The thought of having that man as my father gave me goosebumps, I was so distracted that I wore the clothes inside out while I was deep in thoughts.
But thinking about won't get me anywhere. I have to see facts with my own eyes, all I could do is cast away all my negativity, and be optimistic hoping for my thoughts to turn out to be wrong.
After I was done changing clothes which took me almost an hour because it was so taxing on my weakened body.
I was kind of disappointed leaving the hospital room because that adjustable bed felt comfy, I wished if I could stay there longer. But I have to find out more about the boy I am in his body. So I had to leave…
It's been so long since I have walked on the ground, I was walking with a big smile on my face like a toddler who just started walking. Even though it was a hurdle on my body, I didn't mind the pain, I was just happy feeling alive again.
As I was walking down the hospital's corridors following the exit signs, I noticed that all the nurses, doctors, and even patients were looking at me, with disgust in their eyes, as if I am some sort of a scarecrow. They would avoid me whenever I try to talk to any of them. So I just walked past them holding my head up not caring about them.
When I got out of the hospital, the old man was waiting for me outside, under the blazing sun, his shadow on the ground crept all the way to me. It must have been midday.
I have made him wait for me in this burning hot weather, while I was lazily changing my clothes in my cooled hospital room.
I hurried towards him, keeping my head down, looking at the ground, as I was following his shadow.
As soon as I was close enough to the man "the source of shadow", I apologized to him saying,
"Sorry...Sorry for making you wait long for me"
The man smiled warmly at me and said with a hoarse voice,
"Don't worry, young master. It's my job after all. Let's go back home so that you could rest up, you have just woken up."
Even though he didn't mind waiting for me, I felt guilty, making an elderly wait for me for a little over an hour in such weather. So I kept my head down as I walked behind him.
The old man led the way to a black luxurious car,
It was so expensive that its price could finance all my family's needs for a whole year.
A car's purpose is supposed to be only transport. However, that car's purpose was to boast in front of every passerby who looks at it.
As we came closer to the car, the old man hurried ahead of me to open the back door. Then he bent his aged back to put his forearm above the door to protect me from pumping my head as I get into the car. He did all that so smoothly that it gave away that he is my driver for sure.
I was taken back by how caring that old man was towards me; since it was midday the car was so hot from exposure to the sun. However, he suppressed his own pain and put his forearm on it for my own safety. I started wondering what could have happened between that old man and this boy that would make him go so far for this boy's sake.
When I got into the car, the air inside was cool, the old man must have turned on the AC a while ago. There were mineral water bottles and snacks inside the car as well. He was also driving the car with the minimal possible speed; As I have just gotten out of the hospital. The old man provided me with everything I could ask for without even bragging or even bringing out that he did it.
As I was sitting on the backseat, I was looking outside through the door glass, there were many buildings that I knew about already, but there were some new ones as well, I was looking at them behind the glass, like a kid looking at a gacha machine waiting for his prize.
As I was looking outside as buildings passed by, I saw a big advertisement that said, "40% discount...this offer is available till 15th May 2030!"
As I saw this ad , I laughed out loud saying, "Haha… This offer is available for 10 years!" While pointing at it.
The old man laughed pretentiously saying, "You are so funny, young master. It's only 10-days offer."
"10 days?!" I almost choked on my spit on hearing that.
"What is the date today?" I asked.
"It's 5th May 2030, young Master." he replied.
So I was trapped for a whole 10 years in that void…
I stayed in a state of disbelief the whole road until we made it to a big gate, I looked to the left and to the right of the gate, but I couldn't see the end of the fencing wall even when I squinted my eyes.
As the door opens, I see greeneries on both sides with a lot of trees and flowers, there were many gardeners watering them as well.
The way from the gate to the actual mansion took about 5-10 minutes on the car, which shows how big the garden around the mansion was.
When we got in front of the mansion, he swiftly got out of the car to open the door for me. I didn't want to burden him anymore so I quickly opened the door myself from inside and got out.
As I stood in front of the mansion's main door, I realized how tall it was, to see the top of the door, I raised my head so high that I almost tripped over on my back but the old man supported.
The old man went ahead and knocked on the door gently twice and the door opened slowly with so loud creaking noise.
The entrance of the mansion was so spacious and there were imported furniture and paintings from famous artists all over the place, the whole floor was covered by carpets made of expensive materials as well.
There were dozens of maids lined up on both sides of the entrance waiting for me, as soon the door opened they all bowed in one tone greeting me,
"Welcome back, young master!"
As I took the first step into the mansion I could feel my own blood getting colder, I don't know why. But for sure this isn't a good sign. However, I can't run away, I have to find out more about this boy so that I can change his fate. So I took the second step in.
One of the maids who were standing called for the old man who was behind me as I got into the mansion.
"Psss…Psss… Alfred!" the maid called.
The old man went to her and she started whispering something into his ear.
"So that old man's name was Alfred." I thought to myself.
After they were done talking the old man came towards and told me while stuttering,
"Y-young master…"
"M-master have called up for you in his study"