The Richest Heir

CHAPTER 7

The table quieted as the dishes arrived, a tempting mix of delicious scents wafting through the air.

An uncertain hush, fell over the table, everyone eyeing the extravagant spread before them. The aroma of the dishes filled the space, momentarily distracting them from the brewing tension.

With a grin, Caleb declared, "Bon appétit!" and elegantly grasped his knife and fork to start on his meal. The rest eagerly followed suit.

Laughter and cheerful banter gradually replaced the initial silence as they delved into the delectable fare.

Yet, on one side of the table, an uneasy tension loomed.

Kenneth, feeling the weight of the impending bill, nervously loosened a button on his shirt. The extravagant meal, initially a delight, now felt like a financial burden.

"What's the matter?" Tracy leaned in toward Kenneth.

"Nothing," he replied, discreetly opening his wallet to check his cash, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

Tracy noticed Kenneth's unease as he glanced inside his wallet. Though she had enough money in her purse, but the idea of bailing him out was the last thing she wanted to do.

As the dinner came to an end, Caleb gestured for the bill. The manager approached, revealing the staggering sum of $100,000 they had collectively spent. A hushed silence fell over the table, all eyes shifting between Caleb and Kenneth.

"Did you say a grand?" Kenneth asked, swallowing hard as if trying to gulp down the sudden lump in his throat.

"That's right Sir" the waiter replied

The hefty amount rattled Kenneth; his leg involuntarily shook, signaling the financial burden now on his shoulders. Desperation crept in as he nervously wiped his forehead with a napkin, seeking help with a hesitant glance at Tracy. However, she chose to pretend she was busy on her phone, leaving Kenneth stranded.

Observing Kenneth's discomfort with a subtle smirk, Caleb intervened confidently.

"No problem," he declared, pulling out a black card from his wallet. Handing it to the manager, he continued, "Take $50,000 for my share of the bill. The rest, my dear friend Kenneth, is on you, isn't it?" Caleb's gaze locked onto Kenneth, a small smile playing on his lips as he awaited acknowledgment.

As the manager scurried off to handle the transaction, a heavy silence settled over the table.

The manager returned, effectively processing the transaction, and handed over the receipt to Caleb.

"Sir, would you like to pay by cash or card?" the waiter inquired, directing all eyes to Kenneth, who now grappled with the imminent task of footing his portion of the bill.

"What's the matter, Kenneth?" Caleb inquired, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Nothing," Kenneth shot back, glaring at him, but the tension between them was palpable.

Kenneth, nervously stumbling over his words, turned to the waiter, "Um, just give me a minute," he muttered, excusing himself from the table. Making his way to the far corner of the restaurant, he dialed his father, desperation evident in his voice as he sought a lifeline.

"Dad, I'm in a tight spot," Kenneth pleaded.

His father's response was firm. "What do you mean son?"

"I need $50,000, Dad. My reputation's on the line; I can't afford to let it crumble," Kenneth implored, urgency in his voice.

His father's frustration seeped through the phone. "What the hell, $50,000? Are you mad? You have a budget every month. If you can't stay within your limits, then it's not my fault. Do you even know how hard I work day and night to earn that much money? Sorry, son, but your showing off is not my concern. Handle it yourself, and maybe it'll be a lesson for you."

"Dad, please....."

The call ended abruptly, leaving Kenneth in a state of panic. He couldn't let Caleb win, especially with his reputation at stake. In a last-ditch effort, he dialed Tracy, urgently asking her to join him.

Tracy, reluctantly, made her way over.

In a hushed but urgent tone, Tracy couldn't believe her ears. "What!" she whispered-yelled as Kenneth tightly gripped her hand. "Babe, I need your help. I don't have that much money on me right now, and I can't get through to my Dad. If you could just lend me the money, I promise to pay you back," Kenneth pleaded.

Tracy's glare bore into him. Despite her lover lavishing her with money the night before, leaving her flush with funds, the idea of handing it over to him felt absurd.

'

Why should I give him the money?' she mused, contemplating the situation. The decision to dine at the restaurant had been his, and she found herself unwilling to part with her newfound fortune simply because he hadn't come prepared.

"Kenneth, seriously, I don't walk around with that much cash. And let's not forget, this whole plan to embarrass Caleb was your idea in the first place. You were the one who picked this restaurant, remember? You should've been better prepared with the cash!" Tracy whispered yell.

Kenneth, frustration etched across his face, rubbed the back of his neck. "Fuck!" He paced for a few tense seconds before looking at Tracy with a glimmer of hope. "Card. You must have a card with you, right?"

Tracy met his gaze, feigning innocence. "No, Kenneth, I didn't bring the card. Didn't think I'd need it." Another white lie slipped effortlessly from her lips.

"Damn, what am I going to do?" Kenneth exclaimed, his gaze fixed on the table.

"Just call your dad. Sooner or later, he'll pick up," Tracy suggested with a small smile, before returning to the table, leaving Kenneth to sweat nervously in the aftermath of his failed plan.

How was he going to go back to the table. He'd be a laughing stock.

***********

Back at the table, Jake and Tommy looked at Caleb, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity. "What just happened, Caleb?" asked Tommy, his brow furrowed. "Yeah, $50,000. Where the hell did you get that much money?" Jake inquired further.

Caleb casually draped his arms over the back their chairs, sporting a mischievous smirk. "I won a lottery!" he declared.

A stunned silence engulfed the entire table as everyone's gaze pivoted to him. Tracy, wide-eyed, slowly took her seat, staring at him in sheer shock.

Both friends gaped at him, their eyes widening in disbelief. "When? Why didn't you tell us before? I was sweating bullets, worried about how you would pay," Jake admitted.

Before Caleb could respond, Susan called out

"Hey, Caleb. I just wanted to thank you for the dinner, and I thought it's high time we connected on social media." Swiftly pulling out her phone, she asked for his I*******m handle and sent him a friend request.

Caleb nodded, took out his phone, and swiftly accepted her request. Just as she was about to leave, Susan turned back with an inviting smile. "Oh, and Caleb, don't forget my birthday party tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you. Tommy and Jake, you guys are invited too."

********

Tracy with her two friends, Amanda and Jessica, stepped into the restroom, their minds still swirling with disbelief. "I still can't believe it," Jessica exclaimed. "Caleb won the lottery"

Tracy gazed at herself in the mirror, contemplating the incredible turn of events. A man who couldn't even afford a hot dog from a stand had seemingly won the lottery and was now covering a hefty bill at one of the most expensive restaurants in the country.

"He's one lucky guy. I wonder how much he won," Amanda added, prompting Tracy to turn toward her friends.

Both Jessica and Amanda were gushing over Caleb's newfound wealth, discussing how fortunate he seemed.

Irritation crept over Tracy; after all, she had only broken up with him this morning. When did he win the lottery, and why hadn't he mentioned anything to her?

Had she been to quick to break up with him?

The restroom door swung open abruptly, and a man stumbled in, his intoxicated walk giving away his state.

"Hey, this is the ladies' restroom. Get out!" Tracy shouted.

The drunk man stopped in his tracks, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he swayed toward her, locking eyes.

"Wow! Looking hot, babe..." he slurred as he approached her, blocking her path.

"Get out!" she hissed, already irritated by the night's events. However, the man persisted, grabbing her waist.

"Come on Babe, let's have a little fun"

"What the hell, let go!" Tracy screamed, struggling to break free.

Amanda and Jessica rushed in, trying to pull the man away, but he tightened his grip around Tracy's waist.

"Oh, come on, don't fight me, baby," he sneered, turning his attention to the other girls. "You two can join if you want."

The trio paused for a moment, anger taking over.

Taking off their shoes, Jessica and Amanda began hitting the drunk man with the heels causing the man to abruptly let go of Tracy.

"What the fuck! He began yelling and tried to grab hold of the shoes. Hindered by the haze of intoxication, he found himself stumbling.

The three girls relentlessly bashed him until he ran away as fast as his drunken state allowed.

Satisfied, the three friends looked at each other and burst out laughing.