“They said…” Griffti spoke before he bowed his head. Above his lap, his hands clenched in accusatory fists. Gaston stared at his fists and back to his face which filled with loath. “They are happy that my dad died. Because they can inherit the corporation if he’s gone.” Gaston felt layers of unsettling emotion, a great sense of weariness swept over him sucking his energy with it. He gritted his teeth as he looked at the man who tried his best to speak with a thickened voice and grimace on his face. Gaston ached with sympathy. He experienced death and getting stabbed behind the back. He was abused since young kid but there were people like Harold who stayed by his side. But what about the young boy like Griffti? Just how much painful it was for a young kid to lose his father and hear people cheering over his death? ‘He must be living in fear all of his years alone,’ Gaston thought. Now he can understand why Griffti could not go back home. The sympathy turned into fury. Gasto
Jurgen only had a few days left before the loan shark would find him. If he failed to pay them before the due date, then he might die! ‘I used every single penny with me. I need help or else I will stay outside and live like a beggar!’ Jurgen shouted inside his head. He was mad at Gaston for kicking him out of the mansion. But he was so desperate to survive. So, even if he had to kneel down and throw his pride away, Jurgen will. After waiting outside the gate, Jurgen saw Gaston walking towards his side. A wide smile formed in his lips. ‘I knew it. He cannot tolerate ignoring me!’ Jurgen thought. “Gaston!” He called, holding the gate which separates the two of them. Wearing a nonchalant expression, Gaston stood near the gate and looked at the man he used to consider as his best friend. “Thank goodness, you arrived. I heard you came back from New York,” Jurgen said. Gaston did not reply and only looked at him. Jurgen has dull sunken cheeks and red spots on either side. He was d
The members of Solice family were seated together inside Sonny’s office in the mansion. They gathered here after meeting Griffti, who returned home after a long time. “Why did you take Griffti’s side, Divine?” Victoria asked her daughter. Divine crossed her legs and crossed her arms as she smiled at her parents. Then she answered, “Why not? Gaston made an effort to bring a family member. That is my way of thanking Gaston’s hardwork.” “Huh,” Jules suddenly laughed. He mockingly stared at his sister and said, “It’s not been that long since Gaston followed you like a dog. But now, I saw the opposite. Sister, you look like an owner chasing after the dog. It is funny how the owner wags its tail in front of her pet.” Divine’s arrogant eyes shot straight to his brother. She sneered at him first, then replied, “As far as I can remember, you are still under provision, right Jules?” The smile on Juel’s lips vanished. “Why don’t you act as if you are not here? Or else, I’ll drag you inside
That night, Gaston found it hard to sleep. He did not regret punishing his friend, Jurgen. But still it weighed his heart. He knew Jurgen had to redeem his sins. Gaston knew that. “I should not feel guilty. So why am I feeling uneasy?” Gaston said before he looked at the clock on the table. 12 o’clock am. By this time, Gaston was sure that Griffti arrived at the condominium that he will stay at. After all, Griffti cannot stay with the Solice Family even if the mansion is huge. Laying down on the bed, Gaston thought about the secret Griffti shared to him. Griffti asked Gaston two favors. First, help him hide his illness. And second… [“I will inherit the Hamington Group.”] Gaston met a lot of greedy people. “But he doesn’t look greedy,” Gaston said while thinking about the first Grandson of the Chairman. “He is… the same as me,” he added. To protect himself and the people he treasures, Gaston and Griffti both seek power and strength. “The Hamington ownership will be a bloody f
Around Gaston’s room, there is no CCTV. Jules personally asked the servants to take out the cameras because he does not want the Chairman to find out that he was abusing Gaston. Whenever he’s not in the mood or things do not go his way, Jules would go to his room and beat him. Gaston tolerated Jules’s physical abuse because he was scared. What would happen if he was kicked out the house? He was afraid to lose a job and a home. More than that, Gaston was stupidly in love with Jules’ sister. Back then, Gaston was an idiot, who hoped that he could be Solice’s family if only he tried his best. But things are different now. After the second punch, Jules was on his knees on the ground. When he turned back to Gaston, there was a red mark on his cheek. It was so satisfying to see Gaston. “Goddamn*t!” Jules shouted as his body trembled in madness. Gaston raised the hand he used to hit Jules twice. Then with a smirk, he said, “Now, I remember that I hit you.” Jules growled as he stood
Divine blinked swiftly. ‘Did Gaston shake my hands off him?’ she asked to herself. It must be her imagination, she thought. There’s no way this man who is head over heels to her would push her away. Divine smiled at him and said, “I heard that Jules hurt your again.” She snatched the cold compress from his hand. Then, she gently tapped it to his swollen cheek. “That childish guy. How can he hurt you as soon as you came back from New York?” Gaston’s fingers flinched. ‘Childish.’ Whenever Jules hurt Gaston, Divine always told him to spare her brother’s childish tantrum. If Divine really loves Gaston, she would not let Jules to torment him everyday. How foolish Gaston was to suffer like that just because he wanted to please Divine?! “I am fine, Miss. I am used to this anyway,” Gaston said before he snatched the cold compress back and pressed it on his cheek. “Miss?” Divine repeated in a sad tone. She tucked her hair behind her ears and looked at him with her big rounded eyes. “B
Divine swept her table, throwing all things. A crashing noise echoed inside her room. From her bloodshot eyes which were always calmed, showed blossoming resentment. Great anger thrummed through his veins, pulsing and pounding. Her face was all red, like a volcano that was about to erupt. “Argh!” she shouted and slammed the table once again. Divine always tried to be compose wherever she is. But this time, she could not hold her pacific. She blamed it all to the guy who spoke words that were as sharp as sword. [“I am sorry, Divine. I don’t love you anymore.”] After that, Divine could not say anything to Gaston. Gaston only smiled at her as he reassured her. [“I will pretend I didn’t hear any of your confession. Don’t worry.”] Then he left her alone in the kitchen. “He… He rejected me?!” she spit nails from her mouth. After some time, her breathing became stable. She was in rage that Gaston rejected her and humiliated her in the face. But while she was thinking about how Gast
The long meeting ended. Although many opposed the idea that the Chairman would like Gaston to handle the Hamington Corporation for a while, it would not change the result. After all, Gaston received Griffti’s approval as well as Sonny’s. When Gaston entered the mansion, Victoria greeted him. “You’re back.” Gaston stopped, walked and looked ahead at Victoria. Crossing her arms, Victoria walked closer to her with a sepulchral grin, as if expecting to see his demise. Gaston stayed on his spot and watched her brutal face that drowns a lurking and murderous aura. “The b*stard, who thinks that he succeeded in getting what he wanted,” she added as she ceased her feet. Victoria raised her head to look at his eyes, technically, because he is taller than her. “From asking the Chairman to give you power to handle Hamington and kicking my son out of the house. I praised your skill, Gaston. Who will imagine that a weakling like you knows how to bite?” Gaston did not reply and only looked a
January 3, 2024. The World Health Organization declared that the Covid-19 pandemic, who claimed millions of lives over the past year, is no longer a global health emergency. Thanks to Dr. Yuhana’s research and the cure that Hamington and Hopkin’s Medical Research Corporation revealed. “Dr. Yuhana is there!” “Quick!” When Yuhana walked out of the Medical Research building, many reporters waited for her outside. They were all eager to get an interview to the doctor who invented the medicine that saved millions of people around the glove. Wearing her white doctor’s gown, Yuhana looked at the reporters, which were blocked but the Corporation’s guards. “Dr. Yuhana! How did you come up with the medicine?” “It is true that you and the two corporation foresaw the virus and created the cure before it appeared?” “You created the medicine against a deadly virus within a year! Any thoughts?” “Dr. Yuhana, please answer the question?!” Smiling, Yuhana opened her lips, and everyone shut th
A deadly virus from an animal affected of SARS and MERS will kill million of people starting from December of 2022. Dr. Yuhan, who heard it, could hardly believe what she just heard. “He’s insane. It is impossible to guess a virus that hasn’t arrived yet,” she mumbled before she heard a kid groaning in pain. Yuhan quickly moved up and examined the kid. "Tumbo lako vipi?" (How's your stomach?) she asked to a kid who showed symptoms of the Waterborne disease. "Inauma," (It hurts) he said while pressing his stomach. The only treatment for this is drinking plenty of safe water, rest, and take over-the-counter diarrheal medication. But... "Una maji, daktari?" (do you have some water, doctor?) he asked with teary eyes. ‘What should I do? I didn't get any today,’ Yuhana worried. "Where should I get some water?" she murmured as she tied her hair up. "Excuse me," a voice called her. When she tilted his head, she saw Gaston. "Do you need some help?" Since the day Gaston came there,
With approximately 30.37 million km2 area, Gaston arrived at the second largest continent in the world – Africa. Gaston saw the breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural diversity, and wildlife safaris. Although he was amazed at the country’s beauty, he was aware that he didn’t come here just to take a vacation. Upon his research, Dr. Yuhan was sent to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Maneima to do a research about the waterborne disease around the town. Enduring the very hot weather, Gaston went to the Maneima to find the doctor. He didn’t take his guards with him, as he doesn’t want to appear like a super rich person. Instead, he only too Secretary Lanceil with him. “Are we there yet?” Secretary Lanceil asked to Gaston. Gaston looked back and saw his secretary catching his breath. He wanted to laugh at him. “That’s why I told you that you didn’t need to come with me,” Gaston said while walking. “How can I do that, Sir? You are my boss,” Lanceil answered. Not long after
By 31 December 2022, the World Health Organization will inform the world about the cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Province of China. It will be the start of the pandemic virus named Covid-19. Gaston cannot stop a virus from spreading. But he found out a way to minimize the casualties it would result. And also, things to do to maintain the economy growth of the world. That was the reason why he offered Griffti to run a huge Medical project with him before November ends. ‘With Hamington’s construction’s ability, it is possible,’ Griffti thought. “But I don’t know why he suddenly thought of that,” he added. Gaston helped him and the Hopkins to grow because he saw the future six months before he died in the past. But now, Gaston has no idea about what will happen in the next months and years. “Gaston is crazy,” Edgar said. Sitting inside the Hour Investment Company, which became their hangout place, Griffti looked at Edgar. “Did Gaston come to you and ask you to do things al
November of 2022.Gaston came back to the present.The $30 million Gideon watch that he bought from Switzerland vanished into thin air. But Gaston didn’t regret anything. Traveling in the future was worth it.Gaston and Jane went back to the country. And once they were back, Jane went to visit Gaston’s father, John.“How was your trip to Switzerland?” John asked to Jane.Jane fidgeted her fingers above her lap. She and Gaston hadn’t told John that they are not in a relationship.“Did Gaston confess to you?” John teased the lady.Jane’s face reddened, and it was enough for John to figure out what happened.“So, are you two dating?” he asked.Jane’s mouth opened and closed several times. She couldn’t say the truth, or lie in front of Gaston’s father.John laughed at Jane’s reaction. He understood that Jane wanted Gaston to tell this to John, and therefore he stopped teasing the lady.“Don’t worry. I will wait for Gaston to tell me everything.”“T-Thank you, Uncle,” Jane said.“Don’t nee
Griffti, the Chairman of the Hamington Corporation, was working alone in his office. Even though years passed by, he was still having a hard time defeating his disease. Especially after his grandfather died in the hands of his cousin, Divine. ‘Will there be a day when I will feel peace?’ Griffti asked that to himself. Knock knock. He looked at the door of his office. “Sir, it’s me,” his secretary announced. “Come in.” The secretary came in, but he stopped and stood from a great distance. Serving Griffti, the secretary knew that his boss hates close contact. Or else, his panic disorder will attack. “Chairman, I need to report something.” “Tell me.” “You received mail.” “You could have just sent it to my email account.” “N-No. The mail was a real letter.” “Real letter?” “Yes. The man said that I should deliver this directly to you.” Frowning, Griffti responded, “Throw it away. You should be careful and stop receiving suspicious thing from a random stranger.” “Sir, the m
Gaston and Edgar hung out at the rooftop of the apartment building where Edgar was living.Looking at the bright City, they drink beer together.“It’s fortunate that my father didn’t take you to prison,” Gaston said to Edgar.Edgar glared at him.“I thought I am going to die while his guards were chasing after me. Be thankful that you are my friend.”“Yes. Thank you so much, Edgar.”“Huh! As long as you know.”The two of them took sips on their beers.“So, what is your plan now? You talked to Jurgen and stopped his death. But you still have one day left. Do you have another plan?”‘If I will go back to the present, I might as well learn more things in this time that will help me,’ Gaston thought.“Edgar, you still following the economic reports around the world, right?”“Of course! Even if I am living like this, I am still hoping that someday, I would be given a chance to start a business again. I have a lot of ideas, especially after the pandemic.”“Then, can you tell me everything t
“That’s right. I am the friend who died for you, Jurgen.” What did Jurgen feel when he saw his best friend? Remorse. Guilt. Happiness. “You’re alive. You are… alive.” Crying, Jurgen went close to Gaston. He held his shoulder, as he wanted to make sure that this is not an illusion which he usually saw every day. “I am so happy. So happy!” Jurgen cried out loud. His knees gave in, and he knelt on the ground, lowering his head. When Gaston saw it, he felt the pain inside his chest. Gideon was right. Jurgen regretted everything and he was willing to end his life for Gaston. “Sorry, Gaston. Please, forgive me,” Jurgen cried, kissing the floor. Gaston only looked down at him. “I was wrong. I gave up our friendship just for my greed. I… I deserve to die, Gaston.” Gaston knew Jurgen was serious because he did end his life just to turn back time. “I thought that if I have your life, if I became rich, and if I got Divine, I will be happy,” Jurgen added. “But no. Ever since you d
Edgar had no choice but to listen to Gaston’s story.Of course, he could hardly believe that a dead person came back alive.But Gaston knew one way to convince him.“So, you mean, in another world, another time, the two of us succeeded in launching the Protix Hoverbike?” Edgar asked in disbelief.Gaston nodded his head.Although it was unbelievable, the news made Edgar so happy.“That was… awesome,” Edgar uttered, and he burst out crying. “I was miserable for years after my wife abandoned me and sold my invention to another company. I spent years in jail, and now, I am living so hard.”Gaston stared at his friend and mourned his grievance.“Actually, I still could not believe that you are Gaston and you traveled from another time. But hearing this made me so fucking happy.”A smile spread on Gaston’s lips. Even the other time, Edgar believed him although he could not understand all of Gaston’s words.“Then, I have a question,” Edgar said. “If everything you said is true, why did you