2 Heir Morningstar

The dark sky was starless, with white wispy clouds swimming across its surface. The gray moon hung silently above, bathing the whole estate in its celestial glow.

The cold air filled my lungs as I took a deep breath, clearing my mind and helping to tune out the background noise.

My eyes took in the exquisite sight of the carefully and artistically manicured green garden that stretched all the way to my little private mansion, illuminated by thoughtfully placed streetlamps.

I had seen it a billion times, but I still couldn't get enough of it. It was beautiful in more ways than one.

"...Eighteen years, huh? Time sure does fly." I whispered softly with a smile on my face as I slipped my left hand into the pocket of my black trousers.

Sometimes, it seemed as if it was only yesterday I was assassinated and then subsequently reincarnated into this world. Till now, I still had no clue whatsoever as to how it happened or even why.

After all, I wasn't religious in any way or form. I didn't believe in any God, deity, or any Supreme being for that matter. To me, religion was just another tool to keep the masses in check.

A tool that had proven to be very useful and something I had used extensively to advance my goals and objectives. Plus, I wasn't what you'd call a model citizen or even a good person.

I had done so many vile and evil things in my past life that could scare away the boogeyman. The things I had done to further my goals were enough to condemn me to eternal torment in hell, and I wasn't even ashamed or sorry I did them to warrant me a chance of redemption.

So imagine my surprise when I was given another chance at life in another world. A chance to start afresh and rewrite my own destiny.

I didn't know who or what to thank for this new life, but like I vowed eighteen years ago, I was going to make the most out of it even if I had to put my life on the line.

After all, what was life without a little bit of risk and danger?

The clicking sounds of high heels rang behind me as someone walked onto the open balcony, accompanied by the soft and familiar perfume of lilies, breaking me out of my thoughts.

The previously muted out chatter and music flowed into my ears again as the person paused a few feet behind me. Smiling, I turned to face the person.

The person was a tall and beautiful middle-aged woman with long flowing blonde hair, serious almond-shaped green eyes adorned by crow's feet, and framed by thin light brown eyebrows.

She had high cheekbones, thin red glossed lips, pale smooth skin, and a heart-shaped face. She was clothed in a light green designer dress that hugged her slender and curvaceous body and brought light to her eyes.

A warm and loving smile spread across her face that infected me, bringing a similar smile to my face when our eyes met. She was Vivian Morningstar, my mother and the woman I loved the most in both worlds.

"Is something wrong, Michael?" She asked softly, her voice warm and gentle as she stretched out her hand and placed her soft warm palm on my face.

"Nothing's wrong, Mom." I shook my head with a smile.

"Well then, why are you here and not enjoying your party?" She removed her hand from my face and questioned with a raised eyebrow. "You realize a lot of the guests back there came a long way just to speak with you, right?"

"Don't you mean, came a long way to kiss my ass?" I chuckled playfully, and she gently hit my arm.

"Language, Michael," She reprimanded seriously and then shook her head with a helpless smile on her face. "Be that as it may, they're still your guests, and it's only basic courtesy to entertain them."

"Alright, alright, no need to lecture me," I sighed and said with a smile. "I'll be back in the ballroom in a minute."

"Good," She nodded happily and stretched forth both her hands to hold my face, gazing into my eyes emotionally with a proud smile on her face. "If only your father was here to see you finally become a man. He'd be so proud of you."

My smile broadened at her words, and she bent my head down gently to lay a kiss on my forehead.

"I'll be going inside now. I have to go and relieve some of the pressure from Ethan before he says something that bruises someone's ego." She remarked playfully as she let go of my face, making me chuckle.

"Finish up whatever you're doing and come back to the party. A lot of people want to speak to the Heir Morningstar. There's also a tiny surprise waiting for you." She informed cryptically with a mysterious smirk, turning to walk back into the ballroom.

"A surpise?" An eyebrow rose at her words. "What is it? At least give me a clue."

"...It is a Captain." She said as she paused, turning her head to look at me with a smile and then stepped into the noisy ballroom.

"That fraud is here? Interesting." I muttered to myself and then smirked. This night wasn't going to be boring after all.

Well then, it was time to make powerful friends and annoy a powerful narcissistic superhero. The latter taking priority of course.

Adjusting my tie as the cold wind whipped my hair softly, I put on my characteristic charming smile and confidently strode into the room.

A warm golden glow emanating from the crystal chandeliers hanging overhead from the vaulted ceiling, the vibrant jazz music, and the mix of all sorts of perfumes assaulted my senses the moment I entered the room.

The room was large and wide, with a polished marble floor that had tall slender columns of smooth onyx rising from it to support the ceiling.

Emerald curtains of the finest silk money could buy framed the expansive windows that ran along the walls of the room. Beautiful floral arrangements adorned every corner of the room, giving the room a feel of nature's touch.

And in the center of the room was a spacious dance floor crafted from Brazilian hardwood with intricate marquetry patterns.

At the far front end of the room stood the live jazz band on a raised dias, filling the room with classic tunes.

Throughout the opulent ballroom were strategically placed dessert stations and champagne fountains.

Men and women from all over the world, dressed in luxurious tuxedos or designer dresses and gowns, stood beside the culinary stations, conversing as they tasted the expensive treats and sipped on glasses of champagne cocktails.

The room quieted down considerably when the guests saw me. I had the attention of almost everyone in the room. It was as if I were a magnet, pulling each and everyone's eyes on me.

Near the dance floor, I could see my mother and Ethan standing next to the Mayor of Bellwood and two Arabian Princes, looking at me with proud and loving smiles.

The people here were the top one percent of society. The 'la crème de la crème' of America and the world. Rich and powerful men and women had a significant portion of the world in their pockets.

People who either had entire countries in their control or had the economies of various nations and the world at large depending on them.

People who, in a sense, ruled the world, and they were all here just for me. Very few people could relate to the exhilarating feeling of power I felt at this moment. It was something that couldn't be put into words.

I held my head high and my shoulders straight at the attention my presence demanded from them, flashing them my charming smile as I scanned the place with my eyes till I found my target who locked eyes with me.

A few people took a step towards me but halted when they saw me walking towards someone with a smile plastered on my face.

The guests, getting the message, went back to building their connections or chatting. Their time would come.

"Mr. Nesmith," I called out politely to the middle-aged man who was surrounded by richly dressed handsome and beautiful young men and women with a smile on my face.

They were all looking at me, some with disguised envy, some with admiration, and some with lust. I knew some of them personally. They were members of powerful families.

But I ignored them for now as my focus was on the man in front of me.

He was tall and handsome with broad shoulders, short black hair, hard dark eyes, an oval face with sharp features, and a straight pencil-styled mustache.

He was wearing a black designer suit with a deep red tie that emphasized his muscular physique and height. He had a distinct air around him that commanded respect, like a soldier.

This man was Carl Nesmuth, popularly known as Captain Nemesis. He was America's beloved hero, a businessman, and most importantly, a high-grade fraud...

"Michael. I'm so happy to see you again," He nodded at me and said with a fake smile that revealed his pearly whites, his deep voice brimming with familiarity. "It's been so long. You've grown up to become a fine young man."

He stepped closer and placed his hand on my shoulders, smiling and looking at me in a way that would make anyone think that we were very close.

The smile I also had on my face would further reinforce that notion. But in reality, we barely knew each other.

The only time we had ever met was when ten years ago, he came over to convince my father to invest in his start-up weapons company. And even with that, he only gave me a friendly smile and nod.

There wasn't even a conversation. He was so small and for lack of better words, so innocent. Now, look at him.

A shallow and vain man so desperate for attention and fame that he'd do anything to get it, even fake affection for someone he didn't know.

The fact that he even came late to my party was a vain attempt to become the center of attention, the one with the spotlight on him, the sun in the proverbial solar system.

An attempt that ended very poorly as unlike in Bellwood where he was a giant, here he was an ant that wasn't worthy of any significant attention.

He was trying his hardest to hide it, but I could see it very clearly. His ego was bruised, he was angry and jealous at me for the attention I demanded, and he felt powerless. Utterly so.

He was a disappointment. A big one. It was said that one shouldn't meet their heroes. Fortunately, he was never mine.

"Thank you, it's nice to see you too." I remarked, still smiling, and he removed his hands from my shoulders. "I'm honored you made time out of your busy schedule to be here this evening."

"It's no biggie kid," He waved his hand dismissively and said with a charming smile, increasing the volume of his voice. "I save people on a daily basis. I'm sure no one will complain if I spend a few hours making your birthday special."

My smile widened at his words as I found them amusing. He was a pro, I'd give him that. He managed to make himself sound selfless and condescending at the same time.

I didn't even have to raise a finger and he'd already made a fool of himself. It seemed I overestimated his intelligence.

"Of course, because you're such an active hero nowadays with little time on his wee hands," Someone around us said sarcastically, with an Irish accent, in a tone that was loud enough for everyone to hear. "What a joke." The person scoffed derisively.

Immediately, all the people around us started chuckling loudly, some even openly laughing as they sent glances at him. This drew other people's attention, and before I knew it, almost everyone was laughing at him.

It took all I had within me not to chuckle and laugh as his eyes darted all over the laughing crowd, his face gradually becoming red as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in anger.

The young men and women who were initially fawning over him even shifted themselves away from him to avoid being targeted. He was all alone now and more powerless than ever.

He'd surely remember this moment for the rest of his life. Pride did indeed come before a fall. Who knows, maybe he'd learn a little bit of humility after this.

"Have fun at the party, Mr. Nesmith," I commented dryly with my ever-present smile, drawing his ashamed eyes back to me. "If you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

Without waiting for a response, I turned around and walked away to a nearby champagne fountain and poured myself a drink.

"Mr. Morningstar, happy birthday. This is—"

"Happy Birthday Mr. Morningstar. My name is—"

"Happy Birthday Michael, this is my daughter—"

"I am—"

Before I could even take a sip of my drink, my surroundings got flooded with people, both young and old, all of them vying for a chance to speak to me.

All of them vying for my attention. The attention of the heir and current head of the Morningstar family. The richest and most powerful family in the United States Of America and one of the most powerful families in the world.

I was now one of the most influential and powerful people in the world. But my combined wealth and influence wasn't even close or near to anything that could be described as true power.

The power to defy the very laws of nature. The power to truly be free and do anything my heart wished. That was what true power was.

Tomorrow...by tomorrow, I'd have a small taste of what that really was and by the time anyone would notice, I'd be unstoppable...