Marco sat quietly in the corner, his head buried in his hands. He was feeling down, and he couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment.
The mockery kept repeating itself in his head like a lullaby that won't go away. They made him feel relaxed just to end up embarrassing him? on his birthday. The rest of the people were busy chatting and laughing, completely unaware of Marco's inner turmoil. They had no idea of the war that went on inside of him.How can people be so cruel as to have their hopes high up just to end up crushing them?Someone sidled up next to him and he looked to see it was Tim."Why are you so sad, man?" the guy asked, with a smile on his face.Tim never really bullied or made mocked Marco, but he never did anything to stop it either. Marco felt surprised. Nobody has asked him that kind of question before."I don't know," Marco replied, with a shrug. "I just feel nothing. I was expecting this, you know?"Tim shook his head.Marco ignored him and continued, "I expected this and when it didn't happen in the morning, I let my guard down. if anything, it's my fault for trusting people."Silence.Marco thought Tim had gone till he looked again to find Tim staring at him with an indescribable look on his face. Marco opened his mouth to speak further when a group came out of the house and turned their way.Tim froze.Marco wanted to ask if he was okay but Tim beat him to it.Marco was met with a round of mocking laughter. "You're just a poor guy," Tim said, as the others nodded in agreement. "That's why you're always so depressed."The words cut Marco like a knife. He knew that he wasn't wealthy, but he had never considered himself to be poor. He had always tried to make the best of what he had and be grateful for what he had accomplished.Yet people feel the need to remind him that he wasn't that lucky with the opportunity to be born with a silver spoon in his mouth.It was both pathetic and at the same time, a wish that Marco had made every day when every slap, kick and insult landed on him every morning.If he was rich then they won't humiliate him on the most important day of his life. No matter how much he hated his life, Marco always appreciated his birthday.It was one of the days when he was truly happy but now, they have ruined that for him too.They ruined school for him and now this.Marco gaped at Tim, the switch in attitude was fast and it left a confused Marco questioning if everything was okay with Tim.The laughter continued, and Marco felt his face grow hot with embarrassment. He tried to ignore the insults, but it was like salt in a wound. He felt like he had been stripped of his dignity, and he couldn't escape the cruel truth. He was poor, and that was why he was miserable.As the group continued to joke and tease, more people came from the house to mock him and all Tim could do was point at him and laugh. Marco's depression deepened. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was inferior, that he was never going to be good enough. He felt like he was trapped in a cycle of poverty and sadness, and he didn't know how to break free.Marco grimaced as Tim's gaze met his."you happy?" he asked,The group went quiet as they watched the exchange. Tim frowned as he nodded lightly."very, you were naive enough to think we were going to throw you a party? that's pathetic." Tim spat.Marco did a double-take at the person in front of him. he glanced at the group and they looked invested in them.Marco shrugs, "forgive me if I thought you guys had a decent bone in your body, won't happen again" Marco vows.Tim glared but didn't say anything.Seeing as there is no action, the group became bored and eventually moved on to another victim, and Marco was left alone with his thoughts.He felt like he was drowning in a sea of hopelessness, and he couldn't see a way out. He wished that he could change his circumstances, but he knew that it was impossible. He was stuck, and he was going to be stuck forever.It was just Tim standing."What?" Marco snapped.The look in Tim's eyes told Marco what he was going to do before he did."I am so..." he tried to say."don't bother." Marco snapped.Tim's eyes widened as he stared at Marco."you wanted to be cool in front of them that you would bully someone? and I am the pathetic one?" Marco asked.Tim shook his head, apologetically but it didn't do anything to soothe Marco.He just wanted to leave this place. He knew he should have listened to his gut instincts and not come for the party.Marco hated being poor, he hated it more than anything in the world."I wish I was rich," he whispered as he looked up.It was a silly idea but that's all Marco could do.Despite his inner turmoil, Marco tried to keep a brave face. He put on a smile and acted like everything was okay, but deep down he was falling apart. He felt like he was in a never-ending cycle of sadness and poverty, and he didn't know how to break free.Marco trudged up the stairs to his small, cramped apartment, feeling defeated and alone. He had never felt so low, so worthless, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the world was against him. He had always struggled to make ends meet, to prove himself and win the respect of those around him, and it seemed like no matter what he did, he couldn't catch a break.As he collapsed on his bed, tears streaming down his face, the clock struck midnight. Marco was now officially eighteen years old, but he felt anything but happy."Happy birthday to me" He muttered to himself bitterly, wondering what was the point of it all.As Marco lay on his bed, overwhelmed by emotions, he couldn't help but feel defeated. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, a mixture of sadness and frustration. The fact that it was now officially his birthday only served to amplify his feelings of disappointment.He thought about all the things he had wanted for his birth and his life, things that now seemed unattainable.The reality of his circumstances hit him hard, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was never going to be good enough. The mocking laughter of his peers still echoed in his mind, reminding him of the cruel truth that he was just a poor guy.As he stared at the ceiling, he let out a deep sigh. He felt lost and alone like he was drowning in a sea of hopelessness. He tried to remind himself of all the good things in his life, but the negative thoughts consumed him. He felt like he was trapped in a cycle of poverty and sadness, and he didn't know how to break free.In his despair, Marco couldn't help but wonder what the point of it all was. Why was he even born if he was just going to suffer his entire life?He felt like he was stuck in a rut, and he didn't know how to get out. He wished that he could escape his circumstances and start over, but he knew that it was impossible.His emotions boiled over, and he buried his face in his pillow, letting out a loud sob. He felt like he was losing himself, and he didn't know how to get back on track. He was officially an adult now, but he felt anything but mature. He was trying to get some sleep after the long day he had.Just as he was about to drift off into a restless sleep, his phone buzzed with a notification. Marco groggily reached for his phone and checked the message, thinking it was just another bill or debt notice.His eyes were heavy with sleep as he stared at his phone screen, the message was tiny so he squinted his eyes to see it more clearly.Marco froze, and his eyes widened in surprise. his heart racing with excitement and disbelief as he stared at the message.He rubbed at his eyes to ensure he wasn't dreaming, opened them again, and the message lay unmoving. to ensure himself properly, Marco pinched himself."Ow!" he yelled.He was wide awake.He glanced at the message and he tensed again. this couldn't be for him. The message showed that 100 million dollars had just arrived in his account. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.100 million dollars!He couldn't believe his luck. Could it be that his fortunes were finally turning? Could it be that he was finally getting the recognition and respect he deserved? Marco sat up in bed, his mind racing with possibilities. He could pay off all his debts, buy a new apartment, and travel the world. He could even buy the girl he had been after a dress and take her to Reina's birthday party, showing her that he was more than just a poor loser. His mind tracked back to the wish he made to the skies and wondered if that was real."Don't tell me I can wish for anything to happen and it will?" he asked into thin air.He chuckled as he laughed. That can't be the case. As the possibilities swirled in his head, Marco couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and excitement. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally looking up for him. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally be happy on his birthday.For a second, he let himself dream about the possibilities but a frown quickly marred his face when he under
Marco tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep a wink. His mind was racing with thoughts of the conversation he had had with his father the last night. Could it be true? Was he a millionaire? Marco knew he wouldn't be able to rest until he had answers, so he decided to get up early and go to the bank.As he made his way to the bank, Marco's nerves were on edge. He wasn't sure what to expect, and he was half-afraid that this was all some kind of elaborate joke. But as he entered the bank, he was determined to find out the truth.To Marco's disappointment, the staff at the bank seemed to ignore him as he entered the bank. He stood there for a few minutes, feeling invisible and helpless before he mustered up the courage to speak.As he approached the counter, Marco could feel the eyes of the staff upon him. He knew that he wasn't dressed like a typical millionaire, his clothes were shabby and worn, a far cry from the designer suits and designer shoes that many wealthy people wore. Bu
"Mr. Marco," the bank manager called out.Marco turned to see the manager stepping out from the counter."your balance is 100 million dollars, sir," he said as he bowed slightly.Marco opened his mouth to say something when the sound of laughter stopped him, he looked behind him and a frown marred his face as he saw Dahlia and the man she came with laughing.They couldn't contain their laughter as they remembered just the day before when Marco was just a struggling student with only 100 dollars to his name."You must be joking," Dahlia exclaimed through her laughter. She turned to Marco with a look of disdain on her face."Yesterday, you were just a loser who made a living by washing dirty clothes at the university."Marco shrugged but said nothing. He didn't deem them fit to offer any explanation.The manager went back to his office muttering something along the lines of, "I need to check something." leaving Marco to his tormentors.As Dahlia and her companion approached the counter,
Marco felt a sense of confusion and fear wash over him as the manager led him into his office. He couldn't understand what could be wrong with his account, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.Once inside the office, the manager turned to Marco and said, "I need to verify your identity, Mr. Marco. This account belongs to the McKellen family."Marco's confusion turned to shock as he realized what the manager was saying. He had never mentioned his family to anyone at the bank, and he couldn't understand how they knew about them. "Please have a seat while I get things ready," the manager said.Marco made himself comfortable in one of the chairs, he stared at the manager's face trying to see if this was some kind of ploy.The manager took one look at Marco's face and tried to pacify him. "you can understand that I am doing this for security reasons."Marco nodded."I can assure you that I am who I say I am," Marco said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I've neve
As Marco stepped out of the manager's office, he felt nothing but relief. As he scanned the bank lobby, he noticed that Dahlia, and her supposed boyfriend, were nowhere to be found. The only people left were the bank staff, who were busily going about their work.As he approached the teller's counter, he could feel eyes on him. He heard a snicker from one of the staff members, and his stomach dropped. He knew what was coming. The teller, a young woman with a smirk on her face, leaned forward to her colleague and said in a mocking tone, "So, pretending to be rich now?"Marco's face flushed with embarrassment and anger. To have someone belittle him like this was insulting. He was about to respond when the bank manager stepped out of his office. The manager's expression was one of fury, as he glared at the staff member who had spoken. "How dare you speak to one of our most honorable clients in such a manner," he boomed. " He deserves your respect, not your ridicule."Her face went pa
"you are kidding, right?" Marco muttered. The saleswoman's expression changed from one of indifference to one of annoyance. "Excuse me?" she turned to him fully.Her lips formed a sneer and it took all his willpower for him not to flinch from her aggressiveness.She seemed to be on the brink of arguing with him, but before he could say anything, a young girl rushed over to them."I'm so sorry, sir," the girl said, her voice filled with apology. "According to the rules of this shop, every client should have a salesgirl to serve them. I don't know why no one has served you yet, but I'll be happy to assist you.""Really?" he asked with a raised brow.the girl blushed."yes sir.""thank you," Marco said to the young girl.He glared at the saleswoman with contempt in his eyes, the words he desperately wanted to say were stuck in his throat but he kept mute.He didn't want to give the woman another reason to hate him and he didn't want to disappoint his mother either. She raised him well.
The salesgirl looked at him with surprise and admiration, "Sure, let me ring those up for you."As he waited for the salesgirl to ring up the bags Marco grinned with satisfaction.He almost burst into laughter at the look on her face but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.He knew that the three people who had laughed and mocked him were watching and he wanted to show them that they were wrong. He felt the back of his head tingle from the weight of their stares but he paid them no mind."Sir, are you sure you want to buy all of these bags?" the salesgirl asked, trying to mask her skepticism.Marco smiled at her, "Yes, I am sure."They were all shocked as they stared at him, Marco knew they wouldn't take him seriously like this.As Marco walked up to the cashier again, the saleswoman couldn't help but let out a scoff. She couldn't believe that this man, who she had previously dismissed as a "loser," was going to make a purchase."Are you sure you can afford all of these?" she a
Marco breathed in the cool air as he stepped out of the mall. his shoulders were raised a bit high. He walked with a confidence that he found hard to get before. A scoff left his lips as he stared down at the bags in his hands, he bought all of this just to prove a point.Pathetic. He stood to the side as the cars passed him, his head swimming with happiness, the smile on his face kept growing bigger as he remembered the money in his account. All this shopping and it didn't leave a dent in it. Marco hailed a cab and when one stopped, he entered and sank into the seat as a sigh escaped his lips, his mind still reeling from the encounter at the store. He couldn't believe how rude those people had been to him. It had made his blood boil, and he had been determined to do something about it. He had made that girl smile and that's all that matters. He was proud of himself for standing up to them, but as the cab made its way through the city, his thoughts turned to Dahlia. He couldn'
The grand decorations adorned the ballroom with an air of regal elegance as if it were a fairy tale brought to life. The theme of the night was none other than royalty, and every corner of the ballroom was beautifully adorned with twinkling lights, cascading flowers, and royal insignia.Transporting everyone into a world of fantasy and dreams.All eyes were drawn to Marco and Lily as they stepped into the hall. They looked good and on the theme. They made for a truly captivating sight as if they had stepped out of a storybook. The music played, Marco's eyes locked with Lily's, and he couldn't resist the opportunity to seize the moment. With a playful glint in his eye, he adopted a charming British accent, saying, "May I have the honor of this dance, my lady?" Lily giggled."Why, of course, kind sir," Lily replied, mimicking the accent, her laughter like sweet music to his ears. She placed her delicate hand in his outstretched arm, and together, they gracefully made their way to
"When I tell you that you are crazy, believe me," Lily mumbled.She rested her head against the headrest and covered her eyes with a sleeping mask.Marco grunted and did the same, it was going to be a long flight.Marco and Lily's flight touched down at the bustling airport, and they both let out a sigh of relief. Stepping off the plane, Marco felt the warm breeze of London enveloping them, and excitement filled his nostrils.Lily, with a slight yawn, turned to Marco and said, "You know, after this long flight, we should go rest a little before we go to the big house."Marco, however, seemed hesitant. "I understand that you need rest, Lily, but I need to take care of it now. If we get it done quickly, we can then relax and have a great time leading up to the prom back home."Lily smiled understandingly, knowing how important it was for him to come here. "Alright, I get it. Let's do what we need to do first, and then we can enjoy ourselves without any worries."They collected their
"What the hell is going on here?" The voice bellowed startling Marco from sleep, he gazed with sleepy eyes into the eyes of Anthony.Marco looked around him and discovered that Lily was still sleeping with the sheet covered but it would take a fool not to guess what they had done.He sighed, not making a move."I believe I asked a question," Anthony said."You know we live together, were you expecting something else?" Marco asked.He got up gently, thankful he had slept with his boxers.He put on his shorts and headed downstairs, well aware that Anthony was following behind."Marco," the man questioned.Marco went to the fridge and took out a bottle of water."I am talking to you, boy."Marco leveled him with a bored look, "What do you want?"Anthony stepped towards him in a threatening manner."I told you how I felt about sleeping with my daughter.""Was this before or after you shot my dad?" Marco asked. Anthony stood there, his eyes locked onto Marco, his mouth hung wide open in
Marco said nothing.He just stared at Lily wide-eyed."You what?" he asked.Lily shrugged, "I thought we could sit down and talk about us when this is all over but the issue with my father is hanging over my head."Marco took a step closer, "Lily,""No, hear me out."Marco kept mute and just listened, Lily took a deep breath."I love my father, I do but what he did is unforgivable. I am not going to lie that I will be sad if you kill him but I understand.""So you will hate me?"Lily shook her head, "I will be sad but like I said, I understand."Marco nodded.Lily stretched out her hand again, this time Marco took it and they went home. "Stay here, Marco," Lily said, her voice trembling slightly. "I need to grab something from upstairs."Marco nodded, trying to hide his anxiety. He trusted Lily's decision, but this situation was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He had no idea what to do.As she disappeared up the stairs, he was left alone with his thoughts and the haunting s
Marco sat alone at the dimly lit bar, his fingers wrapped tightly around a glass of amber liquid. The scent of alcohol filled his nose and calmed him, the chatter and laughter of the other patrons. But Marco was lost in his world of turmoil, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum.The bar was his refuge now, a place where he could drown his sorrows and numb the pain that was gnawing at him. The whiskey burned his throat, but he welcomed the sensation, hoping it would distract him from the storm raging inside. His thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind of anger, fear, and desperation, threatening to consume him completely. Tonight, everything reached a boiling point, and Marco felt like he was losing control.He glanced around the bar, observing the carefree smiles on the faces of others. Envy gnawed at him. Why couldn't he be like them? Why couldn't he let go of his anger and simply enjoy the moment? But the darkness within him refused to let go, gripping his heart like a vice.
A bang woke Marco up from sleep.All the shopping yesterday had worn him out. It was worth it.Seeing the smile on Lily's face made him happy.He rubbed his eyes all weary from sleep, and looked around to wonder what jolted him awake.Marco could have sworn he heard a bang.He stood up and padded to the door thinking Lily was knocking, when he opened the door, there was no one there.He took the stairs to check the front door, switching on the lights at the same time.He turned on the porch lights and frowned when he noticed an envelope lying on the floor."What the hell?" he muttered to himself.He looked around before he picked it up. He slammed the door shut.Lily came out of her room, rubbing her eyes."what's going on?" she asked."Fuck if I know," he muttered to himself.Lily came down the stairs and looked at the envelope."What's in it?""Lily, I just picked it up. Haven't gotten a chance to see it yet."Lily ripped the envelope open and let out a sigh, "It's a flash drive.""
*Flashback*With the drink in hand and a frown on his face, the boss looked like the epitome of business.A call had woken him up this morning, the voice on the other end asking for a meeting. The boss had frowned.He didn't set up any meetings and there was no plan for one.He had questioned the caller but wasn't the least suspicious because the caller he knew very well. He took a shower and prepared for the impromptu meeting. While showering, he remembered his son and decided to give him a call later because they were yet to talk.He had a cheque to give his son but he hasn't gotten the chance to. He wanted to talk to his son about his move to London and now stoked he was.They could finally be together and be an empire just like he had envisioned.Boss hummed a tune he knew all too well, he had a brooding feeling in his belly but he didn't want to dwell on it.Lots of things go wrong in his line of business but he had no reason to fear.Anthony was his best friend and he had his ba
Chris paced the floor, almost wearing a hole in it. The movement made Raina so dizzy."Would you stop doing that?" she snapped.Chris turned to her sharply, "Are you mad? You are the cause of all this.""How? Forgive me for trying to rectify your mistakes." Raina yelled."My mistakes? You are the one who went to confront Marco.""Yes only because I believed your lies."Chris laughed, "Oh don't act so innocent in all of this, you were there through it all. You played a part in it too."Raina gaped at him, "You are such a bastard."Chris laughed again, "I know, isn't that why you stuck with me? The bastard who gave you everything you needed."Raina glared at him, unable to believe he was telling the truth.She had come back here after Marco had left her speechless.Unable to believe the look on his face when he told her off. She was guilty but what made her so irritated was him being strong.She always assumed he would always be the same starry-eyed boy that adored her and looked at he
"So, what kind of dress are you looking for?" Marco asked, glancing at Lily's reflection in the dressing mirror."I want something elegant and timeless, but also a little unique. I'd love a dress that makes me feel like a princess," Lily replied, a dreamy look in her eyes.Marco rolled his eyes, "Fucking bull." he said.Lily scoffed."I need you to make the right decisions today," she said."Lily, I swear I am trying but I am tempted to let you go to the ball looking like a half-wit."She pouted, "That's mean.""So is dragging a man out to go shopping with you.""Well suck it up, I have no other friends and you will do the trick."Mars sighed, there was no winning for him, he has lost this battle.From when Lily dragged him out of the house, he has been grumbling about unfair life is to him, she has shushed him each time he heard him.Marco willed himself to get into it. Lily looked excited and he guessed he should be too since she was doing this for him. The first boutique they visit