“You Idiot! Keep shut this minute!” he cursed his aide, “Who the hell does he think he is?” he queried and swore under his breath before dragging down his jaw in fury, “Don’t be surprise all the money he has been mentioning are not in his bank account. He is just here to showcase a false life.”
His aide argued it, “Uh-oh, boss, I don’t think so, Mike Don cannot showcase a false life and can never be poor, considering his horrible rising. He was once a poor delivery boy who found his true identity. Do you expect such a person to be poor again, huh?”
Thomas let loosed and barked at his aide, “Are you asking me such question, huh? You must be sick in the head. You had better shut your mouth while I focused on this auction else I will get your as sacked!”
The aided bowed in apology, “Pardon me, boss. I am only showing concern for my boss, considering the fact that the person we are dealing with is Mike Don. Now he is offering eight trillion dollars for the real state. What are we going to do to stand a chance of buying it?” his aide mild his tone once Thomas shot a frown at him.
Thomas could perceive eagerness in my sea-blue eyes when our gaze met. Quickly he averted it and settled his gaze on his aide, “Listen up, I am worth four hundred trillion dollars and will soon be celebrated as the world richest man. I am not moved by Mike’s false life because he is just going to disappear into thin air after now. The media cannot lie. That man you see over there is back to poverty and will never be called the world richest man.”
A contagious smile was still held on my face as I looked forward to Thomas beating my price.
Mr. President and the minister were mumbling within themselves as they stared suspiciously at me…
“This is indeed going to be a wealth tussle between Thomas Jackson and Mike Don. I am too sure of Thomas Jackson’s wealth but as for Mike Don, hell may go on holidays because of his unlimited wealth,” Mr. President intoned and settled his gaze on me now.
The minister’s lips curved in fury before his head shook intensely in disapproval. When his gaze came upon me he could see my eyes which were hard as emeralds.
“Thomas Jackson is going to give Mike Don a run for his money.” He sighed, “Something in me still tells me Mike Don is faking it. He has got no money to spend. Mike Don is back to his last toes. He has got no cent on him.” he chuckled evilly and added, “After the auctioning he may disappear into oblivion. I don’t mind staking on it…”
The president smiled briefly and nodded, “Well, why don’t we stake half a million dollars. Mike Don is back for good. No sane person would show up after suffering scandal and public disgrace only to display money that he doesn’t have. If he is faking it as you said, I will give you a million dollars, otherwise you will give me a million dollars.”
The minister grinned. He had never done this before and wouldn’t mind to try it because he never believed I would ever bounce back on my feet as the world richest man, “So be it then,” he added, coldly and swallowed hard.
At the time the British presenter’s face was still lit up with curiosity. His gaze was still settled on Thomas Jackson’s gloomy face, as he continued, “The world richest man has offered eight trillion dollars for the real estate, any other higher bidder going… going…” he was about saying, ‘gone’ when a voice countered it.
“Eight point five,” that was Thomas’s voice and it seemed very much estranged now. I could see his jaw waggle and it was obvious fear was about quenching his guts.
“Wow! Thomas Jackson refuses. His eight point five trillion dollars has countered it. The auction will continue if we get any higher bidder, otherwise I will bring it to a close and …”
I raised my tag and added, “Sixteen trillion!” my chin pilled back in the cocky smile of once a poor delivery boy who was so much sure of his unlimited wealth now.
“Oh my holy dragon!” the British presenter exclaimed, this time at the tops of his lungs as he shook his head heatedly in awe.
For the second time, I pulled the crowd of billionaires on their feet as they gave me a clapping ovation and murmured haphazardly among themselves. There was heavy bickering and chattering among them now. And the British presenter was trying his possible best to control the noisy crowd.
Thomas Jackson dragged a narrow brow at me. When I tilted my gaze at him, I could see the smudges beneath his eyes. He had been rubbing his eyes to see if I was actually Mike Don or another fellow.
His aide peered at his ears and whispered, “Boss at this juncture why don’t we give up. If I could remember you told me to remind you not to exceed ten trillion dollars in the real estate auction and from the looks of things Mike Don has been doubling the cost price. The next price he will mention may be thirty two trillion and I am sure you don’t want to be hospitalized for high blood pressure.”
Thomas was speechless and calm as light. He frowned at his aide and inwardly gave up before turning his cheeks into his hands.
The British presenter continued, “Mike Don is at it again with his offensive price. The god of wealth is offering sixteen trillion dollars for the Suburban Real Estate. Do we have any higher bidder? Or should we put the horse to rest?” He combed his stare around the crowd and smiled expectantly in the direction of Thomas Jackson.
I shot my furrowed brow at Thomas, inviting him to bring it on.
The presenter pressed on, “Any higher bidder? Going…going… gone. Mike Don is the certified highest bidder for the Suburban Real Estate. Congratulations, the world richest man!”
Yes! Yes!” Zion exclaimed standing up.
More shockers hung around…