8 | Ten million dollars

“Great!” the call recipient exclaimed on the other end of the call as his voice brimmed with excitement.

He briefly glanced at the glimmering Graff Diamond Hallucination on his wrist as he peeked at the digits displayed.

“Rob, meet me at the villa immediately.” The call recipient demanded.

“Understood, boss!” The thug’s leader replied before the call ended.

Following their leader’s orders, the thugs swiftly reverse their vans as they race toward the luxurious villa, passing by a magnificent water fountain that added a dominating aura to the air.

Rob quietly entered the grand villa, as he locked his eyes on the tiled, golden floor with the word ‘REX’ customized on it.

“Aren’t you supposed to be here?” A middle-aged man’s shrill voice echoed, shoving Rob to rush toward him.

The middle-aged man had brown shoulder-length hair, and he wore an expensive grey suit that fitted his healthy-sized body.

His legs were straddled as he sat in a golden wheelchair that was adorned with a large, customized 'R' signifying his true identity—Rex.

"Good morning, boss," Rob greeted respectfully as he settled into a plush cushioned chair, before gazing at the middle-aged man.

"Did I permit you to take a seat?" The middle-aged man’s voice echoed authoritatively, his words resounding throughout the room. Rob immediately sprang to his feet as he removed his black hat as a gesture of respect.

“I apologize for my awful manners, boss,” Rob mumbled, bowing his head to express his extreme respect for Rex. Deep down, he admired and feared Rex, who had been of great help and acted like a disciplinary godfather during his youth.

Rex snapped his fingers, signaling his men to leave the room. He wanted Alex’s existence to be a secret, since many of his rivals tried to kill Alex when he was very young.

"His home address..." Rex's voice trailed off with a hint of curiosity tinged with determination, and Rob stretched out a document.

A sense of warmth and gentleness reflected in Rex’s eyes as he opened the document, which contained Alex's home address and the names of the people who lived with him.

Softening his strict tone, Rex's voice lowered as it became filled with concern. "And Irene? How is she doing?" Rex inquired, closing the document and locking eyes with Rob.

Rob muttered quietly, barely audible, "She passed away many months ago."

The statement hit Rex hard like a sharp knife, stirring a mix of emotions within him. A sudden wave of sorrow and grief washed over him. His hands trembled, causing the document he held to slip from his grasp, as his body seemed to weaken.

“How? I mean… why?” His lips quivered, and he couldn't hold back the threatening tears that stung his eyes.

“She died of cancer, boss,” Rob muttered, almost in tears himself, as Irene had also been an important, caring woman in his life.

Rex wiped the tears that rolled beneath his glasses, and muttered, “You may go,” using a choked-up voice, and Rob obeyed.

As Rob briskly made his way out of the villa, he found his path blocked by a tall, masculine figure.

“Why are you here?” The tall man rasped, and Rob instantly recognized who it was.

It was none other than Thomas, Rex’s illegitimate son, whose wrists were adorned with golden jewelry.

Rob maintained his position, facing Thomas boldly, as he hastily added. “I was on my way to meet up with some people from my gang when I decided to come and check on my godfather. Is there anything wrong with that?"

A soft, devilish chuckle echoed. “I hope you are not collaborating with Dad to find Alex and his miserable mother again.”

“If you are, it's best you stop. You know what I'm capable of, right?” Thomas boasted and Rob laughed out.

“Thomas, Thomas,” He called out in a singing tone. “Do you know what Alex is capable of when he returns as the true heir and legitimate son? Don't get your hopes up about inheriting everything from Godfather. Hopefully, he will live long for Alex to reign.”

“You little thing-!” Thomas scowled, clenching his fist as he attempted to throw a punch at Rob’s face. However, an idea strokes his mind, and he quickly calmed himself.

“What do you want?” Thomas asked, his tone now more patient as he noticed Rob’s pale face.

“Cash? Women? Cars? Mansions? Mention it!” Thomas taunted as he gestured grandly.

Meanwhile, Rob’s mind rambled around the thoughts of money. He imagined the luxurious villa and the dominance or power he would have. He yearned for that kind of control and power. Money consumed his thoughts as it taunted him with the promise of freedom.

“Imagine having this villa all to yourself and a lot of power as your footstool. Don't you want that kind of dominance, Rob?” Thomas added, tempting him further.

Thomas seemed like a good opportunity to Rob, offering a glimpse of a different future- a chance to escape his thuggish pasts, the webs of working for Rex, and to earn the respect of his girlfriend's parents. Their pride would be immeasurable if he could present himself as a responsible and independent man. He couldn't reject Thomas’s offer after much thought.

“Ten million dollars… And I will work with you.” Rob muttered, and a huge grin appeared on Thomas’s face with a tone of defeat.

“If you are ready to work with me, then… let me add some sexy toppings to ten million,” Thomas spoke, his voice filled with determination and happiness.

“I like the idea of toppings. Deal!” Rob exclaimed joyfully and Thomas stretched forth his hand before they both made a soft handshake. “Deal!”

Feeling assured that no one eavesdropped on their conversation, Rob proudly walked out of the villa, while Thomas smugly watched him before turning to his female personal assistant, Rita.

“After Rob is done with this deal, eliminate him.” He ordered and Rita responded with an aggressive nod as her blonde hair remained packed in a bun.

“What about Mr. Rex, sir? His health has been improving lately,” Rita muttered, cautious in her tone, and Thomas sighed.

He clenched his fist angrily and lashed out at her. “Why would you allow that to happen?!”

“Sir, you are the one who ordered me to let that happen,” Rita replied quickly, trying to appease him, but Thomas had gripped her neck already.

“From now on, make it worsen! If possible, make him bedridden for a very long time!”

“Understood?!” He snarled, his voice ringing loudly throughout the villa.

With little effort, Rita managed to nod instantly as his tightened grip on her neck choked her.

He released her from his grip, then a mischievous grin spread across his face as he pondered on his next move.

“But first, let's celebrate this new deal. How about a little party?” Thomas spoke rejoicefully and Rita nodded. “Anything you desire, Mr. Thomas,”

“Hey, don't act like I don't care about you,” Thomas added, draping his arm on her thin shoulders playfully. “I will get you a new apartment after I get what I want.”

“Thank you, sir! I’m very grateful!”