Once I was done settling my admirers and followers they all dispersed with joy parading their faces. Raising my hands at my security I beamed, “Let’s go to the Fanny’s.”
I walked majestically as my band of security matched behind me. When I heard a noise behind me , I swirled around to see the host of journalist that had already arrived with their recorders and tapes. But my band of security stopped them from making any further move.
“Please the world richest man we just want to have a moment with you!”
“The world richest man! We are not going to take your time!”
“It will be snappy and interesting!”
The host of journalist clamored through their innumerable voice as they dared to catch my attention. But there was no stopping me. I waved at them and shook my head in disapproval.
The next moment I turned around to continue my movement, I noticed the Fanny’s had disappeared out of sight, probably into the sitting room now. I could see their door was wide open for me; this was a sign of cowardice.
My face grinned as I clenched my jaw.
Before I got into the sitting room, my host of security scuttled ahead of me to stand in a row, side by side at the door while others announced my arrival for the second time to the Fanny’s.
“Here comes Mike Don, the world richest man!” they chanted.
When I stepped in, I met the Fanny’s rightly seated in a sofa, their faces lit up with terror and uncertainty. I stood at the door, glared at them and let an inimical deceitful smile.
They were scared to speak up. I could see Fanny’s lips opening and shutting. Melissa had started fondling with the hem of her dress with her gaze lowered. Lisa Bake was the only one that dared to lock eyes with me.
Finally Fanny stood up, lowered his gaze to avoid my fire-filled eyes and walked to welcome me.
“You are welcome, the…” his voice snapped; it was as if he were yet to believe this reality. He cleared his throat, and added, “The world richest man,” he mumbled and struggled to bow his head. After much argument within him, he finally bowed his head, gestured at me to join them at the dining table which had recipes prepared for me.
“Brian Patrick!” Lisa Bake called, “If I am correct this must be Brian Patrick,” she said, peered her face at me and dimmed her eyes to have a perfect view of me.
“I am no longer Brian Patrick. I am Mike Don now the world richest man and true heir to the Saint Don group,”
Fanny stood up furiously and fondled his arms. He stared at me from head to toes before saying , “But we all know you as Brian Patrick, the nice, humble…”
I added, “also the ragged underrated son-in-law who was divorced because he was poor. You never wanted me for your daughter because of my poverty. You treated me like a piece of shit and spoilt your daughter’s heart against me,” I said and smiled contagiously, “Have you forgotten how you told your security not to let me in because my dusty feet could dent your floor.”
Lisa Bake broke down in tears and said, “So you deceived us or what? Have you been disguising all the while? For all we know Zion Don is the heir to the Saint Don Group not you.”
I shook my head in disapproval, “You thought I was a nobody. You thought Brian Patrick was full of ruins and failure. I believe you didn’t want me to contaminate your family with my poverty-stricken life. I never deceived you. I never disguised for once. I was real.. All I did I did as Brian Patrick because I misplaced my identity after a car accident which took the life of my mother, Anne Don.”
Lisa Bake interrupted me, “Anne Don. You mean the late Anne Don was your mother? My cousin sister worked for Anne Don. She was Anne Don’s secretary. I could remember her only son, Mike Don she doted on so much and talked about. Are you telling me you are the Mike Don, uh?”
“Yes, of course , I am in flesh and blood. The car accident which took her life stole my true identity. I got missing and it was while wandering away on the streets of Rio Hondo that Mr. Patrick took me and adopted me as his son.”
Fanny broke down in tears, “I never knew you were a supreme god of wealth, Mike Don.” He went down on his knees, “Please do not look upon my family with your anger, the world richest man. Your father and I have been acquaintances and I look forward to getting a business contract from him soon.”
I interrupted, “Yes I am much aware of the business contract. You want to obtain the oil and gas distribution deal in five continents right?” I intoned and he shook his head. I pointed at my security and said, “He has the documents.”
The security raised the documents and bowed down his head abruptly.
I gazed upon Melissa with utmost disdain. She couldn’t lock eyes with me. All the while her gaze had been lowered…
Just then a long-haired, tall, blue- eyed Caucasian girl, barged into our midst with a phone, clamoring, “Granny! Granny! You have a phone call from your cousin, Mary…”
“Get the hell out of here you brainless, poor girl!” Lisa Bake barked at the girl through clenched teeth.
With eyes full of tears the girl was about walking away when I said, “Hello.”
She turned around, still wailing but trying to give me rapt attention, with her nostrils which flared.
“What is your name?” I asked gently.
“Clara Roham,” she replied through tears.
“What do you do in this villa?” I asked yet again.
“I am the garbage girl,” she replied and wiped her tears
“Wow! I am Mike Don, the world richest man. Let’s get married.” I said, went down on my knees and brought out a diamond ring…