My Homeless Billionaire

Chapter 7

Dion walked the halls of the big building, in Metallic Wholesalers. He was too excited. He couldn’t wait to go there and show his face as the new CEO of the company. The respect that the people gave him was shockingly amazing. Most, if not all, of the functional managers went rushing out of their offices to welcome the only son of Master Bowman Hill. Sadly, not one of them had a shake of his hand. All Dion did was flash through the passage and look down on every hand that made way towards him. His goal was to get to his new office and there was nothing to stand in his way. They could only try and convince themselves that he was a very busy man, but little did they know that a terrible storm was rumbling above the dark clouds.

In his office he found his PA. She was happy to introduce herself. Shoulders back, chest out and a broad smile, she was confident, “Terresa Fourie, your personal assistant.” She had her hand stretched out for his grip, “How are you, sir?”

Dion only chose not to entertain the lady. He gazed at Liam, who then remembered his role, he took the feather coat from Dion’s shoulders and dressed it on the back of the chair. Thandi took out a handkerchief and wiped Dion’s chair and desk. Dion unbuttoned his blazer and filled himself into his chair.

At this point Teresa felt ignored but she decided to give it another try, “Well, I am doing great myself. I hope you have the best stay possible. I also hope that you will have the best experience working with me in your team.” Another embarrassing silence. “Right. My office is right next door, so if you need me just call my name,” she tried to laugh it out and, seeing there were no supporters, she had to stop herself half-way through. “Do you need any coffee? I make the best cup. It will get your energy right up the roof and possibly your sense of humour up the high way!”

By now Dion had his elbows on the table, both his thumbs linked and the rest of his fingers bouncing on another with rhythm. “Okay, I’ll just go.” As the door closed, it was then brought into attention that many of the employees stood peeking through his windows. They all wanted a steady glance of him given he had flown through the passage leaving not many with the chance.

I waited for stupid Liam to try and do some thinking on his own. All those people peeking through the window were making me very uncomfortable.

“Liam, the curtains!”

You should have seen him. He jumped off with a start and pulled the curtains close. At least, I could not see the staring eyes anymore. It was embarrassing having people stare at me like that. All their eyes poked and each, still as a statue. I would never wish it on anyone.

We flew from Bowman’s Mention in the UK to Durban. I wanted to start with business before going to my place. I had to brace myself and have a quick glance at my new office before going home and coming back again to officially start work.

The ladies poured at Teressa’s desk. They had questions they wanted answered. “So, what’s he like?” Teressa could not bear to disappoint them, “Well, he is… He’s CEO,” she had said.

“Why, of course we know he is CEO. Is he charming? His voice. Bass or tenor? Oh, I love tenor!”

“What did he say to you?”

“Oh, girl, you are so lucky, you get to work with him all the time!”

Teressa could not hold back, “Yeah, all of you always mock my job, and now you’re admiring me, huh?”

“Honey, that was in the past. Gosh, he’s so handsome! Did you get his number? Get me his number!”

“Girl, if you want his numbers, you know you can get them from his details form. Just get away from me, all of you!” Teressa got to a point where she had to lock all of them out of her office. They did bang on her door and slithered on her windows.

When the day came to an end, Dion took a flight to Johannesburg. His house was as big as his father’s in the UK. It was highly massed with house-servants. Not a slight of dust was accepted in that home. Everything was well in order. They lined up to welcome the young master. As often, he ignored them and went straight to his room upstairs.

The weekend may had been work, but he did make time for some of his hobbies—he played tennis on his own, swam in his giant pool, sat under the sun alone and used his gym every morning. It was good like that for him. He appreciated his life like that. He saw nothing wrong with that. He wanted no company.

Well, the only company he appreciated, though he never mentioned it, was Liam’s who would stand and watch him all the time. When he swam, Liam would be there. When he went into the gym, Liam was there. When he played tennis ball, Liam was there. When he had his meals, Liam was there. Liam was always there. He was always standing aside and watching over him. Dion felt ‘right’ around him. Liam never complained, well, at least not to Dion’s face. He was an understanding man despite all the insults he got from the young master.

“Miss Felicia came, Sir Dion. She was not happy at all. She knows you are back.”

“Lock my gates and keep my walls high. She should never get to me.” He casually said, “This tastes good. The chef must have been in good spirits this morning.” Dion took a few more bites of his food. He was enjoying his food until he looked up and saw Liam’s face, “Liam?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Liam, what is wrong with you? You look terrible.”

“Oh, it is only a minor headache, sir.”

“Look in the mirror before lying to me, Liam. A minor headache would never bring about red eyes and pale skin. You should see a doctor.”

“Oh, no, no, Dion—Sir Dion. You look too much into this. I am feeling neither worse nor weak. Come now, we should get going. We don’t want to be late now, do we?”

There came voices entering the house. It was Shannon and Kefense. They were Dion’s friends. They were the only ones who stayed by Dion’s side even through his attitude and cruel treatment of others. They put up with it all.

Shannon and Kefense found Dion and Liam already preparing to leave. Kefense felt butterflies in his stomach, he was so excited to see Dion again—he could not help it, he ran in for a hug—

“Hey,” Dion gently pushed him off. “Step aside.”

Kefense would always try stunts like this. At times he would try reaching for a kiss but Dion would always shoo him away.

Shannon laughed, almost expressing disappointment, “Man, you are savage.” He said, “We had to read it from the papers that you are back?” Shannon continued, “And what’s with all the ‘Employee exploitation and abuse’? That’s like the new trend on your name now. You abuse employees now?”

“It’s um…” Dion said, “Let’s rather say, bad luck.”

“Bad luck? Look, man, Felicia’s very mad. Like crazy mad. She says you didn’t tell her before you left for UK and you were not picking up her calls,” said Shannon.

“I was busy with important things. You should try it too.”

Kefense laughed, “Important things, huh? And what is she?”

“Listen, gentlemen. My flight awaits. I cannot miss it.”

“This guy,” Shannon scoffed, “Evading. Manoeuvring. Deflecting. Unfortunately, Felicia cannot be ignored. She’s going to follow you wherever you go. You are all over the news. We hear you’re the new CEO of Metallic Wholesalers.”

Dion wanted them to say it right, “Acting CEO. Get it right.” He hated wrongs.

Kefense sniggered, “CEO, acting CEO, same difference! And I still hate that you were here the entire weekend, but you said nothing.”

“That’s right. Are we that useless to you?” added Shannon.

“I had so much to get done. I wouldn’t have had time to stop and greet. And by the way, that doesn’t make you not useless.”

The friends just laughed it out. It was natural for them to laugh things off. Even a simple joke got kicks of laughter out of them. They laughed at almost everything. Everything was funny to them. Even Dion’s arrogance. They spent most times laughing at him making hell of other peoples’ lives other than correcting him. In the beginning, it was to avoid being his next victims but gradually it became an unbreakable habit.

Shannon had to wrap up, “Safe trip, man.” Dion started walking but Kefense had something to say as well, gently—like a whisper, “Hey…”

Dion turned back.

“Take care of yourself.”