Today was Cole's girlfriend's birthday. And he had gotten her a gift he knew she would appreciate and love. She was in her final year which meant that it was just two months before she was done with her degree and they would be finally able to plan their future together.
He got down from his delivery bike and walked straight to her dormitory with the gift package placed in one hand.He knew she was going to be around because she said so, he called her in the morning. But the blaring and boozing music made his brows crease in confusion.Were they throwing another party he was unaware of? He thought as he approached her dorm.Cheers and yells filled the room and could be heard from outside. His hands shook as he knocked on the door. There was no answer. Making up his mind, he pushed the door open and stared inside."Leslie!" He snapped and her gaze geared up to him in pure shock.There she was, laughing comfortably with a guy he knew was known as the popular guy on campus. His eyes trailed to the place the guy was holding her and anger rumbled through his veins.He marched in and went straight to meet them.Leslie’s smile fell as she took in his angry face."Cole?" She practically shrieked in surprise.“What are you doing here? How do you get here?” She asked."Get your hands off my girlfriend!" He growled at Seth who was watching him with amusement glinting in his eyes."Leslie, my love. Who is this?" He asked her, tightening his hold on her waist.Cole was very angry as he saw that Leslie was not trying to pull herself away from him so he went forward and tried to remove Seth's hand but the voice of Leslie's best friend, Dora, stopped him."See who is here." She tsked and walked over to them with an obvious glass of wine in her hands. The kids in the school are all known to be second generation wealthy.Expensive things to celebrate her birthday were used to decorate everywhere, even the drinks cost more than his monthly salary.He gulped hard as he glared at her. She has never for one approved of their relationship, she has always been against it, telling him how much of a pauper he was. He never liked her."What is this pauper doing at a party that is meant for rich kids like us? Leslie darling, I thought you told me that you were going to keep him away from you today? What happened? He can't be without you."Dora mocked him as she eyed him hard from his overused shirt to the worn out trousers he knew he had lost the argument."Leslie, who is this?" Seth asked again."Wait, do not tell me he is your boyfriend, Leslie. This wretched boy! Oh, please! You could have done better." One of the people hissed from the crowd.Everyone began to murmur and Cole did not know what to do or say. Leslie was his girlfriend and he was allowed to be there, right?But he turned to Leslie because he wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth.Leslie looked at Cole in the eye, her lips pursing and her chest heaving, she replied, "He is nothing to me. He was just used to pass the time since he seemed to be a plaything"What! Cole’s heart broke at what she said How could she deny their relationship publicly when she promised him that she would love him forever!"Ohh!" Laughter filled the entire place and Cole felt like the ground should open up and swallow him."Leslie!" He choked out and she took her gaze away from him.Tears glistened in his eyes but he did not cry. He had done so much for her, liking helping with paying her fees and taking her trash out.He has done what every man in love would do for the lady they love so much.He felt immense pain in his heart as he stood before the rich kids whom he already got to understand how quickly they downplay poor kids, how they bully them and mock them like it was their fault that they were poor.He stretched out the present and said, "I got you a present, Les." He said, calling by her nickname. She stared at his hands for a while and collected it, she went around the house and dumped it in the trash can."Can't you see, Cole? Are you blind or deaf? Even if you are deaf, can't you see what is happening?" She asked him.Seth broke out laughing. "Really? Leslie, you could have done better, you know. This guy is even below my driver by far." He said, his eyes hinting with mockery. Before his face turned to that of disgust. "You told me you already broke up with him, I guess he is so attracted to you that he did not get the memo." He said, pushing up and standing before Cole."Anyway, let me formally introduce myself to you. I am Seth Rhodes. I..." He pointed to the entire place. "I am the one who paid for everything that was used to celebrate her birthday." He added.He paid for everything in the apartment he got for her. Leslie especially came from a well to do family but he knew Seth was money himself.His father was rumored to have sponsored the school with a mouthwatering sum of money."You know I could get you rich in a second. All you just have to do is go down on your knees and say that Seth Rhodes is the richest guy and most handsome guy on campus and boom! You are rich." He said, spreading his hands out with laughter bubbling out of him.Everyone chuckled but Cole stood his ground. He turned to Leslie and blinked at her."Seth, don't let this moron ruin your surprise for Leslie. C'mon get on with it." Dora said and that seemed to bring back Seth's attention. He smiled softly, dipping his hands into his pockets as he stalked Leslie in the place she stood.Everyone watched with gawking eyes and Leslie watched him with scrutinizing eyes as to what he wanted to do.She sent a glance at her best friend who gave her a mischievous smile and shrugged like it was nothing.Slowly, Seth went down on his knees and brought a ring case. Leslie palmed her lips as the thought of what he was about to do surprised her."Leslie Falcone, will you make me the happiest man and marry me?" He asked, his eyes looking at hers.Chapter 2Leslie did not know what to say even when the word was just in her throat waiting for her to say it."Yes!" Leslie squealed, stretching her hands out. Seth placed the ring gently on her middle finger. He rose up and they both kissed sensually. All these while Cole watched it happen.From his girlfriend who seemed to have been cheating on him for a while now to her getting engaged right before, he was left shattered and wronged. The pain squeezed his heart tight as he heard the crowd cheering the power couples."They are so perfect!""I am envious!"The crowd cheered them on as they continued to kiss.With rage, he clenched his fist and his legs moved on their own accord as he went to meet Seth. He tapped on his shoulders and Seth turned around to see who had short-lived his moment of joy. In an instance, Cole's fist jammed with Seth's jaw.Seth fell to the floor, blood dripping from his nose.Leslie shrieked out and Dora ran over to them."Get this wretched goat!" Dora yelled
"What did you just say?" The man asked him, giving him a dirty look.Cole looked at him in the eye, trying to suppress the alcohol effect. "You are trying to touch her against her will." He replied. Before the man could say anything, Cole opened the door and reached for the man. He instantly slammed a punch on his face. The man also lunged at him. The lady that was in the car slowly lose consciousness while Cole and the man fought.The man soon got tired and after a rough push by Cole, the man fell and hit his head against a stone which caused him to lose consciousness.Cole's vision turned blurry and he staggered forward to help the lady but he too also fell flat and he passed out.***Down the dark street, a man dressed in an expensive suit sat down in the black limousine with the window wined down. The driver that had left the car earlier stood beside the window and made a bow."Has he succeeded?" He asked him, dropping the cigarette in his hands.The man gave him a curt nod. "Yes
Cole finally got home and he stepped out of the car. The driver gave him a pity look before he zoomed off, leaving Cole to deal with himself.Cole limped towards his apartment and the old man he was staying with saw how deranged he looked.He was shocked. "What the hell happened to you?" He asked, rushing towards him. Cole raised his hand, hinting that he was fine."What happened? Why do you look like someone who got beaten up for stealing a teddy at the market?" He asked again.They both have been living together since Cole could remember. The old man, Mr. Smith, was the one who had helped him since he was a little boy.He could not remember who he was or what happened when he was younger.Cole began to narrate what happened to him and the man could not help but shake his head at his predicament."But then I came to meet this person named Mr. Downs. He seemed stinkily rich and unfortunately for me I am now his son in law." Cole said and the man's lips quivered."You are now his son in
Cecilia did not want any trouble so she helped Cole pay his debt. Even after she figured out that he had used the money to get another female a gift, she did not want to be insulted."You are not rich and yet you want to have a love life, where is that done?" She said, watching the man who had come to collect his money leave.Cole gulped hard, knowing what to say. "Thank you," He mumbled.She hissed out. "I did not do it for you. It would be a stain to my name if my husband was owing someone money."Cole almost smiled and it was at that moment he thought that Cecilia was not as tough as she looked. In fact, she could just be soft and scared to accept him.Martin cleared his throat, "What do you think your parents would say if they found out their son in law was a pauper?" He asked, scratching his jaw.Cecilia hissed out and passed by him. "You started it." That was all she said to no one in particular.It was now remaining Cole and Martin standing. "Better get back to work, brother-in-
Seth laughed. "Gosh, who knew that he would later die like this? I am sure that after Justin is done with him, he won't come out alive." Martin nodded his head too in agreement. Cecilia bit her lips in anxiety and fear for Cole."Nothing will happen to him." She bit out at them.Seth and Smith both looked at each other and laughed more."It will be a big pity if you become a widow now, you know," Martin told her.She could not help the anger and fear that was gripping her. She knew Justin taking Cole in there meant trouble.She tuned out Seth and Martin talking and had her gaze on the door to the office where Cole and Justin were discussing.“But wait, Justin said he wanted to announce a new boss?” Martin asked Seth in a low voice. Seth nodded. “Do you know who it is?”Martin shook his head. “No, I don’t. I hope it is some rich man.”They both nodded their heads and smiled.~Cole stared at Justin, waiting for him to speak but the older man had his eye fixed on him, his face.Cole lo
He has seen different cards. He has delivered different cards. But this... He has never seen or owned it.Never!A Black card was in his hands and he will be doomed if he said that he was not shocked.He raised his gaze back at Justin who had a smile on. "I thought you might need some things. So you can use that till we can get hold of the situation and you will be able to meet the elders of the Seven Families." He said.Cole did not know whether he should thank him or fall to his knees and worship. "Thank you." He told Justin who just shook his head like it was nothing."Let us go. I noticed your wife was quite worried when we wanted to enter." He told him and they both exited the office.“Wait,” Cole stopped Justin. “Don't tell anyone I am the new boss yet.” He said.Justin thought about it and understood. He gave him a curt nod.As soon as they stepped out, Seth's laughter rang out but soon stopped when he saw Cole walking out with his body parts complete and no injury whatsoever to
Everyone was again filled with shock, even Cecilia herself glanced around. They turned to her while Cole watched on.“What is it the new boss has for her?”“Wow, she is quite lucky.”“She does not need that moron that is close to her at all.”“He looks poor and wretched.”Murmurs filled the entire room. Cole was sort of satisfied and angry with the turn out of things. He was doing this because Cecilia was mad at him for staying with her that night and it made her lose the right to the Downs Heritage but he was going to help her get it back.”He is willing to cooperate with her company on a deal.”Justin announced.Every one looked quite astonished. The new boss has found a liking to her that quick?Cole had a satisfied smile on his face as he watched Justin walk away to meet his people.“But Cecilia is not in charge of the company now because she has lost the right to be the heir.” Martin spoke up, directing a look at her and Cole.Justin shook his head. “This order is not for the compa
Everyone was totally shocked at what the President did. Did he just apologize to a delivery man?Gary gulped hard at his attempt to ruin the bank's reputation. The president raised his head and glared at him."You are fired!" He boomed and turned back to Cole with a polite smile on his face."I will get everything ready for you to receive now." He said and as soon as he finished everything for him, Cole left but as he was leaving, he noticed Gary at the front of the bank crying and sweating profusely as he begged the gateman. That made him remember when he was sent out of his work place too. He shook his head to get rid of the painful experience.***** Cole jerked up from his sleep. He was having a nightmare again. Nightmare of that night and another thing ... He did not know but he felt some strange energy going through his body.What was happening to him exactly?He climbed off the bed and made his way to the mirror. Cecilia had still not allowed him to sleep in the same room as he