Shame to Fame; The Rise of the Duderte Empire

7- Nostalgia

Arthur stared at the door that his Father just exited his room through. He looked down at the paper on the coffee table that covered the fruits in the fruit bowl. He lowered his body slowly and took the paper.

His eyes skimmed the tiny fonts written on the paper and slowly, tears welled up his eyes. His Father wasn't lying. He had to kill his mother.

His eyes subconsciously drifted to where his Father sat earlier. A USB drive was sitting on the couch like it had been mistakenly left there.

He grabbed it and looked around the room for a laptop or anything he could plug it in. He found none so he stepped out of his room.

He met a maid as soon as he stepped out. 

"Hi." He greeted. The maid turned around with a blush and bowed her head.

"Good day, Young Master. What can I do for you?"

"A Laptop. I need a Laptop."

"A lap-?"

"Yes, a Laptop." He affirmed.

"I'll get you yours right away, Young Master." A voice came from behind the maid. Arthur and the maid turned their head to the direction of the voice.

Mr. Robert was standing there staring at them. When he met with Arthur's eyes, he inclined his head in greeting.

Arthur eyed the man and turned back walking into his room without giving the man a response. 

Mr. Robert turned around and walked to Mr. Duderte room. He knocked the door and said,

"It's me, Master."

"Come on in." The man replied gulping his drug. He drank a cup of water afterwards before walking to his desk.

"Did you use your medicine already?"

"Bitter as always." The man remarked taking a seat with a heavy sigh.

"Shows it's authentic."

"There are drugs that aren't bitter and actually works." 

"That... I... You're correct, Sire."

"Of course I am." Rodrigo replied with a chuckle. Mr. Robert lifted his lips in a small yet pleasant way.

"So? What do you want?"

"The Young Master wants a Laptop."

"He does? Did he say why? Doesn't matter. Get it for him. Whatever he wants, get it for him. You don't need to run it by me."

"Alright, Sir."

"Get him to best quality."

"I will." Mr. Robert replied.

"And also, take him along with you. He probably needs fresh air. Also, on your way back, open an account for him."

"As you wish."

"In fact, you know what? Here you go. Take my black card. Get whatever his eyes lingers on." Rodrigo said with a smile stretching a black card to Mr. Robert.

"Alright, Sir. See you later."

"Hm." Rodrigo replied with a wave of his hand and a smile.

Mr. Robert exited the room with the black card safely tucked in his pocket. He walked to Arthur's room knocking the door gently.

"It's me, Young Master."

"What do you want?"

"Would you like to come with me?" He asked.

"Where to?"

"To get your Laptop."

"Do I have to? Just get me anything. You could literally just lend me yours. I don't need one."

"You will, Young Master. In the immediate future." 

"What immediate future?" Arthur mumbled to himself.

"I will get the car ready then."

Arthur said nothing and Mr. Robert let a smile dance on his lips.

"I'll take your silence as a yes then." He turned around and walked away from the door. Arthur rolled his eyes before stepping out of his bed. The windows were still locked with the handles no where to be found. He could only follow Mr. Robert if he wanted to breathe in God's given Oxygen.

And maybe get away from Green.

He walked to the wardrobe pulling it open. He reached for a sweatshirt and pants and dropped them on the bed. He walked to the bathroom for a quick shower before he dressed in the clothes he had chosen earlier.

He took an apple in the fruit bowl and walked out of his room with his hand in his pocket. He suddenly paused to look at his reflection in the glass on the door.

He raised his hand and tousled his wet hair. The sweatshirt fit him perfectly like it was custom made just for him. If only he knew it was truly custom made and how much it cost.

He bit into the apple and suddenly he heard a gasp followed by a squeal. He whipped his head around quick in an act of defense. His eyes met with two maids who were holding themselves in an attempt to make each other calm down. A futile attempt actually.

"Is there a problem?" Arthur asked his eyes traveling between the two maids.

"None, sir." They replied in unison and let out another squeal each before they ran off.

Arthur stared at them as they ran off their short legs taking them as fast as it could. He tilted his head in confusion. What was that? He looked down at his dressing, was he looking weird? Was that why they were- Hold on, he knew that sound.

That was the sound that filled the hallway whenever Matt was walking with his two friends. He never really understood why they usually made that sound but it was the least of his problem then. He was always focused on his he'd make sure Matt didn't set his eyes on his. He was always avoiding him but it was like Matt was his nemesis. He always, always, caught up to him.

"Young Master?" Someone called snapping him out of his reverie. He turned his head to see a maid bowing her head in greeting.

"Mr. Robert asked me to bring you." She said looking up at him batting her eyelashes. 

"Are- Are you okay?" Arthur asked in concern.

"Sir?" She squeaked.

"Your eyes. You're closing and opening it like something is in it. Is there something wrong with your eyes?"

"What? No. There's nothing wrong with my eyes." The girl replied her cheeks a shade of bright red.

Arthur noticing the shade of her cheeks was convinced she had come up with a fever.

"Are you feeling hot?" He asked looking at her face.

"Sir?" She said her hand slowly reaching up to her flushed cheeks. The flush spread to her face and down her neck.

"Do you need to take the day off? You're very red right now. Is it Fever?" He asked wondering.

"Umm- I... No, I... I'm perfectly fine!" She yelled suddenly and turned around. The yell took Arthur by surprise that he almost dropped his apple. He gripped it harder and was now sure the girl had definitely come down with an illness.

"If you'd... If you'd follow me, Mr. Robert is this way."

"Are you sure you're fine?" He asked following her at a safe proximity.

"I'm perfectly fine, Young Master. Thank you for your concern." She greeted turning her body with a bow while walking very quickly.

"I mean, if you say so."

"I insist, Young Master." She replied without turning to look at his face.

She pushed the door open and bowed her head making the door wide open for Arthur to step out with no difficulty.

"Thank you." Arthur greeted before walking out of the house. The door to the car was wide open by a bodyguard dressed in black suit. Behind the car were two other Bentley cars. He stepped into car and the door was closed. The bodyguard ran to the car behind the one Arthur got into and sat in the Passenger seat.

"Where's Mr. Robert?" Arthur asked the driver not noticing the man sitting in the passenger seat.

"I'm right here, Young Master." Mr. Robert replied turning his head to look at Arthur.

"How do you like the Sweatshirt?" Mr. Robert asked as the driver turned the car out of the house. The two other cars followed suit.

"It's comfortable. How did you know my size?" He asked looking down at the deep blue sweatshirt.

"I didn't. Your Father did." Mr. Robert said. Arthur stared at the headrest of the seat Mr. Robert was sitting in. However, he didn't utter a word to what Mr. Robert said.

Instead, he leaned closer to the tinted windows and stared out the window. He watched the tall buildings go by as well as people that went about their daily lives.

 Some were sitting to have tea, some were running with a file in their hand, some were taking a walk with their pets, some were chatting freely with their partners laughing occasionally.

A sigh escaped Arthur's lips. Just then, he saw a cycle drive by the car. It was a Pizza Company. The person was a delivery man. A wave of nostalgia hit his nose and another sigh escaped his lips. That was him the day before yesterday. How was he in this position now? 

He was sitting in a rich ass car watching other people from this perspective. He used to belong on the streets. Walking when he could and cycling when his old bike didn't have a punctured tire.

"We're here, Young Master." Mr. Robert voice cut his thoughts off. He looked up at the building in front of him. 

TELECOMS COMMUNITY. 

He knows Telecoms Community. Who didn't in the whole of San Francisco? It was the biggest electrical gadget seller. They dealt with the sale of all types of electrical gadgets you could think of.

The door was pulled open by another Bodyguard and Arthur stepped out the car his eyes never leaving the tall building.

Suddenly, he noticed people staring and whispering at each other. But not at him, at something or someone behind him. Slowly, he turned around to see a crowd of bodyguards behind him all dressed in full black.

He took a step back in fright. When did this people follow him out? Why were they here? He turned his head to see Mr. Robert standing behind him. It was then that he noticed he was the only one in front of these crowd of bodyguards.

"Mr. Robert, why is there so many men?" He asked in curiosity.

"They're here to protect you. They would put their lives on the line for you. They have sworn to protect the Duderte Empire. You're the heir to the Duderte Empire, hence they're obliged to protect you. It's going to be like this everyday. You'll slowly get used to it." 

"Everyday?! Why? I don't need anyone protecting me."

"Yes, you do. Let's go in. People are staring."

Just then, a man draped in a three piece suit ran out of the building. He stood in front of Mr. Robert and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Robert! Always a pleasure to see you." He greeted with a jovial smile. He stretched his hand fake a handshake which Mr. Robert collected with a matching smile.

"Of course, Mr. Henry."

"Where is the Old Master? Are you representing him today?"

"No. I brought our Young Master to get his Laptop." 

"Young Master? I don't-" 

Just then, he finally noticed Arthur standing at the side without caring to join in on their conversation.

"He's the Young Master?" Mr. Henry asked pointing his index finger at Arthur.

"That is very correct. Can we go in now? Our Young Master needs to sit."

"Definitely. Right this way, please." Mr. Henry said his eyes occasionally traveling to Arthur's face.

"Let's go in, Young Master." Mr. Robert said to Arthur gesturing into the building.