I felt a mix of excitement and relief, and I couldn't help but smile as I asked Michael about the next steps. "So, what do we need to do now? Is there any paperwork or negotiations that need to be handled?"His confidence knew no bounds. "Don't worry, Damon. I'll take care of absolutely everything. Just sit back and let me work my magic. Before you know it, we'll have a lucrative partnership with these Saudi Arabian investors, and our oil business will be on the fast track to success."I felt assured when I heard this, and I nodded, even though he knew Michael couldn't see me. "Alright, I trust you. Keep me posted on any updates or if you need anything from me."Before ending the call, I couldn't help but ask about the deal with Pineapple. "By the way, have we received any word from Pineapple? Are they still trying to do business with us?"Michael let out a chuckle. "Not yet, Damon. But you're right, sooner or later they'll come to their senses and realize they can't keep stalling fo
****Four years later.‘Oh, how the years have flown by,’ I thought to myself as I mounted the podium to give my speech.As I stepped onto the graduation hall's stage, I couldn't help but marvel at how quickly the past four years had passed. I was dressed in a flowing graduation gown, and had my cap perched atop my head.I had a colorful sash raped around my neck, and I felt a surge of pride and nostalgia.The auditorium was filled with excited chatter and anticipation, as my fellow graduates, their families, and friends eagerly awaited my speech.The sea of faces in the crowd seemed to blur together, but I could pick out the beaming faces of Michael, Emily, and other loved ones who had come to support me on this momentous day.I approached the podium, and adjusted the microphone.I cleared my throat as I prepared to address the audience. Taking a deep breath, I began, "Standing here today, surrounded by my peers and loved ones, I am filled with gratitude and a sense of accomplishme
****I made my way to my car and threw my belongings into the back seat.I closed the door and rested on the side of the car, I was very tired.I noticed someone approaching me from my right, and I turned to see Tucker, who was beaming with a smile on his face and two other people I couldn't recognize, probably his parents.As they came closer, it became evidentt that they were indeed his parents, and their eyes were filled with gratitude and warmth."Mom, Dad, this is Damon," Tucker introduced, with a sense of pride. "He's the one I've been telling you about."I extended my hand to Tucker's father, giving him a firm handshake – a handshake between two men who understood the significance of the moment. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," I said, with a steady and sincere voice.I turned to Tucker's mother, and opened my arms, inviting her into a warm embrace. As I hugged her, she whispered a heartfelt "Thank you," and her voice trembled with emotion. I felt my shoulder getting damp
However, I still felt like I was lacking in so many ways.This was the result of countless years spent in different training simulations and four years in the real world.In that time I'd completed various quests, traveled to other worlds to unlock my mana cores, obtained several races and classes and so much more.And yet, I still felt under prepared for what was to come.One thing was for sure though, whatever came toward me for a fight, I wouldn't go down that easily.I got close to the porch and was about to open the door when it opened suddenly from the inside.“Welcome home Master Damon,” the voice from inside said, it was Benjamin.I made up my mind that I would take him out of the shackles of working for the Darhk family and give him the life he truly deserves back then, and I did.It took a lot of effort and persuasion to get him to accept, but after a couple of months of me constantly pestering him, he agreed.The funny part was that he refused to take my money and enjoy his
He sat up and began to scream loudly.“Get away! Get back!” He screamed frantically without looking in any particular direction.I walked up to him and bent down next to him.“Hey, hey, look at me,” I said while snapping his fingers in front of his face.“Uh, huh, who-who are you?” He asked as he tried to get his bearings. “Argh, my head,” he groaned in pain.“Benjamin, please fetch me a damp towel and an ice pack for him, he seems to still be in shock,” I said and he nodded in response, instantly leaving to carry out my request.[Damon, you do realize you don't need to go through such a hassle to get the information you need right?]‘Oh really? And what do you think an easier method would be?’ I thought.[You can utilize your advanced sensory and cognitive abilities to analyze his physiological responses and determine if he is being truthful or deceptive, Damon. By questioning him directly, you can monitor his heart rate, breathing patterns, and other signs to detect any indications
I loaded all the men into the back of a pickup truck and drove down the hill.It was a short drive before I got to the highway where I simply let them out by the side of the road.I didn't know what else to do that with them. Killing them would be very unnecessary, and dropping them at the front of a police station would arouse suspicion. I could easily have gotten my face caught by a security camera or something else, so letting them off here was the best choice.Of course other road users would notice this and call the cops, but I'd be long gone by then, and I'd just dump the car in a lake after.I did this and returned home shortly, where Benjamin had cleaned up whatever meds was made.He confirmed that he'd moved his family to a safe location and I nodded in approval.“So, what happens now Master Damon?” He asked me.“Now,” I began. “Now I return home,” I said.“It's been years sir,” Benjamin replied.“I'm sure they'll be happy to see their long lost son pay them a visit,” I said
I walked in and no one seemed to be home.Looking left and right, I proceeded to my father's study, to greet him with my presence.When I got to the entrance I could hear the sound of glass breaking and a person's screams inside.The voice sounded familiar, and after hearing it a few more times I was able to discern who it was, Stephen.‘My father never lets anyone else in his study, never. He's probably not home,’ I thought to myself.I proceeded to knock on the door. “Leave! And don't come back!” He screamed from inside, and I smiled to myself and opened the door.His back was turned to me, as he was facing some books on the far end of the room.“I said not to come in!” He screamed and turned, without looking at who it was, he threw another glass cup right at me.I caught the class cup with a firm grip and placed it on a stool next to me, and when he looked and saw that it was me.“Well that's certainly not a way to welcome your brother back home after he's been gone for so long,” I
He hit the floor with a loud thud and groaned as he landed.The pieces of broken wood scattered across the entrance, and I did my best to navigate through them without getting pricked.The impact had generated a lot of dust, which temporarily blinded those inside the room.I could hear people coughing as the dust dissipated, and when it finally cleared, the reactions of the people in the room was priceless.The patriarch was the first to notice me, and the sight of me nearly gave him a heart attack.Everyone else stared at him, wondering why he was acting the way he was.He slowly raised his finger and pointed in my direction, and they all turned to where I stood.The dust cleared enough for them to see my face finally, and they all stood there stunned.It was a very funny experience for me, and I began to approach where the patriarch was seated.I beckoned for him to move out of his seat, and he stared at me with such malice in his eyes.However, reluctantly, he eventually stood and