‘That old man always says that my voice is irritating. That my voice alone can boil his blood in anger. Knowing that, I never tried to use my voice in front of the people I respect. This is my way of not making them hate me. This man in front of me, I don’t like him. His very face is telling me that he is a bad person.’
Oliver is eating his meal. He can feel gazes from Marco’s table. He takes a glimpse at them and notices that Marco is not the one looking at him. It is a girl sitting beside him. With a big earrings hanging in her small ears, she rolled her eyes even if she didn’t realize that Oliver notice her actions. A small smirk crept on his lips.
‘Got yah’
Making a stretch after a long while of sitting, he look in the direction on where Herald had his way a while ago. To his surprise, He saw Herald talking to the man with a blonde hair. His eyes narrowed as tried to recall that familiar face. With that, he stood up and went in their direction.
“Herald, What is happening here?” Oliver asked. It hasn’t been a day since he got in that body yet he feels comfortable in Oliver’s body.
“Oh, it really is my lucky day. What’s up Oliver!”
Herald looks at Oliver with a confused look.
‘He knows him?’
“Ian… Ian Win… frey…”
The blonde man let out a burst of small laughter. “It is a good thing that you still remember my name. After all, it is not manly to forget your best friend’s name.”
He stands up and pat Oliver’s back. “How have you been? The last time we saw each other was at our graduation.”
“Graduation…”
‘I can clearly remember the memories of him and the real Oliver. I can’t say if they are really best friends but to be honest, he is not a bad person. He always says that he sticks to me since he wants to talk to someone who is not talkative. He wants to talk and talk for he is a good talker but has never been a good listener. Even so, he thinks of me as his friend. It wouldn’t be bad to treat him as one… right?’
“Good to see you.” “Wooh, is that really you? “
Oliver regrets his decision. ‘Maybe I should just act the way I treat him before.’
“By the way, I heard you called him Herald.” Ian looks at Herald and gives his hand.
“Nice to meet you. Let us be friends?”
Blankly staring at his hand, Herald frown and looks at Oliver as if he is saying ‘Brother, I hate this guy.’
With a smile, Oliver slightly chuckled and said. “It looks like he doesn’t like to be your friend.”
“Eh? How come? Well, whatever. Whether you like it or not, you are now my friend.” He pats Herald’s shoulder which makes him hiss like a mad cat. Ian raised his hand and laugh.
“By the way, why are you with him? Herald?”
‘I thought he went in the restroom?’
“Ah, regarding that matter… I am also confused why this brat suddenly appears and tells in my face ‘Annoying’.”
Herald didn’t say a word and avoided their gaze. ‘It looks like he misunderstands something.’
“Sorry about that. If you would excuse us, we still have a meal to finish.”
“That is nice. Would you mind if I join the both of you?”
“Yes.”
Even if Oliver said that he mind having a meal with him, Ian head in the direction of where Oliver is dining. Sitting in front of Oliver’s seat, he feel much welcomed even if he is not.
“Ahh, how nostalgic. We also dine together before.”
Oliver sigh as he decided to sit back in his chair. Ian raises his hand to call the waiter. After telling his order, he started to talk with Oliver.
“You remember the first time I saw you? Man, back then you are such a loner. If it wasn’t for me you will be easily bullied by others.”
“Thank you. I still remember the time when you made enemies with one of the school’s gangs. They rushed to us and you got me involved.”
Ian smiled as he remember those memories.
‘Hey, are you Ian Winfrey?’ a big guy with a masculine body is staring down to Ian who is sitting with Oliver. With an annoyed face, Oliver stands up as he finds Ian irritating. Knowing that someone will accompany that talkative fella, he made his way to go back to the dormitory.
‘Yes? I am Ian. What do you need?’ he asked with a smile on his face.
Oliver’s direction was blocked by another man who is a head taller than him. ‘What?’ he asked why the man is covering his direction.
‘Ian… so you are the one who busted my sister.’ The big guy clenched his fist as he raised it to make a good impact on Ian’s face. With no hassle, Ian slightly moves his head. The impact of the man’s fist makes Ian’s hair wave.
‘Move’ Oliver ordered the man in front of him to give way. He is irritated with Ian following him and treating him as if they are close to each other. With the man blocking him, he can’t help but feel mad.
The man’s fist was about to hit Oliver but he was surprised when his hand was held by Oliver’s hand. He tried to get it back but the force that is holding his hand is so strong. Before his other hand even have a chance to hit Oliver's head, his arm was twisted to his back making him wince in pain. That didn’t end there for his knee was bent kneel to the rough ground as Oliver’s feet kick his knee from behind.
‘Ahhh!’ he shouted in pain.
‘It is you who first attacked us. We are just doing this as self defense…’
Ian smiled as he kick the man’s stomach using his left foot with his full force. The sound of his feet striking the man's abdomen was heard.‘You… little… brat…’
“So you still remember that. Would you believe if I say that I never thought you can fight?”
Ian claps his hand with exaggeration. “You are truly incredible during those times.”
“I am still remarkably incredible even now.”
Drinking the wine in his glass, Oliver gazes at Herald.
‘ He continued eating. It looks like he is doing fine. I’ll just leave him be.’
The food of Ian arrives and he talks and talks like he always does. Oliver remembered some things as they exchange in their conversation. Although it can’t be called a conversation since Ian is solely the one who is talking the whole time. Oliver continued eating his meal and act as if he is listening to what Ian is saying.
Nodding his head he unconsciously separates the corn in the corner of his plate.
“So you still hate eating corn. Are you a girl or what? Haha, you are still picky in your food as ever.”
Oliver didn’t notice that he is separating the corn in his meal.
“The corn won’t easily dissolve in your body. It is useless in one's body.”
Shaking his head his gaze falls into the side of Herald. He was answered back with a cold gape.
“Ah, I heard Lewis is running his own business? And you two are luckily not competitors this time. That is a piece of good news. Back then he constantly tries to surpass you. Do you remember the time when you won in the sports contest he aced for three consecutive years? The moment you enter in that field you snatch his place in one go.”
Ian was overjoyed thinking back to what happened before. He then looks at Oliver who stops from slicing the last bite of his steak.
“Lewis…”
“Yes, Lewis Morgan.”
“Lewis Morgan…”
“Why are you acting as if you don’t know him? Man, you hate him from the guts.”
‘Lewis Morgan. He is someone I find… disturbing. He always treats me as his enemy. I disdain that part of him. If there is one goal I want to achieve, I want to be rich enough to not get hungry. I want to be strong enough to not get beaten by others. Even if they talk bad about me, as if I care. To be honest, I just want to live a happy life with my own but with that man around… it would be impossible.’
“Did I open an old wound? Sorry about that.” Ian said as he took a bite in the fried tempura he requested. “I didn’t saw him ever since.” Nodding his head, Oliver didn’t say anything to Ian. To be honest, he is avoiding Lewis that is why they never met. The reason he can only find in his memory is that, ‘Lewis is dangerous.’ It is not that Oliver is afraid of him or what. Ever since he is a little, fright has never been part of his dictionary. He slept in a dark room alone when he was still a child. If any normal child would experience that, they will surely be terrified. “Ah, this one is nice. Hey, Herald try this too!” putting some teriyaki on Herald’s plate, Oliver didn’t bother. ‘That is good Herald. Distract him from talking to me.” Herald looks at Oliver as if he is asking for help but his boss didn’t give his gaze to him. “You can do that Herald and please…” looking in the other direction, Oliver drink his wine and enjoyed the view from the outside. “Don’t look at me that way.” They finish their meal but Ian is not yet done. “Alright, we have to go.” Oliver notices that the people at his step brother’s table stand up. It looks like they too are finished with their meal. He sigh. “What? Wait for me, I’m not yet done.” “Then hurry up and finish your food” Ian smiled and look at Oliver. “You know what? I think you’ve changed. Still, that changes suits you more.” Raising his eyebrow, his friend continued to eat his food. With that, his stare landed in Marco’s direction. About to go down to the first floor of the restaurant, Marco took a peek at his older brother. He didn’t smile, he didn’t wave his hands, he didn’t even nod his head to bid farewell to his brother. Oliver didn't find it odd for he does not have hopes that his little brother will say goodbye to him. The girl that is sitting beside Marco a while ago give Oliver a disgusted look. Her long white hair is as straight as the pasta used in making carbonara. 'Ah, why does she looks like a real-life carbonara. she even matches her hair with a green bag.'
After his stepbrother left, Oliver waited to see him get on his car to make sure that they won’t be meeting again. It would be bad if they encountered each other in front of the restaurant. “Let’s go.” Oliver said as he stand up. Ian tease him and said, “Wait, I am not yet finished.” Not expecting that Oliver will wait for him, he was surprised when Oliver replied. “Sure.” His eyes widened in surprise, “You will really wait for me?” “You seem to misunderstand something.” Herald stands up and drinks for the last time before leaving the restaurant. Ian saw it and realize something.
The place that was once filled with decorative furniture that came from different places all over the world was nowhere to be seen. All that is left was a silent spaces filled with dirt and molds. After letting out a faint sigh, Oliver asked himself. ‘So, where shall I start?’ “Herald” “Yes, Sir?” “Among all the maids and guards, is there anyone worth trusting to?” Gently shaking his head, worries can be seen crepting in his face. ‘Should I answer him truthfully? But, what if my words are wrong? What if my answer destroys someone’s life? What if there is a few who is loyal to Sir but… that is someone I not know of?’ With his mind full of doubts and hesitations… he picked up his phone and started to type something. “Ple
Ana pull her hand and hid it in her back. “ … ” The little girl didn’t say any words to answer Oliver’s question. He assume it is Tia, Ana's Auntie who did that. Looking at the area where he put the hidden camera, a tape was seen covering it. ‘So that was it. The area with a black record…’ Holding the lower corner of her apron, she stares at the flooring with a pale look. Ana was surprised when a small sound was heard coming from the back door of the kitchen. "Ana!! Are you done washing the dishes? What took you so long! Hurry up and finish that already!!" She didn't notice that Oliver is standing right in front of her. As soon as her eyes landed on Oliver's, she gasped and took a step backward. "You... you, you-" " Yes, it is me" The maid look so surprised as she saw the owner of that big mansion. It's been a long time since
After a small while of tranquility, footsteps was heard. The maid, gardener, chef and guards already went back in their stations. Only Oliver and Ana was left in the kitchen. ‘Who else are here?’ A small bark lapped with a hail of small steps. “Herald?... What are you doing here?” Oliver was cut out for a moment as he forgot how he called the dog. He didn’t gave it a name yet which is not that pleasing for it serves as hindrance for him to call its attention. Herald slightly bowed to show his respect to Oliver. He was carrying the dog a while ago but then it jumps rushing down as soon as he saw Oliver. “I forgot that I picked this dog up. Even so, what are you doing here?” Herald took his phone and typed his response. Even with a small temper for what happened, Oliver didn’t say anything even if he find it annoying to converse with Herald like this. ‘It is
"What is this place? Sir Herald?" Ana asked as she looks at the orphanage where many children are playing happily. The dog silently wags his tail for he was in the little girl's arms. "This is an orphanage, Ana" "Orphanage... so this is the place that Tia talks about..." It was Oliver who answered Ana's question for Herald seems to not hear the little girl's question. Ana curiously looks at the establishment. By that, she knew what will happen to her. Oliver still has some hesitation about what he will do. His mind is telling him that it would be the best for Ana but then, he can't help but feel bad about doing this. Another life will be placed inside an orphanage. A place that gives unwanted or misfortune children another hopes to have a comfortable life with their new family but it is also a place where the kids happiness can be ruined as no one wants them to be part of their famil
"What is happening in here? Can somebody explain?" Children are encircling Ana together with a little boy whose hair is an ash grey hue. The boy was filled with scratches and small tiny leaves all around his body. Up above, a tree branch can be seen. Some of the leaves are scattered all over the ground too. 'He fell' Oliver read the situation easily. For sure, it was the little boy who fell from that tree trunk. Anna was glaring at other kids who is standing with great arrogance. The little boy who was with Ana timidly stand up and wipe his clothes as if nothing happened. "Are you alright?" "Yes" "What happened?" "He fell because he is stupid" Ana walk in the direction of the boy who said that. Pointing her finger she angrily said, "He fell because you hit him with a rock! He is not stupid. It is you who are!
"Ana... It's fine" "But... he is the reason why you fell" "I'm alright. Nothing bad happened. Let's not make this a big deal. Sister Evangeline doesn't like children who cause trouble. After all, I'm used to it so there is no need to worry" He put down Ana's hand and tried to calm her down. "But..." "Ha ha, that is a funny joke... Um... Everything is settled... Right? Shall we head inside? It's almost mealtime already" "Sister Evangeline I assume your clock is not working well. There are hours left before it becomes time for lunch. Should I buy you a new clock for you to notice? A tower clock... Does it sound nice? The bigger... The better..." The Sister attempted to smile about the insult that Oliver conveyed. It was a word speaking about the watch but there is a hint of threatening hiding behind it. "How benevolent of
"You knew?" "Yes..." Bowing her head, she tried to hold her tears back. Oliver stares at her and can't help but think that... 'Something is off' he assumed for he finds what he is sensing as something that makes him feel so disturbed. Not aware of what that sentiment is, Oliver didn't notice that his hands move on their own. Scantily putting it in Ana's head, he gives Ana a gentle pat. "I changed my mind" A glimpse of a sparkling beam can be caught sight of as the radiance coming from the sunlight enters the glass window pane. The tears she is trying to restrain for a little period of time are now flowing down to her cheeks. You can see the attention that Oliver is giving to the little girl. His eyes soon landed in the direction of the little boy that is sitting beside the chair which Anna is using a while ago. "What's your name?" Oliv