CHAPTER 79: THE TRUTH.
Michael opened his eyes to the deafening sound of the machine that didn’t seem prepared to want to stop anytime soon. He sighed and tried moving his hand but it was painful for him, he couldn’t move his legs either. He tried hard to remember what had happened the night before but his memories were hazy for him.
Then his head snapped to the television in front of him, the picture of Raphael was there and his eyes opened clearly as he tried his best to listen.
“The second son of the Theophilus family, Raphael Theophilus has been confirmed to be the solidified owner of the new mega-company, Exclusive North Star [ENS]. The news came as a shock to everyone when this was announced and along with the news of his company was the information of his called-off engagement with the A-list actress, Erica.
Not many know the reason why this came up but the Billionaire made mention of sticking to his family and being responsible as a father and loving husband alongside being the best boss. Every other way to meet up with him and have a conversation has been rejected but we will let you know more. That is it for a minute with us at Crest Television…”
Mandarin opened the door and entered, when she saw that her husband had woken up, she was full of joy and rushed to attend to him but when standing beside him, she could see that he wasn’t looking good instead, his face was as hard as stone. Then she glanced at the television. He must have seen the news.
She licked her lips quickly and chuckled anxiously.
“You have woken up, please take some rest now. Let me call the doctor.”
“What is wrong with my body, Mandarin? Why can’t I move it?” He suddenly asked her.
“That’s why I need to call the doctor.” She replied and rushed out. A few minutes later, she was back with a tall and fair man who had his stereoscope across his neck. He checked Michael’s pulse and every other part before looking at the couple.
“His internal organs are ninety percent good enough but there is sad news now.”
“Sad news? What sad news is that?”
“Your husband is paralyzed at the moment, ma’am. It might take a while for him to recover on his own but with the help of medicines, he should be fine. He can as well stay in the hospital where he will be able to receive proper treatment to get healthier quickly. He shouldn’t be put through stress anymore because I can’t assure of his longevity if something such happens to him again. I am nearby, please excuse me.”
The doctor walked out on them while Mandarin fell flat on the chair with dizziness. She looked at her husband as a tear smoothly slipped out of the corner of her eye. So this was it, the end of it all.
Micheal found it hard to believe. Who did he offend? How could Raphael treat him like this and betray him? Last night, he was notified that all his money was gone. There was nothing left and this morning, the company they had been fighting over trying to win belonged to Raphael all this while. How could he?!
“That son of a b*tch! How dare he treat me in that manner?” He yelled and caused Mandarin to jump up in surprise.
“Take it easy, Micheal. Your health is very important. Don’t forget what the doctor said.”
“Damn what the doctor said. My whole life is crumbling right in front of me and you want me to come down? I was duped by my son and he betrayed me. Are you telling me to calm down? Which responsible man in his sane mind will calm down after hearing this?” He shouted at her.
Mandarin was at a loss for the right words to say in this situation.
The door was knocked upon and she went to open it. Surprisingly, Raphael was standing in a T-shirt and white pants with sneakers to go along with it. There was a little boy with him who was also wearing the same thing and lastly, a young beautiful woman was behind them he believed was Evelyn.
“I guess my father is in,” Raphael said to Evelyn before stepping in with the two. Mandarin gently closed the door, how would her husband react if he were to find out that her son was the thief?
When Micheal sighted Raphael, his face scrunched up in disgust.
“You ungrateful and immoral child. You are the reason why I am like this, despite all the money I have spent for you…the formal education you received, the work, and the recognition meant for you, you went behind me to stab me. How could you? Huh? Answer me! Is this how you were taught before that selfish woman died? I can see her fingerprints around you. Wicked vipers.” Micheal was insulted terribly. Evelyn already had her fingers inside Tom’s ears to prevent him from hearing the unsettled language.
She locked eyes with Micheal and saw that neither of the two elders was pleased to meet her or their grandson so she excused herself to wait outside. Raphael sat down.
“I am here to honorably inform you that Vegas was the one who stole the money this time around. He duped you.” He said without a tone of care and sniffed his fingers in the process of scratching his nose.
Michael looked at his wife who shook her head in disagreement.
“Don’t believe him. He is lying. Are you not shameless, Raphael? Why do you like creating rifts between good homes?” Mandarin snapped at him.
Raphael laughed bitterly.
“I don’t care if you believe me, Father. I don’t care if you think of me as a rebel. I don’t care if you curse me because I have done nothing wrong. I served you for the past twenty-six years of my life. Everything I did was for you, I just wanted to make you proud because my mother told me to.
I wanted to open your eyes that I could do better and that Vegas was doing absolutely nothing but you didn’t care. You only misused me, you never saw me as your son. You gave Vegas enough freedom and opportunity to do whatever he wanted to do but for me? Nothing! I was given nothing except work.
Many didn’t even know I was your son for a long time until recently. I was treated like a slave. You didn’t even show any remorse for my mum’s death, you never cared because you considered me a mistake.
I never stole your money but I was getting hurt by the way you treated me. So I planned on building my company, I started it after the incident with Lucy but I didn’t work much on it until I met Evelyn again many months ago. I wanted to be the man for her so I worked more on it.
What happened recently energized me and I had to make the arrangements very fast. So here you have it. The Vegas you preferred over me was the one who stole your money and his mother must be aware of it, check her contact and messages with him if she doesn’t delete them before you are okay.
I have tried my best as your son. I am done making you proud. You can now rely on your first son. I destroyed the contract already, it was in my favor that you didn’t give it to any lawyer.”
Raphael stood up and brought out an envelope. He moved closer to him and placed it on his legs.
“Here is my resignation letter. I, Raphael Theophilus, resign from being an employee in your company and you have no right over me. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He bowed and left the room.
“Raphael! Raphael, come back here. Father is sorry, Raphael!!” Michael screamed in pain. Mandarin burst into tears but couldn’t touch her husband. When she saw that he had started coughing, she rushed out to call for immediate attention.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*
“Are you alright?” Evelyn looked at Raphael worriedly. They were on their way to Kira’s place. He smiled and sighed.
“I am not fine, Evelyn. It feels like a huge burden has been lifted off my chest and at the same time, I have lived with him ever since my mum’s death. I just wanted to make him proud. He wasn’t a good father but…I don’t know how to describe the feeling.” His voice trembled a bit and Evelyn touched his hand.
“I understand. Don’t talk about it if you don’t want to. You will be fine, you saw this step as being important, and that was why you took it.” She replied.
They finally arrived at Kira’s place but what they met was quite surprising.
“Don’t let me see you here until you are done with your exams,” Kira warned Richard.
“Babe,” Richard called as he saw Raphael and Evelyn.
“Richard…oh, that’s good. Raphael, since you are here, do you mind stopping Richard off at his University? He has exams to write. If you come back here when you are not done yet, I will report you to your father.”
Richard shook his head. Kira pulled Evelyn and Tom inside the house before shutting the door. Richard pouted while staring at Raphael who just shrugged.
“Get in.” He told him and reluctantly, Richard entered the car before it zoomed off.
“What did he do?” Evelyn asked.
“He is a sort of distraction to the two of us. He ain’t reading, he is involved… never mind.” She rolled her eyes.
“Is Tom not going to school?” Kira kissed the tip of Tom’s nose.
“Oh, he will. Raphael is working on that while he takes home lessons but today is a free day.”
“Let’s go shopping then.”
Tom squealed and the women laughed at his behavior.
*_*_*_*_*
Later at night, Zeke was busy going through a few things and was receiving a call from someone when Don came out of the bathroom wearing his underwear. He frowned as he seized him up and down. He ended the call after.
“What do you think?” Don winked.
“You are in my underwear,” Zeke said coldly.
“I can see that and I asked what you think.”
“Take it off and wear yours.” He replied.
“Nope.” Don refused and sat on the bed before curling on the bed.
“Raphael called us to his office tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know. We will leave after you are back from the University.” Zeke nodded.
“Hmm, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”