“The world richest man! The world richest man!”
The ocean of people clamored upon seeing me. Zion stood at my side and my security and aide flanked behind me. “See how you are loved boss,” said Zion and we gazed upon the ocean of anticipated crowd.
I let a smile and gave a nod. At the time I lacked words. I just wanted my purpose of gathering these people to be actualized.
“Boss how do you intend to feed all the masses in Rio Hondo?” Zion queried and stole a glance at me, “It is going to cast us much. The account department raised a memo in respect to that and the figure I saw overwhelmed me.”
I grinned and inquired, “What figure did you see, Zion?”
He shook his head and uttered, “Five hundred million dollars, boss. Oh for Jupiter’s sake, that is too much to be spent on food and water. These people can feed themselves. They can fend for themselves. Their responsibility is none of your business. Why do you derive pleasure in giving these people the best things of life, uh? They are…”
“Stop!” I snapped and shot my frown at Zion.
“Apologies boss,” he bowed and couldn’t stop apologizing before he added, “I stand to be corrected the world richest man. I am only showing concern for the Saint Don Group. I don’t want us to go bankrupt like the Fanny Group…”
I shook my head in disapproval, “I can’t go bankrupt even if I feed the entire world. I am not called the world richest man for nothing and it would be ironical to have my people die of hunger while I am here. It is absolutely appalling…”
Zion interposed, “I see nothing bad in being stingy. Everybody mustn’t be rich. Some are meant to be poor. The Saint Don Group is not a charity organization…”
“My wealth is contagious Zion. I have come to eradicate poverty. We rise by helping others. In my time, I would be excited to eradicate poverty by seventy percent and I cannot be regard as the world richest man without fulfilling it.”
Zion raised a paper and pointed at it. “I am in agreement with you, boss but why feed these people with barbecue and juice. The food is too palatable. Why don’t we give them bread and water. It is cheaper for us.”
I shook my head in disapproval, “There is hunger in the land yet I feel these people deserve something better. Zion,” I called, “Why don’t you keep shut and do as I said. My people are my responsibility. What is not palatable to me shouldn’t be palatable to them. If you pester me so much, I would get mad…”
Zion bowed hastily and interrupted me, “Apologies the world richest man. Do whatsoever that pleases you. I am beginning to talk too much these days.” He pressed his lips.
I gazed upon the ocean of people and smiles clouded my face as I watched everyone disperse with a pack of because and juice. The host of media homes and paparazzi gathered to take photo shots and coverage of this spectacular event.
Once the jailer dragged Fanny Luis out of the yard, he forced him to sit before Melissa who had come to visit him in prison.
Justice dominated and Fanny Luis and the entire Fanny Group were found guilty of tax invasion. Two months ago Fanny Luis was arraigned before the Supreme Court in Rio Hondo and sentenced to thirty years imprisonment for violation of tax law and regulation.
Today would mark the first time Melissa would be visiting her father in jail. Her face had seized to be teary; eyes reddened day and night over the ailment of Lisa Bake and the jail term slammed on her father.
“I am sorry daughter that I have to thread this path.” He sniffed and fought back the urge to weep, “You just have to forgive me. If not for the vengeance of Brian Patrick, we wouldn’t be passing through all this…”
“Uh…oh…uh!” Melissa interrupted him with her wailing, “I am happy you know now. Perhaps in our next lives we won’t underrate anyone whether they are rich or not…”
Promptly the jailer by the corner pressed on the remote and the TV came on and the sonorous voice of the news caster filled almost the entire jail:
“The world richest man, Mike Don, today fed more than eighty percent of the entire populace of Rio Hondo. This is following his intention to eradicate poverty by seventy percent in his life time. Reacting to his philanthropic gesture shown to the citizens of Rio Hondo, his Excellency, the president , John Rayon has hailed Mike Don’s generosity and vowed to honor him in due time…”
“This is strange,” Fanny Luis said once his gaze left the TV, “He is everywhere now. I can’t believe a poor delivery boy who was once my son-in-law is now shaking the world with his unavoidable wealth. No money bag has ever fed a citizen let alone eighty percent of the populace…”
Melissa sighed and lowered her gaze in shame, “These days no one believes me when I say Mike Don is my ex husband and most people cause me for such blasphemy. They say I am making claims that are false…” she broke down in tears and managed to say, “You and granny ruined my marriage, father. You rendered my destiny with Brian Patrick useless. Clara Roham is his wife now and she is reaping where she didn’t…”
Melissa was interrupted by her phone which rang. She picked it up hastily, only to let a frown on her face once she got the message and then allow the phone to dash on the floor.
“What is it daughter? What happened? Who phoned you?” Fanny Luis queried and leaned forward in anxiety.
Already Melisa had dashed on the floor and wailed at the tops of her voice, disturbing the entire jail.
“Talk to me daughter! What happened?” he queried yet further.
“Lisa Bake is dead…” she said forcefully amidst wailing.