The Rise Of The True Heir

chapter 2

Since Greg and Carissa were little, Pa Santiago had always matched them together and made open his intentions that they should get married. When he fell sick Ma Carolyn instructed Greg and Carissa to pretend like they were dating so that Pa will be happy and get well.

Greg really cared and loved Pa Santiago because, after Ma Luci, Pa Santiago was the only other person that considered him as family. So he played along with the plan and never made Pa Santiago suspect that he and Carissa were not dating.

"Never! I am never going to marry this fatherless godforsaken cleaner, not now that Augustus is already planning to propose to me" Carissa cried.

Augustus was the CEO of. …. Oil and Gas. A very wealthy man from a prominent family. In the social strata Augustus' family was higher than Santiago's family by far. It will be an honour to the Santiago's family if Augustus gets married to Carissa and Carissa being Ma Carolyn's daughter would put Ma Carolyn at an advantage with the Winslows.

"Must it be me? Can't it be any other female child from the family. I didn't work this hard these years to be subjected to marrying a common cleaner! Not now that I and Augustus are about to get serious" Carissa continued to whine.

"About to get serious you said, Augustus had never taken you seriously before " Jose laughed.

"Besides, my brother is not begging you to marry him, it was just in Pa's will"

"Shut up your stinking mouth you little brat, one more disrespectful word from you and you won't like what I'll do to you " Desmond yelled at Jose.

Jose was angry but one glance at Greg he knew already that he had to maintain his cool.

"Emirian is going to take your place, she'll have to marry Greg instead"

Emirian was Aunt Angela's only daughter and Aunt Angela was a single mother and Pa Santiago's younger sister. So her daughter Emirian was also considered a member of Santiago's family. Though she studied fabrics and designs in a public university, and for the past two years, she hasn't been able to secure a paying job. Because of this, Ma Carolyn considered her most fit for Greg, since they were both the only failures in the family, they should marry each other.

"Of all the girls in this big family, why did you have to choose my daughter to marry Greg? She's my only daughter, why do you want to waste her future that way?" Aunt Angela protested.

"Who else would it be? Every other child of this noble family has a career to look after, what exactly does your daughter have? No job, no achievements, what exactly should be stopping her from getting married?" Ma Carolyn scoffed, she gave Aunt Angela a scornful look before waving at the lawyer to continue reading the will.

"Getting married? Yes, but to this useless, poverty stricken man, it's a big no from me" Though Aunt Angela was vehemently protesting, she already knew that Ma Carolyn's words were final, no one questioned her authority.

While all these arguments were ongoing, Greg was silent as he waited patiently. The marriage stuff was not really in the list of his problems, his mind was occupied with the thought of Ma Luci and Jose's present condition, and really wanted to see if he can sell any of the inheritance that will be allocated to him in order to pay for Ma Luci's hospital bills.

After waiting for one hour, the will was done. But to Greg's utmost surprise, no properties were either allocated him or to Jose. Except the $10,000 trust fund that Pa Santiago left in his name. While every other person got houses, companies , lands and other valuables.

"I agree that I'm not a bonafide member of this family because I was adopted, but what about Jose? How can Pa not leave even a dime for Jose, his biological son?" Greg stood up to ask Ma Carolyn.

"I think the content of this will was tempered with " Jose supported him.

The lawyer stood up to leave ignoring Greg and Jose's protests.

And immediately Greg's phone rang, it was coming from Grace field hospital.

"Am I unto Greg Alberto? Your mother is in critical condition, she missed her dialysis for a week, now her body waste has accumulated and is affecting her brain cells and you might lose her if the operation is not carried out in two weeks time".

Greg bent over to tie his old worn out shoes, it's once shiny leather was already peeling at the edges, his stucked in his faded white shirt and neatly ironed but faded black trousers.

This has always been his dressing routine everyday and this is because he has no other clothes except the jumpsuit he uses for cleaning and this pair of once glorious shirt and pair of trousers.

He had been so occupied with the thought of Ma Luci's health that he forgot about his personal needs.

Talking about Ma Luci, It's been one weeks and some days since the will was read and Greg was yet to receive the $10,000 trust fund. Though it was nothing close to $5million demanded by the hospital for Ma Luci's surgery but if added to his little savings he could beg the hospital to start the surgery and then he'll finish the payment later..

Since today was Ma Carolyn's birthday celebration, Greg decided to meet her at the event arena and solicit for help, perhaps in high spirits she will be kind enough to help.

The celebration was scheduled to hold at La Vegas Hotel and Suites, one of the expensive hotels in the country where the middle class and VIP personals hold their meetings and celebrations. Ma Carolyn invited many people including Augustus Winslow, Carissa's new boyfriend.

Every other member of the family was already in attendance when Greg arrived at the hotel uninvited. He was obstructed by the security guards who asked for his invitation card as a form of identification.

"You can't go inside without an invitation card," one of the guards said. Putting his hand across before Greg to prevent him from going inside.

"I don't need an invitation card to go to the party, I am a member of the Santiagos family. I'll soon be getting married to their daughter Emirian so you can say that I am an in-law" Greg responded. But this response made the guards laugh out loud.

They mockingly scanned Greg's dressing from head to toe, his plain black pants with faded shirt and a pair of shoes.

People around joined them in laughter.

Everyone knows that Ma Carolyn will not allow any of her daughters to date a poor man not to talk of getting married.

"Please, we are not here for comedy. How do you even think that this trick will get you a pass?" One of the guards asked amidst laughter.

Who doesn't know Santiago's in-laws?" The other added."No one from the Santiago's family would date not to talk of getting married to someone like you "

"He's probably one of those beggars going about in people's parties looking for leftover food and drinks" the other added. "I've seen so many of them, they can do or say anything just to get a pass"

Greg wanted to protest but was interrupted by Desmond's daughter Melissa and her group of friends. He heaved a sigh of relief, perhaps they might be of help. But instead, Melissa had seen Greg from afar and since she was bored at the party, she decided to play one of her expensive and humiliating pranks on him.

"Hey could you please get some drinks for my friends, make it quick please, We haven't taken anything since we arrived at this party." Melissa called out. Greg looked around to see if she was referring to anyone else behind him, but no she was in fact pointing at Greg.