"I do need a job but I'm a minor and I don't have anything it takes to qualify for a job" he said sadly.
Carl could see that the boy wanted to survive without stealing but been that anytime he tries to do menial jobs, he gets cheated since he has no one to cater for him.
Carl was angry at those cheat who made the boy's living so bad. He wished he could deal with them. He pitied the boy so much.
"The job I have for you doesn't need any qualifications. It just need your honesty" he said calmly.
Riggs was cynic about his words. It seems too good to be true.
"What job doesn't request for qualifications? Even menial jobs does. Hope he is not trying to make me into an armed robber or an assassin" he thought.
Fear registered in Riggs's face. He couldn't bring himself to talk but thoughts were running round his head.
It wasn't his wish to steal. He was just too hungry and those who could give him jobs to make money wouldn't want to give him his pay.
Carl smiled at his thoughts.
"Don't you think I'm too young to be a Baron?" (a godfather who supports and rules those who commit crimes).
Riggs was surprised again because Carl's question matched his thoughts.
"Does he read mind?" He thought again.
"Don't worry you ain't going to be a robber or an assassin" he assured him. "All you just have to do is work for me" he added.
Riggs looked at his face to see if he was actually joking with him but he didn't seem to see any trace of jokes on his cute face.
With the way Carl was looking and the way he talked, it showed that he is from a wealthy family but he didn't believe that he could pay him.
"Ain't you a minor like me? How then do you intend to pay me for the job I'll be doing?" He asked doubtfully.
He wondered about two things. The first was what kind of job will the boy wants to give him as small as he is and what gave him so much confidence to say what he is saying.
"Just work for me and I'll provide you everything you need. You wouldn't even need to go sleep among those hoodlums that do hurt you" he said instead of replying.
Riggs got another shock.
" Did he investigate me? And why?" He thought.
He seems to be afraid of the little boy seated beside him. Even though he seems young, he seems to know a lot.
"How come you know a lot about me?" He cried out like he was sore afraid.
Carl saw the panick on the boy's face.
"I'm a Devikings boy. I can know anything" he boasted.
Although Riggs is from the slums, he still knows the name Devikings. He would always hear about it on the radio and also those adult in the slums would argue about how mighty their assets is.
Some were their fans while some weren't, because they think they only help their fellow rich people. He didn't have all the details but he knows they are the number one wealthy family in their country.
Never in his imagination has it ever crossed his mind that he was going to meet one of them any day. He was so shocked that he stood still and looked at Carl.
Carl knew he wasn't looking at him but he had gone into retrospect.
"Hey" he called.
Riggs came back to reality and almost jumped on Carl because of happiness but Carl moved back not wanting to be touched by him.
"Sorry" he muttered in shame.
That day was when Carl took Riggs home and ever since he's been with him and working for him. At first he didn't understand what he was to do but he later got to know and been that he sees Carl as a benefactor, he stick to him and run all his errands with all diligence.
Being that the Devikings were very popular, Riggs too became the talk of the town. Everyone want to know where he erupted from. Only those that knew him while he was at the slum could answer that but none was bold enough to come forward.
Back to the present.
"When is the book launch?" Carl asked.
" In three days"
" Okay. Go wait for me outside let me tidy up few things and we head to the company" he commanded.
" Yes sir" Riggs bowed
This time Renny walked in with the coffee.
"Your coffee sir" she said grudgingly.
What was bothering Carl was more than the attitude she was giving. He didn't have a bit of her time. Riggs already left the room remaining the two. Carl was busy finishing up some stuffs.
Renny being that she has never seen Carl with a calm look couldn't detect that he was worried. She just talked on.
"Didn't you say your personal assistant is in Africa?" She asked in smothered anger.
She was trying her best not to be rude so as not to worsen her situation but she just wanted to point it out to him that she caught his lies.
The guy she seems to be talking to suddenly turn mute. The way he looked at his system was as if she wasn't even existing.