Rags To Riches: The Rise Of Mr. Nobody.

Chapter 2: Who... Am I?

Jayden stared at the screen, his hand trembling. His chest felt tight, and for a moment he thought he might collapse right there on the sofa.

No… no, this can’t be real. It can't be!

“Earth to Jay!” Grayson’s voice jolted him.

Jayden blinked, slowly lifting his gaze from the phone. The room felt unreal, like everything had tilted sideways.

“Uh… you okay?” Nathan leaned forward, brow furrowed. “You look like you saw a ghost.”

“I… I’m fine,” Jayden muttered, his voice shaky.

Grayson grabbed his jacket. “Come on. Restaurant. It’s a yes. We’re going out.”

Jayden sighed, eyes drifting back to the credit alert.

Who even sent this? Was this a mistake?

His phone buzzed. An unknown number.

He hesitated. Then swiped Answer.

“Hello. Is this Mr. Jayden Hart?” A calm, measured voice came through.

“Yes…” Jayden’s words barely escaped.

“Who am I speaking with?”

“This is James Rodriguez. Mr. Hart, did you receive the transfer?”

Jayden’s stomach twisted. “W-were you the one—” He swallowed hard. His words caught in his throat.

“Yes. The money is yours.”

“Why… why?” Jayden whispered.

“There are matters I’d like to discuss in person,” the man said. “Feel free to withdraw more if you need. You have plenty.”

Jayden stared at the wall.

'Plenty? My hands are shaking. This doesn’t make sense. This isn’t mine… is it?' he thought.

“Where do we meet?”

“I’ll send the address. Goodbye, Mr. Hart.”

The call ended.

Jayden sank onto the sofa’s edge, staring blankly at the floor. The room felt too small, too quiet, too heavy.

His friends exchanged glances.

“Jay… you okay?” Nathan asked again.

“I’m… fine,” he murmured, forcing a smile.

Another beep. A text.

APEXIUM CONGLOMERATE. 70TH FLOOR.

Jayden’s heart skipped.

'Apexium Conglomerate? That’s the largest company in Florida City… What the hell is going on? Is this a prank?'

“I’ll be right back,” he muttered, standing.

His friends didn’t say anything.

They watched him leave. Grayson shrugged. “He’ll be fine.”

****

He got out of the house and waved down a cab.

‘What if the man is lying?’ he thought.

“To the nearest bank.” He instructed.

Soon, he reached his destination and alighted from the car. Rain splashed on his tattered jacket. The wind tugged at his hair. Jayden reached into his pocket. Nothing.

“Uh… aren’t you gonna pay me?” the taxi driver snapped, glaring.

“I… I forgot,” Jayden said, ashamed.

The man muttered something under his breath and drove off. Jayden exhaled, rubbing his temples. How could I forget? The last cash went to get home from Whitney’s place… damn it.

At the ATM, a small line had formed. Jayden waited, heart pounding.

A woman stepped in front of him.

“Miss, I was here first,” he said, frowning.

She tilted her head, lips curling. “And? What does a wretched man like you even have to withdraw?”

Jayden blinked, stunned.

'Did she just… insult me?'

She scanned him from head to toe. “Your hair, your clothes, those slippers… everything screams poor.”

For the first time after so many years, he looked down. His slippers were worn through, his jacket frayed, sleeves torn. She was right.

Still, he swallowed hard. “I—It’s my turn.”

The woman sneered. “You think two dollars or five makes a difference?”

Whispers spread in the line. Someone muttered, “Yeah, my garbage is better than him.”

Jayden froze, grip tightening. But a man stepped forward, voice calm but firm:

“Enough. This isn't a courtroom. Let him withdraw his money.”

Jayden slipped the card into the machine. The screen blinked… nine zeros.

It’s real.

His hands shook as he withdrew twenty thousand dollars. People stared, expecting failure. The machine beeped SUCCESSFUL.

Some gasped. Some turned away, whispering.

Jayden gave a small nod and left, shoulders tense, heart racing.

Soon, he stood in front of Apexium Conglomerate, eyes narrowing.

Apexium Conglomerate towered above him like a glass giant, its windows reflecting the afternoon sun.

'Who gives billions… for free? This… can't be real,' he wondered as he walked in.

The lobby was vast, all marble floors and high ceilings. People in suits moved briskly, their footsteps echoing.

He exhaled, trying to calm himself before approaching someone he assumed to be an employee there. She glanced at his hair and clothes.

“What can I do for you?” she asked, tone polite but skeptical.

“I’m here for the 70th floor,” Jayden said, trying to sound confident.

She raised a brow. “Appointment with someone?”

“Yes… Mr. James Rodriguez.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s our vice chairman. How do you know him? Are you here to… beg for money?”

Jayden clenched his fists, jaw tight. “I’m not here to beg. Can you direct me to his office?”

The woman scowled but nodded. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Jayden ignored.

As he walked to the elevator, a man in a suit grabbed his arm.

“Where do you think you’re going? New cleaner?”

“No. I'm here to see Mr. James Rodriguez,” he replied confidently.

“You dare to call his name like you've known him before? I bet you've never seen his shadow.”

Jayden sighed, fingers running through his hair. He pulled out his phone and dialed.

“Hello, Mr. Hart?”

“I'm in the place but no one is letting me in,” Jayden said.

The man exclaimed, “ W-what? stay put. Please, I’m coming. Don’t panic.”

The man in the suit scoffed. “Calling is not gonna do anything.”

Jayden crossed his arms.

A cold hush fell as someone approached. Vice Chairman James Rodriguez, brisk and confident, stopped in front of Jayden.

“Welcome, Mr. Hart,” he said, smiling.

Eyes in the lobby widened. Jayden’s gaze swept over them.

“Who doubted your presence?” Rodriguez asked sharply.

The man who insulted Jayden stepped back, sweat beading his forehead.

“That's him!” He pointed.

“You're fired!”

“S-sir, I didn't mean to. Please don't fire me.” He pleaded.

“That's what you get. Do you know who he is?” The vice chairman snapped.

Jayden exhaled, rubbing his neck. His heart pounded.

Who am I?