Saint Don was having a fluteful of wine at the time Zion barged in ranting and disturbing the entire villa.
His eyes were clouded with peril and disdain, and his voice shrieked with terror, “Talk to me, father!” he yelled, “What is the news about some ragged, poverty-stricken delivery boy who came from the blues to convince you that he is the heir to the Saint Don Group? You know that is my heritage. Am I the true heir? Talk to me, father!”
Saint Don flashed his thunderous stare at him, snorted and dragged a huge grin before he sounded, “Chin up Zion and have a set if you want to talk to me…”
He was yet speaking when Zion interposed madly, “Oh I have not come here to sit. It is a simple question which demands a simple answer! Talk to me, father! I need answers now!”
Saint Don shouted at him and stood up, “I am not your father.”
A hush silence hung over them as they lost vigor and verve to speak yet further.
Zion stared at him darkly finding it difficult to blink his eyes at him. He struggled to swallow hard. Those words blared repeatedly in his head as he dared to comprehend. He smacked his lips and held his ears.
“Did I hear you right? Did I hear you say you are not my father? Did you say that or it came from someone else?” his hands trembled as he gestured.
“You heard me right, Zion!” Saint Don beamed, gulped down his wine and shot his thunderous stare at him.
“I am not your father. I have only one child and he is Mike Don.” Saint Don stared in the space thoughtfully as if to recall something before he elucidated father, “Some years ago your mother who happens to be my sister became pregnant for some arrogant mischievous man, by name Collins Peter. While giving birth to you, your mother passed out. She died leaving you in the care of your father, Collins…”
Warm tears trickled down the chin of Saint Don as he sniffed repeatedly to continue, “But your father being a treacherous man abandoned you and disappeared into thin air. Since I had no wife or child to keep me company, I decided to harbor you until the day your father will come…”
Zion interposed, clapping his hands and stamping his feet on the ground, “What nonsense are you talking about? I am your son. I am Zion Don. I have been your son all these years. You have called me son and I have taken you as my father. Why are you sounding like a broken record? Who bewitched you? Is it that poor ragged boy?”
Saint Don raised a furrowed brow at him and snarled, “Mind your words Zion. Talk to me with respect. I am not going to tolerate such insolence from you”
He advanced to Zion before casting his gaze to the wall, “Once upon a time, I had a beautiful family, a pretty wife by name Anne Don and son, Mike Don.”
A tear trickled down his chin and he caught them with his handkerchief.
He continued, Steve Marks was my driver, a reckless one at that. I had travelled to Madrid and upon my return, I had told him to bring my family to the airport to welcome me. On their way to the airport, they had a ghastly car accident. Lamborghini somersaulted twenty times and caught fire. It was only Steve, my driver that survived. It was believed that my son and wife were set ablaze in the car. No one knew my son, Mike Don narrowly escaped and disappeared out of sight. That was how he got missing…”
Zion broke down in tears and sobbed greatly, “But you never for once told me this incident, you gave me the impression that I was your son. I was living a fast life and having luxuries at my services. So what if your heir hadn’t come back would you have made this revelation?”
“I am Sorry Zion, you are not my son. You are my nephew. But you know, some day the truth must be told. I am glad to have my true heir back…”
Suddenly one of the security interposed them and bowed, “Apologies Chairman, you have a visitor and despite ordering him to return home, he insists he must see you and…”
The security was yet speaking when the man barged into their sitting room.
“Collins Peter!” Saint Don chanted once he beheld the rash horrible looking, unkempt man. “You?”
Without hesitating, Collins went down on his knees and started pleading. Apologies Chairman Saint Don,” he sniffed back tears and lowered his gaze, “Please forgive me. I am not worthy to stand in your presence after all I did to you and your sister…”
Saint Don barked at him, “You disappeared into thin air after the demise of my sister, and now you show your ugly face form nowhere to ask for my forgiveness, uh?”
“Please forgive, Chairman. I have realized my cruelty and mistakes. I have come to claim back my son.”
Saint Don brought his gaze upon Zion and broke down in tears.
Zion Don stroked his hair confusedly as he locked eyes with Collins Robert. At the time Collins Robert had caught the resemblance.
“This must be Zion, my son,” Collins intoned once the resemblance struck and he stood up to hug Zion…
But Zion gave him the cold shoulders and pulled away, “Who the hell are you? Do I know you?” he turned to Saint Don, “Father,” he called and still wished he could continue calling Saint Don his father… “Who is this unkempt man?”
Saint Don had a huge grin, “The unkempt man is your father, the same father that abandoned you and disappeared when your mother died giving birth to you.”
“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Zion held his head, “This can’t be my father! Did he miss his way or something?”