THE DEAF BILLIONAIRE

22. Chapter Twenty-two

Noah sulked in his seat.

The investors were angry and Noah was in distress. He did not know what to do exactly. Even Lan seemed skeptical that it was not him on the front page of the cover.

Just confide in me mate, I won't judge you.

Did you really not leave for a fun night out these fine days, its okay, I won't tell anyone.

I know even God will understand you Noah, tell me the truth, it is really you ? Look, even your birthmark on the neck, see the watch you got recently, it is you, is it?

And Noah and almost broke his nose again at the third prompt.

"IT IS NOT ME !"He had shouted then calmed down, he could not exactly blame Lan, could he?

Noah grabbed the days paper and stared at it again, it was a mystery he needed to solve but how?

His reputation was tarnishing, it was bad for him but very bad for business.

There were so many calls coming through, Lan came into his office repeatedly:

One was Mr. Valentino, he demanded an immediate board meeting - Lan had scheduled it, against Mr. Valentino's preference at 9p.m on the morrow.

Another was an angry clergy man, who felt it was his priestly role to berate Noah on his hypocritical living. Lan had disconnected call when the man started praying for God's wrath upon Noah's life- Noah had wondered why he was being condemned.

A couple of humanitarians called, they fired fault finding questions at Lan after which demanded that Noah be put on call, Lan told them Noah was deaf but they said,"he has fooled us all, he is not deaf!" - this time, they disconnected the call.

Potential investors had hurled insults at him, and Noah regretted initially asking them to support him in his project.

The authorities had called to inform him that  all production and manufacturing activites had ceased at the factory. They had put a ban on him and a junior worker reported there were angry cross marks at the gate - Lan had wondered if they had suddenly become criminals.

And of course, his brother sent a simple text that he was on his way.

Noah barked out a laugh,"Oh ! How convenient,"

****

Noah was in distress, a certain helplessness he could not explain.

He tried to pray, that too was not working.

The door opened and in walked the very man that seemed to relish in Noah's sudden misfortunes. A height like his but unlike his warm brown eyes, pools of pitch black glinted at him.

Esau smiled and grinned as he sat across from him on the desk," Now, what kind of brother would I be if I did not pass by to see how you are fairing on with the current developments,"

Noah tensed fists on his lap.

Esau never cared that Noah could hear what he said but for some reason today he leaned forward and spotted the aid on his ear,"Sorry, actually forgot you are useless without that !"

"You know, before dad died, I always told them I would be a better entrepreneur than you are,"He reached into his dark grey coat, pulled a cigar and lit it while staring at the 'NO SMOKING' poster on the wall. He shrugged, stared back at Noah, "Want a smoke ?"

Noah's jaws clenched.

"You look angry, anyway where was I ?" A puff.

" Its a pity, such an empire seems to be coming at a tragic end?"

"We have not established that Esau,"

"Really ? Seems like an end to me, any way where is that little translator?"

Another puff and a cloud of smoke blew on Noah's face, he coughed.

" She goodlookin, honestly I thought you would go for plain boring plain Janes, turns out this man of God actually likes the vixen type, quite a nice figure she's got. Tell me, does your holy book allow you to share?"

"Do not sexualize Lily,"

"Lily, nice name for a nice body,"

"Will you spit out what brought you here and leave,"

He kicked out his feet on top of Noah's desk, "Ah! Yes, what brought me here,"

He smoked some more, eyes taunting Noah but Noah sat still, wondering what more he was upto.

"So, no sharing...right ?"

"I am positive you did not travel all the way here for a redhead, Esau. You have always liked blondes  so spit it out,"

"My taste changed since I saw her at the boad room the other time. Oh ! WEE! Why do the invalids always get the fine girls"

Noah almost lost it, Invalid, was deafness suddenly madness?

"Anyway, I'm here for a loan,"

Noah glared at him,"I have no money for you to waste on chronic gambling,"

"Well, if you don't, I think you will be happy to frequent the papers. This time a little red head would cause quite the fuss. The public are already speculating Noah. If it is confirmed that a saint is actually violating one of his work ethics and having the time of his life with a translator..."

"You wouldn't dare,"

"The money Noah or papers,"

"So you did this? You actually did this ! "Noah could not believe him, he had the audacity to come to his office to gloat over this!

Esau stopped smoking and looked at Noah in the eye, honesty and for a moment, Noah wished he saw any other emotion but that,"No, I didn't ."

He rose abruptly and started to leave, Noah was confused.

"Then who did ?"

"The money Noah or papers ,"

He left, shutting the door uncharacteristically gently. 

Noah did not know many things but he knew one thing: Lily and his brother did not do it.