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.
“Please forgive my rudeness but I… think that… I have no rights to answer such question.”
Oliver say those words out loud as he read what Herald wanted to say.“And why did you say so?”
He again began to type his response. 'I wonder what was the reason why Herald never speaks to me. Did I do something wrong? As I remember… Ian heard his voice but...’ Oliver set aside those questions in his head and began to read Herald’s answer.
‘I just think that, it is not me who can tell whether someone is worth trusting. Trust fades and it can’t be seen by our naked eyes.’
He gave back his phone and put his hands on his pocket as Herald put back his phone inside his coat.
“You do have some point. Even I myself don’t know who to trust. The only person I am sure that I can lean on is me and myself alone.” Gently smiling, his eyes reflect the radiant of the lights hanging on the chandelier.
“Remember that Herald. That is a little piece of advise”
Slowly nodding his head, Herald look at Oliver’s back till it finally went out of his sight.
“Trust… myself”
The young man mumbled as he look at his own hands.
*** The tip of Oliver’s finger are rubbing as he sat in his swivel chair. ‘How funny’ he thought as he realize that the original Oliver is fond in sitting in his swivel chair. The chair in his office as well as in his room are both having the same brand and design. Royal red is the other color you can see other than the leather who is color black. In his recollections, Oliver spend most of his time in his swivel chair compared to his own bed. A small smile and relief can be seen on his face as he run his eyes around his room. Everything is neat and clean. No misplaced items nor missing pieces can be seen.“Thank goodness this room have the highest security among other places in his house.”
Chuckling with both awe and joy, he remember the fact that no maids nor other people can enter Oliver’s room. Why so? That is because of the billion dollar high technology artifacts he paid to be place to ensure the security of his room.
“That is a monstrous kind of wealth. Billion dollar just for his room... I wonder how many money does Oliver possess. Maybe I can use some to renovate... no remodel this whole mansion!”
His thoughts was disturb as a sound came from his laptop. He look at the screen of it which is now completely operating. Tons of notifications can be seen in his inbox. He was about to open it when he saw the memories of trash mails that was sent to him. It is regarding the fact that he is a bastard. This was one of the works that Maria did just to make Oliver annoyed.
“I just realize how annoying it is to be attacked like this. They are so childish…”
He remove the arrow pointing in the inbox and started to look at the files regarding the cctv’s he secretly put all around his house. After having a few moments of viewing and analyzing, he finally saw the media file that recorded the maids stealing his things. One even tried to open his room but then gave up as it can only be open by Oliver alone.
He smiled as if he caught a mice in the trap he made and prepared himself. Looking at the clock, he realize that it was already late in the evening.
“Did I work so long? I didn’t even notice that it is already time for dinner…”
Opening his room, it locked automatically. “Looks like this place really needs a make over. It was nice on the outside yet, it is stinking on the inside... hah... I wonder why Oliver rarely went home. He is so focused in his work even if his company is running smoothly. No wonder… this big mansion became nothing but a big dirty cold place. Hah…”
With Oliver’s memory smoothly running in his mind, it became easy for him to know what direction to go. He can also notice the big difference of the clean and neat place that this mansion is before compared to what it is now.
'Just looking at every corner of this place makes my blood boils in anger. This is such a fine and cozy place!! What did they do to made this be downgraded like this? My apartment is more cleaner and neater compared to this… well that apartment might be a little smaller… alright, maybe the reason is because my old apartment is just a small space compared to this-'
He stops in his words as he heard plates slightly hitting each other.
“M-master??”
A small voice shout as she feel Oliver’s presence. With his forehead making a frown, the little girl who was wearing an apron and standing in a small chair to reach the kitchen basin started to panic. Her hands is filled with bubbles that Oliver assume to be a dishwashing bubbles. She lose her balance as the chair she is standing started to shake due to her sudden movements.
“Ahh!”
The sound of the chair falling on the floor was heard. It was made out of woods that looks as if it was hastily made. It was a good thing that before the little girl fell on the floor, Oliver had the chance to hold her arm and make the little girl slightly float from the floor.“Who are you?”
Oliver realize the position of the small little girl. Her arm must have been hurting due to the strength that Oliver release to not make her fall.
‘She looks like a five… or six years old girl… how small’“Ana…”
The little girl mumble as she tidy up her apron.
‘Wait a minute, why is there a child here? I don’t have any recollection about Oliver having a child… is she a secret child? No. That is impossible… he doesn’t have any girlfriend or lover but he do have some admirers… yet that doesn’t count! Does it?’
“Ana is… sorry. I disobey tia.”
“Tia? Who is that?”
“Ana's Auntie”
“Your Auntie?”
Nodding her head she replied “Yes…” with a teary eyes.
“Don’t cry"
Oliver ordered but as soon as he let out those words, tears fell out of the little girl’s beautiful emerald eyes.
‘I told her to not cry yet, she did cry because of that’ Oliver close his eyes as he took a deep sigh.
‘I am not fond of looking out for children. Yes, I did came from an orphanage but… that doesn’t mean that I can name children who became attached to me.’
He can now hear sobs coming from the girl's direction. “I am not mad”
“B-buy Ana disobey-y"
With Ana's reply, Oliver confirmed something. ‘So that was it. She is crying because she thought I am mad at her. Since she disobey her Auntie’
“Still, Ana is as good girl.”“Good… girl?”
“Yes, Ana is…”
He slightly pat her head while slightly bending just to reach it. Joy can be seen in the little girl’s face. With that, Oliver sat as he bend his knee and lightly pat the little girl's head. He was surprised to see a child in his mansion but what surprises him the most is when he saw scars and bruises in the girls pale skin.
"This..., who did this to you?"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
Sister Evangeline felt silent for a small while. It is no longer a surprise for her to hear Oliver's response. This is the answer that she expected to get. "I assume you wouldn't want to talk in a place like this" "Mr. Olive, please follow me" "Very well" *** "I want them to work for me" They are now in the office of Sister Evangeline. Placed on the second floor of the establishment. In that place, you can see the whole courtyard and the roadway. "Are you using these little kids as a material, a machine for your company? Whatever the reason is, doesn't it sound like you are buying me and these kids in exchange for your support? They have their own freedom. I don't want to raise them just to work. As a child, they must experience the happiness of being a kid. The happiness of youth. Your offer is something that would save not just me but also the life of th
"Oh ho, ho, look who's here. A hero acing so mighty... what a moron" Analyzing the situation, Oliver look at the man lying on the ground, he is full of scars and bruises all over his body "I will give you three seconds to go away and leave unscathed" the words that Oliver said, makes the six men left astonished. The one standing in the middle slightly take a step forward and mumbled. "What about we... give you... three seconds to kneel and beg for our mercy" Laughing villainously, they leave Oliver with no other choice. Clicking his finger, Oliver look at the surrounding. 'Thank goodness, no people are passing by. Maybe they chose this place too since it is not widely crowded as other places here. Just a very long brick wall with whoever knows what hiding behind' As soon as Herald saw what Oliver did, he went out of the car and immediately stand right before him.