Achiel didn't know how to respond to these. "Show me to a much more secluded area." Achiel said to the man. The man lifted his gaze at once. "I'm sorry to say this, but this is the most secluded area of the Empire." The man said. Achiel couldn't believe his ears. He looked around for the last time. He was in what looked like a large hall lit by super expensive chandeliers. "This is your first time returning to the empire after decades. It would be thoughtless of me to take you to the central hall. There are so many family members willing to meet you, but I wouldn't throw that at you on the first day. That was why I chose to bring you to this place." The man took a pause. "Originally, this used to be the space for your great grandfather. This was his space whenever he needed solitude." The man explained. "My great grandfather?" Achiel asked. "Your great grandfather is the founder of Jade City. All companies in Jade City and foreign companies that have corporations and cooperati
The cab pulled over at the front of the great White Mansion. This was the building where the birthday celebration of grandmother was held. Achiel was wondering what he was doing here. He did recall that Madam had threatened to take him with her to meet grandmother. She wants to use his favour for her family. That was supposed to be tomorrow. Why is he here? He was about to find out an answer to all his questions. Himself and the maid walked towards the big building. "I can't go in with you. I will just stay here." The maid said, stopping at the front of the door, which led into the hall. Achiel said no words to her. He turned away from her and pushed the door open. Pushing the door open caused him an awkward moment. Stepping into the hall, all eyes went to him at once. He had just interrupted whatever was going on in the hall. When he looked, he saw the whole family of Auroville gathered in the hall. It was about 7 pm in the evening and everyone was present?He couldn't worry m
There was a wave of murmurs that paced the breadth of the hall. Everyone was wondering what could have gotten into Achiel. "This crazy doucebag!" Harold cussed where he was. "Must he always have to ruin things for me?" Harold muttered to himself. "Sit down. Sit!" Marion tried to pry Achiel's hand, at least drag him down and force him to sit. It was too late for any of them to do anything. Grandmother's attention had been caught. "I'm sorry to suddenly stop you." Achiel bowed. Almost everyone was cussing at Achiel. Only if they knew who he was. Only if they knew that they were all gathered here trying to impress HIM!!!"I want to use my favour." Achiel announced. His announcement suddenly changed the mood of everyone. "What did he just say?""He wants to use his favour?""Is he trying to pull a trick?""Is he trying to do something crazy?"Almost everyone had something to mutter. They couldn't just begin to imagine what Achiel could possibly want to ask from Grandmother. "Is h
Achiel snatched his arm from Harold's rough grasp. Harold was very furious with him and almost hit him. "What did you think you were doing? What the hell got over you?!" Harold yelled at him. When Harold saw members of the other families walking out of the hall, he pretended to be calm. He bowed at some of the elderly ones. Though the families didn't really like each other, yet there was usually the feigned and force exchange of respect amongst them. When the family members were out of sight, Harold could take his rage out on Achiel again. "Were you out of you goddamn mind? How dare you stand up and make a scene?" Harold was all over Achiel's face. "Why are you so worked up, though? Or are you really scared of me?" Achiel teased. This time, Harold got really furious. "This crazy piece of shit." Harold swore, swinging his hand to hit Achiel across the face. "Enough!" Madam called Harold. Harold was fuming as he reluctantly hung his hand in the air. Achiel was patiently waitin
Harold, Doris, Jones, and Achiel were all gathered on the rooftop of the small villa next to the White Mansion. There were different bottles of wine on the big table which separated them. They were all standing. "Why do we really to stand like this?" Doris complained. "We don't want to risk dozing off. It's only fair that we stand." Jones defended his suggestion. "Are we really going to stand throughout the night?" Harold complained. "You're more sissy than I ever imagined, Harold. At least for a while, pretend." Jones took a shot at Harold. "You have all started your masculine shit right?" Doris attacked Jones. Jones didn't respond to her. He scoffed instead muttering inaudibly. "Let's get to work, Harold." Jones called. For the next several minutes, there was peace and quiet as Harold got to work. The minutes graduated into hours, and Harold was still on it. Doris's knees were beginning to get weak. Jones seemed to be busy on his Macbook. Achiel, on the other hand, was look
It was 8:20am. The four walked out of the White Mansion. Then suddenly they all stopped walking. Harold, Jones, and Doris gazed at Achiel. The three were staring at him in a weird way. "Where do you think you are going?" Harold was the first to attack Achiel. "You are not thinking of coming with us to Hoveland, are you?" Harold pushed again, sneering at Achiel. Achiel looked away from Harold to the other two. He could tell from the faces of the other two that they were in on this with Harold. The three seemed to be on the same page this time. "He wouldn't want to. I mean, he wouldn't want to embarrass himself." Doris scorned at Achiel. She had a wry smile on her face. "We don't have the time to waste on trivial things." Jones made his own input. Jones was the first to walk away, and the other two followed. Achiel watched them enter into the car and drove off. Grandmother had told them all to go to Hoveland, but only one of them could enter into the company and submit the propo
For a second, Achiel forgot why he had barged into the living room. Madam was pointing at him with utmost rage coursing through her face. Her eyes were wild, and her jaws tightened. And what had she just yelled? "Why are you just standing there? I said, "Arrest this bastard!!!" Madam screamed so loudly she could make people go deaf. Achiel looked away from Madam to the people whom she had ordered. There were three police officers. Achiel didn't know what to think this time. He had barged in to yell about what Madam had done to him? But this? What is this about? Arrest him?!The there police officers ran to Achiel at once and seized him! While two held both of his arms in restrain, the other one put him in cuffs. "Mr Achiel Auroville, you are under arrest for theft and obstruction of business proceedings." One of the officers said. "Theft?" Achiel's head was about to explode from all of this. Suddenly, Madam stomped towards him. Achiel just watched, getting even more confused. W
Jones was seated in the lobby, waiting, looking in a particular direction every now and then. He was in the Hoveland company, and he was one of the few people who were already present with their proposals to be submitted to Miss Zoe. Though himself, Harold and Doris had arrived ten minutes before 9.am, there were already five people ahead of them. It was almost 11 am. at the time that he got attended to. And ever since he had submitted the proposal, he had been waiting for a response. Suddenly his phone started to ring. He brought it out and answered the call. "Why are you calling me?" He was informal over the speaker. "I mean, we have been waiting here for a long time. Why is it taking so long?" Harold asked over the phone. Jones looked in the other direction through the door, but he couldn't see the car from inside the lobby; the car in which Harold and Doris were waiting for him. "Don't stress me, please. You can go home if you can't wait any longer." Jones dismissed. "I'm