Greed-2

MR.PAULS DEATH

“Papa” Victoria hugged Keith.

“Yes darling. Looks like you were waiting for your snacks”  

Victoria giggled as she tried to reach out the paper bag in her father's hand

“Where’s your mother and Olivia.” Inquired Keith.

“I’ll tell you on one condition.” Bubbled the little girl.

“What condition”

“You’ll have to show me what you’ve bought for me” 

“Sure! It's all yours my love” Keith handed Victoria’s favorite biscuits in her hand and walked to his bedroom. He saw Martina sitting on the bed and she was playing with Olivia.

Keith shaked the paper bag which grabbed the attention of Martina.

“Oh honey! I didn’t realize that you have arrived. What have you bought for us?!” Martina exclaimed.

She snatched the paper bag from Keith’s hand and opened it. He was expecting a hug from his wife but unfortunately got a strong push. Her expressions changed in a matter of seconds.

“What happened Martina” Keith got worried and asked.

“Move out of my way. I have work to do”

“Would you please tell me’’ Keith blocked Martina’s way and insisted her to answer.

“Where is my favorite meal? I thought you’d bring something from outside

that’s why I didn’t prepare dinner for today.” Martina shouted and moved Keith from her way

“But what made you think that I'll bring dinner today?”

“This gold chain!” She held the shiny chain in her hand angrily.

“I haven't received my salary yet. This is just a gift that I bought for you from my savings. I don’t have any money I promise.”

“Savings? Which savings?”

“That’s none of your business. See, I'll get McDonald’s for you as soon as I get my salary. Okay?”

“McDonald’s?” Martina said with excitement.

“YES” Keith answered.

Martina happily took the paper bag from Keith’s hand and went to sit with Olivia and Victoria.

Keith was worried because he had to take care of his wife's demands at one hand

and at the other hand, he had to gain Mr. Paul's trust as soon as possible.

“I need to figure out a way to save myself from trouble. But... What about Martina?” These thoughts disturbed Keith all night.

This dilemma made him stressed.  

The next morning, Keith was getting ready to go to work. He kept his hand on his pocket and realized he had something in it. He reached inside the pocket and took out the valet of the old woman which he stole last night.  

He opened the valet and It had 100$ inside it.  

“Problem solved! I can borrow 400$ from Henry and add these 100$ in it and keep it back in the locker. This way Mr. Paul will never doubt on me again!” Keith headed towards Henry's home. A person who was a friend Keith always remembered in his toughest times. But, unfortunately never gave him a helping hand in the times of need.  

Keith reached Henry's home and explained him the entire situation. Keith always shared all his problems with Henry and took advantage of him by acting innocent. Henry helped him and landed him 400$. 

“Don’t forget the 100$ that you borrowed last month” Henry huffed.

“Are you serious buddy? You don’t need to remind me. I will return your amount on time. I’m In a hurry and I have to go right now, ill see you soon.” Keith hesitated and rushed to his workplace. 

“Keit---” Henry stood up but couldn’t speak to Keith because he rushed out of the house.

Keith walked into the shop and kept the 500$ back into the locker and when Mr. Paul came, he showed him the amount with the calculations and said the money was right there but Mr. Paul couldn’t notice it because of his weak eye sight.

“I knew you would find it for me.”

Said the old man.

“You can go and rest at home and I’ll take care of everything.” Keith convinced Mr. Paul .

Days passed and everything

came

back to normal. Keith started stealing money on daily basis and Mr. Paul never knew about it but, he would visit the shop often and spend some time over there.

After a few days Keith was at his home playing with Olivia when he heard Henry talking to his wife.

“Please sit down, I’ll go and make some coffee for you.” Martina said and walked to the kitchen.

“Sure.” Henry replied. 

Keith went to the living room and glared at Henry. 

“I’m surprised Mr. Henry” Stated Keith.

“You shouldn’t be. Because I’m not here to beg for anything but I’m here to ask why you’ve been ignoring me since the day you borrowed money from me.” Henry spoke in a rough tone.

“I said I would visit you. You didn’t have to come here just for money.”

“And you can come anytime you want right? I need my money right now or else remember that I can destroy you in seconds!” Henry threatened Keith. 

“Are you threatening me? Funny that you thought this would scare me! Let’s see what you got! And for now! Get out of my house!”

Both men argued and Keith slammed the door. Keith could have sorted the matter at the same moment but he was angry and didn’t think of the circumstances as usual.

Keith was afraid but he didn’t want Henry to feel that he is a coward. 

Keith knew Henry could visit the shop anytime so he never let Mr. Paul alone in the shop. He went early and came home late out of Henry’s fear. 

“You’ve never been so Punctual” taunted the old man.

“I’m concerned about your health, And I want to be around you more often so that I get to know more information about this shop and this work. Obviously, I’m going to be the one who’ll be looking after this shop when you’ll be gone.” Said Keith and continued his work.

“Where do you think I’m going?” Mr. Paul thundered.

“I mean… whenever you’d be out of town or gone for work in any other country” Keith laughed.

“Good evening gentlemen.” A strong voice interrupted the conversation.

“We have a customer. Let me deal with him” Said Mr. Paul.

“I’m sorry but im not your customer im just a dear friend on Keith and im here to visit him. And you must be Mr. Paul if im not wrong.” Henry smirked and walked towards Keith.

“I have heard a lot about you and this place. I wonder why Keith doesn’t like going home early and spends most of his time in this shop

nowadays.”

“What are you doing here” Keith looked at Henry with anger and questioned him.

“It looks like my presence didn’t please you” Henry smiled.

“Sorry for the interruption but Since when have you started to invite your friends for normal conversations in my shop” The old man shouted while he looked at Keith.

“Pardon.

We will talk outside. Come---”

“No I am not here to talk with Keith.

I’m

actually here to have a conversation with you Mr. Paul. I want you to be aware of the people around you.

You're an old man and can be tricked easily.

Take care of this place, these precious valuable items” Henry said while he passed his hand through the glass window in which all the ornaments were shining.

 “I mean you’re the owner of this place and you must be the one who looks after the accounts right?” 

“N- N No!” The old man shuttered.

“Why is that so?” 

“Keith is the one who takes care of everything including the accounts.” 

“I thought you were a sensible man Mr. Paul.” Henry laughed and left the shop. 

“What did your friend mean” Mr. Paul got puzzled. 

“ I don’t know…

He was speaking b******t! Don’t pay attention to what he said” Keith said in  shaky voice.

“I need the accounts book right now and I will check each and every account from the last month till today!” Mr. Paul ordered Keith and walked towards the counter. 

“DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IM TRYING TO SAY YOU OLD MAN!”

“How dare you talk to me like that! Get out of my shop right now!” Mr. Paul exploded.

“Shut up!” Keith pushed Mr. Paul,

his head hit on the side counter and he died on the spot.

“OH NO! WHAT HAVE I DONE! Mr. Paul! Mr. Paul!!!!” Keith was sweating and shaking when he realized that he had killed Mr. Paul.

Keith rushed out of the shop and ran home because he knew everyone would doubt on him if he stayed there.

This was the mental state of Keith that he could kill anyone for this concern. He didn’t go to the shop for next few days until this matter was closed.