Alex stormed into the garden. The garden was directly opposite the villa gate. Anybody that was visiting the villa would first of all set eyes on Kingston's large and luxurious garden. The garden was diligently maintained, no weeds could be found, and it was trimmed to perfection.
Alex sat on one of the foyers trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. He was pissed beyond imagination. This inhumane behavior being meted out on him was weighing him down beyond measure.
He was still deep in thought when the villa gate automatically opened for Marcus to enter. Alex looked closely to find police vehicles behind Marcus' Bentley.
"Who gave you the right to lay your wretched hands on my daughter" As if on cue Cassandra ran out of the house still shedding crocodile tears. She quickly ran into her father's arms. He began patting her back and was whispering promises into her ear.
Alex was still trying to figure out what was up when Marcus signaled the police officers to bundle him into the vehicle. Everything was happening way too fast.
Alex began protesting, "What is my offense, Sir?" They were already dragging him into the vehicle, "I didn't lay a finger on your daughter, please believe me." They didn't even allow him to talk before throwing him into the vehicle.
Alex was in a daze. Can his day get any better? Marcus marched towards him with confident strides and that determined look he knew too well. He knew that he was in for a lot.
"You had the nerve to harass my daughter you poor church rat" He moved closer pointing his golden walking stick at him, "You'll pay dearly for this. Take him away and deal with him mercilessly." He directed the last part to the police officers, and with that, he turned and entered the house with his daughter.
****"
It's been two days already and Alex was still behind bars. He had barely had anything to eat or drink. These officers were really out to get him. His whole body ached, he had bruises all over his body which had already turned purple.
After about two minutes, an officer came to his cell, "Hey you woman beater, you have a visitor." Alex was shocked to say the list because he had nobody apart from Victor and seeing that he is Cassandra's friend he wasn't expecting him.
Out of curiosity, he quickly stood up to go and see his visitor. On reaching the waiting room, lo and behold it was Victor.
Alex rushed and hugged him. He was emotional now, he never expected to see Victor here. He thought that he was going to stay here till they all got tired of him and let him go.
"Calm down bro," Victor said, trying to calm him down. After some minutes, they sat across from each other. "I have good news for you," he smiled.
Alex was eager to hear the good news. "What is the good news?" He asked impatiently. His heart was beating rapidly, he was hoping that the good news had something to do with his release.
"I'll tell you but before that…" Victor brought out a plate of packaged food which he had been carrying all along, "eat something first."
Alex did not argue because he was famished. He unpacked the food to find steaming broccoli and rice. His mouth watered and he didn't waste any time digging into the food, he rushed the food literally.
"So, what news do you have for me?" Alex asked after he was done feasting on the food.
Victor began talking, "I'm here to bail you out. Cassandra has given the go-ahead order for you to be brought home" He beamed.
Alex was happy to be leaving this hellhole but he wasn't happy to be going back to another hellhole. "Alright, thanks for your help Vic, I appreciate everything you've been doing for me. I owe you big time"
"It's nothing, what are friends for?" Victor waved him off.
After identifying and collecting his stuff from the police stand, he went back to the Kingston villa with Victor. On reaching the house, Alex could already see Cassandra and Clare standing in front of the gigantic door waiting for them. He felt like going back to the police station. But was that better? He thought.
"Welcome back home, Your Royal Majesty," Clare said sarcastically, which made them burst into laughter.
Alex was unable to do anything but stare. This was his life down he had to deal with it. "Please can I go to my room now, I need to take a shower," Alex said timidly.
Suddenly, Cassandra started sniffing the air around Alex, "Something rotten is smelling here, can you perceive it, Clare?" She asked her partner in crime.
"Of course I can perceive it, what we're inhaling is oozing out of this pauper's body" She gave Cassandra a high five. They were both enjoying this.
Alex, having had enough, politely ducked into the house and went straight to his room to have a shower. In the shower, he let out a loud cry. He was exhausted. He wasn't the owner of his life anymore. It would only take a miracle for him to leave this hellhole. After spending quite some time in the shower he dried himself up, made his way to his bed, and slept almost immediately.
*****
Meanwhile, in the sitting room, the trio was busy having fun at the expense of another person.
"So, Victor it's tomorrow right?" Cassandra asked, looking intently at him.
"Yes, and everything is ready." They were planning something for tomorrow. They were all excited to see the outcome.
Clare was practically over the moon, "I can't wait to see his wretched reaction tomorrow when we are done dealing with him" She chipped in equivocally.
Cassandra smiled dubiously "I can't wait too. For us to be up early tomorrow I would advise you both go home now and get ready for tomorrow is a big day" She said referring to Clare and Victor.
After they left Cassandra went up to Alex's room. She barged in without a knock and found him sleeping. She tapped him harshly. "Alex, make sure you come to my office tomorrow at exactly 10 am. I have a very important message for you" With that she left his room.
*****
Alex entered the prestigious Mac & Cas Company. It was named after Marcus and Cassandra. It was a gigantic building that stood proudly on the outskirts of New York City.
He looked oddly out of place here, with his worn-out shirt and slacked jeans. He could easily pass off as a servant boy or the company's cleaner.
He made his way to his wife's office which was on the 17th floor. He was quite on time, the time reads 9:57 a.m.
On getting there, he knocked on the CEO's door. Mere looking at the door will give you an idea of what the inside would look like. It was a rare kind of door made with steel. It screamed money and power. It cost a fortune.
After knocking and standing outside for some time without hearing a response he decided to let himself in. He stepped into a hallway that led to Cassandra's office. It was a long hallway, the secretary's office could be seen beside the CEO's office door, and it was surprisingly empty. That never happens.
He finally got to Cassandra's door, and without thinking twice he opened the glass door. What he saw sent goosebumps down his spine. He stood frozen for about thirty seconds.
He must be dreaming. No, maybe he was hallucinating. Nothing could ever prepare him for what was in front of him. His best friend Victor and his wife Cassandra were making out and moaning to their hearts' content. When the duo noticed a third party they separated just an inch away from each other.
"What…!!!" Alex could barely talk. He had been fooled.
"Look who we have here, like what you see?" Cassandra mused."It took you so long to get here, what kept you?" Victor asked.Alex was still dumbstruck. He was still finding it difficult to understand the scene in front of him. How could he have missed the hints? He had been fooled all these years. He thought Victor was his friend. He confided in this dude and he pretended all these while to be on his side not knowing that he had been sleeping with his supposed wife.Alex felt the wetness on his face, he hadn't realized that he'd been crying. He wasn't even hurt that his wife was cheating, he was hurt by who she was cheating on him with "How long has this been going on?" He just wanted to satisfy his curiosity.As if on cue, Clare walks into the room with some documents, "I see you've gotten your present. I don't know what gave you the idea that you could be with someone as influential as Cassandra for a long time.""You should be happy that she even stooped so low to be with you for
Alex pinched himself to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Alex had already told Chris his pathetic story. How his ex-family in-laws turned him into an errand boy. This was too much for him to take in. Just a few hours ago he was the servant son-in-law to the Kingston family. And now, he is the heir to a multi-trillionaire. This better not be a dream, he thought."I want you to contact my Butler. His name is Darius Rucker, he will settle the hospital expenses and take us home""Um okay," Chris gave Alex his Butler's contact, and after a few minutes, a man in a three-piece expensive suit who looked to be in his early fifties rushed into the ICU panting."Sir Chris… Oh my God, I've been so worried sick about you. I called you several times but it always went straight to voicemail. What happened…""Calm down Darius. Take a deep breath, I'm fine as you can see. It's just a few bruises here and there"That was when Darius' breathing began gradually coming down to normal. "Thank God that yo
Alex was surprised to see that the card didn't work. He was very sure that Darius wouldn't play him for a fool. The whole mall began whispering."He's so shameless, who comes to a luxury mall to shop empty-handed""Gosh! He's a pauper, he better be sent out before he makes away with anything""Poor church rat, how could he come here to disrupt the serenity of this environment"People kept spitting out harsh words on Alex. Alex was stunned into silence."Alex this is low even for you. Did you think that you could easily blend into this world? This world is not for people like you" Cassandra continued making fun of Alex. She was enjoying everything going on now.Just then a man dressed up in an expensive well-tailored three-piece suit showed up. "May I know what this whole commotion is about?"This was James Johnson the manager of B & B. He was in his mid-thirties. James rarely came out for irrelevant commotions that occur once in a while in the store, but today seemed to be different.
Christopher introduced Alex to his Associates as the new boss. They all welcomed him with open arms. One after the other they put him through on what had been going on in their companies. Alex was sort of surprised as to why Marcus or Cassandra didn't show up. "I will look into that later," he said to himself. They were back home now and Alex and Chris were just chilling. They were sitting at the Foyer behind the swimming pool taking in the evening breeze."Son, how was your first day at work?" Chris inquired."It went well, the different Associates welcomed me with open arms even though I know that some of them were not happy with the new development. Maybe they wanted you to make one of them the Boss on top.""Hmph, do not pay heed to any of their annoying attitudes. You are now their new Boss and they're all answerable to you. Don't allow any of them to intimidate or bully you." Chris advised."Sure Dad, I'll always keep that in mind." Alex wasn't going to allow anyone to look dow
The event kicked off. Cassandra and her friends were already inside the building. You could hear chatter and clanking of cups around the room.After the scenario outside, the trio conspired to make Alex's life a living hell. Little did they know what was about to befall them.Christopher and Marcus stepped into the building. Cassandra sighted them."I know for a fact that my company will get this partnership today. I mean look at how cozy my dad and Chris are." Cassandra boasted."Of course, didn't I tell you that the position is unrivaled," Clare supported.Just then, Christopher Columbus walked up to the stage. His presence demanded everyone's attention."Hello gentlemen and ladies, I would like to officially welcome you on this occasion. This would be my last occasion as the head of this empire," Chris paused to make sure that he was communicating effectively before continuing. "You all already know that I have an heir who has already taken over, he would be in charge of today's se
"How did you do it? "I don't understand what you mean. " Alexander looked frankly confused at that line of question. "Stop it, Emmanuel, this is not the time or place for that." Another associate member cautioned. Alex knew that not everyone was going to like him but he was indeed ready for any tantrum they would throw his way. "We have worked with Mr Christopher for over a decade now and he chose you over us. What is so special about you?" Alex could pinpoint the jealousy in Emmanuel's tone. Who would have thought that Alex the pauper, the weakling would amount to something useful? Nobody will talk to him anyhow from now onwards unless they want to lose their jobs. "Watch your tone Mr Emmanuel Lambert." Alex warned in a firm voice. From Alex's peripheral vision, he could see Cassandra making her way to where he stood but he behaved like he didn't see her and continued with what he was doing. "Please can we talk?" Cassandra whispered to Alex immediately after she reached wh
"This boy is behaving so childish. I can't believe that he did this just for a petty revenge." Victor kept rubbing Cassandra's back to bring her back from the panic attack episode she had just gone into. Clare was also whispering promises to her ears to bring her back from her reverie. Every other person in the room was clapping for the company that won except Cassandra and her people. They felt cheated as if it was their birthright. Marcus gestured for them to leave immediately. They all stood up and left the mirage without bidding anyone goodbye. They were back at the Kingston villa. Marcus can be seen pacing to and fro around the sitting room. It was still like an illusion to him what just happened a few hours ago. "This is nonsense!" He yelled pulling at the root of his hair in frustration. "This gutter boy gave my crown to another undeserving company. What gave him the right, the impetus, the temerity, the nerve, the guts to do that?" At this point, Marcus was ranting and sp
"Hi Alex, how did you know that I was the one? I didn't even talk" Sophia asked, surprised that he was able to know that it was her.It was now Alex's turn to chuckle, "I can recognize your voice anywhere, even in the crowd where many people are talking at the same time""Huh…we only spoke for a few minutes. You can't possibly know me too well within those few minutes" Sophia was finding it hard to believe that he already knew her just by spending some time with her."Why do you sound like you don't want me to know you well enough?" Alex asked."That's not what I meant. I–I just thought–Um…" Alex decided to save her from her stuttering "Calm down. I was just pulling your legs. Moreover, a few minutes is enough of a time to get to know someone. And again, you have a unique voice that could lure someone to sleep"Sophia blushed incredulously. She had heard so many pickup lines from guys with sugar-coated tongues before but none of them were able to bring out this blushing side of hers.