It was 10'oclock at night at the repair workshop in the 24-hour service station. The sound of clanking metal filled the air as the mechanics were finishing off some works for the day—two mechanics lay on creepers underneath some vehicles, focused on their work as closing hour drew nigh.
A few others were discussing and cracking jokes like teenagers when they were actually grown up men. But one of them was at a corner, his mobile phone to his ear, hoping to get a response from who he was calling.
This man was Miles Robson and he was trying to privatize his call away from his jeering colleagues. After a while and there was no response from the other end, Miles lowered the phone with a saddened face and tucked it into his overall pockets.
His work mates had eager expressions, beckoning him to gist them on his conversation. But the look on Miles face could tell them that things wasn't going well.
But Miles wasn't ready to give up. Today was the 2nd year anniversary of his marriage and he had two hours left to return home.
Miles worked as a low-earning mechanic in this workshop to make ends meet and provide for his family—his wife, mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Although, his wife was financially stable enough to provide for everyone and everything, Miles still felt he needed to show his worth and bring something to the table, at least.
His mother-in-law had always called him a wash-out and a lowlife. Layla Robson, his wife would always get stern advise from her mother, Elson to dump and divorce him, urging her to marry a richer and more capable man that can afford her.
Before the day ends, Miles was determined to prove to Elson that he deserved Layla, his wife. This was their anniversary and he planned on buying a cake and a beautiful necklace while on his way home with the little money he had managed to save.
Maybe by doing this, he could win his wife's heart which he felt was slowly fading away. Even when they married, Layla had and have still never slept on the same bed with him even when he insisted that they consummate their marriage. She had always been that way but now, it was getting worse and Miles feared about the continuation of his marriage.
Layla now leaves for work very much earlier than him and comes back much later that Miles was certain even by this time, he'll come back before her and surprise her with the cake. She hardly ever talked to him nor let him talk to her, squeezing her face in disgust whenever he does.
Elsa refused a maid in their home and forced Miles to perform all the house chores whenever he was back from his measly gig as she usually called it. And Layla would never object to this impassive treatment. She would only put on her make-up to match her red hair, dressed in a stylish work gown and catwalk out of the house.
At first, it was never like this for Miles. It all started when Layla's father, his father-in-law died out of a chronic disease. Miles loved his father-in-law dearly, he was the one who brought Miles and Layla together and now with him gone, everyone's true colors have been revealed.
Miles met Layla's father on a faithful day at a coffee shop. As Layla's father was leaving, the old man dropped to the ground wheezing for air as a result of the disease. Miles hurriedly jacked the man onto his shoulders and rushed him to the hospital, saving the old man's life.
As a gesture of gratitude, Layla's father offered his beautiful daughter his hand in marriage so that he could see his grandchildren before he dies. And luckily for Miles, Layla was aspiring for a job that needed marital status to secure and it was just perfect timing.
But right now, things weren't perfect.
Suddenly, the metal door to the main workshop barged open and an odd looking man stepped in. "Boys! Late job!" He proclaimed with a grin.
Miles and his colleagues beamed with joy at the utter of those words. Their Head Mechanic had just proclaimed that they had a call for a repair that a vehicle just broke down in the expressway not too far away from their workshop. And to make things better, he also piped in that the owner of the stranded car was very wealthy.
A smile spread across Miles's lips and happiness crept into his heart. This was certainly good news for him. He loved it when they worked on the vehicles of rich people, because they usually don't care about the amount being charged and additionally, they voluntarily give them tips.
Miles was glad when their head mechanic assigned him to the four-man crew going. He was very skilled in his job and their head mechanic was keen not to make any mistakes with the vehicle of this wealthy person.
Miles was happy. At least, he could gather more money from this quick service and invest further into this anniversary night.
Miles and the three others hopped into their rusty truck and started down the road.
As their truck approached the vehicle, Miles could see its red sleek color shimmering under the moonlight and he was certain whoever had his this Rolls-Royce was someone of a high caliber.Their truck halted just behind the car and his colleagues pilled out, picking up their working tools and equipments. However, as usual, Miles's head mechanic sent him to greet the owner of the car. This was because Miles had a high charisma and they used this to their advantage in getting more money from their customers.Miles who was beaming with joy, buttoned all buttons of his overall and adjusted himself as he approached the window of the driver's seat. He bent down formally with a friendly approach and peered into the front seat of the vehicle through the window that was lowered.Miles couldn't believe his eyes!There in the front seat sat a man devouring the lips of a woman in the passenger seat across him. And that woman was no other person than his wife, Layla! He could easily recognize her
Miles's Chief mechanic and the crew didn't hesitate to get to work and repair the quick issue with the car, leaving Miles to battle his problems."Layla, today is our 2nd year anniversary. And you're doing this to me?" Miles pleaded stepping forward to touch Layla's hand.Layla only drew away from Miles like he carried a virus. "2nd year what?!" Miles could hear ask irritatedly.Miles couldn't believe his wife didn't remember that two years ago today was when they became man and woman. He looked down at her fingers and noticed she didn't have her wedding ring on, she never did. It just occurred to Miles that Layla had already placed their marriage on the back burner and she was now throwing it at his face, expecting him to accept it.Miles put his hands into his overall and pulled out the $40 he had planned to buy a cake and a necklace with for what was meant to be their special night. "I was going to buy you a cake and a beautiful necklace, Layla," he said, displaying the $20 bills.
Miles was taken to the hospital by the police and his work colleagues. There he was told that his legs were crushed and it will be impossible for him to walk again.Miles weeped endlessly as he lay on the hospital bed, his mind racing with thoughts. The day that was supposed to be a blissful 2nd year anniversary for him turned out to be the day he got crippled. Miles thought about the hospital bills that he would never be able to pay off and the money he owed his best friend too. When Miles thought things couldn't get worse, the door to his hospital room he was in opened.To his surprise, his visitors were his wife and mother-in-law."Layla?" Miles could only whisper her name as he pushed himself to sit up.Layla didn't reply him, her face and that of her mother's were stern and unfriendly. Miles frowned when Elsa gave him a disgusted look and his frown even deepened when he noticed his sister-in-law, Clara coming into the room with his bags and belongings."Layla? I don't understand
Only a few minutes after the strange call, the door to his hospital room flung open. Miles looked at the door to see a group of men dressed in red suits and dark glasses pile into the room. Their faces were stark and serious as they alligned themselves to give way for a much older man in black suit. Miles's heart began to race as the troop of men filled the room with their domineering stature. He wanted to move away from them but his legs couldn't move, all he could do was stare.Miles thought that this was his end and Derek Ashton had sent his men to punish and kill him for fighting with the heir of the most reputable company in town. Miles could see their black pistols perfectly sheathed under the tailored suits.Miles expected the worse as the men moved their body, but instead, each of them dropped down to one knee in unison.Miles's eyes widened in surprise. What was happening? He had asked himself."Young Lord! The High Matron awaits your return," their voices spoke, reverberat
Miles was carefully loaded out of the car and into his wheelchair that he started to feel guilty of giving these men the trouble of carrying him. But to Miles endless surprise, the men carried him like it was an honor to do so before placing him in the wheelchair.Miles looked up at the towering flight of stairs that led up to the doors of the mansion. Miles couldn't believe he was in a place like this! He had to bend his neck over the headrest of the wheelchair to be able to see the roof of the mansion. He even glared around the compound that was large enough to contain six more similar buildings. There were more men in black suits while some in white suits, all wearing shades despite it was night time and positioned at different places of the manor. There were series of cars! Not only those that escorted him, but there were more cars. Miles noticed the mansion was a mixture of historic construction and modern upgrade. Even the wheelchair he was provided made a humming sound and s
The woman immediately cupped her mouth and burst into soft tears as she came close to Miles. Miles couldn't understand what was happening. He was taken to where he had no idea of and now, a woman old enough to be his mother was sobbing before him. The woman knelt down before Miles and places her hands on his cheek, slowly cuddling them. "It is really you! My son!" She proclaimed with tears in her eyes.Son? Her son? Miles couldn't phantom the absurdity he was hearing. He was an orphan and never grew with parents to the extent that he thought all orphans appeared on Earth without parents. But by looking into the woman's teary eyes as she caressed his face, Miles felt a deep sense of loss and bonding. "Mother?" He only whispered.The old woman with white hair nodded her head as she kept touching Miles all over his body. She held his hands, showing no regards for his dirty overall he was still wearing. Miles felt warmth in his heart as the woman embraced him. "Who did this to you?!" S
Miles could only sit in the wheelchair as his mother ordered for everyone to walk with her.They left the majestic loungy office and before Miles knew it while he was busy admiring the heavenly place, he found himself going underground with his mother, Bertram and a few bouncers. "I want to make sure that the Kenter empire will rise to the top once again and remain there forever," Miles's mother spoke as they were being lifted down by an in-built escalator that went underground. "I'm glad we found you, son. Only God knows what would've happen to our empire in the coming years."Miles looked up at his mother and could see tears leaving her eyes again. "But, mother. You are the High Matron.""Yes, i am. But with my fatal health, i don't think i can continue, Miles."What?! Fatal health?! "Don't say that, mother. You are very healthy!"His mother only gave a slight chuckle as Miles's concern brought joy to her heart. "After my coma, I have never been the same. I have tried my best to ru
Miles yawned just after waking up from a long and refreshing sleep. He had no idea what had happened, but he remembered being on the surgical table and dozing off. He looked around the majestic room he found herself in and the comfortable white Master size bed.The room was a bit dark so he decided that he will open the curtains and get some morning light in. That was when Miles got up from the bed and stood on his feet.For a second, it felt normal, but as he walked towards the curtains, Miles remembered that he was supposed to be crippled! Miles looked at his legs and they were fine and healthy! He couldn't believe it, he could walk again!He finally reached the windows and pulled the expensive, royal golden curtains and looked outside the window. It was a very bright morning.From the height of his window, Miles could now see the entirety of the Kenter manor and even beyond which were hands and more mansions owned by the Kenters. That was when Miles started to recollect everything