FROM GRIT TO GRAND: A BILLIONAIRE IN GUISE

THOSE WHO FELT HIS POWER

John Kenneth crumbled to his knee like a kid pleading to have a piece of chocolate. Tears spilled from his eyes, rolling down to his chin.

"Boss.. please.. I'm dead..this job is all i want.. please..I thought he shouldn't be here.. I thought he couldn't fit in here..I was merely following a protocol...” John held Mr. Henry's trousers, shaking it as he continued to plead like a toddler.

Mr. Henry scoffed, unbothered by his tears and pleas. "Protocol?” He raised a brow. “The protocol I imposed? or the one you laid down?” He took a step closer, his anger boiling deeper. “Is that how you pass judgment on every customer that comes into this place? Huh?”

John didn't stop shedding tears, the guilt behind his action washed over him.

Kellan who stood at the side wanted to intervene. “Mr. Henry, this—”

“Where are these goddamn securities!!" Mr. Henry barked, cutting Kellan off like he was an insignificant piece of shit on the bottom of his shoe.

Two Securities wielding batons rushed to the scene, panting heavily.

“Kick this thing out of here. If he fails to move, break his bone and pack him out!" He concluded.

Seeing the way the manager of Orchid treated John because of Elijah, Kellan slowly and fearfully retraced his steps back to his friends. He wasn't expecting the outcome of the manager's entrance— treating Elijah like a king.

He has heard the name Langston and how powerful they are but he doesn't know to what extent their power is. He'll definitely find out.

A poor looking guy like Elijah couldn't be from such a loaded family. He couldn't even pass for their servant judging from his appearance.

Everywhere was quiet. The crowd that once laughed at Elijah were now watching with a mix of awe and fear.

Some people who had heard whispers of the Langstons knew what kind of power they had but they hardly show off like most of the families in the city. Those who were new in the city ask from the city dwellers for clarifications on the Langston family.

“Wait!! Bring that mannerless scoundrel here!“ Mr. Henry called the Securities to bring back John like he's some kind of disposable garbage.

John straightened up, streaks of tears clung to his bottom eyes lashes. He smiled faintly, a feeling of gratitude washed over him, thinking his boss had forgiven him and he finally saw that Elijah was the real scoundrel that should be dealt with.

“Go on your knees. Apologize to Mr. Langston. Now!" Mr. Henry thundered.

John's heart dropped, his face turned pale, white.

“Sir.. please..”

“Are you mad?!! On your knees now!!" A powerful kick connected with the back of his knee. His knee gave out, and he crumbled to the floor with a sickening thud.

“Ah!" A sharp wince escaped from his lips.

“You don't know who you have offended. Do you know who you are standing in front of!? Langston!

No fucking organization in this city will employ you!”

Elijah was only watching, his back leaned on the chair while his finger tapped gently on the armrest like a king watching his subjects.

John crawled to his feet like an insect and held it like his life depended on it.

The room was quiet like a graveyard yard. Everyone was watching the whole drama like people watching the latest movie in a cinema.

John began, pleading desperately as if the last thread of his life depended on it.

He held Elijah's trousers, shaking it. “Please sir...I never knew who you are... please forgive me." Tears were spilling from his eyes.

Elijah stopped tapping his finger. He looks different, unfazed like a man who had seen too much cruelty in life. He's no longer the worthless delivery guy but a powerful man who delivers authority.

He leaned forward and looked down at John, his expression firm and unreadable.

He scoffed, amused. “You never knew who I was?” He leaned closer, his expression fiercer. “You're being partial and judgmental. Is this how you treat everyone who dresses like this? Thinking they're worthless or far from humans?!"

Mr. Henry gulped hard. He blinked and took a step forward seeing that Elijah is getting more angry.

"Sir...”

But Elijah cut him off by simply raising his hand in the mid–air.

John wished the ground would open up and swallow him. His hands were vibrating on the floor like the flickering prong of a snake.

“I'm.. sorry..” His voice trembled, sweats drenched his clothes, rolling down his body.

“You treated me like a rat. Now you look like the part.” Elijah conclusive.

His words were like one of those touching sermons. Everyone listened quietly. No laughter. No sneering. Just silence, awe and reverence.

“I'm done here.” Elijah steadied on his feet and tugged his cloth ones.

With that, he walked out of the restaurant. Murmurs began. First, it was idle then it intensified, buzzing behind him as he walked out.

The Securities at the door opened the door for him even before he walked closer to it. The fear and respect was unmistakable.

Outside, Mira catches up with Elijah. She stood before him, her hands clutched in front of her skirt like a nervous girl who mustered all her courage to propose to a guy. But it was fear and respect. She respected how effortless and the mature way Elijah handled things back there.

“I just want to apologize for what John did..and.. thanks for the money..thanks for treating me like a human when no one does.” She said and her face dropped. Sad. Sad.

Elijah smiled at her. "It's nothing, Mira. You deserve it. You're kind."

Mira finally looked up but her fingers were skill clutched together. She shook her head gently.

"No. You're the one being kind...My sister." Her expression became gloomy and Elijah noticed it. “My sister has been sick for months. I couldn't even pay a dime for...” She lowered head in shame as the words caught in her throat. Tears blurred her vision.

Elijah understood her.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and raised her head slowly to see Elijah looking at her with an assuring smile.

"Your sister will be fine.” He said calmly while Mira nodded her head frantically, fighting back tears.

Elijah fished out his phone and asked for her account number.

She was hesitant. “No..you don't need to do that sir. You have already done enough.”

“I did nothing. So I insist.” He said cut in immediately, his voice smooth, eager to help.

Mira wanted to press further, to turn the offer down even though she needed it.

She blinked, warring with her emotions. She called out the account number and Elijah was typing it on his phone.

Almost immediately, her phone buzzed. Staring into the screen, her jaw dropped. Her eyes flashed with a mix of awe and disbelief.

"$5,000?” She looked up with a trembling voice.

Elijah simply smiled at her.

“You deserve it for not joining the crowd to humiliate me. Buy her medicine and...maybe talk to your boss to give you a break. Breathe a little.

Mira almost crumbled to her knee to express her gratitude but Elijah gently held her.

Elijah left the restaurant, dignity intact and reputation transformed.

The once mocking world behind him now whispers with shock, fear and regret.

But he's just getting started.