Ever since I was a child, I have deemed myself to be different amongst my colleagues. Precocious to be exact. Even from the smallest things such as when eating ice cream, I differed myself from those innocent children, by always wiping my mouth and elegantly eating the ice cream. Wherein everyone of my peers would always leave a foam of cream at or beside their mouth, I wouldn't. This was what made me feel superiority. To the very thing that I am doing right now, observation and deduction. Whilst that also seems simplistic and shallow, the difference is I externally show a small amount of pride, I know how to control it and I am aware. Tactics such as "Are you scared of losing to me?" would most definitely not work. Because power is for those who are ready to kneel down and pick it up, I would never make the same mistake as Napoleon Bonaparte did.
Descend..
What.... is this? I thought I was just using my laptop just now. Where am I? What is this? This room looks so grand, it almost befits of royalty. I remember being all interested in royalty and nobility that's why you could say I'm kind of sophisticated in these things, as I stood up the bed I was amazed at its fluffiness , I have never lied down in such a comfortable bed, it was like a dream. I sensed a tingling sensation in my back, instinctively I reached out for it then noticed it was my hair, wait what? my hair isn't that long, and also what in the world? it's blonde. I very well knew myself that a blonde hair would not fit with a light-brown skin of mine. Who did this? quickly I got up and started picking up my pace only to see a large mirror, it looked expensive and there I saw myself... I was in a Gucci Shirt with Black Blazers and White Trousers, and I had a watch on me, as I looked at it I was in awe, it was a Patek Philippe. It was my dream watch brand, This look of mine that I was currently seeing in the mirror, is what I loathed very much, it was the look of a man that is going to make people cry, or for instance a "playboy" .
"How is this possible?" I muttered to myself with intensity on both eyes and voice.
"How is what possible?" I looked back and it was a woman of dark-brown hair, with formal wear, a white long sleeve with a leather skirt perhaps. She was beautiful, probably born in an aristocratic sense, since I wasn't born in a country where aristocracy exists. How could a woman so noble notice me? I currently have been avoiding attention, did something happen?
"W-Who are you?" I said to the woman standing, hands to her hips. Ahh why did I stutter? this isn't me.
The woman who then looked so serious broke her calm expression and to my surprise laughed.
"I know you're harsh Mr. Rivera but you did not have to be that 'harsh', anyways may I talk to you about something?" . Wiping her tears in her face in exaggeration as an act of hearing something funny.
This woman isn't joking, she knows me. And "Mr. Rivera"? What kind of sick joke is that? you only call someone that when in a social gathering or someone of high position.
"What is it?" I asked. She smiles and scratches her head.
"Mr. Rivera you don't have to be so kind" What? I said to myself. "After all your father pays my wages for working as your secretary, he said you specifically asked for me, why?"
What in the world? how am I supposed to answer a woman I don't even know? And moreover, a secretary? what was Father thinking? I'm just going to have to use my skills for this to be done with, I have a silver tongue after all.
"The thing is, first time I saw you, you were a person who aspired for her dreams. A person with full spirit willing to take on challenges, and I very well know that you're insightful and some part of you has curiosity which is a good thing for every living person, in all sense you are an appropriate candidate for the job. There are a lot of people out there who are more qualified than you, but a person who has everything figured out is most likely boring, and I think this journey of ours will be interesting, You have something that society lacks nowadays, it's spirit. It is a very important quality to have, because everything starts with the spirit to do something, even if it seems like a small thing, So do me and everyone who cares about you to look after yourself and to take care of that quality. I look forward to getting to know you."
"What is with this attitude? I don't understand you, you wer-" Her face was kind of tinted with red and she cut off her words and I realized why she did so, she didn't have the right.
"I'm sorry Mr. Rivera, I didn't mean to do that. I got carried away please forgive me, is there something you want me to do?" She said so while kneeling down.
"What? no, it is alright, stand up" As i said those words she quickly stood up and patted her dress because of the ground. "What were you trying to say again?"
"Oh it's nothing, I will go now Sir, just call me if you need anything else." I nodded and she went on her way back.
Now time to find out what's going on, I exited my room and it wasn't what I imagined, it's not a Palace but a Manor. It was very spacious and it was of my taste. People who were in formal wear came to me and asked if I needed anything.
"Sure, give me a house tour." They were surprised and totally oblivious to the fact that I was standing there.
"Sir may I ask w-" A man cut her words off and I could hear him whisper "Just do it, we don't know what he might do to us if you defy him"
Kind of scary, but I would not resort to such tactics.
"Follow me, Mr Rivera." said by the man earlier whispering, and dismissed the others.
After about roughly 40 minutes it was done, I was reminded the room I woke up earlier was my room, the so called people who were on my room were servants, it's just a deduction but he probably felt annoyed seeing as to how it looked like I was joking to him, but I was not, I wasn't really familiar of this, he was constantly saying sorry.
After a few minutes of thinking, it was finalized. It's either a grand prank is being played on me orI'm in a parallel universe, but my thinking was kept with me. Why did this happen? I have a lot of questions, but for now I'm trying not to act weird.
I first noticed my style and went to the closet, it was a room full of clothes, they were also all expensive, what a sight. I changed everything that looked normal and didn't attract attention, a plain black shirt and black-grey pants. And I took off the gold ring that is indicating an eagle in my index finger, I guess I went full asshole back then. I was about to go outside when the so called secretary of mine called out to me.
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"Mr. Rivera it's Sunday you don't have any plans, perhaps you want to do something else?" She asked.
I said "Ah yes, would you mind coming with me, I'm not really familiar with this place at all"
She let out a little laugh "But you have been living in this place for the past decade"
That's when I realized my stupidity, God. She must've thought that the words "I am not really familiar with this place" is a strategy to get her close to me.
"Okay then, lead the way" She called out a car and a man wearing formal attire opened the door in front of me, I guess it's for me? I slowly got in the car it was a plain black Mercedes Benz, to my amazement I was looking around every detail it had. I mean I did not know I had transportation service.
"So Mr. Rivera, what do you plan on doing today?" The car starts and it was like the driver was waiting for my answer.
"Oh umm" I hesitated for a bit and said "I wanted to change my hair color".
Filled with curiosity the secretary which I didn't know the name of lifts her eyebrows in surprise and says "Really sir? we could just have the hair stylist come to the Manor" She said so.
"Oh, it does not matter. Let's go to them instead. I would not like to hassle them".
"Oh okay... Malves please take us there."
I would really expect her to be constantly surprised, since there is a possibility that the old me might have had a different attitude than what I am showing right now. Apparently the drivers name is "Malves" I'd have to remember that.
Minutes pass by and we arrived I asked "Is this it?"
The secretary said "Yes, lets disembark now" I pulled the lever like handle on the car and started getting off the car. I noticed Malves was hurrying up to me and said " Sir! I'm sorry, I was too slow, I could have opened the door for you". I shrugged off his concerns and said "It's nothing, let us go inside now."
As soon as I was near the door, a group of people gathered and they were all looking at me. "Why are they looking at me like that?" I asked, "Oh it's because you have not been here for a long time, and they merely get visits from VIP guests." VIP huh?
The Hospitality staff then welcomed me to their huge salon with a shout "Welcome Sir!" They all had same white uniforms. A particular person with a black uniform differs from the rest of them, this is probably the head of this establishment.
"Mr. Rivera what a pleasure! You should have let us know you were coming, please follow us." He guided me through a big private room, with a huge mirror that was surrounded by portraits of different famous people coming to their salon with autographs.
While I was sitting, the so called "prodigious" barber was cutting my hair to my desired length, the secretary then conversed with me in several occasions. As soon as that was finished, we came back to the car and talked.
"Sir tomorrow is Monday, will you be ready for school?" Oh right, school. how could I forget such a crucial thing. "Ever since that infamous case of the attempted murder, you have been acting different, is something the matter Mr. Rivera?" Wait what?
"Attempted murder? What do you mean?" The room fell silent to the point that I could even hear the breeze of the air conditioner, the people obviously didn't want to listen to such a sensitive topic in which they could be perilously involved in. I knew that I needed to be calm and not look ignorant, "Kindly summarize as to what happened in the event, that is if you are aware of the occurrence" subtly provoking her competence and not letting a hint of my ignorance show.
"Oh definitely sir, last week while you were on class you said that a particular person was aggravating you and mocking you. In the next day, after the first period came to an end, and lunch break was currently in session, whilst eating with your friends, he came to your table laughing and smiling in a mocking manner, you stood up and took out a .45 Colt and directly pointed it to his head, then he froze and collapsed due to anxiety." What in God's Green Earth happened? This is no normal issue, this is a matter of life and death.
"Apparently, the child you had a beef with is from the Laurel Family, a political family in this country. And they want to see you behind in bars as soon as possible, don't worry Mr. Rivera, your Father and the lawyers are handling this."
How did I became involved with such a influential family? At one point one of their kin became president I am sure of it, One president and one vice president. And as far as I can tell he suffered from vasovagal syncope, it happens when the part of your nervous system that controls your heart rate and blood pressure overreacts to an emotional trigger. He probably was having the worst seconds of his life when that .45 was pointed to his head, I already feel sorry for the man.
"Wait? my Father? can I see him?" I asked with concern. The secretary showed doubts in her eyes and said "What is with the sudden intention? you've never wanted to see your Father these years, but if you want I could schedule you a meeting with him?" I have always been with my Father, it is not reasonable as to why I wouldn't see him for years.
"Can't I just meet him? he is my Father, and I am his son. There is no need for such trivial procedures." I said in the most professional manner I could.
After a few calls from my secretary while on our way to the Manor, she finally responded.
"I'm sorry Mr. Rivera, your Father's assistant said that he was booked and busy in schedule for the next 3 months.".
"Can I atleast call him?" I asked.
"That is also unlikely to happen too, Sr. Rivera is a wary man, he has lots of enemies and is constantly in contact also with Don Antonio."
How??
In my original life Antonio who is my Father's boss was killed, my Father always said that it might've been the will of the Gods since he speculated that if the business he and sir Antonio's was established our Family would have been wealthy but estranged, he would have been involved in several infamous activities and so on. And in this universe he's alive? That means.
Wait, speaking of estranged, where are my brothers?
Questions were raised inside my mind, it's as if a massive dam has been breached, water was everywhre. I needed answers, but I wasn't stupid, only a fool would frantically ask questions without understanding the climate of a situation.
"Do you know where my brothers are?" She started stuttering "Oh u-um, you always told me to never to speak of it again."
"It is alright, Speak your mind" .
She took a deep breath and said "After your Father we-" The car stopped and a man was waiting outside the Manor. "Sir, please let me continue this in another time, I have to handle other urgent matters for you."
As I hurried up inside my room, and dozed off of my bed. Rethinking things, especially a plan for all of this, after all I have a slight idea as to how circumstances are right now.".
After lightly sleeping I decided to call upon my secretary, and she quickly went upstairs. "Tell me everything this instance." ,
"But before that, the Laurel Family's main lawyer came to our place and asked for an agreement" What agreement? " It said that you'd be granted a decrease of 5 years in jail time if you admit guilt, in attempting murder." There was no way in hell that I was going to do that.
"Please move to the next statement where it actually matters". She gulps and "Your brothers are, in Monaco. They were moved their by your Father after he was paranoid of them being in danger, ever since that event you were not in contact anymore."
"And why do you think I was left behind?" Asking a question with an upper hand won't feign ignorance.
"Because out of all the three you were the most capable mature and reasonable, and if something happened to your Father you would be the successor to all of it, he already named you as the heir to all of his belongings, he trusts you to take care of your brothers whenever they are in need. Although some of his peers don't agree with the second son inheriting the fortunes of the father, because tradition dictates the first born to have the right"
"Will you be going with me to school?" I asked quietly "Oh um no sir, but I am obligated to wait in the car outside the campus till school period's over" . "I see, that's good."
Hours past by and I was in my bed, I couldn't sleep. What are my classmates like? Are they fond of me? Tradition dictates that whoever is at the top gets the most respect, and also attention. I wouldn't want that for myself, respect is good, but attention is bad. Time to turn the tables around and challenge myself, this will be interesting.