THE RISE OF JORDAN RIVERS

NO LONGER A NOBODY

In what felt like a dream, Jordan envisioned himself seated on the throne of the Rivers clan. It seemed to be an ancient seat crafted for an emperor. With a battalion of devotees bowing before him. He saw himself practicing martial arts, and his familiarity with the techniques was amazing. 

He also saw himself describing some medicines to some people with health issues. On top of that, he also felt the voice of the gods speaking to him. Guiding him and warning him. The dream was getting intense, causing his head to throb badly.

When he peeled his eyes open, he was greeted by the blinding rays of the morning sun. He was unconscious the whole night. He stopped for a moment to have a recap of what he was dreaming about. If there was any connection between him and the emperor he saw in that dream. But then, his head banged with the same raw memories. Everything became so clear. There indeed was a connection between him and this mysterious family. He was the emperor he saw in the dream. 

In bewilderment, he sprang up from the ground that had served as his bed the whole night. And before his mind could wander any further, he remembered he was in a fight before collapsing last night. He had lost the battle. He remembered the sharp blades that pierced his body, leaving him bleeding nearly to death. He quickly rummaged his eyes and hands through his body, searching for the wounds and wondering why he was not feeling any pain. He still could not believe how he was still alive and feeling so fresh. 

But there were no wounds. And no scars either. He was not bleeding anymore. All the wounds had closed up, leaving no scars. His body was flawless inside the shabby clothes. He was thunderstruck for a minute, trying to decipher the kind of magic that befell him. 

Still in shock, he attempted to confirm whether what he saw in the dream was real. He tried out some martial arts skills, like karate and street combat, and he was drawn into more bewilderment to learn that he had the skills in him. And if the martial arts skills were real, it meant everything that had been revealed to him last night was also real. 

He was the heir of the Rivers clan. He was not a loser. He was not a nobody. He was a great person. Whatever happened to his family was something he was determined to unearth, at whatever cost, and claim his throne.

He had a compelling desire to stay longer on the spot and try to ponder his next move or try practicing some more martial arts like MMA, but he remembered his wife must have been fuming in court and howling zillions of profanities at him for being late. They were going to officially divorce today and set each other free. Only then will he be able to plan his next moves and package his life. He left for the court.

Immediately after he left, the girl from last arrived on the spot, with a squadron of guards behind her. She was sick and worried about the person who risked his life to save hers. Her heart sank when she only glimpsed some dried traces of blood on the ground.

“He is not here, Miss Anna! Do you think he was able to escape those men?” One of her guards spoke.

“Yeah. Something tells me he was able to.” She responded, looking around for any traces of her savior. She wished with everything in her that he was alive.

“But, Miss Anna, your instincts may be wrong. He was solo against six goons. Unless he is some kind of superhero or he possesses some magic, it is impossible to…”

“I choose to trust my instincts, Jerry!” She cut off the guard who was speaking.

“Okay. I am sorry, Miss Anna! Please tell us what you want to do.” The guard apologized, bowing to her.

She looked at them and ordered with authority.

“Look for him and bring him to me! Move heaven and earth or turn this world upside down if that is what it will take to find me this man. Don’t show your faces to me until you find him!” Her orders were loud and clear, making the guards bow in agreement as they chorused their response.

“Yes, Miss Anna!”

—---------_—-----_

On the other hand, Jordan arrived at the gate of the court. Trekking to the court was a long journey that took him almost two hours. Just like he thought, Diana was pacing back and forth at the court entrance when he arrived. Her movements came to a sudden stop when she spotted Jordan. She walked toward him with her face burning red with fury.

“And who the hell do you think you are to keep me waiting like this, huh? You think I have nothing else to do, just like you?” Diana screeched the moment they faced each other.

Jordan did not want to fight, so he ignored her.

“Can we go in now? You don't want to waste another minute of your precious time, do you?” Jordan answered.

That most likely did not make it to her ears, because her eyes were scanning his shabby clothes with disgust.

“I understand that you must have slept on the streets, which, by the way, will be your home from now on. I understand you might not have had a place to take a bath. That is why you are reeking like garbage to the high heavens. But seriously, Jordan? Couldn't your common sense have told you to at least wear clean clothes? Did you have to embarrass me like this?” Her voice was full of loathing and disgust, which were emphasized by the furrows on her face. 

Gawking at her, Jordan couldn't help but wonder when they would sign the damn divorce papers. He wanted to be free from her as soon as possible. He could not even tell how he was able to bear with her for three good years, but he was sure he could not bear her even a second longer.

Jordan had decided to lead the way inside, ignoring his soon-to-be ex-wife, but a male voice startled them from behind. Seeing how his wife’s eyes twinkled, he decided to turn around and see who the man was.

“Hi, babe?” The man greeted Diana as soon as he got to where they were. 

They did not even waste time before falling into each other’s arms. And they even had the irritating guts to lick each other’s lips under his watch.

There was no doubt that this was the so-called Edwin. The man who had been screwing his wife and got her pregnant. The reason his wife never allowed him to touch her for the whole of their married life was to mock him right in front of his eyes. The guy looked filthy rich, for sure. From the three-piece custom-made tuxedo to the shiny Chelsea boots. Not to mention the car key, which, for some pride reasons, could not fit in his pockets.

“Umh… love? What is this beggar doing here? Who even is he? Why did the security allow him in?” The Edwin guy spoke when they were done mocking him, opting to take it to a higher notch and insult Jordan this time around. Honestly, he felt hurt, just like any human would.

“Well, my love. You already know who he is. This is the kind of filth that my grandpa forced me to marry. You don't know how much I am dying to just end this, Endy!” Diana said, hugging the arm of her Mr. Right tight.

“Shit! This is real torture, babe, honestly. Is this what you have been dealing with all this while?” Edwin said, scanning Jordan from head to toe with a look of disgust.

“You can imagine!” Diana added, joining her man as they cruised their disgusted gazes on Jordan’s body.

He had a million things to say to the duo. He did not deserve any of the shit and insolence they were hurling at him. He did not deserve the humiliation either. But causing a scene here would be another form of self-humiliation.

“Bro? From man to man, okay? I have some old suits that I do not use. I can donate them instead of throwing them away. Do not feel shy. Just say yes, and I will give them all for free.” Edwin said with a mocking smugness on his face.

Jordan had to control himself because he felt like smacking the arrogant jerk’s face. The insults were becoming too unbearable.

“Don't waste your time, Endy. The guy has nothing, but his ego sucks! He would rather walk naked than stroke his ego.” Diana sneers.

“Good, at least you know something about me, Diana! I did not even know that you knew a tiny bit about someone you have been married to for three years, aside from my name.” Jordan retorted, feeling pissed off by the duo. 

“Well, do not flatter yourself, Jordan. That is…”

“I was not just about to do that because there is absolutely nothing flattering about what you said, Diana! You and your lover will have all the time in the world to discuss me. But that depends on whether you want to go in there and end this sh*t of marriage right now or stay here and discuss me! Mind you, my ass is also itching to divorce you, Diana! You are both unnecessarily wasting my time!” 

She swallowed hard, blinking a couple of times. She hated the sincerity and authority with which Jordan spoke. She never would have thought that he wanted to end things that badly. She thought he would beg her to take him back.