Chapter 7

Life isn't as joyful with money...

Jade POV.

I know this is probably the last chance to hang out with my dad, so I decided to spend the whole day with him. I know I'm probably going to prison.

We currently at a shopping mall.

And I've been looking for what to get him, so I just let him put on whatever I see that was good at the moment.

I was about choosing a shirt for him,then I remembered he doesn't really have a sweater to keep him warm. And I'll like him to be warm always when I'm gone. I went to the coat section. I spotted a red and black coat,big and thick.

This should do. Why not.

" Dad,try this one" I gave him.

" Wear this again?" He asked.

Sorry old man I know you tired but,please let me do this.

" Yeah dad...please" I pouted.

" Alright." He said with a frown.

I helped him put it on and it was the one. This is perfect.

" Hot,hot. It very hot!" He complained.

Yeah I know but what if it winter and I'm not there.

" When the weather is steaming, why do I have to get a coat?" He was whining now.

Such a baby old man( i know it made up)

" You're supposed to buy winter coats when it warm out. It less expensive. Dad,you always say you're going to buy it later...and that old coat you have, how many years has it been?" I buttoned it up for him and sprung him around the nearest mirror.

" Look at it,is it too thin?" I asked him feeling the coat material.

He shook his head no.

" You sure dad?" I asked again.

" Coats are meant to keep you warm."

" Yes! I'm sure." And the he got the coat off.

" You're acting weird. " and then he gave me the coat and left.

" Dad,common wait up." I chased after him. Well after I got the coat.

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Next we went to a restaurant to have lunch.

" Thank you" I said when the waiter dropped our order.

We were having expensive stake. We don't normally come here but for my dad,I would.

I cut my stake into chops and exchange our plates.

Can't stress you old man.

" Here you go,dad." I said keeping the plate down.

" I ain't no baby" he complained.

" Common dad." I plead.

" Okay fine." He looks at me suspiciously.

" Dad, do you know this place has been on TV many times? It crazy famous." I whispered the last part so people won't think I'm a weirdo.

He looks around.

" When this goes into the belly,it all the same. What is this? So how much are they charging for this after making it this way?" He asked not impressed.

I wanted to laugh at his childishness but I just smiled.

He got a piece into his mouth and froze for a minute.

I was waiting for that reaction. Yup dad,that's what it is we're missing in our tommy.

" Hmm" he moans and took like five more bites at a time.

" Shall we see a movie before going home?" I asked. Dad it been a long time since you saw a movie last hasn't it?"

" Just do as you normally do." He said.

" Huh?"

" no need to overdo yourself,being married is going to be exhausting anyways." He said taking another bite.

" That's right." I respond.

After lunch, we were going home when my dad held the receipt of things I bought today.

" Do you go around spending this much usually?" He said showing me the prize.

" Money is that thing that you work so hard to save but gets spent so easily." He complained.

" Dad!" I scolded collecting the receipt from him.

" If you keep being like this,I'm never bringing you to a place like this ever again." I said walking ahead.

" Spend my precious money only to get lectured at." I said.

He caught up with me as soon as I stopped to wait for him.

" So if you don't want to hear the lectures from me,hurry up and get married." He said walking ahead too.

I walked even faster.

" Even if you don't tell me,I'll be getting married." I said.

" Why don't you go on a date with some nice woman?" I asked. He stopped at his track.

" It untoward in the view of others for an older man to live alone. Even Williams parents,no matter how much they fight,it nice because they're together. " I said.

" Once I get rid of you I'm going to anyways." He said smirking.

What the fuck?

" Because you were hanging around,that's why I couldn't get married. I have my skills,and my own shop." He said with a grin on his face.

" is your dad a person that's lacking in any way?" He asked and I just scoffed.

Men and their ego.

" Oh right...earlier a person came by the store to pay back a debt " he said adjusting his glasses.

" Debt? What kind of debt?" I was quick to ask.

" He gave me $20 something dollars and left." My dad said reaching for his pocket.

" And what's he talking about collateral? He said he was coming back to get that back." He said.

What?

Could he be the one?

No.

" It nothing. Don't worry about it. It nothing. " I said.

" let's go." I pulled my dad to a taxi.

Shit!

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Nathaniel POV.

With everything I wore on my body being sold and me spending my last card. I decided to approach my dad.

He was checking out one of his building I decided to wait for him while I sat on top of his car bonnet. He's gonna notice me now. He came out from the site and I jumped down and came face to face with him.

" This time again you're resolving it with money?" I asked

He knows what I'm talking about.

" Judging by the fact that you came here,doesn't mean it works?" He responded.

" is that why you did that to June?" I smiled.

" Taking everything that June has,telling her to get lost like that?"I asked.

" Do you think I'm the owner of a neighborhood corner store?" He increased his voice.

" In the name of my company ten thousand of people make a living. I don't have time to focus on some 'nobody wench' " he said referring to June.

" That one ' nobody wench' you knew that she was pregnant with my child!" I yelled.

How could he threaten her not to ever see me ever again then he took everything else she had. How could he be heartless?

" Give birth to a child who deserves to be congratulated," he said.

" What?!" I snapped.

" You've been in the dirt long enough, even now,make sure to win Elizabeth heart," he said.

" You aren't even curious of my feelings are you?" I said in a low voice.

" Don't make me tell you twice." He cuts my question off.

" The fact that you've been living comfortably,who do you think you owe it to,brat?" He finishes and walks away making sure to bump my shoulder. leaving me speechless and furious.

He was about entering his car as Jesse opened the back seat for him.

I'm not yet done old man!

" If only once!..." I shouted turning to look at him. He stops his movement and looks at me.

"... Instead of money,can't you see me as your son?!"

You can't use me to get money always.

I'm your own son.

He didn't respond, just gave me a glare and scoffs before he entered his car.

I wasn't surprised. Or at least I'm not meant to be surprised,all that man see is money.

I only smiled.

Yup that's my dad. Yay me.

My dad right hand man took me to the top of the building to talk to me. Something my father said.

" when this building is completed,all those buildings you can see has recognizable names, we'll be able to look down on all of them." He said.

I frown.

" Did we seriously come all the way up here so you can tell me that?" I said almost tripping on a brick.

" The chairman...is someone who worked his way up to here from the bottom, he saved me and Chase from that sewage like gambling place. The person who cut my ties with my father who was like a rotten rope and gave me a way to survive..."

" Dude! I don't wanna hear it." I argued.

It doesn't really concern me.

" You can save your sucking up for my father " I said glaring at him.

" Nathan..." He grabs my shoulder.

" your father, when it comes to the family and the company,is a ruthless man. To have someone like that as your father and not your enemy,you should be grateful." He said.

I scoff.

" My father...didn't raise human being,but he raised a dog." I smiled and then pushed his hand which he used to grab my shoulder away.

" Why are you so loyal?" I said and walked away.

While I was walking away he threw a white envelope which landed at my front. I stopped at my track.

" It June's keepsakes." He said.

" Who said to touch it" I frown.

" We did somewhat collect them,but you should organize it yourself." He said.

I turned around to meet his gaze. I glared at him.

I was pissed.

" If you're a dog act like a dog. Don't interfere with people's business." I said.

" Don't ask what happened to June soo to the chairman. That woman, you killed her." He said.

Okay that's it.

I ran towards him, this guy should know his place.

" SHUT UP!!!" I grabbed him by his collar and then I pushed him towards a wall using my elbow to attack his chest.

He just stared directly at my eyes, no fear in them.

" You killed her" he repeats again calmly.

I pushed him harder to the wall.

" if you had let her go quickly,this wouldn't have happened. She's the one who left as soon as she found out she was pregnant with your child." I released him slowly trying to process what he was saying.

" she tried her best to protect that child. What can you do? You're nothing. You're just a spoiled young master from a rich family." He continued.

" Shut up." I warned him as I pinned him down again.

" You want to win right? Then don't run away and crawl in! You don't have the courage to enter the battlefield,but the growling, it cramps your style," I stood there frozen.

He pushes me off of him and walks away. Leaving me speechless.

I picked up June's keepsakes, tore the envelope and brought out what was in there. It had the diary I gave her, the picture we took at the restaurant ' Paradise'

I smile. I've missed this face.

June I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for you or our child. As much as you felt the pain alone,I won't love anyone besides you and I'll live as the most miserable man for you. This is my promise. That shameless human being who left you to die also...I'll make sure she lives in hell...

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I walked to Elizabeth house once again. The last time we met,we got into a fight. I walked into her house and as usual she was painting.

" Elizabeth" I called to let her know I was here.

" What are you doing here?" She said sounding tired and fed up.

" What am I doing here? I came to see you." I said admiring her work once again.

This bitch can paint though.

" Again with the lies." She sounded really tired as she let out a breath.

" I'm tired." She said and she looks directly at me.

" Did you find me because you want to die again?" She asked and went back to painting.

" No." I approached her.

" This time I wanna live. We really have nothing much going on, I thought I was living while doing everything I wanted. The only thing I could do was look at the menu when eating." I said.

She lets out another tiring breath.

" Your point...? Didn't you know? The privileges we take for granted,they are not free,that's why we do everything our parents ask." She said not looking at me.

I grabbed her hand and removed the paint brush from her hand. I held her hand and knelt down in front of her. She looked surprised.

" What are you doing?" She asked wanting to remove her hand from my grip. I held her hand more tightly.

" Elizabeth,let's get married." I said.

She sigh and smiles.

" If it was something we could decide on our own it would be great." She said.

" Let's get married. I'll do what you want." I offered.

She removes her hand from my grip.

" You'll do what I want? What can you do for me?" She asked.

" Freedom." I answered.

" Freedom for you to do anything you want,that I'll give you. I won't interfere if you love or have an affair. I don't need a baby either just marry me. When my old man dies I'll part ways for you" I said.

She smiles.

" Are you insane?" She asked me. Then her smile turns into a frown.

I removed a ring I bought from the streets. I showed it to her.

" This is all I have right now." I said.

" I thought money was all I had,but even that wasn't really mine." I grabbed her hand and fixed the ring into her index finger. She stares at it with a sad expression.

" Elizabeth...just this once,hold my hand for me."

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I was at home,eating dinner with my dad and my sister.

" That rice, even one grain...whose generosity made it possible for you to eat, have you realized?" My old man asked.

I went back home pleading for him to take me back and I was ready to get married to Elizabeth.

Anything for my revenge.

I nodded at his question.

" Yes,right to my bones." I answered.

" Nathaniel, even so how could you beg your sister for money?" Bette asked.

Oh yeah she's with us too.

Bitch!

"...if you didn't have money,you should've asked me discretely. " she said.

Groan.

" You don't have money either,do you? " I asked her politely." It my fathers money anyways. " I said.

Politely.

" Nate!" My sister yelled.

" You too sis...do what father tells you to do also. If you get out of his sight you're out too. You might go out without clothes on." I said going back to eating.

I'm so starved.

Imma gonna be at my best behavior.

Imma teach all of them a lesson. Just you wait.

" Father...if I get married to Elizabeth what do I get in return?" I asked.

" what?"

" This marriage is business anyways." I said

" Okay" he chuckled.

" what would you like?" He asked.

I smiled.

" Hotel,give it to me. " I told him.

I turned to Bette who looked perplexed.

" Your little brother is wanting to take over the casino at the hotel. And you yourself wanna take charge of the up coming theater inside the hotel." I turned to my dad.

" Don't I have to help out as well?" I asked.

"Nathaniel well that's..." She started.

" Alright" my father interrupted her,we both looked at him together.

" Go and learn the rope of the business. If you are recognized by the group of directors for your potential, that hotel...is yours. " he assured me.

I ate my last spoon of rice.

" But..." Bette started but I cut her off.

" If there's no more business to discuss,I will get up first." I said leaving the dining room.

I heard my sister call for me but I ignored it.

Phase one complete.

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