Chapter six

“Young master, I am deeply sorry!” Bruce said, bowing deeply to Dario.

‘Who could be after my life? Could it be the thugs?’

‘No.’ Dario shook his head against the thought.

Those men didn’t seem like thug material, they were uniformed and heavily armed. Dario had a feeling they were sent by someone powerful and influential. Someone that could afford them and those guns.

But why would someone like that want him dead?

“From your description of the men, only one person comes to my mind,” Bruce interrupted Dario’s thought flow. “They must be from empress Elizabeth”

“Who is Empress Elizabeth??”

“Young master, please forgive me for not informing you ahead. She is Lord Reynolds’ ruthless older sister. Only she knows about your inheritance and she definitely knows we’ve found you.”

“Why does she want me dead then?”

“Though she rules the mighty Beth empire, she wanted the Persian empire for herself after her brother died.”

Elizabeth was very sure that she’d inherit the Persian empire and everything Lord Reynolds had when he died since she was his only family around.

Surprisingly, on his deathbed, he requested for Dario to be found to inherit all that he had including the Persian empire.

This made her feel cheated even if she didn’t deserve anything in the first place. And the only way she can get what she desires is to take Dario out of the way.

“So, she wants to get me out of the way..” his brows rose as he realized his aunt’s intentions. “How dare she?” he seethed, his voice low and dangerous.

“How could she be so selfish and heartless?” His fists clenched tight, disbelief evident in his tone. How could a person be that greedy? Thinking about it fueled the flames of his anger.

But amidst his anger and disbelief, determination sparked in his eyes. And with a steely resolve, he vowed to fight back.

Bruce continued, “Everyone in the empire including Lord Reynolds knows that if she inherits the empire, we’ll be doomed! To be honest, we really need you to accept the inheritance, young master…”

They then both spoke for a while in the tinted car before Bruce ordered the driver to drive to Sesame hotel.

“I shall order bodyguards to follow you around from now on for safety,” Bruce informed him on their way to the hotel.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Dario didn’t want the attention that came with bodyguards following him everywhere and he also wanted to be on a low for now to successfully execute his present plans.

“Please sir, your safety is my responsibility. Lady Elizabeth shows no mercy whatsoever, she could kill you without any sense of sympathy. She is cold-blooded!”

Bruce warned, but Dario insisted on not taking the bodyguards.

“Get me a pocket gun and a concealable bulletproof vest. That’s all I need”

“Your wish is my command Sir.”

***

The car halted at the front of a tall glass building that had a large signage that said “SESAME HOTEL”.

On getting inside, Bruce asked Dario to wait at the lobby while he went to book the room at the desk.

The spacious and elegant lobby was adorned with velvet sofas and marble tables. It also had crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the area.

As Dario walked slowly adoring the plush furnishing of the lobby, he noticed the other guests glaring at him and gossiping. While the ones close to him were moving away like he had a disease.

“Hey look, who is he?”

“Oh my god! He stinks. I’m leaving!”

“I can’t believe they let a lunatic into this prestige hotel.”

The guests all spoke in audible voices as if they wanted Dario to hear, so he could hear everything they said clearly.

Dario paid them no heed whatsoever. If only they knew he was at the verge of death and had to hide in a gutter to save his life. If they did, then he was sure they wouldn’t be ratting off their mouths now.

“Who let this piece of sh** in??” one of the guests shouted.

“Who is the manager of this hotel?!”

They all felt relieved when they saw the manager casually coming towards the lobby. They thought it was just the best timing.

The manager noticed the commotion at the lobby and decided to find out what was going on.

“Thank goodness you’re here, this mad man needs to leave now!”

On getting there he could tell what the problem was, “Young man, you have to leave now.” He ordered Dario.

Dario turned to see the manager to explain to him that he’s here to book a room and the other guests keep insulting him. To his surprise, it was Brian, Amelia’s fiancé.

“Brian…” Dario was about to talk when Brian interrupted him,

“Haha It’s you Dario” Brian laughed sarcastically when he realized it was Dario. “What are you doing here?”

“This hotel isn’t for people like you. Can’t you tell?”

“Security! Security!!” Brian shouted, as hefty security men came running along.

“Throw this man out now!”

These men were nothing compared to the thugs Dario taught a lesson earlier in the day, but he didn’t want to handle things with violence.

So, he was calm and politely said, “I’m only here to get a room to stay like every other customer...”

“What happened to the streets?? Wasn’t the streets your home once upon a time?” Brian blurted.

“You’re such a clown to even think you can afford the least room here. Throw him out now!”

Immediately, the security men pulled Dario by his shirt.

“Stop!” a loud voice resonating from across the lobby, ordered.

This was the voice of a person of a higher authority. The security men knew better to stop when they saw the order came from Bruce.

Bruce initially noticed the commotion and murmurs from a distance but didn’t pay attention to it

The only thing he picked was Brian shouting “throw him out” and the security men grabbing Dario’s shirt.

Bruce stormed towards the area with clenched fists and his face contorted with rage. Even if the security men had only dragged Dario for less then two seconds, the sight made Bruce rage in anger that every step of his was heavy with fury.

With a swift and forceful motion, he raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap on Brian’s face.

The guests gasped with their eyes wide open as they watched the turn of events.

“What do you think you’re doing??” Bruce shouted.

“I’m sorry sir, I’m- I’m sorry sir. This lunatic was being a nuisance.” His hand clutched against his red hot cheek as he pleaded.

As Bruce heard Brian call Dario a lunatic, he landed another resounding slap on his other cheek. “How dare you call my young mas…”

“It’s alright, Bruce.” Dario immediately interrupted Bruce so he wouldn't reveal his identity as his young master.

Brian furrowed his brows at Dario wondering if he heard right. Did Dario just call Sir Bruce by his name?

‘What relationship does his boss have with this low life?’ He wondered.

“Kneel and beg for his forgiveness now!”

On hearing the order from Bruce, Brian’s face twisted in a disdainful grimace.

‘No! No way! How can I kneel before this loser! Over my dead body!’

He could only scream his opposition inside of him because he dared not speak to Sir Bruce in that manner.

All he could do was panic and blurt quietly, “Sir Bruce, he and I will settle it amicably, don’t take it seriously.”

Bruce wore an inexpressive look on his face and shouted coldly, “I said kneel and beg for his forgiveness now!”

Everyone had their breath caught in their throat as they watched Brian in this awful situation.

Brian looked at Dario, who glanced at him quietly with a smile, waiting for him to kneel before him.

Seeing Brian reluctance, Bruce raised his hand in an attempt to slap Brian hard again.

Brian immediately fell on his knees in shame. He was so agitated that his whole body was shivering, clenching his teeth annoyingly.

Brian bowed his head and said with his voice trembling, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.”

Dario chuckled then teased Brian, “I can’t hear you, speak louder and clearer. What did you say?”

Enduring the humiliation, Brian bowed his head lower that it was already touching the floor, shouting, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.”

Brian caught glances of the guests chuckling and whispering to each other and bit his lips hard. He knew he’d lose face at this point and hated the fact that Dario was the reason for this.

He promised himself to make Dario pay in ten folds sooner or later!