365 days as a Billionaire

What went Wrong?

*Three days earlier*

After receiving the bad news from Doctor Benjamin personally yesterday, Riccardo decided to make a Bucket list of things to do, in case the test results come out different. 

He was to visit his only distant relative and child-hood crush Jacqueline Camille Alphonso who stays in Cartagena, Colombia.

Sebastian drove him directly to the airport, he was with just his travelling bag, his cellphone and a water bottle, Mr. Ricardo loved the simple and exquisite life style.

Ditching his private jet, he opted for a convenient first class flight, the journey lasted for roughly twelve hours, he enjoyed it because he could sleep and was less worried, the plane landed at the international airport in Colombia.

The time on his wrist was different from that on the display screen in the airport waiting stall. He saw a group of people cheering up to welcome someone also from London where he came.

He admired them and wished he was in their place.

Sebastian had booked a private taxi to pick him up and take him to his final destination ‘Cartagena’.

He ordered the driver to pull over for a while; he dropped out of the car and walked afar off. 

Standing in the midst of the road he deeply inhaled the air, stretching his hands wide opened and laughed happily. He felt ALIVE like the free happy child he once was. He went back into his car and continued his journey.

“Are you sure you’ll be better here, it’s been years sir; you might not get pass through this street”

Ricardo told his driver not to fret, he grew up there and nothing can go wrong.

He alighted from the vehicle and walked down the old street filled with memories of his past. He turned on his cellphone and discovered his battery was low, 

“It would be enough to get me through to Jacqueline” 

He mesmerizes in dire anticipation of seeing his old friend. She would have been married; Jacqueline is too beautiful to remain single, maybe a kid or two. It doesn’t matter, 365 days is not too long to spend with an old friend and her family. 

Suddenly he heard noises from afar, it grew louder as he got nearer, he cleans his sweaty palms on his soft and fluffy handkerchief, took out his phone to confirm Jacqueline’s address once more. 

There is no way he could have missed it, the town is now vastly developed but the street was still the same, the art murals on the wall and children loitering around the steps on the up-built building.

The people were howling hard words on a man, he was assaulting a woman, they tried separating them but the woman wasn’t relenting either, it was a tight tug of war.

Hello I’m Riccardo Ferdinand I’m here to see Jacqueline Alphonso she sent me this address herself;

The man fighting left the woman he was battering, he ran towards Riccardo in a fit of rage and threw a fist, Riccardo not expecting that as a welcoming gesture fell to the floor, his eyes became dim and shut.

When he opened his eyes, he was being treated by an aged looking woman, with long golden hair, he sat uprightly to have a clearer look at the woman.

“Hold still you were badly wounded, you’ll be good to go in few hours” the woman said.

“Why are you here by the way? I was told you came to see me”

“You”?! Riccardo blurted out.

He stood up from the long slanting bench he was sitting on. He could see her vividly it was Jacqueline Alphonso Camille the most beautiful girl in Cartagena. 

What have you turned to, Jacqueline?! What happened?!

Nothing, I’m fine you have to leave now, my husband would be back home soon and I don’t want any more trouble, I guess you’ve witnessed enough. 

“Wait that idiotic failure of a man is your husband? How did you end up like this?” Riccardo asked her

“You have to leave now Riccardo, please ,you dint? make it known to me that you were coming, now is a very bad time you have to leave; id get in touch with you when I’m settled”, Jacqueline said

Riccardo had no choice, he took his travelling bag and walked out, he remembered his phone was out of battery, he begged Jacqueline if he could at least charge for ten minutes before leaving. 

No you can’t stay please she said with a teary voice, 

Riccardo looked into her blue -------- eyes, why would anyone want to hurt this beautiful helpless soul;

I’ll help you charge it at the next street my son will follow you there, it’s for a small amount.

He left Jacqueline in despair; he couldn’t even help her;

The little boy with tons of his friend escorted Riccardo to the place Jacqueline had described.

It was a rowdy unkempt viewing center. Young boys and old men played games and gambled at a corner, a couple of kids played street basketball at the court opposite the viewing center. 

Riccardo handed his phone to the young boy to go ahead and charge for him. The boys playing basketball drew his attention he went over to meet them, observing from the outside.

He was enjoying the game the healthy boys playing out their lives like they were at the NBA, just for a few dollars.

The enticing view came to an abrupt stop when a small boy approached him; “Mac Coy (Jacqueline’s son) was being bullied by the bad boys” the little boy said he struggled to say in fear 

He hurried back to the stall; the gangsters requested that he gave them something before they released his phone and the little boy, they had an eye on Riccardo as soon as he entered the viewing center; they could tell he was not acquainted with the place and took advantage of that.

Riccardo dint have enough cash on him; he opted to transfer through his mobile phone to the boys but they wouldn’t agree either; the brawl between them got fierce, everyone ignored him; it was a norm over there.

Gracefully an opposition gang walked by and stopped to Riccardo’s rescue; one of the boys helped collect Riccardo’s phone, free the little boy from their grip after a long rant and banter.

Riccardo was thankful to the boy, they left but one of them stayed back to ensure that Riccardo was save.

“Thanks for your help, I wouldn’t know what to do if it weren’t for you”, Riccardo said to the young boy.

He gave Jacqueline’s son and his friends the last cash he had on him and told them to go back home.

The young boy told one of his friends to walk the little children, while he waited for their return at the Basketball court.

Riccardo was overly impressed, he sat with the young man at the basketball court, he couldn’t hold down his feelings, he voiced out to the young boy;

“You’re one of the basket ballers, aren’t you?” he asked. “Yes” we all are he replied.

“I’m Riccardo Ferdinand Deville I used to live in this city long time ago” Riccardo said. “The name is Richarlison Francisco Martinez, but you can call me ‘Sure Three’, the young man replied 

They exchanged pleasantries; Martinez offered Riccardo some refreshment and made him feel at ease, he told Riccardo he’ll keep him company until his friends arrived. 

“What brings you here Mr. Riccardo?” Martinez asked, after a brief moment of silence from Riccardo and anticipation from Martinez. Riccardo finally found words to the question Martinez asked.

“It’s a long story but I’ll tell you”. “I have just a year to live”

Martinez couldn’t comprehend his statement, he stared at Riccardo thinking he still has more to say, Riccardo took the long story short catch phrase too serious. 

“I don’t understand you sir; if you’ll explain better I’d be good” said Martinez.

“I guess we have enough time till your friends arrive so I’ll take you through the whole story”, Riccardo said to him.

“I was diagnosed of a rare cancerous disease without a cure, my doctor said I have just a year to live that’s all”, Riccardo replied 

Martinez still not satisfied with his explanation, proceeded to ask if he dint have enough money to treat himself, he doesn’t believe there could be illness money cannot solve.

Riccardo burst into an uncontrollable laughter; Martinez words weren’t funny but it made Riccardo laugh.

“Money can’t solve all problems, if it could I wouldn’t be here now, id somewhere getting treated”.

“You mean you’re rich!?” Martinez blurted out. Reserved Riccardo smiled calmly and told him, he wasn’t rich but he could afford anything he wanted that cost money. 

Martinez couldn’t seat anymore, he was up on his feet, and he couldn’t hold-down his emotions. He stands in front of Riccardo and bent down directly in front of him. 

“Did you say anything you want you can afford” he said holding Riccardo’s arms and shaking them violently but not with aggression. 

Riccardo took his hands off him gently and told him to sit down beside him; Martinez couldn’t, he still stayed put to the ground in front of Riccardo.

Riccardo patted Martinez on his shoulders and said “yes anything money can buy, I can afford”.

“I’d trade my good and healthy body for even a day to live the life you have, if what you said is true”. “I don’t care if I’d die the next day, I’d live my live to the fullest bro!”

Martinez was all over Riccardo, talking about the fantasies he has to fulfill and everything he could do with money in a day, if he’s given the chance to live a day of his life being a rich man.

Martinez friends came and they had to put an end to their discussion, Riccardo still had to wait because his cellphone wasn’t fully charged, after few minutes Martinez came back to the basketball court to see Riccardo.

He couldn’t find him in there, he looked around and found him inside a restaurant in the stall, Riccardo sighted him from afar off and waved to him.

Martinez and Riccardo resumed their discussion, Martinez made Riccardo forget about all his worries and pain. It was getting late Martinez asked Riccardo if he had a place to stay, he dint, he asked if there was any hotel he could lodge in for the time being.

Martinez laughed, “There are no such hotels here, you’ll find only a Motel. If you’re ready I can help you get one with ease”.

Riccardo had no option, his driver wasn’t here in Cartagena, requesting for a ride would be a waste of time just like Martinez said. He agreed to his offer.

Martinez helped Riccardo lodge at a motel; he assisted him in packing his luggage and settling.

Riccardo was fast asleep when he had a loud bang on the door… Mr. Riccardo!!! Mr. Riccardo!!! Mr. Riccardo!!!