The Midnight Heir

PARTY

Under the Polaris night's sky, everywhere was covered with golden lights from the chandelier up top, music from an expensive live band, champagne, and juicy gossip.

What's happening is the Maple household was celebrating the birthday of their most important member and this person was none other than Grey Maple, the family head and also Grandfather-in-law to Anthony Star.

This was a party for the wealthy and as such, all the guests had nothing less than $30,000 worth of clothing and jewelry on them.

However, looking out of place in this extravagant scene was Anthony Star, standing by the corner all by himself, having no one, no friends or family to even talk to. Being an orphan from a tender age, his only family was his wife but she too wasn't here with him.

A lot of negative eyes were on Anthony and that's because of his Silver colored hair and extremely cheap clothes. His entire outfit costs $250, less than what even the servers had on.

In front of him, one of the maids operating as a server walked past with a tray in her hand and he reached out, trying to ask her for a drink. 

She stopped, looked at him from head to toe disgustingly then scoffed in disdain, saying "There are no more drinks!"

Anthony exclaimed "What are you talking about no more drinks? There are glasses right there on your tray! Are you calling me blind or what?" He pointed at the tray, furious. 

She chuckles condescendingly "Oh, I think you're mistaken. These are for the guests, not poor beggars who don't even deserve to be here. If you're thirsty then drink your saliva, sweat, or even your piss if you want to, I don't care!" she sneered at him.

He got angry "How dare you talk to me this way, don't you know that I'm—" he said and she cut him off, laughing. 

"What are you going to say, that you're the son-in-law of the Maples? Aren't you ashamed that you're married to someone whose entire family hates your guts? Why don't you do everyone a favor and just kill yourself?! That would spare lady Annabelle the shame of having you as a husband" the maid said then walked away. 

Anthony was left speechless, not only did he not get a drink but he was also insulted and ridiculed by a common maid. What's worse is that everything she said was 100% true.

His in-laws hate him, their friends and associates do too, all because he's poor and the sad part is, he doesn't have anything to offer his wife who comes from such wealth.

As the maid left, all the guests and fellow maids who had overheard most of what was said laughed at him.

"What an idiot! How dare he call himself the son-in-law of the Maples while dressed like a homeless person? Who even wears such cheap clothes to a party like this?!" Mocked one of the guests who that same maid had just served, talking to two other guests.

I’m that same group another said "Check this out, I heard a rumor that Patience Maple, the wife of the celebrant has plans to marry her most beautiful granddaughter to someone. If I'm lucky then maybe I can get her as my woma—"

Anthony heard this, knowing that they were referring to his wife, Annabelle, who hands down is the most beautiful Maple and woman in the whole of Polaris and he got angry.

He clenched his fist, not caring for the consequences as he let his anger and need to protect his wife take over. He started to walk towards them, wanting to at least get a hit in, when…

"Anthony! What do you think you're doing?!" Out of nowhere, Grey Maple asked with a commanding voice and Anthony paused, same did those three guests.

Grey Maple was well renowned in Polaris, a figure many people admired and so being spoken to by him made those three guests speechless but at the same time happy because they thought he was scolding Anthony on their behalf.

"Grandfather, I was trying to—" Grey cut Anthony off, dropping his head and shaking it in pity.

"Come with me!" He commanded then without waiting for Anthony to respond Grey started to walk away, heading for the exit which leads into the main part of the mansion.

Having no choice of refusing, Anthony followed behind, looking like he was in big trouble.

"Sorry I acted that way Grandfather, I just couldn't contain—" Anthony pleaded once they exited the party but was cut off by a hand gesture from Grey, to which he complied to.

Grey lead him to the top of the stairs. It hadn't even been more than five seconds since they got there when "Why didn't you didn't wear the suit I bought for you?!" Grey asked angrily, causing Anthony to get flustered.

"No no no, that's not it grandfather!" Anthony flailed his hands around "I asked Annabelle which she preferred and she chose this one, that's all." Anthony gulped.

Grey frowned "That sounds like an excuse to me, but since you involved Annabelle I guess I'll have to believe you. She probably likes this suit more because you bought it with your own money" Grey folded his arms but he still hadn't forgiven Anthony.

Anthony sighed in relief "Thanks Grandfather, I don't know what I would do if you of all people start hating me too. You and Annabelle are the only family I have and you make the harshness of the family's treatment a lot more bearable. I can't lose that" Anthony smiled and both men shared a couple of smiles until Anthony killed the mood.

"Okay grandfather, why did you want to see me? If it's that issue we talked about then we could have done it after your party" Anthony's eyes remained peering at Grey.

Deep down he was thinking 'I have the power so should I just check for myself? It would be so easy to find out what he's thinking by checking his tho— No! I said I wouldn't use it with him'

Anthony's eyes were shaky, going up and down like he was stopping himself from looking above Grey's head. Why was he though?

"!!" Suddenly Grey sighed, having anguish written all over his face and before Anthony knew it, in a split second Grey had gotten extremely close and grabbed both of his hands.

"What the—!" Anthony exclaimed, leaning back and trying to get some space but Grey held on tight, refusing to let go.

The only thing he could see was the conflicted look Grey had, appearing like he was holding back some tears.

"I'm so sorry my boy!" Grey cried out.

"What the hell?! What's up with you Grandfather?" Anthony remained shocked.

"There's something I have to tell you before it’s too late! Something I've been keeping secret for a while now, but I don't think I can go on like this. The truth is, I know who your real fam—"