Chapter One

"Hey young man! I don't know who you are or even care to know! I don't want to see you anywhere near me or my family"!

"If I do, I promise you that you will not like the repercussions!"

Emiliano Martinez screamed at the young man who had been coming to see him almost every day for the last five months.

Only the young man's persistence had caused him to grant him an audience.

Emiliano then asked his guards to throw the young one out of the restaurant.

It was his good friends' restaurant after all.

Take me to my office Emiliano ordered his driver as he entered into the backseat of his Escalade SUV.

******************************************

Antonio was seated in his executive glass office with his head buried in work.

He had barely slept in the last twenty-four hours as he worked to meet up the deadline for the proposal submission.

Even though he was the boss' son, he had resolved to work as one duly employed by his father.

He made sure he put in as much of himself as he could into his work.

He wanted to be deserving of the position of CEO when it eventually became his own.

In a few years, his dad would retire and the reins of the company would be transferred to him.

He could not afford not to be ready.

Suddenly his door swung open.

He raised his head and standing in front of him was his father with a beaming smile

"Good afternoon my boy! Come give your father a hug", Emiliano said in his deep, loud voice.

Antonio reluctant stood up from his chair and went around the table and gave his father a warm hug.

"How are you dad?" Antonio asked as he returned to his chair.

"I'm fine son, why do you ask?" Emiliano asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"It's just that you have been looking quite disturbed lately and also the house staff told me you're not taking your medications as you should!"

"Now you know better than that!" Antonio said with a disappointed look on his face.

"We just lost mum! I can't afford to lose you too!" Antonio said in a cautionary tone to his father.

"Don't worry son, I'm fine and everything will be alright". Emiliano replied his son.

"I will be in my office, I need to complete some work down there". Emilianosaid as he walked towards the door.

Suddenly he turned and asked; "Are you done with the proposal for the land in North Dakota?"

"Almost through Sir, I was working on it as you walked in". Antonio replied.

"I trust you, my boy!" Emiliano said with pride as he left Antonio's office.

Emiliano loved his only son, Antonio very dearly and protected him with his life.

Since the death of his beloved wife, Emiliano had been experiencing difficulties.

He had become distant from everyone and was having serious trouble with his associates.

Only Antonio could relate properly with him. Antonio and his sister Elena were his only sources of joy.

Antonio knew about his fathers' issues and tried his best to help, but his father was not giving anything away.

He knew that there was something wrong but he could not place his hands on it.

All he knew was that he was going to do his best to help his father get through this difficult moment.

Antonio finished up the remaining work he had for the day and closed.

As at the time he left the office he could still see his father through the glass walls working assiduously in his office.

He took after his father when it came to hard work

Being a billionaire businessman, he had to stay up most nights to watch over his business and was hardly around during Antonio's childhood.

He had inculcated the attitude of hard work into Antonio which Antonio strongly took after.

Antonio knew that if he was to take over when it was time he will need these attributes.

Antonio walked towards his red Porsche Cayenne. Then he walked around it in admiration of its beauty. He very much loved his cars and off he rode straight to the restaurant.

There, he was to meet a friend and it was his best friend Lucas

Immediately he entered the restaurant he could spot his friend sitting at the corner

"Why at the corner"? he thought to himself as he walked into the restaurant

"Good afternoon Mr. Martinez"

One of the waiters greeted him with a lovely smile on his face.

He was well known around these parts and a table was already reserved for him.

Antonio turned to the waiter without returning the smile which was unusual of him and then he asked.

"Why is that young man seated at the corner?" A frown etched on his face.

The waiter replied; "He says he was supposed to meet you here for a meeting and we could not verify the truth in his words and so we asked him to sit at the corner and wait till you come".

"What nonsense!" Antonio said in anger.

"Couldn't you call me to verify rather than subject him to such inhumane treatment?" Antonio reprimanded him with so much anger in his voice that it attracted the other customers in the restaurant.

Lucas was from a very poor background so Antonio never wanted there to be any sign class division between the both of them.

"I am sorry sir we will get him right immediately," The waiter said with remorse.

The waiter walked briskly to where Lucas was seated.

"I am very sorry sir for the embarrassment". The waiter said.

"Mr. Martinez has requested that you join him at his table"

"Sorry for yourself!" Lucas replied as he brushed past the waiter and walked towards Antonio.

"Hey Anton!" he greeted as he approached him.

"I'm sorry for the treatment you received here" Antonio gestured as he gave his friend a good hug and ushered him to his sit.

"So how was your day?" Lucas asked.

"Stressful as usual but we always survive. Work has been hectic these past few days because of the North Dakota deal"! Antonio replied.

Antonio noticed the gloomy look on Lucas's face

"Hey bro what's up with you talk to me," Antonio asked with a concerned look on his face

"Nevermind bro" Lucas replied with a sad tone

"It's just that things are not looking up"

"I haven't still been able to reconcile with my dad"

"And things are hard for me and mum," he said

"Then let me help you!" Antonio requested with a concerned look on his face

"I have told you times without number to allow me to speak with my dad to get you a job in the company"

"With your qualifications and all that I know you are capable of you will be a great addition to our company"

"I wouldn't be doing you a favor bro!"

"It is just the least I can do for what I know you can do and all you have done for me," Antonio said

Lucas smiled at Antonio lovely and said

"Don't bother yourself bro I wouldn't want you to go through that hassle"

"A lot of other people are well deserving of it. I will sort things out".

Lucas was a few years older than Antonio and was like a senior brother to him.

Lucas and Antonio sat for the next few hours discussing and catching up on so much during their day

It was about 8 p.m. when Antonio dropped off Lucas in one of the Suburbs around

"Aren't you scared of coming this way with your Porsche Cayenne!" Lucas Said jokingly to Antonio

"Well, I am with Lucas and so who can harm me?" Antonio replied jokingly.

"I guess we'll be seeing tomorrow right?"

Antonio asked.

"Of course, bro" Lucas replied as he shut the door.

Antonio zoomed off and Lucas stood there waving.

He stood for a while staring at the rear lights of the vehicle,

"Oh, how I wish"

"Oh, how I wish I was in your shoes, Antonio," He thought to himself and then he went into his house

***************************************

Antonio reached the Martinez mansion which Emiliano had built years back.

As he drove In he noticed a crowd outside the house which is very unusual.

His father's escort was parked in its spot but he could not see his father's car anywhere.

He could see the look of worry on the faces of the people who were gathered

He quickly parked and stepped out of the vehicle.

Elena was among the people gathered at the entrance door and immediately she laid eyes on him, she ran to him and held him.

Her eyes were swollen for constant crying.

"What's the problem," He asked with a disturbed look on his face

"It's Dad," she said sobbing

"What happened to Dad?" Antonio inquired with a worried look on his face.

"He was involved in a ghastly motor accident!" she replied in tears.