The Billionaire Heir's Replacement

4. Nothing But A Plant

Three days later, Haze was discharged from the hospital. The shorter older man from before came back, not with Leonard, but a brunette girl followed in his place. 

“Good afternoon, sir,” the shorter older man greeted with a bow, “I see you are ready to go out.”

“Yes, I’m sick of this place,” Haze replied. Even if this hospital room was bigger and better facilitated than his studio apartment, it was still that. A hospital room. 

Seeing the question on Haze’s face, the shorter older man finally introduced himself. “How rude of me, I forgot the basic manner of all things. Oh, to be old and alive. My name is Jeremy Tito, Mr. Blackwood’s assistant.”

Haze offered a handshake, which the short, old assistant took warmly. “My name is… you know already.”

“No need to be shy, Cassius.” Old Jeremy smiled politely, “You have taken the deal, it’s required for you to polish your act from now on.”

A little hesitant, but Haze finally nodded. His eyes then travelled to the girl behind old Jeremy. 

“This is Elaine Fyre, your own personal assistant.” Old Jeremy beckoned the brunette girl to step closer. She refused, obviously standing her ground, making Haze wonder what he did wrong.

“Ugh…” Haze trailed off, suddenly awkward. “I’m sorry if I wrong you somehow, but can we start over?”

Elaine’s jaw clenched, so were her fists, but a few seconds later, she relaxed. A professional smile appeared on her face. “No, I apologize, sir. I was just surprised at how similar you look to my deceased master.”

Haze hummed, “Even I was surprised.”

“I hope you can work diligently to provide whatever Cassius needs from now on, Elaine.”

The brunette nodded and straightened her pose. “Of course.”

“Are we ready to retrieve Cassius’s very important plant now?”

“Yes,” Haze stood up so fast his body couldn’t balance. He almost collapsed back to the bed, if not for old Jeremy’s quick reflex. 

“Be careful, sir. You’re not fully healed yet.”

“Thanks.”

They went to the parking lot then. Haze refused old Jeremy’s offer to use the wheelchair, choosing to walk alone even if they had to do it slowly. Once in the parking lot, Haze got in the back seat of a sleek black car. It looked no less expensive than Cassius’s car that was pushed to the river a few days ago. 

“I’m sorry if it’s not so comfortable, sir. I want to pick you up in a limo, but I guess it will attract too much attention.” Old Jeremy said considerately. “So, where is your old apartment located?”

Haze told the address, and they almost arrived at his apartment block in no time. 

When they finally arrived and old Jeremy parked the car, realization washed Haze again. He still couldn’t believe that all of this happened. His world would forever change after this, but no one would notice. 

“Oh, before you go,” old Jeremy stopped him, “Please put on some disguise.”

“Huh?”

The short older assistant explained. “Haze Wilburn died three days ago. If anyone you know here sees you, it will jeopardize everything.”

It was reasonable, so Haze agreed. Elaine had pulled a medical mask and was reading eyeglasses. He took them and stepped out of the car. 

Seeing how his apartment complex was, Haze wouldn’t worry much about appearing here again. No one ever said anything to him, and he seldom met his neighbors. The only one he knew was the widowed landlady, who cared more for her poodle dog rather than her own tenants. 

Old Jeremy didn’t accompany him, so he went up the stairs with Elaine leading the way. Unfortunately, there was no elevator and his studio was on the fifth floor. He was pretty impressed when Elaine was not out of breath when they arrived at his door. 

Haze took the keys from his pants pocket, thankful that it wasn’t lost from the event ten days ago. Unlike his phone and wallet. Oh, well, if that fisherman who helped him was the one who took it, he wouldn’t mind. He’d rather lose a phone and wallet than his life. 

“Step back,” Elaine grabbed the keys from his hand, quite rudely, he might say. “Please say nothing until we get out of here.”

Haze sighed and moved behind the brunette, not wanting to be on her bad side. Not that he was afraid of her, but he couldn’t just shake off the feeling that she hated his guts. 

The door opened and a television sounded from inside. 

“Wait, there’s someone inside?” Haze blurted.

“I told you to shut up,” Elaine half whispered, “Please.”

A frown grew on his face, wondering who was inside his locked apartment. 

“Who is there?” a man’s voice travelled through the open door. 

“I should be the one asking,” Elaine replied, cautious from her stance alone. 

A burly black man stepped out of the door, his tight shirt giving the impression that he worked out six days in a gym. “I’m the one who owns this apartment. Who are you, lady? How did you open my locked door?”

Elaine didn’t appear surprised as she changed her approach. “I’m sorry, but I think we have a misunderstanding here. I’m the previous owner’s family, so I have the keys.”

“Oh,” the burly man softened, “Sorry about your loss. I heard he drowned in the river a few nights ago.”

“Yes, he was. Do you know where his belongings are now?”

“Dunno, but you can ask the landlady. She’s on the first floor, the door in the corner.”

“Thank you.” 

The confrontation that might have happened actually did not happen. Haze was thankful for that. If he was in Elaine’s place, he wouldn’t back down so easily and chose to fight the burly man head on. No matter the risk. As it was, Elaine resolved the matter elegantly. 

With that information, they descended to the first floor and Haze’s calves almost cried at the pressure from the stairs. Why did he become so weak after ten days in the hospital?

Once in front of the landlady’s door, Elaine knocked. No more than a minute later, the landlady and her poodle dog greeted them with a welcoming smile. She looked like someone who was about to go on a trip from the sunglasses and suitcases behind her. 

“I’m Haze’s family,” Elaine said a lie, “I came here to take his belongings.”

The landlady’s cheerful face turned sad at the mention of his name. He didn’t know the landlady cared much, but it felt nice. 

“Oh, poor Haze. I’m sorry for your loss. What happened to him is really unfortunate.”

“Thank you, but I try to move on from his death, so can you just show me where his belongings are?”

The landlady’s face remained sad. “Oh, about that. Nine days ago, someone came here and forcefully broke Haze’s place. He made a mess and broke everything inside. I don’t know his name, but I’ve seen him here several times. Might be Haze’s friend.”

Elaine questioned, “But the place looked fine.”

“Yes, because when I threatened to call the police, another man came with an offer. He bought the entire building for more than it's worth, that’s why I’m going on a trip overseas with Teacup.” The landlady gestured to the poodle dog in her arms. “It’s so sad, but all of Haze’s belongings were destroyed. I can’t stop them, since one of them had bought the building. With cash.”

“Wh–“

“Shhh!” Elaine shut him up before he could protest.

All of his belongings, she said. 

“Oh, I remember!” The landlady hurried inside and reappeared again with a small potted plant in her hands. “This is the only thing I managed to save from there.”

Relief flooded Haze’s chest. The plant was saved. He could kiss the landlady out of happiness, but, ew…

“Thank you,” Elaine took the potted plant.

“But, wait,” the landlady stopped them when they were about to leave, “Do you think they have anything to do with Haze’s death? I don’t know anything, but the timeline seems suspicious.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Elaine said, “Can you tell me the name of the person who bought your building?”

“His name is Mr. Randall. He might be the most generous and likeable person, if not for him abling that man’s destructive behaviour.”

Hearing that, Haze’s rage resurfaced. 

They really want to make his life miserable, huh?

Derek, his best friend slash boss who beat him for money, was the one who came to his apartment first. He knew where the spare key was and used it to destroy what little he had in there. Then, just when the landlady was about to call the police, Kain came. The person Vicky cheated him on. The person who severed his friendship with Derek. 

Oh, he really wanted to bash his fist on Kain’s face again.

Trying to suppress his anger, Haze looked at his potted plant. At least, it was saved. 

Elaine nodded and they parted ways. Once out in the street, Elaine threw the potted plant to Haze’s way. He frantically caught it, just a few inches away from the ground. 

“Careful, will you? This is very important for me,” Haze scolded.

“Sorry, sir. My hands slipped.”

“Hmph!”

Old Jeremy greeted them in the car. He glanced at the potted plant in Haze’s hands and stated, “So, with this, you are ready to fill in the role as Mr. Blackwood’s heir?”

Who was he kidding? 

Replacing someone who died not even two weeks ago was an insane idea. Haze would never be ready for that. However… he looked out the car’s window, seeing the building where he spent the last few years in. 

Haze didn’t have anything anymore. Not a girlfriend, not  a best friend. His place to live was also stolen from him, leaving only a single potted plant in his hands that remained from his life. 

He had no choice but to move forward, even if he had to be someone else. 

“I’ll work hard to fulfil my role as Cassius for the meeting in the next three months.”