Chapter 9— The Prodigal Lorenzo

Raphael’s POV

It was the morning of my grandfather's birthday. Honestly, I wouldn't have gone to the party if my grandfather had not invited Me personally.

My family? Those guys? They are a lot, they can be a pain in the ass too.

Sometimes I wonder if I was their child because they all seemed to have the same kind of annoying character, one that I detested so much.

Maybe because I had been staying abroad, far away from them, maybe because I left them early. But I was different.

While growing up, I spent more time with my grandfather and grandmother; I was the first child of my parents, Mrs Riley Lorenzo and Mr Lorenzo Junior.

Yes, my father's name is Lorenzo Junior, named after my grandfather.

At five years old, I was doing things most of my peers wouldn't. I had a mature way of thinking. My brother Marcus, a real pain, was born when I was five.

All my parent's attention went to him even after he had grown older; they still gave him all their attention. Honestly, I wasn't even bothered by it one bit.

I felt like if they had given me such attention, I wouldn't have been the kind of man I had grown up to be.

My sister Anna was born when I was eight and Marcel was three. Then when I was ten, our last child, Marco, was born.

Yeah, you can see the gap In age; however, I still do not believe that age matters when it comes to maturity. It's all about upbringing and exposure; well that's my own opinion. You could have yours.

It's a free world.

I had been anticipating my grandfather's birthday, though I didn't want to go, but I knew I didn't have a choice this time around; he was marking his eightieth birthday.

Gosh, that man is ancient.

I had missed his birthday celebrations for the past twenty years. I was fifteen when I left home to find my path, and it was exhausting living with everyone in one big house. My parents were also becoming increasingly annoying.

I came up with excuses time and time again, but this time, I had none. I needed to see the old man. Besides, by right, I was supposed to take over the company.

I wasn't too interested in the company anyway, I wouldn't mind if it was given to Marcel, even Marco. I had my own money; I became a young Billionaire at the age of twenty-five, and now I am thirty-five.

One of the reasons why I didn't want to go back home was because my grandfather had been disturbing me. Did I just say, grandfather? It wasn't just him; it was every single one of them.

From my grandfather down to my Aunt, Aunt May, they all wanted me to get a wife.

Father had threatened that if I didn't get married before Marcel, he was going to hand over the company rights to Marcel. Honestly, I couldn't care less.

My money was more than enough for me; even if my next ten generations decided not to work at all, I had more than enough money to cater for them and their children.

"You have a call from your grandfather," Alexa said

"That old man," I muttered. "Answer the call and put it on loudspeaker," I commanded.

I was in my penthouse alone going through some documents, legs crossed, so there was no need to worry about anyone eavesdropping, and my house was soundproof, so no one outside could hear me.

"Hello my runaway son"

I chuckled

"Come on gramps" I smiled

"Aren't you a runaway?" He said grinning.

I could picture his semi-wrinkled face. Gramps was a handsome man, but age had finally caught up with him. We tried convincing him to do something about it, but he refused, saying there was no need for someone his age to be bothered with things like that.

"No, gramps, I am not; I just grew up."

"Grew up? You've been away for twenty years now? We only see you on video calls."

"Gramps, you know I have been busy,", I said, dropping the newspaper that Was in my hands.

"Too busy, to call your old man on his Birthday to wish him?" He asked

"Oh gramps, you know I never let the day pass without calling you on your birthdays"

"Then what happened today? Let me guess—you don’t have a good excuse yet, so you’re trying to evade this one too."

I laughed out loud, "Okay, gramps, you caught me, but I still would have called either way."

"You know, among all your father's children, you are my most cherished, and you are the most responsible among them all; it breaks my heart whenever I don't get to see you on my birthday; I am eighty now, one more year closer to my death bed."

"Come on, gramps, don't say that."

"What would you have me say, Raphael? Please, I need you here."

I exhaled, "But gramps..."

"Don't gramps me, Raphael, I know you are not busy, and I also know you don't like being in the midst of your parents and siblings, but please..."

"Okay, okay, gramps, I hear you; you don't have to keep begging me." I said, taking in a deep breath "Okay, you can send my passcode."

"Come on son, passcode, you are a Lorenzo. That alone is a passcode," He said in a slightly serious tone.

I chuckled "Alright, alright, alright, dad, I hear you; I should be there in the next..." I paused, looking at the big wall clock in my living room "Two hours."

"Two hours? For real?" He asked

"Yes gramps, for real," I replied

"Thank you very much my son, I'll be expecting you soon" he said

I could hear the joy in his voice. It made me happy too.

Immediately, I ended the call. I heaved a deep sigh, but it wasn't of relief; it was a questioning sigh.

I had decided to attend Grandpa's party. Knowing my parents, I was prepared for drama.

Not long after I dropped the phone, it rang again; it was still Gramps.

Why was he calling?

I answered.

"Come with your plus-one son," he said

"Plus one", I laughed out loud "Gramps, there is no plus one.”