The Campbell’s huge edifice of a family mansion was lit up and beautifully decorated in respect to the birthday celebration. It was a lavish, extravaganza of a party.
Dignitaries, wealthy and affluent men that mattered, rich family members, friends and relatives, company employees of the multi–billion dollar family empire, Campbell Enterprises were all in attendance and were handing over their expensive gifts to Lady Elizabeth Campbell— the President of the company and head of the family following the death of her husband. She was an old lady of seventy–five years; the hairs on her head had already changed hue to a glistening shade of gray. She may appear frail due to age but she ruled with an iron fist! She was strict to the core, principled and commanded respect from everyone underneath her. Everyone trembled under her authoritative rule which appeared to be haughty and arrogant half the time, but they dared not question any of her decisions and approach. She was feared by all. She were sat in the middle of the room on a golden colored diamond encrusted throne and she was receiving the gifts from all her wealthy well–wishers. Aiden joined the cue too with his large gift box. He watched as Mr. Vance, Doctor Jackson and Chief Walters— all of which were Lady Elizabeth’s formidable in-laws— give her expensive gifts. Their gifts ranged from the keys to a brand new Rolls Royce Phantom, an all expense paid birthday vacation to Dubai, A very expensive Richard Mille watch and one of the son–in–laws had gifted her a hundred thousand dollars in cash!Aiden felt ashamed, these were men like him who were married to Riley’s sisters and he wasn’t as wealthy as them. He saw as each of them were celebrated the moment they presented their gifts. He wished he could be like them. No wonder the Campbells hated him so much. It was finally Aiden’s turn to present his gift. As soon as Lady Elizabeth saw him, her red lipsticked lips scrunched into a sour scowl. She was agitated, why was Damien here? What gave him the audacity to show himself to her party guests after she he had been warned to stay out of sight?“Aiden! What are you doing here?” Lady Elizabeth seethed angrily.“Grandmother in—law, I have come to present you with a gift.” Aiden said, kneeling down and bringing forward the large gift box. Lady Elizabeth was amazed, the gift box was very large and she smiled complacently at the thought that something substantial might be in there. Everyone in the crowd gasped, even the fellow son–in–laws were amazed. They never expected Aiden to show up here with a huge gift! They began to gasp and murmur within themselves. Where had Aiden, a poor nobody, got money to get such a gift?“Oh? You got me a gift Aiden?” Lady Elizabeth smiled, collecting the huge gift box from Aiden and began to open up the package. “You see Aiden, this is how a good son–in–law should behave. You’re actually starting to behave wise—” Lady Elizabeth froze on sighting that the gift box was empty and her eyebrows furrowed as she saw that there was just one piece of paper. She picked it up.“Oh? Is the document for the purchase of a land? A mighty house perhaps? Or one that I would have to sign to receive a huge amount of money?” Lady Elizabeth wondered, her smile was back on. “You’ve really outdone yourself this time, Aiden.” She complimented proudly, about to read the content of the document. Aiden’s heart began to pound, so loudly that he feared others might hear and see how scared he was.His heart skipped a beat the moment Lady Elizabeth’s smile faltered away and a disgusted scrunch took over, “What the hell? Aiden are you out of your mind?” Lady Elizabeth thundered, rising up from her throne.“Grand mother in–law, that’s Hope’s diagnosis. She needs a heart transplant and I need seventy–five thousand dollars for the treatment. Please help me.” Aiden begged, bowing his head.“What rubbish!” Lady Elizabeth flared up, tossing the diagnosis to Aiden. “Is that why you came here? What gave you the audacity to pull such a reckless stunt so that I can give you money for that little pest’s damned treatment?”“Grandmother in–law I—”“Shut up Aiden! How dare you speak when my grandmother is speaking? Have you lost your manners?” That was Riley, defending her grandmother and she walked up to Aiden and kicked him causing him to fall onto the floor.“You lack good moral upbringing and I’m sure it’s because you grew up without parents! Mannerless idiot!” Riley added, kicking Aiden again and he groaned in pain. This was a direct kick to the gut, with the ends of her high–heeled stilettos hitting against his stomach.“Please… help me. I— I just need money for Hope. Don’t let her die, please.” Aiden croaked, he was in pain and his abdomen had now begun hurting. He crouched on the floor, holding into the part of his stomach that hurt.“Aiden, does this place look like a donation house? I see your reasoning is as poor as your fashion sense. Look at how ragged and tattered your clothes are, you’re unbefitting to be a son–in–law of this noble family!” That was Chief Wallace, taking sides with his in–laws and humiliating Aiden. All Aiden wanted was help from the people he called family, but now he’s being insulted.“I’m tired of your insolence and nonsensical attitude Aiden. Security! Please come get this peasant out of this house.” Lady Elizabeth commanded, and the security personnel immediately rushed into the scene and made to move Aiden out of the premises but Aiden resisted, biting on the arm of the security man that held him and escaped his grip.Aiden immediately ran to the gift table so he could steal the large briefcase that housed the hundred thousand dollars Lady Elizabeth had just received. If they weren’t going to give him the money willingly, then he would take it himself. He would do anything to ensure Hope’s bills are paid and she recovers. Lady Elizabeth shrieked at the sight of Aiden about to steal the money and the whole birthday hall entered into a state of pandemonium! Unfortunately for Aiden, he was caught by the other security men before he could even make away with the briefcase and the briefcase was retrieved.“Make sure you teach that thieving bastard a lesson!” Lady Elizabeth said to the men and the moment they stepped outside, they pounced on Aiden and gave him the beating of his life. They punched, kicked him and slapped him until he began to bleed. He cried and groaned in pain but no one answered and the men continued to beat him with no remorse.All he wanted was money to treat Hope. He would never forgive the Campbells for this and then he made a resolve. He vowed to make Riley and her family regret what they had done to him today and then, he passed out.Aiden is confused and tired of everything! He had just lost his job, the only means he was using to generate income even though it was little. He was hoping he could ask for another six months advance, so he could pay up Hope’s fees and she could return back to school. But first he had to figure out a way her health would be recovered before thinking about her schooling. Aiden decided to go job hunting. Yes, he needed a new job for the meantime or else he would starve to death. So he got up from the hospital bed and put on his clothes— his clothes that were already old and worn out now had numerous tears and were blood–stained as a result of the beating he had received at the celebration. But he didn’t have a fresh change of clothes, and going back to the Campbell mansion was completely not an option. So he had to make do with what he had. He changed into the clothes and put on his shoes that had a hole in the front. His hair was a mess and he hadn’t showered nor brushed his teeth
Aiden continued his job–hunt journey, he decided to pocket the twenty dollars and get something for Hope later. After his interview, he would go back to the hospital to check if she was conscious and then he would ask her what she wanted. He saw a poster for a job ad, it was hung on the gate of a small bank. They were in need of a security guard. He could apply for this. He opened the gates and began to walk into the premises and then he heard someone call out to him, “Hey Mr. Man!” Aiden immediately swung around and met with a security guard. Aiden began to walk back towards him. Immediately he approached the security guard, he eyed him from head to toe in a condescending manner. “And what are you looking for here?” The guard questioned.“I’m Aiden Everton and I want to apply for the post of a security guard.” Aiden explained and the security guard cringed in disgust, pinching his nose together on inhaling the smell that oozed from Aiden’s mouth. “You stinking man! You’re so smel
Aiden sat in the doctor’s office impatiently. He was nervous and couldn’t keep his fingers in place, they were fidgeting and he had to keep them busy by scratching his knee. He was anxious to hear what the doctor had to say to him concerning Hope. Was she able to survive or did those beeps he heard from her ward mean exactly what he thought they meant. “Mr. Aiden.” “Yes doctor.” Aiden blurted, he couldn’t control his emotions.“Your daughter, she—” The doctor began and paused, heaving a pathetic sigh and shook his head in pity. Aiden’s heart began to do somersaults, was she truly dead? He was becoming apprehensive. “What happened doctor? Is she dead?” The words came out lowly from Aiden, like it was a taboo to speak them and with each syllable that came out of his mouth, pangs of pain stabbed his chest. “No! No. She’s not. She’s alive, barely though.” The doctor stated and Aiden felt a notable amount of his burden taken off him, and he would’ve sighed in relief if her death wasn’t
Aiden was shocked and surprised at Katherine’s outrageous demands. He had to take a moment to digest the absurdity of her condition because he had never expected such from Katherine. Aiden felt she was being too direct and forward, and the whole idea of marriage was baffling! However, at that moment, Aiden had a recollection. He remembered on few occasions where Katherine’s greetings were ‘extraordinarily nice’ and now that he thought about it again, those greetings were a bit flirty. And the way she smiled whenever he waved at her as she entered into the office was more than just a friendly—boss—to—employee smile. It held so much more. And now she was blatantly asking him to marry her before she would render help. It was like she had been waiting for this opportunity to come by for a long time and the moment it showcased itself, she immediately grabbed the bull by both it’s horns. Aiden then realized that his boss Katherine most likely had a crush on him. He knew it sounded very un
Aiden wished he had told her about the money offer earlier, he wouldn’t have come. He couldn’t possibly accept such huge sum of money from Katherine. He had only asked that she helped him with his daughter’s medical bills and help him get his job back. But half a million dollars? That’s way too much for Aiden to accept. “Katherine, I can’t accept that.” Aiden refused and Katharine pouted sadly at him.“But why, Aiden?” She inquired and proceeded to run her hands down Aiden’s chest slowly and calculatedly. Aiden’s body stiffens at her touch. It’s been ages since any female had tried to be flirty with Aiden. He wondered if Katherine was trying to seduce him to accepting. Katherine leaned in closer to Aiden, whispering into his ears ,“Come on, Aiden. Just accept the marriage proposal.” Her tone sounded inviting and alluring. Katherine mouth gradually leave Aiden’s ears and began to work their way towards Aiden’s lips, about to give him a kiss. Her other hand still on his chest, cares
Aiden returned back to the hospital, since he couldn’t return back to the Campbells Mansion, he decided to stay at the hospital until he’s able to pay for Hope’s treatment and then he would figure out life from there. Hope’s treatment. Yet again, Aiden had failed woefully at another attempt to raise money for the transplant. A part of subconsciousness rebuked him for refusing Katherine’s offer; she was sexy and rich so why not accept her offer, instead of clinging to a woman who despised him and his daughter. The logical part of his subconsciousness encouraged him, telling him that he had done the right thing by rejecting Katherine’s advances, her money and her marriage offer. It showed he was a man of principle. Aiden then contemplated what to do next and he paced around my lobby, pondering deep in thought. He needed to find a solution to this quickly and the only option he had was to try and phone some of his friends from college again. He really hoped they will help, it wasn’t
Aiden couldn’t believe his eyes. Off course this would happen when Lady Elizabeth decides to play matchmaker between a young and wealthy CEO and her materialistic and slutty granddaughter. It was bound to happen. And maybe it was what Lady Elizabeth was aiming for. Riley and the CEO pause their little show as they were immediately alerted by Aiden’s presence. Riley impulsively jumped off the CEO’s laps and tried to adjust herself; her shirt was completely unbuttoned, one of her boobs hanging out of her bra and she quickly tucked it back in and closed up. “What the hell are you doing here?” Riley shrieked. “Who is this man, Riley and why is he in my office?” The CEO questioned Riley as he also tried to adjust himself, he zipped up his trousers and began buttoning up his shirt as well. “I don’t know him Nathan, I swear!” Riley immediately denied Aiden point blank. Aiden was shocked, his jaw hanging as he tried to digest the scene in front of him. It had reached the point of Riley den
Riley was shocked, perplexed even and she gasped in confused puzzlement. Wasn’t it the same Aiden who was detained two days ago? How was he able to not only get out of jail, but to be engaged to Katherine Anderson? Riley wondered how he even knew Katherine Anderson in the first place. When did all of this happen? Right under her very nose too! “Grandmother! Grandmother! Come see!” Riley beckoned on Lady Elizabeth to come and see for herself, in fact the whole family could come even. Everyone needed to see it, to see the blatant news that Aiden was now engaged to a rich lawyer! “What is it Riley?” Lady Elizabeth questioned, coming down the stairs. “Grandmother, you won’t believe your eyes. Come see quickly.” Riley urged, her grandmother groaned, rolling her eyes— she hoped it wasn’t one of those handsome actors Riley loved drooling about, so much that she calls everyone to come look at how handsome they were anytime they show up on TV. Lady Elizabeth wasn’t in the mood for that, she