CHAPTER 1: NASTY BEGGAR.

Mike cringed at the rising intensity of the scorching sun. Tiny drops of sweat had formed over his forehead. Grabbing his bowl , he scurried to a car to get some shade. Being a beggar was one hell of a task !

" Hey!" A man's voice yelled at him.

On turning, he could see a couple walking out of the mini - mart by the roadside. They were walking towards him. No! They were walking to their own car.

" What the heck are you doing around my car? Huh? " The man said , a sense of mockery etched over his tone.

" Sorry, " Mike said softly, tracing his steps away from the car. " I was looking for shade."

" You are a damned beggar, " his wife said daringly. " Instead of loitering about this car, go ahead and beg!"

The man chuckled loudly, " I guess you need a few bucks. You should have asked right away. "

Mike felt his heart sink. His eyes revealed nothing in particular. He stood there like the hopeless beggar he was.

" Here you go, " The man said to him, slipping a few notes out of his pocket. " Even if you are a beggar, you should not look this nasty. You stink!"

Mike reluctantly accepted the token and watched the couple as they drove off. He stroked his face . Oh yes, he looked nasty. His beards had grown abnormally long and looked very unkempt . The same went for his hair. Tiny bits of garbage could be picked from his hair .

What was one expecting? A beggar like him had no place to call home.

" Hey, buddy ," Jimmy's voice said . " Relax your nerves. Begging is way better than being a robber. "

Mike stole a glance at him.

" You think so, Jimmy?"

" Come on, man. Yes, I know so. Would you choose the authorities to have you labeled a wanted criminal over having to ask for help. "

" We are not asking for help, Jimmy, " Mike replied . " We are damned beggars. "

" Not damned. "

Mike smiled vaguely, " At least, I will need to be caught to be labeled a criminal as a robber. Besides Jimmy, no one would treat me the way this couple just did if I were a successful robber. I would have a house . I would have a nice bed. Most importantly, I will get to eat properly and escape the wicked sun. "

" But you will have no peace, Mike. "

" You can't be so sure. "

" Shake it off, Mike, " Jimmy said and returned to his unit.

Jimmy was a fifty-one year old lowlife who begged alongside Mike. Though Jimmy was twenty years older than Mike, the two seemed to align really well.

" Hmm, " Mike exhaled tiredly, stroking his long beards.

He was about to return to his unit when he noticed a flashy car driving in his direction. His first instinct was to rush to it and ask for cash. But on the other hand , he was held back from attempting it.

" Hey, man," Jimmy's voice called. " What are you doing? That car is your catch. Go for it. "

Mike seemed not to be listening. He felt strangely awkward that he could not bring himself to make a move. He recognized the car model immediately. Not just that he recognized the model but he equally knew the car. He bought it and had it customized with his money !

Jimmy was about to make a move for the catch when they noticed people swarming towards the car. On getting closer, the painting on the car became clearer.

" Oh my goodness!" Jimmy screamed. " Ava woods! The model? Damn!"

Without any attention to Mike, he joined the crowd. Mike remained there , his legs glued to the ground. The car opened and a slightly slender, fair and shiny legs stepped out.

Those legs, he knew them. They belonged to Ava Woods, his ex girlfriend.

Ava stepped out , looking glamorous like she had always looked. She walked straight to Mike, taking her sun shades off . The grin on her face was very broad.

" Ava, " Mike called.

Ava's response was a taunting chortle.

" Oh my gosh. You recognize me. But I can barely recognize you. "

" Why are you here? " Mike asked , his face locking up. " Are you here to humiliate me?"

" You are still intelligent, darling, " She said and stroked his hair. " The beard looks dirty , you know. And so do you. You stink!"

" Why are you here? Don't you have better things to do?"

" Nothing is better than seeing you in this miserable state, if you must know it. " She giggled. "At first, I didn't believe it . But I just had to come and confirm it with my own eyes. The almighty Mike Williams has become a dreadful beggar. Such a plot twist of life. " She laughed mockingly.

" I don't want to see you again. "

" Oh my dear, I still want to see you. You remember that car, don't you? "

Of course, he did . It was a gift he got her on their last anniversary. Unfortunately, it was the anniversary that ended things for them.

" I purposely came with it. You can be pained for all I care. I know you need some cash. Here you go. "

She took a handful of dollar bills and threw it at him.

" Everyone!!" She shouted and turned around. " This man right here happens to be the popular Mike Williams, the abandoned son of the Williams' family!!"

To this, there was a round of murmurs through the whole place. Mike felt a sharp pin piercing through his heart.

" Meanwhile, I got a little surprise for you. I hope you like it," she waved her hands in the air. " Come on!"

With that, she walked away , settled in her car and drove away.

Come on? Mike thought. Who could she have spoken to?

In a matter of seconds, the answer to the many questions in his head got to him. A group of people with cameras raced towards him. They were reporters!

At this point, it became clear to him.... He would be on the news.

A few moments later, he withdrew from the place and walked up to a Rolls Royce parked meters away.

" Take me to the villa," he said.