Rino's eyes lingered on the title, "Hidden Property".
Hidden Property?
He wondered what it could mean, but decided not to let the cat die of curiosity.
His eyes darted to the body of the letter as he began to read its contents.
To my beloved sons, Rino and Josh Carter,
Seeing the salutation, Rino was baffled.
"I thought I was always the Useless Son?" he muttered, then straightened the paper on his lap and began to read.
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If your eyes have met this letter, then it means the Will has been partially revealed according to how best I thought it should be, and the properties shared among you.
However, come power, come responsibility, and so, the two cannot be handed down like inheritance. They must be earned.
You must have understood what I meant by democratization in earning a thing. Of course, you should be wise enough to understand what I mean by now.
Hence, I thought it best that the lifeblood of my ambition, should go to any of you, my sons, who are not only able but capable as well.
There is one more business property, not associated with my name, but has the necessary documents that deem its authenticity to belong to the Carter Family.
This property, my company, is hidden in plain sight and is managed by someone I happen to trust more than any board of directors. So, the company was not built on stocks, but single-handedly by my effort.
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Rino toggled the collar of his pyjamas shirt, before turning to the next page of the letter he was reading.
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The company is an already thriving company in the global market, and will not recognize any of you as an heir to its inheritance.
Acquiring ownership over the company is strictly not by inheritance, the manager is adamantly aware of this fact.
If you can, you buy the company. Any way you wish to take over the business, as far as you earn it, is highly accepted.
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Rino's eyes widened at this point, he continued reading to find what could probably be the company's name.
If it was hidden in plain sight—
Wait, "hidden in plain sight?" Does that mean the name won't be mentioned?
He shook his head, not wanting to believe that was possible.
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The first of my sons to acquire this business, will inherit full control over my private equity shares, and offshore trust funds, only known to the Manager of the company and myself.
Your ability to achieve this feat, will keep the company in the name of the Carter Family. But your inability will only make you remain ordinary successors of my leftovers.
Remember, the company is a thriving company hidden in plain sight.
Please, fail to disappoint me.
—Moses Carter.
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This sudden revelation stirred another brink of hope in Rino.
He began to wonder about the disappointment that must have bashed Josh in the face when he read the letter.
He folded the letter neatly and slid it back into the envelope before a chime rang in his head.
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«↓ 3¡3 Goals Identified ↑»
«↓ 3¡3: Find and Invest in any thriving Company ↑»
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Rino shook his head as if replying to the system's instruction.
"I will do that. But now is the time to breathe," he murmured and went to take his bath and freshen up.
***
Not long after, Rino stepped out of the building to the garage, where brands of different high cars were parked.
He moved to the spot where his sleek black Maybach was parked and entered it.
Moments later, he was already traveling the road nestled between towering glass buildings and manicured streets until he came to a halt in the parking slot of a place.
Somewhere that wouldn't be known to have existed unless you belonged to a certain class.
By his left was an electrical signpost, erected to show off designer lights. On it, was written the name of this place—
Café D'Étoile.
From the outside, the café looked like something from one of the luxury U.S. districts Rino could remember in his former life. Iron fences, black wrapped around marble-paved perimeter. While cascaded down the right side of the building's facade, was a sleek waterfall installation.
Rino stepped out of the car, inhaling fresh air that came from the feeling of visiting a place that was believed to belong to a first class.
I am quite lucky.
He watched himself for the second time, feeling his attire.
He was dressed in a crisp white designer suede bomber jacket and distressed luxury jeans. His feet fitted well into his spotless white sneakers, and the Patek Philippe hugged his wrist perfectly.
He walked into the café and was welcomed with the scent of roasted beans mixed with a crisp lavender.
Each seat, dressed in designer labels, was tugged into the glass tables which reflected the chandeliers overhead.
Rino confidently went to an empty area, and pulled out the chair, settling comfortably.
One of the waitresses behind the marble counter came to his service.
"Your usual, sir?"
It seemed this café was a regular for the real Rino Carter.
Guided by his memories, Rino offered a nod and added. "Black. No sugar."
As the waitress went to get his order, Rino couldn't help but feel himself.
He was enjoying the benefits of the rich. And, to think that someone, naturally meant to be his age mate was enjoying these benefits, while, he—Rino Ikenna—suffered in his previous life, was...
What else could he term it? He just shook his head slightly and muttered.
"Life is unfair."
The waitress returned not long after, with a cup of the coffee Rino ordered, handing them to Rino in a seductive manner.
If he had been Rino Ikenna, this attitude wouldn't have mattered to him. Maybe, he wouldn't have noticed.
But, Rino Carter, happened to be a girls freak.
He smiled and watched as the waitress dropped the cup on the table, and left to assume her position at the marble counter.
Struggling with the personality of Rino Ikenna that was in him, he let the thoughts that were beginning to creep in slip off and handled the steaming cup of coffee.
At intervals, he took several sips from the cup, letting the bitter warmth settle his mind.
"...is that why you quit your future to chase after a dream?"
The words from his father of his former life flashed through his mind.
"Fortunately, I'm living my dream now. And I will build a better future."
He murmured, taking the last sips from the cup.
A different waitress came around this time to collect the bills or inquire about more orders since the one who served him had already been engaged with another customer.
"What's the price?" Rino asked.
"The normal price, sir," the girl said, before noticing the furrow in Rino's brows. "Sorry, that $5,000."
$5,000 for a cup? Rino couldn't believe it. But, it wasn't a problem for him anymore.
He had more than could require, even if he was to pay for the bills of the few customers that were seated here.
He alighted from the chair he occupied, and left the café, not in a haste, but with quick precision.
He seemed to have something else to attend to.
***
Rino was once again on the road, traveling in a direction leading from the café to a different destination.
At this moment, a strange similarity struck him.
Landmarks and road patterns were aligned in eerie familiarity. They looked exactly like the ones from his former life.
But, to be sure he knew where he was heading, he tapped into his car's GPS and set coordinates to a location he once knew well.
He was heading to the motel where his family once lived in his previous life.
He wanted to check how things were fairing for them.
But when he arrived, confusion hit him like a jolt.
There was no motel in this area.
The place was lit with grocery stores and billboard advertisements.
He pulled over, stepping out into the reality of what he was seeing.
Just then, a young lady in a chic designer coat stepped out of one of the stores, with her high heels clicking against the pavement.
"Excuse me..."
Rino approached the lady.
The lady in question raised a brow, interrupting him before he could finish.
"Look, I'm not one of those cheap girls you think you can see on the road, and plan your perfect way to harass. Please, carry your embarrassment elsewhere."
Rino blinked, amused at the words of the girl.
Yes, the girl's attire was actually showing off a little bit of wealth, but, that was below his standard.
"I only wanted to ask if there used to be a motel around here. Or, if there is any I can find."
The girl softened her expression, with the shopping bags clamped in her hands.
"A motel? This has always been a commercial zone—at least for as long as I've been around. A motel, or whatever you wish to find does not exist here."
Rino nodded at the girl's response. "Right. Thanks."
Drenched in the disappointment of the moment, he watched behind the girl as she trod her path onwards.
As he returned to his car, he sank into the seat, and let his thoughts take over.
Was, perhaps, his reincarnation too clean?
Whatever the case might have been for his fate, it had ensured that his past and present could never collide?
He was granted an entirely new life, with two in one personality.
Lightening struck, followed by a loud bolt of thunder.
Then, the cloud poured out heavy rain, as if the weight of it was overbearing for it.
The patter of rain on his front window attracted his attention, and he looked outside just to notice the dim light of the night had embraced the environment.
He started his car and prepared to set off when a knock came from the passenger window.
It was her, the same girl from earlier.
She had already been drenched by the rain, holding her shopping bags together over her head like a shield.
"Please, can you offer me a lift? My car just died on me," the girl muttered, her voice quieter this time.
Of course, it hadn't dawned on her the owner of the car she was pleading with.
"Could you maybe... take me home? Or somewhere dry?"
The girl's voice continues from outside.
Take you home? Your home you mean?
Rino wound up the glass of his window, smiling at the irony of the situation.
Then, with a silent nod, he reached over and unlocked the door.