He removed the headphone from his ears as he walked into the mansion. He threw the bottle with him at a maid who was lucky enough to catch it. He had just returned back from his daily jogging. He moved towards the stairs and was about climbing the first stair when a voice stopped him
" And now he's walking past me like he never knew I was there" The voice said making him pause his step. He turned to where the voice was and saw it was no other than the Empress. He had been expecting her, he knew she was not going to let his rejection slip by so easily
" What are you doing here, Empress?" He asked as he walked to where she was sitting
" Is it a crime to visit my son now?" She threw back at him
" What do you want? Make it snappy I've got other things to do" he said rudely
" Still rude as always but I'll let that slide. Why did you not grace my invitation yesterday? You think it's okay to reject your mother's invite? "
" I can do whatever I wish Empress and you don't expect me to come to a house full of dogs" He frowned at her
" Dogs you say? Are you referring to me as a dog!?! How dare you!" She fumed getting up from her seat
" You know what I'm talking about empress. You should leave now, I've got no more time to spare with you" He retorted and turned to leave. It was really obvious he has no close relationship with his mother. He hates her with everything in him but he can never get her off his back, she's the empress after all
" Your grandfather is returning back with your father today and there's a family dinner that'll be held at the mansion by 6pm. You know what to expect" She picked her purse and walked out of the mansion. Anthony stood for a while trying to digest what she said. His father and Grandfather were arriving today and they demand a family dinner. He sure can't reject this one else he'll get it hot from them which he doesn't want
He turned back to the stairs and climbed it. Getting to his room, he dropped the headphone with him on the single couch that was beside his bed then he went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. He walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped tightly around his waist. Trail of water cascaded from his hair down to his face and then it cascaded down to his hot strong abs Making him look so delicious and sexy. He dried the water from his body and then used his body lotion. He went to his walk-in closet and took a white colored french Tuxedo. He got dressed and took his golden Rolex wrist watch. He picked a black shiny Italian shoe to complete his dress. He was looking like a deadly Mafia King. He took his briefcase and walked out of the room.
" Sir, breakfast" the cook informed him and he walked to the dining without replying her. He took his seat and the head maid started uncovering all the delicacies on the table. The Aroma of the food went around, getting into the nose of everyone around, It smelled so nice.
Anthony sneezed once, twice and thrice. He had perceived garlic, he's allergy to garlic! The head made didn't stop what she was doing as it was normal for everyone to sneeze right?
" Did you add garlic to this food?" He asked
" Yes sir"
" You are fired!" He said making the head maid's eyes go wide. She was just employed yesterday and today he's firing her? She immediately went on her knees, pleading with him
" Sir please don't fire me I beg you, I have my family to take care of please sir, I'm sorry if I did anything wrong sir but please forgive me. I just got this job sir please" She cried
" You should have thought about your family before adding garlic to my food! Did you plan on killing me? You women are the same! Snakes" he cursed. She was still on her knees, begging. She was crying so hard, snorts were coming out of her nose which she cleaned with the Hem of her dress
" Sir I beg you please don't do this to me, I never knew you don't like garlic please sir" she cried
" Is anyone there?! " He yelled and two fierce looking guards appeared from wherever.
" Sir!" They chorused
" Take this thing out of my property" he ordered. He took his briefcase from where he had kept it and walked out of the dining, ignoring the woman's cry
The chauffeur opened his car door for him as usual and he climbed on. He shut the door and ran to the driver's seat and then starts the car, driving out of the compound
___________________________________
" Good morning ma'am"
" Morning Aunty" both Brandon and Tamara greets Mrs Henry as they walked inside the house. She was setting the dining when they came in.
" Good morning dearies, how are your families? " She asked giving them beautiful smiles
" They're alright."
" Mom sends her regards " Brandon replied
" Oh it's been long she paid me a visit. Might stop by at your house this evening" she said and the continue " That reminds me, we got a report from the Blacks about what you did to their daughter. How may times have I warned you guys to stop bullying Jenny? I know Matilda is very stubborn and she wouldn't listen to me but I thought you both were more reasonable than her. Jenny is a friend when will you guys learn that? And Brandon, calling her a man really? Does she look like a man to you? "Mrs Henry scolds them with her left hand placed on her waist and the right one holding the spoon she was going to use in dishing out the food
" Aunt,everyone knows she has a male physique so I mistook her for a man" Brandon replied rubbing his invisible beard
" Aunty, you know we are not bullies, Jenny just keep coming to us Everytime. If it's not because of Chad then it's because we got high score than her in tests and if it's not that then it's something else. Aunt that girl is obsessed with us and she tries every means possible to always find a way to intimidate Matilda and if there's no reason for her bully, she'll definitely create one herself" Tamara said nonstop
" Exactly what I told her myself but mom wouldn't listen, she thinks we are bullies really? It's just so annoying for real" Matilda said as she approached them
" Whatever you say. I don't wanna get any report about you fighting with Jenny again. You should try making friends with her. Have I made myself clear? " She asked with her strict eyes scrutinizing them
" Yes Aunt" Tamara and Brandon both replied while Matilda just rolled her eyes before taking a seat. Tamara and Brandon also took their seat without being invited. They always frequent here and they are now like a family member of the Henrys so they can go in and out of the Henrys house without being questioned. Same way they can join them at the dining whenever they are lucky to meet breakfast,lunch or dinner. Mr Henry walked inside the dining and gave his wife a peck on the cheek before taking a sit where all head of the family always sit.
" Morning Uncle"
" Good morning handsome"
" Good morning best Pal" The three friends greeted mr Henry who gave them a nod instead. He couldn't reply them because he had stole a slice of bacon and had stuffed it in his mouth. They giggled when they noticed it and Mrs Henry raised her brows at them, wondering why they were laughing
" Good morning la familia!" Sam's dramatic voice boomed as he got to the dining, taking a sit beside Tamara who blushed like a young teenage girl. Yes it's what you're thinking,she's crushing on this 20years old boy whom she's older than with 3 fre*aking years. Who wouldn't crush on him?He's a hunk himself. a
After Anthony and Brandon,he was the next handsome man in her list and she has a crush on every handsome guy she sees. Well apart from Brandon who she sees as a girl.
" Good morning son,how was your night?" Mrs Henry asked as she started dishing out the foods into their plates
" My night was as lovely as you mom" he replied making Tamara blush. You'd think she was the one he is referring to.
" Awwwn that's so cute" Brandon cooed
" That's my wife you are talking to young man" Mr Henry who was done chewing the bacon said to his son
" And she's my mother case closed" He replied giving him a toothy grin
" Enough bickering everyone, let's eat" Mrs Henry said as she was done serving and took her seat on the right hand side of her husband
" Don't you kids have classes today?" Mr Henry asked
" Nope, today is a free day and we are painting the town blue" Brandon said excitingly earning a smack from Matilda
" You paint the town red not blue dumb a**" She replied
" What about you Sam? " He asked
" I have classes by 12pm till 4pm and I'll be joining the boys at the field after classes so I'll be coming home late" He replied
" Better be careful and don't hurt yourself" Mrs Henry replied
" I'm a grown man mom, not a baby" He whined
" You are still my baby okay? Now eat your food before it gets cold. Your father and I will be leaving for work after breakfast"
____________________________________
His phone rang inside the office and he went back inside to pick it. The caller displayed MR SALVADOR, it was his grandfather calling. He grumbled before answering the call
" You have 10 minutes to come pick us" The line went dead Immediately he received the order.
" They've got freaky body guards and drivers,why disturb me by asking me to come pick them up"He said to himself frowning his handsome face. He checked his golden Rolex watch and saw it was already 5:48. He took the landline and called his driver to get the car ready.
He picked his suit jacket and walked out of his office, ignoring every greetings and stares he got from his workers. He got into the car and the driver drove off to the airport. They got there 5minutes late to the time he was given due to traffic.
He got down from the car and saw a scene where reporters were trying to get to some certain important people. He knew at once it was his grandfather and father. Though they were covered by the body guards and could barely be seen but he was able to know it was them. No family can pull every reporters in the whole of Singapore apart from the Salvadors, they attract reporters and every media house in the country. They are the number 1 powerful family in the whole of Singapore anyways.
With the help of his own guards,he was able to make his way to them and then he led them to the car. They both had a stony look on,they didn't even spare him a glance,just follow his lead. They got into the car and he Sat at the passengers seat with the driver while his father and Grandfather sat at the back. The chauffeur started the car and the journey to the Salvador castle began.
" It took you 15minutes to get here,I gave you just 10minutes" Mr Salvador said in his cold icy voice
" I'm sorry grandfather,there was traffic hence the delay"
" Stupid and lame excuse. You always find one excuse or the other" His father President Gomez Salvador said through gritted teeth. He was glaring at the back of Anthony.
" We are having dinner the castle this evening" Mr Gomez said staring at his back
" I know,Empress informed me already"
" And you are expected to be of good behavior,any insolent behavior means punishment" he threatened. Anthony folds his fist into a tight bun till his knuckles turned white. His grandfather and father were the two people he fears and respects the most. He might be the first son and first grandson but he's still treated like a machine by his Father and grandfather
" Noted" was his reply. The car drove into the Salvador estate and it stopped at a gigantic building. It was so big that it could contain 200 people. It was really a castle like everyone refer it. It's the biggest mansion in the whole of Singapore as expected. It has a beautiful water fountain where a mermaid was moulded in the middle with water coming out of her mouth. The floor was covered with marble stones and beautiful flowers were planted at each side of the compound. Heavily armed guards were scattered everywhere as they took turns to patrol the compound accompanied with big brown guard dogs. The driver stopped at the front of the mansion and 3 guards opened the door at each side for them with their head bowed down.
They walk inside the mansion and everyone they encountered bowed as they walk past them. Their walking steps screamed money, their aura so powerful that even a little baby could feel it. All the maids in the castle were assembled waiting to welcome their masters with their heads bow. They dare not look into the eyes of the Salvadors. They ignored the maids standing and moved to the sitting room where everyone was waiting for them.
" Welcome back home father, welcome home honey" Empress Mira welcomed her husband and father in-law. The rest of the people in the room also welcomed them and they all moved to the dining. Some maids already had their bags moved to their rooms already
They all sat in the dining with Grandfather Salvador sitting at the head. His first and second son Gomez and Angelo Salvador sat on his right hand side while the third and fourth son Micheal and Eric Salvador were seated by his left. Their wives were sitting beside them while their kids were scattered around the table. Anthony was sitting at the far end of the table, determined not to interfere in their discussion, having no idea he was the subject matter of today.
The table was filled with varieties of meal, it looked like a banquet or a feast. The maids opened the foods and started dishing it out carefully for everyone of them. They were done serving the food and they filled their cups with the most expensive red wine. Everything about the Salvadors is expensive!
They were done serving everything and they moved back standing with their heads bow. They'll be on standing till everyone is done eating before clearing the table.
The family started eating in complete silence till Grandfather Salvador broke the uncomfortable silence
" How's the company doing, Anthony?" He asked Anthony who has zero interest in being here but he had no other option
" It's doing great grandfather. Our stocks are growing and we're making a whole lot of profit as usual" he replied
" What about the AI power bike that we are supposed to launch on the 1st of next month? "
" The project is still going on but it should be ready in the next 1week and then we can launch it out"
" Good" was his reply. The table fell back into deep silence with different thoughts running through their minds. The other three sons of Mr Salvador were seething in their mind. It pissed them off at how their father pay all attention to Gomez and his son while he ignored them and their families. They're also part of the growth of S conglomerate and they deserve some attentions too. The wives were feeling like strangling Empress Mira who has a smug smile displayed on her lip. She was obvious of the stares she was getting but she doesn't give a flying f*uck, after all the only thing they can do is stare and they are still going to bend to her authority
" When are you moving back to the Castle Anthony? Every other member of this family lives here, you are the only rebel who decided to move out against my wish. Though I just let you be for the main time but that doesn't mean I won't force your a** to return back here whenever I want" Mr Gomez said staring at his son who has his eyes lowered, he couldn't look at his father in the eyes.
" I'm not ready to return back here father. I need my privacy and I can't get it while I'm here. I need my peace and sanity in check to be able to run the company"
" That is non of my business. Just have it in mind that you're staying here after your wedding" Mr Gomez replied
" Talking about wedding. When are you bringing home your fiance? " Grandfather Salvador asked him and he went mute immediately. He couldn't give him a reply. He hates women so much and his grandfather knows about it, he still don't get why he's asking him about his fiance when he knows he hates the bloodline of Delilah
" What? Cat got your tongue? I bet he doesn't even have a girlfriend, perhaps he's gay" his rival Bryan said. Bryan is the son of Angelo, he has been rival with Anthony right from when they were little. He hated the fact that Anthony was being treated differently as he was going to be the one to take over the Salvador empire. He wanted to be treated with the same respect Anthony gets. Not like he's not respected or something but the respect he gets is not up to Anthony's and that drives him crazy. Though he's a year younger than Anthony but he has a wife who is currently out of town
" You should mind your business looser, Grandfather wasn't referring to you!" Anthony's younger sister Sara attacked Bryan
" Enough you two. And Bryan, you should know when you're being referred to and when you're not" grandfather Salvador shunned him and he closed his mouth immediately.
" Why aren't you saying anything Son?" Empress Mira asked looking at her son who clutched tightly to the fork he was holding
" There's no fiance grandfather" He said after fidgeting for a while
" I know that's why I already sent a marriage proposal to the Rodriguez and they accepted so get ready to be engaged to the Rodriguez Heiress after the launching of the AI power bike.
What?! Did he just hear clearly? Of course not, his grandfather can't get him engaged to the sl*uttiest woman in the history of females!
" He's joking right dad?" He asked his dad with a scared expression
" Do I look like a comedian to you?" Grandfather Salvador asked. He was getting pissed already
" I'm not getting married to that wh*ore grandfather, it's not happening, never" He said and with that he stood up to leave
" Move an inch from that place and consider the Salvador empire gone from your hands"Grandfather Salvador threatened making his feet glued to the floor. He felt cold immediately as he heard his grandfather's statement. His grandfather was threatening him with the thing he cherish the most. He had no other option but to sit down, pushing his plate of food aside as he had lost appetite.