Chapter three

He couldn't believe his luck. Could it be that his fortunes were finally turning? Could it be that he was finally getting the recognition and respect he deserved?

Marco sat up in bed, his mind racing with possibilities. He could pay off all his debts, buy a new apartment, and travel the world. He could even buy the girl he had been after a dress and take her to Reina's birthday party, showing her that he was more than just a poor loser.

His mind tracked back to the wish he made to the skies and wondered if that was real.

"Don't tell me I can wish for anything to happen and it will?" he asked into thin air.

He chuckled as he laughed. That can't be the case.

As the possibilities swirled in his head, Marco couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and excitement. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally looking up for him. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally be happy on his birthday.

For a second, he let himself dream about the possibilities but a frown quickly marred his face when he understood that this could be another prank.

Marco's emotions were a swirl of confusion and disbelief as he stared at his phone. He couldn't believe that someone would play such a prank on him again. The last time this had happened, he had been so frustrated and angry that he had thrown his old phone away in a fit of rage.

If this was another prank then rest assured that Marco is going to be having a very long conversation with the person.

For a split second, Marco wished it was true too. If this was real then his days of struggling would be over in a blink of an eye.

He would be able to follow his peers to things like camp, and cafes and also would have friends since he would be on the same level as them.

Marco shook his head, he could only daydream but that's where it ends. He wasn't a millionaire, he was just a poor kid who was trying to survive.

And no matter how hard he worked or how nice he was, he always seem to end up in really bad situations. He was tired.

Marco was tired of the life he was living and wanted something more, he wanted freedom and for God's sake, he wanted this money to be real.

"Stop dreaming." Marco cautioned himself.

His phone rang again, and Marco's heart rate began to increase. He felt a mix of anger and fear as he wondered who could be behind this prank and what they wanted from him. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was somehow connected to the previous prank, and the thought made him even more anxious.

Despite his reservations, Marco couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope as well. What if this time, it wasn't a prank at all? What if something important was happening and he was missing out because he was too quick to dismiss it as another foolish joke?

Marco's emotions were a jumbled mess. He felt anger, fear, hope, and confusion all at once, and he wasn't sure how to deal with any of it.

All he knew was that he needed to find out the truth and put an end to this emotionally draining situation.

Marco's hand shook as he picked up his phone, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and disbelief.

"Hello?" Marco said, his voice quivering.

"Marco, it's your father," came the serious reply. "I have something important to tell you."

Marco sighed as soon as he heard his father's voice, he felt relief.

"Good evening, Dad."

"Marco, I need you to listen to me."

He sat up straight, all signs of his earlier struggle gone as he listened to his father.

"you are scaring me, what is it?" he questioned his father.

Marco heard his father sigh.

"Marco..." his father began

"no," Marco said when his father was done.

"you pretended to be poor all this time?" Marco asked in disbelief.

"yes, I am sorry we had to deceive you and your siblings but it was for your good."

"you left us to fend for ourselves because you were too poor, that isn't being deceitful, that's being wicked" Marco spat.

"son, listen. it is a family rule that all heirs should learn to fend for themselves till their eighteenth birthday, you have done the family proud with the way you have taken care of yourself all this while."

Marco's emotions were all over the place as he listened to his father's words. He felt shocked as he learned that their family was the richest in the world, and confused as he tried to understand why they had always pretended to be poor.

But as the full weight of his father's words hit him, Marco felt a surge of excitement and hope. He had always struggled to make a living on his own, and the thought of knowing that they had the opportunity to help him instead of leaving him to suffer was almost too much to bear.

Marco stared at the phone in shock as he listened to his father's words. He had always known that his family was poor as his parents led him to believe, but he had no idea that they were the richest family in the world.

"But why?" Marco asked, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation. "Why would you make us go through all this? Why not just give us the money from the start?"

His father replied sternly. "It was a test, Marco. We wanted to see if you have what it takes to be a responsible and successful member of the family."

Marco kept mute.

"Marco?" his father prompted.

"So you pretended to be poor all this time just to teach us lessons? That is too much." Marco said.

He felt like crying, all the times he had suffered and toiled just to eat once a day brought fresh tears to his eyes.

His father sighed on the other end of the line.

"Because, Marco, wealth can be a curse as well as a blessing. It's easy to become complacent and lose sight of what's truly important when you have everything handed to you.

By making you earn your way, we hope to instill a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility in you and your siblings. Trust me, it will serve you well in the long run."

Marco was silent for a moment, processing his father's words. He couldn't deny that there was some truth to what his father was saying. But at the same time, he couldn't help feeling a twinge of resentment.

I know this is a lot to take in," his father continued, "but you must learn the value of hard work and independence. Now that you have turned 18, I am sure you have gotten your first pocket money, 100 million dollars."

Marco couldn't believe what he was hearing. his eyes widened as he stared at the message. 100 million dollars was an unimaginable sum of money, and the thought of having it at his disposal was almost too much to bear.

But at the same time, the prospect of having to make it on his own for the next two years was daunting.

it was a prank.

This felt way too real, Marco believed it for a second since his dad was involved. His father had no reason to lie to him.

"Dad, are you serious?" Marco asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

"I'm dead serious, son," his father replied a hint of amusement in his voice. "You're a millionaire now. Go to the bank tomorrow morning and check for yourself if you don't believe me."

"I will go the bank." he agreed.

Marco's head was spinning. This was too much to take in, but he had never imagined that he would be a millionaire on his own. It was an incredible feeling, but it was also overwhelming.

It felt Surreal, so unbelievable that he wanted to cry.

"I don't know what to say," Marco stuttered. "This is all so sudden."

"I know it is, son," his father said, his voice now laced with understanding. "But you're a smart and capable young man. I do not doubt that you'll do great things with your wealth. Just remember to use it wisely and to always be grateful for what you have."

"I promise, I will make you proud," Marco said.

"I know you will. Happy birthday, son." his father said as he hung up leaving Marco to stare at his phone.

Marco couldn't contain his emotion any longer. He let out a whoop of joy, his heart racing with the knowledge that his future was finally looking bright.

"Thank you, Dad!" he exclaimed to himself. "I won't let you down. I'll work hard and prove that I'm worthy of being a part of the family."