Chapter 9

Part 9

During the journey, Ethan kept reciting prayers he could read for his mother's safety.

 

Ethan hoped for another chance to meet his mother. He longed to embrace her, care for her, and make her happy once again.

He felt he hadn't fully made his mother happy yet.

"Here, sir!"

Ethan then handed some bills to the motorcycle taxi driver. The driver seemed about to protest the extra money, but Ethan quickly signaled that he meant to give more.

Ethan then hurried into the terminal and purchased his ticket.

As predicted by Ethan's timetable, the train that would take him back to his hometown arrived shortly.

Just like the others, Ethan also entered the train and took a standing position.

He refrained from sitting since he noticed many elderly individuals who seemed to need the seats more.

Thus, Ethan decided to stand. He didn't want those who needed the space more than him to end up standing.

"Well, what can I do. I'm fed up with that company. How can they accuse me of ruining their projections? Clearly, I had a significant role in creating those projections, even more than most. But thanks to that damn new boss, I'm suspended for a few days to 'rest.' Does he think I'm mentally disturbed or something?!"

Ethan shifted his gaze to a woman not far from his age.

Her expression displayed profound resilience.

She resented everything.

"Instead of making it seem like I'm the one at fault later on, I'd rather just damage the company's reputation. I'm sure the company won't be fine without me. They need me to survive. But they're treating me like trash. Well, fine, I'll just follow their wishes."

The woman grew angry again.

"I have already sent my resignation message to the company. Besides, there are many other offices that would be willing to accept talented individuals like me. Why should I linger there anyway?" Ethan was frozen, gazing at the woman with an intense stare.

Considering what had happened to her wasn't much different from his own experience, a wide smile appeared on his face.

"Maybe I'll just send a message to the Director as well. What more do I expect from a company that refused to believe in me?" Ethan nodded, affirming his thoughts.

The man then retrieved his old phone from his pants pocket. He opened his W******p and searched for a number to contact in order to convey his resignation from the company.

 

Right at that moment, it turned out Ethan had already saved the Director's number. Without further ado, on the train, Ethan immediately sent his resignation message.

Not forgetting, after drafting the online resignation letter in his chat room with the Director, Ethan also added one thing to it.

[I promise the Director that I will certainly compensate for any company assets that are deemed lost and mishandled. I will reimburse everything, but with one condition. The company must be able to prove that I am indeed the mastermind behind all the fund embezzlement.]

Ethan felt a sense of relief within himself.

As per his predictions and suspicions, it was true, his superior Director immediately lashed out at him using harsh words.

[My decision is final. You're fired!]

Instead of feeling sad or anything, Ethan actually feels much calmer now. In fact, he feels much freer.

 

It's been a while since Ethan has felt this peace and suppressed everything that hurt his heart. The train that the man was on finally came to a stop as well.

Stopped right in Ethan's hometown.

The man developed a wide smile.

 

"Mommy! Your child has returned! Surely with enough results to allow you to buy anything you want later. Just like the wish you always mentioned when I went on my journey."

Ethan murmured in his heart.

With determination, the man ordered a motorcycle taxi to take him to his home address.

"Just returned, huh, sir?" the motorcycle taxi rider asked Ethan.

The man nodded, smiling kindly.

"Yes, sir. Thank God there's extra fortune to take care of my parents too."

For a moment, the short conversation passed between them. Before Ethan finally reached the street leading to his house. He stopped before the alley leading to his house because it was too narrow.

"Thank you, sir!"

Once again, Ethan gave extra money to his motorcycle taxi driver.

Ethan returned with a radiant face, but that expression turned ambiguous when he found his house crowded with people.

Ethan's heart raced when he saw a yellow flag flying at his house.

"Brother Ethan? Mom has passed away!"

Ethan's eyes widened, his heart pounding heavily.

Ethan stumbled forward, his backpack and messenger bag nearly slipping from his hands. The words hit him like a tidal wave, crashing through his thoughts and leaving a sense of numbness in their wake.

"What... What did you say, Amel?" Ethan stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Saga, a neighbor and friend, approached Ethan with a solemn expression. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. Your mom... She passed away earlier today. It was quite sudden."

Ethan's legs felt weak, as if the ground beneath him had turned to quicksand. He couldn't process the information. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, an unimaginable reality he wasn't ready to face.

"This can't be real," Ethan muttered to himself, almost as if trying to convince his own mind.

"I wish it were a dream too, Ethan," Saga said softly, his voice filled with empathy. "She was a kind woman, and we'll all miss her."

 

Ethan's eyes welled up with tears, and his heart ached with a mixture of sorrow and regret. He wished he had spent more time with his mother, listened to her stories, and made her laugh more often. The memories of their last conversations played in his mind, and he felt a pang of guilt for not being there when she needed him the most.

Saga placed a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder. "If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know. We're all here for you."

Ethan nodded, his throat tight with emotion. He turned his gaze towards his childhood home, where people were gathered to pay their respects. The yellow flag symbolizing the loss was a stark reminder of the void left behind.

As Ethan slowly walked towards the house, memories of his mother flooded his thoughts. He remembered her warm smiles, her gentle guidance, and the countless sacrifices she had made for him. The realization that he would never hear her voice again hit him with a crushing weight.

Inside the house, Ethan found himself surrounded by friends and neighbors who had come to offer their condolences. Hugs, kind words, and gestures of support were extended to him, and each one felt like a lifeline in the midst of his grief.

As the day turned into night, Ethan found himself sitting alone in his childhood bedroom. He stared at a photograph of his mother on the nightstand, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "I wish you were here," he whispered, his voice cracking.

 

"Ethan decided to resign himself, took his backpack, and intended to grab his phone. However, the phone was no longer in its place.

Ethan's eyes widened in astonishment. He rummaged through all the clothes inside the backpack and searched for the whereabouts of the phone containing his financial system.

"Where's my phone? No! I must not lose that phone."