CHAPTER FIVE
Carl got down from the car and walked back into the hotel. His mind was filled with thoughts of how he was going to make sense of what was going on.
The man who had claimed to be his father had called and it felt very foreign for Carl to be called son. He needed someone to talk to, someone to tell that for the first time in his life, he was confused. But he had no one.
The only person that had been with him through everything had ended up betraying him when he needed help the most so he was alone. No one to lean on, no one to run to for comfort.
So he comforted himself. Carl lay in bed all night thinking about his life. What are things going to be like now?
A voice told him that he was supposed to be happy because now, he had everything that he had ever wanted. But even though he was a grown up man, he still had some scars from the past.
How did he get lost?
Did his parents not want him?
Did he have more family than Mr Stewart?
There was a time in his life where he had been in a very dark place. He almost ended it all if he had not been stopped by some stranger who was passing by. That stranger had been Matt.
Matt had saved his life back then and he owed it to his friend. After that day, the both of them became inseparable and Carl thought he had finally found someone who would be his family. Matt had a small company but it was successful and Carl had repeatedly asked for a space in his company.
Matt refused him several times and told him that he had no experience so he could take business classes if he really wanted a space. That was what pushed Carl into taking classes. Matt still turned him down when he returned with his certificate, claiming they weren't legally recognized.
Carl understood that Matt wanted him to feel dependent on him and he had no choice. Most of the time, Matt paid his bills, gave him money for food and every other thing. Now, he had taken back all the help he had rendered by sleeping with his wife.
Humans could never be trusted and Carl spent a better part of his night, thinking about how unfair life had been to him.
Rogers woke him up the next morning. This time he was with the doctor.
Good morning, Young Master. The doctor would just like to check on your health. Hell just be brief."
Carl let the doctor do his thing so he could go back to bed. He just wanted to lay in bed and fall asleep so he won't think about how complicated his life was.
Just take your medicine. You will be good soon."
He thanked the doctor as he departed from the room, leaving just Rogers staring at him.
Young master, is anything the matter? You seem particularly off."Rogers noted.
Did Carl really know what was wrong? There was this feeling of emptiness inside and he couldn't seem to get his mind off things.
Roger, what happened to my mother? I mean, how did I get lost?"
Roger sighed, not knowing whether to tell him the truth or not. The story was a sad one indeed and the fact that he was there when it all happened made it all the more endearing.
Young master, I believe that is a story for Mr Stewart to tell. It's not in my place to-"
Please. Just tell me truth. I deserve to know. "
He took pity on the young man and sighed. He truly did seem lost and he deserved some answers.
sat on a chair adjacent to the bed.
Your birth mother and your father got married early. They tried for many years to get a child all to no avail. Just when they gave up hope, your mother got pregnant. Mr Stewart was elated.
On the day of your birth, Mr Stewart was called to a meeting and he had to leave the country. A couple hours later, we got word that he had been kidnapped. The shock sent your mother into premature labor. "
The mark on my back, how did I get it?"
Roger's face fell.
That was fault, I guess. I left the room to answer a phone call and by the time I got back, there was blood all over your mother and you were crying so loudly. She had engraved the initials on your back because she was scared that the people who took your father would come for her and you too. So she wanted to be sure that I found you."
Carl was sitting intently and listening as Rogers told the tale.
Let me guess, the people got to her."
Rogers nodded.
Yes. They came and took your mother and you later that night. They asked for a ransom and even though your father paid it, your mother was killed in the whole ordeal. I'm guessing they took you as leverage. Your father was broken after everything happened."
Carl felt good to have a sense of what was going on. He finally had answers as to what happened in his life.
So what happens now? What's my life going to be like?"
Well, Mr Stewart has been looking forward to retiring. He needs you now, he needs you to step up and continue in his footsteps. Stewart Industries would thrive under a young man like you."
The room fell silent as Carl was in thought. All his life he had wondered what the future held for him. Now, he had more than he has ever dreamed of.
Carl was right. It was time for him to step up and live up to his new name. Peter Stewart.
His father was going to be back from his trip soon. He was going to make him proud.