What the—-
His eyes widened,and before he could digest this explosive news, the phone from his back pocket vibrated. Maxwell reached for it and placed it on his ears.
"Hello Alvin, what's up", he excused himself from his grandfather and Mirabella.
"Your grandmother is here at school. I think you should come right away" his friend said with an anxious tone and hung up right away.
"Why–”
He frowned,stuck his phone back into his pocket and faced his grandfather again, "I have to go!"
"What's going on?", His grandfather looked worried. Maxwell dashed out of the room without giving them an answer.
He ran into the room panting. "Whatever happened had to be John's fault", he hissed.
A car drove by him and stopped midway, "Hop in, and I'll give you a ride".
Outside the school gate.
"Vicky, how are you?" Maxwell’s grandmother, who stooped slightly and held a cane, approached Vicky with a smiley face.
Vicky stared down at her, making sure to say nothing to her while she tightened her grip on another man's arms.
Maxwell's grandmother wrinkled her forehead in confusion. Was that what kids did these days?
She decided to pay no attention to it. "I came to school because they said Maxwell would be suspended and he’ll miss the final exam.We can’t afford the tuition fee for… "
“Does that have anything to do with me?” Vicky interrupted her,rolling her eyes.
"He's too much of a good boy to cause any trouble, Vicky,you know him. What could have possibly gone wrong?".
Vicky ignored her, rather, she stared at the eyes of the boy who was standing beside her.
"You know her?" John glanced at her with disdain.
Vicky nodded, "She's that bastard's grandmother".
Her utterance provoked shock from the old woman. "Vicky! How could you—
"Excuse me, old lady." John said with a smirk. His commanding voice and cold eyes made her shiver.
He got closer. "Do you know who I am?" He glared down at her.
Grandma shook her head slowly as she whispered a 'no'.
"I'm the Governor's son and you here, are cursing at my girlfriend." He raised his hand and stopped halfway. "If I wasn't such a gentleman, I would have slapped you for that."
He sighed and walked back to Vicky, "I can see that insolence runs in the family. I guess you and your grandson do not know your place in people's lives. No wonder it was easy to get him suspended".
"You got him suspended?" His grandmother choked. She looked like she was about to have a heart attack.
John rolled his eyes at her, "Yes".
She moved closer to him, clasped her palms together, and began to rub them profusely, "Please, for my sake, lift the suspension".
John spat at her the moment she touched him. He pushed her away and asked her never to come close to him again.
"Maintain your distance. I don't want to be associated with filth!".
Everyone who passed by the school gate could see that. But he didn't care.
"Please, let my grandson go. Please", she begged.
John held his girlfriend's hand. He turned to leave when an idea came into his head. He stopped in his tracks and faced the old woman again.
"I mean…" he drew closer. "I could lift the suspension with one snap of my finger but it would cost you something".
Desperation was reflected in her eyes. She held the hem of his shirt and kept begging. "Anything. Just name it".
"Kneel before me."
Everyone gasped. The old woman stopped to take a second listen. "Excuse me?".
Vicky drew closer too. She scoffed and threatened to spit on the old lady, "Are you deaf or are you just stupid? Can't you hear him? He said ‘kneel before us’!". She yelled at the top of her voice.
Time froze. Everyone stopped what they were doing as they watched what would happen.
Maxwell's grandmother sighed. She drew in a deep breath. Without a choice, she fell to her aching knees and clasped her hands again while she looked up at John and Vicky.
"Please, let him go".
Just then, the screeching tire of a car stopped just beside them. Maxwell jumped out of the passenger's seat.
"Grandma!!!".
Maxwell ran to the old woman and quickly helped her up. She resisted but he managed to drag her up."Grandma, how could you do this?" His voice trembled.John and Vicky burst into laughter. They held their stomachs while they tried to contain their happiness, "Serves her right for having an insolent son. I can see it runs in your family's blood".Maxwell felt his heart racing. His breathing became heavy. "How dare you insult my grandmother like that?!".John nodded but before he got the chance to speak, Maxwell grabbed him by the collar. He glared into his eyes, "I dare you to say another word".A small crowd had gathered, watching and murmuring. They held their breaths waiting for the next action.His grandmother tried to pull him away. "Maxwell, you're going to end your life in prison if you continue this way, please, stop!" Tears rolled down her eyes.His friend, Alvin, emerged from behind the crowd too. He ran up to his friend, pulling him backward, "There is no need to fight, ma
"Maxwell Reed,stop it!!!!" The director's voice was one breath away from being a gong. Everyone trembled at it as they watched him walking towards them.“Mr Amos, you can see what he had done to me. I, in the name of my father,ask you to expel him from here!” John glared at Maxwell,said arrogantly.Mr Amos. The man who had placed Maxwell on suspension trotted over to him and helped him get up,looked over at Maxwell. "You used to behave yourself. I wonder what has gotten into you. I guess maybe a suspension was not enough".Maxwell’s grandmother's eyes shot up the moment she heard her grandson would be expelled. She ran to the direction and fell on her feet."Please, sir. Have mercy! Please. Maxwell is a good kid. Please, let them settle this as kids, there is no reason to be this harsh. His future is on the line.""Yes sir. You barely asked what had happened here before you jumped to a conclusion. Everyone knows John Reider has been having it out for Maxwell for the past few days. Yo
Everyone stood silent as they watched Maxwell. No one moved. He took a look around the faces of the people he was talking to, "Did you guys hear me?"Suddenly, there was an uproar of laughter. Maxwell stood in the center of the crowd that came to him when they heard what he had said."This guy is crazy", Vicky's laughter was louder. She cackled and slapped her knees as she used her other hand to onto her stomach."What's gotten into him?".John Reider walked to his girlfriend, "It happens to the poor. He must have thought he could challenge me. Poor bastard",Everyone laughed at him until they had their fill. Maxwell rolled his eyes at them and then crossed his arms. He waited until they had finished and then said, "So, do we have a deal?".Another round of laughter happened, this time louder than the other. It rang in eardrums, annoying him more than the first."Have you gone mad?", His grandmother limped her way to him and dragged him by his collar, "Haven't you disgraced us enough?
"What the actual fuck!", Someone yelled from behind. "Did it just say transfer failed!". Someone giggled and from a giggle, it grew to a hiss, a sigh, and then finally, an uproar of laughter. "He thought he could challenge the governor's son!" The crowd murmured. "Such a poor bastard. He should have just stuck to being broke, he tried to be pompous too!" Laughter was in the air as more and more people ridiculed Maxwell. Maxwell's heart raced against his chest as he tried again but it still showed the same thing. John laughed arrogantly, "Oh Maxwell dear, here I was, thinking you were smart. I thought you were a competition for me but guess not. Did you think you could defeat me? Or my dad?" "Loser. You know what they say about the poor. Their pride is the only thing they have left" Vicky interjected. She walked over to her boyfriend and tongue-kissed him while she stared at Maxwell. Maxwell frowned,staring at the card in his hand. Why didn't it work? "Grandfather couldn't hav
Maxwell's lips tightened into a smile, "Don't try to mess with me.Now get back to our bet. Take off your clothes and run around the school, I'm waiting"."There is no way on the fucking earth that anyone would be expecting me to do that." John folded his arms,said arrogantly. "Come on, John, do it. We all saw you commit to this bet, do it". Someone yelled from the crowd. "Well, you should expect nothing from a bully". Another hissed. John searched for the perpetrator, he would deal with them later. “So,you’re not going to do it?” Maxwell stared at him calmly,as if he already knew that he was going to break his promise. “Certainly not,idiot. What are you gonna do? Threaten me? Oh,I’m so scared.” John grinned provokingly. Suddenly, a car honked, which drew everyone's attention. Maxwell raised his face to see a luxurious fast car coming towards them. "Is that a Mercedes E-Vlass 3000?" "Wow! I've only seen them in magazines". The crowd gasped. The pink car screeched its
John swallowed hard as he watched the bodyguards walk up behind Mirabella. The heftiest of them all had his eyes on John. He clenched his fist, flared his nostrils again."Three!". Mirabella snapped. The second he heard what she had said, John's knees weakened. He fell forward on them, clasped his hands together, and begged. "Please don't hurt me!"."Is that what I think it is?"Someone gasped from the crowd. "The almighty John Reider is on his knees?"."What the fuck!""No way!!" Everyone was shocked to see the mighty John kneeling before a woman begging for mercy. Maxwell smiled scornfully. The director raised a brow and Vicky bit her lower lip,her face turning red."You shouldn't be begging for forgiveness. You should be getting on with your bet."."But I— I can't". John stammered.Mirabella gawked at him, "Would you rather I asked my boys for a little help?". She signaled one of the men with her index finger. He bent forward and was almost touching John when he yelled for her to
“I asked you a question” Mirabella was firm. When it comes to business dealings, she was ruthless and Maxwell was learning as he would soon have to take over the company someday. “Who… who are you and how can make the Wilmore family withdraw their donations?"“I told you Wilmore Technology will take away the donation, doesn’t it ring a bell that I am Mirabella Wilmore!” Her eyes blazed with anger as Mr. Amos was not only wasting her time but trying to be shady as well.“Well… That can be considered” Mr. Amos stuttered. “ I just have one question, why are you helping him? he's a Nobody, nothing but a pack rat. how come you got in contact with him? Are you perhaps his lover?”Maxwell clenched his jaw as he stood behind, nothing would excite him more than smashing his face, but then he knew he had to hold it in a little longer. Now wasn't the time to show off his wealth to the entire students, and have Vicky crawling back to him. it wasn't going to be so easy, he was going to wait unti
Mr. Amos looked around, he was in a very tight corner, he had not realized it would come to that but then, he did not seem so eager to give up his position that easily for John. he had an assured future already, while his position was part of his retirement plan and if he was to loses it, he will not be paid for all of his hard work a nd will be useless to the Governor and the rest of the people who sponsor the school. This university was his entire life. “Well…” Mirabella was eager to hear what he had to say, but he wasn't making a move to get his lips moving. “ Speak up” Maxwell had to step in as well. “Why would I want to give up my entire life for John and have an unsecured future? He has connections and can get into any Ivy League university of his choice” “You're concerned about your future when you wanted me to mess mine up by having me expelled,” Maxwell was so angry. he has never been so enraged that he will want to beat up a school Director, Nevertheless Mirabella held
Maxwell and Mirabella approached the hall with their suits and their dark glasses looking so perfect in them. They had decided to go in the same dress that night, even though it wasn't their grandmother's party. The large hall was filled with guests; honorable men and women of the press were also fully present. They walked down and found the perfect spot to sit. Athena's grandma and her sons were seated on one large table. While Veronica and Athena were busy welcoming the guests into the hall, Just then Maxwell's eyes locked with Grandma Elizabeth, and she got up sharply from her seat and walked towards him.“Hey! Aren't you the wretched boy Athena brought into my home?” She asked with her aged hands on her waist.“I am that same boy, ma'am." Maxwell said, standing up from his seat.“I can see you cleaned up well, but all you need to know is that a pig will always be a pig. You do not need to borrow all of these things to look good because you want to creep into my family." She said
“What the hell is going on?” Maxwell was surprised at Athena's sudden claim of being his wife.“I should be the one asking you what's happening with you and that lady." Athena asked, putting her hands on her waist. “Well, she just came to introduce herself, and that's it. She said she wanted to get to know me, and I said fine, and then she suddenly started acting funny and crazy. She's really a creepy one. She wants me, and I can see it in her eyes. I'm never going to let her take advantage of me." Maxwell said.Athena raised her nose at him and said, “I can see that. You're irresistible,you think?” She asked sarcastically.“Of course I am irresistible, just that you are blind to it." Maxwell teased and poked her nose softly. “Grandpa is waiting for you; we thought something had happened, so I came to get you myself.”.“As my saviour or guardian angel?” “Whichever one you pick, I don't really care." Athena spoke to him calmly.“Let's go”. She pulled him by the hand.“But for real
Maxwell picked Athena up at the exact time he told her. This time she wore a black dress with a crossed strap at the back. Her hair swayed on her shoulders as she walked out of the house to meet him outside.Hello, Mr. Maxwell." She said this to him with a broad smile on her face."Hello, Ms. Fairmont, Are I late?” He asked her casually, his broad smile gracing his appearance. “Nope! You aren't late for the appointment, Mr. CEO." She responded by flapping her hands over her face so he would notice her makeup. She had to do the regular type by herself. She sensed that tonight's occasion was going to be a really heavy one, so she invited a makeup artist over to do the needful on her face. She now had fuller lips than usual, and her nose stood out, pointed and straight, with the help of the contour. “Oh! Okay, I get the message. Your makeup is a hundred percent perfect, and you look really stunning in that black dress, just like a black rose with petals of red on it." Maxwell gave his
Six months later, Wilmore Casino had grown into the talk of town. They were well known all over the city. Uncle Zander and grandpa are so proud of what Maxwell had made out of the business within just a few months of emerging as MD. Just like the way Grandpa usually creeps into his room unannounced. The knock on the door was soft and familiar, but he never thought that it would be his grandpa until he answered.“Come in, please." He answered even though his back was turned against the door. He was busy making some photocopies.“Hey,son”. Maxwell turned only to see his grandfather walking into the room with his walking aid on one hand. “Hey pops, you didn't tell me you were coming,” Maxwell said with a smile on his face. He got up from his seat and went to hug his grandfather.“I didn't know I had to call your assistant or book an appointment before coming over to see my son; you should be more grateful, and the old grayed man is paying you an extravagant visit." Grandpa teased. They
Maxwell had resumed work fully, and it has beenIt was a bit hectic for him, as this was his first time managing any institution. He was sitting in his office when Mirabella came in. Shocked to see her, he got up.“Mirabella, is everything alright?” He asked her with shock and curiosity in his tone.“Have you seen the news recently?” Mirabella asked, still pointing at him as he stood to his feet casually.“What about the news? I haven't heard anything, though." Maxwell responded sharply. "Here,” she rummaged through her bag and threw the newspaper down on the table.“What's this?” He asked about picking it up.“Vickie?” He asked in surprise and flipped the page to read the headlines. “My God, who did this to her?” He asked, looking up at Mirabella. She shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know." She replied. He paused for a while and had a flashback to the last day he had met her with those hefty men. She had actually brought them to kill him, but Grandpa was just on time to defend him
After they finished with the dinner, they spoke for a while and cracked jokes to themselves. Athen had never had such a beautiful moment in her life with any man before. Her heart skipped a bit the moment she paused and leaned closer to her. Her body was ready, and just as his lip was about to touch hers, she pulled away.“Uhm! Arrh! I have to go now. I mean, we should go now; we have work to do tomorrow. I have meetings to attend tomorrow." She stuttered the words at him. Maxwell got up and looked down at her. “I get it, and I am sorry. I am willing to wait until you are ready." He told her with a smile, and for a second, Athena had all the tightened air in her stomach loosen. “Thank you”. She said and smiled at him for being so kind and considerate, unlike Sabastian, who tried to drug her to have his way with her. She loves Maxwell's sense of humour and how mature he acts around her. He is the kind that Mark's and protects his territory. She is sure that with him, she would have n
“I shall tell you everything you need to know, and none of it shall I withhold." Maxwell told her calmly, his eyes not straying away from her at all. She had learned to hold his gaze for a little more time before doing anything else. Now that he began to speak, she placed both hands on her lap, barely even checking out the food prepared for them by the five-star chef. Athena looked cool and calm, but deep down in her heart, she had loads of unanswered questions.“I'm waiting, and I plan to listen to all you have to say to me tonight." Athena responded with a calm tone.“I am an orphan. I lost my dad to some killers from the opposition. And my mom was killed a few months after my birth. So my grandpa, Ricjard Wilmore, took me to a woman and asked her to take care of me. He even gave her some money to take care of me. The lady looked away because my life was threatened, so she ran away with the baby, and that's how I grew up in a poor home. I never knew I had a rich father until my fina
Athena put her hand into his and climbed down the remaining part of the stairs. She smiled at Maxwell and the two of them walked out of the building. Outside, Maxwell helped Athena with the door till she got into the car and settled down. Maxwell took the driver's seat and off they drove into the heart of the city. Athena looked puzzled as she drove past all the restaurants she had been to yet she never said a word, after a while she began to panic in her heart and then she couldn't just hold it anymore.“Maxwell, where are you going?” She asked curiously Maxwell took a quick look at her and smiled. Somewhere you would love he answered. “Why do you ask though, you don't trust me anymore?” He asked her with a smile forming at the corner of his lip.“It's not that, I am just curious because we've passed almost every restaurant I know “. She sighed and looked out the window. “It's fine. It's okay to have fears. I never wanted you not to be too strong though, being feminine comes with
After the men left, Maxwell looked at his watch. He had planned to go on a date with Athena, at least, if not for anything. She deserved some explanation about how he got to their house and the reason he had to hide his identity. He looked out the window for a while and smiled. There was no way he would let any of his children face the same humiliation he did from the rich folks. He had vowed to make a name for himself, aside from the great Wilmore behind his name. He would make a name for himself with the talent he has built inside of him. He twirled the seat and tossed it side by side. This is just a part of the good life. Nothing on earth would make him leave a life as sweet as this, and the best part of what he has earned with his new name is the respect he gets from the people around him and all those who once looked down on him. He sat in his office after he had the meeting with the staff. He needed to know their names, at least, so he wouldn't address them wrongly. They all