With anticipation clouding my thought I joined my father as he led the way, gently trudging into the corridor that led upstairs. Soon we had trudged past the penthouse and were still climbing through to the top of the mansion.
I wondered what he was up to. Curiosity hung hugely over me as we walked and discussed. He led the discussion and I barely could pay attention because already I was anxious of where he was leading me. What was he about showing me? Because it was obvious father was up to something.
“Son your ambition has snatched you away from home. I rarely saw much of you.” he let a contagious chortle when he perceived the worry on my face.
I managed a gentle smirk but within me I was still nervous of where father was leading me. I perceived we were on a grand tour of his mansion because I hadn’t visited this part of the mansion before.
It seemed quite strange and lonelier; it was obvious that secrecy was the only thing that could make one come to this part of the mansion.
Whereas a dark frame of anxiety decked my face, father’s face and tone depicted nothing short of absolute excitement. My curiosity almost asked him where he was taking me to.
I hadn’t spent much time at home, so this enclosed, part of the mansion seemed scarier and strange to me. Father engaged me in discussion about business strategies yet rather than pay attention to what he got to say, I brooded over his purpose of bringing me to this part of the mansion
“Father, where are we going?” my impatience and curiosity asked and once I came to a halt.
Aside the fact that the mansion was too big for my liking, I was bored and feeble to move a bit further. Coupled with the distraction that Thomas Jackson had already installed in me, I wasn’t interested in any form of adventure right now.
Amassing enough wealth to repel and challenge Thomas Jackson was the only thing I needed at the time.
Patting my frail shoulders slightly, my father’s deep voice sounded, “Curiosity kills the cat, son.” He was all smiles as he spoke yet further, “Why don’t you hold on and see what I have got to show you. It is my little surprise to a hardworking, ambitious heir like you.”
I swallowed hard and was overshadowed by the thought of what kind of surprise he was about showing me. Was this his major reason for inviting me over? And what could be this surprise, he made mention of?
Shooting a charming cute smile at me, father led the way to the inner chamber of the mansion and I cautiously followed him.
“You made mention of investing in other industries, so may I know the industries you intend to dominate ,” father sounded and gave a firm nod at the host of able-bodied, hostile-looking , well-suited security that manned the corridor to a secluded ,unique chamber.
As the security bowed to us, I took an ample time to observe that these security were different from the rest of the security downstairs. What could they be doing here? And what were they guarding.
This was indeed a surprise to me. The farther we went, the more we saw a host of these securities. They were all outlined on both sides of the corridor as we walked in between them.
Father turned his brightened face at me as though he wanted to make a remarkable statement. This time around, I had to return the compliment by smiling back at him.
With arms pocketed and cheerful face lit up with dilated smile, which sagged his jaw , father intoned, “Son there are too many things you are yet to know about me.” he gave a prompt nod and affirmed , “Yes. You know you went missing after the gruesome accident which took the life of your mother; so right now you have been found it would be pertinent I avail you the opportunity to know all about me.”
A deeper curiosity shot through me and I asked, “All about you? What do you mean by that statement father? Haven t I known all I needed to know about you already? The Saint Don Group , fast cars, private jet, thirty trillion dollars cash and influence are more than enough for me to know you.” I narrowed my gaze at him when he chortled, “Or is there something more I need to know about my father?” I queried and was almost embarrassed by his chortle which had become noisier now.
“Mike Kennedy Don,” father called my complete name, not just ordinarily but in the most formal tone I had ever heard in my entire life.
At the time, balls of sweat in the form of suspicion clouded my brow and bridge of my nose. My anticipatory eyes darted around and watched father advance forward.
“Soon you will know all about me, son. But for the records, I must commend you for passing my test. Thus far you have proven not to be prodigal. You have managed the thirty trillion dollars I gave you, even you increased the Saint Don Group’s net worth to five hundred trillion dollars …” He shot a generous smile at me before adding, “To reward your hard work and dedication as my true heir, I will surprise you.” His voice died off with the echoes.
I stared with gaping mouth as my father clicked on some buttons layered on the huge towering door opposite us. He gestured at me to come forth.
Promptly I did and stared at the strange security door, “The security password is your name, Mike Don,” he sounded, all smiles before he pressed on another green button which had ‘ENTER’
Swiftly as leaflets of a book in a whirl wind, the gigantic door opened and a large room with bundles of innumerable dollars and pounds on the shelves welcomed us with their minty smell…
The shocker loomed on…