Alphonse and Peter made their way through the rain-soaked streets, the silence between them thick with anticipation. The plush interior of the limousine felt suffocating to Alphonse, each second stretching longer as his mind swirled with doubts and questions.
Was this all a joke? Or a prank?
He couldn't help but roll his eyes at the absurdity of the situation, his heart pounding against his chest.
"Are you okay?" Peter's voice broke the silence, laced with genuine concern.
Alphonse clenched his fists, trying to steady his shaking hands,
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper,
"This all feels like some twisted joke."
Peter nodded, understanding the turmoil that Alphonse was going through.
"I know this is a lot to take in," he said, his tone soft. "But I assure you, it's all true."
The limousine pulled up to the hospital, and they quickly made their way inside. The hospital's sterile smell and the sound of distant beeping machines did little to calm Alphonse's nerves.
As they approached Hannah's room, Alphonse's heart raced, a mix of fear and hope consuming him.
Peter gently knocked on the door before entering, with Alphonse trailing behind. The sight of his mother, frail and weak, lying on the hospital bed, brought a surge of emotions. Hannah's eyes lit up upon seeing her son, a weak smile spreading across her face.
"Alphonse," she whispered, her voice strained.
Alphonse rushed to her side, taking her hand in his,
"Mom, are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
Hannah nodded, her eyes shifting to Peter, as understanding showed on her face,
"I see you've met Peter."
Alphonse arched an eyebrow, looking back and forth between his mother and Peter,
"He told me about... about my father," he said, the words feeling strange on his lips.
Hannah sighed, a tear escaping her eye.
"Yes, it's true," she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jake Edmund was your father."
Alphonse felt his jaw tighten, anger and confusion swirling inside him,
"Why? Why now?" he asked, his voice rising.
Hannah reached out, gently touching his cheek,
"Your father... he made mistakes," she said, her voice breaking. "But he wanted to make things right."
Peter stepped forward, his expression solemn.
"Mr. Edmund passed away recently," he revealed, his voice steady. "Before he died, he made me promise to find you and bring you back to claim your inheritance."
Alphonse's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms,
"Inheritance? Passed away?" he repeated, disbelief evident in his tone.
Peter nodded.
"Jake Edmund left his entire fortune to you, Alphonse. And he wanted you to take over his business, the J.E Consortium."
A mix of emotions coursed through Alphonse, disbelief, anger, and a flicker of hope battling within him,
"But why me?" he asked, his voice a mere whisper.
"Because you're his son,"
Peter said, his tone gentle,
"And he believed in you, even if he couldn't be there for you."
Hannah squeezed Alphonse's hand, her eyes filled with tears,
"Your father regretted his choices," she said, her voice trembling,
"He loved you, in his way."
Alphonse looked away, unable to bear the weight of his mother's gaze.
Hannah's eyes, though weak, flickered with a mixture of pain and relief as she met her son's gaze.
"Jake left us for another woman, he was influenced by his rich family's disdain for my lack of wealthy status. They never accepted me, pushing him toward someone they deemed more suitable, someone from a wealthy background."
Alphonse listened, each word sinking like stones in his stomach,
"They convinced him to abandon me," Hannah continued, a tear rolling down her cheek,
"The woman he married made his life a living hell, while I struggled to raise you on my own. Jake tried to find us, but without success, and the burden of his choices weighed heavily on him."
As she spoke, Alphonse could barely process the flood of emotions overwhelming him—anger, sadness, but also a strange sense of understanding.
"He was sick," Hannah added, her voice growing fainter.
"On his deathbed, he made Peter promise to find you and ensure you received your inheritance. He wanted to make things right, in whatever way he could."
The room fell silent as Alphonse grappled with this revelation, the man he had never known, the father who had left them, had carried the burden of his decisions until his dying breath.
Peter, witnessing the tumult of emotions playing across Alphonse's face, decided it was time to reveal one last piece of the puzzle.
He carefully handed Alphonse a photograph, the edges worn, as if it had been handled many times,
"This was your father," Peter said softly.
As Alphonse looked down at the picture, his breath caught in his throat. Staring back at him was his own face, or so it seemed. The resemblance was uncanny, a mirror image reflecting across the years. The realization hit him like a wave; despite everything, there was no denying his connection to Jake Edmund.
"Wow," was all Alphonse could manage, his eyes glued to the photograph.
Hannah reached out, touching the photograph with a trembling hand. "He was a good man once," she said, her voice filled with sadness. "But life... life can change people."
Alphonse felt a tear roll down his cheek, the reality of the situation crashing down on him. He was the heir to a fortune, the son of a man he had never known, and now, he was expected to take over a business he knew nothing about.
Peter placed a reassuring hand on Alphonse's shoulder. "We'll help you through this," he promised. "You're not alone."
Alphonse took a deep breath, wiping the tears from his eyes. The weight of his new reality was daunting, but the thought of being able to help his mother, to change their lives for the better, gave him a glimmer of hope,
"Okay," Alphonse said, his voice steady. "I'll do it. For my mom."
Hannah smiled weakly, her entire face beaming with pride,
"I knew you would," she said, her voice filled with love.
Alphonse turned to Peter, determination etched into his features,
"What do I need to do?" he asked, ready to face whatever came next.
Peter smiled, a sense of admiration for Alphonse's courage evident in his gaze.
"First, we need to get your mother the care she needs," he said, his voice firm. "Then, we'll start the process of claiming your inheritance and introducing you to the J.E Consortium."
Alphonse nodded, a sense of purpose settling within him. He looked down at his mother, her frail form a stark reminder of why he was willing to step into this new world.
"I'll do whatever it takes," Alphonse declared, his voice filled with resolve. "I won't let you down, Mom."
Hannah's eyes glistened with tears, a smile of gratitude spreading across her face.
"I know you won't," she whispered, her voice filled with pride.
As Alphonse and Peter left the hospital room, stepping back outside, Alphonse felt a new sense of determination, he was about to embark on a journey he had never imagined, but he was not alone.
With his mother's love and Peter's guidance, Alphonse was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The rain had stopped, the streets now glistening under the setting sun. Alphonse looked up at the sky, a sense of calm washing over him. For the first time in a long time, he felt hopeful about the future.
Stepping out of the room together, Peter guided a lost Alphonse to a corner, assuring him that all would be fine."Your mother is brave. You don't have to be worried about her condition. She'll be alright.""Hmm, " Alphonse responded, looking back at the room his mother was in.His head was still welled with the sudden revelation of his identity, leaving him wondering where he has to start from on what to do next.As if Peter Understood his thoughts, he placed his hand on Alphonse's shoulder, gaining the young man's attention back on him. When he looked at Peter..."It's time for you to claim what is rightfully yours, Alphonse. Do come with me and sign on the necessary documents. It's important they are attended to now, " Peter suggested.This felt like a dream to the young man."So, once I sign the papers everything will be..." He paused, trying to accept his new life that's about to change."Yes, everything will be in your name from now onwards. You're your father's heir after all,
Having his mother back home after a long period at the hospital, pleased Alphonse to the core. He couldn't stop himself from giving her all the food she wanted and the care. And Hannah got tired of the care, to the point of pleading with her son to stop."You just returned from the hospital. At least have some more...""No Alphonse. I'm okay my son. I'm really full, " She pleaded, stopping him from spoiling her any further.Her face brightened with smiles as she gave out a chuckle, taking hold of Alphonse's hands.He was already grumbling with her refusal but smiled when he swe her laughing at him."My dear boy. I'm okay. All I need is rest now. Trust me," She said, assuring her son. "Okay " He said, accepting her request. With the help of the maids in the mansion, Hannah was taken to her room to rest, while her son remained back at the living room with his late father's butler, Peter. The two were alone watching Hannah leave, until she was out of sight.Once she was gone, Peter p
"Is everything ready?" Alphonse asked his butler while staring down at an open hall in a well-designed navy blue suit.He and his butler were standing upstairs in the Hall, which they had used in making preparations for the party.This was a popular Hall Alphonse's late father used whenever he wanted to have an event or occasion.It's a well-known hall that the late Edmund's business partners were familiar with and knew the late CEO used for an occasion. Peter, who knows how his old boss does his things, made the arrangement perfectly well according to it, but as per Alphonse's order.The duo were on the top floor of the Hall, watching all the guests coming into the party with delight all over their faces. But that wasn't their main interest."Seems your guests have arrived, Master, " Peter informed Alphonse, signaling to the entrance of the Hall. The young man looked and spotted Thomas, Geoffrey, the man who took his wife from him, his mother-in-law, and Vivian his ex-wife. She w
"I will advise you to leave before I get you thrown out," The fellow, who was the manager of JE Consortium, ordered the family to leave the party or be thrown out. This was something the family had never experienced and never imagined they would find themselves one day.It was clear all over their bodies that they weren't used to such embarrassment. It's their first. Vivian, who still had herself clung to her husband, stood her ground."You can't do this to my family. What do you mean by a mistake? We want to see your boss!""Get out!" The guards yelled at them, grabbing them by their arms and pulling them away."Unhand me! Let go!" Margaret roared, dragging to let go. Thomas was also shouting and demanding the presence of Mr. Edmund."You have made a mistake! My son-in-law and I have bagged a contract with the company! You can't treat us like this!" He roared.Geoffrey couldn't even yell but accept his fate, following the guards who were dragging them out of the Hall. The sight o
"Send that whore away, this instant!" Thomas roared at his son, ordering him to send away the lady he brought. Ivan groaned at his father, and said, "Hell no. Why should she leave? It's not the first time I'll be bringing home a girl. Why tonight? ""Don't disobey me, boy! I said send her out! ""I won't!" Ivan stood his ground, refusing to do as his father wanted. This was beginning to stir up discomfort between the family.Geoffrey, who was watching this, knowing well that he and his wife were arguing before Ivan's arrival, decided to shift all the matter to Ivan's head at once by supporting his father-in-law."Don't speak to your father in that manner. A question was asked and the best you can do is stand against his order?" Geoffrey poked in at once. Now the whole family was against Ivan. All were throwing their questions at him, demanding to know why the young man didn't join them at the function when they asked him to."Tonight was meant to be your father and brother-in-law's
"What... What do you mean by that? Is this some kind of joke?" Vivian questioned her parents as she stared at them in utter disbelief.Thomas and Margaret stared at their daughter back, unable to speak any further about their problem. "You are Broke? A terrible situation? I... Explain clearly because I don't understand what you two are saying. What do you mean by we are broke?!""Vivian, it's not easy to say. We can't even understand how it all happened.""How can't you understand?!" Vivian raised her voice at her father, who was trying to make her calm.But Vivian wasn't ready to be calm after what she heard. She needed to be sure that what they were saying was just a prank and nothing else. She didn't want to believe it. On her right-hand side stood Geoffrey, who had drifted away from his in-laws after hearing them reveal their financial situation. His eyes came bulging out and his forehead broke with sweat. He couldn't utter a word but gaze at Thomas, with his mind thinking a
After spending an hour with her family, Vivian decides to head back to her place, where she stays with her husband, Geoffrey.She didn't want to leave her worried parents behind. She wanted to be there for them.But at this very moment, she also needed to find a solution to their problems."Where is it?!" Vivian groaned while tossing some of her belongings out from the closet."I know it's here, but where did I keep it? " She grumbled, throwing out her clothes. The moment she tossed out a pink dress, a little book fell to the ground, gaining her attention at once. "Yes! Found it!" She rejoiced, running over and bending down to get the booklet.It turned out it was a contact book and Vivian was looking for it, just to reach out to people, whom she has lost track with in the past, so they can help her out. She carefully sat on the bed and began going through the book, looking for the contact of those she knows can help her.Funnily, all the numbers belonged to different men from Vivi
"What the hell was that? " Vivian questioned Geoffrey's action. He still had her phone in his hand, staring at her in anger."Give me my phone," She ordered, trying to take it from him, but Geoffrey lifted it high so she couldn't reach him."Geoffrey! What's wrong with you? ""I should be asking you that question," He said, sparking at her."What do you think you're doing? You want to transfer your money to your family? Are you okay?"Hearing what Geoffrey said, Vivian stopped struggling but gazed at him in astonishment."Excuse me? Are you for real?" She uttered, using her hand to touch her head, indicating if he was in his right senses."This is my family we're talking about here. My father is in serious need of help and you're asking if I'm okay?!" Her voice sounded thunderous.Realizing what he has done, Geoffrey had to switch fast.He didn't want his wife thinking he's a villain and doesn't care about her family.He gave a sigh out and said, " Babe, that's not what I meant.""Th