Hidden Billionaire Son-in-law

Chapter 9

He becomes unsteady not because of what Carlos told him about his wife but he assumes he was not who he is now, it would be disastrous. 

Scarlett was serious about kicking him out of her life, he is pretty shocked by her buying a family home, who knows if she isn't pregnant already for her boyfriend. He is puzzled at how everything is taking place without his knowledge. 

He knows his worth now and can never let any of those things bother him now. The time draws near for his private class with Mr Harkinson, it's a few minutes to nine. 

The dressing room assigned specially for him is just by the adjoining room, he takes excuse from his granddad and hastens over, sliding the door half-closed. 

He walks around the thousands of pairs of corporate wear his dad has ordered for him, many expensive suits, various colors and textures which he has never seen anyone wear before. 

They are specially made for him. If not for protocol, he would just go for casual wear after all this wasn't his resumption at work. 

It is just a consultancy meeting and Harkinson is a known friend of the family, his grandfather but would be new once more to him as it's been long after he was sent away. 

A few minutes later, he emerges in a special textured gray suit with black check strip, a customized tie and white shirt underneath, with a shining Italian shoe to compliment. 

Carlos can't believe his eyes, he's not sure if it's actually a dream or reality. 

"Guy, you were meant to be a CEO from time immemorial," he teases in a youthful manner. 

"I didn't expect you to be this handsome when I brought you in. I thought you had lost your sense of good fashion." 

Eric grins. "You can take the man out of grace, but you can never take grace out of the man." 

He repeats Carlos' favorite quote, it was a motto to him those days. Upon asking him what this entailed, he was told that it meant, you can strip someone of his status but never who he truly is inside him and what he learnt. 

"You came back much better. If I were a novelist, I would call this, The CEO's Return." 

"That would be great. It's actually my return. I'm so glad." 

"You need to be, who wouldn't be glad in this case. It's a rise from rags to riches." 

"Indeed." Eric confirms with a grin. 

"Going to meet Harkinson now." 

"Alright son, a PA is by the door to take you to the residential office where he's waiting for you." 

"Alright father, see you later." With a smile, he exits the room, closing the door behind him. As said, a man supposed to be in his forties, takes a bow before him. 

"Good morning sir. I'm Mr Matt, your PA. I'm assigned to take you to see Mr. Harkinson." 

"Alright, I'm right behind you." Recently, he has learnt to change his voice whenever he is talking to staff.

 He's no longer who he used to be, hence his way of speech, walking and doing things ought to change. No one would respect him the way they should if he keeps on behaving like a no-one. 

He's delighted at how those senior in age to him would be so submissive to him, at some point he feels he doesn't deserve this, to be controlling all these people. 

I would be foolish to regret such a privilege. Grace found me, how can I turn it down. It would be the most insane thing any man has done. He thinks inside him. 

They walk into the elevator, not much time consumed and they are at the residential office which is where his granddad kept guests of all categories. He walks into the room and the consultant rises to greet him. 

"Good morning sir." 

"Good morning, Mr. Harkinson. Glad to have you honor my invitation." 

"It's a pleasure." He replies with a smile. 

"You may have your seat." He gestures to him to sit back. 

"Thank you." He says abruptly. Both gentlemen sit down. Harkinson is a man in his sixties but he has no less respect for Eric because of his position. 

He is one of those that gets Eric puzzled if he's actually the one all these respects are paid to, someone that is maltreated by his own wife because he was poor. 

"Excuse sir, I mean no disturb." The PA who is behind him mutters.

 "I think I can return to my office as instructed?" 

"By who?" Eric snaps, wondering which staff would be over him. 

"By Mr Carlos."

"Oh!" He thought it was a staff that had this order. 

"He asked me to show you off here and then return to continue the tasks he assigned to me." Mr Matt explains further. 

"You may return," he gestures with a wave of his hand. He would look into the system of things once he gets fully established, and change some prospects to his liking. 

"You can always ring me up with the number three on the cellphone when you need me. I'll be right there at your service." 

"Thank you." He turns back to Mr Harkinson seated right in front of him. 

"I hope it's not going to be a tough class?" He jokes. No matter who now is, part of that simple, casual life is still inside him. He remembers the way he often joked with some of his passengers. 

Harkinson is amused, he coughs out a laugh.

 "I think so but the CEO is no small thing. Being a CEO of a big empire like this requires a lot and a lot you must learn." He chuckles.