On the twenty fifth day, billionaires, Croesus and tycoons from all walks of life gathered at the national convention centre to witness the official auctioning of the Suburban Estates; which Thomas Jackson had vowed to purchase. This wasn’t just a debut auctioning of real estate in Rio Hondo but one which attracted the attention of the entire world.
This was going to be epic and unusual because no one expected to see me and to think of the fact that over one hundred thousand acres of detached duplex was going to be sold to Thomas was just mind-blowing. This was going to be the first maiden real estate auction by Rio Hondo. Aside the fact that I needed to prove some people wrong, this was a golden opportunity for me dive into investing in real estate.
The presenter, a British, tall charismatic, young man was designated to present the real estate for auction. Among all the tycoons who were present, Thomas Jackson was obviously the richest Croesus and was going to beat every other billionaire’s bargain for the estate and smile home with it. He thought he was going to have a field day today but I would disappoint him.
I couldn’t have missed the auctioning because, aside the fact that I wanted to remind the entire world that I wasn’t broke, and Thomas Jackson was one metal I needed to melt. He seemed to have possessed unimaginable wealth but I wasn’t sure he had heard about my history, and how far I had come.
“My name is John Lean,” that was the sonorous voice of the British presenter, “And I will be officiating the formal auctioning of the Suburban Real Estate. With all policy observed I hereby declare that the Suburban Real Estate auctioning is officially open.” the British presenter intoned, all smiles, with fire-filled eyes clouded with enthusiasm.
As usual The crowd gave a clapping ovation once Mr. President, the minster and the man of the moment, Thomas Jackson was introduced.
Thomas Jackson had pride flouted on his shoulders; his face glistened with eerie strong looks which depicted how impossible he could be to the poor. He was all smiles as he stared at the presenter and those around him with utmost disdain. His aide and hostile-looking security flanked right about him
After clearing his throat the British presenter sounded sensuously, “The Suburban Real Estate is up for one trillion dollars, anybody who wants could signify.”
A hand was raised; it was a billionaire in the front pew.
“Oh thank you that tycoon over there,” the presenter intoned and pointed at him, “Anyone who wants to counter his price?” he had barely asked when Thomas Jackson raised his hand.
“One point five trillion,” Thomas Jackson sounded after raising his hand.
“Oh thank you, Thomas Jackson,” the presenter sounded and pointed in the direction of Jackson who was staring around to see if any billionaire raised his hand to counter it, “One point five trillion dollars going…going…” the presenter said.
Another billionaire raised his hand and sounded, “two trillion dollars.”
“Yeah another tycoon has countered Thomas’s price,” he gestured in the direction of the tycoon, “Two trillion dollars, going, one …two…three…” the presenter echoed, smiling cheek to cheek and expected Thomas Jackson to counter it.
Surprisingly Thomas mentioned, “four trillion dollars.”
Promptly a clapping ovation went off in honor of Thomas who just displayed his superb wealth by mentioning such figure. There was a sudden murmuring across the crowd.
“What a Croesus we have in the person of Thomas Jackson. Thomas, the aspiring world richest man has countered it with four trillion dollars, any other bidder that is willing to counter it?” the presenter demanded, staring across the cold crowd of tycoons who were intimated and dumbfounded and scared to go beyond that price.
Thomas Jackson smiled from cheek to cheek, his proud looks staring around to see if any mogul could counter his bid. His shoulders sank in pride as he sighed and molded a frown to seal up the stand as the highest bidder.
The president shot a striking glance at Thomas Jackson before peering to the ears of the minister, “He is indeed a rare mogul. Where has he been all this while that we knew nothing about him? Indeed he is worthy to assume the position of the world richest man…”
The minster hummed and shrugged, “I told you, His Excellency, Thomas Jackson is supposed to be the world richest man and not Mike Don. You can imagine how much he is willing to pay for the real estate. This is a real estate we kept at two trillion dollars but he is offering four trillion dollars . I don’t think any billionaire anywhere around the world can beat his price. This is absolutely magnificent.”
The presenter chortled gracefully, “I can’t wait to formally meet with him and get him to grant us the loan. I hear he is worth four hundred trillion dollars, so I believe he can loan us the fifty trillion dollars at considerable collateral.”
The minister sounded cheerfully, “Never mind His Excellency. Thomas Jackson is definitely going to grant us the loan, but for now I would love to celebrate him on his purchase of the one hundred thousand acres of real estate.”
They looked straight at the British presenter who continued, “Okay ladies and gentle men in the absence of any higher bidder, I would love to announce Thomas Jackson as the…”
“Not yet! I yelled from the entrance and started prancing into the venue. My aide and security flanked right about me as our shoes knocked nosily across the floor.
“Mike Don! Mike Don!” the president snapped, as goose pimples ravaged him. “Oh my Jupiter’s brain!
“Mike Don! Mike Don! Mike Don!” promptly voices started murmuring my name haphazardly.
With cloud of shock shooting through his eyes, and mouth gaping, the presenter recoiled, “Who do we have here? Mike Don? Is that Mike Don or his ghost? This is incredible…”
I walked straight to the front pew, sat adjacent Thomas Jackson and sounded, “The auctioning continues. I am back!”