100 Billion Dollars In My Rented Apartment

Chapter 2 - Wedding Anniversary

After the most embarrassing day at work yet, Oscar boarded the bus. He wasn't headed home this time; rather, he was headed for a place he didn't wish to be, his in-laws' house.

Oscar would never forget the ill treatment, which had contributed to his renting an apartment despite his financial struggles. Seated in the back of the bus, his mind drifted off to how often his mother-in-law would slap him across the face for the slightest of mistakes.

His father-in-law was rarely present because of his job as CEO, but each time he was, his gaze on Oscar was nothing short of disdain and disappointment. He often scoffs at Oscar, calling him a loser and unworthy to have been married into their family.

Amongst these, what Oscar counted most as hatred was watching his father-in-law give a ten-million-dollar contract to a hired stranger despite knowing that he could do the job. He realised that it wasn't just poverty anymore, they hated him and would want him to remain that way so that they would continue to laugh and trample on him for as long as possible.

"My life would have changed forever if he had given me that job," Oscar muttered to himself, "I hate those people."

The bus ride took a few minutes, and soon Oscar arrived at his desired destination. "This is my stop."

He got out and took the long walk into the estate owned and controlled by his wife's father. Truly, if it weren't for the love they had for each other, their daughter would have never agreed to be with a man like him, their world were just too far apart.

"Can I help you sir?" The security at Adkin's mansion asked, stopping Oscar in his tracks. He already passed the entrance and saw no one there and proceeded further therein, only to pause.

"I'm here to see my wife," Oscar simply replied hoping that the security man would recognise him. "My name is Oscar, and she came here a few days ago, pregnant. I have come to see her."

Before he could finish, the security man closed the distance between them,

"I'm afraid I cannot let you into the house, sir," he said, eye piercing. "My boss's instruction...

"Your boss is my father-in-law," Oscar interjected,

"I once lived here, you know me, don't you? So why act like I have come to steal from them? He won't stop me from seeing my wife, would he?"

The security man's shoulders dropped, because he understood the whole situation quite well, all from the beginning. But he was only doing his job and couldn't afford to lose it over disobedience.

"I... the truth is, today is their wedding anniversary, if you've noticed, there are more cars parked out here than usual, and... your presence might just crash the party. They will blame me for it and I will lose my job."

Immediately, Oscar looked him in the eyes, offended.

"I'm sorry," the security apologised, "But I can't let you in there, you have to leave. Perhaps come back tomorrow when they are home alone, it would be less embarrassing for you if I'm being honest."

"Abel!" Came the voice of a figure standing on the balcony on the second floor. They both looked up immediately to see one of the CEO's sons holding up a glass of wine while wearing a mischievous smile.

"I didn't know the scumbag was invited to the party, don't stop him now Abel, would you?"

"But your father said ...

"My father said not to let him in, I know." The man interjected, "But I am your boss too, would you disobey me?"

The security man's face fell, he stole a glance at Oscar and then back to the man upstairs,

"No, sir," He replied.

"Good, we are all waiting for you inside, Oscar," the man concluded and walked back into the house without looking back.

Once he was out of sight, Abel's gaze returned to Oscar, and he said,

"I suggest you don't go, please, not because of me, but because of... you. They would humiliate you."

Lowering his voice and scanning the arena, he continued, "You know how they treated you when you were here, they don't like you and would humiliate you in front of all their guest if you go in there. I know you've been through a lot lately with the loss of your job and your wife leaving, but if you go in there, you'll leave more depressed than you already are."

"I have to," Oscar cut him off. He already made up his mind while at work that he would pay them a visit, and has prepared his mind for insults far worse than those he had once received.

"But thank you, Abel, for your concern."

With that, Oscar walked into the building with slow and deliberate steps. It felt like a journey into the flames of hell itself, one that he couldn't return from. At the entrance, he took a deep breath and pushed open the door to reveal an enormous living room, adorned with exotic artefacts, expensive couches and appliances, silky rug flooring and a million-dollar chandelier at the centre.

Contrary to Oscar's expectations, the living room was empty, not until Phil, the man who had spoken to Abel from the balcony upstairs, walked down the stairs, the mischievous smile still playing on his lips.

"You made it." He grinned, "The party is in the backyard, don't keep the guests waiting."

With that, he walked away, rushing toward the backyard without looking back. Oscar was yet to take a step forward when Pam walked down the stairs, her right hand resting on her pregnancy bump.

"You... " She was short of words, because seeing Oscar inside the mansion was a nightmare.

"You had better leave now, my father doesn't want to ever see your face, he will humiliate you. I warned you!"

"Pam...

Oscar had barely spoken when she walked out on him, walking as fast as he legs and the weight of the pregnancy would let her.

Without regard for his wife or the security man's warning, Oscar proceeded to the backyard, his heart throbbing in his chest as he thought about the humiliation that awaited him behind those closed doors.

Without further ado, he slid the door open, walked out into the evening sky, and into the quiet little party the couple had thrown to celebrate their marriage.

At first, Oscar's entrance did not disrupt anything; everyone was lost doing their own things, either chatting away in small clusters, eating or perhaps just sitting alone and observing. The first person to notice Oscar's presence, however, was Phil, and he was quick to announce it.

"You came, Oscar Wellington!" He exclaimed, raising his glass in the air, acting as though he was excited to see him."I didn't think you'd get an invite."

Quickly, not without trepidation, Oscar stepped further away from the door, toward where his father and mother-in-law were seated in front, chatting with friends and business partners, all while holding onto glasses of wine, juice and other kinds of liquor.

"What is he doing here?" One of Pam's sisters asked, her voice laced with disdain.

By now, all eyes were on Oscar, the air thick with anticipation, and a frown spread across all faces, except Phil, of course. Just then, Pam's mother, wife to the CEO got to her feet in a fit of rage, and as soon as Oscar was close enough, she emptied her glass of red wine on him, staining his white and fuming with hatred.

"How dare you set foot into our house?" She barked.

Gasps, murmurs and gossip ripple among the guests. Pam stood at a distance and covered her face in shame. To her, Oscar had come to embarrass her, not just in front of her parents but before numerous guests.

"You have come to ruin such a lovely dinner with your wretched presence... leave now before I call the cops to pick you up for trespassing, I'll offer them more than enough money to lock you up in jail for weeks, brat like you can't afford to pay for bail."

Oscar kept his head low the entire time, he just wanted to remain humble long enough to get what he wanted, that is, if he was going to get it.

"Darling," her husband, CEO of a multimillion-dollar organisation, held his wife by the hand and urged her to sit. "Don't get upset on such a day like this, a mere man's presence is not worth the beautiful smile on your face, so don,'t let it fade away because of him. Sit, he is probably just here like everyone else to wish us a happy anniversary."

"I doubt that," his wife scoffed and slowly sat down next to her husband, her deadly gaze never leaving Oscar as she did.

"We are all ears, Oscar!" Phil shouted from where he was standing with other men of his age,

"What have you got to say to my parents? Are you here to wish them a happy anniversary, or are you here to beg them for money? For your wife... sorry, I mean ex-wife, because she is no longer married to you."

"Philip!" His father interjected, "You are not his mouthpiece, are you? If he had something to say then let him speak by himself." With that, he shifted his gaze back to Oscar.

"Go on then."

With all eyes on him, Oscar slowly fell to his knees in front of the couple, his head lying low and his countenance depressing.

"I am sorry," he began, "Had I known it was your anniversary, I would have brought a proper present, and I would have come prepared."

He paused, letting his words hang in the air for a moment,

"But truly," he carried on, "I have come to beg you, on behalf of me, my... my wife and unborn child, please I need assistance. I know you are aware that I lost my job and ... it's been really difficult and I've never begged you for anything in my life. Please, I do not mind doing the least of jobs at your company, sir, anything at all. I did not come to beg for money, just a place to work, I am willing to work twice as hard to earn and take care of my family... please."

"So touching," Mrs. Adkin mocked, stealing a glance at her daughter Pam who was sitting at a distance, her expression full of rage.

"Someone should get him a mop and broomstick!" Mr. Adkin suggested, looking Oscar straight in the eyes,

"I'm pretty sure he knows what to do with it, you can clean up after the party, clean up the house and I'll pay you off. That's the most jobs I can offer you."

"Sir...

"Is there a problem?" Mr. Adkin cut him off,

"You don't like the job? Well, you can leave then, I have nothing else to offer you, unless you want to force it out of my mouth, haha." He laughed and the other joined in too.

"You dare crash into my wedding anniversary, drew attention to yourself just to beg me... it just shows how shameless and stupid you are. A fool in the form of a man truly, I can't think of any title more befitting to a scumbag like yourself."

"Can I at least... leave with my wife," Oscar requested, "You may not grant me anything else, and I would not ask you for anything else or dare to bother you again. Please, for the sake of my child...

"The child doesn't belong to you!" Mr. Adkin interjected in a loud voice that echoed off the nearby walls.

Everywhere went silent, and Oscar felt his heart drop for a moment. Could the old man be joking or was he serious? Oscar could have sworn that he fathered that child, yes, he may have never been with his wife too often after their marriage, but he's been with her a good number of times to father a child. If he wasn't, then who was?

Clearing his throat, Mr. Adkin declared,

"The true father of that child will be coming to claim him, and my daughter will be getting married to him. We will send the divorce papers to you, tomorrow morning, Oscar."