A visit to the Carnegie's mansion>>>>>>
Gwen stepped down from the car and smiled in appreciation at the gentleman who had offered her a ride. She stood staring at the large walls of the Carnegie's mansion skeptically. Growing up as a kid, she has heard different story about how the workers were treated. Gwen shuddered with dread thinking her brother was locked up somewhere here.
The gate swinged open as a stern looking man stood in front of her with his arm crossed in front of him.
"How may I help you?"
"I came to see Mr Carnegie."
"He is not expecting visitors."
" Please,my brother was brought in here yesterday. I am Mr Keystone's daughter."
The man looked at her over before nodding.
" Let me inform Mr Carnegie of your presence". And with that,he shut the gate and went in.
Gwen sucked her teeth in anger. Why are they so cold and inhumane here? She stood outside waiting for hours tapping her feet filled with thoughts of what could happen as Roy was in there. Has he been given food to eat? Did they beat him up just like papa? Or lock him up in one of Mr Carnegie's dungeon where stubborn workers and debtors were usually locked up.
Finally,the gate open and it was the same man who had answered few minutes ago.
"Come with me." He said and Gwen followed him into the house.
As she stepped through the grand entrance of Carnegie's Manor, she couldn't help but gasp in awe. Varieties of nicely trimmed flowers lined up the walkway causing a royal effect. Far away on the left hand side was the outdoor oasis,the pièce de rèsistance.A sparkly pool surrounded by lush greenery and a sun kissed patio. A nearly nearby gazebo beckoned,it's soft cushions and gentle breeze inviting relaxation. Gwen could imagine herself on one of the soft cushions sipping lemonade on a lazy Saturday.
As they entered the house, Gwen attention was drawn to the opulent chandelier above the sweeping staircase sparkled like diamonds, casting a warm glow over the lavish foyer. Soft music floated from the formal living room, where plush velvet sofas and armchairs surrounded a fireplace.
Gwen eyes took in every detail of the house jotting in her mental notepad to tell Joanne all she had seen. Indeed,the Carnegie's home is a haven of luxury and refinement.
Gwen turned around as she heard a loud coughing behind. She turned around to look into the cold green eyes that seemed like it pierced through her, gleaming with a mysterious intensity that left her feeling unsettled and tongue tied.
"And you must be?" Mr Carnegie asked in his thick deep baritone echoing.
"I...am Gwen Saunders."
"I have no business with you."He said coldly and took his seat.
" Of course you do. You have my little brother in your custody."
" Your father owes me Gwen. I only collected my collateral."
" My brother is no collateral! He knows nothing about this."
" You should be telling your father that and not coming to disturb my household this early in the morning."
" We are meant to give you your money within forty eight hours before you come for your collateral. Why then will you take my brother hostage?"
" Well, your father and I had this bet three days ago. I waited for my ten million dollars for the two days. Suddenly, I noticed keystone was no longer seen in his regular spot, the bar. And then I asked my boys to go combing the town and fetch him out making me waste my time, " Mr Carnegie pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his suit pocket.He reached for the lighter in the little stool beside his chair and lit the cigarette in his hand.Mr Carnegie inhaled deeply before puffing out, " Appears your father has been running away from me and I locked him up in jail where he belongs. And as for your brother,he is my property already."
" My brother is nobody's property. He is just a young boy who wants to go to college!" Gwen shouted in frustration.
" Go tell that to your father,young lady."
Gwen immediately goes on her knees as tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Please sir. I know my father owes you a lot and he might have tried to escape from you but I promise you that I will pay the money within one month. I will find that money and clear off my father's debt."
Mr Carnegie burst into laughter. What sort of joker does this lady think she is?" Are you not the same Gwen who runs the Happy vill baking store down Carlton street?"
" Yes I am sir."
" And you feel the little money from your doughnuts or whatever piece of crap you spend the whole day making can fetch my money? What kind of games do you and your father want to play here? You think you can come into my house shedding tears expecting I release your brother and give you a one month ultimatum to bring my money with your little charity doughnuts business? Do I look like I am interested in any of your schemes to rip me of my money?"
" I promise I am not here for that. All I want is my brother and I will pay you back. Even if it takes me to sell all our properties to pay you."Gwen said trying to hold herself from screaming at him for talking about her store like that. No one has ever degraded her store,the store her mom and grandmother invested everything in to build and make it what it is today.
Mr Carnegie laughed loudly again." Properties? You have none,Gwen. Nobody is interested in buying your old wood infested furnitures or that shit hole you call a home.You are the daughter of a gambler, one who bets to dupe others of their money...but not with me dear. I would not place my money in your hands while you plan on how to run away from town within one month."
" I do not intend on running please. I will get you your money. Just release my brother."
" Your father will be released later today as I already have my collateral safe and sound with me. When you are ready to bring my money in five days time,we will talk about your younger brother. But for now,he is a Carnegie's asset and will be here."Mr Carnegie stood up abruptly and straightened his shirt.
"Please, at least let me see Roy. please let me see him, let me talk to him please!!! "Gwen said bursting into tears. She crawled on her knees to where he was and as she tried to grab his leg, he shifted back staring at her in disgust.
"Do not lay those poverty stricken hands of yours on me!" He shouted angrily at her just as the door opened and the house keeper,Mrs Enid,stepped into the living room."Enid,take her to where her brother is. And make sure she leaves this place within thirty minutes!"
Mr Carnegie said and stormed out of the living room.
" Please come with me". Mrs Enid said politely leading Gwen down a wide hallway where a large iron door was. Down the door was a stairs leading to an underground dungeon where some workers and debtors were kept behind bars staring at Gwen. Gwen was not scared this time around. It was obvious that visitors don't usually come down here.
Roy sat on the floor staring at his feet not even aware his sister was standing in front of him. A plate of food,maybe one of the guards had placed it in the cell earlier,was still sitting on the other side of the cell untouched.
Gwen went on her knees as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Roy". Gwen called softly as she placed her hand on the iron bar. Her brother turned around quickly to face Gwen.
"Gwen?!"Roy called in disbelief shocked to see his sister here,"Please get me out of here. I don't know what I am doing here. Why am I here?" Roy cried as he grabbed the iron bars.
" Roy,I promise to get you out of here. I won't let them hurt you."
"What do they want from me?! Why are they keeping me here? I did not do anything to Mr Carnegie." Roy shouted in frustration.
" I know you did not,okay."
Roy's shoulder fell in disappointment. " I heard one of the bodyguards talk about me as a collateral for a debt. Do we owe Mr Carnegie?"
" Roy,this is more than you think...."
" This is not about what I think!! I need to know the truth! I am the one locked up in here so I deserve to know the truth!" Roy yelled angrily. Gwen couldn't say anything.She just stood there crying. Roy took in a deep breath before speaking up again," Is this about dad?"
" Roy, please let's not talk about this!"
" I need to know. Please talk to me!"
Gwen sighed deeply." Dad owes Mr Carnegie about ten million dollars".
"Ten what?!" Roy exclaimed in shock." so how does this concern me? Why am I the one here?"
" Because Dad placed you as collateral."
"Ma,I think it's time you leave. We don't usually welcome visitors. If Mr Carnegie knows you are still here,I will be in trouble." The house keeper said in a shaky voice.
Gwen reached through the iron bars and squeezed Roy's hand in reassurance.
"I will get you out of here, Roy. You will go to college and you will be that big basket baller you always dreamt of becoming.But I need you to get a hold of yourself. I need you to eat whatever sick food they are giving you here. I need you to be strong okay."
" Please,help me talk to coach. I should have been in practice and I missed rehearsals."
" I will do that okay."
" And... please,"Roy said and grabbed his sister's hand," Do not leave me here.Help me get out of here. I don't want to spend one more night."
" I will come back for you."
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