4. The Morning Awakening

Chapter Four: The Morning Awakening

Chris was jolted awake by the sharp, loud voice of his mother-in-law, Eleanor.

"Is this not the man who was talking about helping to get the investment money yesterday?" Her tone was mocking, dripping with disdain.

"And here he is, still sleeping at ten in the morning. Lazy as ever."

He had been so excited the night before and didn’t get to sleep until the early morning hours.

He rubbed his eyes, the remnants of sleep quickly fading as he registered her words.

Eleanor stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed, her expression one of stern impatience.

"Get up, Chris. I need you to take this document to Stephany at the office. Now, she needs it for a pitch.”

Without another word, Eleanor tossed a manila envelope onto the bed.

Chris sighed, dragging himself out of bed and quickly getting dressed. He grabbed the envelope, his mind still processing the events of the previous day.

He hurriedly made his way out of the house, catching a taxi to Luxury Flair.

As the taxi pulled up in front of Luxury Flair, Chris paid the driver and stepped out, just in time to see a sleek, new GLK pull up to the curb.

He watched as a young man, immaculately dressed, came out of the car. It was an all familiar face, Bradley, the first grandson of the West family, the second richest family in Chicago.

Chris knows who he was, and he’s well aware that all the wealth and money he flaunts was nothing more than his pocket money from the West family.

Only someone who has worked directly with the Bradley would know that he’s just the manager of West Enterprise by name and in paper, he does nothing in the company other than spending the profit.

“Was it not too early for West to be here?” He thought.

His stomach churned as he saw Stephany step out of the building and welcomed him with a warm hug, her demeanor lively and engaged, the two of them laughing and chatting easily.

Chris’s heart sank further when he saw the man brought out a bright blue jewelry box and handed to Stephany.

“Oh Bradley, you didn’t have to get me a gift.” She said as she opened the box to reveal a beautiful Blue Cartier bracelet.

“I know you’ve always wanted the Blue Emerald Cartier Diamond necklace,” he stated.

“I am unable to get that now as there’s only two of those created in the whole world, until I am able to set my get it for you, I hope this blue Cartier bracelet would gladden your heart.”

“Wow!”

“That’s so thoughtful of you, you’re such a man every woman dreams of.”

The other workers around hailed Bradley West for his thoughtful gesture. “Indeed, Mr. Bradley must like Stephany.”

The Blue Cartier Bracelet is a modest piece compared to the Blue Emerald diamond necklace she had always wanted.

However the Blue Cartier Bracelet is also an important limited edition piece. In the whole world, there’s only a 500 of it produced. Hence it was also priceless in her eyes.

Stephany’s face lit up with happiness, her eyes sparkling as he took her hand to put the bracelet for her.

Chris felt a pang of jealousy and frustration as he approached them, clutching the document tightly, he took his wife’s hand away from Mr. Bradley.

“Stephany” he said.

Bradly didn't like being interrupted, he didn’t recognize him and pushed him off so that he lost his balance and the coffee he had brought for his wife spilled directly on Bradley.

“You!” He shouted. Not only did the coffee soil his white sleeves, the coffee was hot and burned his body and also spilled on the bracelet that he’d spent five thousand dollar to purchase, all because he wanted to win Stephany over.

“Who is this man and how dare him do this to me.” He roared.

“I am so sorry Mr. West, this is Chris, he didn’t mean to, Chris hurry up and apologize” she said as she took a handkerchief to clean his cloth.

Chris however wasn’t sorry for what happened, after all, if he didn’t push him, the coffee wouldn’t have poured on him.

“I am sorry the coffee I brought for you spilled honey.” Chris apologized to his wife instead.

“You this imbalanced man, you spilled coffee on me but refused to apologize, at least apologize for soiling the bracelet I bought for Stephany.”

“Yes, yes” the onlookers agreed with him.

They all knew that Stephany was married to a lame man called Chris, seeing him here for the first time, they felt pity for Stephany.

He couldn’t help her, yet he makes things hard for her by annoying those willing to help her.

“My wife doesn't like this cheap bracelet, it’s a Blue Emerald Cartier necklace she wants, you can take your cheap bracelet with you, I’ll be the one to gift my wife what she wants.” Chris said, unapologetically.

“Chris, can you please keep quiet…” Stephany quietly called his attention, it’ll be better if he had kept quiet.

She had intended on asking Mr. Bradley West to invest he 10000 dollars in the company, but if Chris kept talking, there’s no doubt he’d annoy him away.

“I have something to tell you, please come.” Still holding her hand, he took her into the office building leaving an annoyed Bradley.

“What is it that can’t wait?” She asked as soon as they were inside.

“Your mother asked me to bring you these documents,” he said, handing her the envelope. His eyes flicked to Bradley, who was watching the exchange with a bemused expression.

“Is that it? You can go now.” Stephany collected the envelop, she was going to use it and pitch the investment to Bradley, now that he’s chased him away, what use is it?”

As he stepped out of the building, Bradley who felt insulted had already left, only the by standers still stood and gossiped about him.

“I can’t believe Mrs Stephany really married a lame man, what what a shame.”

They spoke out loud for Chris to hear. But he couldn’t be bothered by what others think of him.

“Such a burden, he doesn’t provide for her the money and the gifts, yet he acts so proud, how ridiculous..”

Chris could still faintly hear them as he he hailed a taxi to the Brown’s Company where his future was waiting for him.