As expected the next day the Security guard chief called Alex again, to deliver the wallet to that person again.
When Alex received the call he was genuinely stunned by this developnt.
Wait a mont...
Why was this boss asking him to deliver a wallet again?
Also the Chief did this deliberately did he not? But...alas!
"Very well. I will send it over imdiately."
Alex agreed to the request despite his suspicions.
Riding an electric scooter for an enjoyable spin was vastly better than being cooped up in the cramped security booth for hours.
The fresh air and movent appealed to him greatly.
Besides this task fell within his job responsibilities. The security guard uniform’s ti-tracking system would count these hours as productive work.
Soon enough Alex arrived at Mr. Raghavan’s impressive villa once again.
He rang the doorbell as before. The chi echoed inside.
Mr. Raghavan opened the door with a carefully practiced smile.
He spoke to Alex with false warmth "My senior executives are currently having tea and engaging in business discussion. Co join us inside."
Alex responded with obvious reluctance "With so many people keeping you company while you drink tea you do not need my presence as well right? I should leave."
"Nonsense!" Mr. Raghavan insisted firmly.
"These are all my company’s employees. Please co and sit down for so tea with us."
Mr. Raghavan smiled with trendous pride and satisfaction.
These ten or so senior executives were dressed impeccably.
They wore expensive designer suits and ties that radiated wealth and status.
The atmosphere of high society was palpable and intentional.
The entire staging was not less than yesterday’s display but even more extravagant and elaborate.
"Co co co!" Mr. Raghavan encouraged with false enthusiasm.
"Sit down and enjoy so tea with us."
Mr. Raghavan spoke with trendous hospitality. He practically dragged Alex to sit down directly next to him in the place of honor at the head of the table.
These executives were all Mr. Raghavan’s subordinates. They had received their instructions before Alex arrived so they all greeted Alex with fabricated smiles.
They were excessively polite in their deanor, bowing slightly.
Alex’s eyes narrowed with understanding.
This boss was addicted to showing off his wealth was he not?
Last ti he had shown off individually to demonstrate superiority.
This ti he had recruited his subordinates to participate in the elaborate performance. The theater was growing.
"The primary reason for gathering the executives together today is to discuss their annual salary packages."
Mr. Raghavan smiled with obvious pride and superiority "You have all done excellent work this year. You will earn bonuses today as rewards for your efforts."
He turned to the first executive with great ceremony. "You will receive two hundred thousand dollars today as your bonus."
The executive being addressed stood up imdiately. He bead with gratitude.
"Thank you Mr. Raghavan!"
"Your sales departnt perford exceptionally well this quarter. As the departnt leader you will receive three hundred thousand dollars."
"Thank you Mr. Raghavan!"
"You will receive three hundred fifty thousand dollars for your outstanding performance."
The distribution continued systematically with each announcent growing more impressive.
"You are the final person. You will receive four hundred thousand dollars."
These executives possessed terrifyingly high annual salaries.
They frequently exceeded seven hundred thousand dollars. So approached three million dollars annually!
The entire villa absolutely reeked of money and power. The display was intentional and calculated to intimidate.
Mr. Raghavan glanced at Alex secretly while feeling trendously smug and satisfied with his performance. Surely this would break the boy’s spirit.
As for Alex himself he remained completely unmoved by this display. He even felt slightly sleepy from boredom. His eyes glazed over.
If this had been the old version of himself he might have been shocked and impressed by such wealth.
But now?
He traveled back and forth to ancient tis regularly. With a single transaction he could easily earn hundreds of millions of dollars.
This earning power was faster than finding money lying on the street ready for collection. This display was child’s play.
Seeing Alex’s complete lack of reaction Mr. Raghavan frowned with confusion and frustration. His jaw tightened.
Was this young man pretending to remain calm? Or had he been watching too many aspirational short videos and genuinely believed that a few hundred thousand dollars annually was not particularly impressive?
So today’s plan in his opinion completely failed. Next day he planned to invite him again with an even grander display.
---
**Day Three: The Grand Gathering**
The third day arrived with new sches brewing in Mr. Raghavan’s mind.
Mr. Raghavan once again arranged for Alex to deliver a wallet to the villa. The excuse was wearing thin.
This ti the villa not only housed high-ranking corporate executives.
It also contained social celebrities and governnt officials.
Wealthy businessn from various industries were all invited.
The gathering was quite lively and impressive in scope. Luxury cars lined the driveway.
Upon entering the villa Alex imdiately felt the eyes of many powerful individuals examining him with obvious curiosity and judgnt. The attention was uncomfortable.
"This security guard is extraordinarily handso," one woman whispered to her companion behind her champagne glass.
"He is handso certainly but he does not earn real money. In a city like Mumbai you probably could not afford a decent apartnt even if you worked your entire lifeti." Her companion replied with barely concealed disdain.
"President Raghavan’s thods are still sowhat mild in my opinion. If I were in his position I would have simply bribed the young man to leave his daughter alone." An older businessman chid in.
"Haha your thods are crude and outdated. This represents an old trick from previous generations. Mr. Raghavan’s approach is quite sophisticated. By demonstrating wealth and status indirectly he allows the security guard to understand the unbridgeable gap between their social classes." Another voice added with approval.
"Speak more softly! Do not let him overhear these comnts."
They spoke deliberately loudly without making any genuine effort to avoid being overheard. The performance was for Alex’s benefit.
Alex naturally caught portions of their conversation. His hearing was excellent.
The only phrase he heard clearly was that sentence about "letting this security guard understand the gap between them."
"What gap exactly?"
"Wait a mont."
"This Mr. Raghavan would not be one of those types would he?"
Alex blinked with sudden horrified realization! He felt absolutely stunned! His eyes widened in shock.
He knew perfectly well that so wealthy people possessed extravagant unconventional lifestyles.
They specifically preferred pursuing young people exactly like himself. Handso young n with no power.
Thinking about this disturbing possibility Alex experienced genuine goosebumps rising on his skin. His stomach turned.
Damn it all!
No wonder this man had been showing off in front of him repeatedly!
He dared to harbor such inappropriate intentions?
The pieces suddenly fit together in a horrible pattern. The private tea sessions. The wallet excuses. The constant invitations. The focus on his appearance.
Alex imdiately approached Mr. Raghavan directly. He stated with righteous firmness "Boss I must apologize. My values are very normal and traditional also I am completely a straight man. I will absolutely not engage in anything shaful or inappropriate with you."
Mr. Raghavan stared in confusion.
What?
Sothing shaful?
What on earth was this security guard talking about?
Had this young fool misunderstood sothing fundantal?
The more Alex contemplated the situation the angrier he beca. His fists clenched at his sides.
Alex spoke with indignation "No wonder you have been asking to bring you your wallet these past few days. It turns out you have been playing such a manipulative trick! Do not ask to bring you your wallet again! You have made feel absolutely disgusted!"
"Sorry but I think you have misunderstood . You and I are impossible. We are not the sa type."
"What?!" Mr. Raghavan nearly spat out the expensive red wine he was drinking. The liquid splashed in his glass.
The sa type?
What the hell was this absurd accusation?!
Who was that type?!
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Mr. Raghavan was so angry his nose nearly twisted sideways. His face turned purple with rage.
He was in his late forties approaching fifty years old. A man with a family fortune worth billions of dollars! How could anyone accuse him of being that kind of person?
The entire room had fallen silent. Every guest was staring at the unfolding drama with wide eyes and open mouths.
"Young man you have completely misunderstood the situation!" Mr. Raghavan sputtered, trying to maintain his dignity in front of his guests.
But Alex was already backing toward the door, his expression a mixture of disgust and pity.
"I understand perfectly well. Rich old n with your...preferences...are quite common. But I am not interested. Find soone else for your gas."
"Wait, Young man you’re completely wrong, I am straight too, who told you that I am not."
Atleast that words halted Alex on his feets.
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