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 I?" Mr. Hawthorne looked excited."Please, go ahead."The nurse gave me and Mr. Hawthorne hospital gowns. After that, we were led inside and visited my mother. Finally, I could see my mom clearly this time; they hadn't let me here before."Mother," I said sadly, and I immediately touched her hand. "Get well soon; Theo will try to get money for your surgery."I held my mother's hand tightly while looking at her. Mr. Hawthorne just stood there, staring intently at my mother. Even though I didn't look at him directly, I could feel it. I feel weird about this situation."Olivia, hold on. Your son still needs you here." Mr. Hawthorne took turns talking to my mother.Suddenly, my mother's heart rate monitor showed a weakening line and made a horrible sound. Instantly, my eyes widened with concern."Nurse, doctor, help!" I screamed and almost cried when I stared at the straight line on my mother's heart rate monitor.The nurse who accompanied us just now entered the room and asked, "What's wrong?" Without knowing what happened."Please, help my mother." I begged the nurse."Fine, let me check.""I will help call the doctor." Mr. Hawthorne ran out while I was still inside watching the nurse check on my mother."Mother!" I could only cry while covering my mouth.After a while, the doctor came into the room. "Gentlemen, could you step outside for a moment? We will immediately take action.""Doctor, please save my mother. I don't want to lose her," I whined as I begged the doctor."We will do our best. Please wait outside." The doctor repeated it one more time."Let's wait outside first," persuaded Mr. Hawthorne as he pulled me out."No, I want to wait for my mother." I whined and dismissed his invitation."Theo, let's go out first, son." Mr. Hawthorne whispered softly to me.Hearing that sentence, I immediately fell silent, and he managed to bring my body out of the room. We sat back together in front of the emergency room and waited to hear from the doctor. Mr. Hawthorne sat beside me and stroked my back gently."Don't worry, we need to trust the doctor." Mr. Hawthorne was very positive about all of this.I lowered my head and couldn't think of anything. All of Mr. Hawthorne just passed by my ear. My mind is really messed up. All I thought about was my mother and how I could get the money. Only with money could my mother be helped, but my current savings were still not enough."Excuse me, sir." The doctor came out of the room with a serious face.Suddenly, I stood up and approached him. "Doctor, what about my mother? Is she all right?" My face must have looked so messed up and puffy."Mr. Theo, I'm sorry I had to bring this up." The doctor looked at me. "But your mother needs to be given treatment as soon as possible."I know the direction of the doctor's conversation: "Do it; I will definitely pay tomorrow. I promise." That's all I can say right now."Sorry, Mr. Theo, we can only take action if...""Doctor, I promise I will pay for it tomorrow. Now please save my mother," I said as I dropped my body to the floor and begged desperately. "Doctor, save my mother." I was back to crying."Mr. Theo," said the doctor. He tried to lift my body, but I held him back."Doctor, how much will it cost for the surgery?" Mr. Hawthorne, who had been silent until now, raised his voice firmly."Mrs. Olivia needs 70,000 USD for her surgery." The doctor answered quickly."I will pay it now, but please save her life.""Okay, Mr. Hawthorne. We will do our best," answered the doctor before returning to Mama's room.I stood, supported by Mr. Hawthorne. I was seated back in the chair before he said, "I'll take care of the administration first. Just wait here."Mr. Hawthorne didn't wait for my answer and headed straight for the cashier. I sat limp and had no energy to process all this. I sat, leaning my body forward and staring blankly ahead. I was going to die for a second.Shortly thereafter, Mr. Hawthorne returned with a cold bottle of water. "Drink this; you drain your energy a lot."I took it and replied, "Thank you." I took a small gulp before closing it again."Mr. Hawthorne," I called. "I promise to return your money as soon as possible." I looked at him with conviction."There's no need to think about it now." Mr. Hawthorne smiled a little. "Now, the most important thing is that your mother is safe."At the same time, Mr. Hawthorne’s phone rang, and he picked it up. Mr. Hawthorne took a few steps away and turned his back on me. I had no idea what he was talking about, but my eyes stayed glued to his back. Just about a minute later, Mr. Hawthorne spoke into the phone before coming back to me."Theo, I have business now. Sorry, I have to leave you like this.""It's okay, Mr. Hawthorne. Thank you for everything," I said as I stood with him.Mr. Hawthorne took a new cell phone and a black card from his pocket. "Take this, wear it however you want, and if you want to go anywhere, just call Preston."Mr. Hawthorne immediately handed it over to me, and I couldn't help but be stupefied. "Mr. Hawthorne, this isn't necessary.""Take it; I do not accept rejection. After all, you are my son." Mr. Hawthorne tapped me on the shoulder, smiling, before walking away. "I go first.""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
"What do you think of today's meeting?" Mr. Hawthorne sat in his chair while I stood with my hands clasped in front of me.Mr. Hawthorne looked happy and proud as he managed to introduce me to all of his coworkers. On the other hand, I also feel happy, confused, scared, worried, and other mixed feelings. I have absolutely no idea if what Mr. Hawthorne said before was right if I were appointed as COO of Haw & Co.My forefinger shook nervously, patting the back of my hand, before answering Mr. Hawthorne's question. "According to Theo, today's meeting was enough to make Theo dumbfounded."Mr. Hawthorne looked at me and listened intently to every word that I said. There was a long pause before I added what I was saying. Mr. Hawthorne seemed to be waiting patiently for me as he folded his arms politely on the table and leaned forward."Mr. Hawthorne looks very fluent in presenting the company's new project proposal, so it can convince the investors.""Are there more you want to say?" asked
"Please, take me to Haven Haw's Lounge Cafe." Victoria got into her silver sedan."Yes, madam." Landon, Victoria's personal assistant answered before closing her mistress's car door.Landon dashed into the driver's seat and immediately shot down the road. It was already time for lunch to arrive. The trip to the cafe is not too crowded so it can arrive within a 30 minutes drive. The cafe that Victoria will visit is a new project from Haw & Co. company and just opened about three months ago. Victoria's car stopped right at the drop off area. Not forgetting to fix her fluffy scarf which forms neatly around her beautiful body. Victoria wore a long, casual brown dress down to the knee with a slit on the side, it made her look so sexy and showed her long legs."I will be here quite a while," Victoria said intending to tell Landon."Yes, madam." Landon lowered his gaze and nodded his head slowly.Victoria walked with seven centimeters high leather-colored heels with ease. Victoria stepped u
I was shown around the Haw & Co. corporate floor. The trainer who took me was named Glenn; he was such a tall man, like a bodyguard for famous artists. Glenn has a distinctive voice that is very pleasing to the ear. Maybe women will like Glenn just by seeing and listening to him introduce himself."This is a laboratory for testing the quality of cosmetic products."The lab was filled with approximately 20 people in medical gowns. The lab looks very sterile and filled with white. I'm sure not just anyone can enter here without the permission of the staff or Mr. Hawthorne.Next, they will enter the production site. Glenn walked towards the room beside him. "Let's try to enter," said Glenn, opening the door of the production room.Don't forget, we use hand sanitizer and a protection seal to prevent bacterial contamination. Glenn closed the door before standing in the middle of the room with me and Preston, who had been accompanying me. I would feel very awkward if Preston didn't come wit
That night, Mr. Hawthorne returned home a little late because of the inevitable traffic jam. Mr. Hawthorne just left his car in front of the house for his assistant to park. Mr. Hawthorne stepped toward the door of the house, loosening his tie, which had been around his neck since morning."Is the dinner ready?" asked Mr. Hawthorne, being greeted by one of his maids who was in charge of taking his coat and shoes to the launderette."Yes, sir. Mrs. Victoria and Spencer are also ready." The maid explained politely and in detail."Alright, please prepare hot water. I'll clean up before dinner." Mr. Hawthorne explained as he walked up the stairs to his room."Yes, sir." The maid went straight into the washroom, telling another assistant to prepare hot water for Mr. Hawthorne.In addition, Mrs. Victoria and Spencer will also be told that they will have dinner together after Mr. Hawthorne finishes his bath. All the servants at Mr. Hawthorne can accommodate 10 to 15 people, not counting the