We had organized a simple burial for my parents and was planning on what to establish with our little money. It was a hot afternoon when three men came and told us to vacate the house because my father had used it for a loan.They showed us documents signed by my father. Then I understood my father's change in attitude. He had taken loan to start a telecommunications network but had failed . Leading to a huge debt. Mabel tried to plead with them to tamper justice with mercy but it all fell on deaf ears. They then decided to put my sister and myself into an orphanage. They promised to come the next day with some officials. That night I cried because I didn't want to be separated from my sister. Mabel decided that we should elope before they come. We packed our stuff and left to Sacramento. I had to quit school to help Mabel take care of the family. Miriam was 3years then. I use to go to house to house doing all sort of job difficult for kids my age. This went on for some years till a neighbor offered to make me a sales boy in his grocery shop. One day , I was returning from work when I heard little cries of pain from an abandoned building.Out of curiosity, I drew closer and saw a man soaked with blood. With the little knowledge I acquired from my father about using herbs as medicine, I was able to stop the bleeding. He told me not to take him to any hospital because his life was at stake. I hesitantly took him to our house . Though it was difficult, I was able to convince Mabel who still saw me to be his master and called me Sir. After some hours , the man regained consciousness and asked me to help him call a friend. Few hours after the call , seven black Mercedes Benz arrived,and the men took the man. He promised to get back to me and gave me some money. Hazel that man is Don. Two months later, he came back to show his appreciation. That was when he heard about my predicament and situation. Don immediately asked us to go with him to New York. Ones again I convinced Mabel to let us go since things were hard. I held my sisters hand and followed Don to his car in tears. Mabel cried as we left. I didn't know where Don will be sending us or how my sister and myself will live, but I took the risk. Life was already throwing lemons at us. Reaching NY, Don told me he was hit in his thigh severally by the bullet. Due to that , he can't have children. He was also an orphan as I was. With my consent, he adopted my sister and I. As time went on, I realized Don was part of a mafia gang and a very big businessman. We went for Mabel and Miry few months later to take care of June. Eventually , I took over Don's business after college. Together, we have built this empire. We have live happily till this day. That's my story Hazel.
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Hazel turned and hugged Jesse tight. Indeed he had suffered. The two lovers had a sound sleep.