The Grand System

Chapter 9

Mr. Garry flares his furious face to Gideon. "You are a disgraceful and a bastard son. The only way for you to avoid my wrath is to stay away from me."

Gideon covered his face with his palms as he burst into tears. Raising his head, he pointed his finger at Travis. "I don't know what he did to me that day I stripped off my clothes at the bank. He also uploads fake videos to take revenge because his girlfriend broke up with him and dated Calvin. Dad, please trust me. I can never do such abominable things."

"I have already left his girlfriend alone, he just wants to destroy my life. We are saying the truth and nobody believes the truth. Please, you are our last hope," Calvin said.

"Hold your deceptive lips. I invited him to your wedding," CEO Moore said, beating his chest. "Only a foolish person would believe you."

"Please tell the truth. It's not possible to invite a delivery boy to my wedding, Dad."

"Never call me your dad. A shameless and deceptive child can never be my son."

"You guys are prolonging the matter," CEO Douglass said impatiently and then gave his soldiers a what-are-you-still-waiting-for sort of glare.

The soldiers quickly carried them out while Mr. Garry was so emotional because his son was crying. Only if he was richer than CEO Douglass, he would have set his son free.

The only thing he couldn't control himself from doing was to flare his reddened eyes to Travis.

Travis dug his hands in his pockets and turned to leave.

CEO Douglass stopped himself from telling Travis to wait for some minutes. "It's my fault. All my fault. I shouldn't have to remind him to come."

"You are not at fault-"

"If you are a disciplinarian father, this won't happen," CEO Douglass cuts in.

"I don't say you should not punish Gideon, but nothing bad must happen to my son because of a riffraff being," Mr. Garry said forcefully.

"I spare you this chance. If you ever call Travis that name again, you will rot in prison," CEO Douglass roared.

CEO Moore swiftly stopped him from moving close to Mr. Garry to prevent a fight.

"Get off my way. The toys that came with him can't protect him from being slapped."

CEO Moore didn't let go of CEO Douglass. "Put all the anger on me. It's my fault."

"I know, but this i***t's son also corrupted Calvin."

“You called me an i***t?” Mr. Garry asked.

"Yes, you are an i***t and foolish. I dare you to utter another word there," CEO Douglass roared again.

Mr. Garry held his anger as he exchanged furious staring with CEO Douglass.

"Say it." CEO Douglass dared him again and was ready to bankrupt him and then make him rot in prison. "You supposed to thank me for punishing your son for disgracing your name. You are here defending a fool like you. Say another word."

The people watched, and they were scared to utter a word, although CEO Douglass was not talking to them. Mr. Garry turned and left with his soldiers.

"I'm very sorry," CEO Moore kept repeating the words like a prayer till CEO Douglass entered his car and sped it off.

***

The grand system reminds Travis of the clothes he wanted to buy. Travis ordered food first and had his breakfast at home before driving his car to En Vogue Boutique.

The girls on the streets were amazed as they saw his car approaching, but their expectations hurt them as they saw Travis coming out with poor clothes, thinking he was just a driver.

A saleslady approached him as he stepped into the boutique, looking around for cool clothes.

"Hello, I think you are going beyond your limits. Those are the clothes you can afford. This one is for the middle-class men. I'm so sorry to say but you should see this as helpful rather than disgracing talks. That's why I lower my voice."

"Where are the clothes for high-class men?" Travis asked.

"Pardon. We respect your time as well as our time. Please, can you take a look at the clothes you can afford over there?"

"I don't have enough time to argue with you. If you can't answer me, please leave me. I will ask someone else."

The saleslady pulled Travis back as he turned to touch a hoodie for middle-class men. "I have respected you enough. Please respect yourself."

When Travis wanted to reply, a familiar voice broke in.

"Is that not Travis?" Another saleslady moved closer.

"Do you know him, Jane?" The first saleslady asked.

"Of course. He dropped out of my school last two years and begged someone before getting a deliveries work."

"Really? He's asking for clothes that are meant for the high-class men."

Jane laughed. "Do you hear what he said clearly? He might be asking for some money."

Travis felt ashamed because Jane's voice was too loud and people were gazing at him now.

The other saleslady raised her eyebrows to Travis. "Can you say something? Don't make me look like a fool and liar here."