The gangsters took to their heels and ran out of the warehouse with the box full of money. They couldn't risk turning their backs on the men.
Ethan still could not make sense of all that happened. It was as if reality itself had fractured, leaving him to figure out what was real and not.
Maybe this was all a terrible dream and he would wake up the next day back to normal. Normalcy was all he craved at the moment.
"I can see you're still in shock Young Master " the Old man said upon observation. "It's understandable, anyone would feel this way when given such news." He added.
The strength to speak was nowhere to be found in Ethan.
"You are the heir to the Biggest consortium in the world." The old man dropped the bomb with a proud smile placed widely on his face.
Mouth slightly opened but words couldn't escape, Ethan took a step back. He needed a minute to process what he was hearing.
Ethan's eyes lit up with shock. Heir? To the biggest consortium? Today just kept pouring out extreme surprises and He couldn't take it anymore. This was getting too much for him.
The old man saw the look of shock in his young master's eyes and held his hands, "You were lost when you were young." The old man explained, fighting back tears. "We tried all that we could to find you but we couldn't." He explained. He knew how shocking the news must be to Ethan, and he was there for him to explain it all.
"It's been far too long, but we finally found you." The Old Man rejoiced, tightening his grip on Ethan's hands.
"He's definitely lying" Ethan thought in his mind. He wasn't lost, and certainly he wasn't any heir to anything. He was just a regular guy trying to get by, surviving and dealing with poverty and life.
As Ethan debated in his mind wether the old man was lying or not, his phone vibrated in his pockets.
Opening the message, disbelief washed over him as he stared at thee screen: a credit alert for 100 million dollars.
Ethan's jaw dropped wide open as his mind tried to process what his eyes were staring at.
He took his gaze from the phone screen and turned to the old man with the same shock still on his face.
"This is only the beginning young Master. This is only the tip of the iceberg and there's a whole lot more where that came from." The old man said with a smile.
The old man snapped his fingers and one of the men in black brought a small box. The old man opened it and brought out a badge.
The badge was distinguished with a striking symbol of a golden, majestic lion in regal posture.
The intricately detailed design captures the essence of royalty and power, making it an emblem of distinction and honor.
The radiant golden hue adds a touch of opulence, emphasizing the lion's regality.
This badge is not just a symbol; it's a testament to Strength, Power, noble character and Wealth. It was the Badge of House Anderson - The Golden Lion.
Ethan collected the badge and held it awe. It truly was magnificent.
"Where would you like to go Young Master?." The old man asked, his eyes fixated on Ethan.
"Home." Ethan finally spoke. "My house" He added for more clarity. He couldn't wait to go home and make sense of all that's happened and get a sound reseting sleep.
At least home was where everything still made sense. Home was where everything was sane.
"Very well then." The old man's tone wasn't happy. He had hoped Ethan would follow them back to the Estate. "You!" He faced back and pointed to one of the men in black.
"Yes sir!" The man answered.
"Take the young Master to his house. The rest of you will ride with me."
"Yes sir!" The men chorused in unison.
The old man turned to face Ethan. "I know you are confused and you have a lot of questions on your mind."
"I do." Ethan affirmed.
"This is neither the time or the place for that. When you are ready, go to Magestic Skies Building. I'll be there waiting for you." The old man explained.
"Here" He collected Ethan's phone. "This is my phone number. Call me when you get there." He added, returning Ethan's phone to him after inputting his phone number. "When you get there, ask for The Housemaster" The Old Man instructed.
Magestic Skies Building was the most famous building in the entire city. It was known by all classes of people, for it's magnificence and Superiority in class.
"All right then." Ethan agreed. He needed answers and he was going to get them.
***
A black Mercedes Benz G-Class pulled up in front of a small bungalow. The door opened and Ethan comes down from the car.
"Goodnight Young Master." The driver greeted with a bow.
"Goodnight." He greeted back almost bowing too. "This will certainly take some getting used to." Ethan thought.
The Car drove off into the darkness while Ethan stood in front of his house for a couple of seconds.
His mind played back the events of the day. To call it crazy would be an understatement.
"Finally." Ethan heaved a sigh as he walked towards the front door. All he wanted was to have a good sleep and wake up from this confusing dream.
Ethan stood in front of the door, a key in hand. With a twist and a click, the lock opens, and the door creaks open.
The house was dark and quiet. As Ethan stepped inside the bungalow, the air is heavy with the scent of familiarity and peace, mingling with the faint aroma of instant coffee brewing in a battered old pot.
The living room, illuminated by the warm glow of a solitary lamp, exudes a sense of comfort despite its modest furnishings. A worn-out couch, draped with a patchwork quilt, sits proudly in the center, its cushions bearing the marks of countless nights spent deep in contemplation or restless sleep.
Against one wall, a makeshift bookshelf stands tall, its shelves adorned with dog-eared paperbacks and mostly worn out books.
Ethan made to put on his phone's touch when he heard something that made him stop dead in his tracks..
A woman's laughter and a man's voice underneath.
Who could it be? Why would anyone illegally break into another person's house?
Ethan's fist tightened with anger. He was at his limit and no one was going to push him further tonight.
He stormed towards the bedroom where the voice was coming from. Whoever it was was going to be sorry they broke into his apartment.
Getting to the front of the bedroom, Ethan barged inside with so much rage the door almost came apart.
Ethan eyes were confused as to the audacity he witnessed. He saw a woman with her back facing him, on top of a man, naked on his bed.
In the bedroom, a simple bed takes center stage, its sheets washed to softness through countless cycles of use. A lone window overlooks the world outside. A threadbare rug, worn thin from years of foot traffic, covers the floor, its faded colors a testament to the passage of time and the resilience of its owner.
The forceful entry startled the woman and the man as they quickly adjusted to see who the intruder was.
Turning to face the intruder, Ethan's eyes grew wide with shock. No. It couldn't be. He must be hallucinating at this point.
"Oh my God!" The woman shouted with embarrassment as she quickly used the bedspread to cover her unclad body.
"Laurel??"
"Laurel?" Ethan asked in shock, the night has been one with doubtful events and he was no longer sure wether to believe or doubt what his eyes were seeing.Ethan wasn't who Laurel and her lover was expecting to see. The air around them felt heavy with fear, their breaths uneasy filled with panic, but for some reason, they breathing normalized and clarity and calmness returned to their beings."What the fuck happened here?" Ethan fumed with anger. This wasn't a scene any man should see when coming back home - his girlfriend all loved up with another man on their bed.His breathing became laboured, boiling with rage and fury. Heaven knew the thoughts that invaded his mind were not legal.Rather than an explanation, Ethan's question was met with a condescending sneer."Answer me Goddammit!!" Ethan's voice went high with rage."What the hell are you doing here?" Laurel asked, completely ignoring Ethan's question, completely unbothered by Ethan's boiling rage. What was his doing there? In
The insults hurled at Ethan by Alex became unbearable.The gangsters had dealt with him already and stripped him of his dignity as a man, Ethan wasn't going to allow another man do that to him again, let alone that same night."Get off me!" Ethan yelled as he pushed Alex off him with all his strength. He swung his right fist at Alex, who weaved it and punched Ethan on his nose before he could block it.The force of the punch sent Ethan staggering. Brushing off the blood coming out of his nose, Ethan charged at Alex again, who gave him another punch which sent Ethan to the ground. His lips bursted, Blood coming out of his mouth and nose.Ethan was seething with anger but didn't have the strength to do anything with it. He was too weak and tired to fight back.Left with no choice, Ethan wiped the blood from his mouth and dusted his body as he managed to stand back on his feet.He lost. More than once today.Taking a final look at Laurel, Ethan shook his head as he left the house for the
Left with no choice, Ethan accepted defeat, an action that was becoming recurring for him. No matter how many times he tried to pick himself up, life always found a way to throw him down.Ethan took one last look at the receptionist. He didn't blame her, it was his low position in life that opened him up to her insults.To avoid any more embarrassment, Ethan took to his leave. He would rather die than face another embarrassing moment from the guards again.Stepping out of the reception lounge, Ethan took a look back inside. More than the wall of glass now stood in between him and the reception lounge, Ethan eyes became moist. He was about to loose his once in a lifetime chance.Dipping his hands into his pocket, Ethan brought out his phone. He wasn't about to give up just yet. He would give it a go, one last time."Come on!!" Ethan prayed under his breath as he switched on the phone. "Yes!!" Ethan almost screamed as the phone came on. Maybe he wasn't cursed after all. Maybe he had fin
The air around Alex suddenly became tensed. What the hell just happened? The bright and shining countenance on his face faded away as his eyes saw the Old Man bowing to Ethan."This can't be happening." Alex thought in his mind as terror slowly creeped into his body as the reality of the events began to settle in his mind.He had known the The Housekeeper was the president of Majestic Skies Building. He had also known that there was a Super Family backing The Housekeeper.A deeper level of fear ran through his spine as he tried to put the pieces together. If The Housekeeper saluted Ethan with so much respect, was Ethan a member of the Super Family?"No he couldn't be!" Alex screamed in his mind. That made no sense. Or did it? As Alex pounded on these thoughts, sweat beads began forming on his forehead, his palm getting sweaty, his breathing became laboured."Hope you didn't experience much discomfort?" The Old Man asked with so much care."Nothing to worry about." Ethan responded."I'
Walking back into the building, All eyes were fixated on them. It was a clear representation of Word and Opposite.The Old Man had on a very expensive and exquisite Armani suit. Only 3 of it were made in the whole world. Ethan on the other hand looked unkept and rough all over. They were a classic representation of two different worlds.The pair arrived at the top floor and stood in front of a giant door."We're here." The Old Man said as he pushed the door opened."What the.." Ethan couldn't bring himself to complete the sentence as the door swung open and the scent of aged leather and polished mahogany wafts through the air.Stepping into the CEO's office, Ethan's mouth fell wide open with awe.Inside the CEO's office is a masterpiece of modern decadence. Walls of floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the city below, a constant reminder of the empire they command.The floors, adorned with plush Persian rugs, absorb the echoes of footsteps with luxurious silence.Ethan co
As Ethan pounded on his new predicament, a cream colored Lamborghini Veneno Roadster drove and stopped at the gate near him.Only Ethan seemed fazed by the beauty of the car. The guards didn't seem fazed. They were used to such sight every day. Perks of working in the Estate gave them opportunity to behold beautiful sights like this.The car was crafted by a team of master artisans and embodied elegance and extravagance in every curve and contour.Ethan wasn't surprised any more, this was the type of vicinity to see such cars after all.The gull-wing doors gracefully swung open, revealing an interior fit for royalty. A lady in her mid twenties stepped out of the car.She was clad in a simple Blue top and mini skirt, made by the famous Gucci brand. Bracelets of Gold adorned her wrists and neck.Her brown hair was styled in a ponytail that complemented her caramel skin tone. Her skin was smooth and neat like that of a new born.Her eyes were blue like the sky, bright and beautiful. She
Ethan was thrown into a state of fear. Why did he keep going from one trouble into another?."Rebekah calm down." Ethan began. He had to be extremely careful now. If she reacted this way to what he said, how will she react if he told her He was that hidden trillionare she mentioned. "She'll never believe. It would only make things worse." Ethan concluded in his mind."Go ahead and explain yourself Ethan." Rebekah said, her eyes fully settled on Ethan, ready to devour the words that would leave his mouth."Alright so, I met the trillionare by accident. Honestly I didn't even know it was him. He needed something done quickly and I happened to be at the right place and right time to help him, so I did. Instead of paying me, he gave me a chance to work in his Villa, that's how I got the key." Ethan carefully explained. He couldn't believe how effortless he came up with that lie on the spot.A stillness of silence followed for a few seconds, as Rebekah digested everything Ethan had just sa
So would you like to come?" Rebekah asked.The question threw Ethan off guard. He didn't think he would ever be invited to their reunion because he was the least well to do amongst them.It's been a decade since he last saw his classmates. Memories of their last day in highschool briefly flashed through his eyes.He could remember how he air was filled with so much joy and celebration as everyone was with their family taking pictures, sharing food laughing and having a good time, how he stood at a secluded corner and watched with a heavy heart. He remembered how had no one to share the celebration of the day with. He was all alone."Ethan?" Rebekah called, snapping Ethan back to the present."I'll let you know. I can't decide right now." Ethan answered."No problem. Here" she deeps her hand into the car and brings out a card. "The address of the party is there, should you later decide to show up." She added, handing over the card to Ethan."Alright then." Ethan collected the card and