I ensued I kept to time at the auction. Right from where I was seated just a few row from the front side, I could see Morgan Harris at the extreme right amidst his protocol officer.
Nothing had changed about Morgan Harris. He was still looking thick, heavily-bearded and boyish on the face. As I gazed upon him now, all that I went through while serving him hit me in the head; it was an excruciating ordeal I wouldn’t want my enemies to witness. Not only did he owe me the little stipend of fifty dollars he paid me as salary, but also he accused me of what I didn’t do.
He did all this because I was vulnerable; I was a nobody and a piece of shit; I was Brian Patrick, the scraggly-looking ragged delivery boy who had no name.
But today all of that was going to change. If only he could seize the opportunity to ask Fanny Luis how hot he got it from me, he wouldn’t have shown his ugly face.
The auctioning hall as usual was filled up with moneybags from all walks of life. This would be the second time I would be frequenting the auctioning ground. The first time I could recall vividly was when Morgan Harris bought his first private jet. That was some years ago. I could recall Morgan putting a call to me to bring his cheque book down to the hall. He had forgotten his cheque book at the time.
I had visited the auction hall as a pauper and a delivery boy, but today, I was visiting as the world richest man, sitting in the same hall as my former boss. I could see the haze of excitement that clouded his cheeks.
The news had it that Morgan Harris beat the prices of all the money bags in the previous auction and emerged the highest bidder who was willing to offer two point five billion dollars for the gold-plated jet.
Now what got me maddening was Morgan Harris pride in the news. He bragged to be the only Croesus in Rio Hondo who could afford the unique exotic jet and he was daring any money bag to beat his price.
Today was the D-day and of after today if no Croesus could challenge his price, then he would proudly smile home with the gold-plated jet.
“I can’t thank you enough Zion, for bringing this auction to my notice,” I mumbled to Zion who seated next to me, “I have been looking forward to this day when I would make Morgan Harris know the god of wealth I have become now.,,”
Zion interrupted me, “Indeed you are the god of wealth, boss. Yesterday I had the opportunity to peep at the daily income the Saint Don Group generates from the oil well, and till this moment I am still sweating under my nose.” He held his fist firmly and bowed, “the world richest man, you are wealthier than wealth…”
“Come on, forget about that, Zion. That is just a tip of the ice berg. Wait until I own an oil well. I am going to be the richest man the world has ever known…”
I was yet speaking when a pretty, curvaceous hour-glass lady cat-walked to my side, and peered at me with her phone.
She took several shots of me and then squatted to me and sounded, “It is a privilege to meet with the world richest man. Can I have a selfie photo with you, please?” she demanded and winked at me in a seemingly pleading manner.
I raised a thick brow and shrugged in approval, before she peered her face to mine and took several shots at me. Next she pushed out her chest and demanded, “Please I need your autograph on my bust…”
“What!” Zion exclaimed, “Heh lady my boss can’t do that shit, please take your bust home. We don’t do bust business here.”
I said respectfully, “I can’t do that, fan. I hope you know who I am. Cameras are everywhere. Besides, I am married and I also I am here for business. Good day!”
Disappointed, the fan sighed and cat-walked away.
Promptly the presenter’s voice blared in the microphone across the hall. “Please attention, ladies and gentlemen, it would be my pleasure to welcome you to the last maiden auctioning of the gold-plated private jet.”
A hush of silence hung over the hall as the murmuring voices died off for the presenter to open the auction.
“The gold-plated private jet has its highest bidder to be Morgan Harris, keep it up for Morgan Harris, the Chairman of the mutil-trillion dollars empire, the Morgan Group.” The presenter continued and the crowd of money bags gave a clapping ovation.
When I gazed at Morgan Harris, pride grazed his face and he had the looks of an unbeatable VIP. But I was going to teach him a lesson he won’t forget in hurry,
The presenter echoed yet further, “The iconic gold-plated jet going for two point five billion, one two going…”
I interrupted him and raised my three fingers to signify I wanted it for three billion and the presenter sounded, “Mike Don wants it for three billion. Any other bidder, one, two, going …” he was about okaying it with a slam on the desk when Morgan Harris raised his five fingers to signify he wanted it for three point five.
I snorted, smiled in fury and shot a frown at him.
The presenter spoke yet further, “Morgan Harris beat his price by three point five billion. Any other higher bidder, one two, going…”
He was about okaying it again when I raised my four fingers to signify I wanted it for four billion dollars.
Morgan Harris shot a frown at me. I perceived he hadn’t recognized me at this time.
“Mike Don has beaten his price with four billion dollars any higher bidder, one two, going…” the presenter was about okaying it when Morgan raised his five fingers to signify he wanted it for five billion dollars.
“Oh!” the presenter exclaimed, “Morgan is at it again. He wants it at five billion dollars…”
Morgan’s protocol officer peered his face at him, “Boss,” he called, “I think at this juncture we have exhausted our cash. Five billion dollars is the only money we got to spare at the Morgan Group, also recall you haven’t paid your staff’s salary…”
“Keep shut you idiot!” Morgan beamed, “Who is that guy?” he asked through clenched teeth.