The Rich; Overcoming the Past.

New York, 1999

" Eric, Eric, please come down we would be late for your grandparent's wedding anniversary". A woman called out. " Coming mum" Eric answered. A ten-year-old Eric climbs down wearing a green striped shirt with a black sweat coat and black trousers with a green Fanny bag to match it.

"Mum, do we have to go? It's snowing heavily out there and besides, you guys are just going to have your so-called meetings and blah blah".

"No we are not staying, most importantly they are my parents and your grandparents. They want to see us, so wipe that 'I don't wanna go face' because there is nothing that is going to stop us from going" A male voice declared.

"Dad but" .. Eric said in a teary voice" No buts and I am not buying that look so help your mother get the suitcases in the car". His father said in a definite voice. He lowered his gaze and responded, "Yes Dad".

He went to help his mother with the suitcases to be placed in the car boot, but due to the heavy snow, the snowflakes could be seen around, he tried to catch one by jumping.

"I see now, you want to play in the snow huh," his mother said teasingly and got down, since it was heavy snow, she wore a slightly chunkier beige turtleneck sweater with a white satin skirt below the knee and a long white coat with matching brown knee boots to cover up any skin.

The Mitten she was wearing was making it difficult for her to gather some snow, so she removed it and took an amount, and threw it at her son. " Mum seriously" feigning annoyance, Eric said. Quickly he does the same and threw a big one at his mum. They both started playing in the snow and laughed as hard as they could.

Suddenly their movement was halted by the sound of a man clearing his throat, they look at him carrying a box, which looked heavy, he carefully placed it behind the car and said " So you guys were having fun without me, then you guys need to be punished". " Oh no, here he comes, run baby run," His mother said playfully.

They ran around the car as the man chased them around. Finally, it was time to go, they got into the car and drove off. Eric sat quietly at the back, looking at how heavy the snow was.

They headed to the airport, going back to his father's hometown. His father was an Asian and his mother was American, it was due to a business trip that they met and got married, and had Eric. It wasn't easy at first, since his father's household was very traditional.

They prefer their own, no outsiders, it caused the relationship between a father and son to stop for almost three years, but after having Eric they softened and gave his mother some credit.

They came to New York, for the Christmas Holidays, to spend time with his mother's side of the family, even though his mother was an orphan, she had the love and care of her aunties. Precisely the reason his father's family never approved of her.

Though her family was rich, it was nothing compared to his father's, in addition, her family was very modern, they never saw

head to head. Eric kept looking out the car window, he sighed and lowered his head. His mother saw how down he was and asked him if he was alright.

" hmm, I am ok mum, I just like it here, it's more fun and cool, not like there". "You mean home" his dad answered. "Frank please let him talk and keep your eyes on the road," his mother said softly, Frank giggled and nodded in agreement.

"Dad, Mum, it's not that I don't like home, but, you two will be busy all day, I am sure Grandpa would ask you to come back to the company and you won't be able to play with me anymore. " puff hahaha" both his parents laughed . He stared on confusedly " so that is why you look so down".

"Should I tell him or you", " No Eli, I will or let's just tell him together"? His parents murmured among themself, still confused he wanted to ask them what they were talking about, but he was quickly answered.

"Ok here we go, hmmm honey you going to be a big brother soon woo, woo," they both said, as they turn to look at him.

Before he could utter a word, something hit their car, making the car somersault.

He called "Mum, Dad!!".

Beep, beep, beep ….

"Nah, not again, damn it hah" a panting man voiced out. " what is wrong with this alarm, how is it even possible for a hotel to have an alarm. A man stated angrily as he got up from his bed. He looked around, sighed as he massaged his forehead, and looked through the glass window.

He heard a knock, "Who is it?", " sir it's Andrew, sir." The voice behind the door answered. " Come in Andrew"... Andrew opened and entered with many different dishes on a trolly table.

"Sir Eric, your breakfast is ready," Andrew stated with a soft smile. Eric turned and looked at the meal in front of him and said "Good, I will take my shower before I eat".

"Yes sir" Andrew responded.

In a few minutes, Eric came out with a white towel on his wet black hair and another covering his lower part. Exposing his six packs and his smooth white skin. He may be half-Asian and half-American but he doesn't have any traits of American genes on his face. He was seen as a fully grown Asian man.

Very tall compared to the average-height Asians were known for, and fluent in six different languages ( English, Korean, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese) apart from his mother tongue ( Mandarin Chinese and Singaporean Mandarin).

He is an architect by profession, he left home at the age of eighteen and started his own architectural company, he started at the bottom but within a few years, his company grew bigger and bigger, making him the youngest architect to win the world best architect of the year at the age of twenty-one at the 51st World Architectural awards 2010.

Famous buildings in Singapore were designed by him and also he owned many buildings and businesses. An orphanage under his name and also a school of architectural studies for anyone interested in studying architecture. At age thirty-five he had everything any man could have except for a love life.

He hates to see people being all lovey-dovey with each other, and most importantly he hates the word love.

He got ready for breakfast, wearing a summer top and shorts. "Sir, may I ask? How was your night" Andrew asked nervously. Eric looked at him and back to his meal and said "Bad, I had another nightmare and there is nothing you can do about it, so please refrain from asking these unnecessary questions."

Andrew responded in a dissatisfied tone " Yes sir". " How is the project working out, do we have any good designing company to do it yet," Eric asked nonchalantly. " Yes sir, we have a company in mind, the team is working on it, and we should be updated by the close of the day". Andrew answered calmly.

“Good then, our job here is done, I will be having my last video conference tomorrow, so please do so to book a flight for Singapore tomorrow night," Eric says as he wipes his mouth with the clear cloth beside him and takes his leave to his bedroom.

" Sir, about the flight it would be delayed due to the snow, it will take a week before you can get a flight" Andrew stated in a shaky voice.

Eric halts and looks back at Andrew with an intense look. " Alright, a week it is, just make sure not a day passes by". He said in a serious tone.

Andrew was a little shocked about how calmly he answered, he unconsciously smiled but knew what he was about to say will ruin the mood but he had to.

" Sir and another thing, your grandfather called asking when you'll be visiting home, the company anniversary is coming up.." he stopped and looked at his boss who seemed unbothered by what he was saying. " Tell him I don't know when I will come by but if I do I will let him know". He says and leaves for his room.

The hotel is a five-star hotel with a beautiful architectural design, he took the most expensive, which looked like a small house with a modern wooden design, a big bedroom, dining and a private pool in front of the house.

Eric’s POV

What a day I have had, I did nothing yet I am so tired. I was a little bit rude to Andrew today, he has been with me since my parents died, always being supportive and caring, and sometimes I feel suffocated by his undying love and care for me.

I know it's just pity and also his responsibility towards me since my father entrusted me to him. I remember on the day of the funeral of my parents, it was raining cats and dogs, a few came because my gramps didn't want a big crowd.

I was standing and soaking wet, looking at the coffin as it was placed under the ground, I couldn't cry or do anything, I injured my head after the accident, and some of my memories were gone, and my sense of feeling too. I saw a gentleman place an umbrella on me and smiled painfully.

It was Andrew and since then, we've never been apart. I should apologize the next time we meet. And Gramps calling, it's either about the company or a complaint about my cousins. I don't want to think about it let's just go back to sleep tomorrow is a big day.

Past.

" Why hasn't he stopped crying, it's been a week or two, and he is still weeping, as if his parents would return " a chubby boy voiced out irritably. "Quit it, Chang, he could hear us". A slim and handsome boy scolded.

" Come on Philip how many times do we have to babysit him, until his eighteen or what" the chubby boy complained.

The two boys are cousins of Eric, and they were a few steps away from Eric's bedroom door and badmouthing him. They were asked to look after him but never sympathize with him rather they treated him unfairly yet Eric never paid attention.

Eric sobbed, after the burial of his parents, it took him three days before he could let it all out. His grandfather brought him to the Hong mansion to live with them.

He locked himself up in his room and kept crying for days and putting up with everything around him but this time around he couldn't ignore his cousins.

"How can you guys be so ruthless, I never asked you to sympathize with me, so why do guys keep making me feel more miserable than I am " he yelled at them. An older man came and stood behind his brothers.

"Dad", the two turned and called out. "Apologize" their father instructed them "Huh, dad wha..? Philip was cut off.

"Apologize to your brother now" he added. "But Dad", they both said in a low tone. They looked at the angry face of Eric and apologized to him.

He was quite surprised but didn't care whether his uncle was being sincere or not. He quickly left for his room and bang the door behind him.

His uncle instructed his sons to leave right away. An evil smile erupted on his lips as he watched the door of his little nephew.

Present;

Beep, beep, beep … the alarm rings, Eric is irritated by the alarm again and hit it with his hand, which fell on the ground and breaks.

Andrew just barged in, sweating profusely even though it was just thirty minutes after eight.

He sighs, noticing that his boss is not up yet. He called, no response and so he quickly went to his bedroom and stood at the door. He reports " Sir, your grandfather just called, actually he is on the phone now and he said it's urgent.

I still can't believe Andrew always falls or my grandpa's tricks, but I can't blame him, he doesn't know him as much as I do.

"Tell him I will receive his call in a minute.

The Past; 18-year-old Eric

"Grandpa, I am sorry, but I can't be of help to you and the company. I want to make it on my own, I hope you understand, besides you have Uncle Ben and my cousins", Eric said to his grandfather.

"I am glad you want to do something, for yourself, but the company could use your help", grandpa stated.

"I am sorry about it, but this is my decision, and I am not changing it" he said and walked away.

Present.

"Gramps, you don't need to play those tricks on Andrew" Eric stated with a bit of irritation in his tone of voice.

"Tsk, who said anything about playing tricks, I just want you to come and work with me, I have little time left and you know that…"

His grandfather went on and on, he couldn't take it anymore so he finally gave in.

" fine I will do it, but only as an advisor to the president and nothing more".

"Deal," his grandfather said with a big smile on his face. "You know I wouldn't call if it wasn't urgent.

"I hate to admit it but your uncle and his sons are just good for nothing .. if only your father was alive.

his voice started breaking …

" Hmmm, alright I will be in Singapore after a week let's talk then". Eric says his byes and hangs the call...

"Let's go home.