The following weekend, Evian's mansion was alive again. The gates opened wide, and expensive cars drove in one after another. Loud music floated through the air as laughter and perfume filled every corner. Evian stood at the center of it all, dressed in a white suit that shone under the lights. To the world, he looked like a man who had everything. Inside, however, he still carried the echo of his childhood.
The driveway was crowded with men in shiny suits and women in glittering dresses. Valets ran back and forth, parking cars worth millions. A red carpet stretched across the entrance, and photographers with flashing cameras captured every moment. Evian's mansion was more than a house—it was a palace, and tonight it glowed like the center of the world.
Richard was the first to raise a toast. He wore a gold chain around his neck and always carried himself like a man who knew everyone. "To Evian," Richard shouted, his glass high in the air, "the man who makes life worth living! Without him, this city would be boring."
The crowd cheered. Women with heavy makeup clapped, men with loud laughter joined in, and the music grew louder. Evian smiled, but his heart remained quiet.
As the night went on, he noticed little things he had ignored before. Richard never left his side, always quick to whisper in his ear, "Evian, we should invest in this new business… Evian, you must buy a bigger car to show your success… Evian, I found someone who can sell you another mansion."
Every word Richard spoke was tied to money, cars, or power. Evian nodded and pretended to listen, but deep down, he was weary. None of them asked about his health, his dreams, or his soul.
Another so-called friend, Marcus, only came around when drinks were free. He filled his cup again and again, always praising Evian but never offering anything in return. The women laughed at his jokes and leaned close, but Evian saw how quickly their smiles disappeared when another rich man walked in.
At one point, Evian stepped aside to the balcony for air. He lit a cigar and looked down at the sea of people enjoying his wealth. His mansion glowed with lights, music thundered, and laughter filled the night sky. Yet, none of them truly knew him. None of them would be here if the money stopped flowing. The thought made his chest heavy.
"Why so serious, Evian?" Richard's voice broke into his thoughts. He joined him on the balcony with two glasses of wine. "You should relax. This is the life we dreamed of, isn't it?"
Evian forced a smile. "Yes… the life we dreamed of." But in his heart, he wondered if Richard had ever really dreamed of anything beyond money.
The next day, Evian received a call. It was Adisa. His voice was calm but carried weight.
"My brother, it's been too long. You don't even remember the small people anymore."
Evian felt a pang of guilt. "Adisa, you know I've been busy with work and business."
"You are never too busy for real friends," Adisa replied. "We heard of your parties even in the village. You should come home one day and see how people are living. Money is not everything, Evian."
Evian laughed lightly, trying to brush off the guilt. "Don't worry, Adisa. I'll come one day. For now, the city needs me."
But when the call ended, Evian felt uneasy. Adisa's words were too close to the truth.
Weeks turned into months, and the parties continued. Richard and the others were always around, urging him to spend more, to buy more, to live bigger. Evian obeyed, believing that maybe happiness was waiting for him in the next mansion, the next business deal, the next expensive trip. But the emptiness grew.
The women still danced around him, the music still roared, but each night when the last car left and the last bottle was emptied, Evian stood alone in his vast house. The silence afterward was louder than the music. He would lie on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his chest hollow.
Then came the first sign of trouble. One of his biggest deals collapsed. He had invested heavily, trusting Richard's advice. The company vanished, and millions of his money disappeared with it. Evian was shocked, but Richard only shrugged.
"These things happen in business, my friend. Don't worry, we will make it back," Richard said smoothly, sipping wine as if nothing had happened.
Evian wanted to believe him, but something inside told him Richard cared more about himself than about any loss.
Not long after, another investment failed. Slowly, Evian's wealth began to sink. His workers whispered behind his back, and the people who once begged for his attention now started avoiding him. The glamorous life began to crack like broken glass.
One evening, he called Richard to his office. The room was quiet, the air thick. Evian's face was pale with worry. "Richard, I need your help. I've lost too much already. You introduced me to these deals. What are we going to do?"
Richard smiled, but it was not the same smile as before. It was thin and cold. "Evian, business is risk. You know that. As for me, I cannot keep carrying your problems. Maybe you should sell one of your houses."
Evian stared at him in disbelief. "After everything I've done for you? After all the money I spent on you, on your family, on your dreams?"
Richard stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his jacket. "That was then, my friend. Times have changed. You must face your own storm."
And with that, Richard walked out of his office.
That night, Evian sat alone, his heart pounding with pain. He realized that the circle of people around him had never been true friends. They were pretenders who loved his wealth, not his soul.
The parties stopped. The women disappeared. The house that was once full of noise became silent. Evian was left with only his thoughts, and in those thoughts, the voices of Adisa and Halima returned.
Wealth without kindness will make you lonely.
A king must first learn to serve his people.
Evian finally understood. But the understanding came too late. His riches were fading, and with them, the people he once called friends.
The hollow beginning of his life had now deepened into something darker—the emptiness of betrayal.