Rags, Rage, and Riches

CHAPTER FOUR

Andrea did not want this issue blowing out of proportion. He had this feeling that this lady was going to make his life a living hell and even though he had done nothing of what she had accused, he decided to take the low trail by begging.

"I am really sorry, ma. I assure you this was a mistake and I had no idea. I was in a rush and then..." He was still speaking when she cut him short.

"Ma? Oh my goodness. So not only did you try to r**e me, you now call me old? This is interesting and I can bet your ass that as soon as these doors open, you are done for." She retorted vehemently.

At this point, Andrea was actually beginning to wonder if he was cursed to keep saying or doing the wrong things. His entire day was almost as if there was a confirmation that someone had taken initiative to put a hex on him. Yet, he did not want any problems.

"I am sorry, miss. I was only being courteous. I did not intend any of this and if we are being honest, I never wanted to r**e you. I was in a hurry and bumped into you unknowingly, which I am really sorry for and have continually apologized for so please can you drop the matter." He said to her like he was actually pleading for his life.

"Oh, so you are gaslighting me into thinking that I am a liar now? How cruel can you be?" She demanded.

This was too much and at this point, Andrea was really sweating profusely. He had run out of words to say and he suddenly threw himself down at her feet, begging for her mercy.

It was bad enough that he had run away from the security guards at the entrance; if she tried to cause a scene when they got out of the elevator, it wouldn’t bode well for him.

However, she did not care at all as she was fuming. All she wanted was to make a good example of the young man as earlier, she did not intend running the errands.

Apparently, it was her boss that had decided to send her to go get him coffee simply because she was his PA. Of course, she could not refuse doing her job as that could cost her the job itself but she was pissed. Now that she had a scapegoat, she was not making any plans to let him go. Not only had he spilled the coffee, he went out of his way to stain her shirt, offer her his stinky handkerchief and also put his disgusting self in her elevator.

Suddenly, the elevator chimed while he was still begging and it was clear they had arrived. Just as she was about to step out, both of them realised that there was a man standing there at the entrance. He was a middle aged man with beautiful streaks of silver hair forming tuffs at the corner of his head. He exhumed so much power and dominion that made anyone feel faltered.

He looked at the young lady and had an inquisitive brow put up instantly.

"What is happening here?" He demanded with that aura that spoke of absolutely charisma.

The woman became a lot softer compared to all her fierceness as she greeted him with a polite bow. "Good evening, boss."

He glanced at her and then his eyes noticed the splatters and stains on her white shirt.

"Gloria, what happened to your shirt?" He demanded.

Instantly, she returned to her earlier manner and countenance as she glared at Andrea who was at this point standing with his head bowed low. Fear washed all over him as he did not want to create anymore horrors for himself.

"Is it not this fool. Sir, I went all the way down to go get you that coffee you demanded from across the road, and then I got into the elevator. Suddenly, this fool rushes in, spills the entire contents and harasses me." She said will a disdainful look on her face.

"Sir, I have been apologising. It was a mistake and I was in a hurry." Andrea managed.

Gloria's boss had absolutely no expression on his face as he was looking at the young man. He decided to know if this was really a misunderstanding or something out of proportion. But now, he could not help but notice the boy's dressing. This was definitely no staff from this place nor one of their numerous prestigious clients.

"Why are you here, boy?" He demanded.

"Sir, I was called here for a meeting and I think I am already late for. I was held at the entrance and I had to rush into her elevator because I did not want to miss the meeting which was how I accidentally poured the coffee on her.I am sorry. I have apologized countlessly yet she isn't hearing it," Andrea explained himself.

"Pathetic. Who on earth would want to call someone like you to a meeting? You are just blowing horns because you are pathetic." Gloria spat. She sized him up. Taking into account his tattered looking clothes and how haggard he looked drenched in sweat.

"Quiet, Gloria. A meeting, right? Do you have any idea who you are meeting with?" The man asked him, there was something in his tone that was beginning to speak of slight suspicion.

"Yes, Sir. I got off work and a person called me to meet here. Said his name was Alfredo Del Cosmos." Andrea said to him.

Immediately, the man's face changed as he gasped.

"Look at this, it is you!" The man exclaimed as he reached over and pulled him out of the elevator and embraced him like he was some jewel.

Gloria was confused as she stepped out, allowing the door to finally close and the elevator going down. She was confused as to why her boss would be embracing such a tattered looking person and dared wonder what it was all about. Who was this lad?

The man finally let go of Andrea as he shook his hand.

"I'm Alfredo. I called you. And you are Andrea?" He demanded.

A really surprised Andrea managed to respond.

"Yes, Sir."

"Sir? No need for such formalities. Shall we step into my office briefly?" He asked him as he started leading him straight in through this door to a magnificent office. "Have a seat."

Andrea managed to sit down and he was really worried. This was too much affluence than he was used to. Even more than Matteo from school. He was also beginning to get a little worried especially with how the man seemed to be scrutinizing him.

Alfredo on the other hand could not believe that finally, he had found Andrea. Nevertheless, the shabby way he was dressed bugged him more than what they were going to discuss. He knew he needed to fix that especially if some of these meetings were to be recorded. Especially the first one.

"Um, please excuse me briefly." He said to Andrea and stepped out of the office.

A stunned Gloria was already beginning to turn away angrily when her boss stopped her. She came to him and was hoping he would tell her to go get the police as he was holding the young man in his office.

That was certainly not the case.

"Gloria, go get your bag. You are taking Andrea shopping for new clothes." Alfredo said to her.

"The hell I am. I'm sorry boss but no way." She responded.

"Why not?" He demanded.

"So that fool can mock me? Are you actually rewarding him after he ruined my shirt? She demanded.

“Seriously sir? Are you really taking his side?”

"Well that fool in there is the heir of the entire Gate Empire businesses that we have been managing all these years." Alfredo said to her.

"What? Heir? That nobody! How?" Gloria was confused.

“Did he tell you that? If yes, I am afraid you are about to get scammed and I would be the last person to contribute to it, boss.” she added.

"If you keep speaking that way of the late Mathias Gates' grandson, I might be having a vacancy tomorrow for the position of personal assistant. Now, what is your final summation?" He demanded firmly.