Frustration subsided to chaos within him. Hoffers never knew who I was until now. If only he knew that his once poor ragged delivery boy would come up against him, perhaps he wouldn’t have been such a pain in the ass when I needed his help.
With eyes swimming in tears, he ran back to the Saint Don Group and was narrowly let into the reception by my security. And when he thought the worst was about to stop, it just began.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. His brow thickened as his face clustered with instant sweat.
What was happening? Who was he seeing? Could this be the height of it or what? He stood staring agape and lost in his gloom as he beheld none other than his aide, sitting right behind a large desk, with an official badge pinned on his tuxedo.
“You? Even you?” Hoffers pointed trembling fingers at him, still agape and crumbling under his knees. His entire body was pinned to a spot. He barely could move a little further to his beholder.
The aide let a dilated smile, came out of his corner and pranced to Hoffers. “I couldn’t stand unemployment, Hoffers. We only work with the best team and the Saint Don Group is the best thing that has ever happened to unemployment. He has employed me in his team of aide now...”
“What?” Hoffers interrupted him. He was reduced to heartbreak right now. “I thought you promised to stand by me whether good or bad. What are you doing here now? When did you join the Saint Don Group?”
The aide chortled, “I should stand by you whether good or bad, as your wife or what? Hoffers I am sorry to disappoint your ass. The benefits and salary are just too attractive and exciting. When I worked for you, I never had a car or a house. The salary wasn’t anything to write home about but this offer from Mike Don is top notch. Today I have those luxuries. And I am with the right boss who will never go broke or owe salary…”
Hoffers’ roughened face couldn’t seem to settle down into one expression. He swallowed hard as he blinked nervously, “But you are aware of the circumstances surrounding me. You are much aware Mike Don owes me two million dollars…”
His aide shook his head in disapproval, “Oh Hoffers stop this. Two million dollars shouldn’t stop you from functioning as an empire. It means you are a broke ass. How am I sure Mike Don is indebted to you as you claim, huh?”
He raised his gaze, shut his eyes tightly and warm tears trickled down his chubby cheeks. This was just the height of it or was it just the beginning.
With his breath held, and teeth gnashing, he dared to wave off thought of losing his staff to me, “Anyway, I am here to see Mike Don. I hope I get an instant pass from you, and not pass through hell like she did to me.” his mouth pouted at Mira.
“Hoffers Greenfield,” his aide called and stared down to a list , “You just came and by calculation you are the three hundredth person that will meet with my boss today..”
“Jupiter’s Brain!” he exclaimed. Hoffers bit out and stamped his feet on the floor, “Stop this! Stop being a pain in the ass! Are you going to have me pass through those horrendous protocols? Don’t you know who I am anymore? I need an express…”
For a moment Hoffers stood staring darkly at him, the air around him full of frustration and humiliation.
“Not anymore, Mr. Broke ass. There is no express entry for you and they canner. Some visitors came before you. This is the Saint Don Group…”
Nothing else got Hoffer infuriated than being called broke ass “So you call me broke ass now huh? Don’t forget I was once your boss.”
A counter voice interrupted him, “And I am his boss now,”
That was my voice. I stood at the door of my office, shooting dark eyes at Hoffers and staring him down to his old worn out shoes which yawned at me. Of a truth he had lost life and verve. The CEO in him had disappeared; his shirt and trousers were worn out and out of stock.
“Hoffers Greenfield, you are lucky I am in my right mood today.” I forced a smile and gestured at Hoffers who seemed not to have the intention to raise his gaze after bowing. “Come inside at once!” I commanded.
When he raised his gaze , his eyes were sucked into his skull and his teary face waggled, “Finally I have an express pass from the world richest man himself. I can’t…”
I interrupted him, “hey, hey. Hoffers, keep shut and come inside. As you can see I have got ocean of visitors to see today.”
Promptly he hastened into my office , right behind me and when I offered him a seat, he barely could focus and settle down. His gaze combed around my office before catching sight of my pictures on the wall. It was obvious Hoffers was yet to believe the sudden wealth of a boy who once ran to him for salary advance; a boy who was once his ragged delivery boy ; a poverty-stricken boy who cried and begged for him to give up his garage so that he and his foster father could pass the night and be protected from cold.
“Have a seat Hoffers,” my emphatic tone banged on him and he forcefully sat down.
“Apologies boss!” he bowed gently and dragged a pitiable look on his face, “I have come for my money. Your absence has created chaos to me and I wouldn’t want to even mention tax officials that are on my neck now. Right now as we speak they have temporarily shut down my restaurant.” he breathed uneasily, “And they said you sent them…”
“Yes, I did Hoffers,” I affirmed, “You can’t call yourself a boss in Rio Hondo and you owe tax of one point five million dollars.” I hummed and sighed, “I would deduct your tax and give you balance of five hundred thousand dollars.”
He raised a distressed brow.
I spoke yet further, “Unfortunately Hoffers after that you are going to lose your restaurant…”
He stood up, trembled and shot dark eyes at me.
Trouble ahead…