Chapter 2

“We've all been looking for you since you left,” Gerald, Alex's brother said. They were in Mrs. Sarah's house.

After Alex left his house following the death of his mother, he found himself in a poor neighborhood, where he got taken in by Mrs. Sarah. He told her everything about his father. How his dad oppressed those below him with his wealth.

And also the reason why his mum left the house after she found his dad cheating on her. It was on her to the airport that she had a fatal accident and died instantly. Alex didn't want to be like his father. He saw money from a corruptive perspective.

He didn't want to live that life, despite being the eldest son of his father. So he left to find his path. Mrs. Sarah has been the one helping him with her little job. 

Although his brilliance was able to get him a scholarship into a prominent school, she still needed to work for their needs.

“Didn't I make myself clear the day I left the house Gerald? I want nothing to do with that family, especially dad” Alex lashed out.

“Dad's dead,” Gerald dropped the news. It caught Alex off guard. He had almost forgotten the rich could die. He felt his heart skip a beat the moment Gerald dropped the news.

As much as he disliked his dad, he never wished for death to come his way. He was his father after all. “He passed away last week,” Gerald added.

“How did it happen?” Alex finally found his voice. He tried to hide the pain thrilling down his nerves as he watched Alex pull out his phone from his pocket. He placed it before Alex's face. It was a picture of his dad, lying lifeless on the stairs.

“He got a stroke on his way back from work and fell off the stairs. It's hasn't been published on the news yet”. 

“My in-laws wouldn't –” Alex stopped, not wanting to let his brother in on the summary of his life since he left the Thompson's mansion.

Gerald squinted his eyes and inched closer. “You're married?”

“Why are you here Gerald? I'm sure father's death can't be the only possible reason why you flew all the way from North Korea to the States”.

Alex was bi-racial. His dad was Korean, while his dad was American. They lived in the states but moved to Korea after Alex's mother died. Gerald reached for the brown file on the table and handed it over to Alex.

“There, all the names and locations of dad's companies, sub organizations and partners before and after you left home” he said, letting Alex open the file and look at the content.

It still didn't make sense to him. He was staring at a hundred and forty names of companies, sub organizations and partnership companies on the paper but didn't quite understand Gerald's point.

“And? Look Gerald cut the chase and get to the point,” Alex said.

Gerald scoffed and withdrew his steps, heading for something else on the table. “These are the keys to dad's office, personal files, lockers closets” he waited after handing it over to Alex.

“My point is, Alex, you were proclaimed dad's heir by his lawyers,” Gerald dropped.

The news traveled into Alex's ears like hot wind piercing the skin. He wasn't going to fall for Gerald's little trick. How could his father name him heir after he left home and disliked him?

“Gerald I'm in a haste, try to be serious,”

“I am, Alex,” Gerald answered immediately. Alex saw the seriousness on his face. He went through the documents properly and saw his name attached to the end of each paper. There was a space to contain his signature.

How was this happening? How possible could his dad still consider him? 

At that moment, Mrs Sarah walked out of her room. She wasn't standing properly and used the walls for support. Her lips curled at the edge at the sight of Alex. “Son,” she called him.

Alex quickly helped her to a chair. He kissed her forehead and said, “ I'll be back soon,” then went out of the room with brother. 

“Alex I know you're thinking of rejecting this. But instead of seeing it as a burden, take it as a blessing coming at the right time. Mrs. Sarah needs to be attended to, immediately. If not for you, then do it for her,” Gerald said.

Alex looked at the file one more time. He almost forgot whose son he was. The son of a prominent billionaire, just like his in-law. It was a lot to take in at that time. But Gerald was right. He needed this.

“ Gerald, I'm not sure I can —”

“Here,” Gerald handed him a card. *It's dad's mastercard. With it, you'll have access to all of dad's banks around the continent. His business accounts, personal accounts and merged accounts. I just texted you the pin”

The message beeped I'm Alex's phone. This was real. He wasn't in a trance. He's dad fortune now belonged to him. 

“My number is in the file Alex. Call me if you have any questions and when you're ready to assume your position in his office here in the states” Gerald said. 

He pulled Alex into a tight hug, rubbing his back gently. “Good to have you back brother” he said. 

Alex still stood in shock. He managed to reciprocate the hug, just before Gerald pulled away. 

He watched Gerald leave the house and enter a Bentley which drove off immediately. Everything played back in his head. He couldn't wait to get home and tell Maya how things have suddenly taken a quick turn.

“Let's get you to the hospital Mrs. Sarah,” he said as he helped her up. He drove her down to the hospital and she was taken to her ward.

“How much will it cost?” he asked the doctor.

“For today's chemo and the previous, a total of seven thousand dollars”

He swiped the card and the transaction was successful. It dawned on him that he was actually still in reality. Alex rushed back to Gold and Ravish to let Maya in on what just happened.

He got into their apartment, situated at the fifth floor of the tall building.

Gold and Ravish became the most talked about building in New York after its construction was completed. It became a home for the wealthy families alone, consisting of twenty five floors. It had a penthouse at the top floor, which was where Jacob Brown lived as the most influential and prominent. 

The apartments on the floor right beneath it were occupied by the Blackwoods, ranking second on the board. But after Maya's marriage to Alex, Mr. Blackwood sent them to the fifth floor. 

Alex swiped the room card and went into the house. It was empty. “Maya,” he called, checking her room. 

“Mum went to see Grandpa,” Alex's ten year old daughter crept out of her room. She was sleeping when he came in.

“Oh.. honey. Did I wake you?” he lifted her in his hands and pressed his lips against her forehead. She nodded, holding onto his neck. Let's get you back to bed” he took her back to her room. He tucked her in and left.

It was late in the night. So if Maya wasn't in, then it means she was in her father's house. He took the elevator to the twenty fourth floor and headed for his father-in-law's apartment. The door opened, but no one came out at that instant.

He could hear Mr. Blackwoods’ voice from where he was. It sounded angry. 

“Now listen to me Maya. Divorcing Alex is the only way I'll let you take after Blackwood Art's High School. You let me down once, this is a rare opportunity I'm giving to you. Do you understand?”

There was silence for some time, before Maya's gentle voice broke it. “Yes– Dad,” Maya answered.

Alex's heart sank into his stomach. Was she going to divorce him? What happens to the love they've shared over the years? 

His legs froze and he felt his face go numb. Maya closed the door and bumped into him. She jerked a bit, clenching her fist to get herself together.

“So when will you do it?” Alex asked, staring directly into her eyes.

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