RICH=POWER

AT THE ROCHESTER’S MANSION.

Mr. Valdez Fernadez, fully robed in a wooly white tudexo, planted himself on a sofa as he swirled an expensive glass of wine in his hand. He appeared tensed over an issue until his bodyguard walked in.  

"Do you have all the details from last night?" He barked grudgingly, placing the glass on the table. "The two young men lied; I found out their real identities," the bodyguard responded.  

He banged the table and roared, "What! You mean they planned the attack? I’ll crush them to death!"

His body guard held his peace with a mild smirk and turreted. "I don't think so; still investigating, boss; they weren’t the ones; they are youngsters; the one who saved Isabella is just a year older than her; they are Damien’s coursemates at the university."

The conversation interested Mr. Valdez, and he drew closer as he asked. "Same university with my son; why did they have fake IDs and risk their lives if they could afford it?"  

"One of them is a scholarship student, and the other one lives from hand to mouth; the one who saved your daughter is Anthonio McCarthy." The guard reported confidently. He analyzed all of Anthonio’s details for his boss, down to his present predicament, which must have been the reason he took the job offer and falsified their identities.

"I see," Mr. Valdez remarked, massaging his beard softly as he smiled wickedly. "He’s been at the gate since morning; should I let him in now?" The body guard asked less interestedly. He knew making lowlives wait until his boss was ready to see them was a pattern.  

"He’s been out for an hour or more; you said he came from the hospital, right? He asked again, and the door opened.

"Don Richard Rochester!" He uttered discretely, tucking off his surprise, standing up and embracing the tall man with a striking presence more tense and commanding than his own. His hair was black, and his face darkened without the slightest smile. He had one hand in his pocket and three guards behind him.

"I heard that peasant that saved your daughter’s life is here; I like him. Do everything to bring him into our team," he uttered modestly, with an overly confident aura that seemed like he commanded them without having to stress his voice.

"Okay friend, maybe I should just invite him in. While you're here, do you have some minutes to spare?"  Mr. Valdez asked, losing his composure as Don Rocard’s presence made him feel a little restless.  

Don Richard puzzled his eyes and uttered below a whisper. "Just two minutes,"

The door opened, and Anthonio walked in, still dressed in last night's attire. His hair was rough, and he had heavy eye bags.

"Go—ood morning, sirs." He stuttered, missing a step, as his heart started beating faster when he recognized clearly who the two men were, and the look on their faces took on a predatory countenance.

"Sit, young man. I have an offer for you. Relax; you look so scared and tensed." Mr. Valdez offered him a seat away from the both of them. "I—can-stand, sir," he stammered anxiously.  

"Suit yourself, my daughter. I want to employ you as my personal bodyguard. I know who you are, so resume work after your graduation next week." Mr. Valdez's words slapped his face emotionlessly.  Anthonio's eyes were dazed with surprise as he sought out their motive. He didn’t seem angry or pissed at him. "I am sorry, sir; I am a chartered accountant. Though I do lots of menial jobs to make ends meet, I don’t want to be a bodyguard. Thanks for the offer," he refused with a smile.  

Don Richard placed his glasses down to his nose and narrowed his eyes on Anthonio, surprised that he rejected the offer without a second thought. "Hmm—the nerves," he blurted unconcernedly as he flipped his legs over each other modestly.  

"Fine, a place in my office, but you must guard my daughter." Mr. Valdez spoke harshly, sounding like his voice could get a grip on Anthonio and force him into their team.  

"Don Richards couldn’t hold in his disappointment at his friend any longer, and he banged his legs on the floor. "I can’t believe you’re still this week, even after we’ve been friends for twenty years now, Valdez. I’ll take it from here, watch and learn," he reprimanded bitterly.  

"Youngman, you have no choice; you work at my hotel. I am cutting that off. Accept the offer or lose everything you've worked hard for. I heard you’re a valedictorian at my own university. Think twice."  He rasped perfectly, sending a rowdy sensation across the room, like he owned the air they were breathing.  

"Can—I think about it, sir?" Anthonio muttered.  "No, you can leave; I’ll call you when it’s time to start," Don Richards fueled. They watched Anthonio leave, and it disgusted them. "Who does he think he is to have an option?" He questioned angrily.  

Don Richard’s right-hand man drew nearer and whispered into his eyes. "He’s a genius; I did a check on him; you should know by now that nothing gets past me; he was part of the student that got us the German contracts that day; he’s an asset, sir; I did a full background check on him; just his certificate will get him into any company in this country. Your rival, Don Vera-Dona, has him as one of his promising taps. You should act boss"  

Don Richard paced, perplexed. He signaled to Mr. Valdez, and he stood beside him as they watched Isabelle have a talk with Anthonio.  

"I want that young man by all means; get him no matter what! Or our deal is off!" Don Richard strode out angrily, banging the door in Mr.Valdez’s face.

"Come here! Get that man back in here!" He roared, transferring his aggression to his right-hand man. He dashed out and dragged Anthonio in cruelly by the collar as Isabelle rushed in with him.  

" Father! Why treat him like that? He saved my life last night, remember?" She challenged her father outrightly, bashing the hands that hooked Anthonio by the collar.  

"Stay out of this; he is a criminal and could be the one who planned the attack!" Mr. Valdez barked, fuming with rage.  

Surprised by the turnout of the event, Anthonio apologized to him. "I am sorry I did that, sir, but I didn’t plan the attack; my sick grandmother was hospitalized, and I got desperate."

Mr. Valdez roared for his men to let go of him, and they walked Isabelle out. She appeared confused, unaware that the allegations against Anthonio were not true.  

"Sit, I won’t call it an offer, so you wouldn’t refuse it; it’s a deal!  One you can’t reject!" He fuzzed sitting at the edge of the sofa, while Anthony still held himself on his feet.  

"I dislike you, but Don Richard sees something in you; I can’t afford to lose my partnership with him. I am saying this so you would know I can go to any extent, even killing your grandmother and putting you and your friend in jail for the crimes you committed and those you didn’t!" he jeered, laughing intidatively.

Anthonio was moved to tears. "Don’t please; just tell me what you want; she’s all I have."

Mr. Valdez rubbed his palms together, glistening with a soft smile on his face. "Marry my daughter, become a part of my family, and I will foot your grandmother’s bills and change your life!"

Anthonio jacked ragingly, "No!" he spitted. "You have no choice, Bridget. In hospital room 35, in two weeks, her heart will be due for surgery. Get married to my daughter, and you will be able to save her; that will be all you have for twenty-four hours to come sign the papers. Get out!"

He had his men throw him out of the gate and return to meet him. "Boss, don’t you think it went too far? Getting that poor man married to Isabelle is like throwing gold to the swine."

Mr. Valdez pulled his beard softly as he gazed on nothing visible in his sight, but his mind was far, sunken with deep thoughts.

"Don Richards threatened to get off the partnership. I don’t know what he saw in this boy, but the only way I would be able to control him is to make him my son-in-law."

His right-hand man clapped and raged mockingly, "You’re a genius, sir; I’ll go make the other processes to keep him in a tight place; the slums he lived in will be scrapped off and sold to a new company; he will have no place to live and will be forced to come crawling at your feet, boss."

Mr.Valdez gave his approval, and they contacted the owner of the slum where Anthonio and his friend resided. "60 million dollars," he offered with ease, and the owner accepted without any room for negotiation.

"He’s a pauper; they don’t even know when there’s a catch because they are sunk in poverty. I was willing to go higher; go get the demolition started,"  Mr.Valdez said, commanding his men.  

"With power and money, you can get anything you want!" he penned, laughing wildly. Isabelle barged in angrily. "Can we go home now? I am no longer comfortable here, father; I am tired; you forced me down from America, and it’s been rough."

Mr. Valdez placed his finger on her lips, blocking her from uttering a word. "Get ready; you’re getting married in a few days," he said, watching as her eyes blinked as she was blown away and bewildered by his utterance.  

"Are you joking?" she scoffed.