Richard's Underestimated Dominance

Bigger Problem

“What is next?” Richard turned to look at the man. “You're my anchor,”

“Let's get us started,”

Two weeks later, Richard pulled up in front of Gavin High School in a convoy. He hesitated before coming down from the car where he sat, watching as so many students gathered to know who owned those expensive cars.

When he finally stepped out, he saw the shock and different reactions of his fellow students. Those who had hurt, teased, and bullied him. Then those who had made offensive remarks, abused and ignored him. Just a few of them, countable ones that hadn't paid attention or tried to help him in any way, but didn't enter his black book.

Then his eyes landed on the faces of the wealthiest men's sons, the ones who believed he was gone and forgotten. Who had sent him to the afterlife and had kept it from the world.

As Richard walked towards the crowd fearlessly, they all cleared from his path, as the Red Sea split when Moses struck his staff and the children of Israel crossed over, they all gaped after him. Two guards in black suits followed him closely behind.

He first paused in front of the boys who had moved on with their lives as if nothing had happened after what they did to him, with the hope that he would never appear again. They couldn't meet his gaze.

Then he stopped for a moment to look at the girl who had come to him on the top of the school building the day those brutes pulled his toe off. Her naturally green eyes drew him to her, but he pushed forward to meet the school management.

“Are we done here?” Richard asked the Chancellor as he finished signing papers to claim official ownership of the school, a few minutes later, sitting on a chair with his leg crossed over the desk.

“Yes… Yes, sir!” Mr Jimmy stuttered.

He was still surprised at the recent calls he got from the executive board, before the arrival of a student he once punished and suspended for reporting his bully schoolmates to him. Has karma caught up with him so quickly? He wondered as he shifted in his seat.

“So what are you still doing here?” Richard queried, smacking the desk.

“I'm sorry!” Mr Jimmy yelped, then hurried towards the door. He rushed back to gather up a few of his things before leaving the office.

“You have two choices. Work for me as a repeatedly righteous educator. Or remain unemployed,” Richard said pointedly to the shaking man.

“Huh?” Mr Jimmy's eyes popped out as she moped at him, open-mouthed.

“Make your choice quickly and stop behaving so dumb!” Richard commanded, standing up.

“Yes, I will work for you. I will do anything you want and say! Oh, thank goodness!” Mr Jimmy ran around, unsure of what to do or say as Richard walked to the door.

“Leave the new rules and regulations of the school with him,” Richard informed one of his men. Then turned to Mr Jimmy, “Better read and understand them, then call for board, staff, and student meetings, explain to them, and make sure they all have copies for their good. Apart from that, the school staff and management continue to run like before except for anyone who wishes to resign. And I remain a student here until graduation,”

“Okay, thank you!” Mr Jimmy gave a slight bow as he collected the big envelope containing the constitution.

Until Richard left, he sank into his chair again in jubilation, then punched a button on the wall behind him to ring the school bell and make announcements for the latest developments.

Richard left the school premises, feeling like a king. Not just because of the sudden change in everyone who used to treat him badly, but also for the knowledge that no student would have to pass through what he had in the hands of some pompous kids who live off their parents' wealth. And every child deserves a quality education irrespective of their parents' status.

He went to Landon's new hospital and had to wait for him in his office since he was performing surgery on a young woman. He didn't wait long before he joined him, asking what the next thing he wished to set right was.

“My formal workplace. I need to speak to my friend as well, he still works there. He needs to be cleaned up, he never got good grades because his head is pretty messed up.” Richard told him.

“And the Lady you spoke about?” Landon winked at him, reminding him of his former boss at the wine store.

“I can't judge her, but she would pay the price for her actions. For now, I would let her think she's the victor.” He answered.

“And when will you be ready to come into the hospital to take responsibility? It is your legacy and I can only protect you if you are with me,”

“You can follow me around if that makes sense, right? But then, that would make me more uncomfortable seeing these two always behind me. People would think I'm gay and the girls won't come around.” Richard played, making the guard's exchange look

“This brat!” Landon laughed, then let him go as he wished since he was also busy with work. “Check the laboratory later for inspections!” He smiled at him before leaving.

Richard's next stop at the wine store was almost impossible when his driver noticed that someone was following them and had to change routes continuously just to lose them.

When the driver was certain they had missed them, he took a shortcut to the wine store even though Richard was already feeling like giving up on the visit.

He met with Blake and he couldn't hide his excitement and surprise when he learned of Rich's new identity as a wealthy boy. He agreed to resign from working at the wine store and go back to school for a proper education.

“Do you wish to join me in the medical field? I need a few months to make sure I acquire more practical knowledge and obtain a degree in the field in general so that I can take full responsibility for my life at a point,” Rich explained to Blake, who couldn't stop grinning and admiring him as they sat in his car.

“I have always sucked at studying at large, besides you were saying now that you have got the talent and it's imprinted in your blood, so how do I fit in?” Blake wondered, settling down to pay more attention to what his friend was saying.

“I understand, but you know how we have been together since like forever. I won't feel good without you by my side. You've always been there, and I can't have all these while you suffer. I have to pay you back for your kindness and turn-ups, man!” Rich shook hands with Blake.

“If you say so.” Blake shrugged. “I don't mean to be ungrateful, I'm just trying to make sure you know what you are doing.”

“I know, and there are many easier choices than whichever one I would venture into. I just need you to stay by my side, always.”

“I promise,” Blake stuck a finger for a pinky-swear.

“I think that car is still following us,” one of the men announced.

“What?”

“Which car? What's going on?”

Richard became anxiously nervous about who could be following him and for what reason.

He was in trouble when he had nothing, and now it seems he just dived into trouble for having more than anyone could have asked for…