Kyle's unearthed goldmine

Kyle Hughes or Ashley Barnes?

That night, Kyle was back in the same situation he was in some days ago, this time with a layer of experience and experience, as they say, is the best teacher. He still wasn’t 100% sure about this whole thing because the BrooksMillions stunt was still fresh in his memory.

One thing was different this time though. In a way, he actually earned this money unlike BrooksMillions’ where he just received a text message without any previous effort. Also, this time, he’s had a taste of Sir Kirby’s wealth and from what he’s seen so far, this may actually be the real deal.

He was put in a luxurious room, one of the best Kyle has ever been in his whole lifetime. The walls were exquisitely adorned with gold crusts and paintings from some of the world’s best artists.

“Is this heaven?” Kyle asked himself. Something caught his attention somewhere in his room. It was a cellphone carefully placed on the centre table in the room.

He walked up to the centre table and picked it up, checking it out like a little child checking out a new toy. It was a special cellphone for calling a dedicated support line in case of any emergency.

“Rich people and their special needs,” Kyle commented.

“I wonder who the guests visiting tomorrow are. I hope there’s no drama because I am really not ready for it,” he added as he got on the bed for a good night’s rest.

The following morning, Kyle woke up refreshed. If what he experienced on the night he received the BrooksMillions’ message was a good sleep, this was even better because it was extremely comfortable.

As usual, he went through his morning routine and was soon called to the dining hall for breakfast.

“I wonder what today has in store for me, maybe some discoveries for the records,” he thought aloud as he made his way to the dining hall.

“Good morning Kyle. How did you sleep?” Sir Kirby asked as he helped Kyle to the table.

“Good morning sir. I slept really well. Thanks for the hospitality sir,” Kyle answered and took his seat at the table.

When they were done eating, Sir Kirby took Kyle to the main lounge and asked, “Kyle, remember I told you about some guests I’m expecting today and I said I’d like you to meet them?”

“Yes sir. You told me about them,” Kyle replied.

“They should be here anytime soon. I’m pretty sure they’ll meet us here. When they come I have some explanations to make,” Sir Kirby said. “ In the meantime, what did you tell me about your parents?”

“They died in a ghastly motor accident when I was 5,” Kyle answered.

“I see. If I may ask, who is Kyle Hughes?’’ Sir Kirby asked.

“I am just a young undergraduate with numerous debts and a tainted name in the university. My girlfriend also recently left me for a rich guy. There’s really nothing to know about me,” Kyle answered with a fake smile on his face.

“Well that’s about to change now. I promised you $2,000,000 yesterday and I will definitely fulfill my promise. Rest assured you’re no longer the same Kyle Hughes you were before you met me,” Sir Kirby assured.

While they were at it, a fleet of cars entered the villa. It was a grand entry like that of a top-ranked official in the country.

“Our guests are here,” Sir Kirby remarked, proceeding to welcome them.

After a while, he returned with a couple and a number of personal bodyguards.

“Kyle, this is Dr and Mrs Barnes. Dr and Mrs Barnes, this is Kyle,” Sir Kirby said as he introduced them.

After exchanging pleasantries, Dr and Mrs Barnes both took turns in checking the mark on Kyle’s neck.

“Is it really him?” Dr Barnes asked and went back to Sir Kirby.

Dr Barnes left the lounge and Mrs Barnes followed suit.

“I’ll be with you in a moment. I need to sort this out,” Sir Kirby assured and walked up to Dr and Mrs Barnes.

Kyle was very confused. Unsure about what was happening, he sat down like an accused waiting for a judge’s verdict.

“Whatever happens, the $2,000,000 has to remain intact,” he thought.

Just then, Sir Kirby returned with Dr and Mrs Barnes. He signalled to the bodyguards to excuse them, turned to Kyle and asked, “Kyle, remember I told you I have some explanations to make today?”

“Yes sir. You mentioned that,” Kyle replied.

“Alright then. What I’m about to say may be somewhat difficult to believe but I need you to listen with rapt attention. Dr and Mrs Barnes here are my son and daughter-in-law respectively. They had a son named Ashley. He was taken away from them when he was 5. Every effort to locate their Ashley has proved abortive,” Sir Kirby narrated.

He walked around the room for a while, came back to Kyle, and continued, “If you remember clearly, I asked about the mark on your neck when I saw it the other day. It’s our family tradition to put a special mark on our sons. Here’s mine.”

He loosened his button a bit and showed Kyle his mark.

“Dr Barnes can show you his,” he added.

“Wait a minute. Where is this whole story headed?” Kyle asked.

“We think you are our Ashley,” Mrs Barnes answered.

Kyle broke his silence and said, “I hate to disappoint you but I think there’s a mix-up somewhere. My nanny told me my parents died in a ghastly accident. This is nothing but a coincidence. Besides, this mark on my neck is a birthmark, not the family tradition you think he is.”

“How do we make you believe us?” Dr Barnes asked.

“Maybe a DNA test will do,” Mrs Barnes suggested. “My husband here is a doctor but we’d like you to pick any reputable hospital for the tests to be conducted,” she added.

“I think that’s fair,” Kyle admitted and they all retired to their rooms.