After I had gone through the necessary checkup, it was claimed that my physical health was as good as it could be. Hence, after some random nagging from a therapist, and some medicines given free of cost by the Kibea corporation, I ran back to my apartment.
Although Scarlett had offered me a ride back to my house, I rejected it. It wasn't like I didn't like riding in my favourite car, it was the opposite. I liked it so much that I didn't want to ride it and get too used to it. It'd make it hard for me to ride my gas bike later on.
I just hired a cab for the ride back home. After reaching my home, I started thinking about what had happened and I couldn't help but feel anxious.
'Please dear god, if you exist, don't let anyone dig any more of my past.'
I prayed insincerely and then started thinking about my future options.
But first of all.
I took out my cell phone, and dialled the only contact that was the most urgent.
[Mary Winter]
After ringing twice, my boss picked up my call.
— Oh, hello Mr Grey, how are the vacations going?
Mary's sarcastic voice managed to carry its sarcasm through the cell phone as I smiled awkwardly and greeted her.
"Hehe, boss. You know, it wasn't on purpose. I was out cold for more than 2 days. I–"
I tried to explain but was cut off by Mary as she interrupted me.
—- Yeah, I know dumbass. The Kibea Corporation informed me about the incident, they called everyone important in your life. Surprisingly, after your family, it was me and me alone? How lucky of me, right?
"Ha…haha."
I laughed awkwardly at that. It was true I stayed away from making any friends at all during college time, and I dropped out before anyone could even get near me. To most people, I looked like some handsome and rich second generation, which made it hard for them to approach me during my college time.
'If only they knew.'
I chuckled inwardly.
—- Flynn, how long are you going to keep this facade? I know you are capable of way more than what you are right now. Just why are you keeping up with this? Anyway, I have managed to convince the company to not kick you, but I can't assure you for how long. Consider this the last favour I am doing for you as your old senior.
Yes, that was right. Mary Winter wasn't just my boss, but also a senior during my college years. Among the hoards of hundreds of students who couldn't even talk to me, she, as the president of the student council, would always look after me.
In fact, when I decided to drop out of college due to money problems, she had even offered to pay for my studies. But I rejected the offer, unsure whether I should even be talking to someone and dragging them in my life more than necessary.
"Yes, I'll take care of it and try not to mess up another time. If there is a next time, then I won't blame you."
—- Sigh! Flynn? Why did you have to drop out… You were such an intelligent student. You could have been much more than what you are now. You are not destined for this. This… this small-time moderator, do you really like this job? Are you really content with the life that you are living right now?
"Boss–"
I tried to interrupt but got cut off again.
—- Boss my ass! You aren't at work right now, call me Mary like you used to. What's your problem dumbass? Why are you torturing yourself with this life, when you can be much more? Okay, take my words with a grain of salt! I don't care about it. But think of your family for once? Do you think you are doing something noble? Making them live this miserable life, drowning in loans… What do you even want?
Hearing her words, realisation finally hit me.
What have I been doing? What do I want? Why have I been living the miserable life that I had till now?
Oh yes, because I had a miserable past that I had been trying to forget.
Do I have any rights to make my family suffer with me though?
No, I don't.
"Bo- Mary. I want to complete my graduation."
***
On the other side of the call.
—- Bo- Mary. I want to complete my graduation.
Mary, who heard Flynn's words, couldn't help but smile warmly. She had been sad ever since she heard that Flynn was dropping out of college.
She was three years older than Flynn, and Flynn had just joined the college when she was in her last year. But after the first semester, Flynn suddenly decided to drop out.
Not like anyone cared about it, since he was someone who had no friends or acquaintances, except one. That one exception was Mary. Flynn talked to her out of obligations that the teachers forced on him.
As the president of the student council, Mary talked with Flynn on various occasions. But once during the school's cultural festival, Mary was getting harassed by her fellow classmates. They were jealous of her beauty and grades and thought that Mary always put on airs in front of them when she was just being herself.
Mary was fighting back and fending well for herself, but she was clearly outnumbered.
During that time, the always quiet and silent student named Flynn was passing by with his headphones on. Although he wanted to ignore the bullying and just walk his way, he wasn't able to ignore it when one of the girls brutally pulled Mary's hair while others were holding her limbs.
He threw his bag on a girl's face and she immediately fell down. In the next moment, the girl who was pulling Mary's hair was crying out in pain.
"Be ready to be hunted every time you go out to hunt."
Flynn threw the girl saying that and soon, all the girls ran away. Mary, who was quite the proud girl back then, still lowered her ego and thanked Flynn. After that, even when Flynn ignored her, Mary would come up with notices, activity posters, or just about anything just to talk with Flynn.
Although Flynn was mostly silent, he would sometimes solve some of her dilemmas with one simple sentence, evaluating his worth in Mary's eyes. That's why, when he suddenly said that he is dropping out of college because he didn't have enough money to pay for his next semester, Mary was absolutely stupefied.
How can this guy not have money?
That was the first question that rose in Mary's mind. After all, from how neat and tidy his uniform was, plus how the college was one of Delta City's most famous colleges, Mary had thought that Flynn belonged to a well-off family.
Later, she had even offered to pay his fees, since she had enough money saved to at least be able to afford that, but he had straight out rejected the idea.
After her graduation was complete, Mary decided to work for a famous company in Delta and eventually became one of the department heads of the same company. During recruitment, she couldn't hide her shock when she saw Flynn's resume.
There weren't many companies that gave chances to dropouts, and hence, Mary pulled all her strings and succeeded in securing Flynn in her department.
But to her surprise, in the 2 years that they hadn't met, Flynn had completely changed. The guy who wouldn't speak a word unless forced to now had a glib tongue like that of a seasoned salesman.
She could just imagine the amount of work that Flynn had done to keep his family afloat and pay for his brother's fees.
Now, she suddenly got a call from Kibea Corporation, undoubtedly the world's number one company, that Flynn had passed out due to some reason and that they would pay for the losses incurred due to his absence.
Now, this came as a surprise to Mary. She couldn't believe that Flynn was a random nobody if he had succeeded in gaining the support of Kibea Corporation.
Not to mention that she always had her doubts, because Flynn's mom and brother look too average and different to be his blood relatives.
She had many guesses, but her prime guess was something she was getting sure of by every passing moment.
Flynn was the guy who had gotten the legendary class.
Before this, Mary didn't even know that Flynn paid [Mayhem] or not, but somehow when she thought about the call from Kibea Corporation and Flynn's nature, she became more and more sure of her guess.
Considering his nature, it was very plausible that he would not announce to the world if he got the legendary class.
And why did he stay away from popularity? Why did he not want any attention to himself? What was he trying to hide that he even ran away from the money that his family needs so badly?
Flynn was full of mysteries to Mary, and she wanted to learn more about his mysteries. But for her, the priority was to get his mind straight and get back to the world, as a person who possessed enough brains to change it.
"So… Do you want my help? Or are you going to reject it again like some hotshot?"
Mary asked sarcastically. Although she had always supported Flynn, she didn't want him to feel like she was doing too much for him. That's why she was always strict and sarcastic with him.
—- Well, it would really be a big help if you can lend a hand, Mary.
'So even you know how to swallow your pride? How cute.'
Mary thought inwardly as she replied.
"I will talk to my father about it, you can expect a good response. Anything else?"
—- No, nothing. Let's play [Mayhem] together sometime. If you're free, boss.
Flynn emphasised the word 'boss' when he said that, making Mary chuckle. In the 22nd century, asking a young adult if they played [Mayhem] was a foolish question. So the question was always 'would you play with me?'.
"Is this a date invitation?"
Mary bit her lips. Even though she was joking, she was still expectant of the reply. She had already learnt about his username from Kibea corporation when they called her, so she could just search him up easily.
—- If you say so. You can call it more of a junior and alumni reunion, I guess?
"Haha, alright. When do you want to meet me then?"
—- Not anytime soon. I am stuck in a place from which I can't get out yet.
"....."
Mary was speechless as to why he even bothered asking her to play with him when they can't even meet.
"By the way, I have already submitted an indefinite sick leave for you. So you should take more rest before coming to work."
Mary suddenly remembered something and said.
—- Ah, thanks a lot! I don't know why my boss has suddenly become so nice to me but I won't decline the kindness. Not anymore. And I think I might have found my solace, so pray that I don't have to get back to work anymore after this leave.
Flynn said as he was expectant of things in the Abyss. And his newfound motivation to get his family out of poverty was at an all-time high.
...
//DreamNote//
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