Chapter 2: Bastard of the Laurent

On his way inside the restaurant, the waiter assist him. He may have some bad image for being the Bastard of Laurent but he have money. That is the only thing this restaurant needs. If you can pay, even if you are a killer or a criminal, they will gladly entertain you. That is the power of money. 

   

    The surroundings of the place is nice. It is neat and clean. Every corner of the restaurant is filled with expensive furnitures and wall decors. Indeed, the ambiance of this place is no ordinary. 

  

    He walk pass by the tables of the first floor. That floor was for normal customers, for Oliver who is not someone whose background is unknown,  they gave him one of their best tables. The better the service, the greater the payment. 

  

    The second floor of the restaurant gives a different vibes. If the first floor was filled with different expensive furniture, it's elegance is nothing compared to what the second floor has. Oliver can't help but awe how amazing and wonderful the sight is. Even if he had the memories of the original owner of the body he possess, this sight is something beyond what he had ever imagined. 

    

    Oliver look at his back to  look for Herald. He is still following behind him. 

    

    'Should I dine with him or should I bring him in another table?'

    

    He asked himself regarding that matter but before he even had the chance to reflect what he wanted to do, a familiar figure can be seen in one of the table not far from where they are. 

    

    

    It was none other than his half brother, Marco. Marco Laurent, the half-brother of Oliver. He is someone who treats Oliver as a pest, an insect. They were close before but because of his mother, things have been hard for them to stay close. After knowing that Oliver is doing well without the help of their father, he can't help but admit his stubbornness. He studied well to be the great successor of the Laurent clan. Although  he already achieved the qualification needed to be a Laurent's successor, Marco want's to further enhance and hone his talents. Also,  to make peace between the two of them. 

    

   Herald notice that Oliver's brother is the one sitting on the table ahead them. He is aware of the fact that there are distance between them but didn't tried to interfere on what Oliver would do.  He just stood by and let his boss manage his own business.

    

    "Please choose my table far enough from those on that table."

    

    "Yes Sir, that will be done."

    

    The original Oliver would never say please, he is bossy and a type of person who do not want to be attached with other people. Even Herald know that characteristics of him. He was quite surprise to hear his boss, Oliver, say sorry or excuse for something like this. Although he do not have anything he could do even if he was surprise, he just look at him with slightly widened eyes that last for just a few seconds. It soon vanish after Oliver look at him and ask.

    

    "Herald, would you like to have a opposite table?"

    

    He asked. Herald shook his head. It is also the first time he ever hear Oliver’s concern to him. Every time the original Oliver dine, he always let Herald leave but if he doesn't want to, he will just buy a take out food which Herald will eat. He says it was his left overs but in fact, it is as new as untouched food. That simple way of Oliver made Herald respect him more. 

    

      Not aware of what is happening in his body, Oliver suddenly stop on his steps. His head hurts as memories rush inside his mind. That memories is his little self playing with his younger half brother. When they were a little they usually play with each other as normal siblings but as they grew up, their path change. Marco isn't the child who follow his older brother anymore. He did his best to prove his worth. To make his mother proud and to no be compared with his older brother. 

    

Oliver finally remembered all the things about him. Still, he can't find any bad feelings from him. His heart isn't filled with any grudge against Marco. Surely, he didn't blame his younger brother about what happened to them. They both don't want this to happen after all. Still, he believe that one day, they would be just like what they are when they were a little.

    

    *Flash back*

    

'Bwother'

    

    The little Marco called Oliver while catching his breath. A big smile can be seen in his face. While holding chocolates in his hand he raise if for him to see. Oliver blankly stare at him. Not knowing what his younger brother is holding. Marco is just a two year old boy. He was adored by their father. His mother loved him too. Oliver can't help but be jealous but he knew for sure that having a happy family is just a wishful dream of him. 

    

    'Chocoweyt'

    

    

He giggled as he sat in the grass covered by the shadow of the apple tree. Marco sat beside his brother Oliver who was confusedly looking at him.

    

     

'Chocoweyt?' he asked repeating what his younger brother said. 

    'No, Cho-co-weyt!' Marco tried to correct his pronunciation only to repeat what his brother had said.

    

Oliver can't help but laugh at his younger brother as he find him adorable. 

    

    'I heard the maids called something Chocolate. Is that it?'

    

    He accidently heard the servants gossiping about how nice the chocolate that came from the other country is. He sometimes wonder how it looks like. Now that he can finally have a taste of one, he can't help but look forward to it. 

    

'Yes, chocoweyt.'

    

The little hands of Marco tried to open the wrapper of the chocolate. With his full strength he can't even tear an inch on it. That is why he spread his hands to give it to Oliver who pat his head and gladly open the chocolate from it's wrapper.

    

   'Here, it's now open.'

    

Marco revealed the bar chocolate and break it into squares. Taking one in his small hand it reaches Oliver's mouth. 

    

    'Hmm.'

    

A smile crept into his lips. 

    'Dewicious!'

    

'Yes, it is.'

    

Not so long after that happy time, Maria, which is Marco's mother called his son with an annoyed tone. 

    

    'Marco!'

    

'Mommy!'

    

Marco wave goodbye to Oliver as he leave the chocolates tucked in his brothers hands. He smiled before running back to see his mom. 

    

    'I told you many times to not play with him. He will bring harm to you.'

    

Trying to oppose his mothers words he can't do anything but keep silent. 

    

'Don't play with him okay? Or else mommy will be mad.'

    

    

Looking back at his brother, he saw him smile. That is the last time they saw each other.

    

Back to the present time. Oliver saw his little brother in front of him. 

    

    'When did he got in here?' he asked himself.

    

     Unlike the last time they saw each other, Oliver can see that something had change in his brother. Indeed, the rumors aren't  true that Marco hated Oliver. He was happy for the original owner of his now body,

    

    'Man, look, your brother grown into a fine man...'

    

     Still deep inside his heart he knew that the owner of that body is proud of his little brother.

    

"Brother..."

    

He mumbled in surprise. Oliver heard it and didn’t try to act as if he didn’t saw him because their eyes met.

    

"Marco. It is nice to see you."

    

He greeted. Although he is quite surprise to hear Marco still call him as brother, he didn’t find any displease in his action. He thought everything would be nice but then, words suddenly echoed in the place.

    

'Isn't he the Laurent's Bastard?'

'What is he doing with Young Master Marco?'

'I bet he will insult our Young Master.'

    

Even if he did not do anything bad, his image is still getting worst. One of the main reason is because Maria tainted his image to the people. She fooled their mind that Oliver is a bad person. 

    

    Herald who is behind Oliver decided to make a move yet before he even had the chance, Marco make a cough and greeted Oliver.

    

    "It is good to see you too. Would you mind joining us? "

    

    

He asked. In his table, various people are sitting. That is probably a meeting or so. He can't possibly accept his invitation since they would think that he is someone acting close with Marco.

  

    

    

    "You seems to be having a important business so, I'll pass. I also have an important matter to deal."

    

    

    

    He chose to turn down his brother's offer. Still, that doesn’t mean that it is the best choice. Whether he accept or deny that offer, people will still find an issue about it. Oliver didn't think in a wrong way, right  after he gave his response with a smile, people started to spur gossips. Even if they try to said it with a whisper, Oliver can see through what they are saying. After all, he experienced such thing before. The situation on where it is still your fault whether you are guilty or not.

    

    

    'It is no good to stay here.'

    

    

    Oliver pat Marco's shoulder. Even if their father is focused on Marco alone, that didn't make Oliver hate his little brother.

    

   

    "Congratulations on graduating. I heard you are the top in your batch? I'm proud of you.”

    

    Those words may seem to be a insult for others but Oliver really mean it. He is proud of his little brother's achievement. He let out a smile and after gently patting his shoulder, Oliver head to the direction of their seat.

‘This society… I hate this.’