HIS BILLION DOLLAR INHERITANCE

Chapter 6

“Welcome home young master.” the servants said in unison.

Ryan's eyes widened in surprise at the number of servants that had bowed before him.

He alighted from the car and walked past them as they moved towards the entrance of the big mansion. The flowers were scattered along the path creating a beautiful and fragrant carpet as Ryan walked.

His expression was mixed with happiness and joy. He never thought a day like this would ever come when he would be treated like a king.

The servants ushered them inside the mansion, the house was the most beautiful place Ryan had been to, with nice marble tiles and artwork hung around the living room.

He sauntered around the living room to catch the ambience of the mansion, he stared at each artwork that was hung on the wall and finally stood in front of a portrait, it was a portrait of a man who looked like Him and had the same necklace and his name boldly written “Fred Baker” underneath his picture and beside it was that of a woman with her name Rebecca Baker written as well.

This must be my father and mother, he said to himself. He was wallowing in thought with his eyes settled on the portrait, then a female voice brought him back to earth.

“He is your father, You look just like him.” the lady said as she walked towards him.

She was In her 50s, she wore a black gown with a touch of gold around it, she was looking gorgeous. 

Ryan rearwarded to see who it was, and he noticed everyone bowed their head towards her as she ambled towards him. He was about to bow his head when the lady held him and gave him a warm hug. 

“Welcome home son, I'm your mother,” she whispered in his ears.

She hugged him tight without letting go, as tears began dripping from her eyes to her cheeks. Her heart was entwined with happiness and excitement. 

She finally let go after a few minutes, Ryan looked at her not knowing what to say, He saw the same necklace on her neck and she looked like the woman he saw in the portrait not long ago.

He sighed deeply before opening his mouth to utter a word, “Mother,” he said calmly, with his voice barely above a whisper.

He brought out a handkerchief from his pant pocket and handed it over to her to wipe her tears.

She collected it. 

“Thank you, son,” she said.

All the staff present looked at them as they both stared at each other, silent indistinct chatting unfolded in the room. 

Joseph ordered the servants to go back to their normal duties and give them privacy. The room was cleared in less than five minutes, leaving Joseph and Nicolas present to witness the mother and son's love.

“We have searched everywhere for you for the past twenty years. I'm sorry you grew up in the street and you never had the chance to experience a life of wealth and true happiness.” Mrs. Rebecca said, with tears still streaming down her cheeks. 

“I'm back home now Mother, you don't need to cry,” he said softly.

Ryan was still waiting to get details of how his father died and how he was left on the street. He felt as if his mother could read his mind as she turned the back of the necklace which revealed something that he had never thought of since he had the necklace.

R.A.B “Ryan Andrew Baker” was tiny written on the back of the necklace, Ryan was speechless by what he saw. He never took the necklace seriously, he remembered wanting to sell it so he could add up the money for Uncle Mitchell's medical bills but he had warned him not to sell the necklace, that it was precious and it would help him locate his family.

“Your father died in a car accident while we were going on a vacation to Barcelona. On our way, our car had issues and the brake was not functioning again. He tried everything possible to stop the car but nothing worked, and the car fell into a thick forest.”

“Your Dad died at the spot and I survived, when I asked about you, I was told that they couldn't find you.” She said as she raised her gown to show him the mark on her left leg. 

Just when he was about to ask questions, Joseph walked up to Ryan and Mrs. Rebecca.

“Ma’am, the dinner is ready and other family members are waiting,” he said with his head still facing downward.

“Okay, we will be there in a minute.” Mrs. Rebecca said.

“Let's go, son,” she commanded.

******* 

The large polished mahogany dining table was filled with varieties of food and fruits, and surrounded with servants waiting to attend to them.

They were joined by His uncle Mr. George, his two sons Brown and Gary, Mr. George's wife Ashley and his second uncle Mr. Edward, his daughter, Bella and their Grandfather, a man in his 80s Mr. Caleb Baker, a white bear all over his face and hair.

Mr. Caleb got married to three wives, he got married to Fred's mother first and after her death, he got married to George's mother who died during childbirth before getting married to Edward's mother who was his last wife, who died two years after the death of Fred.

They were all seated at the dining eating when Brown broke the silence,

“How come you grew up in the street of Brentwood and no one had any idea about you,” Brown asked.