Chapter 2. The Discovery 1

Julius' POV

My forty-three-year-old father, Mark Reagan, was a railway worker. He was not dedicated to his work and often got queried or suspended. Before my final year in high school, the organization got tired of him and relieved him of his position.

My mother was devastated. Eugenia, my elder sister was ashamed of the family and hated my father. 

"Don't be discouraged, Julius. You must complete your studies," my mother assured me.

"Thank you, Mom," I agreed with her.

My father, who was listening to us, hissed and walked to his room unperturbed.

In September, I returned to school for my final year with my mother's support. Meanwhile, my father felt neglected. To get even with my mother, he resorted to drinking and womanizing. My mother was distraught and confronted him.

In his fury, he beat her up and inflicted serious injuries on her. It was so bad that she was bedridden for months. That was a trying period for my family and I was praying for its unity. Meanwhile, Eugenia did not see things like me. To get revenge for my mother, she attacked my father and one of his mistresses and the act worsened the matter in my family.

At that point, my mother lost her job. My father openly became a gigolo and my mother sank into depression.

While in school, my seatmate, Hendrick Wilberforce, was there for me. He never allowed my family problem to rob me of my joy or affect my academic performance.

"Hey, Dude! What's up?" He would often call my attention whenever I was lost in thought.

"The world won't come to an end if you don't make a good grade," he would often tease me thinking that I was worried about my grades.

I would answer him with a dry smile without letting him know my problem. On several occasions, he would offer me some edibles.

"I think you can't make it through to the evening meal without a munch," he often say and lead me to the fast food cafe.

One day, as we were eating, I looked up from my snacks and focused on him. 

'He is handsome both inside and outside,' I said to myself considering how he cared for me.

When he looked up, I saw strong and unpleasant sexual desire in his eyes and looked away immediately. I felt his eyes scanning my body and I was shy at once. I wondered why I should behave like that in the presence of a fellow guy.

After undressing me with his eyes, he would make me look up by calling out, "Hey! You need more, am I right?" Just to see the ardent affection in his eyes.

I would be forced to look into his eyes and see a strong passion that I could not decode.

"Not quite, Hendrick. Thank you for your concern," I would answer him all the same and concentrate on my food.

 At that point, his eyes glittered, and a silent apodosis ensued. I would hasten up my eating just to stay away from him. Nevertheless, I would steal a glance at his plate and discover that he had not eaten much. Probably, he was not starving but wished to ensure that I ate.

Now, we were out of school and I am back home. 

"Welcome back, Julius," my father greeted me without interest.

"Thank you, Dad," I responded and waited for him to ask me about my exams but he did not.

I walked to my room dejectedly and began to unpack my belongings.

Meanwhile, my mother was broke, sad, and often sick while he was having a good time. He had worked on himself and looked ten years younger than his age. His dress was top-notch and was in high demand. I saw a luxury car that he got from one of his rich mistresses while the others were scrabbling to keep him. 

Life was tough for us and I needed Hendrick by my side. The financial aid and emotional support I got from him back in the school was all I needed to scale through that trying period of my life. 

"That was bad of me for not even having his contact," I chided myself often.

"Take heart, Mom. Everything would be fine," I encouraged her.

With her wet eyes, she responded, "Thank you for your concern, Julius. Once I am well, I will become a gigolette. That would make the two of us and your father won't have to rub his shameless act on my nose."

Without waiting for her to complete her words, I got what she was up to and stormed out of the room. Instantly, I went out in search of a job. The hunt was fruitless and I always returned home hungry and tired out.

To ensure that I still have a mother, I would peep into her room. Despite my exhaustion, I would have untold joy whenever I saw her keeping herself busy with one thing or another.

"Welcome back, Son," she would put down her knitting and greet me.

"Thank you, Mom. How was your day?"

"My day was good. And yours?" She would ask me, studying my countenance.

"Fine," I would respond helplessly.

"Don't be discouraged. Everything will be fine," she encouraged me and walked weakly to the kitchen to get food for me.

Days turned into months and I could not get any job. Therefore, I resorted to picking up any available one. Mr. Reuben Zenith was a perverse and unscrupulous gold merchant. Nobody wished to work for him despite his high pay. That morning, I found myself in his mining field. The security guards wondered if I was on a suicide mission.

"Leave, Young man, if you love your life," one of them advised me after I stated my mission, but I was resolute.

"I need the job badly," I informed them.

"I can help you get ...," the CSO was speaking to me and stopped when he saw Mr. Zenith driving in.

They hurriedly opened the gate for him. Instead of driving in, he stopped and inquired, "Who is he?"

The Chief Security Officer was visibly afraid and answered him, "He is a job seeker, Mr. Zenith"

Without answering him, he looked at me and said, "Hey, Champ. Hop in."