Chapter 7: First Day
1334 Words
At 6 A.M. the next day, Joe was woken up by his phone ringing. It was Barret.
"Hello, Mr. Smith. Sorry to disturb you so early, but my lord wants to see you now."
Joe rubbed his sleepy eyes. Although he was a little unhappy, he felt that it was the first day to go to work, so he replied politely, "Yes, I will get up now, and will come as soon as possible."
"I am waiting for you in the alley in front of your house."
"How do you know I live here?" Joe frowned.
"I’ve checked. Please try to be as fast as possible," Barret hung up promptly leaving Joe dumbfounded. I guess the rich have their means, Joe thought.
Joe rolled out of bed, washed his face casually and hurried out the door.
After getting in the car, he decided to ask Barret some questions. After all, Barret was the steward of the Andrew Family, and he was just a newcomer. From now on, he would meet Barret from time to time. It did not hurt to get familiar with Barret.
"Barret, thank you for coming to pick me up."
"You're most welcome, I brought you some breakfast by the way. It’s in the backseat. Have some."
"Thank you. By the way, should I call you Mr. Barret now?"
"No, you can simply call me Barret."
"Well, how do I address Mr. Joseph? Call him lord just like you do?"
"Don’t you think it's a bit awkward to call him that?"
"Yes, it's a bit awkward."
"Then you can call him Chairman Joseph."
"Oh, Chairman Joseph,” Joe frowned. Barret was to call him Lord, yet he could call him Chairman? Odd, Joe thought. Was he not in the same position as Barret?
“So, is the Andrew Family rich?"
"You will learn soon enough," Barret simply replied.
Joe thought Barret was really good at getting people to guess what he meant. He was going to work for the Andrew Family, not to inherit their fortune.
"Mr. Smith, could you..."
"No..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Can you just talk to me casually? I'm not Chairman Joseph, and you don’t have to be so polite."
"Oh, yes, of course."
"Why does Chairman Joseph want to see me so early in the morning?"
"You will know when you get there."
"You must know."
"I do not know."
"Fine."
Soon, they arrived at the Andrew Family Manor. The car stopped at the entrance of the front door as yesterday.
"Mr. Smith, Lord is waiting for you in the living room."
"Let’s... let's go in together when you park the car," Joe replied. He did not want to face the ‘Lord’ alone.
"Don't wait for me. I have to go shopping for groceries."
Joe eyed him, "You are going to buy groceries at six in the morning?"
"Yes,” Barret simply replied.
"Well...see you later," Joe replied and slowly got out of the car.
When Joe entered the living room, he met Joseph.
Seeing Joe coming, he stood up with his eyes full of love.
"There you are."
"Good morning, Chairman Joseph," Joe fidgeted while standing. He did not know why he was here or why the Chairman was happy to see him. He was just some homeless beggar working for the family.
"Don't be so formal Joe. Just sit down and take this as your own home," the Chairman replied and gestured to the sofa beside him.
Joe hesitantly sat down, thinking about what Nicole had said to him yesterday. He mentally thanked Barret for allowing him to shower yesterday before meeting such an important man in this impeccable house.
Joseph did not beat around the bush. "My granddaughter offended you yesterday, please forgive her."
Joe nodded, "That’s alright."
"What do you think of her?"
"Well, what do you mean?" Joe frowned. Why was he asking him this?
"Let us put it this way, Nicole likes you and wants to marry you. Would you like to marry her?"
Joe was immediately stunned into shock. He suspected that he was hallucinating. Was Joseph Andrew, the patriarch of the family offering his granddaughter for marriage to him!? A homeless orphan who picks up trash for a living!?
"Are you... joking?" Joe spluttered out.
"No, I'm asking for your opinion very seriously."
Joseph indeed looked serious. Joe twisted his hands anxiously.
A bubble of adrenaline was building up in his stomach. As flabbergasted as he was, he felt ecstatic. The Andrew Family was rich and powerful, and Nicole was beautiful, so he had no reason to refuse him.
While being happy, Joe was not relieved of his confusion. Why did such a good thing fall on him? Was this God’s trick? To trick him into thinking his life was turning around but actually it would not.
Did they want to cheat his money? But he had no money. Did they want to take advantage of him? But it was Nicole who would suffer a loss. He already had nothing.
So, did he really need to be worried? However, Joe still did not understand.
"Chairman Joseph, I don't quite understand."
"I know what you are thinking, but do not worry, there aren’t any calculations behind this. But I must tell you something in advance. After you get married, you will live here in our family manor legally. Will you accept this?"
Joe frowned. Yes, he did not have a formal education, but he was not dumb. "You mean you want me to be your son-in-law by adoption?"
"Yes."
Joe nodded without hesitation. It was not because he was a coward, but after being driven away by the couple who ran the restaurant, he seriously considered his future. He had realized that his old boss was right. He was meant to a son-in-law by adoption. He had nothing in his name, he had no money, no property. He had nothing to offer any woman. But, for Joe, it was not a big deal. As long as he could have a beautiful woman, he didn’t mind doing so.
"Yes, I agree."
Joseph sighed in relief. "Great, don't worry. Even though you will be my son-in-law by adoption, the Andrew Family will not treat you badly. All this will be yours in the future." Joseph gestured to everything around him.
Joe did not believe a word he said. The fortune would be your granddaughter's, thought Joe.
"I am not coming for money..."
"No need to explain, I understand that you are meant for each other."
"Yes, yes, that's what I mean. Does Nicole think so too?"
"Yes, but she may give you a small test, so you better be prepared."
"What test?" Joe asked.
"That, I do not know."
"It's okay. I can definitely pass her test."
"Yes, I believe you."
"Shall I call you grandpa from now on?"
"Yes, you can call me grandpa,” Joseph's eyes were full of expectation and love for the man sitting in front of him. His only heir, his only grandchild.
“I guess...I will have to change my address when Nicole and I get married."
Joseph nodded.
"So, what shall I do next?"
"I will take you around the house and get you familiar with the Manor."
"Thank you."
When the "visit" was over, it was already past 8 A.M.
Back in the living room of the main building, Nicole was chatting with a group of her friends happily.
Among them was a young boy. He was Cruse Arthur, the only son of Mark Arthur, the Chairman of Arthur Group. Arthur Group was an important partner of Andrew Group, and Cruse Arthur was a handsome young bachelor; everyone thought Nicole and Cruse were going to become a couple.
Seeing Joe walking inside the room, Nicole smiled triumphantly.
In front of the handsome Cruse Arthur, Joe looked even more uncouth and barbaric.
- Writer
