The Rise of Gabriel Whitewood

6

Brittany approached Gabriel and took the bag of clothes and the card from him. Gabriel didn’t know what was going on, but Brittany had saved him several times, so all he could do was trust her. He reasoned she was probably trying to protect him from Lily, just as she had done with Danuel before.

“Gabriel, I am going to miss my father’s event tonight at this rate. Did you even consider that before becoming involved in whatever situation this is?” She yelled at him, and then Lily burst out laughing.

Lily was relieved that Gabriel was still wretched because it would have been a loss for her, and she could not imagine stooping low to beg him after everything she had done.

After having a good laugh, Lily took the paper bag used to package her cloth and turned to face Brittany.

“Brittany, I am glad you are here because I was wondering how a low-life like him could have a Black Card. The last time I checked, he was eating from the crumbs my mother and I left. I have never felt more relieved.” Lily smiled as she spoke. “Maybe if you keep dreaming and pretending to be wealthy, you will reach the level in your next life,” Lily laughed, causing Gabriel to clench his jaw.

She thanked the woman behind the counter and walked to the door.

“And next time, if you want to impress me, Gabriel, maybe find a better cleaning job because Daniel will fire you tonight,” Lily said, tossing a one-dollar bill at him.

Then she opened the door and slammed it shut.

The moment Lily left, Gabriel faced Brittany, and she heaved a sigh of relief.

“You nearly blew your cover. Lily doesn’t know yet, and your father has made it his mission to bring down those who have harmed you. He has been watching Lily since you married, and he believes she is unfit. She is falling for the bait just like he wants,” she said, and Gabriel looked at her in surprise.

“I.. I do not understand.” Gabriel said.

“You will tonight. Just trust me. Please follow the rules.” She said, handing him his belongings. “Go to the hotel and dress up. Reservations have been made,” she explained.

“Ma’am, do you want me to do anything for you? I am sorry I did not realize you sent your houseboy over,” the blonde lady said, interrupting Brittany and Gabriel’s whisper.

Gabriel frowned and attempted to speak with her, but Brittany held him back and turned to face the lady behind the counter.

“What is your name?” Brittany asked.

“Isla ma’am,” the blonde lady responded with a big grin, expecting a tip.

“Well, I do not care, Isla, I am going with blondie!”

Brittany took out an ID card from her pocket and shoved it in Isla’s face.

“I am from Whitewood Industries, and I am sorry to inform you that your time here is up,” she said, and the blonde lady looked at her in surprise. “Mr. Whitewood wants you to clear your desk,” she said, leaving the lady in shock for a split second.

“What do you mean by this? I have done nothing wrong, and the sales have been perfect. I am the best in this place,” she said in defence.

“Yet you insulted his only child and berated him for his appearance!” Brittany yelled at her. Then she looked around and beckoned to the brunette, who rushed towards Brittany.

“What is your name?” She asked with her brows drawn down.

“Vanessa Dean, ma,” she said, and Brittany yanked off the blonde’s clothing tag.

“Today you have earned the position and have been promoted to sales rep,” she said, and Vanessa squealed with delight.

The blonde lady burst into tears, pleading with Gabriel and Brittany, but Brittany grabbed Gabriel’s hand and walked outside.

“Gabriel, trust your father. He wants some people off his company, and he will use you,” Brittany said, before getting into a black car and speeding away before Gabriel could say anything.

Gabriel dashed back into the store and paid for a random shirt and trousers. He was tired of being insulted, so he decided changing his appearance would help.

“Keep this,” he told the lady behind the counter, throwing twenty hundred-dollar bills at her before dashing out and boarding a taxi.

**

Gabriel quickly arrived at the large hotel that his father supposedly owned. When the large sliding doors opened, he rushed to the counter to get the check for the room that was booked for him.

“Hello, I am here to book a room,” he explained to the lovely concierge behind the counter.

The lady who just got a call looked at him with a sneer.

“Are you lost, sir?” she inquired, and Gabriel examined his outfit. He was wearing an expensive casual shirt and pants, which meant he looked rich enough.

“Move over!” She yelled when a man walked in, smelling of expensive perfume.

Then he looked around and noticed that everyone dressed in corporate attire, and even if they were casual, they were accompanied by handymen. Nobody else looked like him, with a sling bag over his shoulder.

“Look, I need to book a room for my father’s event tonight, and I need to pay,” he told the lady as she ignored him to attend to someone else.

When she was done, he stood in front, refusing to leave.

“What do you want? Cash? I can pay,” he said, opening his bag to retrieve the money, but she stopped him.

“We do not accept cash, and unless you have an exquisite card, I will not attend to you.”

“Good, because I already have that!”

Gabriel, who had lost patience, yelled, taking out his card and slamming it on the desk.

When she saw the card, she laughed out loud.

“You could try a far better scam. Let me guess, your father is Mr. Whitewood, and your card is currently inoperable, and you need him to send a notice to the bank to unfreeze it? Well, guess what? I am not buying it!” She yelled, and Gabriel sighed.

He thought changing his appearance would be beneficial, but it was not enough for them.

“Aha,” she said as she picked up the card and saw the word whitewood written on it. “Find a better scam, Mr.” she said, and tossed the card back to him.

“I am not here to play games. I want the penthouse right now!” He demanded.

“A tone like that will not get people to believe your lie. I mean, if you are so wealthy, where is the escort? The guards? Why are you alone, Mr. Whitewood!”

“Madam, attend to the young lad; I do not have time. If his card declines, arrest him; I need to rest!”

An old man behind Gabriel yelled, causing the receptionist to roll her eye.

She took the card from him and reserved the penthouse.

“I can not wait to see you kissing the floors with your sorry ass,” she told him, swiping the card. To her surprise, the card worked. Gabriel was relieved, but the woman scrunched up her face, unimpressed.

“You are an impostor! Where did you get this card? I am going to call security right now!” she yelled.…