Five hours later,my mom was brought out of the operation theatre. I held the doctors arm aggressively. I've been trying to get some information for the last five hours from the nurses but they ignored me. This time I must get something,that's why I held her arm.
"How is my mom? How is she?" I asked.
"She's out of danger now." She announced."Thank God. Can I see her now?" I asked."Yes,but she's sleeping. Make sure you don't wake her up." She said.We went into the ward and the man followed us. At first I was confused. "Did he do it for charity? Or does Mom know him?"
We went in and my mom was fast asleep.
"Thank you so much sir. Thank you." I said to him again and this time he stretched his hand and I shock them.We all sat down except my brother,staring at my mother as she slept. The man still waited. Something was wrong,I felt attached and it was strange. I thought he should be on his way by now but it seems he had other motives. Maybe he wanted to talk to my mom.
After a while,my mom woke up and rubbed her eyes. She grunted. "Roberto!" I stood up and rushed to her. "How are you doing? How are you feeling?" I asked as I felt Diego trying to see her face. My tall muscular body didn't allow so he went to the other side."Mom are you okay?" He rubbed her hair.
"I'm fine." She squeaked.
"Grace!" The man said and his voice echoed in the room. It was then my mother noticed him."Lionel. Raymond Lionel." She yelled as tears fell down her eyes.
"What are you doing here? Just get out! Get lost! I don't want to see your face here." She yelled and it caught the attention of the nurses.
"This is an hospital. You need to be silent." She informed."Take this man out of my room." She commanded.
"He paid the bills mum. Please be repectful and appreciative." I bent and whispered."I don't care. I deserve more than that. I deserve many more." She yelled.
A nurse informed the man to leave so my mom could stop yelling. I followed him.
"I'm so sorry about my mother's behavior. She's not usually like this." I said."It's okay. I understand. I just need her to listen to me that's all." He said.
"Maybe when she gets better,I could arrange an appointment for you guys." I said and he smiledHe turned to leave but he turned back and asked me a question. "Young man! How old are you?" I was shocked to hear the question. "Why was he asking? Did he want to offer me a job?" I asked myself.
Diego rushed to call me and I went inside without answering. "Mom said you shouldn't talk to him." He said.
"Why? Mom he paid your bills." I tried to explain but she cut me off."I don't care and I don't want to see him ever again and I don't want you to have any relationship with him." She yelled."Just rest okay? Don't let us stress this issue." I said.My phone beeped and it was my wife's call. I was in no mood to pick a call so I ignored. She sent a message later which read. "Hi baby. Where are you?" I sighed and sat beside my mom,happy she was alive and not dead. Happy she was with me. " God will bless the Lionel man." I said.**********
Two days later,my mom was discharged. I and my wife took her home. I drove my wife's car and parked in our compund. My wife left because she had to go to work. I ordered a taxi for her and she left after our good bye kisses.I went back in and Diego was packing in mummy's stuffs when I heard a knock. It was the Lionel man again. I didn't want to let him in but it doesn't feel right. He paid my mother's hospital bill and this is the least I could do for him. I opened the door wide and excused myself from the road allowing him to come in. He was in a grey suit this time with leather shoes that looked really expensive. Three cars were packed outside with five bodyguards in suit and sunshades waiting outside.The moment my mother sighed him she stood up and yelled. "Raymond leave my house." She yelled.
"Let me explain Grace. I'm so sorry." He apologized."How did he know my mom's maiden name? The doctor must have told him." I guessed."I don't need to listen to anything. You are nothing but an irresponsible man and father." She yelled."Is my son still alive?" He asked."Your son? Your son?" My mom queried."The son you sent out of your house. The son who you didn't even spend his first stages of growth with. To hell with you." She yelled."Calm down mom." I held her and made her sit.I and Diego were looking confused. "What is going on." I whispered and Diego shrugged."Please let me see my son. I need him now." He begged.
"Your son died a long time ago. He died while I was giving birth to him." "Wow! I was not the first born." I whispered."That's a lie. My son is one of these boys."
I and Diego looked at each other. "Who would be the son of this man?" I asked Mom."None of them." She answered fast.
I and Diego looked at him."I need my son to come inherit my properties. I have no child to take over." He knelt. "Please give me my child.I went to him and made he stand up. "Sit down sir." I said and he did."You are not going to take my son from me. Never!" Mom said and left the room."Tell me your age. How old are you?" He asked again and I was about to answer when my mother grabbed my hand andtook me inside leaving Diego and Mr Raymond Lionel.
"mom what's wrong? He paid your bills." I informed her again."I know I know." She sat on her bed and covered her face with her hand."Then why did you treat him that way?" I asked.
"Because he threw me out when I needed him the most. He left me and my baby alone in this world." She explained."What baby?" I asked."Well. I was a maid in the Lionel's mansion. The Lionel's are second class citizens in America. They are a prestigious and rich family who pass down their ancient traditions and wealth to their first son. I happened to have a relationship with Rayomind Lionel." She paused for a while and looked at me. I was knelling in front of her paying full attention to what she was saying.
"What? I was in love. I didn't do it for money." She defended herself even when I didn't say anything."
"I got pregnant and his wife knew. Only I and her knew she couldn't give birth again. She lied the baby was not for Raymond and even proved it with pictures. It was picture of I and Diego's father. Raymond got angry and sent me out of the house. I was all alone. I was an orphan and didn't know where to go. I had to go to Diego's father and I pushed the pregnancy to him." She said and looked at me.
"Mom that's mean. You pushed the baby to dad?" I said
"Yeah. Diego's father is not yours. Your father is Raymond Lionel." She said and my heart began to beat faster."What are you saying? What are you speaking. Father Fernando is my father." I yelled and opened the door. I found Mr Raymond eavesdropping.
"You are my son dear." Raymond said.
"I'm not yours." I whispered."I'll transfer all my properties to you. You'll now be able to control billions of dollars. I'm ready to stop your suffering." He said.
I was shocked and happy at the same time. I would be able to prove to my in laws that I'm a billionaire. I'll be able to prove my worth to them.He gave me his business card and we exchanged numbers. He was about to leave when he turned back and hugged me. "I love you son. I'm happy to find you back." He said
"I'm happy too." I said truthfully.
I hugged my mom. "Thanks for giving me a good dad." I said and Diego hugged us. "Thank God brother is now rich. You'd give me a position in the company." He chuckled
"No. You are finishing school and I'm sending you to Harvard." I announced and he jumped for joy. He dabbed several times before running upstairs.I'm sure he was calling his friends and informing them.
"Our life is going to change mom. it's going to change for good." I said."I know but that doesn't mean I've forgiven him. All the pains and suffering I went through can't be forgiven just like that. Go to your father,I won't stop you but don't involve me in anything." She folded her arm."What are you saying mom. Don't say this." I said.
"Never mind about me." She said."I have to go home now ma. Please rest well. Don't let Diego pester you." I said and kissed her checks. I went back home in my wife's car.I drove in and met my mother in law about to enter her car. She came down and came to me. " What are you doing in my daughter's car? She asked."I'm coming from my mother's house. She just got discharged." I answered."I didn't ask for all that. I said what are you doing with my daughter's car?" She asked again. I was now confused."Well. I was driving it." I answered and she slapped me."Is that a way to answer someone who is more older than you?" She yelled. "Give me the car keys. Give me now." She ordered.I handed the keys back to her and she screamed. "Lowlife." I wanted to tell her I was no longer a low life,I wanted to tell her I was a Lionel's descendant. The Lionel's name which everyone bowed to. The name everyone feared and respected. Even my mother inlaw had mentioned the name several times to my hearing. She once said she was pursing a contract in one of the Lionel's company and it was rejected. This was the sixth time. She doesn't want to give up because when she gets
I went in and saw my father in law watching me as I walked inside from the balcony."Where are you coming from and who dropped you?" He asked.I walked inside and I met him walking downstairs to the sitting room."That's my boss sir. I'm just coming from work." I answered and bowed. I dared not look into his eyes when talking to him."You are cheating on my daughter." He concluded."What? My boss dropped me off sir." I explained."So because we didn't give you the two million dollars you decided to go get married into another family." He yelled."What are you saying sir? I didn't do such a thing." I said."Out of my house. Now." He said."Sir please try to understand. it wasn't a woman who brought me home it was my boss." I tried to explain but he pushed me out. He took me to the backyard and I was locked up in the dog cage."Sir. Please listen." I begged holding the cold steel bar as I knelt inside the cage.He hissed and left. "That's what low life's like you deserve. "Listen pleas
The taxi dropped me off at the Lionel's mansion. It looked like a city on it own. There were two bodyguards in suit waiting outside. "You're welcome sir. Please follow me." One said as he led the way.I walked in through the gate and what I saw surprised me. There was a white gigantic building sitting in the compund then little houses which were seperated from it. One could know that the big white house was the main building. We walked into the house and I was greeted by the sweet scents and beautiful artworks that hung side by side on the wall. We walked further and I saw myself in a large living room. It was really big and a part of it was the dinning room. The dinning table was long and had five chairs arranged parallel to each other. There were huge chandeliers which brightened up the room. Five big leather chairs and a center table was in the living room. A large tv hung on the wall and a portrait of my dad sitting on a chair with his legs crossed hung in the wall beside the tel
"It's okay mom. I'm fine." I said."Diego! I promise,you'll live a good life." She said.We released the hug and she took my hand and placed it in my dad's hand."Nothing must happen to my son. Audrey must not harm him or else?" My mom threatened and honestly I was scared at the way she glared at him."I promise. Nothing would happen to him." He said."Who's Audrey? Step sister?" Diego asked."Step mother." My dad answered."Oh Brother Roberto. I heard step moms are dangerous. Be careful. Don't eat her food,don't cross her path, don't follow her anywhere." He said and he marked each point with his fingers."I'll be careful. Mom! Would you accept dad's money now?" I asked and she nodded slowly.My dad handed the black card over to me. "I'm sorry Grace. I promise I'll make it up to you." My dad said and my mom nodded again."I have to go back home now." I said and my mom hugged me tightly. "Be careful son." She whispered in my ear.After convincing my dad not to drop me home,I got home
I heaved a sigh. "That's it." I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. My nose and lips had injury and I looked hideous."There's no way I can present myself to my dad's board of members like this." I said to myself.I picked up my phone on the bed and called my dad."Hey Dad. Good morning." I greeted"Good morning son." His voice sounded low,like he just woke up."Did I just wake you up?" I asked,worried."Hmm." He grunted."I'm sorry. I'll call back then." I implied."There's no need for that. Just say whatever you want to." He said,his voice sounded better as he spoke."I won't be able to come to sign today dad." I said and he didn't speak."Dad! Dad!! Can you hear me?" I asked but I heard nothing. I removed the phone against my ear to check if the call was still ongoing but it was."It's okay." He said in a very low tone that I couldn't have heard if I wasn't paying attention."Dad!Please try to understand I just..." I couldn't finish my statement when I heard my phone beep.
They all arrived and the room was filled to the brim. I started sweating profusely even when all the air conditioners were turned on. My legs were shaking. My dad held my leg firmly and nodded his head. It seemed to have a little effect on me. My dad tried to stand up but I stood up before him and made him sit down back comfortably. "You can't stand now." I whispered in his ear. He cleared his throat before starting."I Raymond Lionel would be stepping down from my position as the CEO of Lionel corporation. Of all my thirty three branches worldwide would now be controlled by my son,Roberto Lionel." He tapped my shoulder.Everybody was shocked."Your son. I thought you never had a child." A woman with well polished nails said abruptly as she pushed her hair backward with her left hand."This is absurd. Did you just pick a child on the street to put as a CEO?" A fat man asked. His voice was very deep and he was bald and pale."That's nonsense." My dad hit the table and stood up. He fel
"Take the cups to the kitchen." I heard my mother in law voice and I pushed Grachi away gently."Didn't he answer when you called him?" My mother asked,ready to hit me again."He didn't answer ma. I've been arguing with him since. He even went to bath." She lied."Imagine. You are lazy and poor. How do you want to make it in life? I wonder what my Rosa saw in you." She yelled."I'm not a low life ma." I said and scoffed."Then what are you? A poverty striken person.I walked away from where she was standing to my wardrobe "Come downstairs when you're done. We have some visitors and you have work to do." She ordered and left with Grachi.I hissed when they left. I dressed casually and walked downstairs."Come here." My mother in law yelled as she spotted me coming down the stairs. There were some people in the sitting room. Two old people of the opposite gender and some kids. "I'm here ma." I said."Is that Rosa husband?" The old woman asked."Yes ma. I'm Roberto. Her husband." I an
I picked a random file that was heaped on my table. From my calculations,there have been series of corruption and manipulations occuring more than once with the same signature,approving the downgrading act. It was my step mother's,Audrey. "I'll get to the bottom of it too." I said to myself when a woman barged into my office with my secetary trying to catch up with her.She knelt on the floor. Her clothes were soacked with sweat and as I moved closer I was greeted by a foul smell. I tried to see her face but she bowed and her hair covered her face."Who are you and what do you want?" I asked as I rested on the neck of another chair."I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry for what I did the other day. I didn't know." She apologized without raising her head."How will I know who you are when you won't raise your head? I have many foes you know." I joked."It's me. The woman who insulted you at Lionel shopping mall." She raised her head slowing and the familar face greeted me. I'd remember her face
***Rosa's pov***Getting to the hospital,mom was rushed into the ward and was attended to immediately. Dad was pacing to and fro scared of what the doctor would come and say. "Nothing much happen to her." I said."I know and I regret pushing her. It was a mistake." He bit his upper lip.Few minutes later,the doctor came to meet us."Are you her husband sir?" He asked and my dad nodded."Let's talk privately."I held my dad's hand."You talk here. I'm her daughter and he was the one who caused this in the first place." I glared at him."Shut it Rosa! It was a mistake." He corrected. "Well,she has stroke now. A side of her brain was affected so the left side of her body is paralyzed." He announced."What? Look at what you did to her?" I yelled. I wanted to hit him but we were in public."Will she be fine?" I asked."Maybe. It's a 50_50%. She could get better or worse." He said and I shaked my head."I hope she'll be alright. Even though I and my mom quarrel a lot,I wouldn't want her
***Roberto's pov***"What's my business with Roberto? What sort of madness is this?" Her screamed echoed in the room."You threatened you'd do something to Gabriel. Well we can't find him." I yelled back throwing my hands in the air dramatically."I was just joking. It was just a threat. Why would I kidnap Gabriel? What use would it be for me?" She dropped her spoon."Son! That accusation is just too much. Have you reported to the police?" I eyed him and he cleared his throat."I know you'll always support her. You've been blinded by her. I'll leave and I'm going straight to the station. If I find out she has a hand in this,I'll make sure she rots in jail." I said and was about to leave when my father held my arm."And if she's not guilty what would you do? I've told you to stop accusing her for whatever thing that happens to you. You're the one who's blinded by your ego and your sadistic thoughts. Why would Gabriel get missing and the first person you think of is your step mom?"I ya
***Rosa's pov***"Where? How? How did you find them? Tell me!" I demanded."Calm down. I only got to know the location. Besides we can't go get them. It would be too dangerous." She said and I hissed."Just give me the address and I'll do the rest myself." "Just be careful. Mr Roberto's security is always tight and if he finds out you're the one,you're a goner." She said and i laughed."If I'm a goner then you'll be what? Just send me the address and spare me the cock and bull story." I said and dropped the call.Minutes later,I got a message from Diana. The address of where Laura kids are is with me. I can finally get what I want from Laura.I can't wait to control all of these properties. I stood up and turned around,taking a view of my room.Can't wait to see the look on my father's face when I snatch all of his properties from him.The only problem I have now is to hire some men to help me get those children. What do I even need them for? All I need is a video of them,just to con
***Gabriel's pov***I sneaked out of the office knowing Mr Roberto wouldn't need me soon. I received t a call an unknown number asking me to come meet at the hospital where Alice's father has been hospitalized. I got there and it was Christian,Alice's younger brother. He raised his hand,signalling me to come in."Why would he call me here considering the fact that he hates me so much." I asked myself. We've even beaten each other once.He placed his hand on my shoulder."Hey bro." He said and started walking out of the hospital. "What's going on? Where are we headed?" I asked but he smiled.I should tell you but Alice would kill me if I utter a single word."I've told Alice I'm no longer interested in this relationship. Why would she try to surprise me?" I yelled."Just calm down. I know my family has hurt you in so many ways. Just take this as a sorry." He smiled and opened the car for me. The bodyguards standing outside cladded in all black suits were just so intimidating. I'm a bo
***Diana's pov***I get he wants to take his revenge but this is just evil. How could he separate those children from their mother? How could he do such a thing to them? I wonder how those kids would feel like now. I clenched my fist as I walked towards them."Diana! Where have you been? Couldn't go on lunch break because of you. We were supposed to work on this together." Olivia banged the file on the table. i could see the happiness in her eyes."Quit lying. You never asked me to work on any file with you. If you want Mr Roberto to like you,you're doing a great job." I folded my arms."What's wrong with you? Don't you know you're in the office? I told you I don't want any personal shit here?" He yelled at me.I wanted to defend myself but he spoke over me."I'm not interested in you. I don't like you. I'm only keeping you here because you've been of great help. This is the last straw Diana,the next one will be the end." He said and walked out of the office.I felt hurt. I felt a ver
***Rosa's pov***"Let's meet at Deemarks restaurant by two." I said."Sure. Please make it on time. I've got lots of work to do." She replied and i nodded as if she could see me.I dropped the call and raised my clenched fist up in the air. "Yes. Finally something to take Roberto down. I want him to beg at my feet. I want him to beg for mercy." I smiled as the thought of me ruining Roberto made me smile.I couldn't wait to hear what she has to say. I left all the things I was doing and rushed to the restaurant. I sat down and the waitress handed the menu over to me.I glanced at the menu as they had lots of good food and drinks but my mind kept pondering,thinking of the good news Diana has to give me. The restaurant looked every nice. Nice artworks hanging on the wall,comfy chairs which were arranged in rows,good lightening and great customer care.I kept tapping my left foot against the floor,anxious and nervous at the same time,checking the entrance to see if Diana was approaching
***Cynthia's pov***"The issue must have died down. I'm going out." I eyed Rosa."Mum? I'm telling you people don't forget things like this. Don't go out. It's dangerous and it can affect stocks and shares at the company. The corporation is at the verge of dying." She begged."What's your business? I need to go for shopping. It's very important." I yelled as i walked out on her. I got into the car and drove off to the mall. I got down and I saw the glances and murmuring. I waved it off thinking it wasn't that much. I locked the car and took a few steps and people started taking my pictures and laughing at me.Soon it became like a protest,they started calling me names like slut,pig etc and I was embarrassed.I ran back to my car with so much difficulty as some people decided to be violent and started hitting me.I got to my car and drove back home. I got into the compound and my body was red and swollen. They all hurt. Sone were itchy while some were burning."Didn't I warn you?" Ro
***Roberto's pov***After the clash with my dad,I've been keeping tabs on my stepmother. I just need to find something to use on her. Anything!Diana has been behaving strange especially with Olivia. I know she had told me countless times how much she loves me but I don't need a distraction and that doesn't mean she should hate on Olivia.If not for the friendship between us and how she stood by me when I had nobody I would have sacked her. I hate how unprofessional she's been."Sir! Meeting in five minutes. The members are here sir." Olivia informed. I searched around for Diana but she was no where to be found.This is what she's supposed to be doing but she's busy grumbling and acting jealous. Olivia has been the one doing all of the work.After the meeting,I went to my office to rest and Gabriel walked in."What is it again?" I asked them yawned."I just want to talk about Diana sir." He said and I turned to face him."If it's about her loving me please just forget about it. I'm so
***Rosa's pov***Watching mom try to make dad fall in with with her again was so annoying to watching. It made me cringe whenever she tried to seduce him. When I say seduce,I mean her using old stupid tricks like throwing the remote on the floor and bending to pick it while wearing a short seductive dress,I mean that's so disgusting considering they are your parent."Just get the fuck away from me. I'm trying to watch tv." My dad yelled as he left the living room."Wait up Daniel. I know you want this. Don't be shy." Mom said and she ran towards him.This is so embarrassing. I know she doesn't love him. She just wants him to change his mind against the divorce.All I want is for mom to steal shares or the company. That's all I want. I need to see Laura. She knows all of dad's password. If I can blackmail her with something or threaten her,she can tell me."What can I blackmail her with? She's in jail. Shes got nothing else to lose anymore." I bit my lower lip as I paced round the room