Theo's heart thumped faster and tilted to what triggered his long-lost memory. He remembered what happened like it was yesterday.
*****
FLASHBACK
Little Theo was screaming in the car loud as his sister was in the driver's seat driving very fast.
" Ruth..calm down" his dad ordered.
Ruth's birthday was the day after tomorrow, and little Theo exposed that Dad was getting a car for her 18th birthday, so she begged him to teach her so she'd drive her friends out.
" Dad, chill. This is how we roll " She laughed hysterically while driving fast.
She looked up at the mirror and smiled at Theo, who was enjoying the ride.
Ruth shrugged slowing down, " You see Theo is also enjoying the ride. Hold on, I'm not a licensed driver….."
He cut in, " Your license will be ready tomorrow. Just be a good girl and it'll be handed over to you "
That's how Theo's dad was rich. He could get a big munch of work done in a few hours. He was the big gun, a wealthy and influential man in the finance world.
There was absolutely nothing he couldn't afford for his family. His family was his heritage and his drive to earn more money.
Ruth squealed louder than the car, " Ahhhhhhhhh. I love you, daddy. "
" Theo, don't we love daddy? We are going to the park tomorrow, thank God for giving you a big mouth. I will never complain again. "
" Ok…also about diary??? " Theo smiled sheepishly.
" What? "
" Nothing sis!! "
Ruth stepped on the accelerator, and Theo cheered more and more for his sister. Little did he know what the next minute awaited them.
In a twinkle of an eye, Theo heard a loud thud in the car as he saw himself covered in broken car glass. He started crying and went over to his dad and saw them both lifeless in the seat.
Little did he know about life and death.
END OF FLASHBACK
Theo….. explain him sulking.
He felt a flint of guilt when he saw the picture of his father, just like the one in his room.
" Who are you?? " He asked, his eyes reddy and sore.
The man walked forward in his expensive and luxurious suit looking bright.
He adjusted his sleeves and retorted, " I'm your long-lost uncle!!! "
By the mention of that word," uncle" a feud of anger burst in his nerves, uncle!!!!
He has been waiting for this moment all this while in life. To see the stupid relatives who abandoned him when he was the only child left by his father.All these years where he was struggling alone, feeding alone and living alone.
He scoffed, slowly raising his head, his hands clutched on the ground, " Really? My uncle!!! P*f…now you're my uncle. Don't you ever call yourself my uncle, you're not worth that title. "
" Theo.. don't let your emotions get the better of….
Theo stood up like he was pulled up by a magnetic force, " Would you….Argh, do you know how I've lived all these years? For almost 20 years. Everybody abandoned me, none of you came to help me. "
" I struggled to eat. I was bullied, and I never attended college. My dad and I planned to go to the prestigious Prince University. But " Theo broke down in tears.
" I was given the chance to attend online lectures to study business administration but stopped due to my heavy load of work. And now, I have no job worthy of being called a job, no girlfriend, no wife, no life, and no family. Do you know how I swirled through this pool of disaster? "
" You have no idea, Theo!!!! "
The man gave a stiff but what looked remorseful glare.
He throbbed his head backward and screamed, " I was sent to an orphanage home even though my father was rich. None of you mother fuckers came to help while I was being violated ."
Paul spoke with an alarming voice, " Watch your tone, young man!!! "
" What if I don't? I kept mute all my life, and I will open the stitches bonded to my mouth!!! I spent years in the orphanage book till when I was 18. Had to struggle for money when my father's properties and riches were laying in your filthy hands ."
Paul composed himself and let out none of the glint of angry or sad emotion. Was he guilty?
Theo drastically let out a heavy sigh.
Paul, whose hands were still tugged in his pocket, blurted out, " Don't let your emotions get the better of you. Isn't that what your dad has always taught you!! "
Theo clicked his tongue and turned around, " I don't think I can engage in this disgusting conservation again. Mr paul, goodbye and good luck in enjoying what is not yours. "
The door paved the way for Theo. But when he was about to set foot outside the room, Paul abruptly stopped him.
" There are more properties for you. You just have to sign a contract to get them, there are more than things you don't understand. " He said with a smirk.
Theo shook his head and went back to him. What did he just say?
He questioned hastily, " And what do you mean by that? Of course, I do understand everything. "
Paul walked to him, the sounds of his steps echoing in the room, " It's more than just your tiny understanding!!! "
" Follow me!! " He firmly spoke, leading him into another room.
Just a minute ago, the conversation was declared over by Theo. Now…. it's getting spicy.
Theo fed his curiosity and followed him. " If he tries anything stupid, I'm gonna stab him in the back, I don't care wherever I g
o "
He was led into a room and what he saw shocked him to death!!!!!
" A room full of…….
His face turned pale when his eyes beholded what was in front of him.Wads of money in every currency possible, won, dollars, pounds, yen, euros.It was like all the presidents popped out riches and wealth. The room was like an office perfectly furnished with a sky-high view." I thought this was a hotel. How?? "Paul raised his hands in the air, and sighed, " Here is your answer, You are rich. And you were wondering about the hotel, your father owns the hotel. "What? Did he just say????" My dad's hotel!!" Theo raised his eyebrows." It's yours now. Zara's luxury hotel is yours now, Theo hayzes. Bewilderment struck him so hard that he almost lost track of how to breathe. Just yesterday, he was poor now, at this moment the table turned. He watched as Paul stretched out his hand to take a paper across the table."These are the documents, Mr Theo!! " He spoke in a loud tone.Documents??? Rich????Theo took the documents and opened his mouth in shock, hesitating to believe in his sho
What did he just hear? Arrested????Before he could spell jack Robinson, the police stormed and huddled up on him.Of course, Gemma must have told them something else." Hey!!! I can explain, officers " Theo said calmly staring at the circle of the police officers surrounding him." Don't explain, whatever you say or do will be used against you in the court of law. You are under arrest, civilian. Co-operate with us and follow us to the station " It was unfortunate for Theo as he wasn't spared a little chance to explain his side of the story. The police went behind him and cuffed him aggressively." Hey!! Officer, watch my hand!!! "" Oh!!! Now they are harassing me. She must have paid them a huge amount to frame me " he thought. His gaze returned to Gemma as a devilish smirk played on her devious face." No one will ever hurt you, baby!!! Not even the poor not the rich. That's my sweetie sweetie pie " Gemma pouted touching his wound.Theo shouted as he was being taken away, " Gemma
As Theo sat in the car after dining with Paul, a sense of fulfillment and joy filled him. He couldn't help but recall Paul's words.Flashback***With a sigh of relief, Theo finished signing the papers. "Is this where my new life begins? One filled with luxury cars, extravagant houses, and successful companies?" Paul posed, a warm smile on his face. He knew exactly what was on the minds of young men like Theo - making money and having endless beautiful ladies by their side." So what about ladies" At the mention of ladies, Theo let out a sigh. His past had begun with a lady, but it had ultimately led to a dead end.He scoffed, "Ladies? No thank you. For now, my focus is on my new career. I'll leave the ladies for a few years." This answer took Paul aback. It was a mature and unexpected response from a young man. Clearly, something must have triggered his past experiences."That's why I asked about ladies. Most young men I've helped in the past had a long list of women they wanted to b
******FLASHBACKAs Theo made his way to the entrance of the hotel, he retrieved his card from his pocket, only to have a different card fall out with it.A black card!!!Before he could fully process his surprise, his phone chimed with a message from Paul. Apparently, Paul had predicted his visit to the hotel and had provided him with this black card, which promised free services and help in case things got heated."I've never touched a black card before. It feels so promising," Theo thought to himself.******END OF FLASHBACKHis excitement was soon brought to a halt when the manager swooped in and snatched the card from Palma's hands."Where did you get that?" the manager demanded, examining the card in disbelief.His shocking gaze then shifted to Theo. "This is an authentic card, so where did you see it?"Clutching onto his phone, Theo shrugged off his hesitance and confidently replied, "I own it and I demand to be given a room with respect."The manager's laugh was laced with skept
walking down the familiar streets towards his home, Paul couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that enveloped him.Gemma flung open the door and narrowly avoided it hitting her, exclaiming in frustration, "This door is absolute garbage!"She stepped out, flanked by her guards. As a public figure, her safety was of utmost importance."You see Theo, I am always faster than you! I thought you left me behind at the hotel, helpless and alone," Gemma taunted, sneering at him.But Theo, seemingly unaffected, was fixated on the object in her hands.His gaze fell upon the treasured possession he had come to retrieve - a worn leather watch passed down from his father. It held immeasurable sentimental value, a constant reminder of his father.But what took him by surprise was seeing his ex-girlfriend, Gemma, holding the watch delicately in her hands.Noticing his prolonged stare, she quickly covered it up, saying, "I found this precious watch lying on the floor, waiting to be taken and sold."
At the end of the call, Gemma was bewildered, having spent the past sixty seconds repeatedly yelling "hello..hello!!."She ended the call and huffed in frustration at the scene Scott had caused. "What just happened? I thought he discovered something about Theo," she seethed.Huffing once more, she rubbed her forehead and continued, "I hope that brat figures out what Theo's been up to. A black card? Just take all my riches instead!" Her words were through clenched teeth."Theo, you're really toying with me. I've been living with you for so long and I'll make sure you pay for what you did to me!" She smirked with determination.*****The next morning, at Zara's hotel, a new day brought another drama as Scott sat locked in his office with Alexa.After the stupid call from Scott yesterday, Gemma had ordered the guards to lock him in his office. She assumed he hadn't found anything and would try to escape.Exiting her Mercedes car, the guards opening the doors with an elegant flourish, eve
In the conference roomTheo strode gracefully among esteemed individuals, finding himself in a position he never thought possible among such intellectual beings.Once a lowly security guard, now he stood on the verge of inheriting his father's company. As all eyes followed his deliberate steps towards the chair, he couldn't help but remember sitting on a similar one as a child while his father was away.Paul greeted him with a warm smile and gestured towards the big chair. But just as Theo was about to sit, a person voiced out."Excuse me, with all due respect, this hostile takeover is unnecessary. Roy, Ethan's brother has been running the company efficiently all this time. Why should we trust that you, a mere youth, can do the same?" a skeptical voice challenged him.Feeling suddenly small in such a large presence, Theo took a few steps back. He could sense their doubts about his abilities, skills, and even his worthiness."I understand your concerns," he spoke up, "but let me remind
Zeus paced restlessly in his office, clenching his teeth in frustration. Ethan had always been his sworn enemy, and the news that Theo was actually his son only added to his resentment towards the him.He had never been fond of Theo, but what he had done to him was unforgivable. Zeus's temper was quick and his words never stayed in check, constantly spilling out unfiltered."How do I approach this situation? Who else is involved in their plan? And why is that idiotic son of Ethan's getting involved?" Why is his death coming out all of a sudden? He muttered, tossing his pen aside in agitation.He scoffed as he thought of Ethan's delusions of reviving his company from ruin, let alone with the help of his naive son who had fallen in love with his dau...Taking his phone, Zeus dialed Gemma's number, brimming with a newfound idea." Daughter...I think I have a plan!! "******Meanwhile, in the car, Theo watched as Paul lit a cigarette."Wait, he smokes?" He couldn't help but think."Do you