Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-FourFar north, along the shores of a small coastal town called St. Hayes, located in Moreno, a man laid unconscious in one of the small abodes belonging to the fishermen.This was the third week he had been unconscious, even after being rescued from the frigid waters of Moreno, even after the doctors had checked on him and saved him from the claws of death.But today was going to be different.The man awoke to the soft glow of the evening sun on his face, the sea breeze playing with the soft blonde curls on his head, which were almost down to his shoulders by now.He was lying on his back on a very hard surface, and covered up to his neck with a blanket.He blinked to clear the grogginess from his vision, and after some time the room slowly came into focus.It was a large room, airy with multiple windows, covered with delicate curtains through which the soft golden glow of sunset filtered through. The bed on which he was lying on was located in the m
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-FiveFour Years Later"With all due respect, Miss Fernandez, we would only like to know our stand in these circumstances." Director Noah spoke up, "It's been four years. Now, I understand the Chairman is recuperating but isn't it strange that we don't even know what he's recovering from? And why has he refused to take over his duties?"Lana chuckled slightly as she leaned forward, placing both elbows on the huge mahogany desk in front of her.She was seated at the head of the long rectangular desk, as the acting chairman of the Romero Empire. Behind her, Liam and Diego stood as straight as a rod, their hard gazes identical.Lana was smiling but the icy glint in her eyes was enough to send a chill down the spines of the thirty-two members of Romero's Board Of Directors seated before her.They cleared their throats enigmatically, and shifted their gazes, rearranging their jackets and trying to look more confident than they actually felt."Why has the Chai
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Six"Those annoying, grumpy, old..." Lana muttered angrily to herself as she stormed towards the elevator, pressing the buttons with a vengeance. Employees passed by her and bowed respectfully, giving her side looks but she didn't care. "You shouldn't blame them too much." Liam said curtly behind her, staring straight ahead as she waited for the elevator, "They have every right to know about where he is, don't you think?""Yes CEO, getting worked up is not going to solve anything." Diego agreed, giving Lana a nervous look."He's not here." Lana bit the words out. She took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, making her nerves which were on edge to slowly calm down, "When I find him, everything would return back to normal. You know this, don't you, Liam?""I know." Liam replied stiffly, "I also know whose fault it is that he is not here right now."Lana let out a shaky breath, her fingers coming to curl together around the clasp of her bag. Liam's cold wo
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Seven"Uncle Adrian, when will mommy get here?"The little girl sat upright on the bed and stared expectantly into Adrian's face, with startling deep blue gray eyes. She was a beautiful child, with a full head of blonde curls, a small delicate doll like face and pretty features. Her skin, however, was the unhealthy color of paper at the moment, and she looked too thin and small for her age. Adrian gently caressed her blonde curls, "She'll be here soon, angel." He said softly, as he gently lowered her back on the bed, "You know you have to rest. Do not try to sit up, Arielle.""But I'm not sleepy," Arielle protested, jutting out her bottom lip in a cute pout.However, she did not resist as Adrian gently arranged the covers around her, making sure she was comfortable, especially with the small hand, which had a tube stuck in it, and was attached to a drip bag above her.The large room was filled with medical equipments, monitors beeping quietly and consi
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Eight St. Hayes, Moreno. He was in the water again. He wanted to move, but his lungs were burning and his limbs felt like lead. The water surrounding him was colored with the deep red of blood. His blood. He was sinking, slowly but surely sinking. The life was going out of him. He was going to die. Then, she appeared above the water. She, with the red hair, almost like the blood pumping out of his side. Her face was hazy and he wanted to see it so bad for the last time. To touch it, to etch it in every part of his memory as he feels his life slip from him, but he could only hear the terror in her voice as she screams piercingly, "Damien!" He jerked awake, and tumbled out of bed unto the ground, breathing laboriously. It was like he was still in the water and his breath was coming out fast and shallow. The man couldn't breath, he peeled off the light cotton shirt off his body, which was soaked through with sweat, and tossed it to the side. The
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Nine. The sounds of cutlery and dining filled the room as they had their breakfast. "Its just a regular breakfast." Pa Eugene grumbled, "Did you have to bring out the silverware? What's the great occasion?" "I'm celebrating being back home after such a long time, grandfather,"Maya rolled her eyes, then winked at Noah, 'as well as being reunited with Noah." "What the heck?" Pa Eugene asked, his eyebrows high in confusion as he was perplexed by his grand-daughter's behaviour. Noah ignored her, focusing on his meal. Maya picked on her food as well, her eyes following every of Noah's movement as he ate. He ate like he was royalty or something, eating fish and rice with such grace. Maya watched as he tried to switch forks while eating, then awkwardly set it down as he realized there was only one meal set. This puzzled the brunette and she asked curiously, "You seem to be familiar with such dining style." She chuckled, "I was going to impress you a li
Chapter Two Hundred Noah doubled over the ropes, trying as much as possible to hold in the discomfort he felt. He was seated on a small fishing boat, which belonged to Pa Eugene, his huge self and long legs almost taking over the small boat, adding to his discomfort. The rhythmic rocking of the boat was enough to lull him to that familiar drowsiness which he always felt whenever he came on expeditions like this with Pa Eugene. But he swallowed hard instead, pushing down the bubbling of air threatening to erupt from his mouth. All around him, in little fishing boats as well were men, toiling hard for their daily catch. They seemed serious, casting nets and pulling them in, gutting fishes and cleaning them, generally making themselves useful. But at the same time, he could feel their eyes on him, watching him, waiting for that moment when he would double over the side of the boat and throw up his breakfast. And then they'd roar in derisive laughter, and talk about how less of a ma
Chapter Two Hundred And OnePa Eugene gazed at Noah for a long time, before he nodded and turned away. He was very much aware that Noah had been struggling with recovering his memories.He knew how much the young man struggled with insomnia and his dreams. Sadly, there were no doctors in the small town could help him.They believed a part of himself which was lost in his accident was only trying to reveal itself. If he could harness it, he would be able to get clues from it to recover his memories.But the problem with the dreams was that, even though it was the same thing that repeated over and over again, it was still as vague as it had been four years ago.Pa Eugene really wished the young man would get his memories back, so he would be happy.Noah was very much out of place here, and even though Pa Eugene tried to make things as comfortable as he could for him, it was only right that he regained his memory and his roots.He was an energetic young man, always eager to work or learn
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FourAs the internal audit raged on, everyone in the affected departments was on edge.The air was thick with tension.It clawed up people's throat and pressured them into seeking religion, making preparations in case they turned up unemployed...Everyone was on edge but no one more than Gary and Maya.They had no idea of the contents of the reports that Noah had drafted out for the regional head.But the rumors flying around the company claimed Noah had practically given the Regional Head everything he needed.It was said that the Regional Head already knew who the culprit was and was bidding his time because the culprit was a big fish.Gary knew he was no big fish but those rumors kept him awake for days, tossing and turning in bed with worry.His mind kept going over everything he did with the Deluxe products for the past three years, the precautions he was sure he took, the way he made sure nothing would point back to him..."But were they really eno
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-ThreeThe discovery of the siphoned goods and the part Noah played in the big reveal spread like wild fire across the company.Everyone marveled at how he was able to pull it off himself.It was said that the reports he provided made the internal audit to move more smoothly than ever.The audtors knew where to go, who to ask questions, what questions to ask based on what Noah had provided.This earned him considerable respect in his department as well as the company. The golden haired mystery man was not as dumb as every one thought he was.Infact, he was being accorded honor by the regional head, who made sure every thing was done to the letter, following Noah's instructions."We cannot misuse such valuable information. Its time to fish out those perpetrators and clease out Romero Solutions," The regional head had declared before he gave Noah a determined look, "If this turns out successful, headquarters will be really pleased with you, Noah."And that
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-TwoThere was stunned silence in the Regional Head's office as Noah made that statement."Wh...what did you say?" The regjonal.head asked in shock and disbelief, "The batches for the deluxe products are being siphoned?! By who?"The regional Head voice was rising by the minute, and his hands curled into fists on his seat."I don't know about that, sir." Noah said, carefully choosing his words else he let something slip.He did not intend to reveal the one behind the crime, mainly because he did not know who the mastermind was.Secondly, he had no evidently of the ones he suspected. These little details will be brought to light when the Regional Manager sets the auditing team to work."When I noticed a pattern of weight discrepancies as well as other inconsistencies in the record, I had to check for myself." He continued but was stopped by Fred."What do you mean, inconsistencies?" The man asked, "What did you discover in the records?,""There were a lot
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty OneGary quickly rushed after her before she could get to the door and drew her back sharply."Hold on, you little bitch," He snarled as he accidentally grabbed her hair as well and pulled her back.Maya winced in pain as she felt strands of her hair being pulled from the scalp, "Ow!" She cried out in agony, "Let me go. At once!""Not until you explain what you mean by that little statement which you just uttered," Gary fired back heatedly."I meant exactly what I said, you piece of trash, " Maya said as she mustered her energy and stomped on his toe with her heeled foot."Ahh!" Gary cried out in anguish as pain exploded in his foot. He let go of her hair at once and doubled over in pain, trying to hold his throbbing toe but it was much too painful.Maya, seeing as she was free from his hold, turned back and stared at him in disdain, "You think I won't take protective measures for myself? You've got to be joking, Gary." She spat out, "You take care of an
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty "Something of utmost importance?" The Regional Head repeated in puzzlement, "What could that be?"Maya's heart slammed in her chest as she heard Noah say those words. Franticaly, she glanced at Gary who had also gone a little pale.A look of terror passed between them and they immediately knew what the important news Noah had for the regional head was."Stop him!" Maya seemed to say with her eyes, glaring at Gary and making motions with her head towards Noah.She was so agitated that she could not stand still. She had been so eager to want to leave this place earlier but now she wouldn't leave for all the world.She had to stay to hear what Noah had to say to the Regional Head.Quick as flash, Gary stepped in between the Regional Head and Noah.Smiling nervously, he started speaking, "Regional Head sir, why don't you allow the Senior sales manager to take you to his office, while you wait for the reports on the audit?" He turned and nodded to Fred, who
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Nine"Infact, these has got to be the best results I've ever seen in a while."Everyone stared in amazement at the Regional Head.He was giving Noah a warm and approving smile, while patting him heartily on the arm."You say they are the best reports that you've ever seen?" Fred asked as he stepped closer to the Regional Head."But that's inpossible," Gary uttered through gritted teeth, "He has no qualifications. How is he able to prepare the best reports you've ever seen?"Everyone almost groaned in annoyance at Gary's stupidity and shamelessness.Maya rolled her eyes and stomped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.It was bad enough to stand here like some kind of lackey, and watch the regional director do his job but now she had to listen with her heart in her mouth, hoping that Gary does not let any information slip."He talks too much," she thought angrily, biting her lower lip in annoyance, "if he dares to say anything concerning the deluxe pr
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty EightJaws dropped in shock as Noah stepped out of the throng of employees and stood directly in front of the Regional head.Everyone was shocked at his boldness.This was a chance for him to make his escape and blame the superiors for giving him such an important task.He was not that learned nor did he have much qualifications. They knew that, yet he was still asked to prepare the reports in such a short time.Although he did not have much chance of defending himself, since he was a lower level employee, yet the Regional head was known to be fair to others not on his level.He hated any sort of unfair practice and he would definitely side with Noah if he revealed he had been pressured into making the reports.Yet, Noah had come out boldly, as if he was ready to take the fall, the consequences of making such sloppy reports."He's done for," Greg sighed in despair, watching Noah with pitiful eyes."He really is just a golden haired dumbass," Jason agreed
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty SevenThere seemed to be a shift in the air as the regional head uttered those words.Fred immediately turned to Gary who had provided the reports from Noah.Within seconds, the report was in the senior sales manager's hands, and Fred passed it onto the Regional head."Here you go, sir." He said, "Everything has been prepared for you. We can send the shipment right away of you want."Very calmly the man took hold of the reports and went through it. The Vulcan reports were supposed to cover every detail of a huge shipment which was being sent out in a month's time.The regional head aimed to start from the report because whenever there was a big shipment such as this one, there was always one problem or the other.Whenever huge contracts like this one was given to the company, the regional manager makes sure to come down to Crestview and oversee everything himself. Now everyone, including Noah waited with bated breaths to see how he would react to the r
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Six"What?"Gary started asking but then a telephone began ringing loudly on one of the desks in the office and a colleague picked it up."Hello? really?!" The man looked alarmed. He nodded frantically as he ended the call, and looked at them all, "The Regional Head is here!"There was a general wave of murmurs and a flurry of movement occurred as everyone arranged their works, and gave their repirst last minutes touches.Gary glared at the man who had announced the Regional Head's arrival. The little fool had announced it before he even had time to think of his next plan. He turned back to Noah, who was giving him a calm look, his face devoid of any sort of emotion.Gary wagged his fingers ar him, "No games from you." He gritted, "If you try to pull a quick one on me in front of the Regional Head, I'll make sure it boomerangs on you."There was a bit of silence after that statement where both men just stared at each other, quiet hatred and fury simmer