CHAPTER 10- DEBTS

THEO

"I want to see Theo!"

A loud familiar voice echoed through the reception area...no...It couldn't be...I slowly turned towards the door...Professor Adrian, who had been busy with his laptop frowned and also looked towards the door too...

"Who is making that noise?" he asked calmly.

"I... I don't know, sir. He insisted on seeing Theo."

"Lucas."

"Yes, sir?"

"Did this man make an appointment before coming here?"

"No, sir."

"You know him?"

"No, sir. I've never seen him before." Another shout came from outside Professor Adrian’s office.

"I know Theo is here! Tell him to come outside!" I had a strange feeling about that voice it sounded oddly familiar but it couldn’t be...could it...Professor Adrian glanced at me.

"Theo."

"Y-Yes, sir?"

"You look worried..."

"I...I think I know who that is."

"You do?"

"I'm... not completely sure."

"Ok Let's go see who it is..." Adrian leaves his seat and took his phone from the table before walking towards the door...Lucas immediately followed him while I walked behind them with hesitant steps.

The closer we got to the reception area, the more worried I became...Please...Please don't let it be him...I’ve had enough unexpected visitors in one day as it is... please not another one, I don’t even know many people

As we reached the reception, I saw a familiar figure standing near the entrance, arguing loudly with the security guards...the moment I saw his face, every bit of hope disappeared...It was him...my uncle.

How...How did he even find this place? He wasn't supposed to know where I worked...Mr Adrian noticed the surprise on my face.

"Theo." I swallowed hard as I turned to him...

"Yes, sir?"

"Do you know this man?"

I slowly nodded. "...Yes sir." The reception suddenly became silent...everyone's attention shifted toward us...my uncle finally noticed me.

"There you are!" he shouted...He pushed past one of the guards and pointed directly at me. "So this is where you've been hiding!"

I stepped back a bit because he could do anything at anytime and the last thing I would want is for him to ruin my reputation here at work too...not to forget the fact that Adrian mentioned ii should never let any of my family know about where I worked...

Professor Adrian looked from me to my uncle.

"Who is he?"

"My uncle, sir."

"Your uncle?"

"Yes."

"You told him you were coming here?"

"I couldn't."

"What do you mean?"

"He... locked me inside my room."

"Explain."

"My uncle found out I got this job...He didn't want me to leave the house...He locked my bedroom door from the outside...He told me I wasn't going anywhere."

"Why?"

"I had no choice...I climbed out through my bedroom window." Mr Adrian stared at me for several seconds.

"So that's why you arrived looking exhausted..."

"Yes, sir...I didn't want to lose this opportunity."

"Oh, stop acting like the poor little victim!" Uncle lashed out loudly... storming towards me...ignoring everyone else around him. "You ungrateful brat! You ran away from home! You embarrassed me!" I clenched my fists but remained silent...

"After everything I've done for you!"

Everything? What exactly had he done? Locking me up? Making me feel like a burden? Treating me like I wasn't even family?

"Sir." Professor Adrian spoke calmly as my uncle turned to look at him.

"Who are you?" Uncle asked loudly...

"I'm the owner of this company."

"Oh...So you're the boss?"

"That's correct." My uncle suddenly smiled.

"Then you're exactly the person I need to speak to." He completely ignored me and walked toward Professor Adrian.

"My boy just got a job here...I believe you've hired him."

"I have."

"Excellent."

"Then you should tell him to stop acting stubborn."

"What do you mean?" Professor Adrian asked cluelessly

"He owes me."

"No..." I said quietly. "...I don't." My uncle shot me a glare.

"Keep quiet!" He lashed out before looking back at Professor Adrian. "This boy has been living in my house...I've fed him...I've clothed him...I've spent money on him...So now that he has a job...He should pay my debts."

"Your debts?"

"Yes."

"I borrowed some money."

"I've got people disturbing me every day...So Theo should clear everything."

"I won't." I finally lashed out, I couldn’t stand there and watch him lie against me then he turned to me

"What did you say?"

"I said I won't...You made those debts...I didn't...You should pay them yourself... form all your drinking and betting habits that how you owed that much money to people..."

"You dare talk back to me? I've taken care of you for years! You owe me!"

"I don't owe you my future...I finally got a chance to change my life...I'm not throwing it away...Please...Just leave."

For a second, I thought he would actually listen...Instead, he laughed.

"A child is telling me to leave?” He took another step toward me. "You'll come home today...You'll pay every single debt...And if you refuse—"

"Theo." Professor Adrian interrupted quietly... as I turned face him...He stepped forward until he stood between us... then he finally turned to face my uncle... "I believe he already asked you to leave."

"This is a family matter."

"Perhaps it is...But for the fact that you're standing inside my company...My employee has made his position clear...He isn't interested...So this conversation is over."

My uncle laughed mockingly..."You can't interfere."

"I can."

"This company is private property...And you're causing a disturbance."

"You think because you're rich you can control everything?"

Professor Adrian ignored the insult...Instead, he looked toward the security guards.

"Gentlemen." The two guards immediately stepped forward. "Escort this man outside...Now."

"What? You can't do that! I haven't finished talking!"

The guards politely held his arms..."Sir...Please come with us."

"Don't touch me! I said don't touch me!"

He struggled as they began leading him toward the exit..."I'll sue this company! You'll regret this!" ...Several employees watched in complete silence as the guards continued dragging him outside...Before reaching the entrance, he turned around and pointed directly at me.

"You!"

"You better not come back to my house! If you step into that house again without paying those debts..." He said as his eyes burned with hatred.

"I'll kill you!" The guards immediately pushed him outside before he could say another word and shut the entrance doors behind him...

I remained standing there, unable to explain to anyone what just happened 2 types of embarrassments in just one day... maybe I really am unlucky...

Professor Adrian turned toward me. "Theo."

"I'm so sorry, sir...I...I'm really sorry...I didn't expect him to come here...I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"You didn't...He did."

"I should've handled him before he entered the building...I'm embarrassed."

"Don't be...You've got nothing to be ashamed of...You didn't choose your family."

"Thank you, sir...for all your help..."

"Are you alright?"

I hesitated for a minute before replying... "...I think so."

"You don't sound convinced."

"I just..."I don't know where I'll stay now...He just threw me out...well not physically but I know what he’s capable of..." Professor Adrian was quiet for a moment before he finally replied... "You'll figure something out...but first...You need to focus on work."

"Yes, sir."

He glanced at the clock. "It looks like we're done for today."

"Then I'll be on my way."

"Alright."

As I turned to leave, he called my name again..."Theo."

"Yes, sir?"

"We'll be expecting you on Monday."

"I'll be here."

"8p.m."

"Night?"

"I reviewed your résumé carefully."

"I noticed you're still in school."

"Yes, sir."

"I don't intend to interfere with your education."

"So I adjusted your work schedule."

"You'll be working the night shift...that way, you'll have enough time to attend your classes during the day."

"Thank you, sir...I really appreciate it."

"Don't waste the opportunity."

"I won't."

"I promise."

"And Theo."

"Yes?"

"Stay safe...If your uncle comes looking for you again, inform us immediately...We'll handle it."

"Thank you... truly."

"See you Monday."

"I'll be here."