Chapter 05: Enrique's ultimatum

Standing a head taller than an average man, Dylan Ngwevu was a handsome man. He had the kind of face that made women stop in the tracks to take a second look. And when he smiled, two deep dimples that would make an angel sin, appeared on his cheeks. His well-defined face with a sharp jaw had broken many hearts. He had a flawless, dark chocolate complexion girls would kill for, and a pair of amber hooded eyes.

However, that was as far as his good qualities went. Raised to be above reproach by his tyrannical grandfather Enrique; he was lazy, unscrupulous, thoughtless, arrogant, conceited, unreliable and self-centred. At thirty-two, he was yet to hold down a job or a stable relationship.

Rather than work to earn his living as did Frank and his sister or the rest of the family members, he would rather spend his time at the gym or partying and clubbing getting high.

On this particular night as Frank lay in the hospital unsure of his future, Dylan stumbled out of a night club, a lit cigarette stick stuck between his lips. As he struggled to open the door of his black matte Audi, a couple of bulky built men walked over to him. 

'Jo. Paul.' The presence of the two men made his heartbeat escalate, instantly sobering him up and for good reason. The two were Vipers most trusted thugs. If one had the ill-luck of dealing with them, it meant they were in deep shit.' What brings you here?' 

'How about we go for a ride?' Paul the taller of the two, spotting numerous battle scars on his face spoke up.

Dylan looked around hoping to see someone who could come to his rescue like the security but even as he did that he knew it was a futile move, this was after all their domain. He forced a smile on his face as he replied. 'Sorry guys today is not a good day. Tell the boss that I will come over tomorrow huh?'

If steroids were a person, Jo would be it. He was short with a shredded and vascular physique. He wore a muscle t-shirt and jacket. He parted his jacket to reveal the butt of his automatic rifle and gave Dylan a humourless smile.' It won't be more than a minute.'

The sight of the gun had the drunk Dylan almost peeing on himself. He swallowed hard; fervently praying to the heavens for help.' Of course, we can't keep the big man waiting.'

' You are a smart one I didn't believe that you would want to be upsetting my trigger happy friend here, ' Paul said as he reached for the car keys, opened the door and pushed Dylan in, his mouth spreading into a sinister smile matching the look in his eyes.

He took the wheel while Jo kept Dylan company in the back. Dylan sat, stiff as a wooden statue, holding his breath. He dared not breathe as he watched Jo from his peripheral view flex his muscles. 

Dylan was sure today would be the day his luck would come to an end.

✴✴✴

In the Ngwevu mansion, with his hands behind him, the seventy-eight-year-old tyrant, Enrique, paced; his jaw clenched and his facial expression dark. He periodically checked the time on his gold Cartier watch. He didn't appreciate to be kept waiting by anyone, not even his favourite grandchild. If Enrique asked to meet you at five O'clock, you had to be there at least thirty minutes earlier before him. 

An hour past the hour of seven and with Dylan nowhere to be seen, he grew angrier and angrier. The rest of the family members sat engrossed with their phones minding their own business and glad the person making him want to burst with anger at the seams was Dylan. They knew that although he was pissed with Dylan, he would walk away with a verbal warning while if it was anyone else, the repercussions would be much worse.

Enrique swerved to glare at his eldest daughter Anatalia, Dylan's mother, who nervously paced with the phone to her ear. Before he could open his mouth to give her a verbal lashing, a bloody and badly wounded Dylan stumbled in; his clothes torn.

Anatalia let out a horrified scream and ran over to him. Instead of rushing to his aid, the others just watched the mother and son pair with no interest. 

The sight of a bloody and probably drunk Dylan infuriated Enrique but he had to school his thoughts. He was greatly disappointed that Dylans greatest ambition in life was to get high rather than be a productive member of society. If it was possible to swap personalities; he would have given all his wealth for Frank to be Dylan, but alas the gods had punished him with an unproductive grandchild while the grandchild he abhorred was given all the skills to make a parent proud. Turning away from the disgusting sight, he ordered Julia, his firstborn daughter to go help Anatalia take care of Dylan's wounds. 

Even though she didn't want to, the stern glare he threw her way had the fifty-three-year-old doctor begrudgingly getting to her feet to go help. Twenty minutes later, Dylan was all cleaned up and had joined the rest of the family in the lounge.

'Now that the star of the show is here, can we get this meeting over with? I need to get back to the hospital,' Julia spoke up.

'This is about tomorrow's board meeting. The main agenda is the renewal of the CEO's contract.'

'What's the big deal? It's all for formalities sake dad, Frank will be nominated and revoted back as the CEO for the next three years. Its always been like that.'

'No, not this time,' Enrique said.' I am going to nominate Dylan for the seating CEO.'

The news surprised everyone, including Dylan himself who stared at his grandfather doubtfully. 

Dr. Julia Ngwevu, Frank's mother shot to her feet.' What? No! You can't do that to Frank.'

'Dylan will get all your votes to tomorrow if anyone dares to defy me, you will face my wrath,' he continued like Julia had not spoken. His glower directed at his wife Dr. Eleanor Roger's the only one who had the guts to challenge him. Eleonor never approved of the way he treated their grandson but he didn't care. He was the head of the house, his word was law.

'Dad you can't be serious. How can a person in their right mind vote this joker here into the CEO's seat? Dad, please don't do this to Frank. He will be devastated'

'Do I look like I care how that bastard son of yours feels?'

'Honey,' Dr Eleonor, stood up and went to stand by her daughter's side.' Don't take this away from Frank just to spite him.'

'By the way, you are both not attending the meeting. I will do it in your stead.'

'Dad!'

'Honey!'

'And Eleanor, from now on, I will hold onto your shares. I have already asked the lawyers to draft a power of attorney letter.'

The graceful and petite coloured woman shook her head, it would be madness on her part to do so. Her shares were the only thing she could gift Frank to atone for her sins towards him and his mother.' No. You can't do that. I won't let you do this to Frank!' Elenor protested. 

'Oh yes, you will unless you want to see your beloved grandson six feet under.'

Julia gasped.' You are a sick old man. I can't believe you are my father. What is so special about that lazy bum, that clown of a man that you have to treat my son like this?'

' My decision is final. Anyone not happy with it will  just have to suck it in.'

Julia grabbed her bag and stormed out. As much as she hated him and his actions against her son, she had no guts to defy him. She knew the moment she did, he would take away all her funding for her fertility clinic. 

Tears stung behind her eyelids as she got in the chauffeur-driven car. Picking up her phone she scrolled through the contacts for Frank's number but she could not bring herself to call him. She could only stare at his picture as she murmured her apology over and over.

She knew she was a despicable person for choosing her clinic over her son but she promised herself to work hard and make it up to him.