As the Taxi pulled in front of North way art gallery, Dante dipped his hand into his pocket and paid the driver the wet cash, the taxi driver who was about to complain, took it nevertheless and drove off.
By this time the rain had stopped failing but Dante was soaked with the rain and on top of it, he was late from his break.
Dante sprinted into the building only to be met face to face with the manger of the art gallery who was busy ordering the staffs around as usual, Dante's plan was to sneak his way inside but he knew that plan failed when his boss shouted his name from afar
"Dante! Come here now!"
Dante obediently jogged to meet him with his hands at his back as he bowed to his boss in a show of respect "Why are you late? Your break time elapsed fifteen minutes ago"
"The rain delayed traffic and-"
His boss thundered with a loud voice "Didn't I give other staffs as well break? Didn't I-"
"I had a family emergency-" before Dante could complete his statement a very hot slap landed on his right cheek, making the spot on his face to turn red and Dante to clench his teeth because of the pains
"How dare you talk back at me? Since when do you start talking when I am still talking?"
Dante feeling guilty looked down at his wet and dirty shoes while his boss ran down insults on him.
"...for that I would deduct from your salary this month..."
That words caught Dante attention that he looked up to his boss face, the man was blabbing continuously with anger, in fact he was always angry and never pleased.
It was the first time since Dante started working in the art gallery that he was late but It wasn't the first time Dante wouldn't be paid in full by his boss.
Dante was hardworking, honest and dedicated to his work, because of his love for art pieces and history he left his cleaning job in a restaurant to become a cleaner in an art gallery, but ever since then he hasn't been promoted nor his salary changed.
"Get out of my sight you idiot!" Dante bowed again at his boss and cowardly left for the dressing room.
****
As Dante stared back at his reflection in the mirror, he cursed under his breath, Natty had been right, for over six years he was working like an elephant yet eating like a rat, no one gives Dante respect because of his peasant life, a peasant earning peanut.
Truthfully, Audrey had been too patient with him since they married, believing that he was soon going to start earning enough salary and eventually go back to law school.
Was Audrey patient with Dante because he lost his scholarship because of her? Dante was the person that saved her from being rusticated from the university years ago, or did Audrey really love him?
Audrey and Dante were dating while they were both in the university, Audrey an art major studying real estate management and Dante a final year law student.
Audrey secretly got involved sexually with a male lecturer for grade, someone knew about it and threatened to reveal it to the public and school authorities unless she succumbed to his every wish.
If the news came to limelight it would lead to Audrey rusticated from the university, but before the news could spread in the university and she could no longer bare the anonymous threat, she came clean crying and telling Dante.
Dante felt betrayed that Audrey had gone behind his back to cheat on him with her lecturer on the other hand he was sympathetic with her that she was on the verge of loosing everything she wanted, her university degree, her future career and also her family reputation would be dragged in the mud as soon as the news of the business tycoon daughter having an affair with her lecturer for grade made the headlines.
Audrey was still being threatened for months by text while she paid money anytime the threatener demanded for it just to keep her secret safe between her, the threatener and Dante.
When the demand for money became too much that Audrey couldn't bear, Dante promised her eyeball to eyeballs that he was going to make sure the threatener paid back all her money or paid back with his life, next thing news of Dante being expelled from Law school spread around and Audrey threatener never sent her a text ever again.
Dante snapped out of the thought of his past, the sacrifice he made for his wife and the mother of his children.
Dante looked still looking at the mirror, deep down he was blaming himself for dropping out of school because of Audrey just to be insulted by her family, even more he had regrets of stopping the illegal drug business just to be insulted by the man he called boss in his legal job.
Dante scoffed to himself as he thought of his daughters, he wanted to be able to look at them and tell them about his job, his daughters needed to know their father as a reputable man, one without any criminal record or illegal source of income even if he died poor he didn't want any stain to his name.
The dressing room door swung open
"Did you see the news?" the male voice asked as Dante turned to look at him, Jean his co-worker, friend and brother from the orphanage, they grew up together wearing the same shoes life gave them, in the sense that they were parentless, just them in a world where they had to strive because they were poor.
"What news?" Dante asked Jean "My in-laws exhibiting their art too? I already know that"
"No, who care about your in laws" Jean blurred out, that was the least of his problem that moment.
"What other news then?" Dante looking at Jean
"Charles, he just opened another hotel" Jean gritted his teeth with hatred. Dante was speechless, they both had unsaid words of regrets. The life Charles was living could have been theirs too.
Dante, Jean and Charles were raised by the same foster father but in the present Charles, popularly know as “Ghost” was doing better than his two other brothers.
"They called the net worth of the hotels, its billions of dollars" Jean broke the silence
In disguise of Charles hotels and clubs built everywhere in the country were actually illegal drugs hideout.
Their foster father was a drug lord and from a little age of twelve the boys were already delivering drugs to his customers.
Dante and Jean took the decision to stop the business, leaving the foster home to fend for themselves, working numerous job just to make money legally.
"Do you want to take up Charles's offer?" Jean asked Dante, for years Charles have been asking his brothers to join him again in the drug business.
If Dante was still in the business he would have been wealthy with illegal money and he knows it, his in-laws wouldn't look down on him, instead he was doing a cleaning job with little pay and no dignity.
Dante mind trailed to a better life when he joins Charles again in the drug business, a life were he would not be treated as trash!
Related Chapters
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 5
“I saw the way Joe insulted and slapped you” Jean address their boss with his name “He thinks he can command us anyhow because we work for him, You know Charles’s offer would change our lives”“No” Dante replied “I rather sweat to make my money than push drugs” Dante replied with gritted teeth “I knew you would say that” Jean responded, Dante has a good heart but he wondered why life was against him.After Dante left the orphanage home, he was able to get scholarship into the university and then lost it, years later the decision of leaving their foster father’s drug business, was the wrongest because they were still at square one-poor while Charles was a billionaire. “Be quick here, we have a lot of work preparing for the exhibition tomorrow” Jean told Dante as he left the dressing room.******Dante Willow carefully dropped the heavy art canvas on the table as he heaved a sigh of relief to rest a bit, for the past four years that he worked at the gallery, he suddenly hated his jo
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 6
The masked men started ransacking the art gallery, they knew what they came for and they were determined to find it.Dante took his phone out to dial the emergency number but it didn’t ring because there was no network, he put his phone back into his pocket, still hiding behind a table.“Where is the Rhinestone medal?” one of the armed men asked loudly and no one dared answer in the middle of the fear and panic. The police sirens started sounding from afar and the masked men grew more impatient, maybe the neighbors had called the police, opposite the art gallery was a bakery.“I asked for the Rhinestone medal!” he shot the air and the bullet resounded making everybody to gasp in fear, not every worker knew each of the art pieces by their name so it was no surprise when some of them didn’t know what they were asking for including Dante.The masked man dragged one of the staff by his throat as he threatened but it was clear he didn’t have the information, his face began to turn red and
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 7
At the police station Dante sat in the interrogation room with handcuffed hands on the table, detective Kelly walked in and sat opposite him."Dante, there is are missing art pieces that cost billions of dollars, a dead co-worker and witnesses that claims you are involved in this, care to explain?"Dante was in shock and disbelief that they were accusing him of a crime he didn't commit."I didn't kill Jean, I was only trying to stop the masked men""Nice story Dante, witnesses say you were struggling with one of the assailants, the gun went off and your friend ended up dead" Detective Kelly leaned in searching Dante eyes for a sign of deception "That is a lot of bad luck for someone trying to stop a robbery""I had nothing to do with this, I don't even know those men?" Dante tried to explain "Who said you did? Speaking of knowing, since you mentioned it. Those men who don't work in the gallery knew the passcode which only you and the other workers at the gallery knows""There are abo
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 8
Willomandra consortium? Chess mob? What did that even mean?Dante knew he didn’t have any family aside from the foster home neither did he know how the tattoo got to his chest, his memory started when he was twelve years. "If this is not a prank, then you are certainly a soothsayer" Dante sucked his teeth "Well tell my imaginary mother I said hi" Dante laughed bitterly ignoring that the man had correctly stated the exact place he had a tattoo, which could be a coincidence "I know you wouldn't believe me now" Dante listened to the man blabbing as he rolled his eyes tiredly wishing the day could end already."I lost my parents in a car accident when I was twelve, so I believe you have the wrong Dante""That's not true, your memory was wiped by your mother and you were taken to the foster home, she left you with a wrist watch. The car accident was only a made up story she told the foster home to tell you as you grew up"Dante looked down at his wrist, but the wrist watch was not with h
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 9
“What?” Dante exclaimed the excitement in his face washing away to a surprised expression “Do you want me to read it to you?” Audrey couldn’t help but feel bad for him, her family treated him cruelly ever since they started dating. It was her personal decision to marry Dante because she loves him, but her family didn’t believe love could keep them together, they thought of Dante as simply a gold digger who wanted to attach himself to a wealthy family by marriage while bringing nothing to the table.The only instruction from her father she didn’t obey was marrying Dante, each and every passing day he reminds her how her life would have been better if she didn’t marry Dante.Thinking their marriage would go smoothly and she finally gets to prove to her family that Dante was a smart and nice guy, instead things went sour and harder for him, after dropping out from law school-because of her, he couldn’t get a decent high paying job and to make matter worst he was now spending time in jai
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 10
Audrey entered her car parked outside the prison “Yes, he signed the paper” she spoke over the phone “That’s my good daughter, now you have to finalized the divorce before I give you the land documents and then do the transfer of ownership to you” her father smiled to himself Then the call ended. Months ago, hours after Dante got arrested, Audrey flashed back to when she was getting ready to leave the house to drop the kids at their noon ballet school.It was her parents wedding Anniversary that day and the old man ended his party with the panic attack, and when he was fully recovered when he drank the milk Dante had instructed him he take, he still shouted on Ellie and Audrey. He sent them both on errands, Ellie to deliver the painting to north-way art gallery, Audrey to purchase his hypertension relive drugs, which she had gotten but stopped home after the rain to pick her daughters to school.A hard knock sounded on the front door, but she paid no attention because the house ke
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 11
Dante walked into the court room escorted by police men behind and in front of him. He was neatly shaved for the first time time in seven months, the first eyes that locked with his was Yara's-his lawyer, she looked unbothered but as usual beautiful. Dante was dying of anxiety as he waited for his final judgement, Yara was his last hope and she hadn’t promised him that the case would end favoring him. "Dante Willow, you have been accused of murder, robbery and to be in possession of art pieces worth billions of dollars. Let the court proceeding begin" the judge hit the table That was the day that Dante fate would be revealed after seven months of severing time in prison, his in-laws had waited for this day so much that even if they had their jobs to attend to on a Monday morning, they rather be at the court room to see Dante punished for stealing their most prized possession, even Natty and her husband left there country for the court case. It was also the day that the witnes
Ex-convict to Executive Chapter 12
“My honor, every surveillance footage as stated earlier where compromised” Attorney Bryan spoke with an air of confidence in his voice However, Attorney Yara still holding the flash drive, not ready to back down or succumb to Attorney Bryan intimidating smirk. She sure knew what she was doing and just somehow, she hopped that it could help her client, she had seen Dante cried many times whenever she was speaking to him, he wanted nothing more than his freedom, to once again see his daughter. Yara walked forward to the judge, taking elegant stride and keeping her hope alive that the chief judge would swirl in the court case in a way that favors her side. Already she knew that he could have been bribed already but what were the odds, maybe good people still exists? "My honor please permit me to play the surveillance footage" Yara interrupted Bryan who was about speaking but because he didn't want to lose face, he arrogantly put his hands into the pocket of his suit trouser waiting t
Latest Chapter
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 41
The security men exchanged looks between each other and then to Judy “What did you just say about a robbery attack?” Just when Judy was about to tell the security guard that Dante was the ex-convict that was on the news some weeks ago, she feared at how petty she could be. “Did you see this Mr Camry with a gun or something?” the security asked again as they seriously waited on Judy to say something, anything at all instead of leaving then wondering how a robbery attack would soon happen in the hospital “Uhh, my bad” Judy closed her eyes “I guess it’s dejavu or my screen time is getting too much” “You said a robbery attack was about to happen here-“ “It’s in the movies, my bad-I saw a movie yesterday, sorry to scare you both” Judy replied “You didn’t scare us” one of the security cleared his throat “You infact might be leading us on false information” “Look I barely even know that guy okay? I just met him today at the hospital although we go back from childhood, coincidentall
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 40
Dante ran down the stairs breathlessly, he took it two each jump when no one was looking or close sight, but when he saw someone walking up the stairs he pretended to be composed and walked down the stairs pretentiously. If should incase the officer looked at the CCTV there was every possibility he could have spotted him taking Theo’s name tag and even Judy’s keycard so he needed to leave the hospital as soon as possible, he already got what he needed, Quinn’s phone number. On the fourth floor, a security man was talking into a walkie talkie “A laboratory scientist disguise?” the person at the other side of the device replied “Over, clear fourth floor” The man turned to Dante who was standing to hear more, he glared at Dante like as if to ask why he was standing and looking at him like he saw a ghost. “May I help you?” The security man inquired “Uhh no” Dante stuttered, he swallowed down nervously as he made his way to continue walking down to the third floor “The tracker on t
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 39
Dante took stride with his very good legs like a laboratory scientist to the staff room, as he got to the door he fumbled for the key card he collected from Judy without her contest and the slot it on the door, it turned from red to green. Dante smiled from ear to ear, although it was hidden behind his nose mask he couldn’t hide his happiness as he did a happy dance move with his leg while he entered the room. The room was actually a room to other rooms, in fact Dante was very confused, he was never expecting to meet another door? Nevertheless he maintained his calm and walked through the quiet hallway as another staff approached him “Good day” she nodded as she passed Dante who was ensure of how to respond nodded likewise with a slight bow as he continued walking to where he didn’t even know. The door where closed and from his guess Judy key card could open any door, he was actually anticipating entering through the main door in the first place but that moment his heart began pou
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 38
Dante didn't know what exactly to say to the nurse standing in front of him, the other day she had been nice to him that was the reason for the flowers, chocolate and wine he had ordered for her and not because he had any ulterior moltive towards her. “Can I have your number please?” Dante asked in a gentle man style, his voice was charming, and he was handsome as well, his long hair alone made him an eye looker “Sure” the nurse took his phone and typed her number into his phone, then she gave it back to him, she had already saved it as “Judy” with love emojis. That’s right her name was Judy, It was just then that Dante recalled. “I would give you a call” Dante told her even so he made a mental note to not call at all, his love was already a mess and he need not involve her in it. “I would soon be done with my shift, could you wait a little let me round up then we can go have lunch” she asked politely “-together, please” she added right there Dante wanted to decline her request
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 37
Dante took slow strides limping into the hospital, the last time he was there his leg was really bad that he didn’t have to pretend to be limping. That day he was heavily disgraced and he even cried after the incident with Ellie and her mother accusing him of stealing her diamond necklace when it was Nurse Quinn who took it.Dante never knew he was in fact a very skilled pick pocket until hours ago when he took the herb, he was able to recall a memory from his past, now he was on the move and he had a plan.“Uhh I have a physiotherapy appointment today with my nurse” Dante lied to the receptionist“Uhh, hold on a sec” she paused as she typed on the laptop “Your name please and Hospital card?”“Dante Willow” he blurted, for the hospital card he had misplaced it “I didn’t bring it along with him, I was here last month receiving treatment, my leg suddenly started paining me this morning, that was why I rushed down here”The receptionist looked at him“You were assigned to nurse Quinn”
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 36
When Geraldine opened the file what she saw made her gasps in surprise, she was so horrified by the sight out of reflex, Dante immediately shut the laptop close. It was a camera footage of people preparing sealing drugs, it looked more like a factory, before she could see more Dante slammed the laptop shut “Thanks for your help” Dante shuffled to his feet shocked as well with the content he just saw “Was that a movie or real life?” Geraldine asked looking into space “Go home kid, you have played your part” “Those girls are my about my age, I have more part to play if you are working on bringing those people down” “You think is easy huh?” Dante scoffed, if not that he knew ghost personally it would have been hard to know who he was “You saved my life and now I owe you mine, I can do anything in my capacity to protect you” Geraldine spoke with a knowing eyes “The last person who told me he got my back is six feet under” Dante shouted “And you know what? He is the owner o
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 35
Mr Uriel Xanros knew right there he had caught Dante, asking him to be the family chauffeur was a way to keep Dante at their mercy until he finally paid off the money of the missing heirloom art piece, which seem to be impossible seeing that Dante was nothing but a poor man.“Don’t think about it much, I am offering you an opportunity that nobody would” Mr Uriel pressed on “I would give you a response” Dante replied standing to his feet“If you say so then” Mr Uriel shrugged as if he had given up. Dante took his daughter again into his arms to kiss her goodbye“Good bye Bella”“Daddy when would you come back home?” The little girl asked in a mumble which only made Mr Uriel arch an eyebrow in the “You see?” Fashion which Dante ignored.Did the little girl mean the house that was blown to ashes or his in-laws house, she was too young to understand divorce and separation, maybe someday she would get it.“Very soon baby” he whispered to her ears, he dropped her back to the chair“See y
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 34
Dante could count on his finger the number of time that Mr Uriel Xanros was nice enough to call him his son-in-law. He couldn't even recall the times he was addressed as his son-inlaw. This time was particularly strange because of the crime Dante had been accused of, the painting was a fortune that Mr Uriel would be deeply touched each passing day that it was found yet.,The call with Mr Uriel ended and Dante walked to Gina who was still in pain for her slice open finger, just then, Dante dragged the tape forcefully from her mouth.“Aaah” she shouted loudly at the pain“Where were we?”“I have told you all I know” Gina replied with an eyes filled with tears and pains Dante was sorry for the way he treated her, it was because of her stubborn head that is to blame. “No you haven’t. Tell me more about Joe” Dante took a chair and sat opposite her waiting to hear all she had to say.“After the robbery, Joe took some art pieces to auction them abroad, those are the art pieces that are mi
- Ex-convict to Executive
Chapter 33
“Do I look like the police who arrested you? Or the judge who passed the sentence?” Gina asked, her voice alone made Dante’s blood boil so much that he wanted to just pull the trigger at her skull.Gina shot daggers at Dante, she didn’t know what was going on in his mind if in fact she did, she would be begging for her life instead of blabbing “Look at you, poor with nothing to offer, dare show up in my house to threaten me?” Gina laughed scornfully “With a toy gun?” Her laugher resounded again in the room and Dante let her finish, she was getting it all wrong, she didn’t know he was the one in control there “Well go on, kill yourself and end your miserable life, I would just watch”“Should I use the rope or the gun would be better to kill myself?” Dante asked with a smirk “As long as you are dead, nobody gives a shit about you Dante Willow. You are depressed why come to my house to kill your self?”“That is because you are part of the reason I am depressed”“What are you talking ab