Billionaire Ascendancy

Everybody was shocked to see Derek, including me who was startled as well. Why him here? I thought as I glared at I

Raven who had approached him.

“I can’t believe he came for me, I thought he wasn’t going to come but I guess he doesn’t want another man to marry me this time around which is the reason why he had come to propose to me today”.

Raven uttered in an audible way that people wouldn’t be able to hear her.

But I was close to her which is the reason why I was able to hear her.

Tears were streaming out of her eyes as she looked at him in an adorable way but the Derek who she was crying for didn’t show signs of emotions or react back at Her. He couldn’t even think of looking at her, as his eyes were on me and Katherine What a pity!!

I don’t think I can wait here and see her pathetic act. I should definitely go to my room. Just as I was about to go, I heard Derek’s voice. “Saying that, these were Stafen gifts to Katherine”. Is he really referring to me? I was shocked for some time as I realized that he was talking about me. What the fuck? Is this really his plan to make me stay in the Black family since he knew that I would be devoicing Raven Today?

I’m certain that I’m the only Stafen in this place and everybody staring at me says it all, because they were all startled as well. Gosh what’s him trying to do? No matter how many times he will try to please Katherine in my name, that woman will never like me because she sees me as a useless and destitute man.

Katherine decided to stop the suspense by approaching Derek who must have made a mistake. I’m sure she wouldn’t believe him or me buying her such expensive extinct antique gifts when I’m just a jobless useless Man according to them. I think that explains her reaction. Even though they showed her the proof of it, she still wouldn’t believe that I’m the one that bought Such gifts.

“Derek” Katherine called with a smirk on her face as she held his hand. “I really thank you for the surprise and the gift Derek” and I would humbly accept you as my grandson if you want to be, but for… She paused then narrowed her gaze at me in a disguise, Making it so obvious that she hated me very much with passion

“But for him…..” I could feel the raw hatred she had for me just by glaring at Her. “I don’t think I can accept Stefan as my grandson or accept him into the Black family”. She uttered and all I could do was to scoff.

Pretending to everyone that I was fine by putting up a smile although I was really hurting inside. Why have I put myself into a mess like this? I really have to leave this Black family before I dig my Own grave by myself. Nobody loves me and it’s obvious. Can’t I really see that? Can’t I see their fake Love which they all pretend to have for me? I’m I really that blind? I question myself. Just feeling like running away from the crowd. Because the whispering was too much.

“So…. You really don’t have to be polite or try to cover him up”. He’s nothing but a useless destitute man and I would no longer have him for my granddaughter. She uttered, just as always, pouting those hurtful pain unpleasant words at my face.

Gosh what’s her problem? I wish she could just disappear out of my front. “Wonderful; how could he think of covering her up?” Why is he trying to help him?

” I see, I think I understand Derek’s reason for doing what he needed to do ”. Some people murmured as I bite my lips and fist my hands in anger. Why can’t people just mind their business? Most of them have to put their nose in other people’s business? I thought.

“I think Derek sent such expensive gifts in Stefan ‘s name to rob his wife from him, not only that but he sent it as an apology to him as well, what a…..” My eyes caught a glimpse of the man who was uttering such words as he kept quiet immediately.

All Katherine could do was to laugh as she heard some of the guests. I could see how pleased she was with their comments about me. She seems like the happiest person in the world as they gossip and bad mouth me.

I could see how happy Raven was as she heard their words and believed that it was True. Everyone did believe that it was True. Everyone did believe that Derek was here to snatch her away from me. But I do know that Derek isn’t and would never be interested in her.

Raven walks up to Derek and kneels down in Obeisance of him like he was her night in king charming. “Thank you so much Derek, for everything you’ve done so far”. My grandmother and everyone here appreciate your gifts. Raven uttered about to kiss his hand in appreciation of his gifts when Derek withdrew his hand from her gripped.

“You can’t kiss someone’s husband ‘s hands without their permission Raven; as you can see you’re just getting everything Wrong! Derek uttered with a blank face as I smiled. Gosh, I love how he rejected her in front of everyone.

“If you really want to show your gratitude then you and your mother should thank “Stefan” who had given her such gifts”.

Stefan was the one who told me to order such gifts and surprised your grandmother without anyone knowing”. So you should praise and worship her, not me.

Derek uttered and left the scene immediately with a smile.

******

I could see how stunned and shocked everyone was. I’m sure they weren’t expecting the twist in the story. Some people who were blabbering nonsense before all shut up immediately. I could see the confused gaze in Katherine ‘s eyes and so was Raven’s own who later rushed up to me.

“I don’t understand Stefan, what’s your relationship with Derek?! How did he know you? “Please can you explain everything to us because I’m really so confused right now”. She uttered as I walked up to Grandma who was expecting my answers.

I sat close to the members of the Gael family which includes, Katherine, Raven her relatives and her parents who were giving me a disguised look. I’m sure they will change their thoughts about the divorce issues Once I tell them the truth about me. Not only that but it can bring hatred and fake love around me and also enemies.

But I don’t think so! It wouldn’t bring any good if I reveal to them who I really was. Maybe I could twist the story for them to just believe and not question me again. Gosh, what a look!

“Well, I cleared my throat as I looked at them, in front of the crowd. “My dead parents knew about Derek dad! They used to be business partners before”. I could see the shock in their eyes as I uttered such lies. Luckily this time around, they believe me.

Well, I do know that it was Derek’s dad who was trying to help this time around. I could see the pale look on their eyes as they heard that I knew about Derek dad.

darling! I’m sure they were all surprised.

And just as the Black family members were still trying to recover from the shock, the people who were hitting on Raven all left in disappointment since they know that they can no longer have Raven

The most surprised person among them was Raven. “I’m really surprised Stefan, you surprised all of us today because I wasn’t expecting you to know Derek nor his father”.

Raven Shrugged at me with a smile when I was staring at Her. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know”. I whispered into her ear, feeling so happy for myself that Derek did actually save me today and for Raven who just smiled at me not quite long and I must appreciate that.

This was the very First time she had ever smiled at me or talked to me in a good manner. I guess wealth and fame do change people’s attitudes. Gosh, what a life.

I feel so happy knowing the fact that I’m now on good terms with the Black family or should I say that I would still be on good terms with them? Katherine hasn’t really approached me since she’s greeting the guests and waiting for them to leave first .

I’m sure she would approach Me later because she seems to have many thoughts and questions judging by her countenance.

And I sat down as well, waiting for all these interrogation to finish first, before I will go to my room and take a rest when nobody will disturb me again for today.

Katherine approached me ten minutes later with a grin.

“Tell me the truth Stefan; I know that you’ve been lying to us all those whiles and I must say that it was compulsory for you to do so since people were around. But now it’s just me and you in the setting room. You must not have to lie for me.

She Uttered as I smiled. “Why don’t you believe me Katherine? Why can’t you try to believe me this time around and what’s there that you don’t seem to believe me? I ask as she scoffs.

“Who are your parents in this country?” She asked as my heart skipped. Which fake name I’m I’m really going to give her to make her believe my words.

“My parents are Mr. And Mrs. Harrison, if you care to know the name that much. They’re very close friends with Derek’s parents as well”. I uttered as she seemed to believe my words.

” alright! I guess your parents must be really popular before their death”.

“But why did you choose to keep that to yourself even when I was bullying you? If I had known back then, the Black family wouldn’t have fallen into decline in the first place. You would have told me back then of your relationship with them but now it’s too late. He uttered as I sighed.

“I’m sorry, I thought you would never listen to me and ignore me”. I said as she walked away. I don’t even know why I’m apologizing to her. If she had treated me like her grandson back then I would have helped them in different ways I could.

But I do feel guilty of everything that has happened in the Black family. I would have indeed helped them though just like she had said but I decided to stay back and watch their business going bankrupt. Gosh, I’m a bad person!

I later went to my room feeling so guilty and the next day they never got to mention or say anything about the divorce. I guess I’m now accepted into their family.

*****

T b