On Saturday, I went alone to the archery club as the boys had some work and errands to take care of but we planned on meeting up for dinner at 7:30pm in Chris and Jaime's room. I had arrived at the archery club with my equipment and was getting ready for practice after doing some stretch exercises, when I sensed heat and smoke on my left side, and right away I knew it was 'black hood.' I took my bow, placed my arrow on the bow and as I was getting ready to shoot, turned and glared at 'black hood' while firing my arrow, "welcome back 'black hood' then turned and saw my arrow had landed straight in the middle of the yellow circle. I placed another arrow on my bow, when 'black hood' begun speaking about my parents. I was about to fire when I turned and aimed the arrow straight at 'black hood' and although it was just the 'black hood' no body structure, no face but red and green eyes glaring at me fiercely!! "What did you find out about my parents," I asked. 'Black hood' said, "Your parents travelled to Europe for a business trip then travelled to Asia but not sure which country, but they are doing well." I turned and fired my arrow at the target, turned around and looked at 'black hood' saying, "That doesn't sound right, because when I heard their last three voice messages, they said they were doing fine and this was back in September, I replied sending three voice messages requesting they call me back either voice or video call, but have not heard from them ever since. I also flew to Chicago to meet with Cynthia, the HR Supervisor who is also in charge of the CEO and Director's travel itinerary, something I didn't know was about my mum being the Director of the company. All Cynthia knew was they were travelling in Europe and Asia and that was it, she did fill me in on some interesting things about the company and my dad's brother Uncle Kim and the fact that there is a possibility that Uncle Kim wants to take over my parents company." I don't know why but the minute I mentioned 'Uncle Kim,' smoke started coming out of the hood, and the eyes were red with fury. I wanted to ask questions, but decided against as it was not a good time from seeing 'black hood's reaction. I told 'black hood' that Cynthia and I will keeping in touch and reporting any information or anything suspicious that is going on in the company especially with the board members. When it had reached seven in the evening, I started packing my equipment and asked 'black hood' to continue digging deeper especially about my parents' whereabouts as I have a feeling it may very well be connected to the board members and Uncle Kim. Again the mention of his name kept infuriating 'black hood' and it was not looking good. 'Black hood' disappeared leaving a message, "I will do everything I can to find out about your parents and get back to you, we will be in touch." I replied, "thank you," and left the archery club headed back to the university.
On my way back to the university, I noticed something suspicious, there were three guys, standing next to a convenient store smoking and chatting, when I passed them, and they dropped their cigarettes and started following me; at first I pretended not to notice and was making left and right turns to avoid them following me to my university. I took out my phone to call Chris, Jaime and Anderson, but then decided against it and kept on walking and this was already night time, very dark and cold. I started thinking how to distract them and had to come up with an idea fast; started speed walking, then made a very quick turn to the left in an alley and stood there waiting for them. When they arrived, I looked at them saying, "You guys lost or looking for trouble, I would suggest using my finger, turning around and heading back to where you came from, otherwise it will not be a pretty ending." They stood there laughing at me obviously wondering what this little mixed colored girl can do to us. "Seriously, you think you can take on three of us grown men against you?" One of them said and they all laughed. As they started walking towards me, I put my equipment down, stretched my hands, tilted my head to the left and gave them a glare with a smirk, then tilted my head to the right and smoke had already started coming out of both hands as my eyes turned red, which meant only one thing, I was pissed and these foolish men were clearly wasting my time. When one of them went to grab me, I was already standing behind them, I grabbed the middle guy punched him in his face and chest kung fu style sending him flying to the wall at the end of the alley. I looked at the other two gentlemen tilting my head to the left and right motioning for them to come with my two fingers, when they rushed towards me, I jumped up using both legs and struck them on their chests sending them flying to the walls and I watched them land on their feet holding their chests. I leaned down at them, glared at them with a smirk, got my equipment and walked on heading back to my university, but before I turned to the left, looked back at them one more time, did a salute and vanished into the darkness. I walked for about five minutes then stopped and looked back, then looked at both my hands and was pretty shaken as I didn't know what just happened, as I continued walking 'black hood' appeared on my right side and I could hear the sound of hands clapping saying "well done, you are now beginning to understand and learn how to use your strength and power to defend yourself against your enemy." "But I didn't know what was going on, how was I able to defend and defeat those three guys without even flinching?" I said. I continued, "But I have to say it was pretty cool, jumping in the air and using my kung fu to fight them." 'Black hood' laughed saying, "These are just one of the many skills and talents you have, you will soon find out that you have more ability and power than you think," and as I was going to say something 'black hood' disappeared. I turned around only to realize I was standing right outside the university gate. I got myself together, walked in and went straight to my dormitory, when I got to the reception area, Chris, Jaime and Anderson were waiting for me as they had not heard from me, nor did I respond to their texts and it as already going to 9PM. I didn't want to tell them what had happened as I didn't even know where to start to explain how I almost got beaten up by three guys in alley but I beat them and left them in pain in the alley, that I have kung fu and jumping abilities to hit people sending them flying to the ground and had a conversation with 'black hood' about my skills, talents and ability…..as I was speaking and recalling the alley scene in my head…..clearly they would not believe me, no one would so just told them, "I wanted to practice archery for a little longer, my apologies for not replying to your calls or messages, but I am OK as you can see, sorry guys." I hugged and gave them a kiss which put a smile on their faces. "Diana, next time, do pick up your phone or at least text us so we don't get worried and start losing our minds, OK," said Anderson, "Yeah you got us very worried and had we not heard from you by 10PM, we were going to call the police," said Jaime and Chris. I was now feeling bad and apologized once again, giving them a hug and a kiss. We each returned to our rooms for the evening wishing each other goodnight and would touch base tomorrow morning.
When I returned to my room, I took a breather, looked at myself in the mirror, flashed back to the alley and everything that had happened which I was still in shock, but had to start acknowledging that whatever power, strength and ability I possessed, it was something I was never able to erase or get rid of it, but to embrace it, learn how to use it as well as control it. After showering, prepared everything I needed for tomorrow, set my alarm for 6AM to be able to wake up early to review and prepare for my exams, switched off the lights and was off to bed.
The next morning at 6 woke up, prepared coffee while taking a shower, afterwards relaxed on my bed with coffee, toast and a pastry and my reading materials. I was able to focus and retain all the information and review materials for the two exams and even did a self test to check my answers. By lunch time I was done with my review for both exams and decided to take a quick short nap as I was feeling sleepy. As I fell asleep, a vision of my parents' came to my mind, we were all walking on a dusty path, but they were walking on one side as I was walking on the other side. I was laughing and enjoying myself, but all over sudden, I could not move anymore, while my parents continued walking. I started screaming mum, dad, wait for me, don't leave me here, but they didn't hear me, even when my mum turned, she kept on waving for me to hurry up but I couldn't, next thing I saw my parents by the lake, they were standing over the side of the lake, I tried to move, tried to shake loose but nothing worked. I screamed mum, dad with tears running down my face, saying, "Don't leave me, please don't leave me, I am still here." I woke up in horror and sweat all over my head and body, told myself, "it was just a dream, only a dream, all will be OK." I took my phone to check the time and it was already three in afternoon, got up and washed my face, when I suddenly felt a strange pain in my chest, a very sharp pain, thought must have been from the archery, kung fu stunts I did yesterday. I decided to lie down for a bit on my bed when my phone rang and it was the boys checking up on me to see how I was doing. We made early dinner plans for 5:30 so that we could get back early to review and sleep early as they had exams tomorrow.
We returned around 7:30 in the evening, gave each other hugs wishing each other all the best in their review and studies for their exams tomorrow, and then returned to our rooms. When I returned to my room, took a shower, studied and reviewed one last time for my exams from 8:30 to 10:30pm, and by 11pm my brain was already tired and was feeling sleepy. I set my alarm for 7AM, turned off the lights and went to bed. Monday morning, December 12th rolled in and was up by 7AM, I quickly sent a message to the boys wishing them all the best in their exams today and would see them later in the evening. Once that was done, I spent the entire day in my room; cleaned my room, did my laundry, listened to music and watched a couple of movies just to relax my mind. I treated myself to Italian lunch; Spaghetti Bolognese, salad, dessert and a drink, watched two more movies, and had a nap until four in the afternoon. When I woke up, was feeling so refreshed and full of energy which was such a relief; decided to review and study for the last time before dinner and two hours after before going to sleep; had planned to be in bed before 11AM, which would give me sufficient hours of sleep, ready and full of energy for my exams the next day. The boys and I met for dinner at 5:30, decided to eat in one of the restaurants on campus; we were back in our rooms by 7:30 in the evening. After showering and brushing my teeth, spent the next two hours doing my final review for tomorrow and Wednesday's exams; I was in bed by 11PM with my alarm set for 6AM the next day.
The next morning was up ready, prepared for the day and for my final exam. I left my dormitory at 7:30AM; I had sent a message to the boys wishing them all the best in their exams as I was walking to my exam classroom. Our exam started sharp 8 with not a minute less; the exam was for two hours finishing at 10AM. After finishing my exam, I was very confident submitting my paper as I felt the exam was fair, straightforward with questions as the professors had mentioned during our review week.
For my last and final exam which was on Wednesday December 14th, it was no different from the exam I did the previous day, all the review content, information and questions we had been given by our professor was in the exam. I felt so confident with no stress and pressure doing this exam, at one point was even smiling at the questions, but of course for both exams, had to review to ensure that all questions were answered and the answers were to the teachers' expectations. When I submitted my exam paper and were dismissed from the exam room, I walked out of the building, lifted both hands telling myself, "It is finally over, the exams were over and the first semester of my third year at Boston University and it was now vacation time. Although I was very excited that the semester had finally come to an end, I still had the ongoing situation with my parents' to sort out which was now going to be my primary focus for the winter vacation.
After we had all finished our exams, we were excited and overjoyed that the first semester was over and we had officially started the winter vacation. I had expected that Chris, Jaime and Anderson would be flying back to Chicago to spend the winter holiday including Christmas and New Year with their parents, but they had not made any plans, in fact they were not flying back to Chicago as they wanted to assist and support me with the ongoing situation of my parents' and should there be a need to investigate they would be there to help and support me all the way. I had informed them that I didn't want to trouble them as it was my family matter and it would be too much trouble for them and their families. They completed rejected my statement and stood by their decision to stay in Boston for the winter vacation to support in whatever I needed. I was deeply touched by their kindness and gave in to their decision.
We spent the next days trying to gather whatever Intel we could on my parents' including the information I had received from Cynthia during our conversation earlier this month. It was still not enough to go by or help us find any clues on my parents' whereabouts. A day before my birthday on December 21st, had expected to receive a phone call or a voice message from my parents' but nothing came through. However, on Thursday December 22nd while I was with Chris, Jaime and Anderson in my room, at around 9 o'clock in the morning my phone rang and saw it was not a number but it read 'private number' so I thought could be my parents' calling me from their current destination. I picked up the phone, put it on speaker so that the boys could hear; I said mum, dad, but the voice on the other side of the line was not my parents' but a gentleman by the name Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson: Hello, am I speaking to Ms. Diana Johnson?
Diana: Yes, this is she. Who's speaking please?
Mr. Thompson: My name is Mr. Thompson, your parents' lawyer. I have some very important information that I need to share with you. Do you have time to meet today in my office?
Diana: What's it about that can't be discussed on the phone?
Thompson: I think it is better we meet in person.
Diana: Wait, are you calling from Boston or Chicago?
Thompson: I am calling from Chicago. I understand you are in Boston currently attending university, correct?
Diana: That's correct and it is my birthday.
Thompson: That's correct, that is why I called you, because I was given instructions to call you on your 20th birthday by your parents' and to meet with you to discuss some very important information.
Diana: My parents? Sorry this doesn't make any sense and it is very confusing. Anyway, let me book my flight and will be in Chicago this evening. Can we meet tomorrow Friday December 23rd in your office at 10AM?
Thompson: Yes, I know it is very confusing all of this, but it will make sense and be very clear to you once we meet tomorrow. I will share with you the address of my office building and phone number. Please call me when you arrive.
Diana: Alright, we shall see you tomorrow at 10AM.
Thompson: See you tomorrow Ms. Diana Johnson.
When I hung up the phone, I was already in complete panic and worry as I didn't know what just happened. Chris, Jaime and Anderson were in complete shock as well. I didn't want to waste anymore time, so we started checking for flights back to Chicago and we were able to catch the 3:30PM flight which we booked right away, paid for it and the tickets were issued and sent to our emails. The boys quickly returned to their room to start packing while I reached for my suitcase and started packing as well; clothes, sleepwear shoes, laptop, toiletries, and documents, when I was done packing, checked everything that I wanted was packed and nothing was missing. I packed my phone, passport, ID and other important documents in my handbag including my wallet. Then cleared and took out all the food, drinks from the fridge and packed them together with the snacks to give to the receptionist and the security guards. After everything was done, ordered a car to pick us up from Boston University at 12:30PM to take us to the airport and sent a message to the boys with the airport cab pickup details. We decided to meet on the first floor reception area at 12:20pm so that once the driver arrived; we would leave right away and head straight to the airport without any delay.
By 12:20pm, we had all convened at the reception area; I gave all the packed food, snacks and the drinks to the receptionist and security, thanked them for everything and wished them happy holiday. Our airport ride had arrived five minutes earlier; we loaded our suitcases, checked to make sure we didn't forget anything, especially our phones, passport and ID before leaving the campus. We were all set, got into the car and drove off to the airport. It took us an hour to get to the airport due to the traffic but we managed to arrive shortly after 1:30PM. We got our stuff, paid and tipped the driver, and then walked into the airport. We found our check in counter, checked in, got our tickets and boarding pass, and then walked to the immigration which was quite busy as it was the travel holiday season and everyone was trying to get to their destination. We were all on separate lines with lots of people in front of us, but eventually we went through and walked towards our boarding gate. We were scheduled to board the flight at 2:15PM. I had no appetite to eat or drink anything, all that was going through my head was the conversation I had with Mr. Thompson over and over again. At 3PM, our plane was on the runway ready for takeoff, once it was in the air, was just looking out of the window thinking and thinking, not paying attention to anything Anderson was saying until he waved his hand in front of my face that I turned and realized he had been saying something to me all along. I know he had been trying to comfort me, but at this stage it was not going to work because I was already thinking the worst of the worst add on the dream I had a few days ago, nothing was looking good at all!
Our flight landed at 5:50PM, we were out of the airport with our luggage by 7PM. Chris, Jaime and Anderson's parents' were at the arrivals area waiting for them. I decided to go back to our home, needed to search for clues or information and prepare for my meeting with Mr. Thompson. Anderson requested to come with me, I had wanted to turn down his request but he insisted and his parents' supported him as they didn't think it was wise for me to be left alone especially during this time. They dropped Anderson and I at my place and I thanked his parents' gave them a hug and waved goodbye as we walked into the house. I had always placed the key in one of the flower pot, checked and it was still there, which meant my parents had not been home. When I opened the door, the house was full of dust; the house needed to be cleaned from top to bottom. We put our suitcases in our rooms, got buckets, and filled them up with water soap and disinfectant. We spilt the chores; I cleaned the bathrooms including the windows and bedrooms, while Anderson cleaned the living room including the windows, kitchen and storage room, we would both clean the garage and Anderson would vacuum all the carpets. We were done with the housework by 2 in the morning; thank goodness we didn't have any laundry. We were completely exhausted; all we wanted to do was shower and go to sleep and that's exactly what we did without hesitation with our alarms set to wake us up at 7AM.
The next morning when we got up did a check around the house and everything was clean, neat and in order, it was such a good feeling but boy was it a lot of work. We had no food in the house, so we could only drink coffee and get prepared to go meet Mr. Thompson at 10AM. Chris and Jaime had checked in to see how we were doing; we talked for a while and planned to meet up at 9AM, head over downtown to have breakfast then head over to meet Mr. Thompson. We choose a coffee shop that was five minutes away from Mr. Thompson's office; while we were on our way downtown I called him to confirm we were already in Chicago and would be in his office at 10AM; he confirmed and was looking forward to our meeting. We arrived at the coffee shop at 9:15 in the morning, ordered a nice breakfast which I made sure to eat well as I was very hungry. Chris and Jaime were trying to make sure I was alright, comforting me not to worry and that everything will be OK.
At around 9:50 after finishing our breakfast we walked over to Mr. Thompson's office building, took the elevator to the 15th floor. When we arrived we were greeted by the receptionist who asked if we had an appointment: I stated my name saying we have an appointment with Mr. Thompson at 10. "Yes, he is expecting you, right this way please," and we were taken to the lounge area of Mr. Thompson's office.
"Mr. Thompson will be with your shortly," said the receptionist. I turned saying, "thank you," and sat on the couch. A few minutes later Mr. Thompson walked in with files in his hand and a USB flash drive.
Mr. Thompson: Good morning, shaking my hand Ms. Diana. Who are these people?
Diana: Good morning Mr. Thompson. These are my best friends Chris, Jaime, we have been friends since elementary and this is my boyfriend Anderson, we have been together since high school, so you can say and talk freely in their presence, no problem.
Mr. Thompson: Alright, as mentioned on the phone I am your parents' lawyer and very good friends with your parents for over twenty years. I have handled all their cases and their company issues since it was founded.
Diana: Wow, over twenty years, hopefully you will be able to help me answer some of the questions that I have about my parents and their businesses.
Diana: For starters, I have not been able to reach my parents since September last year, nor did I see them since the beginning of June. They were on a business trip and were scheduled to return at the end of June, but their trip got extended till August, but when they didn't return and didn't hear from them from September till today, I have been very worried that something could have happened to them.
Mr. Thompson: What I am about to tell you might be able to help you get a better insight of what could or may have happened to your parents.
Diana: OK, I am listening.
Mr. Thompson: Two years ago, which was I believe when you were going to university, your parents' called me to set up a meeting. At that time I was not sure what the meeting was about but from your parents' voice they sounded very worried. We scheduled to meet the following day at 10AM.
Diana: Sorry to interrupt, when was this?
Mr. Thompson: It was the year 2020 right around mid September, which I believe was when you had just started your university in Boston.
Diana: Ok continue, sorry to interrupt.
Mr. Thompson: No problem. When they came to my office, I asked them what the problem was and how I could help them. They told me, they wanted to begin the transfer of the company, shares, asserts, and all their money to your name. I asked their reasons; they were suspicious of some of the board members in their company as they were working with someone by the last name Kim, they were beginning to lose clients, issues and conflicts were reoccurring with clients about their contracts and projects and they were also suspicious about the money embezzlement that was happening in and out of the company. They didn't have any evidence at that point, but they already their suspicions on who were involved. So to prevent the company from shutting down, losing money and falling into the wrong hands, they requested to have everything transferred under your name and if anything should happen to your parents, you would be the sole heir of everything they ever owned at the age of 20.
Diana: OK, that explains your phone call the other day on my 20th birthday. I was in total shock, tears running down my face and wasn't sure what to do or say, I could only stare at Mr. Thompson and try to compose myself. Then I continued, so basically what you are telling me is that there is a possibility that my parents could be missing, or dead, because for you to call me, it means my parents have not reached out to you since your meeting back in 2020, right?
Mr. Thompson: That's correct! Your parents also left this USB flash drive for you.
Diana: Do you know what it contains? Give me your laptop please.
Mr. Thompson: I think it is better if you look at what is contained in the flash drive yourself.
I took Mr. Thompson's laptop and place the flash drive, clicked on the flash drive and saw a video. The video was of my parents. I didn't have the courage to play the video but at this point, I needed too as it was the last memory that I will ever have of my parents and maybe the only video that will give help me know the whereabouts of my parents.
"Happy 20th birthday my dear darling Diana, how are you? Hope you have been keeping well and you are enjoying your university studies. Hope Anderson is treating you well and you are enjoying spending time together. How are Chris and Jaime? Do send my greetings to them and their parents. By the time you receive and watch this video we may no longer be with you (tears started falling down my face). This was one of the toughest things we have ever had to do but we felt it was time for you to know the truth in the hope that the truth will give you all the answers you have been searching for. Firstly, you are not our biological daughter, your father and I adopted you twenty years ago, we adopted you from the orphanage where your father left you two months after you were born. He didn't have the means or the ability to give you a home and protect you, so he asked us to adopt you because he trusted us and knew we would give you a wonderful caring home. When we brought you home, your father and I vowed to never tell you the truth and that you were going to be our one and only child forever. However as you were growing up, we started realizing that you had special abilities, strength and power that was very different from other children; we also noticed that you were very talented and although you were a mixed colored race child, we took you as one of our own. As you were growing your special abilities were becoming stronger and harder to control as you saw when you played badminton, archery, and in your academics, you were not only smart but talented and beautiful in many things. You also have the ability and power to see things that normal people can't see, can recall the past of everything and anyone. I had wanted to tell you the truth so many times but you father refused me to do so and it really broke my heart. We were very afraid that if we told you the truth now before you were eighteen, you would run away, want to leave us or never want to speak to us again, but we were afraid of losing you, and we knew you were going to be in danger which is why we had to protect you, keep you safe at all times and not tell you anything."
"Our time was also limited because we also found out some unpleasant things that were happening within the company and we felt it was imperative to let you know everything before it was too late. We had hoped to tell you everything at your 20th birthday but things were already not looking good for your father and I and we needed to take care of our business and company hence the lots of business travels and trips within the States, Europe and Asia. I am sure you have lots of questions and we are very sorry that we could not give you all the answers you had wished for, but we know with your intelligence and special ability you will be able to find all the answers you have been searching for. You have always been a joy, a special and wonderful young girl in our lives; you have and will always be our daughter no matter what, that will never change. Sometimes, I think maybe if we had told you the truth earlier, everything would have been better and we would continue living happily together!! Your father and I are very sorry for the pain we have caused and put your through and it is our hope that you will forgive us for having kept this information and secret from you for twenty years. I ask that you take care of yourself, be strong, and continue being that wonderful and special person you have always been, never give up and always strive to do your very best in anything and everything. Although we may not be able to see each other again, we will always be with you in our hearts and in spirit. We have and will always love you forever my dearest daughter. God bless you and take care, love you always, your father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson."
P.S. "We have left everything with Mr. Thompson who will be in contact with you. We ask that you help us take care of the company while we are away and ensure it stays forever as 'The Johnson Company.' Your father and I believe you will do a good job running the company while we are away. Thank you! We love you!"
Watching the video just got my pressure, temper rising with tears still running down my face! I so badly wanted to break the laptop, throw myself out of the window, but for some reason was still seated on my chair in shock, speechless and confused. I looked at Jaime, Chris, Anderson and Mr. Thompson and all I could say was, "Please give me a few minutes alone, please, thank you." Mr. Thompson said, "I will give you a few minutes, call me when you are ready to discuss the transfer details," and he left the room. As I was standing facing the window, I felt my body temperature rise, and smoke was beginning to come out from the palm of my hands, that's when my eyes turned red. I turned around and faced Jaime, Chris and Anderson, they were scared, panicked not knowing what to do or what just happened. I put my hands together like a prayer, bowed my head down then looked up to them, saying "You are going to want to listen to what I have to say about what you just saw." They calmly sat down and listened very carefully, every detail. As they were listening, black smoke was still swirling around my palms, while my eyes were still red, which meant I was still angry and had not calmed down. The boys wanted to touch my hands but told them best not to as I didn't know what would happen if they did. After telling them everything, there was a moment of silence which lasted over thirty seconds; I gave them the option of they were more than welcome to leave the office like nothing ever happened, they never knew me and I never knew them, or they could stick around, ask questions and help me investigate what happened to my parents. Without hesitation, they all agreed to stick around work with me to find out the truth about my adopted parents' and to also find out about my birth parents.' As we were laughing and talking, Jaime was pointing at my hands and I realized the black smoke was dying and my eye color was back to normal and I was beginning to feel better. Anderson got up from his chair, hugged and kissed me, and then Jaime and Chris followed hugging me for awhile and it felt so good which was something I needed. "Everything is going to be alright; we will get through this and find out everything that happened to your parents' and help you find all the answers to all the questions," said Anderson. "Yeah, we are here to support you in anything you want, all you have to do is ask and you shall receive," said both Jaime and Chris. "Thank you guys, this means so much to me, really, thank you, I am so glad to have you guys," I replied. "Wow, this is so cool, we have a best friend who has special powers and abilities, this is fantastic," said Chris. "Well this stays between us guys, not even your parents can know anything about what you heard or saw today," I told them. "You got it, my lips are sealed," they all said.
Mr. Thompson knocked on the door and I motioned for him to come in; told him I am ready to discuss the transfer. Mr. Thompson sat down with all the files and documents; there were the bank documents from Chase Bank and as I was looking at the documents, it was then I figured out why my parents opened a bank account for me with Chase Bank, and deposited a large amount of money. It appeared they were already planning their travel and the transfer of the documents, and the money deposited was their first plan in case I got into any trouble while they were away. There were also company documents including the shares, asserts, the transfer and handover documents all written in my name. Just to make sure all documents were legit, I had Chris, Jaime and Anderson read through the documents as they were quite familiar with law documents, company and business management documentation. I saw them nod their heads which meant all was good. Before I signed the documents Mr. Thompson informed me that I was inheriting a total amount of $200 billion dollars; my pen dropped, gave him the looks of like he be talking crazy. I then looked over at Jaime, Chris and Anderson, who were also in shock, finding it very difficult to believe what they just heard. I then looked at Mr. Thompson and asked him to repeat what he just said, and with pleasure and having a happy face he said, "Ms. Diana Johnson, you will be inheriting a total amount of $200 billion dollars which includes the asserts of your parents, shares, all the finances, all the companies owned by your parents state wide and across the globe including their shares." It took a few minutes to digest what I just heard, all I could do was nod my head and begin signing all the documents. I requested if possible to have copies of all the signed documents, the flies and documentations of what my parents gave you and the flash drive please. Mr. Thompson agreed, and I requested he best to keep all the original signed and stamped documents in safe deposit box at Chase Bank for safety reasons, which he agreed without any hesitation.
After the signing of the documents, Mr. Thompson left the room to make copies of all the documents and brought them back all placed in an envelope, while other documents were placed in a file. He mentioned that we would need to meet again to confirm the transfer which would be at Chase Bank. He mentioned that he will be in touch to schedule a meeting. I requested if possible to have everything done before I returned to Boston in early January 2023; he agreed, thanked him for his time and said we would be in touch. Before leaving Mr. Thompson's office, I turned around and asked him if he had been aware of my parents' business travel and whether he had known that my parents were travelling this past summer to Europe and Asia. He mentioned he had been aware of their business travels, but not aware of their recent business travel plans this past summer, and when he had tried getting in touch with them, but to no avail, he started making arrangements to get in touch with me on my 20th birthday, hence the reason he called. I thanked him for his time and left his office.
When we left Mr. Thompson's office, it was already going to 2 o'clock in the afternoon and we were starving, there was a restaurant just across the street from Mr. Thompson's office building. As we were walking towards the restaurant, my phone rang, it was Cynthia, she mentioned having information that would be connected to my parents and it was important we meet to discuss about it. I asked her where she was calling from, and it was safe as she was having lunch at a restaurant downtown. I told her let's talk later in the evening as I was occupied at the moment she called. We planned to contact each other later in the evening after she finished work. Anderson had asked about the phone call, and I explained who called and the contents of the conversation.
As we were ordering our lunch, was going through everything that just happened in Mr. Thompson's office and was trying very hard to hold back my tears, when Anderson put his arms around to hug me with a kiss on the side of my head, whispering, "Everything will be OK, I am here for you my love, we will get through this, OK?" I dried my eyes, saying, "Yeah all will be OK, thank you Anderson." Even with the hunger I felt, the appetite for eating was just not there, but I had to force myself to eat something if I needed any energy to get through the day, I could only eat a salad with a drink and was done. When leaving the restaurant, I remembered that we had an empty fridge, and so we had to do food shopping before we starve ourselves. We went to our favorite supermarket and did full shopping for three weeks which included food, drinks and toiletries and other household essentials. By the time we got back home it was already 7 in the evening. We ordered a cab that picked us up from the supermarket to take us home which was a good forty five minute ride home. When we arrived home, we took all the shopping bags and headed to my place, the boys and I unpacked the shopping bags and placed everything in its place, the food and drinks in the fridge and the extra drinks in the kitchen store room. We decided to have a homemade cooked dinner tomorrow night at 7 and invited Chris and Jaime to join us for a weekend sleep over at my place, which they happily agreed. After all was done, I thanked them so much for today, wished them a good night and would see them tomorrow.
At around 11 at night, was already feeling exhausted and sleepy, my body was mentally, physically and emotionally drained, still confused and now distraught about all that happened and after hearing that Cynthia had information about my parents I was even more worried and afraid that something wrong had happened to my parents. Cynthia called shortly before midnight saying it would be best if we met to talk face to face and that was already not very good news at all. I asked her if she was free tomorrow night at 7 to join us for a homemade cooked dinner at my place, my parents' house. She did have time and we agreed to meet tomorrow at seven, once I hung up the phone, sent her my home address with the directions and the house door number. I was trying not to panic and told myself it could not be worse than what I went through at Mr. Thompson's office today, so I was hopeful that Cynthia would be bringing good news about my parents' tomorrow night.
On Saturday December 24th it was Christmas Eve, the first Christmas Eve and Christmas holiday I was going to celebrate it without my parents' it was devastating and painful. Nevertheless, I thank God for having Anderson, Chris and Jaime and their loving and supportive parents in my life as I don't know what I would have done without them during this tough time. The boys and I were going to have a Christmas Eve homemade dinner at my place and then I would be going to Anderson's place to celebrate Christmas with his family tomorrow and would spend the remaining week, New Year's Eve and New Years' at Anderson's place. Anderson and I decided to cook mashed potatoes, fried and baked chicken, rice, beef stew, and salad, nothing fancy, just wanted to make something simple and delicious, which also included a lemon vanilla cake with icing as dessert with drinks and wine. Chris and Jaime arrived at 6:45 and Cynthia arrived shortly after 7pm.
When everyone arrived, we set the table and brought the utensils; food served on platters, and on a separate table had the drinks and wine. I introduced Cynthia to everyone, her role and position at my father's company. She gave herself a tour of our house and was thanking me for the dinner invitation. We all sat at the dinner table, served ourselves, poured drinks while chatting and having conversations. The boys were asking Cynthia about the company and how things were going, how long she had been working in the company and also how it was working with me, all positive comments about our relationship and working together. However, about the company it was not good news; the employees were becoming anxious and worried about the whereabouts of the CEO and Director since their departure in June, and although I did inform them they were away on business travels, they were not convinced that it was just business travel; they suspect that something must have happened to them as it's been seven months. In addition the board is also now demanding to know the whereabouts of the CEO and Director within the next three weeks and failure to comply with result in selecting and new CEO and Director. Also I found out that there are some board members working with directly and indirectly with Mr. Kim. "Do you know who they are?" I asked. Cynthia was unable to give me a conclusive answer. I then explained that Mr. Kim is my father's brother and from what I am getting, he doesn't seem to be a very good person or someone with a good interest at heart for the company and I fear that he may be behind the disappearing of my parents, but there is no evidence at the moment to prove his involvement.
As we were having dinner, I told Cynthia the visit we had at my parents' lawyer's office yesterday and all we had been told and discussed with Mr. Thompson. Cynthia was not only in shock but speechless, one thing that did put a smile on her face was the fact that I was the sole heir of my father's company not only the largest share holder of the company but the owner of all the companies owned by my parents' globally. It was a relief for her to hear some good news. However, Cynthia had not finished telling us everything; "it also turned out that someone she doesn't know who has been embezzling money from the company for purposes unknown and when I tried tracing the money and its whereabouts it either showed 'unknown' or your parents' name. I was surprised and asked Cynthia to repeat what she just said, when she finished only one thing came to mind, someone is trying to cover up their crimes and using my parents' as an escape goat at the same time trying to frame my parents. That's not all; I traced and checked your parents travel itinerary through my sources and yes, your parents' first travelled within the USA, then travelled to Europe and were there for quite a while, there were some expenses and purchases they made while in Europe. After Europe they travelled to the Asia, which was part of their travel itinerary, they were to travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and return back to the States, but when my sources checked their flights it showed your parents travelled to Seoul, South Korea and they never left."
"Wait, wait a minute Cynthia, what are you talking about? Are you saying my parents' travel itinerary to Asia included Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia but Seoul was never neither part nor was it included in their business travel itinerary?" I asked her. "Yes, I have their flight schedule details right here, let me show you," she said. Before she showed us the itineraries, I asked her if she knew why they were in Seoul and what was their reason for travelling to Seoul, she had no clue. She then showed the two travel itineraries; one that had been arranged by the travel office Cynthia worked with, which didn't include Seoul and another travel itinerary that included Seoul which Cynthia was not aware of at all. I looked at the itinerary checking the travel dates which didn't match at all in both itineraries. It showed my parents have been in Seoul since August, but the voices messages I had received from them were in September, which means when they sent those messages, they were already in Seoul, South Korea.