I am the Heir

Insulted

My first move wasn't to break ground on a skyscraper or go out and buy a supercar. I was thinking about Ava. She was the one who stayed by my side when I was just a grease monkey getting paid by the day. Now, I had everything I needed to make her the happiest woman alive.

I decided to keep these assets a secret from everyone, including Ava, until the time was right. I wanted the proposal to be a massive surprise. More importantly, I wanted her to say yes because of who I am, not because of the commas in my bank account.

The next morning, I headed straight to an upscale shopping district. I was still rocking my usual "uniform": an old denim jacket, a plain black tee, and jeans with a few oil stains near the hem. I stepped into a high-end jewelry store called The Stone Gallery. 

I walked in. Three saleswomen in crisp uniforms were standing behind the counter, chatting quietly. When I approached, they spared me a glancing look and then immediately looked away. No "Welcome in," no friendly smile. Nothing.

I stopped in front of a display case featuring a collection of diamond rings. I pointed to one with a particularly large stone.

"Excuse me, I’d like to see this one," I said.

The closest saleswoman, a woman with heavy makeup and a name tag that read Tracey, just turned her head without moving an inch.

"That’s very expensive, sir. We’re talking six figures. If you're just browsing, there’s a silver shop next door," Tracey replied, her tone dripping with condescension. Her friend next to her let out a tiny smirk.

I didn't let her get a rise out of me. "I asked if I could see the ring."

Tracey let out a long sigh, as if I had just asked her for a kidney. "Sir, our policy here is for serious buyers only. We don't want the diamonds getting dull from being handled by people who aren't actually purchasing."

I looked her dead in the eye. "You have no idea what I can afford. Now, get the ring."

She finally moved, albeit sluggishly. She pulled on a white glove and took the ring out, but she didn't hand it to me. She just held it up in front of my face.

"I need to check the fit. My girlfriend's ring finger is about the same size as hers," I said, pointing to the younger saleswoman standing next to Tracey. Her name tag said Maya. She looked younger and clearly felt awkward about how her senior was acting.

"Maya, would you mind trying this on? I want to see how it looks on a hand that's the same size as my future wife's," I requested.

Maya glanced at Tracey, then hesitantly slipped the ring onto her finger. The diamond looked perfect. The sparkle was incredible. I knew Ava would love it.

"How much?" I asked.

"Two hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars. Firm," Tracey snapped. "So, are we buying, or are we going back to sleep so you can finish the dream?"

I reached into my backpack. I pulled out stacks of cash I had picked up from the bank's private wealth wing that morning. I slammed three large bricks of hundred-dollar bills onto the glass counter. Each stack was worth a hundred grand.

"I’m buying it. Cash. Now. Pull the paperwork," I said flatly.

The store went dead silent. Tracey’s jaw dropped. The hand holding her notepad went stiff. Maya nearly dropped the jewelry box. Other customers in the store turned to stare.

A middle-aged man in a black suit emerged from the back office—the store manager. He took one look at the piles of cash on the counter and his employees' pale faces and read the room instantly.

"Is there a problem here?" the manager asked.

"No problem. I just wanted to buy this ring, but your staff suggested I try the silver shop instead," I replied, crossing my arms.

The manager immediately bowed his head. He shot a lethal look at Tracey.

"I am incredibly sorry, sir. This was a massive failure in service on our part. Tracey, process the certificate immediately and give this gentleman a preferred discount!" the manager barked, sounding panicked.

Tracey was moving at lightning speed now. Her face was bright red with embarrassment. She couldn't even meet my eyes. She wrapped the jewelry box with extreme care, tucked it into an exclusive velvet-lined bag, and handed it to me with shaking hands.

"Here is the ring, sir. Again, I am so sorry for my rudeness," she whispered.

I took the bag without saying a word. The manager followed me all the way to the exit, desperately offering me a VIP membership and free lifetime cleaning services.

"Don't bother. I just wanted the ring, not a hollow apology," I said, stepping out onto the sidewalk.

I stood there, holding a bag containing a ring that cost as much as a house. The sting of their treatment still lingered, but there was a grim satisfaction in seeing that smug look crumble. I looked inside the bag. The diamond really was beautiful. Ava deserved it—more than anyone else in the world.

It was time to propose.