Shattered Dreams

 It was 7:45 pm at the Gonzalez palatial mansion in the heart of Mexico City and the night was still serene and reenergized. The air reeked of honeysuckle and throbbed with the sound of crickets.  Declan and Vanessa were having some "Sexercise" when he heard a scream emanating from the living room. “What's that sound? I want to go check it out,” Declan discontinued as Vanessa clutched his shirt to stop him,” What the heck are you doing? It might be a set-up. I can't believe you want to ruin this perfect moment! Gosh! I should have known you never loved me.”   "Ruin? Damn! You're so preposterous. I am going out there to see who's at the door and don't you dare stop me,” Declan shoved Vanessa to the bed and scampered to the living room.    Declan is the managing director of his father's company, GG Holdings, and heir apparent to a billionaire empire. Despite being the eldest son, his father had always chosen Pedro, his second son, due to Declan's mischievousness and wayward lifestyle. Gonzalez often ponders if Declan was his biological son. His behaviorism is quite distinct from everyone.  "Hey, who are you and what do you want?” Declan questioned as he grabbed a bottle of wine and yearned to defend himself from impending danger.   "It's me, Hector. Your father's security guard. I must see him immediately.” Hector shouted from the outside and panting heavily as if he ran into a ghost. Declan was apprehensive as he imagined what Hector was doing outside at that odd hour. The last time he checked, Hector was presumed to be at the company's premises, securing it from hoodlums. It took him a few minutes before deciding to let Hector in.  "Where's your father? I wish to see him,” Hector gagged for fresh breath and plunges to the ground pathetically. Despite the air conditioning turned on, an ocean of sweat still dropped from his body with his clothes tainted, it's evident that he's been running for over 30 minutes.   "Take a chill pill, Old Man. After a heated day at work, I'm sure my father must be in Dreamland right now. But hey, you can still talk to me about it, right?” Declan demanded, but Hector forbade. It's Gonzalez or no one. He doesn't think Declan is spirited enough to handle the situation on the ground. After the prolonged refusal of utterance, Declan finally relented and rushed inside to fetch his father.  "You know how I hate being untangled from my slumber. What's so important that couldn't wait until tomorrow,” Gonzalez was already boiling in rage as he wore his pajamas and stepped into the living room only to find Hector seated on the ground wailing like a pathetic widow. Immediately, Hector saw Gonzalez, he crept like a snake and grabbed his shirt, “Please forgive me, for I've wronged you. My whole world has crumbled.”  Gonzalez was lost. He peeked at his son, Declan, searching for answers to the drama ensuing in front of him. “Okay, I know that look. I know nothing about this bullshit! He's refusing to speak until he sees you,” Declan vindicated himself and tuck his arms.  "Now you're going to speak up before I have you thrown out of this house this very minute. Did you realize you just disturbed my endearing slumber? Now spill whatever gibberish you've got before I lose my temper,” Gonzalez got infuriated and frightened Hector. He hasn't disclosed anything yet, Gonzalez already wants his heart ripped off.  "There was a robbery at the company an hour ago. I just can't elucidate what occurred,” finally, Hector uttered, and faced the ground in guilt. Declan and his father were flabbergasted and couldn't believe their ears. They thought it was a dream or mere hallucination, but unfortunately, it wasn't. It's just the reality of rubbing Their face in the mud.   "Hector, can you describe what happened at the company, I can't seem to wrap my head around it. You need to start talking this moment,” Gonzalez Miguel interrogated Hector with a baritone voice and pushed him to the ground. He felt like sniffing the life out of Hector and dumping his body in the Ocean. It was tricky for him to accept. Where will he start? One minute his company was on the verge of becoming the largest oil-producing company in Mexico City, and the next minute he was on the verge of losing millions of dollars. The family might as well go bankrupt if drastic action isn't taken.  "I wasn't so sure how it happened. This evening I arrived at work, then suddenly I fell asleep. The next minute, I woke up among armed men who had their faces all covered in masks. They pointed a gun at my head and threatened me with dropping the keys to the warehouse. I got so terrified and obeyed. Right in my presence, they emptied the warehouse and carted away all the raw materials and equipment meant for production,” Hector explained with both knees on the ground. He's so embarrassed to even stare at Gonzalez in the eyes, not after what he has done.  "You know apologies won't restore my losses, right? Now tell me, how would you like your jail term? 10 years, life imprisonment, or death by hanging? Because when I'm done, you will look good in a prison uniform,” Gonzalez threatened and instructed Declan to call the police and get Hector arrested.     “Please, sir. Consider Amanda, my only daughter. She might kill herself if she ever finds out about this,” Hector pleaded and scrubbed the ground with his body and wept bitterly. Despite the damage Hector had caused the company, Gonzalez still got an iota of pity for him. “Declan, hold on a second. I've got a plan,” he halted his son, who was on the verge of calling the police.  "I still don't get it, Dad. Let's get this son of a b***h locked up in jail immediately. Why the sudden empathy?” Declan was furious at his Dad for the halt. He just can't wait to see Hector rot in jail.  Gonzalez headed for the bar, poured a slight portion of tequila into his glass, and returned to Hector saying, “I want my son to get married to Amanda, your daughter. That's the only way out of this mess. Now listen well. I'm not seeking your permission, it's an order, and you're not allowed to go home and think about it, too. But trust me if your daughter forbids it, she might as well start getting ready for your funeral because she'll never see your filthy ass again,”   "But why my daughter? What has she done? She's innocent. Please don't make her pay for my crime,” Hector pleaded, but it fell on deaf.  “My decision is final and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Now leave.” Hector was chased out like a housefly.  Declan stood and watched while all of this happened. He thought it was his kid brother, Pedro getting married to Amanda until something prompted him to make clear, “Dad, are you sure Pedro would like her? I mean, they stink with poverty!”    "Son, it's not Pedro, of course. it's you. You don't even have anyone in your life right now, do you? And I hope you do not consider Vanessa a wife material?” Gonzalez reaffirmed and left Declan in astonishment. Everything seemed like a movie to him. He lacked the right words to portray how he felt right now.  "But....but I'm not inclined to marriage. Besides, I don't even love this so-called Amanda. Dad, for goodness’ sake we are not in the 90s. How do I even explain this to Vanessa?” Declan yelled at his Dad as the two almost came to blows.  "You've got 7 days to walk down the aisle with Amanda or consider yourself excommunicated from the family's inheritance. I'll allot all your inheritance to your younger brother, Pedro. He's more of a man than you'll ever will. You'd stop being the managing director of G. G Holdings if you chose to disobey my orders. Just look at you. You're nothing but a complete disappointment to the family. At age 29, you still dwell under my roof while your brother has already gotten himself an apartment. I just wish your mom was…"  "Oh, don't you dare speak ill of my mom? Take her name out of your f*****g mouth.” Declan fumed at his Dad and was rewarded with a thunderous slap. He caressed his cheeks in anger and returned to his room only to find Vanessa packing her stuff and set to leave the house.  "What are you doing?”  "I presume you're not blind, are you? I overheard everything. I rather sleep in my apartment tonight. I can't stand the heat,” Vanessa wailed as she attempted to exit the room with her luggage.  "Wait, it's not safe out there. It's almost 11 pm. You might get hurt or something. Please stay for the night. We can still discuss this, right?” Declan pleaded and grabbed her box.   "There's nothing to discuss. Didn't you hear the conditions? You'd be stripped of your inheritance. You're not that stupid to choose me over fortune, right? What I don't understand is why your Dad keeps controlling you as if you were a kid. I can't take this. I'd be back when the drama has ended. But right now, I'm out of here.” Vanessa wept like a child and departed. All efforts to make her stay proved abortive. Declan grew in rage and screamed,” Jeez! What the f**k have I done,"