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, but it did not make him move at all. After finishing four bottles of beer, he decided to go to the toilet.The man walked with unsteadiness, so he needed a wall as a handle. Three steps before reaching the toilet door, the man fell right when a woman came out of the toilet. The woman was shocked and immediately helped him."Sir, are you all right?" The woman stared at the man's face, which looked glazed with alcohol. "Let me help. Sir, where are you going?"Question after question was asked, but the man, who was already drunk, did not answer at all. The woman pulled him up with all her strength. He stood up with his legs. Suddenly, he threw up the contents of his stomach, which splashed into the woman’s cloth."What the–" The woman almost cursed.The woman immediately took the man into the room she had booked. The man was dropped on the sofa while she was trying to clean himself up. Just as she was about to walk to the bathroom, there was a knock on the door.The woman came to him and opened the door. "Olivia?""Yes?" Olivia raised her eyebrows questioningly.The tall, athletic, handsome man replied, "I contacted you earlier for...""Oh!" Olivia cut her off immediately. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can meet you tonight. I have a special guest." Olivia put on a sad and guilty face."Oh, okay," the man responded with disappointment."Sorry, Sir."The man immediately walked away and left Olivia's room. She immediately ran to the bathroom and took off her vomit-soaked clothes. "Aish, so annoying!" she grumbled.Olivia was busy cleaning herself with half-wet underwear. Someone came and observed her from behind. Olivia was surprised when she was about to check herself out in the mirror. "Good grief!"Olivia hurriedly pulled a small towel beside the sink and covered her front body while turning around and looking at the man. The man walked up to her, looking much better than before. He looked Olivia up and down."Is it okay for you to look this pretty?" The man cornered Olivia so that her back touched the edge of the sink.The man tugged at the towel Olivia was holding in both hands. The towel was thrown up to reveal Olivia's charming curves. "You annoyed me before, but now you don't.""We can try one more time, my dear." The man lifted Olivia's body and carried her to the bed.Olivia didn't resist at all and just stared closely at the man's eyeballs. They locked lips for only a few seconds before looking back up. The man's hands were twisting, following the curves of Olivia's body."Sir," Olivia said, placing her palms on the man's chest. "Sorry, but I'm not on duty tonight." Olivia felt that she was not in a good mood."What do you mean off duty?" The man widened his eyes. "Don't make me angry again; that's enough for the problem earlier."Olivia didn't understand what he meant at all. "I can't do it, sir."The man grabbed Olivia's arms and held them by her head. "I know you want it too; I'll do it right this time."The man didn't even listen to Olivia. He went back to devouring those beautiful lips and did what he wanted to do. Olivia just followed him without daring to fight back because the customer was king for her."Th-that's en-enough." Olivia was exhausted and knew that the man would come out.Olivia tried to pull her body away, but the man was already pinning her down tightly. The man does the discharge inside. A long night full of stupidity All of that was clearly recorded in the minds of the man and Olivia.***"Sir, we have found him." A voice broke the reverie of the man in a neat suit who was standing staring at the window.The man turned around and sat down in his chair. "Give it to me, Preston."Preston, the male assistant, gave the intended result while explaining it. "Theodore Whitmore, the only child of Olivia Whitmore, I'm just about to work in a Cafe in the corner of this city. At this time, Olivia Whitmore is being treated in the hospital and requires a large amount of money."The man watched carefully as he listened to the information Preston explained. Suddenly the office door opened, and a beautiful woman entered with a big smile. The man immediately closed the file in front of him and handed it to Preston."Come back later." The man whispered and motioned for Preston to leave."Is there anything that still needs to be done, dear?" The woman glanced at a smiling Preston before he left the room."Oh, nothing. It's done," said the man, standing up, smoothing his jacket, and embracing the woman, who was none other than his wife."Are you ready for tonight, Mr. Harrison Hawthorne?" His wife smoothed her husband's collar with a smile."Very well prepared, Mrs. Victoria Hawthorne." He kissed his wife's forehead before walking out of his office.Harrison Hawthorne, one of America's richest businessmen, was well-known, far from scandalous, and had an evergreen family. However, who would have thought that there was a secret that has been kept very neatly for more than 20 years? Will that secret change the world's view of 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
"No need, Preston." I answered casually. "I'm not going to find trouble with him.""Please, sir." A shop employee brought a bag containing the clothes that I just bought."Thanks," I said, about to take it, but Preston took it much faster.I was surprised but did not make any comments. I turned around, followed by Preston behind me. I didn't turn my head or even glance at Spencer, who was standing in the same place as before. I'm not in the mood to make a scene in public. However, Spencer didn't seem to think the same way as I did."Hey orphans! What are you doing here?" Spencer half-screamed for me.There were no other visitors besides myself, Preston, Spencer, and his friends. So, it is certain that the call was addressed to me. I kept walking and pretended I didn't hear him."Oh, apart from being an orphan, it turns out to be deaf too." Not satisfied with that, Spencer returned to his cheap words again. "YA!" This time, he actually screamed.I was already on the threshold of the ex