Marcus Krafth; The Rise to Magnificence

Chapter 002

Marcus dragged his injured and now sore body out of the office. He saw a lot of his work mates sneering at him.

Some of them even started spitting in his direction.

He started thinking. He hated his life. Everything seemed bleak at that moment.

He was angry at everything. His parents, for not being rich. Himself, for not getting to where he thought he will be right now.

Marcus suddenly remembered the only saving grace in his life.

His wife. She was a gem.She was the only bright light in his overall existence.

He could not wait to get home.

Marcus suddenly remembered how his wife had changed of late. She started hating their lifestyle.

She did not tell him that, but he could feel it. It seemed like she hated how poor he was.

The fact that he could not afford everything she wanted. Or the fact that he was an embarrassment to her.

It had started raining. Marcus got home that wet night looking more ragged than ever.

He was sporting bruises all over his body. He knocked on the door to their apartment.

“Who is there?” she asked.

“It's me, Marcus,” he replied. Marcus tried to wear his best smile. It was hard, but he pulled it off the best he could.

“Why do you look like this? Like something a cat dragged in.” she asked with derision in her tone.

“Nothing. Just the rain.” he answered as he entered the house.

He noticed that his wife, Chantelle was staring at him. “Where's your umbrella?” she asked. “And why does it look like you got beat up again?”

“It got blown away by the storm, it's nothing serious,” he replied.

“That's what you get for being poor and not standing up for yourself.”

Shock was apparent on his face. This was the first time she had openly abused him of his status.

What was going on, he thought.

“There was nothing I could do. I was grossly outnumbered. It was a four versus one situation.” he tried telling her.

“Don't give me that. Even if it was only one of them, would you have done anything different?” the anger also became apparent in her voice.

“When will you ever fight back?” she snapped.

“When will you be a man? Can you not, at least try to be like him? Even if it's just this way?” she thought, without realizing she said that out loud.

Marcus was shocked once again. He was still dripping wet at the front door.

He realized the “him” his wife was talking about was likely Richard Banks.

Richard Banks was the son of one of the richest business men in the city of Edinburgh.

He was a well known young bachelor. Richard was a tall, well built and handsome man.

He was every single lady's dream in the city. He was considered the top choice in The Bachelor's under 30 to marry.

Richard was selected as the person whom every girl would want to be stuck in an elevator with.

Richard however was not concerned about all of that. He only had one lady in his sights.

He had been chasing after Chantelle for a while now. It did not bother him that she was already married.

He kept on sending gifts not only to her, but also to her family members.

Chantelle's parents were really happy with Richard, unlike their son-in-law,who they didn't like at all.

They believed he was not fit to be married to their daughter and they made this obvious every time he was around and also when he was not.

They believed it was a source of joy and pride that Richard was after their daughter.

They did everything to plant the seed of hate in the mind of Chantelle, and it quickly grew.

“Honey, the manager also decided to cut my pay today.” Marcus said. He was not able to meet his wife's eyes.

Chantelle just hissed and started walking away.

Richard was going to change his clothes and treat himself when he heard Chantelle talk.

“My family is coming over for dinner. Make sure to present yourself nicely. At least try to.”

Marcus sighed deeply. He knew what was coming.

It was about to be the continuation of what happened to him through today. Everything except the physical part.

Just as Chantelle's parents did not like Marcus, he also did not like them.

He knew tonight was not going to be any different. He just wished the day could get over really soon.

It had been misfortune after misfortune for him today.

Marcus went into the room. He had just changed out of his work clothes into one of his old faded out shirt and trousers when he heard the hell.

“Marcus, get the door. My parents are here.” he heard Chantelle say.

Marcus rushed to the door. He was not looking as presentable as he would have wanted.

His face still had clear marks of what he got involved in today.

“Good evening, good evening mom.” he said as he opened the door.

“Are you unwell? Who is your father?” Chantelle's father asked as soon as he got inside.

It had begun. Mrs Mills just walked past him like he was not existent.

Marcus was about to shut the door when he heard more voices outside the door.

He heard the sound of laughter. It was his sister-in-law, Cecelia. Who was making her laugh at this time of the night, he wondered.

Marcus looked further behind. He saw a man he had always dreaded to meet.

He looked just like everyone else had described him. It was Richard Banks.

“Please, come in.” Marcus said. They just walked in without saying anything to him.

Marcus walked in behind them. He could already hear the voices of Chantelle's parents in the sitting room.

“Why does he look like that this time around? Mrs Mills asked.

“What do you mean why does he look like that?” her husband replied. “He always looks like that. Looking tattered and useless.”

“Chantelle dear, remember when we both trued to dissuade you from marrying this poor, useless man?” he continued.

Cecelia laughed, “I remember you telling us to mind our business. That this man we all did not like was going to be a rich millionaire soon.”

“Guess who is still broke?” she continued, with a tinge of humor.

“Chantelle, this man is a mockery of the word, man. He can hardly take care of himself. Not to even talk about taking care of you.” Mrs Mills said.

“I mean, look at yourself, you've grown leaner since I saw you last, and that was just three days ago!”

“Mother, she does not even go out like before. Always talking about she likes staying inside. But I know it's because this poor man is not getting her new clothes to wear.” Cecelia said.

“You can't keep treating yourself like this, My dear. Suffering with this man, like there are no other men outside.” Mr Mills said.

“I know both of you have met,but let me re-itroduce him to you. Chantelle meet Richard.” he continued.

“He is soon to be our company's partner in business. He is not only rich, but he also likes you”

Chantelle and Marcus had remained silent since her parents got inside.

Chantelle out of guilt and self remorse, Marcus just out of anger.

When he heard them introduce Richard to his wife in his presence, he couldn't but help to talk.

“But Dad…”

“Don't talk while I'm talking. I've told you to stop calling me your father. Your father is likely out there sleeping under a bridge or just dead!” Mr Mills snapped

Marcus just stared. He looked at everyone's expression in the room.

Mr Mills was angry. His wife was also angry. Cecelia and Richard just had a mocking smile on their faces.

He lastly looked at his wife. He was waiting for her outburst, for her to defend him.

But he was in for another shock tonight. Chantelle smiled and atadiscussi g with her parents and Richard in a bery lively manner.

Marcus couldn't take it anymore. He stormed inside.

He heard his phone ringing where he dropped it when he got inside the room.

He picked it up. It was his father.

“Hello Dad.”

“Hello son. Can you come home tomorrow?” his father asked.

Marcus was shocked. His father was fond of pleasantries, so it was shocking that he went straight to business.

“Yes Dad, I'll be there.” he replied.

“I'll send you the address.” his father said.

Marcus was about to ask his dad what he meant about the address when he found out that his dad already ended the call.

He saw the message light blink on his phone. It was a totally different address from the one he was used to.

He tried calling him back, but the number didn't go through. He decided to ask him all about it when they saw tomorrow.