I Am Back

Chapter 7

“Eric?” Eric repeated his own name, shocked. He immediately looked up at the old man. Confusion and surprise were written all over his face.

“How do you know my name? And who are you?” He asked, still on his knees.

Christopher smiled, understanding his curiosity but he said, “Please, stand up first and have a seat. Only when that is done shall we discuss.”

Eric was reluctant but at the old man's persistence, he stood up, staring around briefly before looking at the man. He was short of words.

“Please, sit down,” Christopher gestured toward the couch.

“Sit down?” Eric asked, shaking his head as he glanced at the plush cushion. “No, I'll stand up, I can't afford to buy a new one if I dirty anyone.”

Christopher chuckled lightly. “It doesn't matter. If it gets dirty, I'll trash it and get a new one.” His voice was casual as if getting a new cushion as plush as that was the simplest and easiest thing to do.

“Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable, I'll be back.”

Without waiting for any response, he walked, heading toward the kitchen, leaving Eric alone in the living room.

As he saw the old man's figure had disappeared, Eric started to glance around the whole place in awe. “Wow! This is ... something…fantastic!” He muttered, admiring the place.

He walked to one of the cushions and began to run his fingers over the body. “Everything here is equivalent to what is in the president's house, if not more than.”

As he continued to look around, admiring every single thing he saw, sounds of soft footsteps started echoing in the living room.

Hurriedly, Eric slumped onto the couch, folding his arms as he tried to maintain calm.

Christopher walked down the staircase, his steps slow yet graceful. He smiled as he saw Eric feeling slightly relaxed on the couch.

“Don't be afraid, okay? No harm is coming to you,” Christopher told Eric, his voice reassuring.

Eric just nodded with a faint smile.

Just then, another footsteps echoed in the room and a young lady, carrying a tray occupied with golden bowls, walked over to the dining table and placed it on the table.

She started to arrange them, placing each bowl carefully on the table. When she was done, she opened a glass of wine and poured a generous amount into a glass.

Once done, she walked over to where Christopher and Eric were seated and bowed his head. “Sir, everything's done as instructed,” she said respectfully.

“Thank you,” Christopher raised an eyebrow and replied. The lady nodded, bowed again, and walked away.

As she left, Christopher turned his attention to Eric, “Come with me, let's have lunch together. I know you must really be hungry.”

Eric shook his head quickly, pretending not to be hungry, even though he was. “Thank you, sir, but I'm not hungry. You can go ahead.”

Christopher shook his head. “No. I know you are. Just come with me. I mean no harm, okay?” He said sincerely.

Eric was going to retort when his stomach grumbled almost immediately.

Christopher chuckled softly, “You see? That's a sign that you're definitely hungry and need something to eat. Please, don't try to retort again.”

He stood up and gestured toward the dining table. “Please, come with me.”

Eric couldn't help but keep silent as he stood up to follow him.

But just then a man rushed inside, his heart pounding. He halted immediately and saw Eric standing beside Christopher, a small, relieved smile creeping onto his face.

Eric blinked once, recognizing his face in an instant. It was the man who had bowed at his feet, calling him ‘young master,’ earlier.

He was shocked to see him.

“What is wrong, Andrew?” Christopher raised an eyebrow, asking. He turned to Eric immediately, “Please, proceed to the dining room and eat. I'll join you soon.”

He took Andrew outside, while Eric reluctantly walked toward the dining table. As he settled down and lifted the lids from each bowl, his eyes widened in great shock.

His throat went dry as if he had lost saliva.

The bowls were filled with different food. The first he opened was a bowl filled with fried rice with a mix of stir-fried vegetables like carrots, bell pepper, and broccoli to complement it.

The aroma wafted into his nose in an instant.

Followed was a bowl with stirred chicken and beef.

Next to all this, was a glass of wine.

Eric smiled, taking in the alluring odor of the food. “This is called ‘life’ in heaven,” he mumbled to himself. He turned to look at the door entrance but the old man's shadow was nowhere to be seen.

Eric felt like he couldn't wait any longer. “Didn't he say I should go ahead and that he'll be coming? Yes, he said so. Why wait then?”

Saying that, he grabbed the fork and knife wrapped in napkins.

Without hesitation, he started savoring the food, each bite, a large one.

“Hmm ... this is so…so delicious,” he said, nodding and licking his lips in approval. “The cook is definitely a good one,” he admitted.

He sipped his wine and set it back down, focusing mainly on the food.

Meanwhile, outside the corner, still within the four walls of the mansion, Christopher asked Andrew. “Did anything come up? You rushed in like someone being chased after.”

Andrew smiled. “Not really, sir. I was just rushing to check on the young master. My apologies if I made your heart race.”

He bowed his head in regard. “But how is he now?”

Christopher then smiled softly. “He just woke up not long ago, however, the doctor assured me that he's fine. That nothing happened to him.”

Andrew exhaled, relieved. “Oh, that's great news to hear. I'm happy our young master has finally been found.”

There was a hint of joy written over his face. “But sir,” he reluctantly started, “have you revealed to him who he truly is? I mean he isn't as wretched as he thinks. He's your grandson. Of course, the heir of your consortium.”

Christopher shook his head. “Not yet. I just want him to eat something before I can tell him all this.”

“That's perfect, sir,” Andrew tilted in agreement. “He should regain some strength first. That's very important.”

As the conversation ended, Christopher walked back into the room.

When he got there, he noticed Eric had finished eating.

Smiling he asked, “Done eating just now?”

Eric raised an eyebrow and he nodded. “Yes, sir. My stomach is filled. Thank you so much, sir, I really appreciate it.”

Just as he was about to drink the last remains of the wine, Christopher replied. “You need not thank me, this is your home.”