Mason opened his eyes and was surrounded by immersive bright light. It Took him time before his eyes could adjust to the intensity of his environment.
'Am I dead? Is this heaven?" Mason muttered to himself, constantly turning his head, bewildered by the presence of nothing. The light surrounding him was the same above and below him. It was as if he was floating in the absence of gravity. "No, stupid, you are not dead yet," a voice echoed. "And this is definitely not heaven." The voice added.Mason spun in fear, searching for the person who spoke to him, but no one was around. The reverberation of the voice made it difficult to locate its direction. "Is that you, God?" Mason asked, swallowing hard. It was the only thought that came into his mind. "No stupid, down here," the voice said, and Mason looked down at who said those words. There was a tiny emoji with a puzzled look staring at Mason. "What the!" Mason was taken aback. "You're not God; you are an emoji!" Mason muttered.The Emoji rolled its eyes. "Of course, I'm not God, Mason. You can call me Emoji," it said. "E.M.O.J.I.," it spelled out, stressing the last syllable. "That's what I said," Mason replied.There was a frown on Emoji's face. "No, you didn't; that's because the letter I am silent," Emoji replied. "Where am I then," Mason asked, realizing he was talking to an emoji. "You are in the Celestial void," Emoji replied. "A Celestial what?" he asked, overwhelmed with confusion." "Celestial void," Emoji repeated. "It is a system activated by the chosen one sub-consciousness. It is only activated as a string between life and death. Giving you the option to live or die," Emoji explained, stressing his last word with a bass tone. Mason swallowed hard as he recalled how the car sent him flying across the street. "I don't want to die!" The words escape his mouth. Even when the world was cruel to him, he wasn't ready to leave his sister at the mercy of its cruelty. "That's a good choice," Emoji replied. "In other words, you now have the power to rewrite your Celestial destiny," Emoji said. 'I must be dreaming,' Mason muttered to himself. He pinched himself and closed his eyes tight, hoping he might wake up from this dream, but he was only meant with the sarcastic look Emoji wore while watching him. "This is not a dream, Mason," Emoji deadpan.It was as if Emoji could read his thoughts. The smile on Emoji's face indicates it could indeed read his thoughts. "There is some restricted information I can't access, but right now, this is your status," Emoji said, and a hologram appeared before him. "Mason Williams. Age 21. Brother to Helen Williams. Financial status: very, very poor." Emoji read out. "Was that last part really necessary," Mason asked.Emoji nodded with a grin. "Necessary for you to understand that you have been given the power to rewrite your destiny," Emoji replied, sliding through the hologram.Mason was silent as different thoughts ran through his mind. If this wasn't a dream and he was asked to rewrite his destiny, he choose never to be poor again. "Here is your Celestial point," Emoji said, pulling Mason from his thoughts. "You have 4 Celestial points at the moment, which you can redeem for a reward within the celestial system." "Redeem for a reward?" "Correct," Emoji nodded. "One Celestial point is equal to one 10 billion dollars and would take five consecutive hours to reflect in your account, considering your physical account which would require an upgrade."Mason's mouth dropped at the mention of that figure. "You gotta be kidding me, right?" "Nope," Emoji shook his tiny head. "And if you click that button, it will convert your Celestial point into money, and it will be in your bank account." "Really?" "Yes. Well, there is no use of the money since you're almost dead, so you have to exchange one point to regenerate your existence, which is minus two points." Emoji said, looking at Mason's stunned expression. "I still can't believe this," Mason ran his hand through his hair, bewildered by the event. "Click the damn button, Mason," Emoji said. "You need to pay for your sister's treatment." And in that instance, Mason clicks the exchange button, and his eyes open, revealing his surroundings. The ambulance and people who surrounded his body indicated he had been brought to the hospital. "Wait a minute, he is alive!" Someone shouted nearby. "That's impossible. I saw it clearly; he died on the spot. No one could survive such an impact." another voice said.Mason raised into a sitting position and staggered off the stretcher. He ignored the gaze of the figures who stared at his body like they had seen a ghost—the paramedics who quickly overcame their shock. "Are you okay?" The female paramedics asked, examining Mason's wounds, which were still fresh but had stopped bleeding.'That's impossible,' she muttered to herself. His bleeding has stopped!' "I'm fine," Mason replied in a rasping voice. His thoughts rested in the words of Emoji and the impossible things that occurred to him. "We need to take you inside the hospital to check for any internal injuries," she said. Mason shook his head. "I'm fine," he repeated, which was true; it was as if he had never had an accident at all, and the only proof to show he had was bloodstained on his torn clothes from the impact. His would we're slowly healing itself.Mason staggered out of the ambulance. He headed Into the hospital to see his sister.Inside the hospital, one of the nurses who attended to Mason yesterday approached him, her worried eyes panned at his body. "Mr. Williams, are you alright?" she asked, looking at the bloodstained on Mason's clothes and the dark circles underneath his eyes. "I'm fine," Mason replied, glancing at his body. "Though his wounds were almost healed, he couldn't deny the little sting he still felt. "Are you sure you don't want to get that check?" She asked, hoping Mason would change his mind, but Mason shook his head. "How's my sister?" he asked, changing the topic, and the nurse's eyes immediately lit up at his question. "Good news," she said with a smile. "We have been trying to contact you hours ago to inform you that Helen was awake but couldn't get hold of you." the nurse replied, and Mason's eyes widened, remembering he misplaced his cellphone during his accident. "She's awake?" he asked with a clouded eyes.The nurse nodded with a smile. "Right now, she's sleeping without needi
Mason entered the South Aleric Bank. It was one of the prestigious banks in Aleric City. He joined the queue, which was moving fast considering the large number of workers available at the bank, and Mason patiently waited his turn. The curious eyes that passed glanced at him, some minding their business while others did otherwise, but Mason wasn't bothered by it as the only thing that concerned him was a confirmation from the bank that he wasn't going crazy.After some minutes, it was his turn, and he walked to the Lady behind the transparent counter. "Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?" the fair, slender Lady greeted with a warm smile, adjusting her glasses before returning to her computer. "Good afternoon. I'm here to collect my ATM card," Mason responded. The queue behind Mason was murmuring, and Mason knew they were gossiping about him, but he paid them no attention. "Oh my, since when do security allow such people into the bank!" a woman scoffed in her friend's ear, but M
"Nothing, it's just that we didn't expect SAB's biggest VIP client to come around today. Mrs.Anna replied with a shocked expression. "Biggest VIP client?" Mason asked, confused. Mrs.Anna nodded in response. "Your account is worth five hundred billion dollars," she said, and in an instant, cold sweat broke down Mason's forehead.Five hundred billion Dollars! "Are you serious?" Mason asked, blinking his eyes in disbelief. "Yes sir," Mrs.Anna replied. "These are the figures on my screen."Emoji words were valid, and he wasn't crazy after all, and if he had five hundred billion dollars in his account, that meant he was a billionaire; the thought mentally slapped his face. "I still can't believe you doubted me," Emoji said, reappearing beside him. "You have trust issues." "How could I not!" Mason responded with his leg suddenly feeling jelly. It was taking everything he had not to scream in joy. "Did you say something, sir?" Mrs.Anna asked, and Mason raised his
Mason couldn't take his eyes off the figure in front of him. "How is this possible?" Mason asked, confusion visible on his face. If he had a twin, he would know it wasn't something a parent would keep from his children. At first, he wouldn't believe the possibility of it as his mother, who he thought was dead, was also alive and today seems to be making the impossible possible. "We can discuss it in my office," she replied, leading the way. Mason followed her into the exotic office in the bank, which seemed to be owned by the chairman, and with her name crested on the door, he assumed she was the chairman. Mason tilted his head to meet her blue eyes, clouded with tears. "I'm sorry, but can I hug you?" she asked, already holding her hands, hoping he wouldn't decline. Mason nodded his head in response and took her into his embrace. After a few seconds, she pulled, wiping the tears from her eyes. "When Mum told me we looked the same, I couldn't believe it at first," she smile
Mason got to Helen's room; his mother, Grace Williams, sat beside her daughter. She held Helen's sleeping hands and gently stroked her hair as she whispered a familiar lullaby. Mason noticed the hurt laced in her voice as it reverberated in his head.Many questions he needed to answer kept running through his mind, questions like: why did his parents keep his twin sister a secret from him, and who were the people that brought pain to his precious family?Mason felt his leg rooted to the ground as he stared at her. His body was tense, and Haley, behind him, gently squeezed his shoulder, assuring him everything would be okay. "Mom," Mason finally called, moving from the threshold. His mother tilted her head, and her worried gaze instantly turned into a sad expression. She quickly got up from her chair and hugged Mason tightly. "Oh, my baby," she sobbed, bringing tears to Mason's eyes. "I'm sorry I left," Mason said, wrapping his hand around her. "No, Mas, don't be. I should be apo
Deep into the south of Aleric city was the Williams Private District, which rested upon twenty hectares of land. The beautiful scenery of nature, which spread through the landscape along with the rivers flowing through the horizon, would make one mouth water in awe. It was a paradise, admits Aleric City, and Once every year, the exterior part of the WPD and its private museum would be open to one selected university amongst the rest to bring in their students and explore the wonders that lay within these walls. It was an opportunity one would kill for.Mason's eyes stared through the windshield of the moving car. His eyes gazed at the wonders that lay ahead. He couldn't believe this was where he and his family would stay and call home. Grace smiled, noticing the astonishment that rested on his face, and that alone brought her satisfaction. "It's nice, right?" she asked, staring outside the windshield. "Nice?! It is amazing!!" Mason replied, switching his gaze from his mother t
"Mason!" Adam Morrison muttered, stunned by his presence, and a tinny curve crawled up Mason's lips. Adam wasn't expecting to meet a man who was down on his knees a few days ago begging him so he could continue his cleaning job at the Sky High Hotel to be standing inside Williams's mansion. 'Is he here to apply for a job?' Adam thought to himself. He didn't fail to notice Mason's clothes, torn by its side and stained with blood, causing a frown on his face. "What on earth are you doing here, and how do you get into this place?" Adam asked, perplexed how someone like Mason could enter one of the most secured private properties in Aleric City. Even as the Manager of Skyhigh Hotel, It took him twenty minutes just to get cleared so he could enter the WPD and have a personal meeting with Mrs.Williams.The Skylight Hotel, another property of the Williams, was overseen by Adam's father, Hoston Morrison, who has been working for the Williams for years and was always seen on the front page
Mason entered the room, which Mr.Freg told him was his. "It's huge!" Mason muttered. A smile of satisfaction was seen on his face as he strode through The enormous rectangular bedroom. At the center of it was a king-size bed with Golden designer bed linings surrounding its expensive frame. A chandelier hangs above a few meters from its stand, glowing through its space. The slick curtain that cascaded the room's wall allowed daylight to scale through the enormous French window, with a view that showcased the beauty of nature. Beside the window, Mason opened the transparent door of the mini balcony. Flowers surrounded the modern furniture, and the tables had candles, creating a coziness assisted by a feeling of fresh air that admired one's skin.Mason took his time adoring everything presented before him. His formal apartment was nothing compared to this one, and he would have to add triple its to meet up with the space of his current bedroom.When Mason hit the shower, he felt like
With the manager gone, Fiona led the way into the building, assisted by the rhythmic click of her heels echoing against the polished floor. Behind her were Helen and Mason, who pulled his gaze from his watch to stare at Fiona leaning in to whisper something to Helen, who immediately lit up with a radiant smile and nodded enthusiastically, thrilled by whatever secret she had just shared.As they stepped into the expansive skating rink, closing the door behind them, the familiar lyrics of the music reverberated through the air, creating an infectious energy that contrasted with the chill of the surroundings. Along the spacious bar table was a female staff member, skillfully carrying out her task without glancing in their direction.Mason smiled as he glanced around the environment, recollecting his first time inside the building; the space was filled with both professional and learning skaters who had their hearts in their mouths as they glided across it. Above the ground is a dazzling
The manager, seeing Mason holding out his card, erupted into another round of laughter. He knew an average bank account would struggle to accommodate a single transaction of $100,000, let alone the staggering amount that Mason was now claiming he wished to pay.After laughing to his content, the manager wriggled his brown eyes across the black, and when he finally saw the distinctive inscription etched into the dark material before him, an unexpected wave of emotion surged within him. He felt a lump form in his throat, a mixture of surprise and disbelief, as he turned to Mason.“I…Is that a black card?!” The manager stammered, his mouth watered with confusion, as he fought the overwhelming urge to rub his eyes, hoping to clear the fog of uncertainty and confirm what he was seeing was real.Mason, with whom the question was directed, remained quiet, allowing the sound of reality to sink into the man.“How is that possible? You don't look—” the manager felt another lump automatically su
“Have some faith in your brother, Helen,” Mason said, faking a hurt expression. “I don't need to practice how to skate since I have a natural talent for it,” he grinned, maneuvering their way towards the other side of the park. Unlike the rest area of the park, surrounded by people and chaotic happiness, the building, which Mason assumed was meant for skating, stood empty and silent, prompting him to look up for any sign of life within its uninviting façade.“Are you sure we are in the right place?” Helen asked, her little brows knitting together as she surveyed the scene. "It looks deserted. Why is it so empty?" She asked, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Mason, who couldn't provide an answer to her question, tilted his head slightly toward the two men positioned near the entrance. The way they stood, broad-shouldered and alert, instantly sparked a sense of recognition. Their postures were rigid, exuding an air of authority, and he quickly deduced that they were not
A flurry of activity outside the windshield suddenly broke the lingering silence inside the car. Helen, who was sitting in the passenger seat, gazed in awe at the vibrant scene through the tinted glass, while her hands rested on the door that separated her from all the fun outside.“It's Aleric Dreamland!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with wonder as they fixated on the towering Ferris wheel that loomed against the vivid sky. From afar, they could hear the sounds of laughter and the screams of riders ascending into the air. “Holy cow!” Helen muttered, Peeling her eyes from the scene, she turned to Mason, who had already predicted her next question. “Are we going to the park? Are we going to ride the Ferris wheel?!” she inquired, her voice bubbling with eagerness, not leaving room for him to answer her first question.Mason let out a small laugh, then nodded his head. “Yes, princess, we are going to the Dreamland, and you can choose whatever activities you want to do today,” he r
As Mason approached the entrance to the fifth-grade iris classroom, two men in black suits, which he recognized as Helen's security guards, were sentinel outside the closed door. When they spotted him and the lady walking next to him, they instantly shifted their attention, performing a precise and synchronized bow that demonstrated both respect and discipline. Mason, without a word, returned their greeting with a firm nod. Ms. Telsa gently place her card on the door, and as the door slide open, the hushed murmurs of the classroom faded, and all eyes turned to the newcomers. A curious blend of surprise and interest filled the room, and the students dressed in their neat uniforms collectively directed their gaze from Ms. Telsa to the man who had interrupted their ongoing class.Mason, who wasn't expecting such a scene, instantly glanced at the watch before he navigated his gaze to the lady standing in front of the classroom.‘Are all the teachers in the school this young?’ He muttere
When she finally noticed Mason's gaze, she instantly let out a forceful smile then glance at her colleague before walking away to greet another parent. “Shall we?” The girl with tinted gray hair asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded toward the entrance of the building. With a subtle yet confident gesture, she stepped forward, and Mason trailing behind her, commanded attention by his presence. They took a turn into the long hallway, and Mason's gaze dropped to her figure. Her long gray hair flowed down her back, catching the soft glow of the lobby lights and adding an ethereal quality to her appearance. The fitted uniform she wore clung to her curves in all the right places, accentuating her silhouette while remaining professional. Mason’s eyes were drawn to the way her tan skin glowed against the crisp fabric of her outfit, making it challenging to pinpoint her racial background. Each step she took made her movements almost dance-like as she navigated throu
“That's alright,” Mason replied with a casual smile, unfazed by the curious glances from those around them. With a fluid motion, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and tapped at the screen, which lit up, and exchanged numbers with them, sealing their brief conversation with a friendly nod. After a few warm goodbyes, he headed toward the administration building where his car was parked. Mason circled out of the parking lot and headed downtown Aleric City, navigating through the familiar streets lined up with shops and cafes, bustling with activities. After a few miles, he finally arrived at Heaven Institution, where Helen attended school.Keeping his promise to pick her up, Mason slowed down and navigated toward the elegant, modern building with its sleek glass facade. In front of the building, staff dressed in sharp formal wear gathered in the late afternoon light, and their polished shoes gleamed as they exchanged polite smiles and warm handshakes with the parents who had come t
After the test scores were announced and the dean of students exited the classroom, several chairs scraped against the floor as the students, still reeling from the shock of the results, slowly filed out in a somber group, reminiscing about the surprising twists of the test. At the back of the line, Mason and Jeremiah lingered, their expressions different from those of the others. Meanwhile, Mr. Hasatin stood at the front, his piercing gaze fixed on the two boys as if he could bore into their skulls with his eyes.In seconds, they confidently strode to the entrance of the faculty, capturing the attention of several pairs of watchful eyes. Rumors of their outstanding test score had rapidly spread throughout the university, creating an unmistakable buzz that refused to be ignored, and other students who didn't know who they were exchanged looks of curiosity.“Bro, I think I have become popular!” Jeremiah muttered, panning his eyes at the notifications popping up on his phone screen. Mas
“Austin,” Mr. Hasatin's voice resonated through the classroom, causing all the students to turn their attention to the front. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and dread as he scanned his list of names before looking up at the boy, who sat frozen in his seat. Austin's gaze flickered nervously around the room before finally settling on Mr. Hasatin, whose expression was stern yet tinged with disappointment as he continued, “Your test score is 10 out of 100!” The words hung in the air, punctuating the silence and eliciting a wave of murmurs and gasps from the other students. Austin, who was short of words, quickly forced a lump down his throat as the reality of his test score slapped his face. More whispers from other shocked students emerged as they lingered their gaze on the boy who had never missed a class and was regarded as not only Mr. Hasatin’s disciple but the best student of his course. “Oh my God, I can't believe this!” A girl sitting in front of Mason excla