The Power of the Eminence grise

CHAPTER ONE; The Gardener

Idris Vader grunts as he pulls off the garden gloves from his hand. He adjusts the watering feed behind him before crouching to drop the pruning shears.

"Mr West, I must admit, I wasn't expecting to see you."

"I'm worried once again, sir" an old, white hairy man in a haggard wear said, looking worried.

He scanned the environment before continuing, "Sir" he paused, trying to figure out better way to put his message.

"Speak freely my friend."

"Ok. Is high time you consider going back."

"Would I have to kill you before you let me be..."

"Hear me out, It is over three years now and the Pierce family are not doing fine. My sources tells me there are still looking for you."

"That's sad but that life is behind me now, my friend. This is my reality."

"This is pathetic, sir. These people treats you like some servant, if only they have the faintest idea of who you truly are."

"Enough, I won't have you speak ill of my wife and my in-laws..."

"Idris! Idris!! Idris!!!" Someone called out, probably Mrs Miller.

"Duty calls, take care, my friend."' He said, gathered his instruments and left.

"Idris! Idris! Where the hell is this deadbeat?" Mrs Miller scowled, scanning the premises while looking impatient.

"Am behind you ma." A tall fine man responded calmly.

She turned towards the sweating image of Idris Vader, "Hmph, you look awful" She commented, rolling her eyes all over him.

"Am sorry ma, have been busy pruning the garden, hence the inconvinence deposition." He apologized

"Hmmm, good riddance. That's exactly where you belong, in the garden, not with my daughter, wouldn't you agree on that?" she asked, rolling her eyes on him.

"That's a topic for another day. Right now, you should know that we will be welcoming an important guest, Mr Gray and I believe you must have heard of him.

He is such a fine gentleman, tall, stupidily hot for a man and most importantly the heir to the Gray enterprises.

With him by Ava's side, our infuence and wealth will know no boun......d" she praised, her face full of smiles until she returned her gaze to Idris and it contorted into a frown, "Unlike some whose legacy are right in this tiny space." She mocked, circling her fingers round the garden premise.

"I need everywhere to be in a good state and most importantly" Her face grew more sterner, "You shouldn't be seen around my daughter, not even a mile from her, until Mr Gray is gone." She warned.

Convinced by her theatrics, she sashayed into the mansion leaving Idris to mull over all those insults and instructions.

"This is despicable and unheard of, treating you like some disease, yet as if that wasn't enough, they now stage your wife as a spinister." A fellow gardener who came and join him said.

"What do you have me do my friend, I'm gutted as you're but what other options do I have. Besides, this is just their doing not Ava's. She is certainly going to respect our union, I can assure you that." Idris said as glimpse of hope illuminates his clouded visage.

Roy looked at him with a stupefied countenance as he sang his sermon and then heaved a frustrating grunt. "You really can't see it, do you? even when it is blaring all over your fac...e"

"Enough of these allegations." Idris hushed in a calm tone though his face told another story, leaving Roy speechless.

Seeing that he have scared Roy, he said more calmly, "See, I know you're concerned about me and I get it. Ava may appear to be harsh or rude to me occasionally...." he stopped at the eye gesture from Roy, "Ok often, but believe me my friend she won't go as far as to sleep with another man."

"If you're right, she wouldn't be having a guest like Mr Gray whose promiscuous reputation precedes hi.."

"What are you two still doing there talking! Get to work, shriekers!" Mrs Miller screamed like a wounded lioness from the porch, interupting the two gardeners, causing them to clamour to their work space.

Three years and more, Idris have served as a gardener to the Millers while remaining what seems like a nominal husband to the ever beautiful Ava Miller. The only daughter and the CEO of Sterm Corp, a rapid growing company in Ashfall.

To such a prestige reputation, Idris was a taint to it. His very existence in their lives since three years ago, following late Mr Millers decision to marry off his daughter to him. An act he considered returning an unrequitable favour to Mr Vader.

Unfortunately for Idris, he died three months after the marriage and to this day, nobody knew anything about him neither do they know anything about the so called unpayble favour.

Few minutes later, a black bentley emerged. The driver stepped down from the car and went ahead to open the door for a five footed guy who alighted in a grandiose manner. 'Five footed, and my mother-in-law deemed him tall.'

He certainly looked rich but definetly gaudy giving his faddish wear, jewelries all over his body. Tattoes snaked all over to his neck, and to cap it off, he had a ridiculous plaited mustache.

That was Mr Gray, and surely his reputation precedes him.

The host, the Millers were already lined up like toady fellas ready to welcome their "Important guest".

Mrs Milller and his son, Larry, were definetly obsequious in their plesantries.

Mr Gray or perhaps, Ava took her time as she hugged him passionately, smiling from ear to ear as he whispered something into her ears before caping it off with a gentle slap to her ass, leaving her red out of shyness.

Pangs after pangs cut through Idris's heart as he watched another man flirt with his wife. He realized at that point that for three good years with Ava, he have never made such advancement to her let alone consumate their marriage.

Well, he deemed himself lucky for not having Roy witness this for he would have raised concerns that surely weren't far from the truth.

In his three years enduring humilations and insults from the Miller family, Roy was his only friend though it won't be so if his cheerful eight year old daughter, Victoria were to be included. The two have been his only intimate friends and have been his only source of joy.

However, his absence this moment happens to be because of Victoria who seems to be seriously ill.

Idris could only imagine what was happening inside. Standing right there downcasted, he could only hope that Ava will respect their vows.

His hope won't falter, at least, not at this moment. Even when everything seemed bleak.

"Idris Idris.." Roy called out running in with lightining pace jolting Idris from his reverie.

"What's it my friend?" He asked alarmingly though maintaining his usual comportment.

"Vic...Vict.o.." He mumbled, panting as he grasps for air

"Easy, easy my friend"

"Victor...Victoria is dying, sh..e.. she needs an urgent surgery, Idris.." He sobbed, bracing himself on his firm shoulder, "And I don't have money.

Your wife have refused to pay us for the past three months.." He cried sorrowfuly while Idris listened attentively.

Idris stood helplessly and perturbed as the lamentations and agony of his friends echoed in his ear. pain and anger clouded his gorgeous look while a spark ignited within, "Wait here my friend" He said with a deep calm voice and stride angirly into the mansion.

The Millers on the other hand were too busy entertaining their important guest to notice the intrusion of the unwanted guest. But not for long, for he emerged before them, in plain sight, cold and detached leaving them stunned.

Perturbed by a matter of urgency, he took a hasty glance in the sitting room but couldn't find Ava nor did he find Mr Gray. Without Ava in sight, he turned immediately to find her elsewhere.

Just then, Larry, though still in shock obstructed his path, standing toe to toe with him. "Where do you think you're going, bum?" He asked trying to intimidate him as usual.

"Excuse me my friend, I need a moment with my wife." Idris's voice was as cold as ever, leaving Mrs Miller and her son in a confounded state.