The Midnight Heir

ARIAL AND LAURA

'The features, the resemblance, it's all so uncanny' Even in the intensity of the reproach, a conflicting thought lingered in Franklin's mind as he stared at Anthony.

Anthony's face didn't undergo any negative changes after being accused, he remained as unfazed and stoic as ever "What are you talking about Sir, cheating in what game?"

"Don't play dumb with me kid, the others may have been too distracted to notice but I had my eyes on you the entire time and I know sleight of hand when I see it. Nothing can escape these trained eyes of mine" Franklin said.

"Okay sir, sounds like you're talking about a magic show you must have gone to. Sleight of hand? How does that have anything to do with me, a simple part-timer?" Anthony scrunched his eyebrows, tilting his head to the left.

"Why you!" Franklin exclaimed, smacking his tongue afterward.

'Who is this kid? He couldn't be him could he?' Franklin's glare became even more intense and with that, it was evident that he wasn't going to back down.

This was now less about finding out the truth about what he was accusing Anthony of and more of wanting Anthony to concede.

With the way Franklin was acting and carrying himself, it's obvious he doesn't have experience with people not acting the exact way he wants them to.

His tone and composure exude that of someone who has been in charge of people a great portion of his life, but here comes Anthony who was the exact antithesis of what he's been used to.

"I'm going to ask you this for a final time and don't think you can play with my intelligence by acting coy. Why did you use your influence as the dealer to make me win the game?"

Having heard the question over and over again, Anthony huffed while rolling his eyes "Like I already said, I didn't do anything to influence the game from how it was supposed to be. Your winning could have just been because of luck and that's it"

Not feeling the need to stick around and continue their conversation/interrogation any further, Anthony started to leave, walking around Franklin and not caring about his threat to report him to the casino because one thing he knew was that Franklin had no proof of what he was accusing him of.

Anthony walked a couple of steps then halted, standing by Franklin's side, saying "Listen, whether good or bad, everything people experience is a result of what they do in life. So, if you feel like your luck was something unnatural then I guess you must have done something good recently, maybe helped someone, to make yourself come to such favor. Do yourself a favor and don't think about it too much"

Anthony finished then started walking forward  putting his hands into his pocket and saying his final words to Franklin "You might not know who it is you might have helped, but on their behalf, I'll tell you this, thank you" 

Anthony continued his exit, completely oblivious to the expression that Franklin was making.

Franklin looked very grim, head lowered, eyes spooked and running all over the place like skates, shoulders deflated and teeth fidgeting.

("Listen to these words Franklin, everything people experience whether negative or positive is a result of what they've chosen to do with their lives, just like I have")

Without meaning to, Franklin remembered a memory that caused his heart to spike up and even though a lot of people were walking past him, Anthony's footsteps resounded loudly in his ears.

This was the sound of Anthony getting further and further away from him and all of a sudden, he turned around and yelled "WAIT!"

"Goodbye sir, we don't have anything more to discuss, especially if you're going to accuse me again" not even looking back, Anthony waved Franklin off, and not slowing down.

"No wait, please!" Uncharacteristically, Franklin's voice sounded less aggressive.

'Please? What the hell?' Anthony thought, noticing the change in Franklin's tone and mannerisms. That word doesn't sound like something a man like him would ever say, Anthony felt.

Anthony halted and then turned around, looking skeptical as Franklin walked up to him, less imposing than he was just mere minutes ago.

"I'm sacrificing a long-needed night's sleep just to listen to what you have to say so what is—" Anthony was cut short 

"What's the name of your parents… Please?"

Anthony's jaw dropped "Huh?"

"There's something that's been on my mind since I stepped into that VIP room and I think it revolves around you. The only way I can be at ease is if I know who your parents are. What are their names?"

"!!" Anthony was still confused, not knowing if Franklin was being serious or not but no matter how he looked at him, Franklin was indeed serious.

He sighed, looking a bit annoyed but still spoke with a lackluster filled voice "My parents' names are Arial and Laura Sta— I forgot, no last names included. If that's all you wanted to know I guess we're done he—"

"AH!" Anthony wasn't able to finish his sentence when Franklin grunted, wincing and gritting his teeth in pain.

Franklin was suddenly attacked by a serious migraine.

"Hey, you okay?!" Anthony asked, trying to help him out.

However, that wasn't going to be necessary because just as quickly as the migraine came so did it leave and Franklin was acting like nothing just happened.

"What the?" Anthony murmured, puzzled by what just happened, and without any warning, Franklin turned around robotically and started walking back to his car.

"What is wrong with that guy?" Anthony was stumped, having so many questions that needed answers "Why don't I check for myself," he said then looked at the top of Franklin's head 

"Hmm?!" After a few seconds of peering, Anthony started to squint more and more, stretching his neck and blinking more than usual. "Why can't I check?!"

He kept trying until Franklin got into his car and drove off immediately.

"??" Anthony was completely lost but at least he had managed to get Franklin off his back and so he went back to The Untitled Hotel, putting out a call out to the Faller residence landline the moment he arrived.