CHAPTER 2: FORTUNE STRIKES

Bella continued.

“Isn’t it obvious that you and I are from distant worlds? And by the way, I’m with Benedict now.” She flipped her hair.

After a few moments of silence provoked by shock, Henry spoke.  “I can see it’s because of the money.” He then let out a bitter laugh.

Bella giggled. “If you had any of that then maybe this wouldn’t have happened. I can’t pretend. I don’t want to be with a low life like you, Henry,” She said.

On his part, Henry had dreaded that this day would come because he always thought that their relationship wouldn’t last. After she agreed to be his girlfriend, Bella had warned him to keep it discreet, and as far as he was concerned, only Daisy was aware of their relationship.

Henry stared at the phone and pressed his lips to a thin line. He sighed and pondered about blaming Bella.

Who would want to date a scavenger? He thought. The ridicule must have got to her and maybe she couldn’t bear it anymore.

He looked at her in disbelief.

Bella folded her arms across her chest. “I have no regrets.”

Then the name Benedict wavered in his mind. Bella had just mentioned him as her replacement for him.

In an instant, Bella vanished.

Everyone at school knew Benedict and in his department, students always wanted to hover around him because he was the richest guy in the Arts department. His family had a lot of money and Benedict used every opportunity to show off.

Benedict was known all over Marylyn University and his middle name could be swapped with Playboy.

Henry was disappointed that Bella chose Benedict because as far as he was concerned, Benedict would cheat on her.

Benedict had a collection of exotic cars and he hops from one girlfriend to the other. He had never kept one girlfriend for a month and the girls were cool with it. Lots of girls on Marylyn’s campus would do anything to date Benedict for 24 hours.

Henry moved to the blue wall and rested his back against it. He thought about the promises Bella made to him. She said she wasn’t going to leave him and he was convinced that she loved him.

For the past few days, he had been working hard to earn so he could surprise her but now, he couldn’t help but see her as a vain woman.

“Fine!” he muttered under his breath, embracing his circumstance. It was better to find out now than later he told himself. He consoled himself with the fact that Bella was not worthy of his undying love.

He then clenched his jaw in irritation and was about to storm out when Daisy came running to the scene.

Daisy, who was aware of the breakup after Bella told her about her decision that morning noticed the heartbroken Henry. She walked up to him. “I’m sorry.”

Daisy was Bella’s best friend. She a kind girl. She believes no one deserves to be tricked and that emotions are not something to play with.

“It’s not your fault okay? Don’t beat yourself at it.” Daisy spoke calmly.

Henry didn’t respond or turn to look at her. He stormed out.

He then traced his way to the back of the dormitory and settled on an empty bench. No one was there. He stared at the phone in his hand and was soon lost in thoughts.

Henry found himself agreeing with the concept that it was impossible to be loved without money. He sighed and felt his pants pocket. There was a sim card he had been carrying around for years. Whenever he swapped clothes, he ensured the sim card was with him.

The SIM card was a valuable possession to Henry.

He broke off the seal and pulled out the SIM card then placed it inside the phone.

Immediately after the sim card came on, messages began to pop in and Henry was stunned.

He concluded that the messages were from the telecommunication company because it felt like ages since he used the sim card.

Then, his senses were jarred by a particular text message.  It wasn’t from the communication company.

Henry arched a brow and read the text with astonishment and then, he read it again.

The text read. The family member Henry Parker who is 21 years old today is worthy of his inheritance. His inheritance would be handed over to him from today or 1 month after notification at the City bank in Number 9 Walmart Avenue. If he exceeds the time limit by default, he will delay his right to the inheritance or forfeit it, and starting today, he has the right to apply for unconditional support from the family. Please note that this opportunity cannot be transferred to any other heir.

The familiar commanding tone and the old-fashioned style of communication that was embedded in the text message made Henry feel nostalgic.

He wasn’t sure if any member of the family still remembers him.

He left six years ago.

This was one of the surprises he had planned to give Bella at his 21st birthday dinner. It was the surprise that would make people speechless and wonder how his fate suddenly turned. Unfortunately, Bella won’t have access to the surprise.

Henry Parker was not poor. He was simply living by the family rule.

According to the Parker family rule, all members of the family had to leave at the age of 15. They had to live independently for 6 years without any help from the family. There was no exception and if one survives, they will be granted access to their inheritance.

The Parker family possessed an immeasurable amount of wealth and just 1% of it could turn one’s life around. The Parker Financial Group was a renowned name in the city. However, the Parkers were living in a world ordinary people could not see or touch.

They deal with big and small countries across the globe and are always handy to help struggling economies.

In terms of wealth, Parker’s financial group could buy one-third of the earth. One percent of the Parker’s wealth belongs to Henry now that he has clocked 21 and according to the family rule, the inheritance could be invested or used by the owner depending on what Henry chooses to do with his money. What matters now is that it was his time.