chapter 1 The Theft

The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky

The Theft.

The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky as the chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in. 

"Where are you at, Fabiola? You're going to be late for work. I'm ready; let's go together.” Alvin, Fabiola's father, stood in front of his room and called out, but there was no response. 

“Knock! Knock!” He slammed the door, but still no response as his voice echoed back to him. He bent his head and peeped through a tiny hole in the door and discovered Fabiola's bedspread was neat and untouched, which indicated that he hadn't even spent the night in his room. 

"Where could he possibly be at this hour? He needs to run an errand for me as the managing director of the company. I can't trust a total stranger with matters like this.” Alvin pondered and motioned to the living room for a glass of water, only to find something that nearly pulled his eyes out. 

For a second, he paused and remained speechless. His words failed him. He didn't know the appropriate words to describe how he was feeling at the moment. He dropped his briefcase on the ground and sat on the couch, thinking out loud. 

“Have I made the biggest mistake of my life? What offense did I commit in entrusting my company into his hand? Perhaps, it was my fault. I was too soft with him. This nonsense has to stop before it gets out of control.” Alvin cried as he slowly limped to his bar and grabbed a bottle of tequila. He opened it and sprinkled it on Fabiola and a mystery lady sleeping next to him on the ground. She only wore a bra and panties, while Fabiola was shirtless. Without being told, Alvin could tell these two had sex last night on the couch and slept it off.

"Dad, what sort of embarrassment is this? This is so unfair.” Polluting the air with his stinking breath, Fabiola yelled at his father.

"Unfair, you say? Do you know what's unfair? It's you bringing a harlot into my house to have sex with. What the fuck is wrong with you? Damn! Today's Monday. And here you are sleeping next to some strange girl with empty bottles of liquor scattered on the ground. Can't you just emulate your kid brother for once? He's more of a complete man than you can ever become." He lost his cool with Fabiola and asked the strange lady to leave his house, but Fabiola refused. He stood up, challenging his dad and defending the mystery girl. 

“She isn't going anywhere. You've got no right to speak to her in such a manner. I am the only one who decides if she stays or leaves.”

"I knew it would result in this. How I wish your mom were alive to see the beast you've grown to become. So pathetic. I should have known I was making the biggest mistake when I built my empire around you and neglected your kid brother. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would have preferred not to have you as my son. You are such a disgrace to this. …"

"Oh, please. Spare me the sermon.

Take my mom out of your fucking mouth. She's dead and gone and never going to come back. I want to make it clear to you. I'm different from my kid brother. We both have different lives, don't we?” Fabiola fired back and stood in front of his mystery girl, forming a shield. He knows how hot-tempered his father is and what he's capable of doing. 

Alvin doesn't mind smashing a bottle on her head in anger. Leaning forward, he narrowed his gaze at Fabiola and muttered succinctly.

"I got my eyes on you. You won't find this funny next time. Be warned,” he threatened Fabiola and left for the office. 

After his departure, Fabiola was still calm and didn't find it necessary to go dress up for the office. He attempted another cuddle when she landed a slap on his face.

"Ouch! Why did you do that? I just want to cuddle,” Fabiola screamed and caressed his cheek.

"You're so unbelievable. After what happened, you still want to cuddle? I thought you were the managing director of your father's company. Yet, you act so unbothered as though it's nobody's business.” 

She scolded him, but none of her words got to him. He just wants to cuddle and nothing more.

"Ignore my dad. He's just an old man. We will fix it.”

He insisted and attempted to get closer when she pushed him to the ground.

"Get the fuck out of my sight, you fool. You should be ashamed of yourself.” 

She flared and wore back her dress before leaving the house.

************

After a 15-minute drive, Alvin finally arrived at his multi-billion-dollar company amidst the outburst with his son Fabiola.

The Royal Gold Mine is a modern and sleek gigantic edifice made with glass and sophisticated steel. A quite spacious environment located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia.

"Welcome, boss. I hope your night was productive.” 

Josh, Alvin's office assistant, approached him and offered to retrieve the briefcase in his possession, but he refused and motioned to his office with a sad face. His attitude didn't stun Josh. He already knew the type of person he was dealing with. 

Minutes later, he summoned Josh to his office. Pointing to a brown envelope and a briefcase on the desk. 

“Inside that envelope is a check for $1 million. Go to the bank and cash it out. You can use this briefcase to bring the money. Don't waste any time. Fabiola isn't available at the moment; that's why I chose you for this assignment. I want no stories. Now leave immediately. My chauffeur would take you there.” 

"Okay, Sir. I promise to be back soon.” Josh grabbed the envelope and briefcase and vacated the office with immediate effect. And in a short while, the chauffeur drove him to Ozone Bank, which was a few miles away from Royal Gold Mine. 

Josh held the briefcase in his right hand and motioned majestically to the manager's office to cash the check. 

Despite just joining the bank a few months ago, Alvin has already been considered the bank's favorite customer due to the large amount he usually deposits. 

Approaching the manager's door entrance, a janitor working in the bank brushed Josh's shoulder and tossed the briefcase to the ground. Josh didn't see that coming as he sparked outrageously at her.

"Are you blind? Didn't you see me coming? Where's the manager? He should have you sacked for your incompetence. 

"Pardon my manners. I wasn't looking.” She pleaded and opted to raise the briefcase when Josh declined. 

“Hey, don't touch that. Just go before I call the manager on you.”

"Thank you, sir.” She walked away while still apologizing. Josh picked up the briefcase and walked to the manager's office angrily.

"Hey, Mr. Josh. Welcome to Ozone Bank. Alvin already notified me of your arrival. Please be seated.” 

Mr. Connard May welcomed Josh and noticed the sad look on his face.

"What's wrong? You don't seem happy. Did anyone offend you?” 

He asked with keen interest.

"It was…Never mind! It's already sorted out. I just came to cash this check.” Josh dipped his hands into his pocket but couldn't find the envelope anymore as fear sent some shivers down his spine.

"What are you searching for?” Mr. Connard asked.

"The envelope containing the $1 million check. It's not there anymore. How on earth did I misplace it? Gosh! Alvin will kill me!” 

Josh cried and went completely nuts. He searched every part of his body but still couldn't find the check. 

as the chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in.

"Where are you at, Fabiola? You're going to be late for work. I'm ready; let's go together.” Alvin, Fabiola's father, stood in front of his room and called out, but there was no response.

“Knock! Knock!” He slammed the door, but still no response as his voice echoed back to him. He bent his head and peeped through a tiny hole in the door and discovered Fabiola's bedspread was neat and untouched, which indicated that he hadn't even spent the night in his room.

"Where could he possibly be at this hour? He needs to run an errand for me as the managing director of the company. I can't trust a total stranger with matters like this.” Alvin pondered and motioned to the living room for a glass of water, only to find something that nearly pulled his eyes out.

For a second, he paused and remained speechless. His words failed him. He didn't know the appropriate words to describe how he was feeling at the moment. He dropped his briefcase on the ground and sat on the couch, thinking out loud.

“Have I made the biggest mistake of my life? What offense did I commit in entrusting my company into his hand? Perhaps, it was my fault. I was too soft with him. This nonsense has to stop before it gets out of control.” Alvin cried as he slowly limped to his bar and grabbed a bottle of tequila. He opened it and sprinkled it on Fabiola and a mystery lady sleeping next to him on the ground. She only wore a bra and panties, while Fabiola was shirtless. Without being told, Alvin could tell these two had sex last night on the couch and slept it off.

"Dad, what sort of embarrassment is this? This is so unfair.” Polluting the air with his stinking breath, Fabiola yelled at his father.

"Unfair, you say? Do you know what's unfair? It's you bringing a harlot into my house to have sex with. What the fuck is wrong with you? Damn! Today's Monday. And here you are sleeping next to some strange girl with empty bottles of liquor scattered on the ground. Can't you just emulate your kid brother for once? He's more of a complete man than you can ever become." He lost his cool with Fabiola and asked the strange lady to leave his house, but Fabiola refused. He stood up, challenging his dad and defending the mystery girl.

“She isn't going anywhere. You've got no right to speak to her in such a manner. I am the only one who decides if she stays or leaves.”

"I knew it would result in this. How I wish your mom were alive to see the beast you've grown to become. So pathetic. I should have known I was making the biggest mistake when I built my empire around you and neglected your kid brother. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would have preferred not to have you as my son. You are such a disgrace to this. …"

"Oh, please. Spare me the sermon.

Take my mom out of your fucking mouth. She's dead and gone and never going to come back. I want to make it clear to you. I'm different from my kid brother. We both have different lives, don't we?” Fabiola fired back and stood in front of his mystery girl, forming a shield. He knows how hot-tempered his father is and what he's capable of doing.

Alvin doesn't mind smashing a bottle on her head in anger. Leaning forward, he narrowed his gaze at Fabiola and muttered succinctly.

"I got my eyes on you. You won't find this funny next time. Be warned,” he threatened Fabiola and left for the office.

After his departure, Fabiola was still calm and didn't find it necessary to go dress up for the office. He attempted another cuddle when she landed a slap on his face.

"Ouch! Why did you do that? I just want to cuddle,” Fabiola screamed and caressed his cheek.

"You're so unbelievable. After what happened, you still want to cuddle? I thought you were the managing director of your father's company. Yet, you act so unbothered as though it's nobody's business.”

She scolded him, but none of her words got to him. He just wants to cuddle and nothing more.

"Ignore my dad. He's just an old man. We will fix it.”

He insisted and attempted to get closer when she pushed him to the ground.

"Get the fuck out of my sight, you fool. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

She flared and wore back her dress before leaving the house.

************

After a 15-minute drive, Alvin finally arrived at his multi-billion-dollar company amidst the outburst with his son Fabiola.

The Royal Gold Mine is a modern and sleek gigantic edifice made with glass and sophisticated steel. A quite spacious environment located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia.

"Welcome, boss. I hope your night was productive.”

Josh, Alvin's office assistant, approached him and offered to retrieve the briefcase in his possession, but he refused and motioned to his office with a sad face. His attitude didn't stun Josh. He already knew the type of person he was dealing with.

Minutes later, he summoned Josh to his office. Pointing to a brown envelope and a briefcase on the desk.

“Inside that envelope is a check for $1 million. Go to the bank and cash it out. You can use this briefcase to bring the money. Don't waste any time. Fabiola isn't available at the moment; that's why I chose you for this assignment. I want no stories. Now leave immediately. My chauffeur would take you there.”

"Okay, Sir. I promise to be back soon.” Josh grabbed the envelope and briefcase and vacated the office with immediate effect. And in a short while, the chauffeur drove him to Ozone Bank, which was a few miles away from Royal Gold Mine.

Josh held the briefcase in his right hand and motioned majestically to the manager's office to cash the check.

Despite just joining the bank a few months ago, Alvin has already been considered the bank's favorite customer due to the large amount he usually deposits.

Approaching the manager's door entrance, a janitor working in the bank brushed Josh's shoulder and tossed the briefcase to the ground. Josh didn't see that coming as he sparked outrageously at her.

"Are you blind? Didn't you see me coming? Where's the manager? He should have you sacked for your incompetence.

"Pardon my manners. I wasn't looking.” She pleaded and opted to raise the briefcase when Josh declined.

“Hey, don't touch that. Just go before I call the manager on you.”

"Thank you, sir.” She walked away while still apologizing. Josh picked up the briefcase and walked to the manager's office angrily.

"Hey, Mr. Josh. Welcome to Ozone Bank. Alvin already notified me of your arrival. Please be seated.”

Mr. Connard May welcomed Josh and noticed the sad look on his face.

"What's wrong? You don't seem happy. Did anyone offend you?”

He asked with keen interest.

"It was…Never mind! It's already sorted out. I just came to cash this check.” Josh dipped his hands into his pocket but couldn't find the envelope anymore as fear sent some shivers down his spine.

"What are you searching for?” Mr. Connard asked.

"The envelope containing the $1 million check. It's not there anymore. How on earth did I misplace it? Gosh! Alvin will kill me!”

Josh cried and went completely nuts. He searched every part of his body but still couldn't find the check.