"G-Grandfather, I-I was lost for a moment it was like I was floating and th-"
"And then you managed to find Mr. Sebastian's energy. I know, you don't have to be so disappointed about it. It isn't easy for anyone the first time. You will learn gradually." said Robert, interrupting Haytham who was trying to explain himself.
"So are we in Mr. Sebastian's subconsciousness right now?" asked Haytham while looking around, "And why is everything so dark?"
"Yes we are currently in his subconsciousness; as for the reason of the all around darkness is that it takes time for our energies to find the balance with the host's energy. You'll see in a moment." explained Robert.
As soon as he said that, their surroundings began to distort. The darkness quickly vanished, replaced by blinding lights causing Haytham to shut his eyes instantly. When the light started to slowly fade he opened his eyes slowly. He looked around and his surroundings had transformed into a very big office.
The office was filled with many cubicles. With everyone working busily. Haytham looked outside the window and noticed that they were high up in a very tall tower. The office was probably on the 26th floor. He looked back towards his grandfather and noticed that his gaze was fixed on something; he followed his gaze and noticed that there were 3 glass cabins and in one of the cabins was Sebastian.
On the glass door, it was written 'Sebastian Miller - Head of Accounting'. Suddenly a woman walked into the cabin and said something to Sebastian; upon which his facial expression became conflicted. After a few seconds he got up; put on his jacket and started following the woman.
"Let's go. We must follow them." said Robert as he started walking.
Haytham hurriedly did as instructed and caught up to his grandfather. While walking Haytham tried to interact with people but his hand would always go through them as if they were holograms.
"Where are we now grandfather?" Haytham asked curiously.
"In his memories. In order to find the root cause of these nightmares we explore the host's memories. Through the memories we can find out which events and situations put pressure on the host and cause them to be susceptible to nightmares." explained Robert.
They were now standing outside a conference room. In it was Sebastian who looked nervous, the woman who guided Sebastian and sitting at the main chair of the conference room was another man in a black expensive looking suit. The man in the black suit had an intimidating aura. An outsider could tell that the man in the black suit commanded the room, with his stone cold gaze terrifying anyone who witnessed it.
Robert opened the door to the conference room and walked in nonchalantly with Haytham in tow.
"I hear there were some problems in accounts, Miller?" said the man in the black suit in a cold tone.
"U-Uh I wouldn't call it a problem really!! It's just a tiny bit of a misunderstanding Mr. Armstrong." said Sebastian who was sweating buckets.
"Really? And what is this misunderstanding?" asked the man named Armstrong.
Sebastian looked at the woman near him and said hesitantly, "It is about the Midwells project."
Armstrong quickly understood what Sebastian meant; he instructed the woman, "You may go now, if I need anything else then I will give you a call."
The woman quickly did as she was instructed and left the room; leaving Sebastian alone with Armstong.
"Now feel free to speak your mind." said Armstrong.
"Well, I was told that the Midwells proposition was accepted. Is it true?"
"Yes. It is true."
"Oh, good, then..th..the money wasn't deposited in my account. So I was wondering if there was a delay or something."
"What money." said Armstrong in a calm tone, however for Sebastian that simple question was enough to drain the colour of his face.
"Are you jok- What do you mean? I am talking about the money you promised me." asked Sebastian struggling to grasp the situation.
*Sigh* "It seems there is a misunderstanding indeed. What promise?" asked Armstrong with a puzzled face.
"THE PROMISE!! When Midwell came to us with their budgeting problems, I came up with a solution by finding loopholes in the government schemes. They promised us $50 million dollars as commission and you promised me half of it as a reward. So where is my money?" said a visibly frustrated Sebastian.
"Hmm, when you say us, who do you mean exactly? Is it you? Is it me?" said Armstrong comfortably leaning back in his chair, "Let me tell you what THEY meant by US. Us in this promise means the very company you work for. So the money rightfully went to our company. When a client comes to us with a problem, coming up with a solution for them is your job as its employee and you get your salary for it."
"BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR PROMISE?" yelled Sebastian.
After being yelled at, Armstrong's nonchalant expression changed into a terrifying displeased one, he put his hands on the table and calmly said, "Do you have any proof of this so-called Promise?"
Hearing that one sentence was enough for Sebastian to stop breathing for a few seconds. His heart rate shot up and his pupils started to shake, his hands were shivering. Anyone could tell this man was close to losing it.
"How could you do this to me? I trusted you. I've given 20 years of my life to this company. You used me; and now you are treating me as if I am nothing?" said Sebastian who was very close to crying.
He had started working at the company when he was 22 years old as a junior accountant. After 20 years of hard work, a lot of creative ideas and complete loyalty; he was betrayed by one man he trusted the most.
"Don't say that. I've always treated you fairly for your hard work. Your ideas made me a lot of money and I always made sure that you knew you were appreciated. Some might even say that I've treated you like a brother." after a pause Armstrong got up from his chair and said, "It's just that, when the time came for me to choose between you and a sh*t load of money, I chose the latter. Besides you have gotten a bit old and so have your ideas, it is time to retire. I trust you can show yourself out."
After saying his piece, Armstrong left the room leaving behind Sebastian who looked like his soul had left his body.