Becoming The Billionaire's Desire

turning points

Turning Points…

Austin’s POV

People would always take for granted the importance of turning points. You know, that single moment, that single opportunity that turns your life around; one day you wake not being at your best and then the next second, you’re living life to the fullest – the effect of turning points.

Like every other Irish boy, I was born in a small village. Back when life was easy and contentment meant having a small farm, a cow or a goat to milk from, two or three sheep, a well to draw water from, flour to bake bread each morning, a father, a mother, four siblings and tons of cousins whom you cannot tell if they’re related from the mother or father’s side. This was my life – the life I was used to. The life I grew up in and I was contented; I wanted to be a farmer or a blacksmith and follow in my grandfather’s footsteps but perhaps I was born for the greater and finer things in life.

All went well, until one day, I joined my dad in his famous wagon into town to supply milk and freshly made cheese to our favourite customer in town. Whilst my dad was haggling prices with these traders, he slipped two shiny nickels into my pockets urging me to run along and drink in the sights of the always busy markets. Needing no further urging, I skipped along making a beeline first to my favourite cotton ball shop before I decided to set on my mission to explore. Gazing at the shiny wristwatch, my Uncle Smith had given me as a birthday last fall, I only had about twenty minutes before rejoining my dad at our usual meeting and then drive home with him quietly – such has been our custom.

So, with the cotton ball in my hand, I started exploring. Whether it was fate or pure luck, a horse and a rider who came suddenly behind me made me jump to my left into an unusual store to avoid being stomped.

“Are you alright?” A man ran to my side and lifted me, steadying me.

“I guess so,” I murmured checking my body for injuries “Thank you, sir,” I smiled at the man who had helped me.

“You should be careful how you walk around the market. Most of these men on Horses practically don’t care if someone is on the road or not, they feel like mini-gods. Are you lost?” the strange man asked me. He was very tall.

I pursed my lips searching for the right English words “No sir,” I said after a while “Thank you,” I added.

He stooped low until we were eye to eye, with a smile on his face, he stretched out his hand “My name is Mr Carter and I’m here with my son,” he paused and turned back “Sebastian come in here,” he called.

From the dark part of the shop, a boy who was almost my age slipped out looking so scared. He had so much resemblance with the strange man crouching in front of me.

“This is my son, Sebastian,” he grabbed the boy’s hand and pushed me towards me “Go ahead and shake his, Sebastian,” the man queried his son who looked at me with doubts. Slowly, he stretched forth his hand and took mine.

“What’s your son?” The man asked me with an encouraging smile.

I tried to process the English words as fast as my brain could and made an immediate interpretation.

“Sebastian,” I said with a winning smile.

“What a coincidence,” the man chuckled “So you’re Sebastian too?” he pulled me closer to himself.

Since my English was limited and I couldn’t understand the words that rolled off with an amazing speed from the stranger’s lip, I looked towards the shopkeeper, hoping he would translate it into our native tongue.

“His name is not, Sebastian,” I heard the shopkeeper say “His name is Austin and his father is a local,” the shopkeeper then turned to me and spoke in our native dialect. He said Mr Carter wanted to know my name.

“Oh!” my face reddened with embarrassment “I wish my parents can afford the more expensive schools in Dublin. They teach sound English to their students there.

“What is your Full name?” Mr Carter spoke turned to me and spoke in the native dialect making my eyes widen in surprise.

“A-Austin Miller,” I stammered still thrilled that he could speak like me.

“Good,” he continued with a smile “My son here is afraid of the market and afraid of going to mingle. How old are you, Austin? He paused looking at me expectantly.

“I am Four years old going to Five,” I replied as I gazed at Sebastian who looked embarrassed.

“You see,” Mr Carter turned to his son “There’s nothing to fear, Son. Would you like to take my son around? Take him around the market and maybe buy some things for both of you,” he winked.

“I’d like that sir,” I nodded my head vigorously and reached for Sebastian’s hand “Don’t be afraid,” I told him with a smile “There are lots of candy shops, you can get one for just a nickel,” I went on explaining.

“Good, now, if you take my son around the market and bring him back in the next 20 minutes, I’ll give you this,” Mr Carter pulled out a wad of money and waved it at my face. The only time I get to see that sort of money was when my Dad needs to make a big p*****t to the bag.

Without thinking I nodded and mouthed “Ok”.

“Good,” he turned to his son and squeezed a twenty into his pocket and twenty into mine before bidding us farewell.

I grabbed Sebastian’s hand and walked into the busy throng feeling more confident than ever.

***

I met a livid and worried father.

I totally forgot about the deadline my Dad had given to me and only remembered after eating the last chunk of chicken I found in the delicious meal after I came back with a happy Sebastian. I hurried as fast as my legs could carry me to our meeting place and met my worried father.

“Where have you been?” he snapped as soon as he saw me, his Irish gets thicker whenever he was angry.

“I am sorry, Papa,” I muttered keeping my distance.

“You’re an hour late, Austin. Where were you? I went to the cotton Candy shop and the man said he saw you with one rich American child walking hand in hand. Tell me where you were now?” his eyes flashed dangerously as he advanced towards me slowly.

On cue, I pulled out the money that Mr Carter had stuffed into my pockets and waved it at my father “Wait, Papa, I was working,” I said happily.

He froze as soon as he saw the money for whatever reason that it was, he froze and stood at a particular spot staring at me.

“Where did you get that?” he asked as soon as he found his voice.

“Oh,” I came closer feeling more confident now “Mr Carter gave it to me. He asked me to take his son around the market because his son is very scared of going alone. So, he gave me the money when I came back and also food,” I explained.

“Do you know where this man is?” My dad asked gently making me confident the more.

“Yes,” I nodded “I met him at that strange shop that sells toys. I can take you there if you want,” I suggested.

“Sure, thing son,” He reached for my hand and followed my leading while I skipped happily beside him telling him of all the beautiful things we could buy with the money. When we got there, Mr Carter was already leaving with the son. I and Sebastian ran and hugged each other as soon as we saw. We had developed a fast friendship during my tour when we discovered that we loved the same thing.

“Did you give my son this?” my dad walked up to Mr Carter as soon as he saw him and waved the wads of notes at him.

“Hello,” My Carter smiled and stretched his hand towards my dad “You must be Austin’s father,” he said with a smile.

“Did you give him this?” My dad continued ignoring Mr Carter’s hand.

“Yeah, I did,” he answered in bewilderment and dropped his hand “I only wanted to appreciate him for taking my son on a tour around the market,” he added.

My Dad scoffed and looked at Mr Carter like a lost soul “Didn’t it ever occur to you that this boy may have had someone waiting for him? I know you rich people have money to spend and throw about but I am trying my best to raise my son in a godly way and I do not appreciate you feeding him and passing him large sums of money. He’s not homeless, he has a mother and I am his father and we’re comfortable. Please, I came here to r****d the money,” he pointed the wads at Mr Carter who was shocked.

“I am so…” he started saying.

“Please, take back the money,” my dad interrupted him with his hands stretched towards him. When he finally did, my dad grabbed me, turned on his heels and disappeared through the almost empty market.

That was the last time, I saw a Five-year-old, Sebastian.

***

15 years later…

It was Mr Carter who saved me after I was almost sentenced to life in prison after killing a man. He helped wiped my records and have me another opportunity to start my life all over. He was my – Turning Point…

~~~

Now, ranked after Sebastian, I was the second richest man in America. A billionaire at 27 years way above the life I had pictured.

I ran the biggest law firm in the entire world, and has never lost a case…plus I was a joint owner to several conglomerate businesses. My life is perfect.

I checked my tie for the last time in the mirror before turning away…

Money is Power…

I have both…