The General's Forgotten Son

Chapter 6

Benjamin walked outside the compound where he went to make a phone call.

He returned back after he finished making the call that would shock everyone while Desmond kept urging him to let them leave as the tension in the air thickened like ice.

Benjamin faced the caretaker with a fierce gaze.

"You still have one chance to go on your knees before Mr. Armando gets here with the house paperwork."

The air held its breath for a second.

Desmond stared at Benjamin with wide eyes as though the dude had gone mad.

Then, the air rippled with a hysterical laughter. The caretaker doubles over, laughter crackling out from his mouth, his big stomach shaking like a balloon filled with water, some tenants collapse to the floor out of sheer amusement, their heads thrown back, spit flying in the air, tears bouncing off their eyes.

"This young man is crazy? He bought this property? Is he on drugs?"

"What a joke? I have never laughed like this in a long time." A woman clutch her stomach.

Mr. Pay or leave wiped tears from his eyes, the amusing smile still clinging to his face.

"You're such a joker, kid. Do you know how much this property cost? $200,000!! So you're saying you acquired it just now? Hehe.... you're going to rot in jail for illegal claim of someone's propert—"

Slam!

The entrance gate of the tenement slammed open again, a man in a modest suit burst in. Heads turned to the gate, some of the tenants' eyes turned wide with surprise and some with disbelief.

It was none other than Mr. Armando. A briefcase clutched under his armpit as he moved across the premises, his boot smacking the ground.

The caretaker's eyes widened in shock that disappeared almost immediately. He thought that Mr. Armando's presence has nothing to do with this nobody,Benjamin. It was impossible.

He remembered Mr. Armando said he was going to come on Tuesday for checkout the house facilities that needed repairs. He was definitely here for that reason.

"Relax everyone, " He said, his voice steadying. "Mr. Armando is here for the facilities check."

He said and the tenants nodded, whispering in approval.

The caretaker turned to Benjamin, his smirl sharp as a blade, his shoulder raised higher with pride.

"My brother-in-law is here," he grinned in satisfaction, his voice rippling with pride. "You're dead. You could have ran away or crumble at my knee while you still can but it's over for you little punk!

Benjamin smiled faintly, refusing to say any other words.

Mr. Armando stumbled across and stopped in front, looking around the place with an expression twisted in anger.

"What the heck is going on here, Hassan?"

Hassan, the caretaker stepped forward with a cruel smile, already planning to bury Benjamin with his razor mouth. His finger snapped at him.

"My brother-in-law this stupid fool is disturbing the serenity of your house. He boldly walked in to take side with this second poor thing here.." his finger snapped at Desmond now. Desmond swallowed, sweats bead over his forehead. "..and he even claimed he's going to buy your property. You should arrest him and lock him up for illegal claims of other's properties."

Hassan's smirk was sharp enough to tear through silk. It was cruel and vindictive, already imagining how Mr. Armando was going to rip Benjamin into two.

"He even had the gut to insult me, your brother-in-law."

Mr. Armando's arms trembled at the side in anger he was barely restraining.

"He should be beaten first!"

"Mr. Armando is going to tear him apart."

"Mr. Armando is going crazy with anger. Someone had the gut to insult his brother-in-law and even claimed his property? That kid is finished."

"Is that what happened?" Mr. Armando's voice came roughly, trembling with restraint anger. "..did you know what you just did?"

Hassan misunderstood Armando's statement for lacking in his duty to protect the property unbeknownst that the man was angry about something else that would shock everyone.

"I should have kicked him. I should have broken his bone. I’m—"

Mr. Armando finally snapped.

His arms went up and came down heavily on the caretaker's face. This made the entire tenement to gasp. His palm landed clean on Hassan's face with a sickening impact that sounded like thunderclap.

Gasp rippled through the air.

One tenant's jaw dropped, another's eyes widened, another paused mid-word that was commenting that 'Benjamin is finished' but the outcome of what the expected didn't happen and the air seemed to hold it's breath at the shocking reality of what eventually happened.

Even Desmond was in shock, his brain refusing to comprehend what had just happened.

Hassan stumbled back two steps nearly losing his balance. He paused, his right palm pressed on his right cheek where Armando's palm struck in dismay.

He blinked.

"Armando....you just.. slapped me…" His voice cracked on the words.

"Shut up, Hassan!" Armando cut him off with a hiss. He loomed over him like a shadow. "Are you crazy!? You have been insulting the new landlord? Oh, God...do you want to die! Do you know how much Mr. Benjamin paid to have this place. It was twice the dowry your father collected for your sister's wedding!!" He shrieked.

The entire compound went still.

Laughter paused, smirk vanished, everyone who had been insulting Benjamin had suddenly gone dumb.

Mr. Armando rushed to meet Benjamin, his hand shaking, his eyes carrying respect that made the tenement curious.

His palm clasped in front. "Mr. Benjamin.. please..I am sorry about the inconvenience. Please forgive me. The money is received. $400,000. The papers are ready.."

"$400k?" Someone gasped, his eyes wide.

"What is going on exactly? $400k from who? This young man in plain Tee?" Another gasped, his jaw apart.

Desmond stood at the side, words refusing to form from his mouth.

"Armando, I am highly disappointed that my friend here was insulted by your caretaker." Benjamin finally said. "I will not tolerate such insults on my friend. He's going to apologize to him. On his knee and pack his properties back inside." Benjamin's voice was a quiet command.

"Armando, you're misunderstanding the situation..this young man is a nobody.." Hassan, who was still desperate, made an explanation.

Armando spun to him.

"You heard him. On your knee. The landlord had spoken. You came into his property to harass him. All of you who insulted him and his friend should apologize while I'm still here, maybe Mr. Benjamin will be willing to forgive you. I don't have any right on this property or any say in this matter once he signs the document."

Tension flared in the air.

"And all of you have not been paying rent for the past two months.."

"What??" One tenant gasped, his expression twisted in mild anger. "Mr. Armando, that is a ridiculous accusation. We all have been paying Hassan.. wait.. Hassan hadn't been giving you any money?" He turned to look at the caretaker. He'd gone still at the side, his shoulder slumped, his cheek burning with embarrassment.

Whispers stirred in the air, each one questioning Hassan.

Armando looked at Hassan with a raised brow. "You have been spending my rent?"

Hassan raised his head, his neck was stiff. His lips trembled. While the tenants were paying for the rent, he didn't remit it to Armando. He lavished it on gambling, women and liquor.

"I..I can explain.. please, my brother-in-law. It's not what it looks like.." He reached out to hold Armando's arm. Armando slapped his hands away. "I'm disappointed in you. Your sister will hear about this. You're a disgrace."

Armando pulled out the house paperwork for Benjamin to sign. Benjamin collected it and signed.

After that was done, he turned to the tenants and said, "I give everyone twenty four hours to evacuate the building." He said with authority. "If you fail to comply, then get ready to be buried under demolition. I'm rebuilding this piece."

Everyone gasped.

One tenant crumbled to his knee. He already saw himself spending the night on the street.

"Mr. Benjamin.. Please help us. We're sorry for how we spoke to you.."

One after the other they all went on their knees, pleading.

Hassan's heart had sunk to the bottom. He was going to be homeless and these tenants were going to request their rent from him. He was going to be in debt. He blamed himself for insulting Benjamin.

His knee hit the ground with a sharp crack. He crawled to Benjamin's feet.

"Please.. please Mr. Benjamin.. I beg you. Save me. I don't want to be homeless.. Master Desmond ..I am sorry please."

Benjamin simply looked away from him to Desmond.