FROM BANKRUPT TO BOSS

HOME OF LUXURY

Stepping outside the station, two sleek black Maybach 680 was waiting at the curb for him.

James Voss stood behind the second. Immediately he saw Kane coming, he hurried to him.

“Master..Are you okay? Why are you in the station?" His wide eyes scanned his body frantically looking for any single scratch on his body.

"Did anyone offend you? We can handle that effortlessly. Who is it?" James asked, eager to serve Kane.

Kane smiled faintly. "I already handled it.." He paused and looked at James. “I'm ready to go home.” He said curtly.

James straightened up, a gentle smile cutting at the corner of his lips, satisfied and happy.

“Right away Boss!" He hurried to the first car and opened the door, standing behind it.

Kane walked to the car and slipped into it. The door closed behind in a muffled thud, sealing him in a coccon of quiet opulence.

The first thing that touched his body was the cool air from the car's air conditioner. It didn't blow, it whispered. It eased Kane instantly. Then his body felt the soft texture of the leather seat. Butter coloured, stitched with precisions. He relaxed his back on the backrest.

A faint scent of fine Cologne, polished wood and new leather lingered in the air. Ambient lighting glowed in the interior, bouncing off the sleek dashboard, just faintly. Too faintly not to blind.

The dashboard itself glowed with sharp digital read–out, Alive with datas, displaying the functions of the car. The gear sat like a dagger between the seat and every surface screamed precision and eloquence.

Kane took a calm breath, bathed in the luxury of the car.

“What brand of car is this?" Since he wasn't used familiar with cars, he asked.

James who sat beside the driver looked at him from the rearview mirror.

“It's the Maybach gls 680, master. It's your father's most admired car. It cost just $600, 000 sir.” He said accurately.

“Your father, Richard Everest has 10 of the cars. Other cars aside.” He added.

His father must be so filthy wealthy. 10 Maybach gls? Without measuring the other cars he has. That's $6 million dollars seated in his garage.

Kane knew the Everest family is wealthy but to what extent was what he didn't know.

That wasn't his concern before— When he was an ordinary banker. He thought he was just an orphan. He grew up in the orphanage and ran away when he was getting assaulted by matron. He lives in the slum, grew up and juggled different odd jobs to feed himself.

He struggled and studied hard. He gained admission into Alvin university on scholarship because of his outstanding performance. There he studied accounting. It was in the university that he met Juliana.

A soft beep of horn cut off his thoughts.

"We're home Master.” James announced calmly.

The car eased through the gigantic gate, hinges to a towering fence. The car drove through the winding driveway that curved gently through manicured Lawns and whispering trees.

It unfurled like a ribbon, leading up to a grand circular entrance where a tiered fountain danced gently at the center. The wheel crunched softly under the wheel of the arriving cars and lantern–style light lined the path like silent sentinel, glowing as dusk settled.

As the car eased through, something ahead caught Kane's eye in the space.

It looks like something carved out from a dream. It was towering, majestic and utterly impossible to ignore.

The Everest Mansion!

Soft light glows from the tall sash window. Everywhere was lit up like it was day time. At the side is a swimming pool which caught the light and reflected it.

Balconies curled from the upper floors, balustrades twisted into elegant patterns. A grand stairs spilled from the threshold down to the circular drive, flanked by trimmed hedges and marble statues frozen in timeless poise.

The engine cut and the car pulled over at the front of the building.

Kane hurried out from the front door and gently opened the door for his master to step out.

Kane stepped out gently and straightened up, looking around and taking in the sheer opulence space.

It was the kind of buildings he had only seen in movies. It screams wealth. Opulence!

James smiled, watching his master look around the vicinity.

“Master, shall we proceed inside?" He asked.

Kane gulped and turned to him. With a gentle nod of head, he said. “Sure.” He said curtly.

James led the way, ascending the stairs while Kane trailed behind him.

Getting to the door, James Fished out a card and scanned it on the Smart door.

The door gave way.

Kane stood at the door, frozen in place.

This isn't just a Mansion. It is comfort, a paradise that dropped to earth.

Time seems to pause before Kane's eyes.

The foyer opened like a breath of elegance— wide and welcoming with a hush that made footsteps feel like whispers. The wall was painted with butter coloured paint— cool, calm and relaxing.

Beneath, a chandelier spilled soft golden light on the pristine floor. On the floor itself rested clean plush sofas with fine milk colour leather, inviting someone to sit.

On the wall is a 156 inches plama TV filling some space. Above, a giant portrait of a man who has a striking resemblance with Kane rested on the walls.

Kane stood before the wall, his chin raised, staring at the picture in observation. Obviously it was his father. His face mirrored his but just that his father was older with slight variations due to maturity.

"Welcome home master.” James voice came behind. He stood behind him, his hand crossed at his back like a loyal servant ready to serve his boss. A faint smile tugged on his lips.

“Richard Everest. Your father.” He said quiptly, his smile unwavering.

Kane swallowed hard, eyes fixed on the portrait. “Are the rumors true?" He asked without lowering his head from the wall.

James took a step closer and he began. "Yes. He died in a plane crash and his body wasn't found up till now. Before he died, he scourged every nook and crannies of the world, searching for you but unfortunately he couldn't find you, not until yesterday when our signal picked someone who resembled him. I knew it was you immediately my eyes fell on you.”

Kane dropped his chin, his mind reeling. He turned to James slowly. It seems James was narrating a fiction story but it was the fact.

"But why did he abandon me in the orphanage?”

“He didn't.” James replied curtly and took another step forward, now standing beside his master.

“What do you mean?" Kane raised a brow, curious.