Lost in thoughts, Andi wandered the streets of los Angeles with a small bag on his back and no destination ahead. His life had really gone down the drain right in front of his eyes.
He hated the fact that he was coming to hate his father for disappearing amidst such tribulations. "Why didn't he just stay?" He wondered. "We could have faced this as a family!" He groaned angrily. His father's company was claimed to have been guilty of embezzlement of funds and fraud and many other unbelievable crimes that caused them to fall bankrupt in the blink of an eye. He was starting to think maybe his father was truly guilty. Hours had passed since he got kicked out from his wife's house but he had nowhere to go. He definitely couldn't go back to the hospital with his belongings especially since his wife had posted it on social media. The comments made his stomach churn and anger rise in his blood. "You must feel relieved to have such a burden off your neck, congratulations!" "I celebrate with you girl! I definitely couldn't have been as nice as you to still let him live with me. Immediately he went broke, I would have kicked his ass out!" "What a blood sucking prick! Congratulations on your freedom! Those jerks deserved what they got." That last comment drove him mad that he almost smashed his phone against the concrete floor. Why did people keep saying his family deserved such bad luck when they did nothing wrong? Or were they guilty? His phone suddenly began ringing and he was more than reluctant to answer the call when he saw that it was doctor Stan who was calling. He already knew what it was the man would say but he couldn't ignore the call either. "H--hello sir?" "My hospital is losing too much money because of you and your sick mother! Do you want me to become bankrupt like your unfortunate family?!" The man demanded sternly in an angry tone. Andi felt a sharp pain in his chest. Stan's words had hit him where it hurt. "I didn't wish to be like this either Mr Manchester, don't you know that? Would anyone ever wish for a fate as cruel as this?!" Tears welled up in his eyes and his voice shook as he spoke. "Are you talking back at me? How dare you have the nerves when you're just a useless homeless rat!" The man spat out. Tears poured from his eyes where he stood with his phone glued to his ears, his heart pounded like crazy in his chest like it was about to jump out. Stan didn't retire with his insults either. "You don't have a single penny! Did you think I didn't know that when I took your mother in? I was only being nice but there is a limit to my kindness! "I will not become useless like you! I know your wife has dumped you and you are with no way of paying the bills. Come and take your mother out of my hospital! I don't care if she dies anymore!" Before Andi could chime in a word, Stan hung up the phone and almost immediately, a heavy rain began to pour down. It had been giving signs earlier but just like the dark clouds in the sky, his head had been clouded by several dark clouds of thoughts. He crumbled to his knees as tears poured out from his eyes. All the feelings he had been holding in broke out and poured down his face like the heavy rain that fell. His clothes got soaked but none of that mattered to him. Why did life have to be so unfair to him? Didn't they say life was filled with ups and downs? Why was he stuck in the downs? Why did he have to have such a terrible fate? His forefathers had been enjoying wealth, why did his family have to go bankrupt in his own lifetime? Lots of people walked past him, hurrying out of the heavy rain, some of them shared umbrellas and they all shared strange glances at him, wondering why a grown man would break down in the middle of the road. But Andi didn't care, if he could spend the rest of his life in the rain there crying out his pain, he would. It was all too much for him to bear on his own. Several minutes went by there before Andi realized where he was. He brought himself to his feet and dragged his body under the shade of a small retail shop but his eyes caught a piece of paper glued to the glass. "We're hiring!" He read out the words written on it excitedly and desperately. He already rushed into the shop when he remembered he was soaking wet. "Welcome to Lilly's retail shop!" A plum woman who looked about his age greeted him with a bright smile. "Oh my God, you're soaked! Perhaps you want to buy an umbrella?" There was a hint of worry in her tone. Andi shook his head. "No uh... I uh... I want to apply for the job, I hope you can employ me. I can do a lot of chores, I really can!" He determinedly confessed. If he got a job and paid part of his mother's bill every month end then maybe Stan would not send her out of the hospital anymore. The lady only looked him up and down for a split second before answering. "You're hired! Lucky for you, I have some of my brother's clothes in the back that you can change to while yours dries out." His eyes widened. "Oh thank you! Thank you! I promise you that you won't regret employing me!" She must have been desperate to take just anyone. As he took a step forward, the door behind him swung open at the might of the breeze and a push from someone together. He turned around to greet the customer when his eyes fell on a young beautiful woman with remarkable blue eyes that he could recognize anywhere. "Mr Emerson..." The woman called his name, shocked.Andi stood there, surprised. What was she ever doing in Los Angeles? "Mrs Crest!" His jaw dropped open at the sight of her. "It's Miss Lieu, my husband and I separated." She corrected him with a pleasant smile that showed she wasn't angry but Andi thought to apologize immediately. "Oh my mistake, I am so sorry. I didn't know." Lucy Lieu, beautiful and fearless. With eyes of that of an ocean storm yet an aura like a peaceful wind. Her small yet slightly plum lips always wore a smile whenever she wasn't angry and her thin eyes were forever knowing.A black suit shirt and trouser that seemed almost not her size hung on her body with the shirt's buttons opened to reveal a white top in the inside. The woman never wore heels unless she was at an exceptionally important meeting but on other occasions, no matter what she was wearing, she always put on canvas shoes of her choice.She worked with his father when the company was still fine. She was his personal assistant and most trusted
Andi paraded about in the hall while thinking of what Lucy had told him. He was a billionaire? Paper company? Why didn't his father tell him any of this? Why did he run away?!'Did he really run away? Was he murdered? Is he even alive?' He wondered as he kept going back and forth like a guard dog in front of his owner's room.The door pulled open and he finally stopped when Lucy walked out of the room. She smiled at him, "walk with me." Andi nodded his head and followed her down the hall. They stood under the moonless sky facing each other while Lucy's driver waited for her. "Are you alright?" She asked him with a concerned look on her face. "I heard about your divorce as well and trust me, I know how it feels." Andi forced a sad smile to his face and nodded his head. "My dad... Do you..."She shook her head. "I'm sorry Andi but I don't know where he is. But I want you to know this, the name of the paper company is Zeus and everything is in your name. We can build it together, you
The air in the hall way seemed to seize as Andi tightened his fist angrily and glared at his ex wife and her new lover. What he would give for both of them to go bankrupt and know the true meaning of hell. What he had been going through. Taylor eyed him. "Look at the irritating thing glaring at us, do you think we can feel intimidated?" Her brow arched sharply. Andi still couldn't believe it. He couldn't stop himself from asking, "Justin's hatred for me, I understand but you? I just don't get it. Why do you have to treat me this way?" His voice wavered as he asked. Taylor smirked evilly, taking a confident step towards him. "Don't ask me stupid questions you already know the answer to. From today onward, don't ever try to speak to me when you see me, you're not worth my presence. Do you hate me? Want to get back at me?"Her evil laugh rang in his ears like haunting bells. "Unfortunately, you can't. No power, no money, no nothing! You're useless, a roach is more threatening than you
Lost in thoughts in his mother's hospice room, Andi felt a hand touch his and he snapped out of his thoughts. Met by his mother's weak smile, he smiled back, one only brighter than his mother's by a little. "Are you alright?" She asked him in a meek tone and Andi nodded his head. "Are you perhaps... Thinking about what your father's personal assistant told us?" He smiled and sat next to her on the bed. "I went to see her this morning and she told me some... Things. But mom, what do you think about all of this?" She squeezed his hands gently in hers. "You've been through a lot my dear Andi, you might not tell me yourself but I am more than aware of how difficult it has been to fend for your mouth alone, talk of both of us. "And I want you to be happy, I want you to take care of yourself, I don't ever want to see you suffering. And you are my son and I know that you have always been looking forward to heading the company one day." "But mom," Andi said softly. "If the world learns
The home of the Simmons was extra lively that Friday morning. They all gathered at the dining table to enjoy a nice meal with their soon to be son in law, Justin Rivera. "I hope you find the meal to your taste, my dear." Sharon Simmons asked Justin with a gentle smile on her face.Justin's lips spread into a smile. "Of course, mom. You are exceptionally a great cook." Sharon chuckled softly. "Oh you flatter me too much. You should come by more often, I'll make you more and more tasty meals." He nodded his head. "I'll do that a lot." They all shared a laugh and continued to eat in silence. Justin suddenly turned to his father in law and asked. "Right, Mr Simmons, have you heard about the new company opening up in the city? Zeus I think." "Oh of course!" The man replied. "Every business man in the city has heard about them. Apparently, they are quite known even though they are just opening." "Yes. I heard from a close friend that they used to be a paper company and they were based
Painted in all white, Andi Emerson's apartment stood taller than every other that was close by. Its compound was enough to contain about four extravagant buildings and still there would be space for a compound. An entire part was only decorated with a large blue swimming pool and trees like that of a tropical island. Another place looked like a house on its own except it was meant for cars. The parking lot would contain about forty cars or more. Andi didn't understand why Lucy Lieu would buy such a house and call it a comfortable small apartment. Sure, the place he lived before was large, if he wished to not see his parents while still living under the same roof as them, he could have done so. This place was definitely too large for a man living alone. With several bedrooms and three different living rooms. He had no use of all of those things. But growing up in a mansion, a castle! He knew he wouldn't feel uncomfortable staying at that house. Indeed, it would be comfortable for
A black Bentley parked at the parking space of Eternal Love-- a popular jewelry store. It was said that any wedding rings purchased from there brought eternal love to the couple-- and a handsome young man stepped down from the driver's seat. Pulling his coat properly over his shoulders, he walked to the other side of the car and opened the door to the passenger's seat. A black high heel kissed the earth as Taylor stepped down. A red mini dress clung on to her curvy body and her hair was let loose over her shoulders. Slamming the door gently, she and her fiancé-- Justin-- walked hand in hand into the jewelry store. All eyes fell on the flamboyant couple as they walked in and a few people who recognized them broke into hushed murmurs. Taylor loved the attention and what she loved more was the special treatment from the manager. "Ms Simmons," the slim and petite female manager smiled from ear to ear as she approached them. "It is so lovely to have you here. Thank you for choosing
Silence engulfed the shop as the buyers turned into onlookers to know how the story was going to end. Taylor pulled the petite manager closer to her side. "I believe no introduction is needed to let you know who he is. He isn't a good person and he is very poor now. He must be so desperate that he decided to come in here and steal one or two items, knowing well that he could make a fortune from selling them." "That isn't true!" Lucy yelled out angrily. "None of that is true. We came here together to purchase a gift because we know you sell quality!""Who will you believe?" Taylor asked. "That complete stranger-- that for all we know, she could be an accomplice-- or me? I could have sworn I saw him trying to tuck an earring into his pocket earlier." The manager looked from one woman to another. Andi was already poor so she had no reason to be good to him but she couldn't afford to get on the bad side of Taylor Simmons, especially with her fast approaching wedding with Justin Rivera.