The Return of Billion Boulevard

Chapter 4

"Mrs. Harvey, please," Billion implored, his eyes pleading with her to understand the gravity of the situation. "You mustn't say what you're about to. It could ruin everything."

Mrs. Harvey's gaze settled upon Billion, a smirk dancing on her lips. The room seemed to grow quieter, the collective attention shifting towards the unfolding drama. A sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air, as if the entire room held its breath, awaiting the explosion of a well-kept secret.

A cruel glint sparked in Mrs. Harvey's eyes, and she sneered, relishing the power she held over Billion. "Oh, dear Billion," she mocked, her voice dripping with condescension. 

"Did you really think you could fool us all? Do you believe that your fake pleas would stop me from exposing who you truly are? You, with your cowardly ways and empty words, are nothing but a spineless fool."

The words hit Billion like a series of sharp blows, each one drawing blood from his wounded pride. His face flushed crimson, the weight of Mrs. Harvey's insults crushing his spirit. He felt the room closing in, the judgemental gazes of all in the room intensifying his humiliation.

Tears welled up in Billion's eyes, a mixture of shame and anger flooding his being.

"Mrs Harvey, please tell us what you know". Mrs Williams urged and everyone concurred

"Mrs Harvey, I know I shouldn't have li…" Billion's explanation was cut short by Mrs Harvey's sentence.

"Billion is now a member of a gang". She announced

"What?". Everyone said in unison, Billion included.

"What gang? What're you talking about Mrs Harvey?". Billion asked

"Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about". She replied

"Mrs Harvey, how do you know?". Beauty asked

"From his appearance, of course. Can't you all see it? Is this the look of a man who had spent the night in a cell?". She asked

"Oh, I understand it now. This wasn't how he looked when he was released last year from the police station". Mrs Williams answered

"Exactly! He was probably kept in the same cell with his gang members, as a result, no one dared to hurt him, they probably spent the entire time planning how to rob this house". Mrs Harvey said

"You're right! I'm surprised we didn't notice it immediately. When he was released the last time, he had multiple cuts and bruises, I even had to spend money hiring a nurse to attend to him". Mr Brown said

The relief which washed over Billion was like a cool ocean breeze on a scorching day. The words that tumbled out of Mrs. Harvey's mouth were not the ones he had dreaded.

"Mrs Harvey. You're completely mistaken. I am not a member of any gang. The only reason I returned unharmed is because the other cell mates were regular people who were put there for minor offences". Billion lied.

"I can see right through your deceit, boy!. You have joined a gang". She repeated and the others nodded their heads in agreement.

"I don't think I'll feel safe knowing I'll be sleeping under the same roof with a criminal". Mr Harvey said

"Me too. In fact, I don't feel safe being in the same room with him right now. I think he should leave and only return after we have left". Mr Williams suggested and murmurs of agreement could be heard.

…

After he was sent out, Billion wandered into the peaceful embrace of Glendalton park and sat on a weathered wooden bench.

Lost in thought, Billion's eyes gazed into the distance, yet his mind journeyed far beyond the bounds of the park. 

His thoughts, however, was disrupted by a sound behind him. Billion turned his head to look at the source of the sound and the sight he beheld had him leaping up from his chair.

"Lord Boulevard". He whispered.

"Hello son". Lord Boulevard replied.

His heart skipped a beat,  Lord Boulevard, the man he had not laid eyes upon in nine long years. The shock he felt reverberated through his entire being, freezing him in place.

Lord Boulevard had aged since Billion's departure. The once-vibrant countenance now bore the weight of time, etched with lines of wisdom. His eyes, however, still possessed the same piercing gaze that had both intimidated and captivated Billion in his youth.

The world around them seemed to fade into insignificance as their gazes met, emotions cascading between them like unspoken words. Billion felt a jumble of conflicting feelings rise within him—regret, curiosity, and the remnants of a love that had never truly diminished.

"Father, what're you doing here?". Billion finally asked after what seemed like an eternity

"What do you think? I'm here to see you". Lord Boulevard answered

Billion quickly realized where they were and who Lord Boulevard was. He immediately scanned the area to make sure there was no one watching.

"Relax, son. There's no one here but us. Did you get my message, Billy?". Lord Boulevard asked

"I did. You asked me to return home". Billion answered

"Good. So, why didn't you comply?". Lord Boulevard inquired

"You know why, father. It is the same reason I ran away from home. I do not wish to be part of a family of criminals!.

While mum was on her sickbed, she begged you to legalize everything you owned and I watched you promise her that you would.

It turned out you lied, father. I watched my best friend get killed as a result of your shady dealings and I knew I had to get away!

If I had stayed, I probably wouldn't be alive today. So, no, I cannot return home with you". Billion explained

"It's all in the past son. And I'm sorry about what happened to your friend, Andy. I wish I had fulfilled the promise I made to your mother sooner, but I couldn't, things were complicated ". Lord Boulevard replied

"Are you trying to tell me you've left the life of crime behind? That you've cut ties with your mafia associates and ended things with all criminal families?". Billion inquired

"Yes". Lord Boulevard answered

Billion scoffed. "I'm sorry father, but I find that really hard to believe". He said

"Here". Lord Boulevard said, handing Billion some documents. "This proves everything I just said"

Billion took the documents from him and Settled back in the chair. His eyes were fixated on the document, the words blurring as a mixture of disbelief and elation washed over him in waves.

His face bore the marks of astonishment. His brows furrowed in a crease of skepticism.

As Billion delved deeper into the document, a glimmer of joy began to emerge, a spark igniting within his core. A slow, almost imperceptible smile crept onto his lips.

His eyes darted across the words once more, disbelief warring with the undeniable truth they presented. The sheer magnitude of what he read threatened to overwhelm him, but he reveled in the audacity of it all. 

Billion's fingers trembled slightly as he held the paper. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his body, awakening a surge of energy he hadn't felt in years.

"You really did it". He said, his voice laced with emotions.

"Yes, son. I did it for you". Lord Boulevard replied

"For me? What're you talking about?". Billion asked

"It's time for you to your rightful position as the heir to the Boulevard empire". Lord Boulevard answered

Concerned, Billion asked, "Father, are you sick?". 

"No. I just feel it's time for you to take over. I want to relax and enjoy what I've built. I want to watch you become a better man than I ever could be". Lord Boulevard replied

Billion didn't have to think about it for long. He was ready to leave Glendalton and all its inhabitants who were constantly looking down on him, it was time for a new start.

"I'm ready father, what do I do?". He asked

"Just turn the document over and sign". 

Immediately, Billion complied.

With that signature alone, Billion just became the owner of over a billion dollar empire.

He was no longer Billion Everest. It was time to assume his real identity, he was Billion Boulevard.

"Billion the Billionaire, now that sounds just right". He muttered

"Here son" Lord Boulevard said, handing Billion ten thousand dollars.

"Use this to buy whatever you need for today. Tomorrow, I expect to see you back at home" he continued.

"Thank you Father". Billion gratefully replied.

"Billy, there is one more thing left, I need you to do me a favor". Lord Boulevard said

"Sure, anything father". Billion replied

"I need you to retrieve some documents for me". Lord Boulevard said

"Just tell me where they are, and I'll get them for you". Billion responded

"They're in Joshua Brown's house office. I need you to collect them without him knowing". Lord Boulevard requested

Billion had just returned back to his father and the first task he's given is to steal from his father in-law.

"Unfuck!ng believable". Billion whispered.