HEIR from the STREET

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

IT ALL FELT like a movie or prank of some sort. 

"Cops?" Jon asked. His heart hammered in his chest as he took a step back uncertainly.  

The receptionist was already dialling on her land-line, smiling and looking happy to be putting Jon where he belonged. "Yeah. Hello… this is the continental Hotel…" She said into the mouthpiece of the phone. 

"Why are you calling the cops?" Jon asked. "I have done nothing wrong." He exclaimed. 

"Oh, you haven't, yeah?" The manager asked, sneering. "Why are you sweating and panicking then?" 

Jon touched his forehead and it was wet. "Hey, that's not what you thi–"

"Shut up, you poor bastard." The manager snapped. 

"... yes. We would need some sergeants here urgently…" The receptionist continued to the phone. "... and yes, they should be heavily armed…" She threw a dirty glance at Jon. "...the culprit looks like who would cause a lot of trouble and resistance… Yes, thank you." 

Then she dropped the mouthpiece with a satisfied smile plastered to her face. 

"Good work, Jenny." The manager said.

"But what have we done?" Jon asked again. He was getting more scared by the second. 

"Oh not 'we' as in you and the lady." The manager replied. He rubbed his nose and continued, "It's you… like just you." He gestured with his hand at Jon's physical appearance. 

"Yeah you look like shit." The lady piped from the receptionist table. 

"You think so too right, Jenny?" The manager turned to look at the receptionist called Jenny who nodded. 

Then he turned to Jon and said, "So you see… it's not just me." 

"What the fuck are you both talking about?" Jon snarled, now anger was overshawing the fear and he was about blowing off. 

"You got balls to talk like that to me?" The manager drew up to Jon and shook a fist at him. Jon towered over him, he stood over 2 heads taller than the manager who barely got to his chest level and years of a hard life had given Jon a well toned and developed muscles which tightened as he got angrier. 

"No need to lower yourself to this pauper's level, sir." The receptionist said from her table, breaking the angry locked gazes between the two men. "Let the cops come and deal with him how they see fit." She removed her glasses and cleaned them, like she was expecting to see a big fight break out. 

The drunk lady clinging to Jon's arm stirred and groaned. 

"Oh dear. He drugged you real good, didn't he?" The manager asked, moving over to her side. 

"Drugged what?" Jon asked, using his free arm to push the manager backwards and shielding the lady. He couldn't believe his ears. "I didn't drug anybody."

"That is what every poor criminal would say when they've been caught." Jenny said. 

"Exactly what I thought too." The manager agreed. "You drugged this classy, beautiful lady because yoh know you can't get to her by any legal means."

"What? I did not –" 

"Quiet! You poor thing." The manager snapped, shutting up whatever Jon wanted to say, "Just how possible that a dirty food delivery boy like you can date a high class lady like that?" 

"Not possible at all sir." Jenny interjected from her table, adjusting her pointed glasses. 

"Exaclty!" The manager said, adjusting his suit. "Just how soon are the cops going to get here?" 

"In a few minutes sir." Jenny replied.  

"Good." The manager replied. "Oi, you two." He called to two burly security guards nearby. "Make sure this man doesn't get away before the cops get here." The security guards both nodded. 

"I am not going to let myself be arrested for something I have no idea about." Jon said, taking a step back and putting his free hand in his pocket.  

"Seize him!" 

In a flash, one of them proceeded to snatch Jon's hand snd jacked him. His hand left violently from the pocket, tearing the weak trouser fabric and sending his family badge flying through the air. 

It all happened simultaneously and in slow motion. 

The manager's eyes followed the object that flew from Jon's pocket. His eyes focused on the silver badge and his smile froze on his face. And then the smile of satisfaction changed to a face showing pure terror. 

The room was quiet as the badged landed with a clatter on the white tiles, catching the bright light and sending reflection in all directions. 

The manager scooted in fearful steps towards it. He picked it up tentatively and asked in a squeak, "Is this yours?" 

Jon snatched away his arm from the security guard's grip and said, "Yes. Any problem?" 

The manager gave a cry of terror and fell to his knees. He bowed at Jon's feet, making sure his forehead touched the ground. 

Jon frowned slightly, nor understanding what he said that made the man react that way or what weight and power his words meant. 

"I pledge my fealty to you, my lord. Please forgive me." The manager said loudly in a shaky voice. 

The security guards and Jenny exchanged confused glances. 

Jon sighed heavily, tired of all this drama. 

The manager gathered his feet beneath him and stood up shakily. 

Jon extended his hand, requesting for the badge and the manager handed over the badge with his two hands and bowing slightly. 

"It was all a misunderstanding, you see." The manager said quickly. "We did not know who you are and we have had an incident with someone dressed like that. So we have to make sure we took proper actions… you know, for the safety of our guests… like you." 

Jon sighed again. "Yes. I understand. Can I still get a room or would you rather I went to another hotel?" 

"What? N-No, no." The manager stammered. "We would be more than honoured to have you hear. There is more than enough rooms for you… infact, and it's on the house, we are not going to accept a penny from you…" He turned to the receptionist. "Jenny, check him into the presidential suite." 

Jon just wanted to lie down somewhere. He couldn't care less if it was regular room. He has had enough dramas for one day. 

But the manager still turned to him, "Sir, I assure you. It is beautiful. From there, you can see the beautiful new York sunrise every morning." 

Jon simply nodded without saying anything. 

"What's taking so long, eh Jenny?" The manager moved towards the receptionist desk. 

Jenny was still dumbstruck. "Sir… he's dressed in a food delivery shirt and had drugged that lady… and he's –" 

The short, fat manager shook violently like a pressurised bottle. He face turned red and he landed a heavy slap on Jenny face. Her snobbish glasses went askew as she grabbed the cheek in pain and stared unbelieving what had just happened.

"JUST CHECK HIM THE FUCK IN!" The manager yelled.