The Tale of a Lost Boy

Ryan was seated yet his mind was up and all about the place. He had never seen anything like it.

The things that shone were pure gold and the silks were silkier than ever. The couch was the most comfortable thing he had ever placed his rump on and there were ladies about ready to wipe his nose if he sneezed.

Not that he needed that but they were there to do anything and everything for him.

A beautiful fair young lady with golden long curls walked towards him and sat in her arms was a white tray embroidered with gold in a pattern that was ever so mesmerizing.

Atop the tray was a small white tea cup and a small kettle to match it. She placed it on the table not too far from him and poured him a cup then took careful steps towards him– as careful as the ones she had taken before– and handed it to him.

With a deep curtsey, she turned and walked away.

Ryan noticed it was green tea but that wasn't the part that caused his eyes to fix on the inside of the cup. He had never seen a ceramic piece so fine before.

With an inside of gold like the embroidery of the trays, something in him made him feel like the tea cup could change his whole life if he were to sell it.

He cleared his head of every thought of stealing and took a sip. Almost like magic, he felt his anxiety melt away but it began rising the moment he heard footsteps. Maybe another sip wouldn't hurt.

“...And then the officer handed Victoria's necklace to me and I just knew it was him. Have you seen her beautiful green eyes in his?” Teresa's voice caught his ears as she walked into the living room.

She wasn't alone, a man who was in his sixties– preserved by wealth– walked closely to her. He was dressed in a suit that surely was worth a fortune.

Ryan felt the urge to be on his feet in their presence and he already was before he realized it. “I really didn't steal that necklace, it really did belong to my mother–”

“I believe you, Ryan,” Teresa cut him off. “Sit down. I'm going to tell you a tale.”

He hesitantly sat down though on the edge. First she called him her nephew and now she said she had a tale to tell him. Well, it might as well be a relaxing tale.

Teresa heaved a gentle sigh. “My name is Teresa Cooper, your mother, Victoria Jacobs was my sister. It's just hard to explain since we both have different last names. But we both got married fo different families and had to change our maiden names so–”

“Wait wait, hold up.” Ryan moved closer to the edge of his seat. “My mother is your sister? Is that how you have that yin necklace? I said I was going to ask you that.”

“Yes, yes, son please, you'll have to let me explain everything without any interference from you. Save your questions for the end of the story, when I'm done, I'll answer them all, I promise.” Teresa stated in a calm and gentle voice.

Ryan nodded his head, trying his best to keep his mouth shut since that was what she had respectfully asked for.

“Your mother, Victoria married into the Jacobs family and gave them the first son. Your father, his name is Jerry and he was a great man who loved your mother dearly. He was supposed to take over all of his father's inheritance but he dedicated his life to the battle field and one day, he went to war and never came back.

“Then your grandfather willed all his properties to you before passing away from an illness but your mother, my sister wasn't so sure that you were built for a world of business stress and the only reason she was still in the family was because of her husband but after Jerry died, she just couldn't stay here anymore.

“Your grandfather said you were the one he wanted as his heir so he sent out a group of special forces to find you but Victoria was just too sneaky. We didn't find her until later when they brought news about her death. We were all so devastated and you must have just been a kid, lost and hurt with no one to rely on. I should have been there for you, your family… and we are so sorry.”

She stared empathetically at him as she explained everything to him. Immediately she stopped talking, the man in a suit picked up at a fast pace.

“My name is Logan Hayes, I have been your family's butler and lawyer for four decades now and I can testify to that story's credibility. I have not much to say other than to tell you about the inheritance your grandfather left you… if you are ready to hear it.”

Ryan did need a moment. Everything was just too much for him to take in. All his life he had felt like a lost person and indeed he was lost!

How was he supposed to digest all of the news in under a few seconds? Inheritance? He was very much aware of the wealth the Jacobs family owned. They ruled about half of the entire world and everyone knew them as the wealthiest.

He didn't know for sure but he once heard that the Jacobs family, though they were from Seattle, were related to the royal family of England.

He heaved a weary sigh as he moved back into his seat and relaxed into it.

Logan cleared his throat. “You, young master, are the sole heir to the entire Jacobs conglomerate.”