The Rise of the Jackson's Heir

Chapter Six

Everest stared at the manager as if he had lost his damn mind. His eyes darted from Milton and then to the badge. He stomped his feet to the ground, “Mr. Dalton, you are humiliating yourself by apologizing to this man.”

“He is poor, anyone can smell it from a distance. I am sure this badge is fake and if not, he might have stolen it from someone. Sir, we should…”

Before he finished his sentence, the manager, Mr. Dalton slapped him hard. Mr. Dalton could see themselves losing their jobs already if Everest continued mocking Milton.

Milton gasped.

The Jacksons had a lot of influence in the city. Mr. Dalton knew of Mr. Jack himself and he knew if Mr. Jack heard about what they did to one of his family members who had the family badge, being fired won’t be the only thing that would happen to his pathetic life.

Mr. Dalton apologized again, “pardon us.”

“It is okay?” Milton was unsure. This turn of events was a little bit too much.

A tiny smile formed on Mr. Dalton, Milton cringed inwardly, he looked like someone about to lose consciousness. The manager informed Everest who was busy rubbing his face. “Everest, you should apologize.” 

Everest did and Mr. Dalton explained, “this man here is our VIP. He has a reservation here. The next time you see him bow. Am I clear? Everest, you might as well lie down so he would use you as a doormat. Understood?”

Unfortunately, instead of Milton being delighted his face showed immense surprise. He wanted Brianna to show up beside him so he would ask her many questions.

Mr. Dalton looked down, patiently waiting for Milton to reply.

When Milton didn’t speak, he raised his head. Milton was staring at the doorman, making Mr. Dalton push Everest slightly. Everest apologized again. 

Mr. Dalton thinking Milton was unsatisfied by the doorman’s apologies, turned around and faced him, “Everest, you are fired.”

Milton and Everest gasped loudly. Milton turned his attention to Mr. Dalton and noticed how serious he was.

Everest dropped to his knees and threw himself at the manager’s feet. “Please sir, I beg of you. Don’t fire me. I have a family to feed. School fees to pay, and my wife is expecting.”

Mr. Dalton kicked him. Everest covered his face and began sobbing, “sir, this is my only job. Please.”

Mr. Dalton repeated, “Everest. Stop making a scene. Don’t show your face here again.”

As Everest continued to beg, Milton was terrified. He didn’t want the doorman to lose his job because of him. Milton knew the hardship of the ones who didn’t have money.

Although the doorman treated him like nobody, insulted him, and threatened to throw him to the road, Milton couldn’t stand watching him begging endlessly for his job. It wasn’t like he killed someone, right?

Milton surprised all of them by asking Everest to shoot to his feet.

“Sir,” Milton called Mr. Dalton softly. “Please, forgive him. We are humans and we always make mistakes. But the important thing is we learn from them. Everyone deserves a second chance.

“Kindly let him continue working here. Sir, I beg of you.” Milton pleaded.

Milton’s tiny voice made Mr. Dalton stagger, he couldn’t believe someone related to the Jackson was here, begging him, and to make it more shocking, because of someone like the doorman.

His mind drew a blank.

Milton followed the manager’s eyes and noticed he was staring at the badge. Milton returned it to his pocket and held the manager’s shoulder. “Mr. Dalton, can you hear me?”

Mr. Dalton nodded, coming out of his reverie.

“Can you rehire him, please?” Milton asked, he wanted to make sure he was present while the manager gave Everest his job back.

“Of course. Of course, sir.” Mr. Dalton responded, his voice going higher. “Everest, you are hired.”

“Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir.” He said to both of them while rubbing his hands together.

“No problem,” Milton replied, looking away. He hated how weak the doorman appeared. He wasn’t the same man who was arrogant earlier on.

“I promise not to fail you again,” Everest said. His face showed fear.

Uncomfortable as he wasn’t used to people begging for mercy or thanking him, Milton looked away. The manager practically pushed the doorman’s face away and stood aside. “Welcome to our restaurant, Mr?”

Milton chuckled lightly, “Milton.”

As he walked into the restaurant, Milton’s interest in knowing about the badge increased. He looked back, hoping to see Brianna coming. He wanted to know now what it was.

Milton couldn’t help but wonder what the family badge meant and if Brianna had one herself.

The manager led Milton to his VIP spot.

The light in here was great. It wasn’t too dim nor too bright. The tables were posh and so was the carpet. Milton Jackson knew he had chosen the perfect place for their dinner.

However, the happiness dissipated when he saw Natalie and Dickson eating, chatting happily. Dickson fed Natalie a piece of juicy meat. Milton swallowed hard, he tried to take his eyes off of them but couldn’t.

How could he have forgotten the woman who broke his heart and a man who was jealous of him was in here?

When Dickson saw Milton, he stopped midair from feeding Natalie. Natalie whined, “honey, come on.”

Dickson motioned her to look in Milton’s direction. “I don’t want to,” Natalie replied in a frustrated tone.

“Look who the cat dragged in here. The one and only man. The talk of the town, our boy, Milton Jackson.” Dickson taunted Milton.

Natalie looked behind her.

“What the f**k are you doing here?” Dickson fired.

They were both surprised how Milton managed to get into the restaurant, moreover, with the manager accompanying him to a VIP spot.

“How can a loser like you afford this place?” Natalie scoffed.

Dickson let out a sarcastic chuckle. “I know. No way in hell.” He squeezed his head in fake deep thinking and then asked, “did you bribe the manager?”  

Before Milton would answer, Mr. Dalton beat him to it. He moved forward, banged the table, and yelled, “how dare you disrespect Mr. Milton.”

Natalie and Dickson stared at each other and they shrilled, “Mr. Milton?”