"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Theodore." I shook his hand with a big smile.
"Hi Theo," he said, returning my handshake. "Please, sit."I sat down and faced the owner of this cafe. I tried to make a memorable first impression on him. I gave him the file that I brought."I saw a vacancy at this cafe, so I decided to apply." I explained briefly."Are you doing anything else out there?" The owner of the cafe looked at me sternly."Nothing; I have graduated, so I am now focused on working and taking care of my mother.""Oh okay. Here they work per shift, so the working hours are probably 5 to 6 hours." He linked his fingers on the table, which made him look more dignified. "The salary is 10 US dollars per hour. How?""Yes, no problem. I do," I answered confidently.I have no choice but to work and raise money for my mother's treatment."Okay, then starting tomorrow you can start working, Theo." The owner tidied up my files and then stood up from his seat.I stood up and replied, "Thank you very much."The owner's boss came back inside while I rushed out of the cafe to go back to the hospital. I would buy fruits for Mama on my way there. The bell rang as I passed the main door of the cafe."Excuse me," called someone wearing a suit who intercepted me in the middle of the road."Sorry, I was in a rush." I just passed that guy because I didn't know him."Excuse me, is it true that your name is Theodore Whitmore?"I stopped when he said my full name correctly. I couldn't ignore it, of course. "Sorry, how do you know me? I do not know you.""I am Preston." The man named Preston held out his hand.I shook his hand quickly before letting go. "Is there anything I can do to help? I'm in a rush to get to the hospital.""Oh, sorry, I disturbed your trip." Preston apologized sincerely. "Then I can drive you to the hospital, and we can talk on the way." Preston offered."Oh, no need, thank you. I also need to get some things before going to the hospital." I quickly turned it down.Of course, I need to be wary of people I don't know. Especially when he wanted to take me to the hospital."Then I would like to give you this letter and my business card." Preston handed him a white envelope and a business card.I took it questioningly: "What is all this for?""You will know when you read it, Mr. Theo." Preston addressed him respectfully.The cell phone I put in my trouser pocket vibrated. I immediately took it and picked up the phone. "Just a moment," I told Preston, and I walked away before addressing the summoner."Hello!" I said first."Is this true with Mrs. Olivia's family?" asked a woman on the other side of the phone gently."Yes, that's right. I am his son," I answered hastily."I, from the hospital, want to inform you that Mrs. Olivia is currently in the ER.""What?" Not finished, the nurse spoke. "I'm going there now!" I decided.I hung up the phone and turned my body, saying, "Sorry, I'm in a hurry because my mom is in the ER." I explained quickly. "I'll call you later, Preston." I peeked at the name on the business card that was given.Without waiting for a response from Preston, I immediately turned and sprinted toward the hospital. I ran as fast as I could and broke through several passing cars. I entered the hospital and immediately looked for signs of the ER room."Nurse, how is my mother's condition?" I asked a passing nurse."Sorry, sir, I do not know. Please wait until a doctor or nurse comes out from inside." The nurse told me"Oh, well, thank you, nurse. Sorry," I said politely, and I walked nervously in front of the ER door.A minute later, a nurse came out of the emergency room, and I went straight to her. "Nurse, how is my mother's condition?""With Mrs. Olivia's family?" The nurse asked to make sure while looking at the check-up sheet."Yes, it's true; I'm his son." I was assured."Mr. Theo?""Yes, that's right." I nodded my head."Mrs. Olivia needs urgent treatment to remove the cancer, which has started to spread." The nurse explained in detail. "This is Mr. Theo; I am handing over the financial files that must be paid off before the handling is carried out."I took the file and read it carefully. "70,000USD?" I immediately sat limp in the chair in front of the ER room. My head is throbbing at the sight of such a large cost."Nurse, can I see my mother?" I looked at the nurse, who was still waiting for me."Go ahead, but it can't be too long.""Yes, nurse." I stood up and saw that a letter had fallen.I picked it up and remembered Preston's message. I opened it quickly and read the contents of the letter.Hello, my son.Sorry, father just found out about you now.How are you?Are you okay?Have you started work yet?I really wants to meet me and tell me about everything. I hope you will meet me.signed,Mr. Harrison Hawthorne*note: your fatherMy heart stopped when I read the name at the end of the letter. I can't believe everything written in it. 'Mr. Harrison, that rich businessman is my father?' I thought."Excuse me, Mr., are you going inside?" The nurse in front of me broke my reverie."Oh, sorry. Yes, nurse." I folded the letter back and put it in my pocket before heading to the ER.Twenty-two years ago...A sparkling world that was always dazzling and made everyone fall into it. Tonight, a man was seen sitting alone in one of the front seats of the bar. It hasn't been 30 minutes since the man sat there, but there are already three empty bottles lined up in front of him.The man, who was about to turn 30, looked frustrated and sad. This could be seen from the way he sipped and finished every bottle of beer served. "Give me one more bottle." He shouted loudly while raising his index finger while tipsy.Without saying much, the bartender opened a bottle of beer with a 30% alcohol content in front of the man. In a matter of minutes, he gulped down the fourth bottle. Instantly, his head hung limply with his hand still holding the bottle of drink."ARGH!!!" He groaned as he banged the bottle on the table.Several eyes that were surprised by his groan turned and stared at the man with a sneer. They began to talk about him,
My cell phone alarm has been ringing for a few minutes. My ears heard it fine, but my consciousness refused to open my eyes. My left hand tried to find it and grabbed it, before my eyes slowly opened.At 07:27 AM. "Oh snap! I have to get up now," I muttered, immediately straightening up. My body was feeling sore from having to sleep sitting in front of the emergency room. I blinked my eyes several times before I stepped into the hospital bathroom. I washed my face and tidied my hair. I didn't have time to go home and clean up. I immediately ran to the cafe where I work."Come on, I can't be late on my first day of work." I decided not to ride a vehicle and chose to walk.Another five hundred meters, I would arrive while the time was already 07:58 AM. The pedestrian lights were still red and the cars were still hurtling down at top speed."Come on, hurry up." I mumbled while beating-tap my feet to the ground.The sound of the lights rang and my feet stepped swiftly. However, who would
Before my question got its answer, suddenly the cafe bell rang. A couple customers went in and were followed by a woman. I took a glance, and at the same time, my co-workers were calling me."Theo, can you help me?" He asked in front of the other customers.I looked back at Mr. Hawthorne and said, "I am sorry, Mr. I need to go back to work. Nice to talk with you." I stood up and took a bow in front of him."Theo," he called me again."Yes, sir" I asked quickly because I really needed to go back to work."Please contact my assistant later. I invite you for dinner tomorrow." Mr. Hawthorne said while standing up and bringing his drink.I didn’t even have a chance to answer; he just walked away, passing by me. I didn't have time to chase him because my co-workers started looking at me with his death glare. I ran back to the bar and helped him with the orders. Mr. Hawthorne's sentences made me unable to focus on my work."Axel, take this to table number three." My co-workers kept asking me
I was too stunned when Mr. Hawthorne announced that I was his stepson. Instantly, I looked at Mr. Hawthorne with an uncomfortable feeling. "Mr. Hawthorne, are you kidding me?""No, Theo. Haven't you read my message?" Mr. Hawthorne furrowed his eyebrows in the middle."No, it's not like that. It is just...""Honey, what did you just say?" Victoria stood up from her seat and chuckled a little. "You're kidding, right? Our only son is Spencer." Victoria pointed at their son, Spencer, who was sitting pretty in front of her.Mr. Hawthorne took his hand off me and walked over to his wife. The dining table atmosphere became so uncomfortable. This was not the dinner I expected; I have not even had time to touch the cutlery on the table. I glanced at Spencer, who was looking at me with distaste."Honey, I'm sorry." Mr. Hawthorne put his arm around his wife's waist and then whispered something.Victoria made an annoyed face and then pushed her husband away. "You're lying, right?""Victoria, I'm s
We walked in together and stopped in front of the receptionist. "Where is her room?" Mr. Hawthorne glanced at me."It is over there." I gestured to the left corridor."Alright." Mr. Hawthorne nodded his head and followed my direction.When we passed some of the nurses and the doctor, they bowed and greeted Mr. Hawthorne.I was surprised when everyone recognized and paid respects to Mr. Hawthorne. "What an extraordinary person this is!" I muttered to myself."Over here, sir." I pointed at an emergency room door.Mr. Hawthorne stopped and stared through the half-covered glass that covered the emergency room. I stood behind Mr. Hawthorne and fell silent as he stared at her. Suddenly a nurse came and looked at Mr. Hawthorne, who looked like he wanted to enter."Mr. Hawthorne," said the nurse politely."Good night." Mr. Hawthorne returned and looked at him. "Sorry, I just wanted to see my friend." Mr. Hawthorne added"What, Mr. Hawthorne, wants to come in?" The nurse offered it to him."Can
"Take care of him," said Mr. Hawthorne, who had told Preston to come to the hospital that night right before he left."Here is your new car key. For the time being, you will be his personal assistant.""Yes, sir." Preston received the key to a new sedan."I'll go first," said Mr. Hawthorne before getting into his car and driving away from the hospital.Meanwhile, I was still sitting limply, holding a cold water bottle in both hands. I felt uneasy, and I was determined to wait until my mother's treatment was finished. One hour and two hours passed very quickly. My back started to hurt, and my head felt heavy. I leaned my head and body against the existing wall and unknowingly fell asleep."Mr. Theo," said the doctor who tried to wake me up.I flinched before trying to force my eyes open. My consciousness still had to process long enough before I finally saw the doctor standing in front of me, waiting. I also tried to stand up and stretch my body a little."Sorry doctor, I..." My words w
I quickly showered, changed clothes, and decided not to touch my breakfast. My stomach still felt full, and I had no appetite to eat. I came out of the room and was immediately greeted by Preston."Are you ready, Mr. Theo?" Preston checked again before we left the hotel."Yes, I am." I nodded my head confidently."Please," Preston said, motioning for me to go ahead.We took the elevator down to the basement and got into the car. Not to forget, Preston helped me open and close the car door. "Thank you."Preston jumped into the driver's seat, and we headed straight for the cemetery. During the trip, I stared at the city streets, which were already packed with vehicles. I still feel very empty and can't believe that now I'm heading to my mother's funeral. Whereas yesterday I just got a job and am struggling to meet my mother's surgery needs."Mr. Theo wants to stop by to buy something." asked Preston, looking like he was just being polite after seeing me daydreaming."Ah, no, Preston. Let
"Sorry, Mr. Hawthorne, I did cross my limits. How can I bear to hear your son's remarks so impolite?" I said a fact right in front of his eyes."Mr. Theo," said Preston, who was starting to get scared seeing me fight his boss.Mr. Hawthorne held Preston, who wanted to break us up. "Stay where you are, Preston.""Yes, sir." Preston complied.Mr. Hawthorne was still staring at me without saying a word. I don't know what he's thinking. Is Mr. Hawthorne looking for reasons to blame me and punish me for spanking his favorite child? I don't know; maybe yes and maybe no."You're absolutely right; Spencer shouldn't say things like that to you." Mr. Hawthorne agreed with what I said.I was dumbfounded and didn't expect it to turn out like this. Mr. Hawthorne definitely sounded on my side, and there was no swearing or anger in his words. Our eyes met, and I didn't see it in either of his eyes."I am sorry in the name of Spencer." Mr. Hawthorne nodded slightly."Mr. Hawthorne," I said, trailing