The Insurmountable Rise Of Ethan Watson

CHAPTER 9

Ethan woke up the next day and rolled into a sitting position on his 60 by 80 inches queen-sized bed.

He stared at the ceiling and for a brief moment admired the beautiful POP ceiling designs illuminated by the diamond-shaped chandelier.

He got up and took a walk to the window and looked through the window pane at a vibrant city littered with middle-class working men. He stared at those on construction sites a few meters away, as they laughed, drank beer, and made use of heavy machinery.

He looked down on the street and took a glance at businessmen and women running behind time and the performers by the road playing to the emotions of passers-by with the hope of getting some cents out of them.

It was a beautiful city for those in power and wealth. He had never seen the city from this view before. And since his ascent up the ladder of social class, he had been too busy to enjoy this view. This was the first time since he could remember that he didn't feel like everything was against him.

The sun rose beautifully aligning horizontally to his eye view. Excited by the calmness the view gave him, he got his phone out and took a picture of this incredible view. He stared at it shortly and made it his wallpaper. 

Famished and ready to get to the Emerald Estate, he walked to the brightly lit kitchen to prepare himself something to eat when he was told, “Sir, your breakfast is on the table in the dining”.

“Thank you” he replied, as he walked away from the busty melanin chef with a blonde wig on her head.

Ethan walked into the dining room and sat on the chair at the head of the table where a gold-colored porcelain plate in a gold tray was covered. He looked over at the cabinet hutch where he saw a reflection of himself and thought to himself, ‘Could this be me?’

Ethan opened his plate to scrambled eggs and toast, poured himself a cup of coffee, and dug in to eat.

When he was done eating, he walked up to his room and had a steamy bath, got dressed, and headed for Emerald Estate to meet with Tony.

*

David Graham walked into the enormously sophisticated office plaza in Emerald Estate. He stared at the edifice and muttered to himself, ‘I, David Graham will get this spot. I must.

“You're welcome to Emerald Estate! Your need is our command!” they chorused as they welcomed him.

Beaming with pride and smiles, he walked up to the receptionist and demanded, “Call your manager”

“Good morning sir, please how may I help you?” the receptionist answered, looking up at David leaning over the counter.

“How may you help me? In your life and the next, you can never help me. Call your manager” David retorted with a sting in his tone and a face that questioned the possibility of her ever being in a position to help him.

She picked up the phone and called the manager, not wanting any trouble from this strange man who was trying to make her job difficult for her.

“Hello, sir? There's a Mr…” She paused as she turned to look at David with her left hand covering the mouthpiece of the telephone and asked, “Sir, please what did you say your name was?”

“David Graham, tell him to hurry up” David barked.

“A Mr. David Graham is here to see you, sir”. She stated as she continued the call with her manager, ignoring the comment David just made.

Once the call was disconnected, she stood up and faced David who grew impatient, and with a smile, she said, “He'll be with you shortly. In the meantime, please have a seat and feel free to help yourself to any of our chocolates as you wait, thank you”

“Do you think I'm as poor as you are? Do you believe I left my house just to snack on cheap sweets? These low lives don't have a limit to their delusions. First, you want to help me and now you're making me wait. I'll have you removed, today!” David yelled out while pointing his fingers at the receptionist. 

“Good morning sir, please I'm sorry for her foolishness, I'd have had her removed but she just started working here today. Please forgive her”. A calm deep voice came from the edge of the counter towards David.

David turned to see a fair man of average height who was slightly overweight and wearing a black shirt and a pair of trousers with a brown leather belt and a brown pair of suede shoes.

“You must be the manager,” David said as he stretched out his hand for a handshake.

“Mr. David Graham, a pleasure to meet you,” the manager said as he shook hands with David.

“I believe the deal we have still stands?” David asked as they walked to a secluded office.

“Yeah. Did you bring the documents I requested?” The manager reassured David.

“Yes, I'm here to give the required documents, just as a formality for when you announce me as the winner.” David gloated.

“I will do my part and pass your name as the winner and you'll do yours by giving me 30% of your earnings from every job. It's a fair deal.” The manager said with a smile as he took the documents and escorted David out.

“You really should do something about the people you employ, that girl is bad for business. If I didn't know you, I would have stormed out of here” David advised the manager.

“If she doesn't learn quickly, I will remove her. That attitude will be bad for business. Thank you for coming around, rest easy knowing you'll be called as the winner” the manager reassured David as he got into his car and sped off.

The manager walked back into the building and beckoned to the Receptionist. He looked at her shirt to see her name tag, and then he said, “Emma, is it?”

“Yes sir” Emma replied looking down humbly

“Well Emma, you won't be told everything, learn with your eyes and be smart enough to observe. Your sluggish and annoying attitude will not be tolerated. One strike and you're out. Emerald Estate has no place for fools unwilling to learn” he stated with a condescending look as he continued.

“Get these files to my office before the close of work today. If you forget that, just send in your resignation letter from home. I won't take excuses” he dropped the files on the counter and headed for his office when he turned to see that Emma, whom he was talking to wasn't in her seat.