The Rise of Ashton

Chapter Four

A Shocking Truth

Ashton’s breath hitched.  

The old man stepping out of the sleek black car was someone he had known for years, a tall old man who lived just a house away. His neighbor, Mr. Coleman. 

But that didn’t make any sense. Mr. Coleman wasn’t rich. He was a frail, retired man who lived in a tiny, run-down apartment just a few doors away from Ashton’s. He used to complain about rising rent prices, used coupons for groceries, and always wore the same worn out coat in the winter.  

Yet here he was, stepping out of a luxury vehicle that looked like it belonged to royalty.  

“Mr Coleman?" He asked in surprise. He didn't know if it was pleasant or not. 

Ashton’s mind spun. He was confused.  

Everything today had already been absurd. First, he’d lost Zoe. Then, he’d found out someone had deliberately ruined his life by making him jobless. 

His college degree was now useless because Zoe's man toy decided to ruin his chances of getting hired. 

And now, his broke neighbor was stepping out of a car that probably cost more than everything Ashton had ever owned combined?  

It didn’t make sense. None of this made sense.  

But before Ashton could even process it, Mr. Coleman did something that sent a shiver down his spine.  

He bowed.  

Not a casual nod. Not a respectful dip of the head. This was something different. Something planned. 

It was a deep, formal bow.  

“Young master,” Mr. Coleman said, his voice calm, yet filled with seriousness. “It is time. Please, get in the car.”  

Ashton took a shaky step back. 

“Master?" He asked in shock. 

Mr Coleman nodded his head solemnly. 

*Yes, young Master, it's good to see you again.” 

“It's been a whole, Mr Coleman, what are you doing here?”

The man had a bitter sweet smile on his face. “Everything will be explained in due time, just get in the car, master." 

"Master? Why are you calling me that?” 

Coleman simply sighed and shook his head. "It's who you are. I can't address you any other way.” 

What the hell are you talking about?” Ashton's voice broke. He sounded confused and disbelieving. “And what’s with the bowing? Since when do you bow to me?”  

“You will understand soon.” Mr. Coleman straightened but kept his hands folded in front of him. He had a very calm expression when he nodded at Ashton. “Please, get in the car.”  

Ashton stared at him, trying to make sense of what was happening. This had to be some kind of twisted joke, right?  

But the cars. The men in black suits. The way the bystanders whispered and gawked in surprise. Everything felt different. Surely the old man didn't even have the resources to make this up. 

It's not a joke. 

As he realized that this might be real, Ashton’s instincts screamed at him to turn and walk away. 

But what was the point? His life was already in shambles. He had no job, no future, and nowhere to go.  

His Zoe was gone. His entire life was filled with regrets and maybes. 

Somehow, he'd been filled with so much anger in there with Clifford and Zoe. Seeing them both together. 

It broke him. It made him question his own reality. 

He had to do this. Insane or not, he was curious enough to. 

Screw it.  

Without another word, Ashton approached the car and slid into the backseat.  

The door shut with a soft click and the scent of fine leather and something expensive, like aged whiskey and fresh waffles filled the air.

Ashton bit his lips. He had to act like it was all okay. Like it was all cool.  

The car pulled away smoothly. 

Ashton turned to Mr. Coleman. “Alright. Enough with the mystery. What the hell is going on? Are you rich now? What is all this, how did you make so much money?”  

Mr. Coleman sat beside him with his wrinkled hands resting neatly in his lap. A small, knowing smile was plastered across his face.  

“Patience, young master. You will know everything soon.”  

Ashton clenched his fists. “Stop calling me that! I’m not anyone’s master. I’m just Ashton.” He exhaled sharply. “And I don’t understand any of this.”  

Silence.  

Ashton acted like he was all out together. Like he could just sit there and wait for things to unfold. 

But he was dying of curiosity inwardly. What should he say? What questions would he ask the old man without sounding like an anxious teenager? After all, he'd gotten into the car voluntarily. 

For some reason, he'd trusted the kind old man that he knew all his life. 

Where were they taking him?  

Minutes stretched on before the car slowed to a stop. 

Through the tinted windows, Ashton saw what was before him. A beautiful towering estate that looked more like a fortress than a home.  

The gates alone were massive, made of iron with intricate gold details. Beyond them, the driveway stretched endlessly, lined with perfectly trimmed lawn.   

“The place is exquisite," he muttered just beneath his breath. 

Being shaken and anxious couldn't take away from how awestruck he was at the beauty of the location. 

The villa itself was breathtaking. 

The car rolled to a stop, and Mr. Coleman stepped out, moving with the same grace he had shown earlier, then he rounded the car dutifully and opened Ashton’s door.  

Ashton hesitated, grabbing the edge of the seat. “Is this some kind of prank?” the words slipped off his lips before he could hold them back. 

Mr. Coleman extended a hand. “Come inside.”  

Ashton ignored the offered hand and stepped out on his own.  

Before he could reach for the doors, they swung open.  

And what waited for him inside nearly made his heart stop.  

Luxury.  

Unimaginable luxury.

The floors were polished marble, the walls were adorned with expensive paintings, the kind only found in museums. 

Velvet carpets stretched down the hallways, and the scent of fresh roses lingered in the air.  

Everything about this place screamed power.  

But for a second, none of it mattered. He had his eyes right on one man. 

A man that Ashton hadn’t seen in over a decade.  

A man he thought he’d never see again.  

His father.