FRAGMENTS OF THE BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 5: WHO AM I

Inside the dimly lit holding cell, Michael sat on a cold, hard bench, replaying the chaotic events that led him here. The echoes of gunshots and the image of his partners resisting arrest lingered in his mind. As he pondered his choices in life, a wave of contemplation swept over him, imagining a different path if given a second chance.

 "If I were reborn," he mused, "what would I do differently?" The weight of his decisions bore down on him, and in the solitude of the cell, he entertained the notion of an alternate existence—a life free from the clutches of crime and the inevitability of a prison cell.

Just as his contemplations delved deeper, the cell door swung open, and a group of police officers entered, an unusual apology on their lips. Bewildered, Michael was escorted out of the station, with each step he took four words lingered on his lips. "This can't be happening." greeted by an extravagant sight—a fleet of sleek black vehicles reminiscent of a presidential motorcade.

A sharply dressed man by the limousine's door acknowledged Michael's presence, inducing a nervous swallow and a pinch, as if questioning the reality before him. Inside the luxurious vehicle, he found himself enveloped in an atmosphere of surreal disbelief.

The limo's door opened to reveal an elderly man, regal and dignified, holding a black diamond-customized cane. Beside him stood a younger man, attentive and composed. Michael, lost for words, stepped out cautiously, his eyes darting between the two figures.

The old man regarded him with a scrutinizing gaze, his laughter breaking the silence. A tear traced the contours of his aged face as he smiled, a mix of joy and recognition evident in his eyes. "There he is," he declared, his voice holding an air of triumphant revelation. "My son's child, the missing heir of the Ashford family. Welcome back to me."

The weight of those words hung in the air, and Michael struggled to process the sudden turn of events. "Ashford family?" he mumbled, his confusion palpable.

The elderly man, whose name was revealed to be Reginald Ashford, motioned for Michael to join them in the limo.

"I don't understand, what is happening?" Micheal asked as he was completely in denial.

"You must be so confused, my boy. let me help you out a little bit, you are the heir of Ashford family, your father and mother died in an accident when you were just a baby."

"Richard and Milly Ashford were the names of the your parents, it's so unfortunately they passed away, you were lucky that night. you were in the car but fortunately, you survived......We searched for you all this time but we couldn't find you until now, during your........." He coughed and Harrison, his assistant took over temporarily.

"Your heist." 

"Thank you, Harrison." Reginald said and continued.

"The security door that opened in the mall uses an advanced DNA scanning technology, when the door opened........I received a notification, at first i thought that it was impossible but, I thought of the possibility.......After all, the accident that claimed your father and mother lives led to your disappearance." Reginald finished as he placed on a hand on Micheal cheek.

"Welcome home, my grandson."

Tears formed and escaped micheal's eyes, "So you mean, all this time.......I wasn't born a failure and someone discarded by life." Micheal said slowly and Reginald answered him.

"You are far from being a failure." A call from Harrison's device stole their attention as he picked it quickly, with a few words he completed the call.

"Master, we have an issue with the press." Harrison reported and Reginald snorted.

"How can we have an issue with the press, we own the god damn press." He said with a tap of his cane.

"Sir, it's like you had guess........ Someone is trying to make sure, the news gets out about a mem- I mean, the heir of the Ashford family trying to rob a mall." Harrison looked at Micheal who didn't seem to have a clear idea at what was going on.

"I already know who it is. Let's go home, Harrison." Reginald said and Harrison signaled the driver.

As the car glided through the city, Micheal glanced through the glass as he embraced the most beautiful part of the city, he had never experienced before. All his life, he thought he was a nobody, just a son of an asshole but that wasn't his fate.

As the limo approached a grand estate, Michael couldn't help but marvel at the opulence that surrounded him. The mansion stood as a testament to the wealth of the Ashford family, a stark contrast to the life he had known.

Inside the mansion, Micheal gasped as he had never experienced such luxury, it was like heaven in here from diamond plated to hold plated interior designs, precious stones decorated the ceilings. The reunion unfolded. Distant relatives, servants, and family friends gathered to welcome Michael, who still grappled with the abrupt shift from a cold cell to this luxurious setting. Among the well-wishers was Elizabeth Ashford, his Aunt from his father's side and a woman of grace and sophistication.

"Welcome home, Micheal. I am your aunt, Elizabeth." She hugged him with passionate affection, it was like seeing her own child, she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Ahhh nice, where is that bastard." A man from nowhere with gray hair but a bulky build came over and squeezed Micheal with his hug.

"Honey, watch your tone. That's not how to be a proper uncle." His wife said and the man roared with laughter.

"I'm Lewis, your uncle. It doesn't look like the others are happy to see you." Micheal noticed how blunt  his uncle was.

"Um....... I'm Micheal." He didn't know what to say, so he simply introduced himself, Some laughed mockingly at his simplicity and attitude, Micheal scratched his head embarrassed by his action.

"Don't lower your head my boy, this family only respects power. Don't cower under anyone, they are flesh and blood just like you." Reginald said before he eyes went to the woman dressed in a maid attire.

"Clara! Tell the head chef to prepare something grand for my grandson." Reginald said as he commanded the head maid.

She nodded her head as she replied him, "yes master."

"Now, please excuse me Micheal." Reginald said walking with Harrison by his side and his signature cane, he seemed to be going upstairs, Micheal noticed a feminine figure, the only individual who didn't come to greet him.

"Who's that?" He asked Elizabeth who was holding his arm like she was his lover.

"That's Valentine Ashford, the current CEO of the Ashford enterprises. You could say, she is the current heir of the family, she is gifted and quite different from the rest of the family. She is goal-driven, committed and .......... desperate. She is your cousin, but the way." 

"Valentine Ashford huh?" Micheal murmured to himself, it was all so overwhelming how everything could change in less than a day.

"We should probably explore the mansion before dinner is ready, what do you say?

A thought crossed Micheal mind, one that he had been holding out since, he met his grand father.

"Do you have a picture of my parents?" he asked and Elizabeth smiled, as she pulled him  along with her.