The Billionaire Gardener

Chapter Nine

Andre saw them first. At first, he concluded they were not the ones. What would the loser be doing there? Someone who couldn’t afford the cheapest hotel in Rovers County! But at a third look, he concluded they were the ones. They were moving towards where he sat with Victor and Stuart, who just joined them.

“Diana?”

“Andre. Hi!”

“What are you doing here?”

“What do they do here? What are you also doing here?” Ralph interjected as he settled with Diana at the table opposite Andre. He deliberately chose that location.

“How did you enter? What was the guard thinking when he allowed you in?”

“Why don’t you go to the guard and ask that silly question?”

Stuart wanted to join the conversation, but he did not want Ralph to expose his lie. He had always bragged to the Summers about having the Elite Reserve Card. If he talked, Ralph might put him in a situation where he would be required to show the card to the others. He didn’t want Diana or Andre to know he had been lying all this while. He wondered where Ralph got that card, and he was patiently waiting for when some cops would come to arrest him for theft. Meanwhile, he would keep quiet and avoid any direct conversation with Ralph.

“Who is he? He looks familiar?” Victor asked. All the while, he had been admiring Diana’s beauty, paying less attention to the man with her. He was seeing her for the first time.

“You don’t know him? That is one of Mr. Rovers’ gardeners.”

Victor took a closer look at Ralph and exclaimed. “What? You? What are you doing here? How did you get here? Did you miss your way?”

“Do you own this place or why are you so bothered about who visits here?”

“What! How dare you talk to me like that! I’m your boss! Have you forgotten I employed you?”

“Mr. Rovers employed me. You just happened to be there that day. Wait! You even told him not to employ me as I lacked the skill, but he gave me a chance, or have you forgotten?”

Ralph was right. He had objected his employment that day when he came knocking on the gate of Rovers Villa, asking to be given any available job.

“What audacity! Victor, I think you should sack him right away.”

“Can he? Can you? I don’t think you have that right. The original boss will determine whether I stay or not.”

“We shall see to that. By tomorrow, you should be jobless.”

“Good. Let’s see who will be gnashing their teeth by this time tomorrow!” Ralph avoided Diana’s warning gaze all the while. He knew she would discourage him from responding.

“What! I can’t believe this. What has come over you? Are you high on alcohol?”

“Don’t worry. Just let him enjoy the effect of excessive alcohol. Tomorrow, when his eyes cleared, he will kneel before me and beg. Still, I would grant him no audience.”

“I will like to be there live. It will be such a pleasurable scene to watch.”

“Who is she?” Victor shifted his gaze back to Diana.

“Oh! That’s my cousin! You like…?”

“Andre? I’m here please. Stop marketing your cousin.” Stuart gave Andre a long look.

“Oh! I forgot you were here since you’ve been quiet all along. Is everything okay with you?”

“Sure. Just didn’t want to join the exchange.”

“Why is she with him?” Victor continued as if he didn’t hear Stuart’s outburst.

“Well, that’s the unfortunate thing. He’s her husband, but she will divorce him soon.”

“How could she marry someone like him? That’s a very lowly thing to do. Anyway, I think I like her.”

“No, Victor. She is mine. The Summers know that.”

“You both should stop. Grandma will give her to anyone who impresses her more out of you both. So, get to work and stop arguing!”

Just then, a waiter came to Ralph’s table to take their orders. He placed the list of available items before them and looked disgustingly at Ralph.

Ralph knew what Diana would like, so he ticked the boxes in front of the items he wanted and passed the card back to the waiter.

“Excuse me. These are very expensive. Are you sure you can pay for them?” The waiter had doubts written over his face.

“Is that how you ask your customers if they can pay?”

“Well, let’s say I am just doing you a favor because I don’t want our guards to manhandle you and subsequently hand you over to the cops.”

“That should not be your concern. Judge not a book by the cover. Now, will you get me my orders?”

“I will be here to remind you that I warned you.” And the waiter left.

“I’m sure he can’t even afford the cheapest thing here. Soon, he will be thrown out.” Andre commented.

“We will gladly watch him. I will save the beautiful lady only!” Victor added.

“Ralph? Are you sure about this? These people will make a mockery of us if the card flops.” Diana was worried.

“Calm down. I have got this. Just try to enjoy this moment, and if they are making you uncomfortable, we will have them thrown out of here.”

Diana was not convinced. She was nervously sitting there, expecting the worst.