Gavin Knight: From Rags to Richest

Gelo

Ali and Bill closed their store for the day. The money Gavin gave them was enough for them to take a vacation for a year. They went up to their house, with enough money in their pockets but without the smile on their faces.

Bill and Ali have been living like this for five years now and only Gavin has brought back the smile on Bill’s face. It is as if he found a purpose in life once again. Ali liked the changes Gavin brought to her husband, but everything changed the day Bill saw Aya’s photo on Gavin’s phone.

Bill sat at the dining table and looked at the vacant chair; the chair their son usually sat on. Ali served her husband a cup of coffee. She sat beside him and took her own cup of coffee. Ali looked back at her husband who had a grim look on his face while looking at the empty seat of their only son; Gelo occupied before he passed.

Ali remembered that time when their son proudly showed them Sofia’s photo as his girlfriend. It impressed them, since Sofia’s beauty is not ordinary; she had that aura that is screaming of privilege. It made Ali feel scared of Sofia and her son’s relationship; it wasn’t a simple one. A beautiful heiress and a small restaurant owner, is not a fairytale romance at all; it never worked even in movies.

Yes, her nightmare came true one day when police officers came to pick up her only son and threw him to jail. Sofia’s family was too rich that they can do just about anything and get away with it. They slapped her son with false accusations. After a few days of torture from other inmates, Sofia showed up. In a great plot twist, like the very existence of their relationship, she admitted that she did everything with consent.

They dismissed every charge they filed against Gelo. But his reputation was already ruined. It is not something one could take back so easily. Sofia ran away and started a new life easily because they have the resources to protect their princess. While his son received the backlash from loving the wrong person, it drowned him in depression.

It burdened Bill because he was not affluent enough to protect his only son. This hatred in him almost ruined their relationship as Bill spiraled down to depression like Gelo. Ali was afraid of losing her husband, too. But unlike Bill she did not hate Sofia. She was also just a victim of circumstance. They were young and dumb teens who played with fire and suffered it. It wasn’t Sofia’s fault that her family was rich and influential.

She took a deep breath, realizing both their coffees lost its heat while still full. Just like their relationship, it lost its spark while they are alive and well together. She knows that five years is still not enough to cover the hurt Bill felt since their son passed. Ali completely understands Bill, but she will not let him get into Gavin’s affairs. A broken-hearted father deserves some empathy, but it is not a ticket to break others’ hearts just because he is broken.

Ali tapped Bill’s shoulders. “You know, honey, our son deserves some peace, too. It is time to let him go. This misery has been going on for far too long.” She said in a very concerned tone while directly looking into her husband’s eyes.

“Are you really our son’s mother?” He raised his voice to Ali as he slammed the table. “How could you even say that? You know it is Sofia’s fault and her rich family who controlled everything and pushed our son to his death!” He said before he stood up and stormed his way out of their home.

Ali leaned against the kitchen door as she wiped her tears. They have avoided this topic for the longest time, and seeing how Bill reacted it surely hit a sensitive string in his heart. Five years ago, Ali thought her life ended too. There is no greater pain for a mother to bury her own child. It was too painful for her and Bill to lose their only son. The miracle son, they waited ten years into their marriage.

Ali loved her son dearly, but she was not blind not to see her son’s mistakes. She tried her best to advise her son to get his life straight, but he didn’t and worse came to worst. He took his own life. It was tragic. It never occurred to her that they will come to this point. She can remember vividly when she received the news that her son’s body was found three days after they reported him missing.

At first, Bill believed that it was Sofia’s family who kidn*pped Gelo. But Ali found the letter Gelo left. It was clear; his guilt was eating him alive. He cannot go near Sofia to apologize because of the restraining order she filed, preventing Gelo from coming near her.

His last letter was like an apology letter for Sofia, rather than a last goodbye to the people who loved him dearly. Maybe this is one reason why Bill still loathes Sofia. She took him away from them even in his last days.

***

Gavin and Veronica stood in front of their monitor, focused on the draw results. Gavin leaned on his desk while Veronica was like a supervisor, standing straight with her hands across her chest. “Gosh, why do I feel like my stomach is tumbling upside down?” She muttered.

Gavin chuckled and pointed it out to Veronica. “It’s called nervousness.” He wanted to spell it out to Veronica that she is human too, and it is normal for her to feel it. Just like how he feels at the moment, he could puke any moment.

“Why would I feel nervous? It isn’t even my money!” She reasoned out to Gavin. Her admission actually intrigued him. She does not look and act likes an empathetic person, but she is evincing signs of empathy towards him.

“It is because you are human, after all. And you are not as tough as you think you are Ms. Veronica Wolfe.” He smirked at Veronica. 

Veronica heard Gavin’s words clearly. “What? Why am I not as tough? I am the 'Lone Wolfe'. I am not a softie! But why am I feeling this?" she thought to herself.  

She looked in Gavin’s direction and saw that boyish smile on his beautiful face. She felt the flutter in her tummy earlier crept up to her chest. Her face turned red and literally hot. “Son of a! Why is his smile giving me the feels?” She muttered. Veronica covered her mouth instantly when she realized she actually spoke those words out loud.