Adapting to a New Life

James took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. His heart pounded as he processed the absurdity of his situation. He had been given an opportunity that defied logic—a reset, a do-over with a lifetime of knowledge at his disposal.

He stood up, stretching his limbs. His body felt unfamiliar yet powerful. He was young, full of energy, and free from the physical limits of his past life. He moved to the mirror, examining his reflection more closely. His features were sharp for a boy his age, with the aristocratic elegance of his late father and the Californian charm of his mother. He was, objectively, a good-looking kid. That would certainly help in the future.

But before he could think about the future, he had to survive the present.

His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he had a normal life to live now. He stepped out of his room and into the hallway, taking in the simple yet cozy interior of the house. The scent of bacon and eggs drifted through the air, making his mouth water. For a moment, he simply stood there, absorbing the warmth of a home he barely remembered.

Walking into the small kitchen, he found his mother standing by the stove, her back turned as she flipped a pancake. She looked young—far too young to be the mother of a teenager. At twenty-nine, she was closer in age to his past self than he cared to think about.

"Morning, sweetheart," she said, not turning around. "You're up early."

James hesitated before responding, trying to act naturally. "Yeah, just couldn't sleep."

She turned and smiled at him, placing a plate of food on the table. "You feeling okay? You seem a little… off."

James forced a grin. "Just a weird dream, that's all."

As he sat down and started eating, he took the time to observe his mother more closely. She was beautiful, with soft features and tired yet warm brown eyes. He could see the traces of exhaustion in her face—being a single mother wasn't easy, even with his grandparents' help. He had always taken her presence for granted in his past life, but now, he saw her in a new light.

He needed her on his side. Not just as his mother, but as a partner in the empire he planned to build.

"So, Mom," he said between bites, "have you ever thought about going back to school?"

She blinked in surprise. "What?"

"You know, college. Studying something useful. You're still young."

She laughed. "Where is this coming from?"

James shrugged. "I was just thinking… you're smart, and you work so hard. You could do something amazing."

His mother smiled, but there was doubt in her eyes. "That's sweet, honey, but college is expensive. And besides, I've got you to take care of."

James leaned forward, his expression serious. "What if we found a way to make money? A lot of money."

She chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You're adorable. What are you planning, becoming a millionaire overnight?"

James didn't smile. "Maybe."

She paused, sensing something in his tone. But before she could question him further, the phone rang. She went to answer it, leaving James alone with his thoughts.

He had planted the seed. It was small, but it was a start. If he could get her to believe in herself, to see the potential he saw in her, she could become a force to be reckoned with.

For now, though, he needed to adjust to this world. The food, the smells, the fashion—it was all so different from what he was used to. He would have to be careful not to stand out too much. He couldn't afford to let anyone suspect that he wasn't just an ordinary kid.

One step at a time.

His empire could wait. First, he had to master living in the past.

And then… he would conquer the future.