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's just go to the cemetery." I answered while looking in the rearview mirror of the car."Got it, Mr." Preston nodded understandingly.Preston stepped on the gas a little quicker for fear of being too late for the funeral procession. Preston parked his car in front of a cemetery. "Preston, are we not in the wrong place?""No, Mr. Theo." Preston reassured me."Isn't this a pretty expensive burial ground? I don't have that kind of money," I explained very openly."We are not in the wrong place, Mr. Theo." Preston just repeated the line. "Let's go down; everyone must be waiting."Preston turned off the engine, and we got out together. However, Preston quickly grabbed my door and then closed it. Preston didn't seem to let me out until he opened it for me."Over there, Mr. Theo." Preston led me into the cemetery.I saw that some people had gathered in the middle of the cemetery. "Is it over there?" I stopped for a moment and made sure."Yes, Mr. Theo." Preston nodded politely as he clasped his hands together in front of him.I walked into the crowd and looked at everyone present. There were doctors and several nurses who took care of my mother, co-workers at the cafe, Mr. Hawthorne’s family, and a few strangers, and then there was Preston with me."Is everyone assembled?" asked a religious leader who was ready to lead the funeral."It's already priest; please begin." Mr. Hawthorne took over and glanced my way.I just stood still and looked at my mother, who was already in the crate. The priest guided the event slowly, starting with praying and closing the casket until the last burial. Tears streamed down my cheeks while I maintained my facial expression."Why did you force us to come to this funeral? Who is she?" Mrs. Victoria asked, half whispering.However, unfortunately, the sentence was caught by my eardrums. I tried to ignore it and follow this procession solemnly. I just want to see my mother buried properly."Lower your voice; we're at the funeral procession." Mr. Hawthorne chose to change the subject."Can't you just tell me who?" Mrs. Victoria still insists."Olivia," replied Mr. Hawthorne briefly. "The one who is being buried is called Olivia, my friend.""Then, why is that child here? What does he have to do with this friend of yours?" Mrs. Victoria kept talking."Excuse me, could you please be quiet and respect my mother's funeral?" I, who could no longer bear to hear it, began to rebukeMrs. Victoria and all the guests looked at me because my words sounded curt. "Your mom?" Mrs. Victoria asked by raising one eyebrow."That's right, this is my mother's funeral." I answered her firmly because I didn't like her attitude just now. "If you don't want to be here, please just go home now."My eyes became sharp and I became unafraid of what was about to happen. Even though I know for a fact that their family really has the power to sue me for disrespectful behavior, Mr. Hawthorne, who was shocked, immediately restrained his wife, who was just about to step towards me."Watch what you say!" Mrs. Victoria pointed her finger at me."That's enough; it's not good to fight here." Mr. Hawthorne gave his wife his understanding."He was the first to start." Mrs. Victoria still does not accept"Everyone, can you calm down first? We're doing a funeral procession." The priest also rebuked the fight between us."Sorry, priest, please continue." Mr. Hawthorne was still holding his wife by the waist and holding her back.Mrs. Victoria and her son, Spencer, stared at me intently. They seemed ready to kill me after the funeral process was over. I thought nothing of it and averted my eyes from them. Preston stepped forward and matched me so that Mrs. Victoria and Spencer couldn't see me very well."Okay, thank you everyone. Today's funeral procession is over," said the priest."Mr. Theo, my condolences." Several people patted my shoulder and gave me a greeting.I replied with a smile before, one by one, they left the burial place. That left me, Preston, and the Hawthorne family still standing here at my mother’s funeral."I'd like to stay here for a while, Preston." I whispered to Preston."Okay, Mr. Theo. I'll wait for you," he said, bringing a black umbrella so I wouldn't overheat."Come on, let's go home, baby." Mrs. Victoria again echoes in my ear.I squatted down and stared at my mother's tombstone while flashing a small smile."Get back in the car first; I'll follow." Mr. Hawthorne told his wife."Why is Daddy still here? Come on, let's go back." Spencer started to raise his voice too."Spencer, just a moment." Mr. Hawthorne returned his son's words gently."Don't tell me; you want to stay and accompany the orphan." Spencer chuckled unhappily as he glanced at me.I tried to control my emotions and took a deep breath. "Go, Mr. Hawthorne; I don't want company right now." I said it without looking at them, so I wouldn’t get irritated."Who are you to dare to order my father like that? What a shameless child!" Spencer exploded and started calling me names.Suddenly, I stood up and looked at him. "What is the meaning of your words?" I challenged him without hesitation."Spencer, that's enough. Darling, take Spencer back to the car." Mr. Hawthorne begged his wife."I won’t do it, love. Spencer was right with his words. Why is he so arbitrary toward us? Who's he?" Mrs. Victoria didn't lighten the mood but only fueled it even more."Oh, I know now. His mother must have teased you into wanting to sleep with her. Hence, he is an illegitimate child who has no brains and no manners." Spencer kept firing.I walked around my mother's grave and then approached him. Without further ado, I hit his face with a hard punch. Spencer fell to the ground just in time."WATCH YOUR WORDS! DON'T JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE POWER, SO YOU ARE MOCKING ME LIKE THAT!"Preston immediately threw his umbrella and prevented me from throwing another punch. "You guys calm down!" Mr. Hawthorne separated us while Mrs. Victoria helped her child."You guys, get back in the car!" Mr. Hawthorne ordered them strongly this time.Mrs. Victoria and Spencer walked together back to their car. Meanwhile, Mr. Hawthorne stood in front of me with an unfriendly look. I was already prepared for what would happen next."What did you just do?" Mr. Hawthorne asked in a very cold and chilling tone."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
"Landon, please go and hide. I will contact you after I finish my business here." Mrs. Victoria explained quickly as soon as she got out of her car."Yes, madam." Landon nodded in understanding, closed the car door, and quickly walked away from that place.Mrs. Victoria walked steadily into the building. The security guard and the employees standing guard at the front door immediately pulled over and paid their respects to Mrs. Victoria. "Good morning, Mrs. Hawthorne.""Morning." Mrs. Victoria answered with a friendly smile that she just made.Mrs. Victoria entered in formal attire, with a black suit that looked very beautiful covering her tiny body. The heels that support her body also look very expensive and classy. As the wife of a company owner, of course Mrs. Victoria will look her best, even without those expensive things. Victoria already looks beautiful."Mom," said Spencer, who had also just arrived from the side door of the office."Hi honey." Mrs. Victoria smiled as she saw
There was a knock on the door three times with the same tempo and rhythm. The owner of the room replied, "Please come in."The door opened, and a neatly dressed man entered, who immediately saluted the owner of the room. "What's wrong, Preston?" Mr. Hawthorne asked as soon as he saw his assistant enter with an indescribable face."Mr. Theo was not found in his room." Preston answered curtly."What do you mean? Doesn't he have a training schedule right now?" Mr. Hawthorne didn't understand and put down the pen that had been neatly knotted in his fingers."No, sir. Mr. Theo is resting and will continue training after lunch. However, now I can't find Mr. Theo anymore." Preston could only lower his head and look at his hands in front of him.Preston's heart wanted to drop at that moment because he was the one who was responsible for him, and now he was gone. Preston didn't know where he had gone and found only a letter left on the table. Mr. Hawthorne jumped up from his chair and frowned