Chapter 187: Dream or Memory
As I picked up the phone, I saw that it was from Elaine. I had her resign from her job and made her my assistant. I remembered that I asked her to do something important for me. And it seems that she found what I'm looking for.
"Hello," came Elaine's voice from the other end of the line. "I've finished what you asked for, Darling. I think you'll find it satisfying ."
"Oh, did you find a good place?" I inquired.
"Yes, it's in a great location, but it's a bit pricey. The monthly rent is 45 million won, and we'll have to pay two months' rent in advance and a two-month deposit for a one-year lease," she answered.
"The price isn't a problem," I responded. " How is the space ?"
"It's a 200 square meter office located at the second floor, and we won't need to invest much in renovations because the previous tenants also used it as an office," she replied.
"Great," I said, feeling relieved. "Let's schedule a meeting with the owner for tomorrow and visit the place. I'd like to see it in person before making any final decisions."
"Alright, Darling ," she replied with an exited voice .
"What about the registration?" I inquired about another matter that required her attention.
"I've already spoken to someone about it, and I let her know that we're willing to pay to expedite the process," she replied.
"Good job. I'll send you some money to give you more freedom,"
"Thank you, Darling,"
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After ending the call, I couldn't help but feel satisfied with Elaine's performance as my assistant. Having someone experienced in dealing with high-profile individuals was really beneficial. To be honest, my funds were depleting rapidly, so I needed to establish a legitimate business to generate money.
I was forced to sell a significant portion of my parents' shares in their portfolio , and if I don't secure a source of income soon, I may have no choice but to sell some of our real estate assets as well.
Then , a brilliant idea struck me after watching a movie about Wall Street stockbrokers. The film depicted how these brokers persuaded gullible individuals to invest vast sums in virtually nonexistent companies. And who's the best at persuasion? That's right, it's me.
Under the pretense of a genuine investment opportunity, I could potentially acquire funds from others.
I could simply ask people to invest in my fictional company, and I wouldn't have to worry about legal troubles because I could silence any complaints easily. Plus, I could use this as an opportunity to learn about stocks and the market and make big money. Who knows, I might even turn this fake company into a real one down the road.
Feeling uplifted by the positive turn of events, I eventually arrived at the car rental company. I covered the costs for the damages and instructed the owner to completely destroy the car. With that, all matters were resolved, and I was finally free from any obligations.
I reclaimed my sports car from them and drove it back home. I was exhausted and ready to get some rest.
***
I arrived home fairly quickly, and Alyssa was already waiting for me as I had informed her of my return.
"Zyden!" she exclaimed as she rushed toward me, giving me a hug. I turned off my domination power over her, as I was concerned that she might forget to eat if I kept it on, and I didn't want to end up finding her corpse inside the house.
I gave her a quick kiss, and headed straight to my room to rest.
As my eyes grew heavy, the cool air from the AC and Alyssa playing with my hair while singing a lullaby comforted me and gently led me into a peaceful sleep.
***
***
"Zyden! Zyden!" I was awakened by a familiar sweet voice.
I struggled to focus my blurry vision and wondered where I was. Then, I saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time – my mother.
She still had that jet-black hair, those captivating eyes with long eyelashes, and those small, delicate lips that made her look like a doll. Seeing her again, I couldn't help but realize just how incredibly beautiful she was.
"Mom!" I desperately tried to shout, but no sound escaped my lips. It felt as though I were just a silent observer in this dream.
"Zyden, I'm going to share a big secret with you," my mom said with a smile, placing me in a chair.
"What's that, Mommy?" My kid self asked, feeling a mix of curiosity and confusion.
"It's about you, Zyden. You're unique, and one day, you'll fully understand just how extraordinary you are," my mom said with a hint of longing, her fingers tenderly brushing my cheeks as though I were the most precious person in the world.
"But Mommy, my teacher said that every kid is special," my young self replied with an adorable innocence.
"No, Zyden, you are more special than other kids. You are more special than everyone on this world combined. Remember this, Zyden, no matter what happens. There is nothing more important in this world than you," my mom spoke with a deep seriousness in her eyes, leaving a serious impression.
"Alright, Mommy. I will never forget," my young self beamed a smile filled with joy.
"Mom!" I jolted awake, finding myself drenched in sweat and struggling to catch my breath. The vivid and emotional dream of my mother had shaken me to the core, leaving me in a state of confusion.
"A dream?" I mumbled to myself, the memory of my mother's face still clear in my mind.
"But why now?" I questioned . It had been a long time since I had dreamt about her, so I was perplexed as to why I dreamt of her. What felt even stranger was the pain in my chest that I couldn't ignore.
I placed my hands on it, sensing my heart beating faster. Whatever I experienced, I had a hunch that it wasn't an ordinary dream. It felt more like a hidden memory buried deep within me.
"Mom….."