THE CROWNLESS HEIR

Part 5: UNDERESTIMATED

“Do you still want to go to the office with Mr. Alexis’ favorite car, Sir?” A driver asks to Nicholai.

Nicholai smiles. Yesterday Nicholai just made a random choice to the car. He did not know that Alexis always used that car.

“Honestly, it is not a big deal for me to go to somewhere with a random car.” Nicholai says.

The driver nods and he chooses a red car for Nicholai before they go to the office.

Nicholai looks out the car window, feeling as though he are floating. Yesterday was not a good impression for him. Robert made Nicholai ashamed, he always mentioned that Nicholai is an illegitimate child. Even though Robert always said that he loved Nicholai as his biological brother, Nicholai knows that he lied. However, this is the destiny Nicholai had to face. On the other hand, his station in life was at least somewhat elevated. Once a poor pizza deliveryman betrayed by his wife and bereaved by his mother’s death, he could now enjoy delicious meals and live in a lavish mansion—all while his professional status skyrocketed.

“Is it not easy for you to do it, right, Sir?”

Nicholai is surprised. “Yes?”

“Forgive my presumption, Sir.” The driver looks reluctant. “I mean, everyone knows who are you and where are you from. I also know that it is impossible if Madame and your siblings love you.”

Nicholai smiles, he knows what does the driver mean. “I am used to it.”

“Pardon me, Sir.”

“No worries.”

Silence. The atmosphere grows incredibly awkward. The driver is afraid of saying the wrong thing, while Nicholai can’t be bothered to explain his part—especially given his current situation. He had no desire to overshare with just anyone.

They finally arrive to the BW Tech office.

“Good morning, Mr. Nicholai!” A security guard welcomes him again. He is the security guard who welcomed him yesterday.

“Good morning. Oh, what is your name? I want to know all of the workers here.” Nicholai asks.

“My name is Bryan, Sir.” The security guard says.

“Nice to meet you, Bryan. Thank you for welcoming me so well.” Nicholai says.

“You are welcome, Sir. Have a nice day.” Bryan bows his body, letting Nicholai comes in.

Nicholai walks from the parking lot to the building. He meets some workers who welcome him.

“Good morning, Mr. Nicholai!” Arnold welcomes Nicholai warmly. That man looks so happy today.

“You look so happy, Arnold.” Nicholai says.

“Yes, because today is the second day I meet you.”

Nicholai laughs.

“Oh, yesterday you had not seen your room, right? Come on, I will take you there, Sir.” Arnold brings Nicholai to the 13^th floor—the highest floor in this building, right below the rooftop.

Nicholai’s eyes wide the moment he arrives in his room—a room designed for hard work, featuring desks made of the sturdiest wood, a computer, a big TV, and several sofas for receiving guests. This room even much bigger than the house of his mother.

Nicholai is stunned when he sees a nameplate on the desk reads ‘Nicholai Blackwood – CEO’. He still does not believe that now—the pizza deliveryman—is a CEO.

“Is—is it my room? My own room?” Nicholai asks unbelievably.

“Yes, Sir, it is your own room.” Arnold replies.

“It is too big.” Nicholai whispers.

Arnold laughs. “It is your right as a CEO here, Sir. There is your private bathroom.” Arnold points to the corner in this room.

Nicholai walks towards the corner. He opens the bathroom door.

“God!” Nicholai is surprised. This bathroom is also bigger than his old room when Nicholai still lived together with Alicia.

“I think I would not be surprised when I saw a pool here.” Nicholai says.

Arnold laughs again.

“Oh, by the way, where is the woman?” Nicholai asks while his eyes look around.

“The woman?” Arnold thinks confused.

“Yes, the woman was with you yesterday.”

“Oh, you mean Jessica?”

“Yes.”

“I do not know. Maybe she is—”

“Excuse me, Mr. Nicholai. I am so sorry, I am so late.” Jessica—a beautiful young woman just comes with her messy hair and sweaty.

“Oh, Lord, Jessica, where did you go? Why are you so sweaty? You did a marathon run?” Arnold is surprised.

Jessica wipes her sweat shyly. “I am so sorry, Mr. Nicholai, Mr. Arnold, there was a traffic jam. I do not know why so many buses around this city today, my bus could not move,” Jessica replies.

“It is okay, Jessica.” Nicholai says.

Nicholai looks around his room for a few minutes, sometimes he looks at the city from the window in his room.

“I can’t believe it.” Nicholai mutters.

“What?” Arnold asks. He thinks that Nicholai talked to him.

“Oh, no, I talked to myself. I know it is kind of weird and crazy, but I always do it.” Nicholai says awkwardly.

Arnold and Jessica look at each other, then follow Nicholai to laugh together even though their laughs are awkward.

“Can we start it now, Sir?” Arnold asks carefully.

“Yes, please. I want to know about BW Tech better first.” Nicholai looks so enthusiastic.

Nicholai asks Arnold and Jessica to sit on the sofa.

“It is the annual report for this five years, Sir. You can learn it.” Arnold hands several sheets of paper to Nicholai.

Nicholai nods, receiving the paper and starting to read it. Occasionally, his forehead furrows. Reading a large company’s report chart like this is certainly something Nicholai had never done before. Nicholai was used to fieldwork, delivering pizzas. He was not used to this kind of work, so it took Nicholai quite some time to understand it.

“Do you want me to explain it to you, Sir?” Jessica, seemingly aware of what Nicholai was thinking, offered to help.

“Oh, of course. Thank you so much, Miss Jessica.”

“Here are several charts; sales, expenses, exports, and investor acceptance. In 2006, we reached peak sales with an almost 600 percent increase from 2005. This increase was in line with the expenses BW Tech had to purchase supporting materials. Exports in 2006 also increased, BW Tech reached peak export sales to Argentina. However, in the last three years, sales have declined. This was exacerbated after Mr. Alexis became ill and passed away. Investors for BW Tech are also increasingly limited.” Jessica explains patiently.

Nicholai tries to stick to the charts.

“BW Tech is BW Corp’s largest subsidiary. However, its revenue has been declining.” Jessica continues.

“Come on, let’s develop BW Tech again!”

***

“Steak?” Robert frowns when he sees steak served among the array of sumptuous dishes that night.

“Robert, remember that we have a new member who is … you know, poor. Since the first time he came here, he has been served luxurious dishes which he is not used to. I am afraid his poor stomach can’t handle such luxurious dishes. So, I think adding steak would not be bad.” Ivana says with a sly smile towards Nicholai.

Nicholai lowers his head. He knows he will be bullied like this forever. But that is the consequence of being an illegitimate child, is not it? Nicholai has no choice but to accept it.

“Enjoy your meal!” Ivana exclaims, starting today’s dinner.

Nicholai looks silent, starting at the rows of cutlery that Nicholai had never even used.

“What is it?” Julio asks in a mocking tone, as if he knew what Nicholai’s weakness was.

Nicholai shakes his head. Independently, he picks up the spoon, making his two brothers and sisters-in-law laugh.

“I thought everyone in this world was smart, but I was wrong. There is a fool who unfortunately is even my brother.” Robert laughs.

“Mom, look how stupid he is! He is going to eat steak with a spoon?” Julio chims in, moved.

Ivana shakes her head. “Waiters, please, bring Chef Justin Hughes to teach him table manners. I can’t stand his stupidity.”