"You have To Believe Me!"
1749 Words
Chapter Three
COSMOS BUILDING
The taxi driver stopped in front of the lobby of the Cosmos building and turned to Zaire who was seated at the back seat
"Here we are" He motioned with his head towards the gigantic building and Zaire could not help staring.
The Building was huge, towering above them with a startling 2000 floors.
The taxi driver was watching Zaire, amused. It was obvious this was the first time he was coming to the Cosmos building
The Cosmos building was like a relaxation center for the rich and wealthy.
It doubled as an hotel, event centre, gallery etc. Everything for the rich to enjoy in their leisure time. It was even a tourist center for exclusive foreigners but still not everyone gets to have access to the interiors of the building
To gain access into the building, one needs to have a Pass card, bestowed directly by the owner himself, who was also Robert Ludovic, Chairman of the Ludovic Empire
It goes without saying that an ordinary person is not allowed in there
The driver looked at Zaire skeptically, from head to toe. He could see that the young man was not an affluent or wealthy person from the way he was dressed modestly and he even took a taxi to the building.
Normally, you drive up to the lobby with your own personal car.
The taxi driver was sure that Zaire had no business in the Cosmos Building and he will be definitely thrown out.
It was rumored that the arrogant wealthy people often looked down on any ordinary person who happened to enter the Cosmos building.
There were guards situated around the building to prevent unauthorized access and even the taxi driver had made sure he parked a safe distance away from the entrance of the building
Zaire came down from the taxi. He reached into his wallet and handed the taxi driver his fare
"Thanks" He said and watched as the taxi rolled away.
Zaire breathed a sigh of relief.
He was especially grateful for the way the taxi driver brought him to his destination on time.
He glanced at his watch and saw that he had ten minutes left. His heart jumped and he walked briskly towards the entrance, taking long strides.
The revolving doors made him stop for a brief moment before he finally stepped into the glamorous building
Zaire tried not to gape but he couldn't. It was as though everything was made with gold. The decor, the lighting, even the receptionist's desk. He felt humbled as he walked towards the elevator
Suddenly suited men with dark sunglasses stopped him just as he approached the nearest elevator.
"Hey you! Stop there! Where do you think you're going?" A harsh voice barked
Zaire stopped and turned to look at the burly man who was approaching him menancingly. There were two other men behind him.
They looked very serious and hostile.
"I would like to go to the Penthouse" Zaire spoke clearly, staring directly at the burly man. He was not going to back down. He knew something important was waiting for him
The man sneered, letting his cold gaze flickered over Zaire for a minute before he spoke. His voice was mocking
"You? You want to to up to the Penthouse?" He sneered and laughed mockingly. Suddenly he stopped, his face hardening "Leave the building this instant before I throw you out"
"You can't do that. I have a meeting with Mr Robert Ludovic in 5mins" Zaire pleaded now, panicking "You have to let me go up"
"Nonsense! You're obviously a thief" the man roared angrily, taking two steps towards Zaire and staring him down.
Zaire was quite tall but the other man was bigger and easily stared him down
"How can someone like you have a meeting with the Chairman of the almighty Ludovic Empire?" His lips curled into a snarl "You're dressed in rags from head to toe. You stink of poverty! Guards, throw him out!"
The guards advanced towards Zaire and grabbed an arm each while he struggled within their grasp
"Let go this instant!" Zaire yelled "You have to believe me!"
"What's going on here?" A voice bellowed from behind and the guards turned, then bowed quickly
It was the Chief bodyguard. He came out when he heard the commotion down at the lobby. His cold gaze flickered over his guards, then Zaire before he spoke
"Who is he?"
"Boss, it's just a little situation that we have in control" the burly man uttered, glancing at Zaire with disdain "This man here says he has an appointment with the Chairman but it's obvious that's not true and that he's just a thief"
"I am not a thief, you have to believe me" Zaire struggled out of the grasp of the bodyguards and brought out his cell phone to show the chief of guards the number that called him earlier "He called me personally and set up a meeting with me"
All the guards scoffed, including the receptionistd and a few elites there who had gathered at the unfolding drama.
"The chairman called you himself? What a joke! What are the guards waiting for? Throw him out this instant!"
"It's the likes of him that makes the Cosmos building not as glorious as before. You make the place stink. Get out"
"Who does he think he is, walking into this building? I feel sick just at the sight of the rags he's wearing"
The elites in the building spoke loudly and urged the guards to throw him out.
Unfortunately for Zaire, the number the chairman had called him with was a private one and so therefore could not be seen
Besides, even the guards did not know the chairman's number.
How could they?
The chief guard remained silent. Earlier this evening, he had received an order to grant access to a special guest of the chairman but he doubted Zaire was the one.
Zaire did not look like a kind of person that the chairman would have an appointment with. He looked like a beggar and someone not befitting the Cosmos building
The chief guard's face hardened with resolve as he determined that Zaire was indeed a thief and marvelled at his stupid boldness.
"There's no way you're a guest of the chairman" He gave Zaire a direct look that dared him to defy his orders "Leave the building, sir"
Zaire was desperate. He was already late for the meeting by a good seven minutes.
He still did not know what was going on but he was not going to let this chance pass. He was already here. He must meet with the chairman and perhaps maybe his life would change.
Suddenly, the elevator behind him dinged, signaling a descent. Zaire saw his chance and bolted for the elevator which was just opening.
He was in such a rush that he failed to avoid the person in front of him and collided with a woman coming out of the elevator
She was dressed in an exquisite white dress, looking very sophisticated and beautiful from head to toe. She held a cup of iced latte in her hands and was busy typing on her cell phone.
She did not notice Zaire running towards the elevator. He slammed right into her and the coffee in her hand spilled all over her dress.
"Ahhh!!" The woman screamed in a high pitch voice "You ruffian! How dare you attack me?!"
Zaire was horrified and tried to apologize
"I'm so sorry, ma'am" he started saying but the woman rudely interrupted by screaming all the more, her eyes wide and angry, her beautiful face squeezed, making her look very scary indeed.
"Sorry?! You're sorry?!" She placed a hand on her heart , like she was having an her attack "you'll pay for this! I'm calling the cops. Do you know who I am??"
In his flustered state, the guards caught up with Zaire and threw him to the ground
"You stupid guards!" the woman screeched at them , throwing the empty cup of coffee at them "where were you when this ruffian was attacking me? Take him away and call the cops this instant!"
"We are very sorry, Madam Katrina" the chief of guards trembled as he bowed multiple times for the woman.
How could that lowlife make insult Madam Katrina, of all people.
She was very vicious when she was angry and thinks she should be worshipped all because she's acquainted with the chairman.
He turned to his guards and glared at them. Stamping his foot, he barked. "Take him away this instant. If he resists, deal with him"
The guards pulled Zaire up roughly and dragged him away. Zaire was powerless. He could only let himself be dragged away as he saw a once in a lifetime opportunity slip away from him
Everyone in the building looked on in astonishment and shock.
"My God, he insulted Madam Katrina. He's dead for sure"
"Next time, he'll know never to cross paths with the rich and mighty"
They whispered and stared at the woman who was drenched. She had a murderous look on her face
"How dare that lowlife, embarrass me like this?!" Madam Katrina was furious. She glared at the chief of guards with venom in her eyes "And you let him! Do you know how much my dress costs? What is he even doing in this building!"
"We're sorry madam" the chief guard's voice was low "He said he was here on appointment and wants to meet with the chairman"
At the mention of the chairman, the woman's eyebrows rose in astonishment, then a look of realization slowly came into her eyes
Just at that moment, sounds of sirens from police cars sounded at a distant and were gradually coming closer.
The woman looked around furtively for a minute, then leaned in to whisper in the chief guard's ear
"When the police arrives, turn him in as a thief and say that he attacked me" she whispered fiercely "No matter what, don't let him meet the chairman. That must never happen, do you understand me?"
The Chief bodyguard looked astonished for a minute, then nodded swiftly.
Madam Katrina smirked as she walked away to change out of her coffee stained dress
There was no way that lowlife was going to meet the chairman now. He was going to have to first remove himself from this problem that he got himself in.
- Writer
