I Am Back

Chapter 6

At that same time, the sun rose from the east and shone through the thick, luxurious curtains that hung in an epicurean living room that exuded wealth.

The living room was vast, having polished cushions neatly and nicely arranged. Artworks were used to beautify the place.

There was a large flat-screen TV that was hung on the wall, and a calm yet alluring movie was on display on the screen.

Everything in the room screams wealth and sophistication.

On one of the plush cushions lay an unconscious, young, handsome guy around the age of twenty-three, and an elderly man, around the age of eighty, stood tall there, arms crossed, glancing down at the guy.

He couldn't say a word.

The room was like a graveyard except for the soft ticking of the old wall clock.

The old man just stared down, concern and worry evident on his facial expression.

“Doc, hope he will be fine?” The old man asked a man who was putting on a white garment.

The silence finally broke.

It was the family doctor.

The doctor, a calm, middle-aged man, closes his medical bag, after checking on the young man.

“Yes, sir” the doctor nodded his head in confirmation. “He’ll definitely be okay. His vitals are stable. He just needs some more rest to cool out of his drunken state, that's all. I'm just glad he was brought on time.”

The old man exhaled, relieved about the response. “Hmmm… thank God, I'm glad he will.”

The doctor reluctantly asked. “But sir, who's he? I have been serving you for years now but I haven't seen his face before.”

The old man, whose name was Christopher Williams, cleared his throat, his voice hesitant before he finally replied. “He's my grandson.”

“Your grandson?” The doctor repeated, stunned. “You've a grandson? Where has he been?” He asked, glancing down at Eric, who lay on the bed. He wasn't looking like royalty.

Christopher’s face turned pale as he nodded slowly, understanding why the doctor looked shocked. “Actually,” he started, his voice weak but laced with emotions, “his parents died years back, and after that, he went missing. But I'm glad he's back home now.”

The doctor exhaled and shook his head, slightly touched emotionally. But sensing the relief in Christopher's voice, he said, “That's all that matters now,” his tone was joyful. “His wasted years will be recovered now.”

Reluctantly, the doctor added, grabbing his medical bag. “I'll leave now, sir. Just let him have some rest and he'll be perfectly fine once he wakes up,” he said reassuringly.

With that, he took off on his heels and was about to walk away when Christopher called after him. “Thank you, doc. You've really been helpful over the years. Always showing up when you're needed. I appreciate it.”

The doctor halted, turning around, a small smile plastered on his lips. His cheeks blushed slightly. “It's nothing, sir. It's my discipline. Besides, you've done much more than enough for me and I feel so honored serving you.”

Christopher smiled back and replied thoughtfully. “I'll send something meaningful to your account tonight, please, manage it, okay?”

The doctor, knowing it would be something exceptional, smiled widely. “Thank you so much, sir. I appreciate everything. God bless you.”

Not long after the doctor left, a cough rippled the room.

Christopher quickly turned to look, and a broad smile spread across his face. “Eric, my boy! He's awake,” he murmured, feeling elated.

On the couch, Eric coughed, his body groggily moving on it. His eyes fluttered open and he felt some slight dizziness in his head.

Finally, he sluggishly sat up, his eyes fully opened as the recognition of the room hit him.

The place felt like heaven to him. It was as if he had gone to be with the Lord. Because what he was seeing was something he hadn't seen in his entire life, not to mention sleeping in it.

He wiped his face, blinked twice, trying to get a complete image of what he was seeing.

Boom! It struck him so hard. Everything was a reality and not a dream.

His breath hitched as he muttered to himself, trying hard to remember how he got here. “Where am I here?” He muttered, panicking without taking notice of an old man who stood close to him.

Christopher chuckled softly when he heard the mumble. “Your grandfather's house,” he said

Eric turned swiftly toward the voice. He was slightly taken aback as he took in the old man. He was completely dressed in a casual yet luxurious outfit that one might mistake him for the president of the USA, Donald Trump.

Eric forced himself up, fighting off the remnants of light-headedness. The cool tiles immediately sent a chill down his spine, making him feel a sense of calmness.

“Good afternoon, sir,” he bowed his head in respect, realizing the man was no ordinary person. Just as his eyes scanned around the room, they fell on one of the bodyguards.

Recognition and realization struck him. He walked into a bar, and was drunk but couldn't cover the bills. Maybe, the manager had brought him to deal with him.

Quickly he fell on his knees, “Sir, please, don't harm me. I promise I won't get myself drunk again. I have nobody, please, pardon me.”

As he spoke, he remembered another thing. Without waiting for any response, he continued, “I'll serve you until the $20 is complete. I'm good at that, I swear. I even worked as a cleaner in the Sunshine Company. Believe me.”

However, the old man in front of him didn't make any move or say a word.

Eric was afraid to make eye contact with him. His head remained bent. And he mistook the old man's quietness for anger.

So he went on, “I can serve you for as many years as you want. Just give me your command. I won't run away,” he chuckled bitterly, “how can I when your bodyguards are mounted at every corner of the house? You see? It's impossible.”

He had expected a response, whether in agreement or against his plea, but to his shock, Christopher tapped his back calmly and said warmly. “Get on your feet, Eric, my boy.”