Return of the hidden heir

Chapter 7: I am Harlan Smith

Smith pushed the file on the table to the judge who in turn placed his glasses on his eyes well to check the medical report.

"Are you fully convinced now?" Smith asked, carefully looking at the judge's reaction as he went through the report.

"So you really have a son?" The judge muttered, still staring at the sheet of paper in his front that held the evidence of Mr Smith having a son.

He had often heard about Mr Smith having a son but he couldn't believe those rumours no matter how curious he had been to know the truth. The judge knew Mr Smith was divorced but the fact that he has a son has not been clear.

It was not until a week ago that the judge had the chance to satisfy his curiosity. He asked Mr Smith to bring evidence of having a son in return for making him win the case against another big firm in another city.

"I hope the DNA test convinces you this time around. The test, as you can see, was carried out in the best hospital in this city, if you still have some doubts, you can go check it out for yourself in the hospital," Smith said, standing up and walking to the window.

"Why did you hide his identity all these while?" Came the puzzled judge's question.

Smith took a deep breath, "because it is necessary."

"What about now? Are you ready to make him known to everyone? I would love to see him for myself," the judge said.

"I am sorry but you can't see him. You only asked for the proof of me having a son, and here it is staring you in the face," Smith looked out through the window.

"You bad old man," The judge swore.

"Should I take your word for it that this case is ours and the Keith and Mint law firm is going to win it?"

"It would have been good if I had seen Harlan Smith for myself but since I can't, it's okay," the judge shrugged.

"It was because of you that everyone now knows my son is in this city, if we end up losing this case, it's going to be a total waste of my effort," Smith turned around to look at the judge to make sure he was getting the message.

"You take my words for it, Smith."

Mr Smith took a deep breath as he went to his car. If anyone had told him he would be adopting a child some days ago, he wouldn't have believed it.

Winning the case would proclaim his firm more, and he would do anything to make his law firm known all over the world, even if it means adopting a child.

"Sir, he is on his way to a guy's house by the name of Kelvin Marsha," Smith's assistant informed him over the phone. Mr Smith had instructed that Harlan be monitored because he knew more than anyone that Harlan was more prone to danger, because of his new identity as Harlan Smith.

"Relationship with him?"

"They have been friends since childhood," his personal assistant replied.

"Is Jack nearby? Remember that it is important that Harlan isn't left to go anywhere alone, no matter where it is," Smith said.

"Jack is a few meters away from him, Sir. I will remind him not to stay far away from young master."

***

"Man, you should have called me before now, what if I wasn't at home?" Kelvin asked as he opened the door for Harlan.

Harlan gave Kelvin a playful punch, " I knew you would be home, there is no where you can go. If you had girlfriends, it would be different but you are no different from me."

Kelvin rolled his eyes, " you can't be sure of that. Things might have changed."

"Talking about changes, I am moving out of that cupboard house tomorrow," Harlan went inside and closed the door behind him.

"You have finally been sent out? Where do you have in mind to live? You told me you have been sent away from work," Kelvin asked in concern.

"I wasn't sent away. I am now Harlan —" just as Harlan was going to reveal his new found identity to Kelvin, he was interrupted by sound coming from inside the house.

"Christ!" Kelvin shouted and ran to the kitchen.

Harlan followed him in confusion, wondering what had just happened. Inside the kitchen, food was spilled on the floor, with the burner on. Kelvin quickly turned off the burner and stared at the spilled food on the floor.

"I was going to treat you to something special but now, it's not going to work out," Kelvin groaned. He knew Harlan wouldn't have had a good meal for a long time.

"You don't have to worry about it, I had it in mind to take you out for dinner today," Harlan said with a wave of hand. He had a lot of money to eat anything he wanted and he wanted to eat out with the friend who had been there for him since childhood.

"You are bad on humor," Kelvin smiled as he went to get something to clean the floor.

"Kelvin, I am serious!" Harlan said in frustration. It was starting to become difficult for him to acknowledge that no one believed him because they have always considered him too poor to do anything.

"I will get something else for us. I think some pizza is still left in the refrigerator," Kelvin called from inside.

Harlan ran his hands through his head. How was he to convince Kelvin that he is now Harlan Smith when Kelvin wouldn't even believe he could afford to buy dinner for the two of them.

As if being chased, Kelvin ran toward Harlan with his phone.

"Man, someone seems to know how Harlan Smith looks!" Kelvin showed his phone to Harlan who looked at it almost without interest. He was thinking 'I am Harlan Smith and I want to tell you about it but you won't believe me'.

"I am Harlan Smith."

Kelvin stared at Harlan, dumbstruck.

"What did you just say?" Kelvin asked, his hand hanging in the air as he moved away from Harlan.

"I said I am Harlan Smith."