Chapter 1

A rumbling sound emanated from Jack’s stomach, indicating worms that were screaming for food.

Even though his eyes were continuously fixed on the monitor screen, the sound made it hard for him to focus on anything else.

Checking his wristwatch, Jack saw it was only 3:30 pm and he groaned with frustration. “Why do I have to be hungry at the wrong time?”

He hadn't eaten before he left for work, as his wife, Nancy, had refused him access to the kitchen that morning.

Sitting up, he couldn't help but let out a deep, disappointing sigh. His mind swirled back to his college days when Nancy fell head over heels for him. He was her college heartthrob with his impressive IQ.

Nancy went against her dad's wishes to be with him, even getting pregnant. Nancy’s father, a big shot, didn't think Jack, a mere accountant, could ever take care of her.

But things changed after they tied the knot. It went from Nancy falling in love to falling out of love with him when she hit it big and became a household name. She barely saw anything good in Jack, as she did not see any hope for the future with him.

Jack had tried showing her how much he loved her, but her pride was a wall he couldn't break through. At that point, it was safe to say that he did not have the same financial and social status as his wife.

Slowly, he dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out his worn-out wallet. Stripping it open, there was just $20 in there. There was no way that would get him food and his transportation fare to and fro before he received his monthly salary the next day. He decided to keep it for his transportation fare, hoping that he could stick it out, and then when he got home after work, he could finally grab something to eat.

Jack slumped back in his chair, tired and frustrated. Likewise, he rubs his cheek and then messes with his silky black hair, thinking about how stuck he feels in his boring accounting job at San Diego hotels.

He works so hard but never has anything significant to show for it. He puts in extra hours just to keep things perfect, but it doesn't seem to matter. The frustration tightens his face, making him wrinkle and frown.

“Why is your face like that?” Josh, a new staff member in Jack’s department who was still on probation for two months after he got employed, asked less concerned.

Jack was startled out of his thoughts but put on a poker face. “Don't you think I deserve a promotion or a raise?” he asked Josh.

“Okay, if you feel you deserve it, why not tell the boss?”

“Mcheeww,” Jack sighed. “I have been thinking about it, but I am just scared of letting him know.”

“Scared of what again, you are now scared of what you deserve?” He was being sarcastic, but Jack understood the assignment. “You won't concentrate on your job. This is month-end. I hope you are done with working on the payroll because I can't wait to get my alert tomorrow or latest next tomorrow. If you like, keep waiting for a bonus.”

Being a cranky person, Josh hasn't missed a chance to talk down on him for every little thing since he started working.

“That was rather too harsh,” Jack had thought that his colleague would support what he said, knowing fully well how much effort he put into work.

“Don't think too highly of yourself; you are just like every other staff member here.”

Even though Josh knew he just lied, it seemed like he enjoyed looking out for ways to make Jack feel less good about himself. He knew Jack deserved the entitlement he had talked to him about.

Besides, Jack has been there for three years, starting as an intern right after he came out of college as the best graduating student in the accounting department. Aside from that, Jack has worked his ass out and was known for his excellent accounting skills in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and auditing. He was exceptional at what he did, but nobody ever admitted it to his face.

Jack ignored both Josh and the worms rumbling in his empty stomach to let his brain concentrate on his job. His phone rang; he glimpsed beside his computer, where he kept his old Android phone, to behold the caller. He frowned, seeing the caller’s ID. Despite his reluctance, he still picked up the call.

“Hello, you stopped taking my call.” The voice on the other end said.

“So? Say what you have to say, I'm at work." He paused for a second. “I presume it's not the same thing you’ve been saying.”

“It is, but you have…”

Jack interrupted the call, blocked the caller’s number, and slightly threw the phone on the table.

The caller was Jack's grandfather's butler. He had always called to inform him that he had a proposal from his grandfather, but Jack had always cut him off.

Jack had grown to despise everything that had to do with his maternal grandfather, who had disowned his biological daughter because she got married to Jack's dad. And Jack believed that was what caused her mom’s death immediately after she birthed his younger sister, Joan.

Jack had also promised his father on his dying bed five years ago that he wouldn't have anything to do with his maternal grandfather. The pain was still fresh in his heart, like everything just happened the previous day.

“Ding dong…”

The insistent chirp of his phone cut through the silence.

“Not again; is he calling with another phone number?” He muttered to himself and he reached for his phone on his table.

“Hello”

“Is this Jack Ford?” The female caller on the other line asked.

“Yes, who am I speaking with?”

“This is Nurse Linda from the general hospital.” She said, “I’m calling to inform you that your sister, Joan Ford, has been admitted to the hospital and your attention is needed urgently.”

A wave of anxiety washed over Jack as he said rapidly, “Okay, I'll be there soon.” Jack ended the call. His mind was filled with worry. Without thinking twice, Jack said to Josh, “I need to leave now. My sister was admitted, and the hospital just called my attention to it.”