The Hidden King: Rise of Hercules

Deals with the In-Laws

He took a step back and gave a nod. “I'll just grab a cab,” he told him.

Alfred gave a quick nod of understanding. “I'll see you soon, right?”

“For sure,” Alex smiled. “I actually just lost my gig, so I need a fresh start. Your company would honestly be the perfect cover to keep a low profile.”

“Awesome,” Alfred said. “Roll up to P.K. Corporation tomorrow. I'll make sure we carve out a solid spot for you.”

“Appreciate it, I'm heading out,” Alex said.

“Hang on a second,” Alfred reached inside his car and pulled out a sleek bottle. “Take this. It's Diva Vodka, runs about a million bucks. Figured you should bring a nice housewarming gift since you're meeting the family for the first time.”

Alex took the bottle carefully, treating it like it was made of thin glass. He looked back up at Alfred. “Man, thank you so much.”

Alfred shot him a wide grin. “Anytime, Hercules.”

He flagged down a cab and took off even before Alfred pulled away. His palms instantly started sweating the second he began stressing about the family ambush waiting for him.

The car rolled up to the massive front gate, and Alex's heart did a hard flip in his chest. He stood on the sidewalk for a minute, taking a few slow, deep breaths to pump himself up before pushing through the entrance.

An older couple was sitting close together on the living room couch, and Alex didn't even need a hint to know these were Nkiru’s folks.

Honestly, the family resemblance was wild. If he had bumped into them anywhere else, he would have called them out as Nkiru's relatives instantly.

They snapped their heads up the second he stepped into the room. Alex flashed his warmest, most polite smile and walked right over.

“Good evening, respected elders,” he said nicely. “Picked up a little something for you!” He held out the expensive vodka bottle.

Benjamin stared at him blankly for a second before reaching out to take the bottle from his hands.

“Oh, please,” Emma scoffed, rolling her eyes and turning her head away.

Benjamin turned the bottle over, inspecting the label. “Well, look at this. This is some seriously high-end stuff. Top tier quality, too,” he muttered with a small grin.

“Are you kidding me right now? What kind of cheap scammer could afford a bottle like this? It's totally fake, or the idiot stole it from somewhere!” Emma blasted.

Alex didn't even know where to begin. Was he supposed to tell them it was a freebie from Alfred, literally the richest guy in the city? Yeah right, nobody was going to buy that story.

“I honestly don't even know what's going on here. Is he trying to buy us off after ruining my daughter's life? And now he's a thief, too?” Emma yelled.

Alex let out a long, heavy sigh. “Ma'am, I promise you, it wasn't a crime, and nobody stole anything.”

“Oh, sure!” she snapped right back. “You hooked up with her on purpose just so you could leech your way out of total poverty, right? What makes you think you're good enough to breathe the same air as a gorgeous girl like Nkiru?”

Alex felt a sharp spike of anger hit his chest. Why was literally nobody willing to look at it from his side? Sure, they slept together, but he couldn't even remember how it went down in the first place! If he had any clue, would he have let it happen?

Still, he forced himself to stay quiet. The absolute last thing he needed was to set his future mother-in-law off even more.

“Cat got your tongue, genius? Can't even defend yourself?” Emma kept going, screeching like she wanted to wake up the whole neighborhood.

Alex kept his mouth shut and stared hard down at the shiny marble floor. He had zero clue what to say to someone who had already decided he was garbage.

“You absolute loser! You total nobody!” she shrieked, pure venom dripping from her eyes.

Benjamin shot Alex a sideways glance, looking kind of shocked that the kid was keeping his cool while getting chewed out like this. He reached over and gave Emma a gentle tap on the arm. “Alright, that's enough. Calm down now.”

Emma cut herself off and turned away, though her eyes were still burning with pure hate. If she had her way, she’d probably yell at Alex until sunrise.

Benjamin looked back up. “Take a seat, young man,” he offered, and Alex gladly dropped into a chair, letting out a quiet breath of relief while Emma kept fuming next to her husband.

“Look, we already figured out the basics of what went down. Nkiru still claims she doesn't even remember the full story. Either way, it's a huge mess, but the fact that you two are getting hitched isn't changing.”

Alex gave a quiet nod. Honestly, marrying her turned out to be the best break he could've asked for. If not for that night, he never would've crossed paths with Alfred. Plus, proving to these snobs that he wasn't just some broke nobody was the only way to earn any real respect. If he just turned tail and ran now, the family would trash his name forever.

“So, what's your game plan for a living? Where are you currently working?” Benjamin asked in a softer tone.

Alex looked him straight in the eye. “I actually just got laid off today,” he forced the words out, hating how pathetic it sounded, even if it was the awkward truth.

Benjamin gave a slow, brief nod. “Well, you better track down a decent job fast, or you're never stepping foot in this family as an in-law.”

Alex nodded along. “Fair enough, sir,” he said with a small, confident smile.

Benjamin stood up. “Alright then, you're dismissed.”

Alex rose to his feet, gave a quick, respectful bow, and started turning toward the exit.

“Look at this clown!” Emma jumped right back in like she had been reloading her weapons. “Look how cocky he's acting! How does a broke bum have the nerve to strut around like that? What kind of spell did you cast on Benjamin, huh? Do you honestly think this zero will ever land a real job?” Her loud voice forced Alex to slam on the brakes right at the door.

He spun around to face her directly. “I'm confident because I know what I'm capable of,” he said smoothly, flashing a bright, steady smile that actually made Benjamin look impressed.

“If I walk out there, land a solid career, and prove I'm good enough for your daughter... will you finally give me a real chance to prove myself?”