ARGON
I followed Deron from behind, as we stepped into his study room.
“What is it that you want to discuss with me, Argon?” He asked, leaning against the table in the room, crossing his arms.
The serious expression on his face was beginning to choke me deeply. I didn’t know if I should speak up or stay shut.
“Why are you looking nervous, Argon? Is everything okay? ” He asked, noticing the discomfort I was in.
As I tried to compose myself and act all fine, my Beta’s voice came ringing in my head, reminding me of what his advice.
“I may never know unless I give it a try. Well, here goes nothing.”
Puffing out, I told Deron about my financial state and how broke I was.
His eyes came shooting out, causing my heart to pound more. But I didn’t stop. I kept telling him all I was facing and how badly I needed his help in saving myself from shame.
“I know this is embarrassing, but I really need this money to solve my problems. If you have any interest in the goods, I’ll sell it to you for an affordable price. But if you don’t need it, please just lend me the money and I’ll pay up when I get it, ” I begged Deron, lowering my head down.
After explaining and making my request, I patiently waited for Deron to speak up.
He was just silent.
His eyes were still wide at my words. I felt my knee shaking just by looking into his gazs. It’s clear already. Looks like Deron isn’t going to help out.
But suddenly, Deron came out laughing, pulling me closely like a kid and patting my head.
His behavior surprised me, placing a light curve across my face.
“Is that why you’re acting so scared? Argon, you’re my daughter’s future husband. You are my son. Don’t worry about the money, I’ll give it to you before this week ends.”
“Really?” I gasped at Deron’s words. He’s going to help me!
He nodded, saying, “Of course I will, my boy. You don’t have to worry about the money. I’ll help you out with it.”
“Thank you, thank you so much!” I appreciated, hugging him without thinking. Alpha Deron didn’t mind. He just hugged me back, telling me to cheer up.
“So, is that why you were all moody? ” He asked, lifting his brow at me.
A smile crept across my face, giving Deron his answer.
“You are a funny man,” He laughed out loudly, and I gladly joined in.
At last, I have found my savior. Deron has saved me from this big mess called shame. Oh goddess! Thank you for using Estelle to call at that period, otherwise, Jerome wouldn’t have thought of this brilliant plan.
To show his full support for my success, Deron promised to find a potential buyer for the goods I made, assuring me of a quick response and flash sales.
“I have a lot of business men I work with, so don’t worry.”
“You don’t know what you’ve done for me, Alpha Deron. I am grateful,” I appreciated.
“Anytime, Argon. Just keep making my Estelle happy, ” He said.
With that settled, we both returned back to the party to celebrate the remaining hours. Now I could rejoice without any fear in my heart. I even began to tease Estelle lovingly, leaving her wondering what was wrong.
“You’re a happy man. Did you and Daddy have a good talk like you wanted?” She asked, wrapping her arms around my neck.
We were outside the mansion, near the garden. The right place to be alone with the woman I love.
I smiled but didn’t tell Estelle what was going on or what Deron and I had discussed. All I did was give her a kiss, pulling her close for an embrace.
She didn’t ask any more questions but soaked herself in my warm hold.
.
Two days later, Jerome and I were patiently waiting for Alpha Deron’s feedback on the buyer and the money he promised to give to me.
The bank had called in, reminding me that I have only two days left to pay them up.
When I told Deron about it, he chuckled and told me I’d be getting the money tomorrow noon.
“Banks and their nonsense. When the money comes, use it to slam their faces, ” He had bragged.
I was full of fire and confidence, that when they called, I boldly told them that they’ll get their money before the deadline reaches.
It was with boldness.
“I am happy for you, Alpha. It’s good that you took that bold step in talking to Deron,” Jerome had said while we where in my office at the company.
“I should be thanking you again for the advice. If I had stayed hidden in my fear, I wouldn’t be smiling today, ” I said, showing my happiness to my Beta.
He could clearly see it on my face.
“Have you paid the workers their fee?” I asked Jerome concerning the factory workers.
He nodded and said, ” Yes, I paid them from the remaining balance in the account.”
“That’s good.” I was pleased.
At least they won’t suspect a thing.
Since that incident with my former client, my workers have been suspecting my behavior. It was clear from their faces that they were sensing trouble with my finances, but paying them their salary was enough to silence their suspicion.
Having nothing else to do, I decided it was best to head back to the mansion and relax.
Jerome offered to stay back and monitor the staffs, so I left him alone and journeyed back to the mansion.
On getting back to my place, the first thing I did was send the maids to make a special feast for tonight, just to celebrate my happiness.
It was too much to hold back, and I needed to express it out.
“Tonight’s going to be a joyous day. You all can join me, ” I said, inviting my servants.
They were thrilled by this news, showing their delight.
Behind them stood Brielle, who had stopped by with Tania, listening to my conversation with the servants.
Her face showed no emotion like always, only Tania was looking excited.
When they all dismissed to attend to tonight’s plan, I walked up to Brielle with a grin across my face.
She just stood there waiting for me, with her eyes fixed directly at my face.
When I got to her, I asked, “I hope you’ll join us tonight?”
Silent, that was how she remained. Only her eyes were active, as they hovered around me, like she was searching for something.
I had to look at myself and also touch my face, asking, “Is something wrong with me?”
Still she didn’t say anything.
She tilted her head to the side, looking straight into my eyes. And this was beginning to creep me out.
What is she doing?
Just then, Brielle smirked out, setting her head straight with her arms crossing against her chest.
She lifted her brow at me and said while turning around, ” I’ll join the party.”
“Oh, that’s… Great, ” I said, glad that she accepted the invite.
But did it require scanning my face before answering?
It still felt weird to me.
She walked away with Tania, while I made my way to my room, planning for tonight.
.
The following day, I was woken by a troubling call from someone. I couldn’t tell who it was because of my sleepy eyes. I just answered the call, waiting to hear from the caller.
“Hello?”
“So, is it true that you are now poor and you are going to lose your company and home soon?”
“What?!” My heart skipped.
The sleep in my eyes faded away instantly, as I sat up with speed to see who the caller was.
There was no name, but just a line.
The caller began throwing questions relating to my problem, revealing he was among the press.
“What rubbish are you talking about? I am not going through any bankruptcy.”
“That’s not what your previous business partners said.”
“Business partners?” I was stunned, remembering those old fools with Damien.
They told the press things about my business and the failed delivery, also hitting on the part that I am owing the bank a huge amount.
My whole body shivered at this, sending me out of bed.
“Stop passing out false news! Get lost!!” I roared, ending the call instantly.
“What is happening? How did the press…” I paused, recalling what the fellow had just said.
My previous business partners.
“Damien must have told them what I’m facing. That animal is keen on ruining me so he can take over my pack! Damn him! ”
Quickly, I got ready and stormed out of my room to look for my beta. Surprisingly, he was coming to see me as well.
“Alpha, there’s a problem,” He said, pulling me aside. He took out his phone and showed me the morning news updated by the media about my bankruptcy.
“Someone gave them news about your case and now it has gone wild.”
“I know. One of the press had called me to get the truth,” I shared with Jerome, rushing down the stairs in worry.
“What now? Should we hold a press meeting and stop this nonsense?” Jerome asked.
“They need to know that you’re not broke. Alpha Deron is going to send you the money this noon. Let them know you’re not owing anyone.”
My Beta was right, but holding a press conference was not necessary. I wanted the money to come in first before I silence them with it, just like Deron had said.
As we hoped and tried our best to avoid any press from coming over to throw any questions at us, that animal that calls himself King Damien, held an interview with the press, along with my former partners, telling them all that I was deceiving innocent clients into thinking I still have wealth.
“That man has nothing in his account. There’s a lot of evidence showing he’s doomed, yet he’s acting like all is well. Tell him to step out and prove to us all that he has the money to pay up the bank he’s owing. This is shameful,” Damien had voiced, acting like a freedom fighter.
I was so mad at this.
Even my previous partners began adding salt to my wound, portraying me unfit for the pack.
Because of this, calls from the press began to troop in as well.
“Alpha, what now? ” Jerome had asked ending multiple calls. “If we keep on rejecting their calls, they’d think Damien is right and you are in the wrong,” Jerome said.
This was beginning to trouble me. I could no longer wait for noon.
“He wants a comeback right? Fine then! I’ll give it to him,” I decided out of anger.
Right there in my study room, I made Jerome take a video record of me, telling all that I wasn’t broke but having a minor setback.
“And I’m going to prove that this noon at around three. I’ll send the bank their money and you’ll see for yourself that I am not ruined as King Damien had said, ” I passed.
Jerome uploaded the video to the internet and it got a large view from everyone, including the bank and the press.
Few minutes after it was posted, Damien and my past partners commented that I was faking it.
“Let’s wait then, ” Damien commented.
I groaned at this. “I’ll show them all. They’ll regret ever mocking me.”
Fired up, I took out my phone to contact Alpha Deron, but his line wasn’t reachable. I tried for the next ten minutes, and it was still the same thing.
“Why isn’t he answering my calls?” I wondered, getting worried.
When I was about to try again, Deron texted me.
“I’m busy, ” That was all he sent.
This got me bothered that I had to show Jerome the message. My beta told me to be calm.
“Maybe he’s trying to send the money as he promised. Let’s be patient. We just have four hours to go, ” Jerome said.
I nodded, waiting for Deron to act on his words.
Four hours… Three hours… Two hours… One hour left.
“Jerome, he’s not answering! What is going on?!” I panicked, trying hard to contact Alpha Deron. But still, his number wasn’t going through.
I even tried Estelle’s line and it was the same.
This can’t be happening now. Not now!
Damien was still attacking me online, counting down the time on my behalf. My whole body shivered as I faced my beta and immediately told him to send a guard down to Deron’s place and see what was wrong.
“Why do I feel like Damian had done something? Please send a guard down there, quickly. We have no time left.”
“Sure,” Jerome said, rushing out of the study room.
Even though the weather was fine, I could still feel the choking heat all over.
I was pacing about, looking at the time as it clocked down to thirty minutes.
“Shit! Goddess, help me, please! ” I prayed, waiting and trying to call Deron.
As I waited and waited and waited…
DING! Time was up.
My heart sank with terror, sending me into the internet immediately. When I checked, Damien has already uploaded a post telling everyone that I lied.
“Isn’t this three? I told you all that he has nothing. He only said that to deceive you. Now who’s the liar?” He mocked.
And under his post, there were negative comments about me, sent by the people.
I was horrified by their insults and abuses, as they labeled me a crook.
Unable to contain this any more, I exited from the internet, panting out.
And that’s when the bank called me.
I didn’t want to pick up and I didn’t want them to think Damien’s words were true.
When I answered the call, what I got first was a jeer from the bank manager himself.
“You claimed you’ll send our money by noon, but you lied. Be expecting us at your company tomorrow. We’ll be taking it from you.”
“Wait, listen! Just give me…”
BEEP! He ended the call.
Panic struck and I found myself running around for solution.
Just when I was losing it, Jerome showed up and said, ” The guard is at Alpha Deron’s home.”
“What did he say?” I asked, desperate to know what had happened to them.
Why didn’t they pick my calls?!
“He said nothing is wrong. Everything is fine.”
“What? Everything is fine? Meaning…”
“Meaning Damien didn’t do anything. They are just at their home, doing nothing,” Jerome reported.
This shocked me.
If nothing happened to them, then why didn’t Alpha Deron pick his call?