Chapter 5: The King Of The Floor
554 Words
POV: Elias
I hadn't slept in twenty-four hours. My eyes burned, and my stomach was cramping because I hadn't eaten. I was still sitting in the same plastic chair outside the ICU. Every time a nurse walked by, I looked up, hoping for good news. But the news never came. Bella was still asleep.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of expensive shoes clicking on the hospital floor. Click. Click. Click.
I looked up. Standing in front of me was Chief Otunba. He was wearing a white lace agbada that cost more than a small car. His gold chains were shining under the hospital lights. He looked like a King visiting a prison.
"Elias," he said. His voice was full of fake pity. "Look at you. The great Lion of Lagos, sitting on a dirty floor like a beggar."
I didn't have the strength to stand up. I just looked at him. "What do you want, Otunba? I have nothing left to give you."
Otunba laughed and leaned against the wall. "I know. I just came from the bank. I bought your shipping fleet this morning. I got it for a very, very cheap price because your assistant was in a hurry to get the cash."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick stack of thousand-naira notes. He tossed a few of them at my feet.
"Here," he sneered. "Buy yourself a meat pie and some water. You look like you're about to die. It’s a shame, Elias. You were so smart, but you threw it all away for a girl who can’t even open her eyes. Was she worth it? Was she worth your billions?"
I looked at the money on the floor. I looked at Otunba’s expensive shoes. Then, I looked at the door where Bella was sleeping.
"You don't understand, Otunba," I said quietly. My voice was weak, but I wasn't afraid. "You have billions in the bank, but you have no one who loves you. If you died tomorrow, your workers would celebrate. But my daughter... she is my world. I would sell my soul to hear her laugh one more time."
I stood up slowly. My legs were shaking, but I stood tall. "Take your money and leave. I am a poor man now, but I am still a better man than you will ever be."
Otunba’s face turned red with anger. He didn't expect me to be brave. He wanted me to cry. He wanted me to beg.
"Fine," he hissed. "Enjoy your poverty, Elias. Let’s see how long the hospital keeps your daughter in that bed when the money runs out next week. I’ll be waiting to buy the rest of your life when you finally break."
He turned around and walked away, his gold jewelry jingling as he went.
I sat back down. I was shaking. He was right about one thing—the money I got from selling the empire would not last forever. Coma care is expensive. I had to find a way to make money. I had to find a job.
I looked at my hands. They were the hands of a CEO. But starting tomorrow, they would have to be the hands of a laborer.
- Writer
