Victor
The letter was addressed to him and was written by his mother. He wondered when his mother wrote him a letter and why hadn't she just told him about the content of the letter. A lot of things were bothering him; more importantly the identity of the man earlier concerned him the most.
He pulled out the letter inside and sat on the sofa as he read through the letter.
Dear Victor, my dearest son.
I've written this letter a thousand times and I thousand times how I wish I could just tell you everything. However, I didn't have the courage to tell you. If ever you do get to read this, it just means something happened to me and I was unable to tell you the truth.
As the day passed by and you grew up into the man who I loved so dearly, not a day past, I worried that I couldn't give you the life you were supposed to have. What I'm about to say might be a great shock, but please be calm.
I have loved you and protected you all this time from the truth, for I fear that once you know the truth you'll end up getting hurt. But it seems like hiding the truth from you is no longer the best option. You are my son, my dearest son. However, the father you know is not your father. You are not your father's son. Not a day in life I pray that someday you and I will be set free from him, but I wasn't strong enough and fear of what's to come.
My true name is Josephine Chen, the eldest daughter of the Chen Group. To be honest, I don't know where to start regarding my family. I'm sure you're wondering, if I'm a daughter of the Chen Group, why am I leaving such a desperate life. This has something to do with your grandfather, my father, who was full of himself, and thought that your father was not good enough for me. Also, I didn't really have any good relationship with my father since he betrayed my mother.
At that time, your father was just a nobody who your grandfather was dissatisfied with. Also, your grandfather forced me into an arranged marriage. So, I decided to run away and forget any ties with my family. Anyways, you don't need to worry about them, for they don't even know you exist.
About your father. Do you recall the man who always visited us during your birthday? Yes, that's right. That man was the love of my life and your father. However, he encountered an unexpected accident in which he could no longer be with us. I know you are angry while reading this, but please, don't be angry with your father. He has his reason as to why he didn't stay with us. Your father was working hard for us so that someday he could protect us. You see, your father is someone who most people fear and you'll know more in the future.
Victor, what's important is that you know me and your father loved you so much. We were just doing our best to protect you in fear of the unknown.
If you are reading this, it means you have met Nicholas. He is your father's dearest friend, and mine. He has worked under your father since you were a child; he is like a brother to me. Trust him, and he will guide you in what you must do. The people you'll soon meet are your father's dearest friends; they will protect you and help you. Some of them may act strangely, but they will not harm you.
Victor, please don't think you are alone. Know that there are people out there who care and love you. Please promise me that you'll live a better life. A life where you are no longer in pain. For I've always prayed that you'll live a life filled with bright days.
From your mother and father.
Victor clutched the letter tightly, his eyes welling up with tears that he could no longer suppress. A single drop fell onto the paper, quickly followed by more. Precious memories of his mother flooded his mind, overwhelming him with emotions.
As the envelope slipped from his lap and fell to the ground, a photograph spilled out. He bent down, picked it up, and immediately recognized the familiar faces staring back at him. It was a snapshot from his seventh birthday, a day he had no memory of. In the picture, he saw himself celebrating with his mother and father, and a sudden clarity washed over him as he studied his father's features. It was as if he were looking at a mirror image of himself. For the first time, he understood why he never resembled his mother or the man he had known as his father. He was his father's true likeness.
His gaze shifted between the photograph and the letter that accompanied it. The realization dawned on him that his mother must have written the letter on that very day. Despite the anger welling up inside him, he couldn't deny the love that radiated from his parents' joyful expressions in the picture.
Once his emotions settled, Victor's mind became consumed with one urgent thought: he needed to find Nicholas immediately. So many unanswered questions swirled in his mind, demanding explanations for why Nicholas had only appeared now. There had to be more to this story, something his mother was unable to convey in her letter.
Without pausing to change his clothes, he dashed out of the house and sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him. He had no money for transportation, ruling out the possibility of taking a bus or train to reach Nicholas's location. But that wouldn't deter him; he was determined to find a way.
As Victor reached the crossroads, he patiently waited for the pedestrian light to change to green.
Simultaneously, a car pulled up beside him, also halted by the red light. Inside the vehicle, an elderly man happened to glance outside and caught sight of the boy standing next to their car. The sight left him bewildered, but before he could roll down the window and confirm what he had seen, the boy dashed across the street and disappeared from view.
The old man sat back in his seat, stunned by the unexpected encounter.
The driver, noticing his master's distress, inquired, "Is everything alright, Old Master?"
"It's nothing," he replied, brushing off the incident, reluctant to delve into what he had witnessed.
Meanwhile, Victor, despite being breathless, pressed on towards his destination. He finally arrived and paused momentarily to catch his breath. As he surveyed the grand hotel before him, a realization struck him. He glanced down at his mud-streaked clothes, feeling a tinge of embarrassment under the scrutinizing gazes of those entering the establishment.
"I should have changed," he muttered to himself, acknowledging his disheveled appearance. "But if Mr. Nicholas didn't mind me entering his car looking like this, then surely everything will be fine."
With all his might, Victor walked in, ready to move forward with his life.
The hotel was beyond description, its grandeur rivaling the European castles seen in movies. Every corner exuded meticulous craftsmanship, and the ceiling painting alone was worth millions, resembling the priceless artworks showcased in museums. Victor stepped inside, awestruck by the breathtaking interior, oblivious to the curious stares cast his way. "Has the hotel lost its standards?" "Why would they allow someone like him inside?" "Perhaps he's here for a job application?" "Even cleaning the toilets here requires a college degree!" The discontent murmurs filled the air as guests began complaining to the staff. Yet, Victor, captivated by the surroundings, continued searching for the reception desk, heedless of the judgmental gazes. Before he could even take a step towards the reception, the guards intercepted him, halting him near the entrance. The realization of the stares finally dawned on Victor as he stood frozen, uncertain of what had attracted such attention. "Unless you'r
"Well, before we discuss anything further, shouldn't you take a shower and change first?" Nicholas chuckled slightly, observing that the boy had become so engrossed in his parents' past that he had forgotten about his disheveled appearance. "Oh?" Victor's face turned red with embarrassment as he realized his oversight. "Is it..." "Follow the servants; they'll take you to your room," Nicholas instructed the elder butler, signaling him to escort the young man. Victor made his way to his room, still trying to grasp the drastic change in his life. In the blink of an eye, everything had turned upside down. However, it came at the cost of the lives of the people he cherished the most. "So, are you happy now?" Victor looked around, wondering where the voice was coming from. He checked outside his door, but there was no one in sight. "Seems like you've already forgotten about me." "Watcher?" "Hmm, how are you, kid?" Victor was greatly surprised to realize that his encounters with the
Early the next day, before the sun had even risen, Victor found himself wide awake, lying in the plush bed and staring blankly at the ceiling. The comfort of the bed had made it difficult for him to fall into a deep sleep. "How does one sleep in such a soft bed?" he mused to himself. 'They can just.' A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. "Watcher, you're awake," Victor exclaimed with a laugh. The room filled with the echo of his laughter. "I never would have expected you to greet me. Very well, good morning to you too," the Watcher responded. Curiosity sparked within Victor, and he couldn't help but ask, "So, do you rest? I mean, do you sleep?" The Watcher chuckled softly. "I do rest, but I can't recall the last time I truly slept. If I have, it must have been a long time ago." "Watcher, what are you? Will I ever see you someday?" Victor inquired, captivated by the mysterious being's abilities and ever-changing voice. "You will see me, but the time is not yet right," the W
A woman dressed in a white dress, with a black blazer draped over her shoulder, emerged. She wore vibrant red heels and her makeup was simple yet stunning. "Anyway, don't you think I look pretty, boy? Wouldn't you want a guardian like me?" KO approached Victor, who was still shocked and struggling to comprehend her new appearance. She stood by his side, enveloping him in a warm embrace. "Who would have thought that guy would have such a handsome son like you? If I had known his genes were this good, I would have kept some for myself." Nicholas coughed, finding the situation inappropriate for the young man. He wanted to prevent any misunderstandings about Victor's father. "Don't worry, she's just joking around." "What joke? I'm serious. I want him as my son. Should I just adopt him?" KO's excitement was evident as she continued to affectionately embrace the child. "That's enough," Nicholas intervened, unable to tolerate the situation any longer. He pulled KO away from Victor, his an
Instead of heading back to the hotel, Victor decided to roam around the city while KO returned alone. When she arrived, she immediately sought out Nicholas to discuss some matters. "How was it? Did he do something to make you look so distressed?" Nicholas asked sarcastically, finding KO's anxiety peculiar. Even if Victor had confronted the old man, she was more than capable of handling the situation. With her connections and resources, there was no problem she couldn't solve. "It's not that. The kid did well. He didn't do anything," KO sighed, turning to one of the housekeepers to request a bottle of wine. "So, what's the problem then? If he didn't do anything, why do you appear so worried? Did he curse the old man?" Nicholas inquired, trying to make sense of KO's behavior. "He didn't even go to see him," she replied, taking the bottle of wine from the housekeeper and drinking straight from it. "What? Then what did you do there? If he didn't go, why do you seem so troubled?" Nicho
It was not even daybreak when Victor went to visit Gramps. He explained everything to him, and to express his gratitude, he gave him the gift he had prepared for him and his son. Holding back his tears, the old man became emotional. He had been worried about Victor since he hadn't heard from him, and now to see him doing well brought immense relief. "Gramps, Big brother…" Victor couldn't hold back his emotions any longer; a tear fell as he embraced the old man. "I promise to visit you one day. Please take care until I come back." "Victor, you take care as well. You are always welcome here," Gramps said, returning the boy's embrace. To him, Victor was like a son, and every time he returned home injured, Gramps felt his heart ache. Now, as Victor was about to leave, Gramps could only smile with a mix of sadness and pride. He was upset to see him go, but proud that Victor was about to embark on a new journey. As Victor prepared to step inside the car, Big Brother came running towards h
When they landed, Victor was exhausted from the long flight. To his surprise, he suddenly felt nauseous and ended up throwing up. The situation became even worse when KO burst into laughter, making him feel like a clown. Nicholas did his best to comfort him, but KO's laughter was too strong, leaving a lasting impact on Victor. "Hey, darling, I'm sorry. Can you please call me auntie again?" KO pleaded as they disembarked from the plane. "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well enough to address you at the moment," Victor replied, standing firm in his annoyance. He wished there was something he could do about it, but he realized that it was normal for people to get motion sickness and vomit. It was just unfortunate that he was with someone who would make fun of him. "Ignore her. She can be crazy... well, almost every single minute, even seconds," Nicholas sighed, expressing regret for bringing her along. "It's fine, Uncle. It was my first flight. Like you said, I'll get used to it," Victor r
Victor was on the verge of exhaustion, both mentally and physically, due to the rigorous training regimen set by Nicholas. He regretted agreeing to take on such a heavy workload, as it left him drained and overwhelmed. "Make sure you finish answering all those questions." "Victor, you need to complete the book right away. It's crucial that you grasp the fundamentals." "No, you're doing it wrong." From one class to another, Victor pushed himself to learn everything, despite feeling annoyed by the constant scrutiny of the teachers. He persevered, determined to complete each task that was assigned to him. After finishing one of his numerous classes, Victor sought solace in the garden. He found tranquility there, preferring the outdoors over the confines of the house. It wasn't that the people inside the house were unpleasant; it was simply the house itself that seemed unwelcoming. Even though his father had built the house, it held little interest for him. Many parts of the house wer