Victor

The letter was addressed to him and was written by his mother. He wondered when his mother wrote him a letter and why hadn't she just told him about the content of the letter. A lot of things were bothering him; more importantly the identity of the man earlier concerned him the most.

He pulled out the letter inside and sat on the sofa as he read through the letter.

Dear Victor, my dearest son.

I've written this letter a thousand times and I thousand times how I wish I could just tell you everything. However, I didn't have the courage to tell you. If ever you do get to read this, it just means something happened to me and I was unable to tell you the truth.

As the day passed by and you grew up into the man who I loved so dearly, not a day past, I worried that I couldn't give you the life you were supposed to have. What I'm about to say might be a great shock, but please be calm.

I have loved you and protected you all this time from the truth, for I fear that once you know the truth you'll end up getting hurt. But it seems like hiding the truth from you is no longer the best option. You are my son, my dearest son. However, the father you know is not your father. You are not your father's son. Not a day in life I pray that someday you and I will be set free from him, but I wasn't strong enough and fear of what's to come.

My true name is Josephine Chen, the eldest daughter of the Chen Group. To be honest, I don't know where to start regarding my family. I'm sure you're wondering, if I'm a daughter of the Chen Group, why am I leaving such a desperate life. This has something to do with your grandfather, my father, who was full of himself, and thought that your father was not good enough for me. Also, I didn't really have any good relationship with my father since he betrayed my mother.

At that time, your father was just a nobody who your grandfather was dissatisfied with. Also, your grandfather forced me into an arranged marriage. So, I decided to run away and forget any ties with my family. Anyways, you don't need to worry about them, for they don't even know you exist.

About your father. Do you recall the man who always visited us during your birthday? Yes, that's right. That man was the love of my life and your father. However, he encountered an unexpected accident in which he could no longer be with us. I know you are angry while reading this, but please, don't be angry with your father. He has his reason as to why he didn't stay with us. Your father was working hard for us so that someday he could protect us. You see, your father is someone who most people fear and you'll know more in the future.

Victor, what's important is that you know me and your father loved you so much. We were just doing our best to protect you in fear of the unknown.

If you are reading this, it means you have met Nicholas. He is your father's dearest friend, and mine. He has worked under your father since you were a child; he is like a brother to me. Trust him, and he will guide you in what you must do. The people you'll soon meet are your father's dearest friends; they will protect you and help you. Some of them may act strangely, but they will not harm you.

Victor, please don't think you are alone. Know that there are people out there who care and love you. Please promise me that you'll live a better life. A life where you are no longer in pain. For I've always prayed that you'll live a life filled with bright days.

From your mother and father.

Victor clutched the letter tightly, his eyes welling up with tears that he could no longer suppress. A single drop fell onto the paper, quickly followed by more. Precious memories of his mother flooded his mind, overwhelming him with emotions.

As the envelope slipped from his lap and fell to the ground, a photograph spilled out. He bent down, picked it up, and immediately recognized the familiar faces staring back at him. It was a snapshot from his seventh birthday, a day he had no memory of. In the picture, he saw himself celebrating with his mother and father, and a sudden clarity washed over him as he studied his father's features. It was as if he were looking at a mirror image of himself. For the first time, he understood why he never resembled his mother or the man he had known as his father. He was his father's true likeness.

His gaze shifted between the photograph and the letter that accompanied it. The realization dawned on him that his mother must have written the letter on that very day. Despite the anger welling up inside him, he couldn't deny the love that radiated from his parents' joyful expressions in the picture.

Once his emotions settled, Victor's mind became consumed with one urgent thought: he needed to find Nicholas immediately. So many unanswered questions swirled in his mind, demanding explanations for why Nicholas had only appeared now. There had to be more to this story, something his mother was unable to convey in her letter.

Without pausing to change his clothes, he dashed out of the house and sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him. He had no money for transportation, ruling out the possibility of taking a bus or train to reach Nicholas's location. But that wouldn't deter him; he was determined to find a way.

As Victor reached the crossroads, he patiently waited for the pedestrian light to change to green.

Simultaneously, a car pulled up beside him, also halted by the red light. Inside the vehicle, an elderly man happened to glance outside and caught sight of the boy standing next to their car. The sight left him bewildered, but before he could roll down the window and confirm what he had seen, the boy dashed across the street and disappeared from view.

The old man sat back in his seat, stunned by the unexpected encounter.

The driver, noticing his master's distress, inquired, "Is everything alright, Old Master?"

"It's nothing," he replied, brushing off the incident, reluctant to delve into what he had witnessed.

Meanwhile, Victor, despite being breathless, pressed on towards his destination. He finally arrived and paused momentarily to catch his breath. As he surveyed the grand hotel before him, a realization struck him. He glanced down at his mud-streaked clothes, feeling a tinge of embarrassment under the scrutinizing gazes of those entering the establishment.

"I should have changed," he muttered to himself, acknowledging his disheveled appearance. "But if Mr. Nicholas didn't mind me entering his car looking like this, then surely everything will be fine."

With all his might, Victor walked in, ready to move forward with his life.