#Six years earlier
Dino had raged into Lati's house with policemen fully armed. He wanted custody of his son. This action made Lati horrified and agitated.
He always knew Dino would come causing problems. He just didn't expect he would take such drastic step or even be successful at it. The last time he came to his house and he had his soldiers chase him out, he thought that was the end that he had scared him off.
But He had forgotten, how powerful Dino could be himself. He is a successful pharmacist that makes headlines because of his wealth and his father's history. Else, he was certain no Uniform man in Liba would barge into his house violently, he was a General that served the state tremendously. 
"Officers please go inside and pull out my son!" Dino ranted. He was putting on a white Shirt adorned with his Sweat. 
Lati stood there clenching his fists vehemently. He gave Dino a dead stare as he breathed in heavily. For four years he had kept Lucas under tight security and survilleance. He had his whole house surrounded by Military men that he paid. Just in case his desperate father tries to act Funny. Now, the military men outside became helpless with the police Officers. 
"You would do no such thing Officer" he turned to the Officer that led the squad
"General. I am sorry. It's an order from the Commissioner"
"Your Commissioner is my Step Sister's husband. And he dares ask you to do this?"
"Personal relationships should not be mixed with official responsibilities General" The Officer said politely
"You can't take my Grandson from me"
"It's his son too"
"What proof do you have to that?" 
"Dr. Dino right here presented a video evidence of his Late mother attesting to that"
Lati was taken aback with that statement. He could feel his legs shaking on the ground
"A vi... video of Mitah....." He stuttered but then tried to compose himself immediately 
"Please make way General" The Officer said, slightly pushing Lati aside as he refused to move. They searched all the rooms and everywhere. They couldn't find him. 
Lati whose Chest already got tightened at the fear of Lucas being taken away from him was relieved as the Officers reported that their search was fruitless. 
Lati took a deep breath and said nothing. But his heart could almost leap for joy. Where could the little boy have gone to though? Probably sneaked out to play soccer with the neighbor's son after he warned him not to. Surely his naughtiness and playfulness was very useful today. 
"Where is he Sir?" Another Officer queried
"I just watched you as you go in to deceive yourselves" Lati smirked "My grandson is not in"
"Well where is he?!" Dino queried impatiently
"He is on a vacation to Paris"
"What?" Dino asked baffled. "A vacation when the academic session is still ongoing for Pupils?" 
"Well. It's just for a week" he said but deeply in him. He was nervous. He hoped the boy wouldn't jump in ignorantly at the moment. 
Dino scoofed. He didn't fully believe that. He stretched a piece of paper to Lati
"What is this?" Lati asked receiving the paper
"An invitation to Court. Irrespective of whatever the outcome of this search may be. We have a court case. See the Commissioner for more details."
Lati took the paper from him. His lips formed into a brief smile. So this useless boy wants to drag him in Court. Well he wouldn't let that happen. He had better start taking urgent steps. 
"So when you know we have a court case already, why did you pull into my house with Police men?" Lati asked curiously staring at him spitefully
"Well, for one, to show you how powerless you could be" Dino said 
Lati was infuriated by those words. 
"Officers, please get out of my home Now" He uttered to the men in a sharp tone. 
The leading Officer made a signal to other men and they walked along to the entrance
Dino turned to Lati "It's not over Yet General. We meet in Court next week" 
Lati watched him as he left. He stood there motionless, engulfed with agitation. 
"This Useless boy is really..... "he scoofed
What if he wins at court? No he wouldn't let that happen. 
****
That next day, Lati's old friend and former Colleague, Camp came by to his house. Camp had recently been promoted to the deputy general of the Liba Army making him Lieutenant General.
They exchanged pleasantries and Camp Sat down
”. Where is your boy?“Camp asked sitting down"
"He is at School” Lati responded
Camp nodded..
“And how is work?"Lati asked serving him a bottle of beer. 
"Oh, work is good, but it would never be good as those times you were with us" 
Lati smiled briefly. Camp always responded with that. 
"Lati. How about Lucas, has he stopped asking about his mother?" Camp asked his face showing deep concern.
Lati exhaled; "He still asked me yesterday. I doubt if he will ever stop asking. I have told him his mother has passed on but he keeps asking about the cause of her death" Lati said worriedly.
"You shouldn’t make the mistake of telling the boy the truth”, Camp advised. “He will hate you till eternity”.
“I won’t Camp, even though sometimes I am tempted to. How would I tell him that I shot his mother? I will just carry this burden till I die” he uttered looking despaired
"It was a mistake. It wasn't your fault. You missed your target. But you shouldn't tell that to the boy. He wouldn't understand and he will never forgive you" Camp Said
That would be the first time they would talk-about that incident in six months
“I know...I really do, however there is another problem" Lati said
Camp asked him to spill it out 
"It's about his father. He is chasing after Lucas's custody. Infact he barged into this house yesterday"
"Martin's Son?"
"Yes. That simp!" Lati rolled his eyes with disdain
"But that is why I sent some of the boys at the base to guard around your house. You requested for them and It was granted. You mean those men are Useless now?"
"Camp, that's not it. He did not only came alone . He came with Police Officers"
"What?!"
"Now he is inviting me to Court. The high Court"
"The nerves of that boy. You know I warned you he should not be under rated. I know he would later become a disaster, especially now that his industries are at the peak and the government is an investor of his, he has grown wings"
Lati sighed heavily. He tapped his fingers severally on the Cushion's arm. Confused about what to do. 
"And you know what?" Camp moved closer to him. "There is nothing he wants to get that is impossible for him. The government will always take his side"
And that made Lati's blood boil in agitation
"But...but the Commissioner is my in law. I thought I could talk to him or something..."
Camp let out a brief laugh "Talk to him? Have you forgotten you are now a retired General? You are no more in Service. Your powers are limited. The Commissioner has nothing to gain by sucuuming to your wish but you see with that Dino boy, he has a lot to gain"
Lati shuddered at his words. His power has truly become limited. He mind wandered to his Daughter's words to him over Six years ago. It was almost ringing in his ears. She had warned him that a day would come when he would be powerless, and truly that time is here. He could feel his heart exploding in pain
"Oh lord. Camp. So what do I do now?" He asked turning to his friend helplessly
"When is the Court Case?" Camp asked
"It's next week Tuesday"
"I will see what I can do. I will speak to the high judge. But you must be ready to bear whatever risk is involved. His help wouldn't come for nothing"
"I will bear whatever risk Camp. As long as it doesn't involve killing anyone. I told you I am doing that no more" he said his eyes needy
Camp rolled his eyes sideways.  "You aren't killing anyone Lati. He picked up his bottle of beer to resume drinking
****
Lati opened his mouth in disbelief and his expression, furious as his friend, Camp relayed the Judge's message to him
"What? He really wants my Poultry? Never! What a greedy man" Lati blurted out. His Poultry made him sustain his wealth. He couldn't rely on his pension alone
"I earlier asked you Lati. If you would be able to pay the price" 
"Well, I thought he would ask for money or something?"
"Money?" Camp laughed fleetingly. "This man has been taking money from people, he is tired of it. How much can you afford to give him that he would jump at? He wants something that would fetch him money till he dies. He knows you make millions from your large scale Poultry"
"But...."
"I know this may not come easy but you have to find a way around this, so Dino wouldn't get to that man earlier and bribe him with money even worth more than your Poultry"
"Well, I don't think that boy can engage in such a thing though" Lati responded his tone weak
"You are vouching for him now?" Camp asked baffled 
"Not that. But I have heard from sources. He doesnt bribe anyone with money, unless he gifts a token for appreciation. He lashes out his money to philanthropism. Orphanages and Vulnerable citizens benefit from his Generosity not corruptible Officers"
"Hmm" Camp nodded amusingly, he folded his hands and leaned against his Car "But, If the boy is this kind and honorable, why didnt you want him for your late daughter?"
Lati's facial expression changed and he got irritated
"Oh. Please" Lati scoofed rolling his eyes "Kind my foot! that stupid boy is just trying to make up for his father's horrible mistakes, trying to get the people not to treat him badly for his father's Sins"
"But is that really why you hated him? Because his father betrayed the State Army? I mean that's what I always thought. Or is there more to your resentment?" Camp asked Curiously
Lati gulped and wore an uncomfortable look. 
"The issue is quite complicated Camp. I wouldn't like to talk about it yet"
"Well, you never really gave me a concise answer about it for years now" Camp asked curiously
Lati exhaled; "Like I said Camp, I wouldn't want to talk about it yet. Please" His eyes expressing intense pain. 
"Okay. Let's focus on this current crisis then, Either way, you have to act fast. Even if that boy doesn't bribe the Judge, he has a higher chance of winning, because Candidly, it's his Son" Camp expressed. 
"No, no one will take Lucas from me" Lati said shaking his head not even wanting to reason about the possibility. 
"Good. Then give the Judge your Poultry house. You have to be quick about this. The court hearing is in three days"
"Camp...I don't...I don't, I don't think I can give out my Poultry. No"
"Then get ready to Lose custody of your Grandson" Camp looked at him keenly as he uttered the words. 
Lati turned to gaze at Camp, his expression showing that he could not accept that situation too. 
*******
A month after the Court Case,
Dino got opportuned to finally meet his Son. One of his luckiest days.
Unfortunately, the Court ruled that Lati should keep custody of Lucas, a judgement Dino perceived as impartial and shady. But he let it go for the time and tried to think about other means to help himself and he was yet to be successful at it
Sighting his son that day was everything for him.
It was during an awareness program he went for at his School. How he met the boy and knew it was his son was luckily and calculatively.
He was a speaker for the theme; "Alcohol and it's negative effects. He finished lecturing the pupils and asked if anyone had questions. A little boy raised his hands and it was Lucas. He was handed the microphone
"Sir. Is beer a drug?"
Dino did not know why he jolted sighting the boy. He felt a spark he could not explain. But probably because the boy had beautiful eyes. 
"I am sorry but by drug you mean medication?" Dino asked staring at him keenly
Lucas nodded; "Yes, I mean like drugs taken when one is ill"
“No little boy. Beer isn’t a drug. Why?” 
Lucas was lifted to the Podium and he responded. "Well, because My grandfather takes it all the time and when I ask him, he would tell me, he is taking for relief"
Dino understood him now. He grinned “No little one, Beer isn’t any form of drug. Perhaps your grandfather is just trying to relieve stress or worry. Beer is to be taken in little quantity or should even be avoided at all unless when absolutely necessary"
"Oh. Thank you. I will tell that to my Grandfather" Lucas said smiling courteously
This boy is so adorable and cute. Dino thought. He felt like holding him tightly. He was also mesmerized by his intelligence. 
After the lecture, Dino immediately walked over to the  boy before he gets lost in the crowd asked:
"Hi" He said beaming a broad smile at him
"Oh. Hello Sir" the boy responded looking up.
"What's your name?" Dino asked him bending lower
"My name is Lucas".  
Dino nodded and his mind wandered to his Son's name. Mitah told him before she died that she named him Lucas. 
“You are a smart boy Lucas"
"I know" the boy said confidently. "My Grandfather tells me that all the time. Plus I come top of my class always"
"Oh. Wow, that's great" he commended. Your Grandfather that enjoys alcohol. What does he do for a living or he has stopped working? "
"My Grandfather is a retired soldier"
Dino got more curious and his eyes widened a bit. This was really adding up. "What's his name?" He asked
"Lati. Lati Hamzat"
"La...Lati.... Lati Hamzat is your Grandfather?" He stuttered