FROM GRIT TO GRAND: A BILLIONAIRE IN GUISE

THE SUN THAT SHINES AFTER RAIN

The rain poured down, thunder cracked across the sky, flashing its lightning. The rain bathed Elijah where he sat down on a damp Bench near the cafe but the rain couldn't wash the emotional stain that clung to his heart like glue.

He took out the small box containing the ring. It looks worthless now. Earlier, it was a prize, a pride but now It was a reminder of Clara's cruel betrayal.

She played him. Played with his emotions and messed with his heart like it was a game.

He remembered the look in Clara's eye. It glowed with no warmth, only cold. It was as if she never loved him. Not even slightly.

And Derek. That bastard with a smug grin who slapped him and took his woman. No. It was Clara's choice. If she had loved him, she would have supported him but she didn't. She leaned into the kiss like it was the only thing she needed in her life.

The box slipped from Elijah's hand and fell in the puddle, splashing up water gently.

Just then, his phone rang.

With a quivering hand, he pulled out the phone and hissed when he saw it was a strange number.

He didn't pick the call. It must be one of his customers who always tip him at the cafe but the phone didn't stop ringing and it added to his frustration and anger.

He picked the call sharply. "Are you crazy!?! Don't ever call this number again!!"

Before he could end the call, a calm voice came from the other end, calling his name with a fluency so smooth.

“Elijah Brook, there?"

Elijah was stunned. His hand shifted away from the red icon.

He swallowed hard.

“Elijah Brook the son of Martha Brook?" The voice came again, the familiarity putting Elijah at the edge.

This couldn't be one of those customers at the cafe. None of them knew his surname and this person even mentioned his mother's name.

Elijah nodded and gulped down."Yes..yes sir. And who are you, please?” He replied with a trembling voice.

He could sense the man smiling at the other end.

“Good. Nice to hear from you Mr. Brooke. My name is Harland, a legal executor of a recently deceased client.”

“Did someone die?" Elijah asked.

Mr. Harland chuckled, amused at the casual way he asked.

“Mr. Brooke. You've been named the sole heir of an estate. Please come to the Harland and Finch law office tomorrow. It's urgent sir.” The line went dead.

Elijah was stunned, his eyes fixed in the emptiness of the air. He looked at the screen again, studying the strange number and the man's words echoed in his head.

Estate.. dead..Sole heir?

Is Derek trying to set a fine trap for him?

That night, Elijah dragged himself home. He barely hit the sack that night. He kept rolling on his small withered bed, standing up, sitting, tapping his feet worriedly. Everything that happened that night kept replaying in his head.

He kept thinking it might be Derek's plan to totally crumble him but Derek couldn't have known his mother's name. He's just a customer at Biggs Cafe.

The next morning, Elijah dressed up in one of his faded shirts and left his apartment for the Harland and Finch law office.

He had heard so much about the Harland and Finch law office. It isn't a small firm where the poor go for consultations. Only elites and rich men in the city seek their services.

Elijah entered the building and he was greeted by the subtle opulence but it was an enough indication that the owner of the firm is wealthy.

The fine leathered chairs that were precisely arranged in the lobby, a flat screen that displayed live news from the wall and the portraits of important socialites in the city hung on the walls. Among the portraits was that of Mr. Harland himself and Elijah saw it.

Only a few people were around at that time because Elijah came early.

He turned to the Receptionist behind the desk. She dressed smartly in a white shirt and Black skirt. Her name was displayed on the badge on her chest; Elena White.

On the desk in front of her is a computer which she was fully engrossed with.

Elijah approached her with a gentle smile. "Good morning, Miss. Elena White.” His voice was calm.

The woman raised her head from the computer and her gaze fell on Elijah.

Oh God! The disgusting way she looked at him was like he pooped in his pants.

“This place is not a hospital to treat your broken lips, sir. This is a law firm." Elena didn't respond to the greeting. She replied coldly and focused on her computer again.

Elijah's smile didn't drop. “Oh..I'm not here for treatment either. I'm here to see Mr. Harland." He said politely.

Elena Looked up. This time, it wasn't only irritation that filled her eyes but also surprise or disbelief.

“Mr. Harland?” She scoffed, rolling her eyes with clear condescension. “And what business do someone like you have with Mr. Harland?" It was more of a taunt than a question.

“Someone like me?” Elijah took a better look at himself as if to see if his appearance was a far cry from how a normal human should look. He found nothing so he looked up to the woman. “What do you mean by that?"

Before Elena White could reply, a man walked into the reception. He looks mature but maintained and evidence of wealth could be seen and detected by merely taking a quick glance at him. He wore a crisp white suit which merged his silver hair.

Elena straightened up immediately and her stance shifted to something Akin to reverence.

“Good morning Mr. Harland.” She greeted him politely with a practiced smile.

“Morning, Elena. I hope you're good?

"Very good sir.”

Mr. Harland shifted his attention to Elijah. “Why are you here young man ?" He asked.

“I came here to see Mr. Harland.” He replied with a smile knowing fully well he is talking with the man.

His brow arched. “Here I am and do I know you? What's your name, please?" Mr. Harland asked fluently, with the same smooth tone he called his name yesterday on the call.

“My name is Elijah Brooke."

“Elijah Brooke!!” Mr. Harland repeated surprisingly, his eyes slightly widened. “Mr. Brooke. Wow. I'm so happy to have you here Sir.”

Elena glanced between Elijah and Mr. Harland, surprised at how happy and respectful Mr. Harland was talking to the same person he was cold to earlier.

“Elena, meet Mr. Brooke.” Mr. Harland introduced, oblivious of the earlier interaction between them.

Elena bowed gently, forcing a sweet smile. “Mr. Brooke. Welcome sir.” She greeted him, her voice trembling slightly.

Elijah simply nodded.

“Please come with me sir.”

Elijah followed the man into his office. The designs were moderate, carefully finished not to attract too much attention. The soft hums of AC that filled the air continuously reduced the temperature. Mr Harland sat behind his polished oak desk.

“Please have your seat sir.” He gestured at the seat across the desk.

“Thanks sir." Elijah sat down gently.

Mr. Harland pulled out a sealed brown envelope and gave it to him.

“Your grandfather's final will.”