In Sumdem City, at the God'swell Saint Homes, the air was quiet. Damien, a young handsome boy in his early twenties with a perfect jawline and smooth skin, walked into the library. He was the type of person who was easily spotted in a crowd. He scanned the room and saw Alex sitting from afar, engrossed in a book.
Damien walked up to him. "Your still reading this plain old book?"
Alex looked up. They had been good friends since their childhood, and he possessed his own unique features. He let out a heavy sigh. "That's the only way I can take my mind off things lately. You know we only have 2 weeks left in this orphanage. It's either we work there or we get kicked out."
"Well, that's something to think about for another day, right?" Damien said with a shrug. "Right now I'm feeling tired or hungry—anyone works for me."
Alex placed the book back on top of the shelf, and then he and Damien exited the library together.
Chapter 2: The Bello Mansion
Later that day, at the Bello mansion, Safeera Bello sat on her bedside, lost in thoughts. She was a young, beautiful woman in her early forties. Having just come out of the shower, her long black hair was still dripping, and she was wrapped in a silk bathrobe. Her mind was engrossed in a specific concern: I need someone who is capable of running things for me than leaving everything to my ungrateful employees.
She suddenly snapped back to reality when she heard a knock on the door. "You can come in," she called out.
Martha, the family maid in her twenties, walked into the room carrying a tray. "Madam, here's your tea," she said, placing it on the table next to Safeera.
"Thank you," Safeera replied. As Martha was about to leave, Safeera stopped her. "Hold on, your name was Martha, right?" Martha nodded in response. "If it was okay with you, I need your advice on something you see—" She hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Or you know what? Never mind, you may leave."
"I'm glad to see I was of help to you, madam," Martha said, bowing before she exited the room.
Chapter 3: The Proposal
The next day at the Bello mansion, Charles, the family butler who was in his fifties and had served the family for years, knocked gently on Safeera's door.
"Madam, if you don't up early then you would miss your meeting with the 'yin yang' deals," he warned. He heard Safeera groan from inside the room. "This is the seventh time you promised to meet with them and later don't show up."
"That's the point, Charles," Safeera Bello answered. "I'm already tired of all these. I already have riches that could last my 17th generation even if I stopped working. Plus, I don't see any point meeting with them. I'm already sick of hearing that company's name, but I do have to show up there and it's really tiring and frustrating."
Charles sighed deeply. "If I may, madam? Isn't it better to just look for a successor? Someone who's capable of handling all these stress."
Safeera opened her door and peeped out. "I'm listening."
"I happen to know someone who's working at God'swell Saint Home's," Charles explained. "It's a orphanage that provides the best knowledge to every kid known to that establishment."
"Hmm, and by any chance does the owner of that orphanage go by the name Sherlyn?" Safeera asked.
"Yes, madam," Charles confirmed.
Safeera chuckled. "That bitch is still alive? Mrs. Sherlyn and I happen to go back way long. She's the most selfish tyrant ever known. I kinda feel bad for the kid's staying under her care."
"Well, madam, she has a kind-hearted assistant known as Devika, and I knew her since when she was a kid, so there's no need to feel pity for the kid's since there under her care," Charles reassured her.
"Well, if you say so, then I might as well give it a try," Safeera decided. "Cancel all my meeting's for today, then you inform Devika that we would be visiting thier orphanage." She closed her door.
Charles sighed as he brought out his phone and made a call. "Yes, this is Charles again. Yeah, she won't be able to make it today—again. Thank you very much, we hope for a better co-operation next time." He hung up and exited.
Chapter 4: Accusations
The following day at God'swell Saint Homes, Devika knocked gently at Alex's room door. When Alex opened it, she told him, "Follow me. Your attention is needed in Mrs. Sherlyn's office."
They went to the office. "Here is Alex, Mrs. Sherlyn," Devika announced.
"Alex was it?" Sherlyn asked. "I heard a little secret of your's yesterday. It seem's to me Damien and some other kid's were planning on escaping from here, and this morning he and some other boy's weren't present in thier room's. I don't know—does this ring any bell to you?"
"Uhh, not really. I—" Alex started to say.
"Cause the last time I checked, I heard that you and Damien were present in the library yesterday whispering word's amongst yourselves like the tiny rat's you were!" Sherlyn shouted.
"I was with him yesterday, but I had no idea that he—"
Sherlyn hit the table hard. "Funny how I take pity on you useless brats by bringing and sheltering you all here, educating you and giving you that love your parent's never did, and yet this is what I get? This is the thank you you think I deserve from you?Alex was about to speak, but Devika intervened. [cite_start]"If you know the whereabout's of Damien and the other's, its better you speak up now."
"No, Devika, no need to do all that," Sherlyn said. "He don't want to speak up after all I did for him. What an ungrateful being. Remember Alex, few year's ago you came crying to me saying you don't want to be adopted?" She slammed the table again. "Well, forget about our little deal. Your going to be kept under close observation, and the next family that walk's in here are going to walk out of this building with you as thier next child. And if you dare—just dare—make thing's more difficult for me, then I—" Devika cleared her throat, and Sherlyn snapped, "Get out now!"
Alex exited.
"Maybe Alex have no idea where Damien and the other's might be," Devika suggested.
"Oh, please, Devika. I'm already pissed right now. If you can't be useful to me, then why don't you go get me a cup of tea or something than standing there like a mango tree?" Sherlyn barked. Devika sighed and left.
Chapter 5: The Heir Identified
Later on, Devika knocked on the door and entered Sherlyn's office again. [cite_start]"Mrs. Sherlyn, I just received a call from someone that we would be recieving an important guest soon: Mrs. Safera Bello and her—"
Sherlyn smiled evilly. "The moment she get's here, send her straight to my office. Tell Ammy to know how she would silence the kid's—I don't want to hear a cry from this building. Tell Jerry to make sure everywhere is spot clean. The other's kid's that won't be of use should either be sent to class or tell the chef to place thier food with some pill's or something. Then you, Devika, our star: pick out the best kid's along with Alex, of course, and present them to her. Make sure no mistake's are to be made or else."
"Understood, madam," Devika replied and exited.
Some minutes later, Safera walked into the building with Charles and was directed to Sherlyn's office.
"Excuse me, this is Sherlyn's office, right?" Safera asked.
"Yes, please do come in," Sherlyn said with a fake smile as Safera walked in and took a seat. "Safera, I haven't seen you since the demise of your husband. Look at you. What a pity!"
"Sherlyn, still bad at cracking joke's, right?" Safera countered. They both smiled before their expressions shifted into unpleasant frowns. "Why is it so silent here, like a grave yard?"
"Unlike other place's, the kid's here are all poised with proper manner's and etiquette—not like you would understand it anyway," Sherlyn said. "Moving on, cause I'm starting to get a bit annoyed with your questions."
"Oh, Sherlyn, I didn't know you had feeling's. I thought you were a liveless sack of life full of nothing but greed and nonsense pride." They both smiled fake. "I'm already starting to get irritated by the sight of your face. Moving on, I came here today in search of an heir."
Devika spoke up as Sherlyn was about to respond. "Then you came to the right place, madam. Why don't you follow me so I would show you to the kid's station?" Safera stood up while Sherlyn glared at her. [cite: 342-343]
"Why don't we have some chitchat later... or never?" Safera laughed and exited with Devika.
While walking through the hall, Devika noted, "When it come's to well-behaved kid's, we have all. Why don't you sit down here while I show you the kid's that are happy to get a new home?" Devika signaled to Ammy, who walked in later with Alex and some other kids.
Devika moved to Alex's side and whispered, "A little reminder from Sherlyn: If you mess things up, then you know the rest."
Safera looked over the group. "This boy over there," she said, pointing at Alex. "Tell me more about yourself."
Devika added, "Alex is the star here, he's done with his school. Go on—" She glared at him. "You do know Sherlyn more than me." She then smiled at Safera. "Why don't we leave you guys here to know each other more?" She signaled Ammy to keep an eye on him before leaving with the other children.
Alex spoke simply. "Hey, my name is Alex. I'm nineteen, and I think that's all about me."
"Hmm, what an interesting fellow we have here," Safera said with a smile. "I thought you were going to try your best to convince me to adopt you,
"Well, you don't have to if you don't want to," Alex interrupted. "The last thing I want is sympathy from other's, although it would be nice to get away from Mrs. Sherlyn's clutches. Well then, it was nice getting to know you. I'll take my leave now."
He walked out, leaving Ammy standing with her mouth agape in shock.
"Umm, madam, should I get you tea or coffee?" Ammy asked.
"Tea," Safera replied with a smirk, "and also paper work on that boy. I just found the right heir to my business."
Ammy handed her the tea while Devika brought in the paperwork, and Safeera signed it.
Chapter 6: The guest and the grudge
Two weeks later, the humid air of the airport did little to dampen Humaira's spirit as she stepped out of the terminal. She was a striking woman in her early thirties with chestnut hair and piercing eyes. As the daughter of Safeera's close friend, she was a frequent visitor, though her motives were often her own.
"Finally!" she exhaled, dialing a number on her phone. "I return back here again. I wonder what Aunty is up to?" When the call connected, her voice sharpened. "Yes, it's me, Humaira. Tell the driver to be quick. I'm tired of waiting."
Back at the Bello mansion, Safeera was busy directing the staff. "Yes, place that over there," she instructed. "Have you guys cleaned the guest room? Make it snappy, she'll be on her way soon." She turned to her butler. "What about Alex?"
"It's like he's in his room," Charles replied.
"Please tell him to come downstairs. I'll be expecting a guest soon and I would love to introduce him to her," Safeera said. As she watched Patty dust a flower vase, a sharp knock sounded at the door. "She's here!"
Safeera opened the door and pulled Humaira into a warm hug. "Humaira, how are you? How was your journey?"
Humaira wordlessly passed her luggage to Patty. "Better not break anything inside," she warned. She slumped onto the sofa with a sigh. "My journey was fine. And hot, also."
"Martha, please get us some cold drinks," Safeera called out. "How's Mumbai? How's work there?"
Humaira ignored the small talk. "I heard you adopt a child, yes? Where is he?"
"Oh, you mean Alex? Charles, where is Alex?"
Charles bowed slightly. "Madam, forgive me, but I couldn't find the young master in his bedroom. I think he—"
"How rude of him," Humaira interrupted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Send him to my room once he gets back. For now, I'll go get some rest. You—" she pointed at a maid named Maria standing in the corner, "—show me my room."
As they exited, Safeera sighed to Charles. "She may be a bit of a handful sometimes. I just pray she gets along with Alex. For now, please just bear with her silly tantrums."
Chapter 7: Shadows of the Past
Later that evening, Patty knocked gently on Humaira's door while carrying a tray. "Madam, it's me, Patty. I brought the coffee you asked for."
"I know. Come in," Humaira replied, rolling her eyes. As Patty set the coffee down, Humaira leaned forward. "Now that you're here, Patty, tell me more about this so-called 'young master.'"
Patty hesitated. "I'm really sorry, madam, but we maids aren't allowed to—"
Humaira wordlessly placed a stack of money on the table. Patty's eyes lingered on it. "I mean, I really—" Humaira doubled the amount.
"His name is Alex," Patty began quickly. "He likes staying indoors all day. Real introvert, if you would ask me. He talks to only Charles and Madam." Humaira tripled the cash, and Patty's eyes widened.
"Why don't you excuse yourself for now?" Humaira said, watching Patty scramble to pack the money. "And do a little favor to yourself by keeping this little convo of ours a secret. When he gets back, inform me."
"He came back a few minutes ago," Patty admitted. "I did deliver the message you asked me to, but he didn't respond back to me. He just—"
"Take me to his room," Humaira shouted, standing up. "NOW!"
They marched to Alex's quarters. Patty knocked tentatively. "Young master, it's me, Patty. Madam Humaira wants to talk to—"
Charles stepped out of the room, blocking their path. "What are you doing here, Patty?"
"Where is the so-called young master or whatever his name is?" Humaira demanded.
"Madam Humaira, I'm really sorry, but the young master is tired and doesn't want to see anyone at the moment," Charles said firmly.
"How dare he?" Humaira's face flushed with anger. "For some orphan boy, he really does have some nerves. Imagine such arrogance coming from someone that didn't have any hope in life until now."
"I'm sorry, but the young mas—"
"The young master my foot! So you expect me to go back downstairs after coming this far?"
"It's the Madam's orders," Charles insisted. "She told me to stop anyone from disturbing the young master."
"To hell with you and your Madam!" Humaira shoved past him and barged into the room.
Alex was standing with his back to her, unbuttoning his shirt. He turned around slowly. "I thought I made myself clear. I don't want to see anyone."
Humaira froze. Her breath hitched. "Mauja? No... no, it can't be. I—"
"I'm really sorry, let's go now, madam," Charles said, taking the opportunity to lead the shocked Humaira out of the room.
Humaira rushed back to her own room and grabbed her phone, her hands trembling. Am I dreaming? she thought. She dialed a number. "Hello? You won't believe who I just saw right now."
On the other end, her accomplice Jabar answered. "WHO?"
"Mauja's son," Humaira whispered.
"Are you sure of what you're saying?" Jabar asked, his voice low. "You saw Mauja's son? Alive? In your aunt's house?"
"I know what I'm saying. My eyes can't deceive me."
"Have you done the thing I asked you to do? The main reason why I sent you to Sumdem?"
"Yes, mission accomplished," Humaira replied. "You'll receive your goods before tomorrow."
Jabar let out a dark chuckle. "I knew you would never steer me wrong. For your next mission... I want you to end Mauja's son before things get chaotic."
Humaira hesitated. "I'm not sure about this, Jabar. You know I only have beef with Mauja because she was the cause of my mother's problems, but—"
"No matter how difficult the task is, you must complete it. Got it?" Jabar barked.
"Yes, boss!"
"You can come back after you end Mauja's son once and for all," Jabar added. "I also got some beef with Mauja, so destroying her child would be the only way to settle the old scores I had with her."
Chapter 8: The Threat and the Trap
The next day, Safeera sat on the parlor sofa, looking through documents. Alex approached her calmly. "If it's okay with you, I'll like to ask you a question."
"Yes, you can ask me anything," Safeera said, setting the papers aside. "Feel free."
Alex sat opposite her. "I've stayed in this house for about three weeks now with nothing to do apart from going to the office. So I decided to confront you about this. If it's okay with you, I'll like to—"
"Own your own company?" Safeera interrupted with a smile. "Get a wife? I'm listening."
"I'd love to get some more info about my birth mother, 'Mauja.'"
Safeera's smile vanished. Her mind raced: Oh no, he already knows the name of his birth mother. What if she's not dead and tries to take him away from me?
"And who's this Humaira girl?" Alex continued.
"My close friend's daughter. She normally comes here for the holidays," Safeera replied cautiously.
"I don't like the way she acts. She's too bossy over everyone."
Unbeknownst to them, Humaira was hiding behind a curtain near the dining area, eavesdropping. What are they talking about? she thought. I need to get a bit closer to listen but don't want to get caught.
"She's a very sweet girl and I hope you guys would try to get to know each other better," Safeera said, standing up. "I'm going to head to work now. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
As soon as Safeera exited, Alex walked directly to the curtain. He gave Humaira a stern look that caused her to stumble backward. "I don't think it's good manners to eavesdrop on people's conversations."
Humaira gasped. "Ho—how?" She watched him walk away. Shaking, she pulled out her phone. "He—hello? I don't think I can continue this anymore, Jabar. He's too smart for me."
"Humaira, you fool!" Jabar hissed. "How dare you call my name carelessly? What if someone hears you?"
"I'm scared I might get caught! I can't do this anymore."
"Listen, you just need to calm down," Jabar commanded. "You're my right-hand man. Only you come back home with a mission accomplished. Don't let that little boy get into your head."
"He's already suspicious of me."
"Try to convince him. Trick him. Just do anything you can do."
"Okay... I'll see what I can do," Humaira said, hanging up. She gritted her teeth. "First it was Mauja and now it's her pesky little son."
"I wouldn't call myself 'pesky' if I were you," a voice said from behind her.
Humaira jumped. "Alex? Wh—when did you—"
Alex stepped closer, his eyes cold. "Look here. I don't know who you are and I don't want to. But if you mess with me, then I'm gonna bring you down and make your life a living nightmare. So if I were you, Humaira, I'll just enjoy this little holiday I'm having. Or else..." He leaned in. "I'll end both you and Jabar." He smirked and walked out.
Humaira stood there, breathing heavily. "S—such threats won't work on me!"
The next morning, Humaira was back on the phone. "I hope you have finished the work I assigned you to do? Remember, no such thing as mistakes or else. Remember, I still have your daughter with me. Would be a shame to buy her a coffin instead of a wedding gown, wouldn't it?"
She hung up and stared out the window at the driver cleaning the car. A cruel smile spread across her face. "Poor Alex has no idea what's coming for him. Let's see now whose life would be a living hell... when it's me who's sending you to hell first."