FROM A BILITTLED SON-IN-LAW TO A MULTI-BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 1

It was Bryan's in-law's 27th wedding anniversary today and they had planned on celebrating it in a big style.

The decorations in the hall were beautifully designed, the attractive flowers with alluring colours were hung in every corner of the place, and the round tables were properly arranged with beautiful roses around them accompanied with gifts. 

The beautiful glitters of different colours of light made the place more exquisite and lovable. The stage where the couples were going to be giving their speech was also designed beautifully and everywhere smelled perfection. 

Bryan's in-laws had invited only wealthy and influential business people and family friends for the celebration and they made sure the whole environment smelt wealth.

Everywhere looked presentable. They made sure everything was set and in order, as they awaited the arrival of their guests.

It had been a hectic and stressful day for Bryan. He had been busy since morning making arrangements and preparing all that would be needed for the occasion.

His in-laws had strictly given him some orders and what to do concerning the occasion. He did everything perfectly to avoid their insults, he didn't want them abusing and insulting him, especially in front of the guests. He didn't want such embarrassment, especially today.

He went to the kitchen to do some finishing touches, after arranging and tidying up the refreshments, he checked around to make sure everything was in order before he left for his room.

He had not seen Anita his wife for the past week now and he began to wonder what could be keeping her. She had told him that she was going to get her outfits and other necessary things for the occasion, but that couldn't have taken a whole week.

As he passed the hallway he heard his mother-in-law ordering her designers and make-up artist to hurry since the event was going to start soon. he rushed to his room avoiding a waste of time.

He finished showering quickly and hurriedly went to dress up. He ransacked the whole wardrobe looking for something nice to put on since he couldn't buy any clothes for himself for the occasion.

He had always wanted to work and earn money for himself since they got married but Anita would always refuse saying her money was enough to take care of everything they needed. he didn't want to argue with her since he knew that he couldn't get a good job, since he didn't have any certificate to acquire a good paying job so he decided to stick with her decision.

After ransacking everywhere in his wardrobe for a few minutes he was able to find a manageable cloth he could put on. After dressing and arranging his hair, he put on his footwear and stepped out of his room.

As he reached the hallway, he saw his mother-in-law stepping out of her room and immediately she saw him, she stopped him.

She looked at him disdainfully already disgusted by the clothes he was wearing. His outfits were appalling. She couldn't let him wear them to her occasion. She had to stop him.

"What are those rags you wearing"? "You look like a mad person".

"Couldn't you at least get something presentable to put on or are you trying to embarrass this family like you always do especially today of all days"? 

Bryan wanted to speak but she cut him off 

"Look there will be no need of you wearing this trash because you wouldn't be needed in the ceremony ground. Yes, you can't function as my daughter's husband today because you aren't fit to be her husband"

"So in the meantime, before the guests arrive, 

go back to your room and change to a worker's clothes because you will be helping in serving the guests and taking care of their refreshments. We won't be needing you for any special purposes."

"Now hurry and go get changed before the guest arrives and don't waste any more time " She said and walked out.

Bryan couldn't believe what was hearing. He didn't believe it, but when the words came resounding in his ears, he knew she meant all he was saying. This made him so angry and pained.

Since he got Married to his wife they have always treated him like their houseboy, but reducing him to a servant, especially on this day of a grand ceremony was too painful to bear.

Bryan remembered how his mother-in-law said he couldn't function as her daughter's husband in public but he could function as her husband in doing all the house chores and also in bed. How could she be so mean to him, he thought.

With anger, he left the premises to the room, there was nothing he could do about it, even if he confided in his wife, she would still support her parents. he didn't know what to do rather than to change into some worker's clothes.

He searched and searched till he found some comfortable servant clothes to put on. it was a white shirt, black trousers and a black face cap. 

He couldn't believe he was going to put this on, especially on this day, but he had no choice since he was poor and couldn't speak up for himself. 

As the sound of the loud music boomed, Bryan jolted out of his thoughts, he looked through his window and observed that the ceremony was about to start and went downstairs.

He saw the ushers ushering in the guests, everywhere was already crowded with wealthy and elegant people and the environment was a sight to behold.

As Bryan was about to move out of the arena, he saw a figure that caught his eyes, he looked again and it dawned on him that it was his wife whom he hadn't seen for the past week in the arms of another man. 

No! Maybe he was wrong, maybe all the stresses of the day were clouding his brain and most especially his eyes. 

He moved further and looked well again and saw that he was not only holding the man but clinging unto him. He couldn't take it anymore so he went to meet them.

He didn't take two more steps when a figure showed up in front of him blocking him. he realized it was his mother-in-law and noticed that she had been observing him from where she stood. 

"What do you think you are doing you incompetent young man?"  "Wait, were you going to show your silly self to one of my biggest guests?"

"Why are you bent on disgracing us today?" 

"What's your problem, young man"

"You better go to the kitchen now and tidy up some things, go and make yourself useful for once" She barked at him.

Bryan was still standing there looking at how his wife continued to cling to the man's body. it was an annoying sight to behold. It pained him more seeing her looking so happy clinging to the man.

"I said to the kitchen now!" His mother-in-law barked at him, bringing him back to reality as he turned back and left for the kitchen, his mind spinning with emotions he couldn't untangle.

The ceremony began and it was time for the drinks to be served, So he followed the other ushers to serve the guests. The busy work was a welcome distraction, a way to keep his mind occupied and prevent him from dwelling on the pain of what he had just witnessed. He tried to focus on the task at hand, even as his heart ached.

As he served the second round of drinks he kept glancing towards the table where his wife was sitting. When their eyes met, he couldn't look away. Lost in his thoughts, he tripped and accidentally spilt a glass of wine on the man sitting next to his wife. "Gawd"  it was the same man that his wife was clinging on earlier. 

Before he could apologise, he was taken aback by the sound of two resounding slaps, and immediately the whole place became quiet and for a moment it looked like time had stopped. Bryan couldn't swear he saw stars.