Chapter 5 Michael's loneliness

Chapter 5

Michael drove on the street and finally stopped beside the roadside, parked the car, and sat under a giant tree that gave him a shield from the hotness of the sun.

Onlookers didn't fail to throw at him mocking words. However, he ignored them and was left alone to his thoughts.

Who didn't know him as the popular broke man in the whole town of Maple?

He slumped down onto the ground, having his head buried between his legs as he sobbed. "I am such a useless man. I can't even provide for my wife and in-laws. Soon, we'll be kicked out of the house and I don't even know what to do." His heart sank deeply as tears welled down from his eyes.

"Father-in-law was right. I'm just living off their earnings instead of providing. What a worthless man I am." He couldn't hold back his tears.

Immediately, he wiped off his tears and raised his eyebrows. He spotted a car driving towards where he was, and he quickly stood on his feet as he watched the car approach.

A middle-aged man dressed in a branded suit emerged from the black Pathfinder, and Michael quickly recognized him as soon as his eyes spotted him.

He was the best friend of his late father and he hasn't set his eyes on him for over four years now.

"Uncle John! It's you." He called out. Although John wasn't his father's or mother's brother that was how he did address him.

"Michael my dear. It's been a long time since we last met. How have you been?" He asked, letting his eyes trail slowly around Michael's outfit.

He was wearing a brown shirt and black clothes, which were all worn out.

"Everything has been fine. The economy is looking good on you. So how is Aunt Susan your wife and Becky your daughter?"

"Thanks for the compliment. And as for my wife and daughter, they're all fine." John let his eyes trailed on Michael again and he sighed heavily.

The state in which he was seeing him wasn't appealing to the eyes at all.

"Michael, we need to talk."

"About?" Michael was too fast to ask.

"Something important. Just park your car and join me in mine. We have so many things to talk about. Before I forget, how is your new family– Rose, your wife, your father-in-law, and others, how are they?"

"They're fine. Thank you for your concern."

"I also heard their company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and their properties will soon be taken away from them because of their inability to pay their debts."

Michael nodded, slightly bowing his head in shame. "Yes sir."

"I see... Don't worry, just follow me and everything will be fine." He said and entered the car.

"What does he mean by" I should follow him and everything will be fine?" He hesitated. But soon, he took his place inside the car.

There was an hour of silence as the driver drove them through the town, and when the car finally came to a halt in front of a large, sophisticated mansion that displayed wealth from every corner, Michael's jaw almost dropped to the ground.

"Uncle John, why have you brought me to this place?" Michael asked curiously as soon as they got out of the car. His eyes slowly trailed around the luxurious mansion.

"Just follow me and you will get to know about it yourself," John instructed and strode inside. Without further questions, Michael trailed behind him.

Stepping inside the large lavish living room, Michael's eyes widened in great astonishment. The Stephen house, which he had once regarded as something, was nowhere close to what he was seeing.

The air in the room was overflowing with wealth showcasing its importance. Michael's staggered back, he was afraid of seeing someone like him of a poor status being in such a wealthy place.

"Is he the one?" A man who seemed too busy flipping over the pages of a document asked, letting his eyes linger on Michael.

"Yes, he's the one. His name is Michael Robinson, the only son of my late best friend, Robinson James."

"Oh, I see...It's a great honor to finally meet with you after several searches. You're welcome, Mr. Michael." Michael halted, but afterward, he later went ahead and received the handshake.

"Michael, this is Barrister Benjamin Brown. He's the one in charge of every legal work of your family and he'll be helping you fill out every crucial document that will enable you to become the heir of THE TRILLIONS FASHION COMPANY."

"What? Trillions Fashion Company?" Michael was astonished. "Uncle John, if this is a joke, please stop it. You know me quite too well that I hate it when someone jokes with me."

"Mr. Michael, it's no joke. Mr. John is right." Benjamin interrupted with a smile. "Please, have a seat, and let's briefly clarify this." Michael, however, retorted, but he later sat down opposite Benjamin, and John sat beside him.

"What do you mean by he is right?" He asked immediately.

"Just relax your mind, Michael, while we explain everything to you." He paused then continued after a deep breath...

"You see...your parents had been hard-working persons, a bd they had managed to set up this company that's now the most regarded and the richest company in town."

"What? How come no one told me about this all these years?"

"We tried to. Your parents tried reaching out to you but you never answered their calls just because they weren't in support of you getting married to Rose.

And I too have been searching for you all these years but you were nowhere to be found not until I went through a proposal document from Beauty Fashion Company seeking collaboration with us and I spotted Rose's name, your wife on it that was when I knew you were still in town and I had to look for you and luckily I found you."

In shock, Michael's arms crossed, his mouth wide open as he remained silent, unable to say a word.

"Michael, I have tasted wealth over the years now and I think it's your time to take over your rightful position."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Michael fell from his seat onto his knees. "Thank you so much, Uncle John. I'm the luckiest person on earth to have someone like you in my life. Thank you."

John's eyes narrowed down to him. "Please, stop this Michael, you don't have to do this. Remember, it's your parents who have made this possible, and if you should thank anyone, then it probably should be them and not me."

Michael's heart sank. "They're no longer alive so I have to thank you instead." Tears welled down from his eyes.

"It's okay. Now, stand up and take your place and prove to your wife and in-laws that you have always been capable."