2. Threats

Roger Diego Martinez was, well, different from all others. He was handsome, not perhaps in the conventional sense, but he had that appearance which could make him stand out in the crowd. He was fair, almost pale white. His unfathomable, golden brown eyes contrasted exceptionally with his light toned face. His eyes were as deep and expressive, where you could get lost if you stared long enough. His face had that faraway look in it, which cannot be described in words. His smile, which reached up to his eyes and wrinkled them, flaunted his kindness. Often, you could see a hint of pain in his sparkling eyes, which would disappear as suddenly as it emerged. He sometimes spoke too fast, which perhaps revealed how much agony he concealed within himself. He has always been daddy's boy. Doing things daddy's way and not his way. Above all was his frame and his stature. He was not extremely muscular, with 8 pack abs or 16 cm biceps. However, he could stand out in a crowd, which was mostly due to his way of carrying himself. Perhaps he was the type of guy who had girls swooning over him and he wasn't a hard to get type but he would never like a girl because of her status, influence, fame or whatsoever. 

" You look worried. What's wrong? " Stacey Webber, his girlfriend asked. 

" Stacey. . . " Roger began but got interrupted by Stacey. 

" You have drank almost all my whiskey Roger. Have you cheated on me and don't know how to tell me? " 

Roger laughed. " I have got a lot of money. I can buy you a mansion of whiskey, if you want. "

" You must be drunk Roger. I know you wouldn't do what you say. What's up with this behaviour of yours? " she asked. 

" Let's runaway together, " Roger proposed. 

" To where? " Stacey asked. 

" Anywhere, as long as it is far from here. Maybe Africa or Asia? "

" Why Roger? You have got everything anyone in this world would want to have. You are a billionaire. Your father is one of the richest billionaire. Why do you wanna runaway? "

" My dad wants me married. . . "

" Oh my God! That's good news! Go ahead and propose to me. Don't be shy____ "

" Not to you. . . "

" Not to me? Have you gotten someone pregnant behind my back? "

" Shut up and listen to me please. My dad wants me to get married to Alice. . . "

" Some slut who must be after your money huh? Someone I'm sure would never merge up to me. . . "

" No, you are wrong. It is Alice Ferguson. Someone you can never merge up to. She is lovely, intelligent and rich___ "

" Then marry her, " Stacey said with a freakishly frown. 

" I thought you knew me better than the rest but I guess I was wrong. You of all people should know that she is not my type and I am not freaking ready for marriage. So don't freak me out with your opinion darling. . . " Roger's phone beeped. He glanced at the message which was directly from his father's business line. An unknowingly hiss escaped Roger's lips. 

" Is it that bad? " Stacey asked through clenched teeth. 

" Um. . . " he paused and stared stonily at her. " Very bad. He is threatening me. "

" With what? " She asked biting her lips and raising an eyebrow. 

" He has kicked me out of the company. Shut my bank. Doesn't want me back in his house. Made me a stranger to my properties. And is threatening to disown me, if I do not marry Alice Ferguson. "

" Look Roger, there is nothing wrong with marrying Alice, I will always be here for you, " she said, touching his shoulder as she bent down and kissed his ear. " I don't mind being your mistress. I know you will still be taking care of me and loving me. "

" I don't care about all this wealth. I care about you, me and us. And my freedom. I don't care about the threats. . . "

" I do care. Listen to me darling, if we runaway, no one's gonna know who you really are without your bank card, name and fame. You know what I mean? We're gonna be bankrupt and I don't think we're gonna cope. Don't be a prodigal son like your brother, you have got nothing to lose if you marry Alice Ferguson. Think about the billions. You're gonna be in the top ten richest list, you know? That's a blessing, you ain't gonna miss____ "

" I don't want to get married. I don't wanna lose my freedom. Still enjoying my bachelorhood you know? "

" I know Alice, she's a busy type. She ain't a pain in the neck. She gonna give you your freedom without you asking for it. And I will always be right here for the fun. Think about this honey, " she said as she placed a tender kiss on his lips. " Use your brain. You get your freedom, you get your money, you get me. If you runaway, you lose everything, including your name. "

" You have a point. "

" I have brains baby, " she snapped as she sat on his leg. " I love the fact that you have got brains as well, Roger, " she said and kissed his cheek. She poured herself a glass of whiskey and sipped. Roger sipped his. " Cheers to more wealth, game and popularity, " Stacey said, lifting her glass of whiskey up. 

" Cheers to you baby, " he said, raising his own glass as he kissed her. 

In Michael's Mansion. . . 

" I know, I made it clear to you that I do not want you back in my house. What are you doing here? " Michael asked. 

" Dad I'm not drunk, " Roger said blatantly. " I am your boy, remember? And this your boy don't wanna be a prodigal son. " 

" Roger? " Charlotte called tensely as she came down from the car. " You are home. "

" What home? He has no place in this house, " Michael snapped. 

" Come on darling, not in his situation. He is drunk. Have a discussion with him once he gets sober please. "

Michael went inside the house without uttering any other word. 

" Come Roger, let's go in, " Charlotte said, holding his arm. 

" Leave me alone. I am not drunk. I am fine, " he said staggering away from Charlotte. He climbed the stairs but fell before he could reach the last staircase. 

" Pick him up and take him to his room, " Charlotte instructed one of her bodyguards. 

" Yes ma'am, " he said as he rushed to Roger who was lying flat on the ground. 

" Mr Roger, please get up, " the guard by name Hunter said pleadingly as he raised Roger up. 

" Leave me alone, I am. . . I am fine. I'm okay, " Roger snapped on shaky legs and at once threw up. " Oops! "

" Roger please behave yourself, " Charlotte said through gritted teeth. 

" Why don't you just tell that to your billionaire husband. We both know that if he owned my life, I would be dead a longer time ago. . . Why should I behave when that greedy old man doesn't? Is it because he is your husband? "

" Roger? " Charlotte screamed. " Not another word from you. . . Take him inside. "

" Yes ma'am, " Hunter said as he led Roger in. 

Charlotte's face was a ferocious mask. She read meaning in what Roger said but what could she do?