Ex-Convict To Executive

In the Xanros family mansion the family were exchanging pleasantries as they hugged and shook hands with each other.

There stood Dante Willow looking down at his second handed old wrist watch that he have owned since he could remember, he was standing all alone like a lone wolf. He exhaled deeply while he impatiently tapped his foot on the expensive marble floor of his in-laws house, he only had few minutes to spare before his break time from work would be over, he worked as a Janitor in an art gallery and the staffs were preparing for an upcoming art exhibition.

Dante was the son in-law of the wealthy business tycoon Uriel Xanros married to his second daughter Audrey.

Mr Uriel Xanros called the attention of everyone as he hit the glassware with a spoon to make a toast, suddenly the living room went dead quite as everyone turned to look at him, the main reason they were all gathered to celebrate in the first place.

"Today is my marriage anniversary with my beautiful wife" Mr Uriel turned to peck his wife on her cheek as everyone clapped excitedly including Dante who was trying to fit in, but no matter how hard he tried, he was a misfit to the class of his In-laws.

"Congratulations" they yelled out loud together taking the passing trays of wine cups from the mansion staffs.

In a cheerful toast, they clicked their glasses one after the other, Dante was about clicking his glass with Natty who stood near him and she ran her eyes from his head to toe then she hissed and moved away.

Dante took a sip of the wine in his cup nevertheless while he wished he could leave his in-laws mansion any sooner so he could get back to his work place in order to avoid trouble with his boss.

Immediately, it reached time to present their gifts to the Mr and Mrs Xanros

"Mother in-law I got you these sets of expensive plates, I know how much you love kitchen wares" Jaden and his wife Natty presented their gift with a smile

"Dad, I know how much you love Van Clef and Arples gold, so I got you this" Natty said presenting her own gift to her father

Mrs Uriel smiled at her son-In law Jaden as she accepted it, Mr and Mrs Xanros had five children, Natty, Audrey, Neon, Ellie and Samantha.

Their only son Neon was the next person with Samantha their youngest daughter, she as well presented her gift.

"Father and Mother, congratulations" Ellie the third daughter exclaimed as she presented her expensive gift too

When it was Dante and his wife turn, Audrey took out a diamond necklace "Happy Marriage Anniversary mom" to her father she presented designer perfumes all packaged in a shopping bag and one could tell the gift were expensive.

"Thank you Audrey, and what does your husband have to offer?" her mother asked looking at the shopping bag Dante was holding

"The gift is from both of us" Audrey replied

"Don't try to defend him" her father shouted "How would my son-In-law come to my party without any gift, such guts!"

"I bought wine for you father" Dante stretched the shopping bag to Mr Uriel as he bowed in respect to him, instead he got shouted on

"Bastard, I am not your father" as the old man shouted on top of his voice, he still took the bag and looked down to find what was inside and when he did his was angry immediately

"Audrey, I want you to divorce this your husband, right now!" Mr Uriel shouted

Audrey was surprised why her father was bringing up the topic again when they should be celebrating, It wasn't the first time Mr Uriel was making such request to Audrey, all through her marriage with Dante her father never failed to remind her that she could have married someone better and wealthier than Dante Willow.

"Father?" Audrey said worriedly, she hadn't expected him to bring it up since it was a party

"Look at the cheap wine your husband bought as a gift for me!" Audrey father announced, bringing out the wine from the bag, making the rest of the family to laugh at the wine brand.

Dante had decided to buy a gift along with him, even if he knew the others gift would beat his, but wasn't gifting the matter of the heart?

"I dare you to divorce him right now and I would give you my land property in the county" Mr Uriel ordered as he dropped the wine bottle on the floor, making the liquid content to spill, creating a mess on the expensive marble floor. Dante had actually spent enough of his money to buy that particular wine, it was cheap for Mr Uriel, but it wasn't cheap for him at all, so he sobbed silently at the broken bottle "Divorce him now and get the hectare of land you always wanted"

"If I were you sis, I won't give it a second thought" Ellie spoke out loud as Audrey swallowed the lump in her throat wishing she could escape the situation at hand. She have continuously begged her father to lease his land to her at any price, as a real estate agent she needed it, knowing the land would yield profit until he was ready to use the land, but he refused, right now he was offering the land for free and not only that he was making her to choose between her husband and her career.

The two couple standing side by side with every eyes on them in the silent room, Dante brushed his hand on Audrey hand, trying to signal something to her and she immediately moved it away.

"We don't have all the time in the world, make your decision now!" her mother shouted "He doesn't match your status, you have a promising career as a realtor and he-" Mrs Xanros didn't fail to show the disgust with her facial expression "Is a poor art gallery worker"

Dante Willow feeling like he couldn't breath any longer, with everybody's eye on him, he wanted to leave the mansion, Audrey cleared her throat to speak

"Father...I" Audrey looked at Dante, ready to choose between her marriage or her career.

Mr Uriel Xanros eyes bored on Audrey his daughter, as he waited for her to make her decision, by this time he was already angry.

Audrey was still stuttering and searching for words to say when he interrupted her "Are you not tired of being married to someone whose salary can not even fend for you and your daughters!?"

"Father please can we not start this now?" Audrey replied calmly, trying to escape from the situation.

"I am giving you an opportunity to set things right, divorce him right now and and get the land property!" her father demanded waiting for her response.

"Audrey listen to your father!" Mrs Xanros chipped in, she didn't want her daughter to shoulder all the responsibility like she was doing because she married out of love. As if love could foot the bills, instead Dante was the one taking money from his wife.

"Father, it's okay" Natty interrupted as she tried to calm her father down "You don't want your blood pressure going high because of a worthless thing like Dante"

"Especially now that it's about to rain, it wouldn't be good for your health so stay calm father in law" Jaden, Natty's husband added, he was the ideal husband material that Mr Uriel wanted his daughters to get married to, a wealthy medical doctor who was living a comfortable life with Natty, if not so how would they travel from the country him and his wife stays using business class ticket to come to Mr and Mrs Xanros marriage anniversary celebration.

Dante Willow just stood with no words to say, each and every one of his in-laws made him feel as though they were not related by marriage even, they saw him as a loser, a waste just because he is an orphan who lost his parents at an early age. He had nothing to offer his wife because she already had it all, he wasn't like Jaden the other son-in-law who came from a high profile family, he came from nothing and still remained in nothing.

"What is your final decision Audrey? Your poor husband or the success of your career?" her father asked with an arched eyebrow, making Audrey breathless, it was a tough decision to make but she still had to do the right thing for her future "You know you want the land, you were willing to pay thousands of dollars, now I am giving it to you for free, choose wisely" her father smirked

Audrey looked to her husband, he was too ashamed to look back at her so he looked down at his wrist watch instead, as if he could read her mind that she would betray their love. That moment it started raining heavily outside the mansion.

"Audrey think about your daughters" her father said again, as he waited for Audrey response.

Mr and Mrs Xanros, Natty, Jaden, Neon, Ellie and Samantha stayed quit waiting for Audrey to finally speak up.

Dante breathed as he tried to calm himself, today he might just as well loose his marriage and also his job if he doesn't make it in time because of the rain.

Audrey cleared her throat, ready to give up on Dante or the chance of getting the land property she always wanted.

Everyone was looking at Audrey who had a sober facial expression of pity for her husband Dante.

"I am sorry that I didn't follow your instruction to marry a rich man. I'm willing to grow with Dante, I value love more than money-"

Audrey's family members disappointed by her decision hissed out loud, Dante surprised at what she just said, his face lightened up.

"Oh shut up" her mother shouted at her "You can still have love and money, look at me and your father celebrating thirty four years of being together, my husband isn't a peasant like your husband and we both love each other"

Audrey and Dante first met in the university, they fell in love. Dante dropped out from his scholarship program as a Law student and started working multiple jobs. After a year, Audrey graduated from the university they eventually got married although her family didn't like Dante, her father reluctantly gave them his blessings and they have been married for six years with two daughters.

Mr Uriel wanted Audrey to marry a man from an influential family whereas he got an orphan for a son in-law, with no reputable background, a university drop out and to make matter worst Dante couldn't secure a high paying job.

"Since that is your final decision, I hope you don't regret it when your daughters ask why their father is poor" Audrey father said laughing and the rest of the family joined him in laughing even if it wasn't funny at all.

Audrey hated whenever her family made her husband a laughingstock, it seems as if she was the one, she defended aggressively "He won't be underpaid forever, he is hardworking!"

"There is a thing called working smart not hard sis" Ellie replied sarcastically

"Soon enough, Dante would be paid in higher figures. Is all about climbing a ladder and not rushing the process" Audrey kept defending Dante who couldn't even say a word for himself

"You have been saying that for six years now, even Jaden who was in medical school has graduated and is now practicing as a medical doctor, he is being paid heavily in our country" Natty added

"Gold digger, men attaches their self to a wealthy wife while they pretend like as if they are working hard" Neon Xanros, Audrey brother added and the rest of the family laughed out again.

"Well that aside" Mr Uriel cleared his throat "I would like to make another announcement" Mr Uriel said loudly as everyone clapped waiting in anticipation to hear it.

"Our family heirloom art canvas would be shown to the world on Thursday at the exhibition in the north-way art gallery" Everyone applauded

Dante gulped nervously, he works at the north-way art gallery, he didn't know what to expect if his in-laws would be there at the exhibition.

"We have never done that in the past years" Neon said skeptically

"Yes. I know that, but exhibiting our family art on Thursday would make our family to gain more fame when people finds out how much the art piece cost" Mr Uriel replied

"True, every influential family in this country with valuable treasures and arts would be at the exhibition" Jaden the son in-law seconded as he nods his head, even if he didn't live in the country he was up to date with news happening in the country

"In that vein, I want someone to volunteer to convey the art piece to the gallery today afternoon against Thursday event"

"Dante works there so he can do it" Audrey volunteered cheerfully but instead the rest of the family looked at her direction with angry faces

"So what? He works at the gallery" Ellie asked rudely

"You should watch your tune, I am your elder" Audrey replied angrily at her little sister who rolled her eyes with disrespect

"I would have given you much of a respect as my elder if you didn't marry a good for nothing husband who can't contribute a penny to this family but he can bring cheap wine as gift" Ellie replied in the same tune without any atom of respect for Audrey

"Father, you should warn Ellie because of the way she speaks to me-"

"She is right!" Mr Uriel interrupted the argument as he thundered on top of his voice, making the room go quite save for the calm music playing in the background "This family is!" In the next micro second he choked on his words, while talking further. Mr Uriel started coughing uncontrollably while he gasp for air to enter his lungs.

"Father!" Natty was the first to notice he was having a panic attack and it wasn't just an ordinary cough.

Tension filled the room as Mr Uriel continued coughing while he slowly crouch down to the ground holding his chest.

They all rushed towards him as the old man was now kneeling, with his face facing the floor while he coughed uncontrollably and struggled to breath normally at the same time.

"Get water" Jaden shouted to the butler as he patted Mr Uriel back slowly in a bid to stop the cough "Give him space, space! He needs air!" He shouted as the family members spread out, far from Mr Uriel and Jaden, Jaden was a medical doctor so they thought he should know better.

The butler returned with a glass of water and Jaden was about giving the water to Mr Uriel when he was suddenly interrupted by Dante's voice

"Don't give him water, it would worsen the cough"

"What do you know?" Mrs Xanros panicked "Jaden is a medical doctor!" she shouted at Dante

"Water is not what should be-"

"Shut up, a cleaner now tells a medical doctor what to do?" Natty cut Dante off before he could get the chance to explain

As soon as Mr Uriel finished drinking the water in the cup with eyes fixed on him, he stopped coughing, he was assisted to seat on his chair and rest his back, this time he was no longer gasping for breath nor coughing

"What were you saying Janitor Dante?" Jaden responded with a prideful expression

"It worked!" Samantha cheered with a clap and it only stroke Jaden's ego the more

"You want my father to die!" Ellie shouted at Dante

"I am a medical doctor and I have handled cases like this-"

Jaden was interrupted by Mr Uriel mild cough

"-during my years of medical practice" Jaden completed

"Well done Jaden, we are happy to have you as a son-in-law in this family" Mrs Xanros smiled at Jaden who prideful smiled back.

Mr Uriel coughed once and then twice and he didn't stop there, this time the cough became more serious, making his face to turn red and his eyes to close as he leaned his head at the back rest of the chair he was seating on.

"Jaden? Do something" Mrs Xanros panicked

"Jaden!" Ellie shouted "Father's eyes are closing!"

"Stop shouting okay!" Jaden shouted back trying not to show that he was panicking, from medical practice he knew that he had to apply pressure to Mr Uriel chest with a tool, but he didn't know what to improvise to do the procedure "Call the ambulance!" Jaden shouted

"What? You can't do a first aid before they arrive?" Neon asked in surprise as he took out his phone from his pocket

"I can but apparently the med...ical equi...pment is..." Jaden stuttered as he beat around the bush instead of admitting he couldn't do anything to stop Mr Uriel from coughing "Get more water!" he ordered the butler again

Jaden was the only one holding Mr Uriel by his arm, as he patted his back rhythmical, the coughing continued and even Mr Uriel started coughing out thick blood that stained the floor

"Neon hurry with the call" Audrey shouted to her brother, all these while Audrey and her husband watched.

"Don't let your father take the water again or else he would die" Dante whispered to Audrey

Audrey turned her gaze to Dante, already the first time he said it, Jaden the medical and professional debunked his request

"Trust me Audrey, water would only do more harm than good-his airways are already block"

Audrey was a little surprised that Dante knew about what to do in a situation like that. The butler hurried with another glass of water to give to Jaden

"Stop him before it gets worst, he is already coughing blood"

Audrey was skeptical about what Dante was saying, what if it got worst when her father don't take the second glass of water, she thought. Dante was sure within him that he was saying the right thing.

"Stop!" Audrey shouted at Jaden, making each and everyone of them to direct their eyes to their direction except Mr Uriel because he was still struggling "Don't give him the water it would only worsen his condition and make him to die"

They gasped at what Audrey just said, what gave her the audacity to say such in the first place

"Then what should we do? Watch him die?" Ellie asked in a rude manner

It was then Audrey recalled that Dante hadn't told her what should be done

"Get Milk" Dante spoke up but the butler didn't move an inch because Dante was not a kind of person he takes instruction from

"You heard him!" Audrey barked and it sent the man running like a child

"Milk?" Jaden replied unbelievably

"Neon are the ambulance any closer?" Mrs Xanros asked "I would not allow my husband to take any prescription from a janitor"

"They are not close, it's raining heavily-"

The butler returned with the glass of milk and he was confused on who to give it to. Dante walked to him and took the glass and moved to Mr Uriel, by this time he was bleeding from his nose as well.

"Don't you dare touch my husband!" Mrs Xanros shouted "Jaden give him the water again"

Jaden too nervous on what next to do, smiled "I...I think Dante is right" he scratched the back of his head

They didn't hide there surprise, since when was Dante knowledgeable enough than a medical doctor himself?

"Milk is Lactose and it would-"

"Give it to him already!" Mrs Xanros shouted not ready to hear Jaden's explanations

Mr Uriel heaved a heavy breath and he cough for the last time. The milk worked yet no one commended or thanked Dante for his suggestion.

"Do you people want to kill me?" Mr Uriel shouted louder that they were scared he would have another attack again so they dared not respond but allowed him to scold them "Ellie and Audrey stay back I would teach you both a lesson, the rest of you leave my house this instant!"

Even if Jaden wasn't told to stay, he stayed back so he could take care of the old man, but within him, he was acting to be a caring son-in-law so the old man would like him even more, who wouldn't want to be in the will of a dying wealthy man?

****

Outside the mansion, the rain was pouring heavily, Samantha needed to get to her workplace, she worked as an intern at a law firm not far from the art gallery Dante worked in.

"Sister Natty please can you drive me back to work?" Samantha asked

"Yes sure, join me" Natty responded

"Please can I join too?" Dante asked and it made Natty to look at him, as if it was a crime for him to ask her such question in the first place "Sam's office is few block away from my work place"

"So? Get a taxi" Natty replied

"Okay please drive me outside the compound where I can hail a taxi" Dante pleaded.

The Xanros family mansion was in the middle of hectares of land, before Dante could walk to the front gate he would be beaten by the rain

"Then trek to the front gate" Natty responded as she took the Bentley remote control keys from the Christain Dior clutch bag, then she entered the car.

Natty started the car, and the engine roared, she pulled out of the parking lot, speeding off with the screeching tyres pouring dirty ground water right on Dante's face and cloth, he closed his eyes and his mouth out of impulse but it didn't help, some of the water entered his mouth.

Dante looked down at his wrist watch, he had no choice but to walk under the rain to hail a taxi to take him to work, he had few minutes left for his break to be over and he if he goes late, he would be jobless.