Chapter 2

"I am so sorry". Billion said to the lady, attempting to rectify the situation.

"Are your eyes meant for decoration? Why couldn't you watch where you were going?!". The lady yelled 

"Please, forgive me". Billion begged.

He attempted to clean the lady's dress with a serviette, but it was no use, her dress was completely ruined.

"Wait here, let me get some water". Billion said to her and turned, he bumped into the Brown family.

"What's going on? What have you done?". Beauty asked

"It was an accident, I can fix it". Billion said

"My mother asked what happened". Stella yelled. By then, a small crowd had formed.

Billion explained what had happened and the moment he said it was an accident, the lady angrily pushed him and he fell to the ground.

"It was no accident. You did this on purpose. Just take a look at my dress! If they sell everything you own, it would still not be enough to afford this dress!" The lady yelled

Just then, Joshua Brown spoke. "We're really sorry about this. As for Billion, we'll make sure he gets what he deserves".

Billion knew what that meant. Once the guests left, he wouldn't be returning to the house. He would be spending the night in a police station.

…

"No, please no!..." Billion pleaded. However,. His pleas fell on deaf ears.

In a swift motion, the officer grabbed Billion by the collar of his suit and, with surprising strength, lifted him off his feet.

With a powerful thrust, the officer flung Billion forcefully onto the ground, causing a resounding thud that echoed through the cell.

As Billion struggled to recover from the impact, he summoned every ounce of his willpower to sit up. The pain coursing through his body was evident, yet he refused to succumb to its overwhelming presence. With gritted teeth and a determined expression, he pushed through the discomfort, and managed to sit on the floor.

The physical pain he felt was nothing compared to the emotional turmoil he was going through. He had only showered Stella with love, he couldn't believe she was seeing someone else.

Billion's heart pounded in his chest. The cold, damp walls closed in around him, and he couldn't shake off the eerie feeling that enveloped him. A wave of déjà vu washed over him. 

Wiping the dirt off his shirt, he turned to look around. He couldn't believe it, despite his efforts, he once again found himself in this dreadful cell.

The room was devoid of any comfort or warmth. A narrow, worn-out cot was positioned against the far wall, its thin mattress stained and sagging. A coarse blanket, threadbare and tattered, lay haphazardly on top, providing little respite from the unyielding chill that permeated the cell. 

In one corner, a rusted metal sink jutted out from the wall, tarnished and chipped. The faucet emitted only a slow, meager trickle of water, barely enough to quench the most basic of needs. Nearby, a small, grimy mirror hung precariously.

The only source of natural light was a narrow window, obstructed by thick iron bars. The tiny window was always partially covered by grime, obscuring the view and casting eerie shadows across the cell as the sunlight fought to pierce through.

The silence within the cell was punctuated only by the distant echoes of footsteps and the occasional muffled conversation from the prison corridors beyond. 

The previous year, around the same time, he had been in this very prison cell. The memories flooded back with startling clarity. It was all connected to a disastrous dinner party where he had inadvertently served shellfish to a lady he didn't know was allergic to it.

Billion's father in-law had orchestrated his arrest in a fit of rage. He had accused Billion of intentionally harming the woman, even though it had been a genuine mistake. The incident had caused a rift in the family, leading to an even strainer relationship with his wife.

Now, finding himself back in this familiar cell, Billion couldn't believe the strange twist of fate. The memories of that night resurfaced vividly. He recalled the panic in the woman's eyes as her throat began to close, the frantic rush to get her medical attention, and the mounting chaos that ensued. It had been a nightmare then, and it seemed history was repeating itself.

Although he wasn't a religious person, Billion silently prayed, he begged God that not all the events that happened in this cell the previous year should happen again.

The previous year, after his release, he had gone back to the Brown mansion with lacerations around his eyes and lips, injuries above his hairline, numerous cuts and bruises and a broken rib.

When the other cell mates discovered that he was the son-in-law of Joshua Brown, they had given him a beating which had left him traumatized. 

Joshua Brown was widely known and had many enemies, he had put lots of people behind bars and rumor had it that not all of them were guilty.

As Billion sat in his tiny corner of the cell, he begged God that no other person would be sent into the same cell as him; he wished to be alone.

Unfortunately, his prayer wasn't answered. Just then, the door was opened and three huge, scary looking men walked in.

Billion wished for death again, however, he did the only thing that came to his mind, he had his face buried deep within the confines of his trembling hands. Maybe, they would ignore him, but once again, his wish didn't happen.

Billion heard the rhythmic thuds of their footsteps, like distant tremors, reach him. The subtle changes in air pressure and the rustling of fabric informed him of their proximity.

He quietly prepared himself, readying his mind and body for the impending encounter. His heart beats resolutely. He was expecting a shove, slap or punch, but nothing happened. Slowly, he decided to raise his head.

"Good evening, Sir". The three men said he unison when he looked up at them.

Billion was more than confused. He turned his head to look around the room. Surely they were talking to someone else, it couldn't be him they were referring to as "Sir".

"Are you talking to me?". He asked, confusion written on his face.

"Yes Sir. We wanted to speak to you at the Brown's residence, but unfortunately, we were unable to.

"Once we saw that you had been arrested, we looked for a way to reach you here". The second man explained

"Is this a joke?". Billion asked

"No Sir". The third man answered

"Listen, I know how this works, you're trying to play mind games on me just like my father in law probably did to a friend of yours.

But, I am not him, you don't have to play games with me. I apologize on his behalf, but please, don't hurt me, I'm begging you". Billion pleaded

However, the men looked at each other, shocked and confused as to why Billion would assume that.

"No Sir! We're not here to hurt you, we would never". The second guy said, repulsed by the mere thought of hurting Billion.

"Master Billion…" the first guy started talking but Billion cut him short.

"How do you know my name?". He asked

"We were sent by someone close to you. He wants us to deliver a message to you". The first guy continued.

"I don't have anyone close to me. I have no friends and no family!". Billion yelled defensively.

"That's not true sir". The second guy said

"And how would you know?". Billion asked

"Just like he said. We were sent by someone close to you. And he asked us to tell you that you need to return home". The second man said

"Home? Who sent you?". Billion asked

"Lord Boulevard, Sir". The third man answered

As the unexpected name resonated in the air, a wave of disbelief washed over Billions' face, freezing his features in a moment of profound astonishment.

The color drained from his complexion, leaving his skin pale, as if all the blood had momentarily rushed away.

The muscles in his jaw tensed, causing his mouth to gape slightly, unable to form words in response to the jarring revelation.

Lord Boulevard was a figure shrouded in mystery and grandeur. A man who made the world stand in awe because of his unparalleled wealth and power.

However, what the world wasn't aware of, was that Lord Boulevard, the living legend, had ties with the mafia, crime syndicates and every illegal activity in the city.

He wasn't the richest man just by owning every brand in the city, he was involved in everything shady, and now, he has requested for Billion to return home. 

Billion had been scared he would be beaten and left half dead, but now, he would have preferred that, to being reminded about a name he never thought he would hear again.

"Oh my God!." Billion muttered