Villainy For Riches

Felix, since birth, had lived with Mr and Mrs Richie, a rich couple who had found themselves swimming in debt for a few months.

No day passed by which the bank and other creditors Mr Richie borrowed money from did not call.

Mr Richie sees a great opportunity to get back on their feet after they finally get an answer from a powerful criminal leader, Mr Lorenzo, which they have been trying hard to meet with for some weeks.

"Stop being so sluggish and give me your hand." Mrs Richie said to Felix.

Felix timidly makes a move to reach for his mother's hand but she hurriedly grabs Felix's wrist and follows her husband into the venue for a friend's party to which they were invited.

It was in that same place that the couple would meet Mr Lorenzo and ask for help from him.

After all, they have served him well in the past years.

Loud music played in the living room of the mansion and there were many people on the dance floor enjoying themselves.

A man in a black suit standing on a staircase noticed Mr and Mrs Richie walk in from across the group of people dancing. He manages to get Mr and Mrs Richie's attention and he signals them to follow him.

While struggling to get passed the people dancing, Mrs Richie felt that Felix was drawing her back and slowing her down.

"Stupid boy." Mrs Richie mumbled in annoyance as she lets go of Felix's hand in the crowd and meets her husband at the other side.

"Where's the kid?" Mr Richie asked his wife.

"Somewhere at the back. I'm sure he can find his way to us. He's ten years old already." Mrs Richie answered like she did not have a care in the world.

"Well? Lead the way." Mr Richie said to the man in black.

The man led Mr and Mrs Richie up the stairs and into a room.

A man was seated close to the middle of the room. That man was the head of a criminal organisation. His name is Mr Lorenzo.

There was a table in front of him and two chairs on the opposite side of the table for Mr and Mrs Richie to sit down.

The man in black returned to his standing position beside Mr Lorenzo just as there was another man in black standing on the left-hand side of Mr Lorenzo.

Mr Richie and his wife sat down and as Mr Richie was about to speak, Mr Lorenzo raised his palm mid-air, a signal for Mr Richie to maintain his silence.

"I know why the both of you are here." Mr Lorenzo said and snapped his fingers.

A briefcase was brought out by the third man in black and placed on the table between Mr Richie and Mr Lorenzo himself.

"Let's cut the chit-chat. I don't plan on staying here for long. In this box, there are two million dollars." Mr Lorenzo wasn't done with what he was saying before getting interrupted by Mrs Richie.

"Thank you so much, sir. You don't know how much this means to us. Thank you." Mrs Richie said to Mr Lorenzo.

Mr Lorenzo frowned at her in return and she nervously adjusted herself on her seat.

"You better keep your wife on a leash, Richie. Seems she hasn't heard of me... Yet." Mr Lorenzo warned.

Mrs Richie felt insulted but couldn't retaliate as she did not want Mr Lorenzo to change his mind about the money.

"I will give you two the money but on one condition only. I want your son in return." Mr Lorenzo said.

"What's the big deal in that? We can always have another son. I don't know why you would want Felix though. The kid is weak." Mr Richie said.

Lorenzo smirked and pushed the briefcase to Mr Richie who opened it instantly. Mr and Mrs Richie's eyes glittered at the sight of the money. They couldn't believe, for some months now, that they could ever have up to that amount again.

The door to the room they were all in was pushed open and in came another one of Lorenzo's men with Felix in his grip.

"Caught this one eavesdropping." the man said and pushed Felix forward.

Felix fell to the floor and remained on his knees with his eyes fixed on the ground.

"Look at me boy," Lorenzo said to Felix.

Felix raised his head and stared deep into Mr Lorenzo's eyes. That surprised Felix's parents.

Felix had always been the bullied shy type ever since but that moment was different. It was as if something changed in Felix when he saw his parents sell him off without a second thought.

"You asked why I wanted your boy, Mr Richie. Well, here's the truth... It's the quiet ones that are the deadliest. Lorenzo said to Richie.

"Now hold on a minute..." Mr Richie said, getting up from his chair.

"Get him out of my sight. Him and his wife as well." Lorenzo said, interrupting Mr Richie.

"Wait..." Mr Richie said but Lorenzo's men pushed him and his wife out before he could utter another word.

"Come to me boy," Lorenzo said to Felix.

Felix got on his feet and walked directly to Lorenzo. Lorenzo placed his hands on Felix's shoulders and looked him in the eyes, "One can never trust anyone in this life my boy. That's one lesson you should never forget." Lorenzo told Felix.

Lorenzo got up and left the party with Felix and his men. Mr Lorenzo entered a car with Felix and the driver while his men took two different cars, four persons in each.

They arrived at Mr Lorenzo's palace like a mansion and as soon as they stepped into the building, there was a line of other boys waiting who were either Felix's age or a bit above.

Each boy had a maid standing behind him who was assigned to them when they were brought in.

Three maids came in front of Felix. "Pick one that will serve you till you grow up," Lorenzo told Felix

Felix picked the most beautiful maid which stood in the middle and he heard the boys snickering.

"Are you sure?" Mr Lorenzo asked Felix.

Felix nodded.

"Very well. Welcome to the family. Make friends. You'll need those when the time comes." Mr Lorenzo said and walked away. The men in black also left and it was just the boys and their maids.

"Can't believe he chose the weakest one." one of the boys said, referring to Felix's choice of a maid.