.

.

Mason was more confused than ever.

How is he married? It doesn't make any sense. It was then he suddenly realized why it was so.

Seeing the confusion in his eyes for a moment, the Jinni smiled and began to explain. “You were bound to marriage by your parents to a girl in the family with the second treasure while you were still a baby”

“Wait that means technically it was all an arranged marriage?”

“Yes.” The Jinni smiled seeing that the young man was beginning to catch up. “The girl in the second family is supposedly your wife and I’m sure she will still be waiting for you.”

For the very first time since meeting the mysterious beautiful lady in front of him, Mason frowned due to her words.  He did not like the idea of this his proclaimed wife one bit.

“I don’t think I can fulfill this wish of my grandfather by getting together with a woman that I do not know.” Mason quickly spoke out in a serious tone. “My parents may have married me off to someone else before I knew about it but I believe for me to marry this girl or not will depend on my decision, not theirs. I’m not going to marry a woman I do not love.”

The Jinni looked at him and smiled almost immediately after hearing what Mason had just said. After all, she knew Mason would say exactly this.

The beautiful Jinni smiled as her voice came out in a sweet pleading tone. “I understand why you don’t want to meet this proclaimed wife because of your ideals but at least can you try to see who she is first before you even reject her like that? Give her a chance would you.”

Mason kept quiet as he thought hard about what the Jinni just said. She didn’t say that he should accept this arranged wife of his instead she was only saying that he should meet his arranged wife first just like he would meet any random girl and from there on he can decide whether he wants to give her a chance or not.

“Okay, I’ll meet her then.” Mason decided immediately.

This way he won’t swiftly dismiss the wish his parents had for him. If he gets to like his arranged wife he can fulfill his parents' wishes but if doesn’t, he did his best by meeting her.

Hearing his decision, the corner of Jinni’s lip curled up imperceptibly. ‘Well if he only knew that his fate is already sealed with this wife of his.’

She nodded her head and then she spoke out. “Now that’s settled it is time for you to officially accept your inheritance as the sole leader of the Gray family.  So Mason Gray, do you accept the responsibility to cater to the whole Gray family and its fortune as its leader?”

Mason stood there for a few seconds without saying anything. He still couldn’t believe that all these were happening but it was. Something told Mason that although his past problems of poverty were now over, there are bigger problems to come and one thing he was sure about is that, things will change from now on. He doesn't know what the future has installed for him but it's way better than the life he had in the past so without any hesitation, in his voice Mason answered. “I do.”

The instant Mason gave his answer the whole study lit up immediately, however, it was not only the study but the entire castle Mason was in lit up, making lights from the castle windows glow to the world.

***

Right outside the castle.

A young boy was doing his usual rounds of cleaning the cars. The boy’s name was Ted. He always did this because he loved the cars even if his position in this castle was worth more than what he was currently doing.

That was till the entire castle lit up.

“What the…hell?” Ted couldn’t believe what he was seeing but he knew the castle won’t light up like this for no reason so without hesitation he left what he was doing and rushed into the castle.

***

Mason was taken by surprise. One second ago the room he was in was a bit dark and now it was lights everywhere. It was then he appreciated the beauty of the entire study he was in.

“What just happened?” Mason asked, however, before he could get back an answer something else caught his attention.

The sound of a door slamming open assaulted his ears and then he swiftly turned around to see a boy that had just stormed into the room.

The boy had grey hair and from his handsome looks, he was the same age as him. Mason seemed to have forgotten that there might be people living inside this castle but now that he's seeing the boy a glint of cautiousness shone in his eyes.

Mason didn’t know what to say but before he could say anything the young boy said one word.

“Master” And then he bowed. “My father was right. You came back. Welcome back, master.”

Mason was shocked. Even though he probably knew why the young boy of his same age might be calling him master, it didn't mean he was not stunned.

First, the boy with grey hair just said something about his father predicting that he will be here. Who is this boy’s father to begin with?

Seeing Mason’s confused expression, Ted lifted his head and proceeded to explain. “Oh, right this is the first time we are meeting each other. I am Ted. My father used to be the personal assistant of your late grandfather. I’m sure you already know a bit about the Gray family but I’ve been learning about the Gray family from my father for this very day when you return. My father has served the Gray family all his life and he’s now too old to continue doing it but he has prepared me to take the role he has been playing for so many years.”

“And what role is that?” Mason asked curiously.

“The role as your assistant. From this day henceforth I will serve you as your assistant just like how my father served your grandfather and your parents.” Ted bowed with etiquette just like how any classic butler would do.

Mason was still looking at the boy in a daze. He looked at the boy that happened to be his age, studying everything about him. The boy had a regular grey colored t-shirt on with stained black trousers and boots. Just from what Mason had seen so far he could tell that Ted was washing before he got here and from what Mason understood about what Ted just said, Ted is now his butler.

As if the Jinni could read his mind she spoke out. “You can trust the boy. He means no harm and he’s not lying. He has been trained for this moment all his life so I advise you to listen to him if you want to know more about the Gray family in other words, he is now your butler.”

Mason heard all that the Jinni had just said and then something else caught his attention. All the time the Jinni spoke out, Ted had no apparent reaction towards her. Ted's eyes were only focused on him, waiting to hear his reply. If Mason didn’t know any better, he would say that Ted was currently standing in front of him with no knowledge of the Jinni’s presence.

“I don’t get it, can’t he see you?” Mason said looking at the Jinni.

“Oh…I-is the famous Jinni standing right there?“ Ted said following Mason’s eyes to look in the direction Mason was looking, however, he ended up not seeing anyone there.

"Before he couldn’t,” The Jinni said while smiling. “But now he can.”

As she finished her words, Ted let out a scream that he had to swiftly contain by covering his mouth with both hands. ‘It’s just as father said…she’s so beautiful!’

Even Ted had to admit that the lady that had just appeared was the most beautiful lady he had ever seen in his entire life!

His eyes became so widened as he stood there lost by the sight of the most beautiful woman.

Mason didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he saw Ted standing in a daze drooling all over the Jinni’s beauty.

At least his reaction upon meeting the Jinni was way better than this guy’s reaction.

Mason cleared his throat and then as if Ted understood what that little gesture meant he instantly regained composure.

“I’m sorry for my reaction master it’s just that the famous Jinni my father told me about is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

Seeing, the young boy acting like this Mason had to admit noticing one thing. Ted was quick at changing his demeanor like a light switch. Not everybody has such ability, including him.

‘Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about this boy but take advantage of him for now.’ Mason sighed.

“Ted is it okay for you to show me around the castle?” Mason asked almost like he was pleading.

After all, starting to behave like a master was something he was not used to, however, Ted treated him as such.

“Your wish is my command master.” Ted bowed down slightly.

Fulfilling Mason's wishes, Ted showed him around the castle and Mason was the one who ended up having the same reaction Ted had when he first saw the Jinni. The whole castle was a total beauty on its own. There was a large swimming pool. The largest pool he had ever seen. Then there was a cinema in the castle. There was also a place for a sauna. There was a dining room as big as seven of their school dorm rooms put together.

There was also a living room bigger than his entire orphanage building. In short, everything was luxurious. The part that took worlds out of Mason’s mouth the most was the garage.

The cars he had seen outside before were nothing compared to the ones in the garage. There were more expensive cars in the garage. Expensive cars that were even worth hundred of millions and to know that all these now belong to him took his breath away from him. Everything was just too perfect. After two hours his tour around the castle came to an end. It took two hours just to look around the castle which just proved how big the castle was.

Mason was then taken to a luxurious room where Ted said Goodnight and told him if he needs anything he should call him before Ted left.

Mason was all in the room with his Jinni and then he fell on the bed as his mind processed all that had just happened today. Only just yesterday he had his heart broken in the worst possible way but today he was now very rich thanks to the Jinni by his side.

Now he’s currently lying on the most comfortable bed he has ever laid on in his entire life and as such, it didn’t take him long to fall asleep. However, Mason fell asleep with only one wish in his heart. As he wakes up let all these not be a dream and just like that the night time went by fast and then Mason woke up the next morning.

The first scent that got into his nose was the scent of cherries and right by his side was the Jinni. It was absolutely a good thing to see the most beautiful woman lying by his side as he woke up.

“Good morning.” The sweet melodious voice of the Jinni entered his ears which caused Mason to smile.

‘This is not a dream after all.’ The corner of Mason’s lip arched up as his eyes glittered with satisfaction.

In just one night his entire life changed.

“Good morning.” Mason greeted his Jinni back with a smile.

“By the way Jinni you said I have access to one wish every day right?”

“Yes.”

Hearing this Mason’s smile grew even more. With all that was on his mind right now, Mason was sure of one thing. Nobody will ever humiliate him like how Derrick and Cynthia did. With his status of wealth right now he won’t let that happen again. Never!