Seven

This time, Jake didn't wait for the door to be opened for him. He came down himself and looked around to be sure he was at the right place. 

“Is there a problem, young master?” Richard asked, noticing his movements. 

“Is this the estate? The one I own?”

“Yes, young master. All but one of the houses are occupied. The last one has been paid for but the owner is yet to move in. You can be rest assured that there are no men of questionable character here. They are all wealthy men, who are into legitimate businesses and they all pay their rents as at when due. Let's take a tour sir, do you mind?”

“No, I don't. Let's go please.”

Richard took him around, explaining what was necessary to him. Finally, they got to the house that Jake worked in.

“This is the house, young master. A wealthy business tycoon just got this house a few days ago. The humongous beauty, superior and superb nature of this estate is known to everyone, the occupants and the public alike. That is why we take only the best, sir.”

Jake nodded.  

“Greetings sir. You are here, good day sir,” a young man greeted Richard with respect. 

“I hope everything is going well? And there's no problem in the estate?”

“Not at all sir, I'm doing my job, sir.”

The man raised his head and came face to face with Jake. Jake recognised him immediately. He is Mr Brian!

“Hey! You good for nothing lad. Why are you late? Don't you know you should have been here earlier?” Mr. Brian shouted at him. He thought it was business as usual. 

Richard turned to see who he was talking to but there was only the young master there. Jake didn't react. He kept quiet as Mr Brian shouted at him. His silence and composure infuriated the other man. 

“It's good you are here. Come, there's more work for your sorry ass!” he said and pulled Jake along.

“Mr. Brian! Have you gone mad? Do you have a death wish? Quick! Kneel and apologize to him!” Richard shouted. 

Mr Brian stopped and turned to Richard. 

“Apologize to who? Him? I know him more than you do. This is one of my most competent cleaners. I have work for him. Move Jake! See you later, Sir Richard,” he finished and pulled Jake all the more. 

Richard expected Jake to speak but he didn't utter a word. Jake on his own part wanted to see the unfolding drama. He was thinking of how best to face slap the arrogant man in front of him. 

“Stop right there, Brian!” Richard ordered and hurried to them. He knelt on front of Jake and pleaded, 

“I'm sorry for this embarrassment, young master. I failed to introduce you earlier. Please, forgive me.” As he said that, he pulled a confused and shocked Mr Brian to a kneeling position. 

“Forgive us, young master,” Richard pleaded further. When he saw that Brian wasn't saying anything, he hit him hard on his ribs. 

“Quick! Beg the young master!”

Brian's jaw dropped open. 

Jake? Was he the young master of the Fredrick family whom he worked for? Jake looked on, with an expressionless face. 

“I'm sorry, sir! Forgive me sir. Oh! Pray, young master, please, forgive me!” Brian cried, throwing himself at the young master's feet. 

“Where does he work?” Jake asked Richard, indicating him to stand. 

“He's the chief security here.”

“Chief security?”

Jake could not imagine that it was an ordinary chief security officer that intimidated him. 

“So, you are nothing but a security man? And you had the guts to treat someone the way you did?”

“I'm sorry, young master…”

“You are sorry? You are not the master and you are so wicked. You will have your commupance.”

“Young master, please…” Mr. Brian pleaded further but Jake didn't pay heed.

“First of all, pay what you owe!” 

Jake was wealthy now but he would rather give the money to a poor man rather than let Mr Brian have it! Never!

“Sir, please, I…”

“Shut up! Pay the money!”

The man dipped his hands into his bag and brought out the money. Jake took it from him and said,

“You are fired! And I never want to see you anywhere close to the Fredrick property.”

He felt very glad when he fired the man. This man made his day worse than it began. He worked so hard but was turned out with nothing.

“Please, young master, have mercy on me. I'll never do this again. I'm sorry, I didn't know that it was you. Please, sir…”

He made to hold the young master's leg but Jake kicked him off. 

“Let's go,” he said to Richard and entered the car. 

The car drove back to the Fredrick mansion. Jake's grandfather sent for him, saying that his phone has arrived. Jake took his phone with gratitude. 

“Grandfather, you have told me about my family, but you didn't mention my mother. Is she late too?”

Ashley's face changed but he covered up. 

“There's nothing to know about her. She's not part of your life, she's late too. Let's not talk about it, please.”

“Okay, grandfather. I'll be on my way.”

“Fine. Do you want me to get you a driver?”

“Not at all, grandfather. I'll take care of myself.”

Jake wanted to go out in low profile. He wanted to get ready for sweet revenge. He put his hands inside his pocket and left the mansion. The first place he went to was a boutique. As he entered, the security men at the gate stared at him like he was a nonentity. Every other person who came to the boutique drove in but this poor looking man walked it! Of course, they didn't bother him. They looked at each other and smiled. They knew what was coming. No doubt, they would be called to throw him out in no time. If they did well in throwing the poor fellow out, the rich young masters, who loved trampling on the poor might tip them. Jake walked calmly to the glass doors of the boutique. This was a high class cloth store that he never dreamt of coming to, even in his wildest dreams. Still wearing his poor and old clothes, he opened the glass doors and entered the boutique.