Kai, as Kai was looking at Reginald, he thought to himself, wow, he's a great guy. And Kai said back to Mister Reginald, uh, pleasure to meet you too, Mister Reginald.
Reginald's warm smile put Kai at ease. "The pleasure's mine, Kai. I heard what you did. My daughter told me what you did yesterday. You saved her from an early grave, and if it wasn't for you, then my daughter wouldn't be here."
Kai's eyes dropped, feeling a mix of embarrassment and humility.
Reginald continued, "And I owe you greatly, Kai. Tell me what can I do for you? What can I do for you? If it's money, connections, or sponsoring your school?"
Kai thought, uh, Kai was flabbergasted in his mind. He was thinking, wow, all of this happening so soon, and things are flashing through his mind.
Kai looked at Mister Reginald, thinking to himself, "Really? Can you do that? Wow."
"Regarding sponsoring the school, you can start with any amount you like," Kai said. "But as for money, I don't want any. I just helped your daughter from the goodness of my heart. I saw a girl in need, so I helped. That's what we should all do."
Mister Reginald's eyes sparkled. "Wow, what a great boy. Nice heart. Great heart."
Reginald continued, "If you don't want money, I can give you a house. What do you think? Where's your family? Where do they stay? What can I do for them? Can I talk to your father or mother?"
Kai's mind reeled. "Wow, all these things I can get now? But I don't want to be too greedy."
"Okay, you can buy me a house," Kai said finally. "Nothing else, please."
Mister Reginald smiled. "Okay, Kai. I'll give you some shares in my company. What do you think?"
Kai's eyes widened. "Wow, how did I get so rich? How did I get like this in just two days?"
Reginald handed Kai a sleek black card. "Here, take this. It's an Emerald Card, no limit. Buy whatever you want – clothes, phones, anything. What you did for my daughter is priceless."
Kai hesitated, but Mister Reginald insisted. "Please, take it. I'll keep offering otherwise."
Patience watched, feeling compassionate toward Kai's humility. Kai took the card, reading the embossed letters: "Emerald Card" with Mister Reginald's logo.
"Thank you, sir," Kai said. "I'll take the card and the shares. We can exchange phone numbers so you can contact me."
Mister Reginald beamed. "Great, Kai! Great!"
Reginald leaned forward, intrigued. "Kai, what drives you? What are your dreams and aspirations?"
Kai thought for a moment before responding, "Mister Reginald, I've always wanted to start my own business – a global enterprise providing essential goods and services, while making a positive impact through charitable donations."
Reginald's eyes sparkled. "That's remarkable, Kai! You have a bright future ahead. My daughter spoke highly of your martial arts skills. Would you be willing to share your expertise with one of my security personnel?"
"I'd be honored, Mister Reginald," Kai replied.
Reginald proposed, "I'll compensate you fifty thousand rand per month for your training services."
Kai shook his head. "No need, Mister Reginald. I'll do it for free."
Reginald insisted, "Nonsense, Kai! You must allow me to show gratitude. As a token, you can shop for free at any of my establishments – jewelry, clothing, or anything."
As one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the country, Mister Reginald's business empire included:
- Reginald's Rare Gems (jewelry)
- Reginald's Fashion House (clothing)
- Reginald's Global Cuisine (food and beverage)
- Reginald's Properties (real estate)
His assets exceeded three billion rand ($200 million USD) and two trillion rand ($133 billion USD).
Kai thought, "Wow, I'm receiving all these amazing offers, but Mister Reginald's generosity is overwhelming. I don't need that much money every month. What will my mother think?"
Mister Reginald smiled. "Kai, I'll call you soon. Come train at my personal martial arts facility anytime during the week. We'll discuss the details."
"I'll send one of my men to pick you up tomorrow after school. We'll set up a contract," Mister Reginald continued.
Kai nodded. "Yes, Mister Reginald."
"Call me Uncle Reginald," he said with a warm smile. "Mister Reginald sounds too formal."
Patience watched, admiring Kai's humility. "This guy is amazing," she thought. "He's not greedy like others."
As they drove, Kai asked, "Sir, may I request a stop at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto? I need to visit my father."
Mister Reginald's expression turned concerned. "Your father's in the hospital? What's his name and condition?"
Kai hesitated before responding, "My father, Mister Koby, has cancer. It's in the second stage, and he's been hospitalized for five months."
Mister Reginald's eyes filled with empathy. "We'll drop you off at the hospital. Is there anything I can do to help with your father's treatment or bills?"
Kai declined. "You've already given me so much, Mister Reginald – the black card, shares... I can't accept more."
Mister Reginald insisted, "I want to help, Kai. I'm indebted to you."
Kai firmly replied, "Please, just take me to the hospital. That's enough."
Mister Reginald thought, "What an incredible young man. His selflessness and humility inspire me."
As they drove downtown, Kai chatted comfortably with Uncle Reginald, feeling more at ease. Patience smiled, admiring Kai's humility.
They arrived at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, a sprawling complex with worn, beige buildings and lush gardens. The entrance, flanked by tall pillars, led to a bustling lobby filled with patients and medical staff.
Kai stepped out, exchanging contacts with Uncle Reginald. "Have a great day, Uncle Reginald."
Inside, the hospital's sterile corridors echoed with the beeping of machines and muted conversations. Kai approached the reception desk, where a nurse with a kind face greeted him.
"Hello, young man. How can I help?"
"I'm looking for Mister Koby," Kai replied.
The nurse's eyes softened. "Ah, room 304. Your father's been here for a while."
Kai's thoughts flashed back to his previous visit, when the staff had treated him poorly. Now, with his newfound wealth, he felt empowered.
At the reception desk, Kai asked, "What's the total hospital bill for my father?"
The nurse raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"I want to pay it," Kai replied.
She scrutinized him. "You? You can pay this? Look at you..."
Kai's expression turned stern. "Ma'am, just tell me the amount."
"Okay... Fifty thousand rand for two weeks. That's the final payment."
Kai nodded calmly. "I'll pay for five months."
The nurse's eyes widened. "Five months? Do you even have the money?"
Kai smiled slyly. "Don't worry about that."
Mister Brandon, the hospital manager, approached, intrigued. "Young man, you claim to pay five months' worth of bills? That's two hundred and fifty thousand rand."
Kai's gaze remained steady. "I wasn't joking, sir. I can pay."
Mister Brandon's expression changed from skepticism to surprise.
Kai pulled out the black Emerald Card, his expression serene. "You accept card payments, right?"
The room fell silent. The receptionist's scrutiny transformed into astonishment.
"Yes, we do," she stammered.
"Proceed with the payment," Kai instructed.
"How much is the supreme room?" Kai asked.
The staff exchanged nervous glances.
"A supreme room? Do you know how much that costs?" Mister Brandon asked.
"Three hundred thousand rand," the receptionist replied, awestruck.
Kai's response was calm. "I'll take it."
The staff whispered among themselves, shocked.
"Our salaries are only forty thousand rand, and this kid is spending three hundred thousand rand like it's nothing," one of them whispered.
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Are you done?"
The receptionist hesitated. "If this card declines, you'll be thrown out."
Kai's silence was piercing.
The receptionist typed in the details, her hands shaking. The computer beeped, displaying "Approved."
Her eyes widened. "It went through!"
Mister Brandon's surprise was evident. "What's going on?"
The receptionist returned Kai's card, her hands trembling. "Sorry, sir, for wasting your time. Your father will be moved to the supreme room today."
Kai's smile was subtle. "That's what I thought. They were just mocking me, questioning whether I could pay or not. Now look at them scrambling."
His thoughts reflected his triumph. "There are always people trying to mock the weak until they get slapped in the face with money or disdainfulness."
Kai walked down the hospital corridor, his school uniform a stark contrast to the sterile surroundings. He reached his father's room and pushed open the door, revealing a ward filled with patients. His gaze locked onto the figure in the corner bed.
His father, Koby, lay frail and weakened, his once-luxurious hair now gone, revealing a gaunt face. At forty-five, Koby's illness had taken a toll on his body.
Kai's eyes welled up with tears as he approached the bed. "Hey, Dad," he said, struggling to contain his emotions.
Koby's face lit up with a warm smile. "Hey, Young Tiger."
The nickname brought back memories of Kai's childhood fierceness. His father had coined the term after witnessing Kai's relentless determination in a childhood fight.
"Hi, Dad. I met someone amazing," Kai said, trying to compose himself.
"How are you, Dad?" Kai asked, concern etched on his face.
"I'm doing fine, son. Don't worry," Koby reassured.
"And Mother? How's she coping?" Koby asked.
"She's fine, Dad. She's managing," Kai replied.
Koby's gaze turned serious. "You must look after your mother, Young Tiger. You'll be the strong one soon."
Kai's voice trembled. "Don't say that, Father. You're not going anywhere. You're alive."
Koby's eyes locked onto his son's, filled with a mix of love and urgency. "Before I go, I need to tell you something about myself and my past. You're old enough now to understand. The world isn't what it seems."
Kai's curiosity was piqued, sensing a revelation was about to change everything .