BORN TO RULE

Born To Rule ll

A week had passed since Micheal Carter had returned from the party, and the Carter mansion was already filled with preparations for the new semester.

Kingbridge University was located in Yaoundé, the capital city, while the Carter family home was in Douala.

That meant Micheal and Favour had to travel back to Yaoundé whenever school resumed and return to Douala during semester breaks.

Micheal wasn't going alone.

His two closest friends, Samuel and Jason, were also students at Kingbridge.

The three boys had known each other for years.

Unlike Micheal, Samuel and Jason weren't arrogant.

They were friendly, respectful and easygoing.

But they definitely knew how to enjoy themselves.

Their parents were wealthy too, so none of the three boys had to worry about struggling to survive at university.

Clubbing, expensive restaurants, weekend outings and parties were normal parts of their lives.

But there was one thing that separated them from many other rich students.

They actually studied.

All three boys were serious when examinations approached.

Micheal could spend Friday night at a club until almost morning and still wake up on Saturday afternoon to study.

Samuel and Jason were the same.

They might enjoy themselves, but they weren't stupid.

The three of them were going into their second year of Information Technology at Kingbridge University.

Favour, on the other hand, was entering her fourth year of studying Management.

She had always been the serious one.

While her younger brother and his friends were busy planning parties, Favour could spend hours reading, attending academic events and working on assignments.

Victor Carter had made sure his children were comfortable in Yaoundé.

He had rented a beautiful apartment for Micheal and Favour to live in.

It was spacious, fully furnished and located in one of the city's expensive areas.

Samuel and Jason lived together in another apartment nearby.

Because Micheal was often out with his friends, Favour sometimes found herself alone in the apartment.

She had gotten used to it.

Her brother would disappear with Samuel and Jason for hours, sometimes returning late at night after parties.

And whenever Favour complained, Micheal's response was always the same.

“Favour, relax. Life is short.”

Now, however, the holidays were coming to an end.

School was about to resume.

And the three boys were preparing to return to Yaoundé.

That morning, Micheal was still upstairs when his father's voice echoed through the mansion.

“Micheal!”

Micheal paused while putting on his watch.

He immediately recognized the voice.

His father.

“Micheal!”

“Coming!”

He walked downstairs.

Favour was already in the living room.

Victor Carter sat on the large sofa, dressed in a perfectly ironed shirt and trousers.

Even at home, there was something intimidating about him.

Victor wasn't a man who needed to shout to command respect.

His presence alone was enough.

Micheal walked into the room.

“Dad.”

Victor looked at him.

“Sit.”

Micheal sat beside Favour.

Victor remained quiet for a few seconds.

Then he looked at both of his children.

“You're both leaving for Yaoundé tomorrow.”

Favour nodded.

“Yes, Dad.”

Victor nodded before turning toward Micheal.

“And before you leave, I want to talk to both of you.”

Micheal leaned back.

He already had a feeling where this was going.

Victor began calmly.

“You are both growing older. Favour, you're entering your final year soon. Micheal, you're entering your second year.”

Favour listened carefully.

Micheal remained relaxed.

“I have worked hard to give both of you opportunities that I never had when I was your age.”

Victor paused.

“I didn't grow up with money.”

Micheal looked at him.

“I started from nothing.”

His voice became more serious.

“I built my first business with money I had saved for years. I failed. I started again. I lost money. I worked day and night. There were times when I didn't even know whether the business would survive.”

Favour nodded.

Victor continued.

“But eventually, I built something.”

He looked around the beautiful living room.

“Everything you see today came from years of sacrifice.”

Micheal glanced at the expensive furniture.

Victor looked directly at him.

“And Micheal, you especially need to understand that.”

Micheal sighed.

“Dad…”

“Let me finish.”

Micheal immediately became quiet.

There was something about Victor's tone that made even Micheal listen.

“Money is not an excuse to disrespect people. It doesn't make you better than anyone else. And it certainly doesn't mean you should waste everything simply because your father can afford it.”

Micheal looked away.

Victor continued.

“I hear about the parties. The clubs. The cars. The money you're spending.”

Micheal frowned.

“Dad, it's not that serious.”

Victor's expression changed.

“Not that serious?”

Micheal shrugged.

“I'm just enjoying my life.”

Victor stared at him.

Micheal hesitated for a moment before saying,

“Then what's the money for if it's not to be spent?”

Silence filled the room.

Favour slowly turned toward her brother.

Even she knew Micheal had gone too far.

Victor's face hardened.

“What did you just say?”

Micheal swallowed.

“I said—”

“I heard you.”

Victor stood up.

“Do you think money grows on trees?”

Micheal said nothing.

“You think because I have money today, you have the right to waste it without understanding what it took to make it?”

Micheal lowered his head slightly.

His confidence had disappeared.

This was the one person Micheal Carter didn't enjoy arguing with.

His father.

Micheal could be arrogant toward almost everyone.

He could insult people.

He could challenge lecturers.

He could ignore warnings.

But Victor Carter was different.

Micheal was genuinely afraid of his father's punishments.

And Victor's punishments were never simple lectures.

Whenever Micheal crossed a serious line, his father knew exactly how to make him regret it.

Victor looked at him.

“Stand up.”

Micheal slowly stood.

“Look at me.”

Micheal raised his eyes.

“You're my son. I love you. That's why I refuse to watch you become a spoiled man who thinks the world owes him everything.”

Micheal remained silent.

Victor pointed toward the chair.

“Sit.”

Micheal sat again.

Victor's voice softened slightly.

“I don't want you to stop enjoying your life. I want you to understand responsibility.”

He looked at Favour.

“And the same applies to you. Both of you are going to Kingbridge to study, not just to enjoy yourselves.”

Favour nodded.

“Yes, Dad.”

Victor looked at Micheal.

“Did you hear me?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Good.”

Micheal leaned back quietly.

For once, there was no sarcastic reply.

Victor picked up his phone from the table.

“Your driver will take you to the airport tomorrow morning.”

Favour smiled.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Victor nodded.

Then he looked at Micheal one last time.

“And Micheal …”

“Yes?”

“Don't make me regret giving you freedom.”

Micheal immediately nodded.

“I won't.” Victor studied his face for a moment.

“I'm serious.”

Micheal swallowed.

“Yes, Dad.”

Victor finally sat back down.

The conversation was over.

Favour stood up and walked toward the stairs.

Micheal followed.

As soon as they were far enough from their father, Favour looked at her younger brother.

“You were lucky.”

Micheal frowned.

“For what?”

“For not getting punished.”

Micheal sighed.

“Dad just likes lecturing.”

Favour laughed.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

Micheal smiled.

His confidence was slowly returning.

By tomorrow, he would be back in Yaoundé.

Back at Kingbridge.

Back with Samuel and Jason.

Back to parties, classes, late nights, expensive cars and university life.

To be continued