Lisa Bake was stirring her cup of coffee at the dining and sipping with rare appetite when Fanny Luis barged in like thunder and shot an inquisitive, anxious gaze at her.
“Grandma! Grandma!” he called and reached to the TV remote, “Have you listened to the news today?” He couldn’t wait for her reply, and he turned on the TV and sat down pretty damn quick when the broadcaster showed up .
“Why do I need to listen news? I am the news. Why do you ask if I may know? She gulped her tea to pay rapt attention.
Fanny Luis raised his hand at her and signaled her to keep shut so that he could get the news the broadcaster was giving.
Once Lisa Bake heard that the news was about me, she trudged closer to the TV and had her hands on her waist as she paid rapt attention to the broadcaster.
Suddenly and as soon as the broadcaster was through with the news, Fanny Luis beamed, “I said it! I said it! I know this wasn’t rumor! I knew it!”
Lisa Bake’s jaw set as she wrinkled her nose in doubt, “But how true is that? How can the government give up their oil well for two years just to service a loan from that bastard!” she said through clenched teeth and her jaw waggled within her face, as she saw me on TV having handshake with the minster, Nicholas Ridge.
Fanny Luis knitted his brow at her, “Come on, granny but you just listened to the news. Perhaps the government lacks the funds to service the loan so they decided to give up their oil well for two years.” He raised two of his fingers in the air, “Two years of usage granny, hmmm. What an opportunity to be richer.”
Lisa Bake rolled her eyes at Fanny Luis and pouted her lips in doubt of my success, “What the hell are you insinuating, son? I don’t see anything special about that poor delivery boy that suddenly inherited wealth. He loaned the ministry ten billion dollars. What is so special about it? Is he the only money bag that has done that? And now the ministry has decided to pay back by giving up the oil well for two years.” She dragged an offensive frown across her face before saying, “I don’t see anything special about it?”
Fanny Luis was about speaking when Melissa barged in gasping and shooting her frown at them, “Dad, granny, did you listen to the news?” she queried and dared to steal a glance at her phone.
“I have been following it on social media. Brian Patrick is the trending news now. He loaned the ministry ten billion dollars and in repayment the ministry has decided to give up their…”
“heh! Heh!” Lisa Bake interrupted her by gesturing at her, “That is no news. We have seen it on TV. The ministry gave up their oil well for two years. What is so special about it? Please bring up a better discussion other than Brian Patrick…”
Melissa shook her head abruptly and interposed, “Granny I don’t think you understand what an oil well is …”
Fanny Luis enunciated further as he locked eyes with Lisa, “It is a hole drilled into the earth from which petroleum is pumped. It means the Saint Don Group will be drilling petroleum from it for two years. Oh my God!” he placed his hands on his head, “Brian Patrick is about to become the god of wealth…”
Lisa Bake sighed and hissed before she snorted, Melissa raised her gaze and stared at the ceiling thoughtfully, balls of sweat began to palpate her brow as she was consumed with pressure and uncertainty.
Suddenly Lisa Bake could perceive the scent of a cigar and when she turned her gaze Fanny Luis was smoking hastily and nervously.
“What is wrong with you, son?” Lisa Bake queried and started trudging towards him, “I thought the doctor told you to quit smoking because of your health. You are just a pain in the ass.”
Fanny raised a furrowed brow before his jaw sagged and his eyes reddened with tears, “I am a pain in the ass? Oh yes I am a pain in the ass. My failure seems to add to the success of Brian Patrick. Isn’t the wealth of that boy enough to make me resume smoking. Brian Patrick , our divorced son-in law has become so wealthy and powerful that the government gave him license to explore their oil well for two years …” his voice choked on his words and he sniffed , “What does that tell you granny?”
Lisa Bake breathed uneasily as she swallowed hard to fight off thought of my success, “It tells me that Brian Patrick is still that poor delivery boy which he has always been. I don’t give a damn about his wealth. He can’t’s intimated me with his sudden stolen wealth. I am sure Saint Don doesn’t know who his true heir. Brian Patrick is a mistake.” She clenched her jaw and opened her palms’ to Fanny, “I bet you soon the truth will be out and you will realize Brian Patrick is not the true heir of Saint Don…”
Fanny Luis shook his head in disapproval, “I don’t agree with you on this one granny. Brian Patrick is the rightful heir to the Saint Don Group, and not just that alone, Brian Patrick is smart and hardworking. He is the kind of man every family would love to have as son-in-law-.”
Lisa Bake upon hearing that sighed.
Melissa lowered her gaze and struggled not to let those tears trickle down her cheeks. Jaded and guilty, she stood to her feet and walked away.
Lisa Bake and Fanny noticed the regret and hurt on her face.
“You have to be careful when you discuss Brian Patrick in her presence. You know she would always feel bad. Fanny Luis interrupted furiously, “No granny, I also feel bad. I regret divorcing Brian Patrick and treating him as shit. You caused it. You plunged us into this. He is supposed to be our rich and powerful son-in law now…” his voice choked on his words as he broke down in tears. “I would never take any of your advice, granny…’
“You keep shut, son of a gun! Why do you put the blame on me now!” she yelled, “Brian Patrick was a poverty stricken delivery boy and an ex convict. No family would want to have him for a son-in law. I only wanted the best for us…”
“Oh your best has ruined us!” Fanny yelled back and stamped his feet, “Brian Patrick has proven us wrong…” he broke down in tears and sniffed, “look at him today. He is the world richest man.”
While he spoke, Lisa Bake held her chest , shook radically and slumped.
“Granny! Granny! Granny! Melissa help!” fanny Luis screamed at the tips of his voice…
Something had happened to her…