Chapter 2

Several Years Before

A teenage boy sat quietly in a luxurious burial complex with teary eyes. His hand reached out, continuing to stroke the gray gravestone bearing Andrew John Quartararo. Although the feeling of sadness pierced even the heart like a sting, he was as strong as possible to hold back tears.

Just keep praying so that the late father who has just been buried can go quietly. "Come on, Tristan. Don't be sad. I'm sure Papa will be happy in heaven."

The beautiful woman named Gracia Quartararo looked tough. Although her cheeks were still wet from the tears, she tried to look strong in front of her only son.

Certainly not easy. Moreover, she had to lose the husband she loved so much in a car accident. The man who gave a cheerful smile in the morning while asking for permission to go to work had to return home lifeless.

"There is Mama who will continue to take care of you, son. Mama promises to continue to accompany you until you get old." Gracia continues to try to strengthen the child's heart so as not to dissolve in sadness. She knew that her son was close to her husband.

Moreover, Andrew is a father figure that Tristan has admired so far. However, a promise is just a promise. Three months after Andrew pass away, it was Gracia's turn to leave Tristan like her husband.

The beautiful woman had a heart attack while attending an important meeting in her office. Can imagine how broken the heart Tristan, who was not even 20 years old, had to lose both of his parents in the near future. At a young age, he was forced to survive in the face of the harsh world.

"Tristan, don't cry. You are not alone in this world. There is still Uncle Raphael who will look after and care for you. Uncle promises never to leave you once."

Tristan, who had been looking down, immediately looked up. With a sad expression, the young man shook his head slowly.

If he had managed to stop himself from shedding tears at the time of Andrew's death, this time, he couldn't take it anymore. The clear crystal was, in fact, already flowing so fast that it covered both of his cheeks. Fuck, people want to think of him as a crybaby or something.

"Don't promise me anything, Uncle. It's enough for Papa and Mama to leave me. I don't want everyone I love one by one to just leave my life."

"No."

Raphael shook his head back, then stretched out his right hand and patted Tristan's shoulder repeatedly. Strengthen the man's heart so as not to continue to dissolve in sadness.

"Uncle promises not to die before making you successful. Uncle is determined to help you reach the world into your hands. Make the Foxtail Corporations that Andrew has worked so hard to raise again to prosper and thrive. Moreover, you also have to repay the people who have done evil. to your family."

Tristan's hands immediately clenched into fists. Raphael's words just now managed to stir his emotions.

It's true what his uncle said. He can't stay in the dark forever. He had to get up soon. Because after this, there is a challenging task that awaits.

From the front of his parents' graves, Tristan promised in his heart that he would become a successful and unrivaled person. Once all can be obtained, he will make calculations for anyone who has destroyed his family.

"Sooner or later, I have to avenge what they did, Uncle. I will make the Walters family suffer as much as I am feeling right now."

Raphael smirked. The corners of his lips lifted high.

"Of course, son. You deserved to do that. Even after the fatal accident that killed your father, until this moment Alfonso didn't even show his nose to apologize. Maybe he and his family have gone abroad."

The man then patted Tristan's shoulder gently, and then after that, he cheered again.

"From this moment on, Uncle promises to always be by your side. Uncle will also turn you into a truly formidable man in both business and everyday life."

After that, Raphael got up first. Seconds later, he reached out, asking Tristan to get up from his seat too. The two then decided to leave the cemetery complex. He was heading to Tristan's house to start all the plans prepared in such away.

***

A few years later.

Dear Tristan, My Beloved Son.

If you are reading this letter, it means that Mama is no longer by your side.

Do not be sad.

Never feel alone in the slightest.

Remember! There's Uncle Raphael beside you. He will guide you to make your dreams come true one by one.

Mama believes Uncle Raphael can maintain and make you a strong, invincible, even so the significant person in the business world later.

When all of that materializes, Mama's one message, Don't forget the people who have destroyed our family. You have to remember that Alfonso is fully responsible for Papa's death. Once you have it all, Mama, please, crush the man to nothing.

Mama believe you can do it all.

Here, Mama will always watch over you and take care of you.

Love Mama.

*

Tristan stared blankly at the white paper in his right hand. His chest felt tight again when he remembered the events of his parents' deaths one by one. Many years have passed, but still, the feeling of sadness can't just go away.

Sometimes, in the dark of night, Tristan still cries over the departure of his father and mother. He even had thought of wanting to die to catch up with the two of them.

"Don't be crazy, Tristan. Don't ever waste your life doing something ridiculous like this. You can't give up, let alone commit suicide. That man isn't a crybaby! If you die, who will avenge your parents?"

Raphael seemed to exclaim in disappointment. He knew that the man he had cared for all this time was in deep pain. However, not a single thought crossed his mind that Tristan was so desperate to try to end his life.

"Remember, Tristan, and you have to be a strong person and be able to rise when faced with any problems that arise. Not a crybaby, let alone weak like now. Uncle is willing to bet, and you won't succeed if you continue to fall into a slump like this!"

If Raphael hadn't been by his side and kept trying to be strong, Tristan might have gone mad long ago. How can he stand that he is still very young and has to accept the tragic fate repeatedly? When people of his age seem to be enjoying their time playing, it's 180 degrees different from him. He must study diligently.

Maximize hisself so that he can immediately graduate from college and master the basics in the business world at the same time. He did everything he could to prove to the world that he was able to achieve what he had longed for.

"Tristan, are you in there?"

There was a knock on the door with a call. Seconds later, a young woman entered wearing casual clothes. Stepping forward, she approached the position where Tristan was sitting. "What's wrong, Aurora?" asked Tristan without looking back. His eyes were still locked on the sheet of a letter in his right hand.

"Papa called you. He asked us to have dinner together. I hope you don't refuse."

Tristan nodded. Without much thought, he immediately got up. Then followed the woman's steps toward the dining room. Raphael was already sitting there waiting for the two of them. The man invited Tristan to take a position in front of him immediately.

"Sit down. Miriam has cooked your favorite tenderloin steak. Uncle knows you haven't eaten anything since this afternoon. Actually, what are you thinking?" Raphael inquired. He asked while handing the orange juice to the man he considered his child.

Over the years of taking care of Tristan, Raphael has memorized everything he likes to everything his best friend's son doesn't like.

"I'm just missing Mama and Papa, Uncle. Since a few days ago, I've been dreaming of the two of them often," replied Tristan with a downcast face. A sad expression was etched on his handsome face.

"It's OK, kid," said Raphael. “How about tomorrow morning we visit your parents' graves first?"

"Tomorrow morning?" repeated Tristan. Hearing Raphael's words, he immediately looked up. Gazing into the face of the uncle who was so sincere. "Is that possible?"

Raphael smiled, then nodded. "Of course. Uncle thought, there must be a lot you want to tell them. Especially about your recent achievements. Uncle also believes that Andrew and Gracia must be very proud that their son is now able to rise and achieve his dreams one by one."

"Uncle is right. I have to tell them that I can't wait to repay all of Alfonso's actions."

Raphael smiled. He was so pleased to see the sparkle of enthusiasm on the face of the man he had educated for years.

All of Raphael's efforts have finally yielded maximum results. Seen one by one the achievements that Tristan got recently.

"You should also tell Andrew and Gracia about your planned engagement to Aurora."

Tristan immediately nodded. Not the slightest bit of protest when Raphael recently planned an engagement between himself and his uncle's only daughter. Maybe marrying Aurora could pay off all the debt Raphael had given him.

Tristan was nothing if it was his uncle who didn't help. After all, Aurora is also a kind, intelligent, independent, and polite woman.

There's nothing wrong with marrying this woman. Matters of love can be discussed later. Tristan is sure that the feeling of love will gradually come naturally when they are officially together.

"Of course. I will tell everything to the late Papa and Mama. I'm also sure they will agree with my decision."

Tristan then turned to Aurora, who was sitting next to him. Throwing a sincere smile and then choosing to eat the food that has been served