Denver Ricardo

Chapter 4 : Denver Ricardo

“Denver…”

“Yes, sir.”

Danny looked curiously at his father. Then at his grandfather. Both men watched him intently.

“You have come of age. My son, I don’t want to humiliate you but I want to know what had happened last night.” Daniel looked seriously at his boy.

“Do I have to tell you, sir?”

“Yes, my boy. I would appreciate this.” The father openly wait curious if he has future trust with his son.

“Sir, I was attack at school but that I can handle…” He looked away feeling fury and shame. “Lisa…she played me for a fool. I was just a bet gone wrong.” He felt his skin burn with inner heat.

“What are you going to do?”

“I am not sure yet.” Danny admits honestly.

Denver senior suddenly stood up. He walked towards his grandson and simply place his hand a moment on his shoulder. “You are part of the Ricardo clan. Take your time and find your feet. This is your path…know us when you need us.” He nods his head to his own son before he left.

“Denver…”

“Yes, sir.”

He took the offered mug of coffee. He went and sit down beside the table. His chest was still sore and it hurts sometimes when he breathe too deeply. His face also felt sensitive.

“I have an ointment that would soften the bruised tissue.”

“Thanks sir.”

“I am going away for a couple of days. You still have the ring I sent on your birthday last week?”

“It’s in my bedroom.”

“My boy, that ring represent our family. People with a practice eye will easily recognize your true identity from today.”

“Are we truly that powerful sir?  always thought we were poor.” Danny curiously asked.

"You can do anything Denver. Just know to be your own man; accept your part in whatever choice you make. Discover your own path. You have come of age. This is your time. Another thing you must know; my

 grandfather was born in this little house. Every first born son must live here until he has come of age. Denver, that ring is very important. You must always carry it with you from today. You may keep a low profile until you choose your own path…it’s acceptable if you are not ready to wear it, but keep it close.”

“Yes, sir.”

Danny slowly closed the door of the house where he grew up. He had watched his father driving away in a town car. The two bodyguards and chauffeur accompany him. It would seem the Ricardo men knows how to hide who they are. He was completely convinced he was poor and useless.

“Yesterday I was poor. Now sitting in my banking account 100 Billion Dollars.” He slowly walked towards his bedroom wondering what he did with that package. He was just taught a person sometimes look but never truly sees what’s right in front of them.

He found the package where he last placed it on the corner of the dresser. He tear the wrapping and removed the small satin box. He just stare at the signet ring with a black diamond in the middle. Surrounding it was small white diamonds. The rest of the ring was a mixture of pure gold. Engrave inside was his name and date of birth.

"Lisa Klein; I wonder what you would say now? According to you I am nothing. But apparently there is a ride or die girlfriend somewhere waiting for me."

The message alert brought him back to the present, distracting him from learning the family motto. His mind moving between learning who he is and what happened yesterday.

“Lisa…” he growls through his teeth. “What do you want now?” He placed the phone back in his pocket but another message was delivered. This time it was coming from a girl also at school but one he never talked too. He knows who she was…that she was very popular and never despises those less fortunate.

“Why?” he asked himself curiously. “Did Lisa asked you to send this message?”

He looked at the message then at the ring.

“Do you have the nerve to go and possibly be humiliate again?” he asked his profile as he wipes the steam from the mirror. The signet ring caught his attention. The ring was a perfect fit.

“I was poor yesterday. Strange how life can change with the blink of an eye.” He kept conversing with himself. “I should get a friend. Talking to myself…not good.” He quickly toweled himself dried getting out of the shower.

The ringing of the cell phone made him quickly moved to the dresser. He quickly answered without knowing the number.

“Hello…” he said breathing a bit fast.

“Hi…” the phone suddenly died. He glared at it before he realized he never charge it. “Shit.”

Once the phone was on charge he reached for a clean yet torn pair of jeans slipping it over his hips. The phone rings again. The same unknown number. “Hello?”

“Hi…” the same voice. He quickly noticed goose bumps all over his arms and naked chest.

“Who is this?”

“Bella…”

“I don’t know a Bella.” He growls. He quietly wonders if it was the same girl he knows as Bella Simone.

He heard her laughed softly. He currently hates it when people laugh in his vicinity. This instantly made him recall his humiliation from yesterday.

“Denver…we go to the same school. I want to invite you as my date to Lisa’s birthday. I, Bella Simone, wants you to accompany me.”

“Is this another joke?” he asked instantly angry.

“No, why?”

“I had enough being the school fool.” He snap in rising temper.

It took a long moment before he realized she was quiet but still on the line. He suddenly frowns.

“Denver…what are you talking about?” Bella finally asked with confusion in her voice.

“Do you know Lisa?” he ask very suspicious.

“I know her. Tomorrow is her birthday.”

“Why would you ask me?”

“You are a nice guy.”

“If you really know me…I don’t party.” He said flatly.

“I am sorry. It seems I made a mistake.” She suddenly said sounding close to tears.

“I want to ask a question?” he said still in his rude tone of voice.

“What?” he heard the uncertainty in her voice?

“Who is Liza’s boyfriend?”

“Jason Clarke.” She said quickly. "Everyone knows that."

“I see. I don’t own a car. Won’t you be ashamed taking me as your date?”

“No…can I pick you up?”

“No,” he said flatly. “I will meet you there.”

“Okay. See you around eight.” Bella said hopeful.

Danny disconnect the call. He was confused. His mind slowly realized the true reason why Lisa never wanted them to go to the movies. She didn’t want her boyfriend to know about them.

“Can someone really fake liking another person?” he question the air in the bedroom. “I thought I was in a relationship with her…might as well buy her a nice gift. The poor fool is rich now.”