004. Your rightful inheritance...

"Young Master." He started and gave a bow of respect. “I'm Mr. Wisconsin. We spoke on the phone earlier today."

‘Young Master?’ I asked myself and did he just bow to me? What's going on?’

"I remember," I replied, still trying to process the scene before me.

He glanced at the grocery store and then back at me. "I work for your father, and I'm here on his behalf. He's been looking for you for a long time."

My father? The word echoed in my mind. I had never known my father, and now this man was standing in front of me claiming he worked for him.

"I understand this is a lot to take in, Young Master" Mr. Wisconsin continued, "Your father had no idea your mom had a son until recently. He's eager to meet you, to make up for lost time.”

I was in disbelief. My whole life, I had been without a father, and now, out of nowhere, he wanted to be a part of my life? It felt surreal.

Mr. Wisconsin must have sensed my hesitation. "He wanted me to speak with you first, to see if you'd be willing to meet him, so I can bring you to him.”

Go with them? To meet a father who never existed in my life? "I... I don't know. This is all too sudden."

"I understand your hesitation. It's a lot to process,” he said empathetically. "But your father wishes to explain everything in person. If you come with me, you'll get the answers you seek."

I looked at the limousine. It was so luxurious and fancy. Did my father really send this guy? I had so many questions, and it was so tempting to finally get the answers I wanted. But could I trust this man?

I took a deep breath, “Okay."

Mr Wisconsin made some kind of gesture to the men who stood at alert, signaling we were leaving and then ushered me to the limousine.

As I approached the limousine, I caught a glimpse of Alexa through the store's window. She was watching, a look of concern etched on her face. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should explain, but before I could decide, Mr. Wisconsin ushered me into the car.

The moment I settled into the plush seat, my phone vibrated. It was a text from Alexa: "Who are those people? Are you in trouble?"

I quickly typed a response to ease her worries. "Don't worry, everything's fine. I'll be back soon."

As the car pulled away, Mr. Wisconsin turned to me, his expression thoughtful. "Young Master. It's so good to have you. You must be wondering how we found you," he said, his voice calm and even.

The question hadn't fully formed in my mind until he mentioned it. When we spoke earlier, he didn't ask for my location, but here he was “Now that you say it, yes, that's true. How did you?"

"The phone you activated," he replied, "it had a 'find me' feature installed. As soon as it was switched on and connected to the network, it alerted us to your location."

I processed his words, a mix of amazement and unease churning inside me.

The journey to the private airfield was a blur, lasting about three hours. Upon arrival, two helicopters awaited us. “Are we flying?” I asked Mr. Wisconsin, a hint of disbelief in my voice.

He nodded. “Of course, Young Master. Or are you aerophobic?” I had never flown before, so whether I was aerophobic was still up for debate. My heart raced as we boarded the helicopter.

The helicopter ride was surprisingly smooth, taking no more than 30 minutes. Below us stretched a massive estate, dwarfing any definition of 'large' I had. In its heart was an extravagant mansion, like something out of a fairytale, but real.

We landed smoothly in front of the house. The mansion was a vision of elegance and extravagance.

As we walked towards it, my eyes were drawn to a majestic fountain, its water sparkling in the sunlight. The house itself was a blend of classic and modern architecture, with large windows and ornate detailing.

The mansion's grand doors opened to reveal an opulent interior, marked by marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and priceless artworks adorning the walls.

It was a world apart, a realm I never imagined I'd step foot in.

House servants, dressed in crisp, corporate attire, stood at attention, bowing as we passed to acknowledge our presence.

I did my best to maintain composure, but my eyes betrayed me, darting around to take in every detail of this lavish setting.

Following Mr. Wisconsin, we approached a set of imposing double doors, crafted from what seemed like polished oak or mahogany, rich and dark.

Mr. Wisconsin pressed a button on the wall, speaking into an intercom, "Master Alan, I'm back with Young Master." There was a soft click from the door, signaling it was unlocked. He pushed it open with a gentle motion and gestured for me to enter.

The study screamed luxury and intellect. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, filled with an array of books ranging from ancient leather-bound volumes to modern bestsellers.

A large globe stood in one corner, and the room was bathed in soft, natural light filtering through large windows. There was a grand fireplace sat on one side, adding to the room's stately feel.

Behind the desk sat a man in his late forties. His features mirrored mine in a way that was uncanny – the same jawline, similar eyes. It was like looking at a future version of myself, refined by time and experience.

He looked up, and our eyes met. In that moment, there was a flicker of recognition, a mirror reflecting a part of myself I never knew existed.

The man who Mr. Wisconsin had called Master Alan, stood up slowly, gripping the table for support before steadying himself with a walking stick.

The effort it took him to stand was evident, hinting at a strength that was battling against the limitations of his body. He fixed his gaze on me, a mix of anticipation and something else – perhaps apprehension – in his eyes.

"Ethan? Thanks for taking the time to come over. I know you have a lot of questions. And I'll try my best to answer them," he said, his voice carrying a weight of unspoken stories.

I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself. "I... Yes, I have many questions," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Master Alan motioned to a chair across from him. "Please, sit. I imagine this must be overwhelming for you."

As I took a seat, trying to steady my racing heart, I prepared myself for what might be the most significant conversation of my life.

Alan took a deep breath, as if gathering the strength to delve into a story long buried in the past. "Ethan, your mother, Elizabeth, and I were deeply in love. But my parents, they never approved of our relationship. They had other plans for me, plans that didn't include her."

He paused, a distant look in his eyes, as if he was traveling back in time. "They sent me abroad to study, to get me away from her. It was a different time, and their word was law in our family. I had no choice but to obey."

I listened, each word adding weight to the growing realization of my origins.

"She had called and told me about her pregnancy but before we could talk about it, I left." Alan continued, his voice tinged with regret. "There was no way for her to reach me, and when I returned five years later, Elizabeth had vanished. I searched for her, Ethan, I did everything I could. But it was as if she had disappeared from the face of the earth."

The sadness in Alan’s voice was evident. It was clear that this was a chapter of his life filled with regret and longing.

The sadness in his eyes was unmistakable. "I've always wondered what happened to her, and if she was alright. I never stopped loving her, Ethan. And to learn now that I have a son..." His voice trailed off, filled with a mix of wonder and sorrow.

I sat there, absorbing the words. The pieces of my life’s puzzle were slowly falling into place, each revelation simultaneously shocking and clarifying.

Alan's eyes held a blend of regret and determination as he spoke, and I could feel the weight of his emotions. "I can't begin to imagine what your mother must have gone through, raising you all by herself," he said, his voice filled with a heavy sincerity. "And I can’t even start to think about what you must have endured, growing up without a father."

He leaned in closer, his gaze fixed on me, as if trying to bridge the years of separation with just a look. "But I want to make things right, Ethan. I want to compensate for all the lost time, for all the years I wasn't there for you and your mother."

Sitting there, a storm of feelings raged within me. Here was my father, a man I never knew, revealing himself and the truth about my past. I felt anger for the years of his absence, for the struggles my mother and I faced alone.

Yet, there was also a part of me that was curious, perhaps even slightly hopeful, about what this new chapter might bring.

"I know I can't change the past," Alan continued, his voice echoing with sincerity. "But I have resources, connections. I want to offer you opportunities, support, anything you need to build a better future."

I was at a crossroads. The thought of suddenly having a father, particularly one so wealthy and influential, was overwhelming. But deep down, a flicker of hope stirred within me.

Maybe this was an opportunity to change my life, to escape the hardships and the pain that had been my constant companions.

For a moment, the room fell silent as I tried to come to terms with the revelations.

He reached out to a file on his table which contained some documents in it. "Not to be too forward, but I would want you to start living the way a Monroe deserves," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. The surname echoed in my ears, unfamiliar yet inherently part of me.

Opening the file, I was immediately struck by the enormity of what lay before me. Legal documents meticulously outlined the transfer of ownership of shares from a plethora of global companies.

The figures were astronomical, reaching into the quintillions. Among them were well-recognized companies, household names, yet their ownership had always been a mystery, known only by their CEOs.

As I flipped through the file, the scale of Alan's empire astounded me. I could tell he was wealthy but from what I was seeing; his reach extended into almost every conceivable industry.

HeliosTech was there, a giant in renewable energy, but so was Celestial Hospitality, a renowned chain of luxury hotels and resorts known for their exquisite service and opulence; specifically for celebrities and dignitaries.

There was mention of TerraFirma AgriCorp, an agricultural behemoth using revolutionary methods to revolutionize food production and sustainability.

I came across documents for Lumina Academia, a network of prestigious universities and research institutes spread across the globe, revered for their academic excellence and cutting-edge discoveries.

In the realm of media, Nova Entertainment stood out, a conglomerate controlling numerous TV networks, film studios, and digital platforms, shaping global entertainment and news.

There was also a significant stake in Aurora Health, a leader in pharmaceuticals and healthcare services, pioneering in medical research and patient care.

As I continued, I saw that Alan had interests in construction, with Atlas Constructions known for building some of the world's most iconic skyscrapers and infrastructures.

The scope of Alan's holdings was staggering, spanning across sectors and influencing every facet of modern life. Each page I turned unveiled another cornerstone of global industry, under the quiet control of this man sitting across from me.

"Alan, this is... overwhelming," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't just wealth; it's a whole new level of existence."

He looked at me, understanding and regret in his eyes. "I know it's a lot to take in, Ethan. I've missed so much of your life, and I'm trying to make up for that. This is my attempt to make things right, to give you the life you should have had. This is your rightful inheritance.”

"I need some time to think about this," I said, the file feeling like the heaviest thing in the world.

Alan nodded in understanding. "Take your time, Ethan. This is your life, your choice. I just want you to know that beyond the wealth and the companies, I want to be there for you as a father.”

"How about you come back in three days? And I can hear your decision?" Alan suggested. I agreed, "Three days is okay."