No Longer A Nobody

Chapter 8

"Take up the challenge dear, I'm sure you will get the contract. " Novan gave Alexia an assuring smile 

"What! I don't think I can." Alexia didn't want to embarrass herself any further. She had promised to always stay in the shadows so as to avoid unnecessary insults to her and her husband. 

"Hehe, what do you know about Novan? Do you think this is an ordinary company we are talking about? It's the biggest one worth over a Trillion dollars!! But you wouldn't know what that means. I'm sure you haven't seen a thousand dollars for years now." Charlie mocked

"Shut it Charlie!" Grandma Rocks started 

"Come to think of it Alexia, shouldn't you be begging for the opportunity to pay us back for the help we have rendered to you and your useless husband?" Grandma Rocks gave Novan a dirty look as she continued 

"For over a year now, we have sheltered and fed you both. Alexia, we protected you from shame and embarrassment of getting married to a good for nothing man. Don't you think it's time you paid us back?" Grandma Rocks said with a mean look.

"Yes, Grandma Rocks is right"

"Well said Grandma"

"Accept the challenge and pay us back. Don't act like your ungrateful husband."

Everyone in the meeting acknowledged 

"Accept the challenge dear, I am certain that you would get it." Novan said in a reassuring tone

Alexia suddenly found courage and stood up from her seat "Does the offer still stand?" 

"What offer?" Grandma Rocks retorted 

"The offer of being the CEO of the Rock building and engineering." Alexia answered with confidence 

"Yes, my offer stands. You get us the contract, you become the CEO." Grandma Rocks repeated 

"Your sister can't get that contract" Richard Wane whispered in Lilian's ears.

"Oh, we all know that. Grandma Rocks just wants her to take the fall of the failed contract. That's all." Lillian was so sure about every word she said and Charlie felt the same way.

They knew how irrelevant they were in the big world, they knew that Grandma Rocks just wanted to be able to brag when talking to her friends about her company's involvement in the consortium's investment. She knew that they wouldn't get the contract or any contract at all.

"Alexia!, you have three days to sign a contract with the Zikkers' Clan consortium. That will be the end of this meeting. Novan, I need you to wash my cars now." Grandma Rocks said without waiting to hear the children speak.

'Three days!? Why the rush?' Alexia resumed a worried face.

"Don't worry dear, I am certain that you would sign the contract, I'll meet you when I'm done washing. " Novan patted on her shoulders before going towards the car park.

"You will keep getting in trouble because of Novan but who am I to tell you what to do? You will continue to pay the price." Lilian said as she walked out the door with Richard Wane who just starred with an abstract furry.

Alexia hurried into her room and tried to put together an investment plan. She hadn't done this before so Olivia assisted her with her ideas and research. But it had to be more than just that. It had to be the most innovative and creative investment plan the Rocks ever made.

The girls continued working tirelessly and putting their ideas together. 

Meanwhile at the car wash, Grandma Rocks had instructed that Novan sleep in the security house till further notice. 

"You are to sleep in the security room with further ado till I say otherwise. I can't have you both sleeping in my room with corrupt minds. I saw the way you held her today, I advise you to discontinue such gestures or you wouldn't like what you stand to gain." Grandma Rocks warned him sternly 

"I and Alexia are married couples, Grandma Rocks. Besides, why do Richard Wane and Lillian get to hold hands when they're not even married but we are not allowed to hold hands even after a year of marriage?" Novan asked, anger now building up within him.

"You are a poor peasant!, you can't mess my granddaughter's life up more than it's already a mess. I won't let you get her pregnant! Not under my watch so stay away from her!" Grandma Rocks pointed at his face and spoke with disgust written all over her face.

Novan confined himself to the security house. Thoughts of all the ridicule and embarrassment he had been through in the hands of the Rocks family, he was going to make sure that they felt every single pain he felt. 

****

Alexia had deprived herself of sleep trying to bring together the perfect investment plan but she wasn't getting anywhere with it.

The Rocks family breakfast was entertaining as Charlie said Lillian made jest of Alexia and of course, her husband Novan. 

Grandma Rocks on the other hand was quiet throughout the meal.

***

"Hello sir, the office has been rearranged via your request. We have some lists of companies applying for the $200billion investment from the outskirts of Beacon Hills, should we go through their applications?" Williams asked respectfully 

"No, inform them that we are to begin with companies in Beacon Hills first, before the companies outside the city. As this is something we want to do for our people." Novan instructed and got an assuring 'Yes sir' from the other end of the phone.

"One more thing, I want you to closely monitor my dad's company 'Ziko Ltd' . I want to know about everything going on there. Also monitor the movements of my uncle and his son Festus. I need feedback as soon as possible. " Novan said and quickly ended the call as he caught sight of Richard Wane strolling towards him.

"Have you no home Richard? You seem to frequent someone else's house a lot these days." Novan turned to Richard, giving him a daring look.

"And have you no shame Novan? You lazy around while your wife does your job as the man of the home. Also for your information I come here frequently because this Is the home of someone I care about. " Richard chided

"Are you sure you're not frequenting the Rocks family mansion to see my wife?, you know you were quite invested in me getting a divorce that you even started raising a bid to offer me if I left." Novan gave Richard an intimidating smirk.

Richard's eye twitched 'How did Novan think through my acts?' , he had been playing his cards pretty well. Hoping to either seduce Alexia or make Grandma Rocks chase him out of the home so he can finally make his request open.

However, Alexia had been giving him a hard time,she didn't even want to look his way. Instead she stood beside this low life , good for nothing peasant. and that infuriated him.

He had to deny Novan's accusations or else his plans would be exposed and that was the last thing he wanted. "Whaat!? Unbelievable, are you accusing me of hitting on your wife? You're just being delusional , yes, everyone knows that your wife is beautiful but that doesn't mean I'd stoop so low to chase her." 

"You just said it yourself, my wife is so attractive and that is the reason why people like you would go for her despite seeing that she is married and content with her marriage." Novan knew what Richard was up to, he only wanted to let him know that he wasn't oblivious.

"This is an insult to my position as a manager in Tiger Computers, do you know what will happen to you if the chairman gets to know how you disrespected me? You will be done for." Richard said with an intimidating look.

"So now you want to intimidate me with your position in Tiger Computers? Fine, go ahead." Novan said and walked away.

Novan smirked as he walked away. Richard was no match for him, even his chairman worked for him and will not hesitate to lease him of his job. All he needed to make was just a phone call and Richard would find himself on the streets.