The Midnight Heir

ABOVE THE STAIRS

Both Anthony and Grey paused to look up 'cause coming from a floor above them was male and female laughter, both sounding like they were around Anthony's age.

There were also some crashing sounds like they were bumping into things. They must be drunk.

"What was that?!" Anthony pondered, but seconds later looked like he recognized the voices which he rolled his eyes at.

"Anyway, what were you saying Grandfather?" Anthony lowered his head to face Grey, but was met by a shocked expression on the man's face.

"Grandfather, you okay?" he placed one hand on Grey's shoulder who looks like a robot.

"Yes, I'm okay. I don't know what came over me there" Grey went back to acting normal but still smiling anxiously as he pulled away from Anthony. He recovered the distance that used to exist between them.

"Alright? So what was it you wanted to tell me before the interruption?" Anthony inquired, now intrigued with what Grey was saying earlier, however…

"Oh, don't worry about it, my boy, I was just rambling. I think the thought of having a party just for me spooked me. It's not every day you clock a new age you know" Grey laughed nervously, trying to push the topic away as sweat ran down the side of his head.

Anthony thought of how weird Grey was acting but didn't feel like pressing the issue so he let it go. He reasoned that if Grey had anything to say to him then he would but until then he will patiently wait.

"Since we're done here, we should start heading back to the party, grandfather. I want to see Annabelle" Anthony suggested, pointing in the direction of the party, but...

"Why don't you go first, I'll be right behind you" Grey declined.

"Okay?" Anthony shrugged, still skeptical about Grey but still he left him to start returning to the party.

*VIBRATE*

Once at the middle of the stairs, Anthony felt his phone vibrate in his trouser pocket. He just received a message and he immediately brought it out to check what it says.

Reading the words made his heart to skip a beat.

He mumbled "I can't believe it's already the fifth anniversary of when I left my past life behind. I pray the Maples never find out about the madness of my past" he squeezed the phone in his hand and then continued to leave.

Meanwhile, Grey looked scared, watching Anthony walk away until he was the only one standing by the staircase. He was breathing heavily with the veins in his eyes and neck throbbing.

The first thing Anthony did once he returned was to get something to eat so he went to the buffet. It was all-you-can-eat so with the small plate he got from the table, he went straight for the shrimp and sauce.

He had only eaten six out of his ten-piece shrimp dish when he turned around to face the rest of the party and saw something very alarming.

He saw his wife Annabelle standing next to Patience Maple and her older granddaughter Candice Penn, and Patience was introducing Annabelle to some man he didn't know, a man named Benjamin Oswald.

Shocked, and feeling betrayed he dropped the plate, and in the process the sauce stained both of his hands but he didn't care. He walked straight for them, wanting to get to the bottom of this.

"Benjamin, I would like to introduce you to my beautiful granddaughter and the youngest amongst all of my grandchildren, Annabelle  Maple" Immediately the introduction was made, Benjamin's heart skipped a beat. He was utterly mesmerized by her beauty.

Annabelle was a pale-skinned, petite, and elegant young lady with long curly cherry blonde hair and emerald green eyes. She looks very innocent.

"Annabelle, this is Benjamin Oswald, a promising young man, the second son of the sixth family in the hierarchy and I hope the two of you can form a wonderful relationship together" Patience smiled.

After the quick introduction, Benjamin extended his hand for a handshake. However, Annabelle jittered which made him to pause.

This gave Annabelle the time she needed to accept him before also connecting hands and he smiled.

Sadly, Annabelle was also quick to pull her hand free once she felt like it had been long enough, upsetting Benjamin and making him feel rejected.

"So, what do you say Benjamin?" Patience asked with a tone implying that she was guiding the topic into something less innocent 

"What do I say about what, Ma?" Benjamin asked with bewildered eyebrows.

"I'll cut straight to the chase, what do you say about the two of you getting married?" Patience smirked.

"What?! Grandmother?!" Annabelle who comes off as shy spoke out but with a stern look from Patience she quickly backed down.

 

At first, Benjamin couldn't help but laugh at the idea, but once he had done that he couldn't stop himself from taking yet another look at Annabelle.

He was already mesmerized by her beauty, so after a second thought, he wasn't as opposed to the idea of marrying her as when it was first proposed.

"Hmm? What's this?!" he finally noticed the ring resting peacefully on Annabelle's finger and frowned "You're already married?!"

"Ye—" Before Annabelle could finish her answer Patience interrupted yet again, looking furious.

Patience pulled herself closer to Annabelle, whispering "What did I tell you about wearing that rubbish thing on your finger in public?! In fact, what did I tell you about wearing it, period?! I would have punished you right now if we weren't celebrating, so I'll let it slide, this time. But be sure that there will be consequences!" She frowned.

After her threat, Patience pulled back, wearing a smile as she turned to Benjamin.

"Don't be bothered by that little inconvenience Benjamin, the ring doesn’t matter. Truthfully, a wicked man forced her into wearing it but I’m working on it" She said and Benjamin was eating everything up.

Annabelle lowered her head and held on to her own body, embarrassed and Benjamin who had already fallen for Patience's verbal trap thought that she was being regretful. Deep down he wanted to be the knight in shining armor that comes to save her, but…

"What's going on here?!" Anthony's voice suddenly snuck up on them, and immediately, the depressed demeanor that Annabelle had instantly lit up and now she seemed excited and relieved.

Patience and Candice quickly turned their heads to see Anthony stretching out his hand through where they stood, reaching for a handshake with Benjamin.

At the same time, his other hand slowly crossed over Annabelle's shoulder, pulling her into a half embrace. He was showing Benjamin that she was off limits.

"And what are you supposed to be?!" Benjamin asked condescendingly but also sounded aggressive because of how Anthony had his arm around Annabelle. How dare he hold her like that?

"Why don't you shake my hand and find out!" Anthony stared back and Benjamin who wanted to know who Anthony was to act this way shook his hand and was surprised by how rough and tough Anthony's hand was.

"My name's Anthony, Anthony Star and this is my wife you're talking to. I'll advise you not to get too comfortable talking to another man's woman, Mr?" Anthony scowled.