Chapter 8

“Young master, can you tell me what you’re doing here? How the hell did you become Mr. Lloyd’s driver?” Badmun sent him a message while focusing his direction on him.

Mark opened the message and could tell Badmun was furious. He was about to reply to his text when another message came in.

“I thought you wanted me to keep the secret away from the master, what then are you doing here? Do you want him to fish you out?” He gulped, thinking of what to reply.

“I’m sorry, Badmun, but there was no way I was going to deny his offer. I had no idea I was going to end up as a driver, but all I can say is that I’m not gonna be resigning anytime soon.”

“What?! Have you gone nuts? The master would walk him out anytime soon and do you think he isn’t going to notice you?” Badmun sent another message, making sure to type very much faster.

In the end, Badmun didn’t know what he was after. Whether he was in support of Mark hiding himself from his father or what. This is someone who had pleaded with him the night he contacted him to come back, he is the same dude who is asking Mark to be careful.

“You won’t believe it but I discovered Mr. Lloyd is after my father’s properties. He is bent on destroying our hotels and get a new structure replace ours,”

“That can’t be possible, Young master. I know we both suspected him of not being a good friend, but I don’t think you should conclude without having the slight proof.” Badmun replied.

“Yeah, I heard him plotting with Mr. Roger concerning that. This isn’t the best place for us to talk about this, we are going to see each other where I’m gonna brief you on everything and also tell you in what aspect you are gonna help me.” After he sent the last message, he turned off his phone.

He didn’t want Badmun to pass for an unprofessional worker because of him. In Gustave's villa, guards were not allowed to use their phones during working hours. They could only make use of their phones when it was past 6 pm, and it was just 10 am.

***

Lloyd was accompanied into the huge and majestic living room by George’s right hand man. Although the middle-aged man had visited his mansion on several occasions, he always got mesmerised anytime he walked in.

The mansion was by far bigger than his, it was built with expensive equipment and had luxury fabrics in them. The walls were painted in gold, giving that royalty figure to the house.

In George’s office was hung Mark’s portrait. The portrait contained fifteen-year-old Mark, looking small and innocent.

“My good friend Lloyd, it’s always a pleasure having you,” George said, as soon as he walked into his office. Lloyd on the other hand was seated opposite his coffee-brown mahogany table and looking deep at the portrait.

He stood up, just like any young friend would do, “I have missed you. All these days I have had a busy schedule. Two hours, that’s what have got on my side today, I decided to make it count.” He said, a smile extending on his lips.

“Please have a seat,” George said, pointing to the chair he was seated in, “I understand that you have a lot going on in your mind right now, I won’t judge you for that.”

“That’s true, but I wouldn’t want you to think I don’t value our friendship. On the contrary, I treasure it.” Lloyd pointed out.

“Thanks for your concern, I appreciate it.” Being a man of few words, George acknowledged.

“I have you at heart, and so I wanted to know something. With the heir of your wealth running away, have you thought of transferring your wealth to someone else?” Lloyd implored, causing George to widen his eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He barked,

“This is simple, George. We have no idea of where your heir is. It’s been nine years already and I think you are tired of waiting for him. What if something happened to him? What if he died in an accident, have you ever thought of that?”

“In my opinion, I think you should get a new heir. Your days are gradually reducing on earth, I don’t think you would want to leave your wealth with no one to manage after you are gone.” Lloyd concluded with his speech, waiting for his old friend to speak up,

“You can’t wish the young man death. He is probably with friends, and enjoying his youthful age.”

“Common George, let’s be realistic here, that dude has been out for close to ten years and never did he give you a call. He didn’t even have a penny when he left. Do you think he is enjoying his youthful age with stones in his pocket?

“It’s high time you begin to think of a probability of him not been alive,”

***

Just as Lloyd emphasised, he had just two hours with George. After sending out the information he wanted to pass, he stood up and opted to take his leave.

Though George had taken some of his words at heart, he was convinced that his heir was somewhere and would probably be back someday. He walked him to the door and because of his health issues, he couldn’t make it to the courtyard.

“Have a good day, hope you grab a seat and have a rethink of what I just told you.” Those were the last words Lloyd uttered before sauntering out.

He got into the car and was taken out of there. Mark through the front mirror could tell his new boss wasn’t affectionate. He had kept a straight face throughout the journey, avoiding all his calls and even sighing at some incoming ones.

His boss had his attention until he crossed the street where the beautiful sales lady in charge of the Toyota motors was. What he found was surprising was when he found Dave’s car parked just by the corner.

He didn’t have to think twice to know that he was there just to meet the beautiful damsel. The boyfriend of his ex-wife was seen chatting with a new girl.

“Humm,” The young man gulped while on the wheel.

If only he could bring out his phone and take some pics and send them to Hailey. If only he could record a video and send, just so she comes back to reality. The reality that she had filed for a divorce just to end up with a perpetual cheat.

Funny enough, he smiled as he crossed them. The young man had a lot of things going on in his mind. He had to fight and protect his father’s wealth from being dilapidated by his friend. And for him to do that, the secret of him being the runaway heir was supposed to be kept away from everyone including his father.

“You’ve got a lot to do Mark, buckle up, for the battle would be tight.”