Popularity is an Illusion

Wealth and Power

Crest Galani stepped into the garden, the sound of classical music echoed as finely dressed men and women chattered amongst themselves. The air reeked of Wealth and Power.

His Spanish stepmother held this charity ball yearly to raise funds for the less privileged but elites of Crimson Valley had turned it into a show of who had the most money.

To be honest he dreaded being here, seeing his father pretend as though they were a happy family when in real sense they were far from that. As the saying goes “there’s no peace for the wicked”, maybe he was wicked in his other life because Aegeus Galani made this life a living hell for him.

All for a crime he never even knew he committed. Aegeus’s first wife and his biological Megaera had a complication during the birth and it was either the child or the mother, Meg choose her baby and gave her life to save him.

Aegeus blamed him for the death of his beloved wife and would never forgive Crest. “Murderer”, “You should’ve died instead of her”, “A disgrace to the Galani empire”, “You’re useless, a baggage”.

There was nothing he hadn’t heard from his father and was convinced that Aegeus Galani had no heart, whatever was beating in his chest and keeping him alive was one of the wonders of the world.

Crest scanned the environment for the hostess knowing to stay a far distance from her as she wouldn't miss an opportunity to show him off to her friend's in the bid of getting him a girlfriend.

“You need some love in your life, you’re always so moody” she would say then proceed to introduce him to one of her friends daughters.

"Sir, the Lady said to tell you to walk towards the waterfall". A waiter approached him saying.

His mistake was looking towards the waterfall, as he saw his father and step mother, the latter watching him. He let out a breathe walking towards them.

Aegeus got married to Estrella three years after his wife passed away. At eighteen she was shipped off to a foreign country to be married to a man she didn’t even know. All for a business deal.

He had two siblings from their union, Gael was born a year after the marriage and Maria Elena was four.

"Father, Estrellita " he greeted, his dad pulling him into an embrace whispering a stern "you're late".

The look on his stepmothers face said it all, “please behave”, it pleaded.

"Good evening Mr & Mrs Montague " he greeted looking at the couple standing beside his parents.

Mr Pierre Montague, a man in his early sixties and his new wife who was probably less than half his age.

"Crest my boy", Pierre said embracing him. He was a dear friend and business associate of his father.

"Doesn't Crest look amazing Tara?" Estrella asked wiping an invisible crease off his black suit.

Surely Crest was incredibly handsome. He was what you would call “a pretty boy”. His black hair neatly jelled back enhancing his bright green eyes. Olive colored skin and a tall masculine body. He was a sight to behold.

His father once said his physical appearance was the only good thing in his rotten life.

"Absolutely E" Tara Montague complimented.

From there, the night was spent moving from one business associate to another. As he was the heir to the Galani Empire, his father needed him to learn the ropes.

At last a means of escape came his father had left to talk private business matters so he took it walking out of the gardens, going into the mansion was futile as they would find him and bring him back outside, he walked to the backyard where no one ever went.

The backyard housed a secluded garden which belonged to his late mother with an apple tree in the middle. Everyone avoided the topic of Megeara in that house and he was certain no one would find him there.

Taking a sit on the bamboo chair, he took out his vape from the suit pocket taking a drag.

The plan was simple, since socializing wore him out, he would take a few drags to relieve his stress before going back to the party.

Vaping while staring at the sky was his solitude and soon he was as high as a kite.

A kick to the leg woke Crest from his sleep. Mid opening his eyes, sun rays attacked him.

"s**t" he swore covering his eyes with his palm.

He had barely recovered when he was kicked again.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” He swore again this time at the perpetrator, opening his eyes fully and coming face to face with his father Aegeus Galani and two body guards. He quickly looked away.

That was enough to eliminate any trace of sleep left in his eyes and focus on the situation at hand. It was morning which meant he had fallen asleep and spent the rest of the night here.

"Incompetence, a trait you highly exhibit" a very angry Aegeus begun.

"Do tell, why you left the event last night after arriving late to come here and while away both our time?".

Crest remained silent knowing his father's questions were never for answers.

"You are the heir to my fortune Crest , Your step mother organized that event, you could build connections rather you leave". Trust Aegeus to be in it for the profit.

"Everyone wondered where you had gone, the press bombarded me with questions until one came with a picture of you here wallowing in stupidity" he paused

"Imagine if that picture had gone out?, why put me to shame?, Can you never do something right in that pathetic life of yours?" He shouted.

"Give it to me" he ordered as Crest picked up the vape giving him, avoiding eye to eye contact with his father.

It was an unspoken rule in the Galani mansion that Crest never looked his father directly in the eye as it reminded Aegeus of his late wife. They had the same piercing Jade eyes.

Aegeus snatched the vape out of his hands leaving, on reaching the mini gate of the garden he turned back throwing the vape, aiming for Crest who in turn dodged it.

Being an athlete had its advantages. “You should’ve died instead of her” Aegeus spat, disgust filled his face on taking in his sons disheveled appearance.

The boy waited for his father to move a far distance before he left, the further he stayed away the better for him.

When he was sure his father had gone, Crest made his way to the house where his step mother stood by the door giving him a disappointed look.

Even though she was too young to be his mom, Estrella was the only mother figure he knew.

“I’m sorry Estrellita”.

“Just go up and take a shower, breakfast is in a hour”. The Lady dismissed.