A young man almost the same age as him scoffed in mockery. Jamal looked at them as fury boiled in his eyes, he was desperate to punch them in their faces but had no power to do that. Dennis grabbed his shoulder. “Why did you come here?” Dennis whispered, his eyes were filled with guilt. “Why wouldn’t I come when you have de
“Wait! Mr. Jamal, please wait.” Dennis followed him out of the mansion, he was furious and not willing to give him listening ears.“Explain what? The fact that you intentionally gave me a fake cheque to embarrass myself in the bank or the fact that you lied to me countless times?” He raised a brow, giving Dennis a scornful look.“I had my reasons, please let me explain.” Dennis urged. He exhaled deeply before nodding.“Fine, go ahead.” He rested his hand on his waist.“As for the cheque, it was after I gave you that I noticed that your stepbrother, James, switched it with the original. And as for the golden card, it is real and only you have it, Madam Felicia has the camouflage which isn’t useful.” Dennis meticulously explained to him and he sighed.“But still, you would have given me some heads up. I disgraced myself at the bank.” He frowned.“Do you want me to fire them?” Dennis raised a brow and he shook his head in refusal.“No, don’t. It’s not necessary as they did what they are s
Everyone was wearing expensive outfits and cologne but Jamal was different and identifiable because of his dressing. He wasn’t able to purchase any new clothes because his account was under restriction and the only fund he had hopes on was being used to clear his final dues.He looked around the reception hall of Sky Bar and a sharp sigh exhaled from him.“Am I really doing this?” He mumbled to himself, feeling nervous.He knew the kind of person he was meeting with, at least he would have put some effort in his dressing so as not to be taken for granted. Either way, he wanted to prove to his stepfamily that he was truly of Dashiell's blood.“Good day,” He began, the receptionist narrowed her gaze at him briefly. “I’m here for Mr. Alcantara.” His next statement followed.She batted her lashes and laughed.“My apologies but I have to deny you access.” She rolled her eyes, obviously trying to make him feel bad. “Your dress mode and style don’t match with our criteria.” She lashed at him