The Ex-Con billionaire war God

Aunt Ivanna trespassing

Marco left the Serene village with a strange surge of satisfaction surging through him. But he knew there was a bigger challenge than meeting his hopelessly spoilt high school classmates. 

Now Isabella’s family has extended an invite for him to attend a dinner tonight. To show off their flashy lifestyle to him and belittle him the more, while reminding Isabella what a grave mistake she made marrying an ex- convict. 

Marco looks at the Rolex Submariner watch he had received from a very good friend of his when he got out of prison belted around his wrist. He still had four hours before the event. 

He speeds through the busy street, stopping shortly at a jewelry store to get something nice for Isabelle.  

She must have married an ex convict but she still got to look nice for her family dinner whatsoever, especially since the aim is obviously to talk about her sister’s achievements and talk down at her. 

Marco could have easily asked someone to bring one of the most expensive necklaces in the city to Isabelle at home but he decided he would be picking it himself to lift her mood. 

He walked into CRYSTAL WOMAN jewelry store, one of the biggest in the city and much to his satisfaction, there’s little customers in the building. The last thing he wanted was someone prying into him because they recognize him from some social media page thanks to his foolish classmates. As early as that may sound. 

Marco walks to the jeweler seated behind the show glass, a woman who looked more bored than exited for her work. Or rather it was the condescending look she awarded him as soon as he stepped inside. 

“How may I help you?” There’s boredome in her voice, like if she could she would choose not to speak to anyone, especially not a poor looking man like Marco. He obviously didn’t look like any of those rich men who would leave her tips. 

“Ah…. I am looking for jewelry to gift my wife,” Marco beams a smile to an uninterested woman “we’re having dinner with her family.”

She doesn’t respond, as if waiting for him to finish speaking before pointing him to a direction far away from her. 

“Do you have any recommendations for a petite woman?” Marco insists. 

“There’s samples of our finest jewelries displayed before you, sir.”

“Oh I know,” Marco beams pleasantly. He had seen everything when he first stopped. They were good but not good enough for him. Besides, these weren’t the jewelries they showed to millionaires when they walk in. They couldn’t risk putting such valuable items on exposure like that. These ones on display are far too cheap for what he intend to get for Isabelle. 

“But none of these seems to fit what I’m looking for.”

The jeweler leans away from the glass table and lets out a bored sigh, “what are you looking for then?”

“I am looking for the Burmese Ruby.”

The instant the words left Marco’s mouth, the woman’s composure cracked. Her eyes slowly widens as if in disbelief. 

“Um….. do you have any specific one in mind?” She stammers. 

“Van cleef.  The necklace.”

The woman’s mouth drops open in disbelief. 

“Wait are you sure? That costs 20 million dollars.”

“I thought your job is to make sure every customer that walks in here drops their money into your bank not help them make financial choices.” Marco retorts and without further questions but rather a satisfied look on her face, she sends someone to go into a room and fetch it. 

Unknown to Marco, his short exchange with this sales woman had called attention around them. 

“Look, it’s the van cleef!”

“I heard it costs fifty thousand dollars!”

“It’s so beautiful, lucky woman the one who wears it.”

And the whispers continued until Marco exited the store. 

An hour passed before Marco turned into his apartment’s driveway. His headlight catches a red Hyundai Elantra packed directly besides the sidewalks. 

Marco wasn’t expecting a friend or any visitor for that matter. And to the best of his knowledge neither was Isabelle. So who could possibly own that car parked in front of his apartment. 

When Marco stepped into his house, he is surprised to find Ivanna, Oriana’s aunt seated on a couch, one leg crossed over the other, a black shades seated comfortably on her nose and concealing her eyes. 

“Marco!” She calls as soon as she spots him. 

“Ivanna, what are you doing here?” Marco asks, confused. He couldn’t understand why she would show up at his house after her outburst towards him at Oriana’s engagement party. 

Just then, Isabelle makes a trip from the kitchen upon hearing the call of his name. 

“Ah, you’re back.” Her voice is shaky, a strange kind of uncertainty wavering through it. Marco’s jaw tightens at the thought of g causing Isabelle trouble. 

“Oh I gave Isabelle a ride home,” she says as she rises up, the heavy red fur around her neck bouncing as she went. “Poor girl, I was leaving the company when I came across her. I couldn’t let her wonder off into the streets looking for a ride. After all,” her eyes goes over to Isabelle who now stands awkwardly behind Marco and eyes her “she is still family. And I personally wanted to come see your place and give you two my congratulations on your marriage.”

“Your kindness is well appreciated, Ivanna, You didn’t have to bother.” Marco says politely. 

“Of course not.” Her eyes are wandering around the room, the distaste very clear in her eyes and body language. 

“What kind of auntie will I be if I don’t look after my nephew who chose to marry a poor ex convict like yourself. Surely, judging from the living condition on your home, you two are finding it hard to live as it is.”

Marco’s eyes meets Isabelle’s and they silently pleaded with him. But instead, he takes her delicate hand into his and gives her a reassuring smile, letting her know he isn’t at all offended by what she was saying. He has heard worse on that engagement party days ago. 

“It warms my heart that you care for my wife so much. And I understand your concerns. I promise that I am going to do my best to take care of her.” Marco says gently. 

Ivanna chuckles with satisfaction. “Well then, you will come to the family’s dinner tonight right? I look forward to seeing the two of you.” And that said she cat walks out, leaving the couples to the dumbness of the quiet room and the echoing sound of her nagging voice left behind.