Chapter 003

The man smiled, "I'm Steve, your old school friend."

Nathan remembered the face of Steve, his high school rival. "Oh, yeah. Steve, right? Long time no see."

Steve gave Nathan a sardonic look, "You still remember me, Nathan Moreno?"

Nathan smiled wryly, "Of course, I remember you, Steve."

Steve laughed; he was laughing at Nathan's shabby appearance. "You don't seem to have changed much. Still the same old, same old, nothing."

Nathan remained calm despite being teased by Steve's words. "At least I don't have to put others down to feel superior," Nathan replied sharply.

Steve mocked further, "Even Nathan Moreno had his own wife throw him in the garbage, how sad!"

Nathan clenched his fists, his breath coming in short gasps. How did Steve know about his personal problems? How annoying!

"Why, what I'm saying is true, isn't it? It's a fact, not a word," Steve said, further provoking Nathan's anger.

At this point, Nathan still chose to remain silent. His gaze was fixed on the face of Steve, his rival.

"You know what, Nathan Moreno? I'm going to have to evict you from this orphanage, hahaha!"

Steve's words pierced Nathan's heart. Anger and resentment began to fill him. Without thinking, Nathan got up from his seat and quickly approached Steve. He stared intently at Steve.

"You think you're great? Destroying other people's futures to satisfy yourself?" Nathan said in a trembling voice.

Steve just laughed, belittling Nathan's words. "You're funny, Nathan. Not fit to compete with someone like me."

Nathan couldn't contain his emotions anymore. Full of courage, he hit Steve with hard punches. Steve was shocked and couldn't do much but take the beating.

Suddenly, Steve's bodyguards came to his aid. They immediately blocked Nathan and pulled him away from Steve. Nathan realized that the situation was not in his favor. Quickly, Nathan ran away, leaving Steve lying on the ground.

Nathan ran as fast as he could, through the crowds of New York City. He knew he had to avoid any further trouble with Steve and his guards. Arriving at a safe place, Nathan breathed a sigh of relief. He sat down on a park bench, trying to compose himself from the events that had just transpired.

"Huh, Steve hasn't changed," Nathan muttered to himself. "But I won't let his words demoralize me."

Nathan then made the decision to find a temporary place to live and plan the next step in his life. Although he didn't have much, he still had the determination and desire to succeed.

***

Nathan's days flew by, filled with emptiness and void after Miranda decided to leave him. Every step was heavy, every second torturous. However, he tried to get up, tried to move on with his life, even though the shadows of his past always haunted him.

Nathan saw a job advertisement in a famous restaurant in the city. Without thinking, he immediately prepared his application file and went to the restaurant. Nathan hoped the job would give him some hope, some light in the darkness that surrounded his life.

"Cheer up, Nathan!" he muttered to himself.

However, just as he was about to enter the door of the restaurant, Nathan's eyes were drawn to a television screen in an electronics store across the street. The news about Miranda and her fiancé was playing on the screen.

"Miranda, the owner of QUEENA Beauty, is happily showing off her engagement ring to Kenzo, a successful culinary entrepreneur and restaurant owner. They plan to get married as soon as Miranda's divorce proceedings with her ex-husband are finalized," read the news narration by the reporter.

Nathan was rooted to the spot, unable to take his eyes off the television screen. His heart ached, but he tried to smile.

"Traitors, you're doomed, we'll see!" he whispered as he clenched his hands into fists. "How can you show off an engagement ring? I've got to get a job, make some money so I can get my divorce papers done with that woman," Nathan growled.

I don't know... Nathan also doesn't know for sure why Miranda hasn't filed divorce papers yet. Instead, she was busy showing off her intimacy with Kenzo, showing off her success as an owner.

Nathan continued to walk into the restaurant to meet the manager.

"I'm sorry, this restaurant is no longer accepting new employees. We've closed the vacancies," said the manager, making Nathan's hopes of getting a job dashed again.

"Yes, sir. Thank you," said Nathan.

Nathan walked out of the restaurant. He walked away, his steps felt heavy; again, he had to experience failure, failed to get a job.

Nathan felt like he had no place in this world. However, in the midst of that despair, there was an ember of desire burning inside him. He would not allow himself to just crumble. He would rise, even if the path was full of thorns and obstacles.

"You can do it, Nathan," he whispered, "you have to make those who put you down regret it!"

After walking a few steps, Nathan saw an old man sitting on a park bench. The man looked friendly, and Nathan decided to sit next to him.

"What's wrong, son?" the old man asked gently.

Nathan smiled, "Nothing's wrong, Grandpa. Just at my lowest phase."

The old man nodded in understanding, "Everyone must have experienced trials in their lives. What matters is how we deal with them."

Nathan looked at the old man, seeking strength from the words of wisdom that came out of his mouth. "What should I do, Grandpa? I feel so useless as a man."

The old man smiled, "The important thing is to never give up. Life always provides lessons, although sometimes they come in a bitter form. You have to keep believing that there is light at the end of the road, even if it feels dark at the moment."

Nathan pondered for a moment, taking in the words of wisdom. He felt a new strength flowing through him. He knew that he had to keep going, even if the road ahead was full of obstacles.

"Don't let this problem destroy you. Rise up, show that you can get through this. Show that you're greater than they think you are," the old man said.

Nathan nodded, "Thank you, Grandpa, for the encouragement."

With steadier steps, Nathan left the park. He knew that the journey to his happiness would not be easy, but he was ready to face it with renewed determination. He would rise above this adversity, and one day, he would find his own happiness.

Suddenly, in the distance, Nathan saw a grandfather, but not the one from earlier. He was about to get into the car. Nathan could see him touching his chest, as if in pain.

Without thinking, Nathan ran over to the grandfather and held his body from falling. "Grandpa, are you okay?" asked Nathan anxiously.

"I... I need the medicine in the car," he said hoarsely.

Nathan nodded and quickly opened the car door, looking for the medicine he was referring to. After finding it, Nathan quickly gave the medicine to the grandfather. The grandfather took the medicine and swallowed the pills inside.

A few minutes later, the grandfather's condition seemed to improve. "Thank you very much, son. I don't know what would have happened to me if you weren't here," the grandfather said with a weak smile.

"No problem, Grandpa. I'm happy to help," Nathan replied with a smile.

Shortly after, a young man who looked like a confidant of the grandfather came stumbling in. "Sir! Sorry I'm late!" the young man shouted.

"Where have you been, Jhon? I almost lost my life here," grumbled the grandfather.

"I'm sorry, sir. I got stuck in traffic and couldn't get there any faster," replied John with a pale face.

As he looked at Nathan, the old man called Jeremy Atala Jameshon, "Son, thank you again. I don't know how to repay your kindness."

Nathan smiled, "No need, Grandpa, just doing what I'm supposed to do."

The grandfather was about to pat Nathan on the shoulder, but suddenly his eyes fell on a mark on Nathan's nape. He was surprised, as if he found something he had been looking for for a long time.

"He... is he the person I've been looking for?" the grandfather muttered to himself.

He then looked at Nathan's face with great concern. "What's your name, son?" he asked in a hopeful voice.

"Nathan Moreno, Grandpa," Nathan replied politely.

The grandfather smiled happily, as if he had found something he had been looking for, "Nathan, I am Jeremy Atala Jameshon. I have something to talk to you about. Can you come with me?" he asked, offering his hand.

Nathan could only nod, still confused by this sudden turn of events. He then followed the grandfather into his car.

In the car, Jeremy whispered to Jhon, "Find out Nathan's background. I want to know everything."

"Yes, Mr. Jeremy."

After that, they drove to Jeremy's mansion. Nathan was still confused, but he tried to think positively. Nathan tried to calm himself down, thinking that maybe this was a new opportunity for him. Yes, it could be, right?

Arriving at the mansion, Nathan was warmly welcomed by the servants and staff who worked there.

"Welcome, Young Master," greeted the servants.

Nathan was even more confused as to why the servants were addressing him as 'Young Master.'

"Prepare a room for Nathan," Mr. Jeremy ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

Not only a luxurious room, they gave Nathan new clothes and a warm drink to warm his body.

"Mr. Jeremy, are you sure he is your grandson?" asked Jhon.