Secret Affair

Ryan’s Birthday It was Ryan's eighteenth birthday and almost everyone in the large city of Erocs wanted to be present, the Alvarez is a big name many wanted to be associated with. Those in attendance were immaculately dressed as they waltzed their way around other dignitaries on the floor of Hotel De'Verdes, one of the subsidiaries of the Alvarez chain. It was one of its kind and many believed it would signify the introduction of Ryan into the Alvarez empire. It was already a done deal anyway. Ryan is the only grandson and old man Richard was a traditional man. Just like Ryan had spared no effort inviting everyone in high places, this was because he had seen his grandfather inviting the lawyer over, a number of times prio to his birthday and his assumption was that his grandfather is already about to retire and ready to pass over the baton of power to him. A lot of the employees were already kissing up to him too and he had even began to give some of them promises. What Ryan didn't know was that, Richard Smart Alvarez is no fool, he knew his grandson is not ready to carry the weight of the Alvarez empire, he knew he had spoilt the boy too much but he was ready to make amends now, if it is not too late. Joe Schmiddels was present at the party as well and everyone had so much to eat and drink. People look forward to the parties held by the Alvarez, as they always go back home with lots of goodies. Many left the party feeling more accomplished and happy than they had attended. Guests brought gift items for the celebrant. Richard wore a scowl as he watched his grandson from the glass windows upstairs. He knew what he was about to do could crush the boy and make him a laughing stock but it can't be avoided. Today and in the full view of everyone, he would denounce his grandson, the magnitude of this decision weighed heavily in Richard's heart. Ryan was becoming uncontrollable of late and Richard feared the boy would only get worse, the only way to manage the situation before things get more out of hand was to take a drastic step. Richard noted that his grandson looked more like a decent human from where he was watching him, but that was only because he thought he would be getting a magnificent present from his grandfather, he had made several plans about how he would spend his after party but Richard is having non of it. Richard could have waited till after his party and when they are alone before reading to disinherit him, b even boasted about it to his friends. Little does he know that Grandpa Richard has a plan, the hall was packed with of different calibers. They were mainly there to make connections with fellow well-to-do families. Aside from it being a birthday celebration party, it was also some form of alliance party, where so many meaningful connections were made. The old man didn't like all the complaints he was receiving about his grandson. There were too many negative reports about the boy lately, and he was worried that his precious grandson would either end up in jail for murdering somebody or ruin his good name and send him to an early grave before his time. The boy was way too reckless and when anyone tried to correct him, the boy only shrugged it off and remarked that everyone deserved whatever they were getting and if he got into trouble, he would give those who wouldn't take money his grandfather's number and tell them to call the old man for compensation because he would take care of the problem. According to Ryan, his grandfather only existed to remove every obstacle in his path. He always boasted to all and sundry that everything his grandfather owned would eventually be his in the end. And as such, he didn't have to lift a finger for the rest of his life. This remark had weighed heavily on Richard's heart, who had worked for his money from scratch. Richard was thinking of the best way to deal with his grandson without being too harsh with him, but Joshua, Richard's only friend and acquaintance, insisted that Richard go all out. If he wanted his grandson to see the error of his ways, he must first cut the boy off his inheritance. Perhaps, if the boy couldn't spend lavishly again, he would learn to become more responsible. Everyone was aware that Ryan lacked empathy and was never remorseful whenever he did anything bad. The straw that broke the camel's back for Grandpa Richard was when Ryan had an accident hitting a pedestrian with his mini Mercedes two days ago. Ryan had not called an ambulance. Neither had he helped the person he hit by getting them to the hospital. Instead, he threw money at the injured man and left the scene. If not for the timely intervention of Richard and a promise to pay all hospital expenses, his precious grandson would already be locked behind bars by now. And when Richard called the boy to reprimand him for his bad behavior, citing the least he could have done was take the injured man to the nearest hospital and pay the bill, Ryan had said arrogantly that it wasn't his fault that the man was hit by his car. He even began to blame the man for almost damaging his car in the process. Richard had known right there and then that he needed to teach his grandson a lesson so that he could value human life and at least live responsibly. At the peak of the party, Richard walked down the stairs and called everyone's attention because he had an important announcement to make. Naturally, Ryan thought that since he was officially an adult now, his grandfather was going to step down from his position as the CEO and hand over the reins of power to him. He was especially happy when he saw Mr Waylen, his grandfather's lawyer, beside him holding a folder. Ryan thought this was it, the moment he had been waiting for. The guests were even patting him on the back and giving him subtle congratulations. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my grandson's birthday party," the old man began. Everyone was paying rapt attention to every word the man was saying. To everyone in the country, Richard Alvarez's words were the law. He was the most powerful man in the whole country. "I have seen many bring in enormous presents for my grandson and I have come to say a big thank you," he said. "Be rest assured that your souvenirs will be in your respective cars when you leave." he sighed "I must say that I also have a gift of my own for my grandchild, and I want everyone here to witness what I want to give to him, I call on my lawyer here to read my will," he said gesturing to the lawyer, there was a gasp of shock, normally reading of will is done between families, so why would the old man decide to read his will in the presence of so many? Some thought it was because he needed to remind everyone that he owned seventy percent of the economy of the country. Others thought it was because he wanted everyone to witness his grand hand-over to his grandson. There were so many speculations but in the end, they all kept quiet and looked on. The lawyer, Mr Waylen, cleared his throat and adjusted his tie before bringing forward the envelope he had been holding on to very tightly. Since Richard began addressing the guest. There was only a sheet of paper within the envelope. Everyone present wondered why everything the old man owned was just drafted in a single sheet, but others thought he didn't need more sheets when it was obvious who would automatically get everything that belonged to the old man. "I would like to announce to everyone present here today that, effective immediately, Master Ryan Alvarez has ceased to be my grandson, and is hereby disinherited from all of my properties." The lawyer began. There was a gasp of shock, as everyone could not believe what they had just heard. How could the old man cut out his only grandchild from his will? Does he have another heir somewhere? Was he trying to make a mockery of the crowd? Everyone was beyond shocked, but the one who felt more distressed was Ryan, himself. He couldn't believe the old man would do such a thing on his big day and, at some point, was convinced they were trying to pull some prank on him, so he told the lawyer to cut the crap. "This is my wish, young man, and if you know what is good for you, you will reign in that temper of yours and listen to the remainder of the will," Richard said sternly, but Ryan was too livid to stay still. All his friends were present at this party, all the girls he had promised to take on a yacht ride later tonight were all watching him. Everyone was looking at him, and he didn't like the way they were looking at him at all. Ryan still thought all of this was a joke and asked nervously. "Tell me this is a joke," but the expression on the old man's face told him there was nothing funny about everything going on there. His appearance was set in an authoritarian way when he was about to deal with his workers for being negligent. "This is an expensive joke grandfather, I am your only heir," he said, sounding a little pathetic now as he watched the guests face one after another. All of them averted their gaze, but it was not hard to tell what they were all thinking. When Ryan couldn't take it anymore, he stormed off in a fit of rage, and they all watched him go, after which the lawyer carefully placed the document he was reading back into his envelope and back into his leather bag. Richard said a few more words to the guests before dispersing them. "I forbid any of you from rendering him any form of assistance, be it cash or a place to stay," the old man warned. "If anyone so much as did that, they will answer to me. This party has now come to an end. I wish you all a safe trip to your respective homes," with this, the old man left the hall, walking off to his car as the guests did the same. It didn't take long for the hall to become empty again. ********** Somewhere in an opulent bar Ryan sat sulking as he began to order the most expensive wine they had in stock and all manner of assorted food items. He was determined not to let the old man ruin his day. He started to call a few of his friends over. None of them showed up, and they never told him they wouldn't be coming until he was halfway through his bottle when the bartender brought his bill and asked for payment. Of course, Ryan had thrown his unlimited black card at his face and asked him to swipe it in front of him. The strange thing, however, was, that no matter how many times the card was swiped, it was invalid and Ryan watched helplessly as the annoying guy brought out scissors and cut it in half. "Do you know who I am? How dare you do that to my card?" Ryan thundered. "It was invalid sir, it is already useless," the bartender replied calmly. "My card isn't useless, you are the useless one, and you will pay for what you have just done." Ryan continued to threaten the bartender, who only remained quiet. "Do you have any idea how much that card was worth?" he screamed. "It could be a stolen card, sir. It still doesn't erase the fact that you have not paid." by now the exchange was attracting the attention of the patrons present as Ryan kept screaming at the top of his lungs that his card was okay, and the bartender calmly repeated the same thing. Soon, the manager appeared, he was a well-known figure to Ryan. "Thank God you are here, this fool just shredded my bank card," Ryan complained, reporting the incompetent bartender to his manager at once and demanding that he be fired. Bill looked at his bartender and asked to know what the problem was. "This man here ordered three bottles of screaming Eagle and all of these," the bartender said, gesturing towards the messy table of food that was either half-eaten or untouched but made messy nonetheless "And he gave me an invalid card when I asked him to pay." The bartender explained. "What do you mean invalid card? My card is unlimited yet you destroy it. Have you ever seen such cards before? I will make sure you get arrested for that, just you wait." Ryan roared, satisfied that he was at least making his point, but what Bill said afterward threw him off completely. "So are you going to pay for everything or should I call the police?" Bill asked, without smiling, and Ryan did a double take. What was happening? Had his old man frozen his account? But Bill knew who he was and was still acting as if he were a stranger. "Come on Bill, It's me, Ryan Alvarez." Ryan introduced himself desperately even though the situation was already making him sound like a pathetic loser, he had never had to pull the 'do you know who I am' card on anyone before. "It doesn't matter who you are, Ryan, when you order something, you have to pay for it," Bill said sternly. "What about my card that he just destroyed?" Ryan asked, pointing at the bartender. "Didn't you hear him? It was invalid. You should take matters up with your bank. If it was an error on our side, we would surely pay for the card." Bill said, a look of disapproval on his face. "I see what's happening here, my grandfather put you up to this, didn't he?" Ryan asked, unable to wrap his head around the simple fact that he might have fallen from grace to grass. "I don't know what you are talking about," Bill replied, his gaze unwavering. He had already had enough of the kid a long time ago when he came in with a couple of his loser friends. They harassed most of his patrons then and passed saucy comments to his workers. He had watched the whole incident unfold from the CCTV in his monitor room. He had no dealing with the boy's grandfather, but he would not sit idle and allow anyone to constitute a nuisance of themselves in his establishment. "Give me a minute, I will call someone to pay for me," Ryan said in desperation, completely floored. But no matter how many people he called, none of them would pick up, and when they picked up, it was to give him a ridiculous reason why they couldn't come to him. He had then sat there dejectedly until way past midnight and the bar was about to close. The bartender approached him again and demanded that he pay. Ryan was still bewildered that people he called friends wouldn't help him when he needed them to, and he had always been there for each one of them in their time of need. They all claimed they were busy attending to something important. The bolder ones announced that they didn't wish to be friends with him any longer. This was the first time Ryan wouldn't be getting what he wanted, and it hurt him on a different level. He was no doubt crushed beyond words. Slowly, he asked to speak with the manager, his pride long diminished. "The thing is," he began, "Those who could come are busy, can you let me off just this once?" he asked, and Bill looked at him incredulously before bursting into laughter. "Let you off? As in, waive off your credit?" Bill asked, unable to believe what he had just heard, and when Ryan only looked at him like duh, isn't that what letting someone off means? Bill could not control his anger. "You rich, ignorant bastard, you thought just because you are an heir to some company, the world is under your feet. You walked in here ordering all my most expensive wine and food items, and you expect me to just waive it off?" Bill exploded, "I am not running a charity program here, if you owe me something, you have to pay me, that is how business is run." "But I don't have any money," Ryan cried. "How about you let me go, and I bring you the money later?" Ryan asked earnestly. "No can do. Maybe we should invite the police." At first, Ryan thought it was a good idea to involve the police. Surely his grandfather wouldn't allow him to get locked up. But then the realization hit him fast, his old man might actually leave him there and just forget his existence. Besides, if he could be embarrassed this badly in a bar, who is to say what would happen to him in a cell? "No wait, is there anything I can do to compromise?" Ryan asked solemnly. He was wondering if they would allow him to work at the bar for a few days to cover his bill, but the manager just snorted and replied. "Even if you work here for ten years, you can't pay off your debt." "What?" Ryan exclaimed, unable to believe that anyone would work for less than a thousand dollars. "How much is the salary then?" "You don't need to know that, however, you can make a trade." Bill, a greedy man who had been eyeing the expensive wristwatch Ryan was wearing, said he had never owned anything more expensive than a few hundred. "What kind of trade?" Ryan narrowed his eyes and followed the man's gaze. He was looking at the Söhne his parent had given him as a present right before their accident. Although the watch meant a lot to him, there was no point in owning something so expensive when he might end up getting locked up. Without much thought, Ryan removed the watch and handed it to an astounded Bill, who didn't think he would get the watch off the boy so easily. He had thought Ryan would have insisted on going to the police station instead. Outside the bar, a man in an overcoat watched this exchange and waited for Ryan to leave the bar. When he finally left, the man went in to meet Bill.