Chapter 2

Alex stormed into the garden. The garden was directly opposite the villa gate. Anybody that was visiting the villa would first of all set eyes on Kingston's large and luxurious garden. The garden was diligently maintained, no weeds could be found, and it was trimmed to perfection.

Alex sat on one of the foyers trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. He was pissed beyond imagination. This inhumane behavior being meted out on him was weighing him down beyond measure.

He was still deep in thought when the villa gate automatically opened for Marcus to enter. Alex looked closely to find police vehicles behind Marcus' Bentley.

"Who gave you the right to lay your wretched hands on my daughter" As if on cue Cassandra ran out of the house still shedding crocodile tears. She quickly ran into her father's arms. He began patting her back and was whispering promises into her ear.

Alex was still trying to figure out what was up when Marcus signaled the police officers to bundle him into the vehicle. Everything was happening way too fast.

Alex began protesting, "What is my offense, Sir?" They were already dragging him into the vehicle, "I didn't lay a finger on your daughter, please believe me." They didn't even allow him to talk before throwing him into the vehicle.

Alex was in a daze. Can his day get any better? Marcus marched towards him with confident strides and that determined look he knew too well. He knew that he was in for a lot.

"You had the nerve to harass my daughter you poor church rat" He moved closer pointing his golden walking stick at him, "You'll pay dearly for this. Take him away and deal with him mercilessly." He directed the last part to the police officers, and with that, he turned and entered the house with his daughter.

****"

It's been two days already and Alex was still behind bars. He had barely had anything to eat or drink. These officers were really out to get him. His whole body ached, he had bruises all over his body which had already turned purple.

After about two minutes, an officer came to his cell, "Hey you woman beater, you have a visitor." Alex was shocked to say the list because he had nobody apart from Victor and seeing that he is Cassandra's friend he wasn't expecting him.

Out of curiosity, he quickly stood up to go and see his visitor. On reaching the waiting room, lo and behold it was Victor. 

Alex rushed and hugged him. He was emotional now, he never expected to see Victor here. He thought that he was going to stay here till they all got tired of him and let him go.

"Calm down bro," Victor said, trying to calm him down. After some minutes, they sat across from each other. "I have good news for you," he smiled.

Alex was eager to hear the good news. "What is the good news?" He asked impatiently. His heart was beating rapidly, he was hoping that the good news had something to do with his release.

"I'll tell you but before that…" Victor brought out a plate of packaged food which he had been carrying all along, "eat something first."

Alex did not argue because he was famished. He unpacked the food to find steaming broccoli and rice. His mouth watered and he didn't waste any time digging into the food, he rushed the food literally.

"So, what news do you have for me?" Alex asked after he was done feasting on the food.

Victor began talking, "I'm here to bail you out. Cassandra has given the go-ahead order for you to be brought home" He beamed.

Alex was happy to be leaving this hellhole but he wasn't happy to be going back to another hellhole. "Alright, thanks for your help Vic, I appreciate everything you've been doing for me. I owe you big time"

"It's nothing, what are friends for?" Victor waved him off.

After identifying and collecting his stuff from the police stand, he went back to the Kingston villa with Victor. On reaching the house, Alex could already see Cassandra and Clare standing in front of the gigantic door waiting for them. He felt like going back to the police station. But was that better? He thought.

"Welcome back home, Your Royal Majesty," Clare said sarcastically, which made them burst into laughter.

Alex was unable to do anything but stare. This was his life down he had to deal with it. "Please can I go to my room now, I need to take a shower," Alex said timidly.

Suddenly, Cassandra started sniffing the air around Alex, "Something rotten is smelling here, can you perceive it, Clare?" She asked her partner in crime.

"Of course I can perceive it, what we're inhaling is oozing out of this pauper's body" She gave Cassandra a high five. They were both enjoying this.

Alex, having had enough, politely ducked into the house and went straight to his room to have a shower. In the shower, he let out a loud cry. He was exhausted. He wasn't the owner of his life anymore. It would only take a miracle for him to leave this hellhole. After spending quite some time in the shower he dried himself up, made his way to his bed, and slept almost immediately.

*****

Meanwhile, in the sitting room, the trio was busy having fun at the expense of another person. 

"So, Victor it's tomorrow right?" Cassandra asked, looking intently at him.

"Yes, and everything is ready." They were planning something for tomorrow. They were all excited to see the outcome.

Clare was practically over the moon, "I can't wait to see his wretched reaction tomorrow when we are done dealing with him" She chipped in equivocally.

Cassandra smiled dubiously "I can't wait too. For us to be up early tomorrow I would advise you both go home now and get ready for tomorrow is a big day" She said referring to Clare and Victor.

 After they left Cassandra went up to Alex's room. She barged in without a knock and found him sleeping. She tapped him harshly. "Alex, make sure you come to my office tomorrow at exactly 10 am. I have a very important message for you" With that she left his room.

*****

Alex entered the prestigious Mac & Cas Company. It was named after Marcus and Cassandra. It was a gigantic building that stood proudly on the outskirts of New York City. 

He looked oddly out of place here, with his worn-out shirt and slacked jeans. He could easily pass off as a servant boy or the company's cleaner.

He made his way to his wife's office which was on the 17th floor. He was quite on time, the time reads 9:57 a.m.

On getting there, he knocked on the CEO's door. Mere looking at the door will give you an idea of what the inside would look like. It was a rare kind of door made with steel. It screamed money and power. It cost a fortune.

After knocking and standing outside for some time without hearing a response he decided to let himself in. He stepped into a hallway that led to Cassandra's office. It was a long hallway, the secretary's office could be seen beside the CEO's office door, and it was surprisingly empty. That never happens.

He finally got to Cassandra's door, and without thinking twice he opened the glass door. What he saw sent goosebumps down his spine. He stood frozen for about thirty seconds.

He must be dreaming. No, maybe he was hallucinating. Nothing could ever prepare him for what was in front of him. His best friend Victor and his wife Cassandra were making out and moaning to their hearts' content. When the duo noticed a third party they separated just an inch away from each other.

"What…!!!" Alex could barely talk. He had been fooled.