A short story

 A short story 

by - Nuriel

Once upon a time there lived a family.

The man Rex was a small scale industrialist. He earned enough for the needs of his family. His wife Suzanne was a house wife. She was faithful and loved her husband very much. She was a loving and caring wife. She took a very good care of her family. She hailed from a very wealthy family. Her dad Mr. Francis  was a very big businessman.  

Mr. Francis had already done a whole lot of investments in his daughter Suzanne's name as she was the only child he had. 

Fixed deposit, shares, gold jewelry, immovable property and what not!  Whatever Mr. Francis earned belonged to Suzanne his only child. 

Mr. Rex, Suzanne's husband was helped monetarily many times by Mr. Francis as Rex was the husband of his only child Suzanne. Rex too was a gentleman and paid back all the money to his father in law Mr. Francis. 

Suzanne was proud of her husband. She often spoke about the honesty and the sense of responsibility Rex keeps.... 

 (Continued).....

Now Rex was getting success and within a couple of years he became a big industrialist. His business expanded throughout the state and beyond. 

Rex's lifestyle now changed. Because he now was a wealthy man his friend circle widened. He had to attend number of business meetings, conferences, parties etc. In order to keep up with the pace of his growing business he had to organize parties for his clients. When it comes to the word party, obviously, one has to entertain the client where five star hotel bookings, banquet, best in class drinks, smoking and what not. 

Meetings, seminars, conferences etc. were now common and every night's schedule for Rex. He had a passion and was hence  working passionately for the expansion of his business. Success was now running behind him. His hard work, dedication and perseverance paid him. He was just to his employees and along with the growth of his business he also thought of the growth of his employees. He gave his employees hike in their salaries, gifts, perks etc. Above all, he always was a good human being and a kind master to his employees. His employees had a great respect for him. Rex behaved respectfully even with the labours working for his Industry.  

Smoking, drinking, late night parties etc. was now his every day's schedule. Reaching home late, struggling for walking, losing balance while walking, a snobbish smile at his wife and pretending that he is fine and absolutely in his senses was the result of his drunkenness. 

Poor Suzanne, being a traditional, loving and caring wife, waited for her husband Rex every night for supper. She then had to go to bed without eating a nibble of bread or a morsel. Suzanne but had no complaints. She loved him and cared for him more than anything. Suzanne convinced herself thinking Rex had become busy with loads of work. The sustenance for her body and soul was just that Rex is happy.  

Rex, now got addicted to smoking and drinking. He started over drinking, misbehaving in the parties with the clients, friends and business partners. He now started drinking even in his office and often abused his employees. This made his employees worried. One day the senior most employee and the right hand of Rex, Mr. Jonathan who was in his sixties thought of visiting Suzanne as he was worried about Suzanne. Suzanne used to call Mr. Jonathan, uncle. 

Mr. Jonathan gave a courtesy visit to Suzanne and inquired about well being. Without any hesitation and talk around he asked Suzanne if everything was fine with her in home. Suzanne's wet eyes could be clearly read although Suzanne tried to pretend that everything was fine.  Mr. Jonathan could easily make out that Suzanne is going through debilitated relationship with Rex and making herself conducive to the circumstances. 

Rex's misbehavior now crossed the limit! His misbehavior in the parties, office etc. had become talk of the people in the parties, meetings, among his employees working for him. Now all of them started avoiding him. His friends avoided calling him in the parties, business partners started avoiding him and broke the business deals with him and even the employees working for him had no respect for him.

Eventually Rex lost the goodwill in the market. Nobody wanted to be in any kind of business with Rex. The graph of his growth now took a U-turn, from inclination to declination. His employees now started leaving him one by one due to no remuneration... 

Rex's business collapsed and he became bankrupt. Now, everything in Rex's life went topsy-turvy. 

Suzanne was much worried about Rex. She kept praying for Rex and her family. She loved Rex more than anything she had ever loved. Rex's drinking now was out of control. He drank till he lost his senses. 

Rex was so much in the clutches of the Satan that he always thought evil and had all evil plans in his mind. Rex, once a self declared patrician, by now had become one belonging to the ragtag and bobtail. No respect in the society. He now due to lack of money started drinking cheapest of the cheap alcohol. His all property, industry, residential bungalow, gold, jewelry, cars, everything was auctioned for the recovery against the debts he owed. 

One thing to be appreciated was his wife. Suzanne, in such worst circumstances too, didn't leave Rex. He in fact was blessed with a very loving and caring wife. Her prayers were a shield for him. Suzanne, an innocent soul, never thought of her husband to be.... so bad or dissipated. 

Suzanne never gave up. She kept on praying for Rex. 

(wait for the real intriguing part) 

(wait for the real twist)