Chapter 1 : Bastard of the Laurent

Things were still like a dream for Oliver. He can't help but doubt that all of this is just a dream. Trying to slap his face, he stops his hands. 

    

    "Wait, if... I am here as someone that is not really me, then... What happened to my own body and the person who was the owner of this body?" 

   

    His eyes shut open as he realized something. 

      

    "I..."

  

    *woosh*

       

    Holding his head, he can't help but sit back in his chair. Memories started to flow in his mind like a faucet filling up his small cup that was about to break. 

    

    *crack*

    

    As soon as the small cup shattered into pieces, the water flowing from the faucet made its way to the big cup that resembles the one before. The only difference is that this time, that cup size is hundred, no, thousands, or even a hundred thousand times bigger than before. 

  

    *snap*

    

    "Ha... ha..."

    

    He catches his breath as his heart starts to beat faster than its usual rate. Sweats are dripping from his forehead even if the room is not that hot since there is an air conditioner in his office. Not to mention the fact that his office has the best temperature all around the whole building. 

    

    He walked in the left corner of his office where a water dispenser together with his personal cup was organized. The sound of water splashing the cup was heard. He can't help but feel nervous and uncomfortable as he remembers what he saw. Still, he drank the whole glass of water. Putting it back in its place, he asked himself. 

    

    "Is that... You? Oliver?" 

   

    He closed his eyes and let his heartbeat and breathing calm. What he saw is something not an ordinary guy like him would imagine. Looking back at the table he was at before, he made his way to the switch. The one which can lift the mechanism to make the transparent glass to become a mirror that reflects his figure. 

   

    Revealing his image in the big mirror, a while ago he was focused on his eyes. Now that he has time to look at his figure, he admits that this Oliver he is now is someone who is completely unlike him. This Oliver is rich, he is poor. This Oliver has good clothes and accessories to wear unlike him who only have cheap and worn-out clothes to use. Oliver's hair is healthy and smooth, if compared to his hair back then it would be completely his loss with no mistake. 

   

    He then looks at Oliver's hands, no, it's his hands now. The moment he saw those memories flashing, he admitted to himself that Oliver and he are now one. His memories of his past and Oliver's memories in the present may be completely different but deep within his mind, his heart, they are now one. He is Oliver and Oliver, it's him.

    

    "Don't worry, I will carry out your will, I also promise to not let this company of yours fall into ruin. Oliver Laurent... I am now you. I am... Oliver."

 

    That is what he thought,  but after he looked at the pile of papers on his table, he took a deep sigh. He shrugged his shoulders as he shook his head. 

    

    "This would be tough..."

    

    He looked at the time, it was still early. He has time left before lunch. Just thinking the thoughts that he now has money to buy some lunch. All this time he is having a headache on how he should save his little penny that even a cup of noodles can't afford but now, he is having a hard time on where he should dine to.

    

    A smile can be seen on his face. 

    

    

    Right now, money isn't a problem. Why? Because he has lots of it. Although it's not really 'his' own money but... Oliver and him are one now? Right?

    

    "Maybe... I'll just pay it next time. Yeah, he won't be mad since I am using his body and money right? Also... I don't even know where the real Oliver is. That's not my problem though."

   

 ***

   

    'Wahhhh this building... Is the building I own???!'

   

    Even after having the memories of the original owner of that body, Oliver can't help but be awed by how big that building is. Let alone how long will it take for him to get down from his office at the very top of the building. Oliver feels a little chill about the thought of his building collapsing or being caught in a fire. He would surely be as good as dead after not escaping on time since he is at the top. He then realizes, 

  

 'No... that would be impossible. Let's not think about it. What I need to do now is focus on... my lunch!'

  

    Picking up his phone to look for the restaurant he should choose,  a good-looking car with an expensive aura suddenly appeared in front of him. A black man in a suit went out of the car and opened the door for Oliver. 

    

    'Ah, he is Herald. My driver that is as quiet as a mouse. As I remember,  he has been my driver ever since... but we didn't have any good conversation though.  Since... he is not that talkative.'

  

    Thinking if he would ask Herald about any recommendation, he gathered his confidence to start a conversation.  

  

  "Herald"

    

    Standing in front of him, Herald just tilted his head a little and looked at Oliver with a questioning face. Oliver knows very well that Herald will try to not speak if possible. Thinking about it, he has never heard his voice ever since. He doesn't have any recollection of the moment he ever heard Herald's voice. 

    

    "Can you recommend the best dining place? A nice restaurant or perhaps good cuisine that is well suited at this time."

    

    He waits for Herald response, 

    

    'It would be hard to answer that without saying a word right?'

    

    Oliver thought that he can finally know what Herald's voice is but to his dismay, Herald showed him his phone that says a restaurant with a 5-star rate nearby their building. 

    

    

    "Thanks. Let's go there."

    

    Herald nodded and Oliver just let it pass.  Since he can't push Herald to speak if he doesn't want to. They head inside the car. Oliver looks at the files on his phone, thanks to Oliver's memory emerging to his, basic information about the original owner's belongings isn't a problem. 

    

    'It's this...'

    

    The file shows the information of all the staff and employees under Oliver's command. He searches Herald's name and it is easily seen.  He is the only one who has the permission to open those files, he secretly is the one who manages it but he doesn't have any copies of that file. Although it shows the information regarding the person, there is no indication in Heralds report card that he is deaf or what. That made him wonder why he wasn't speaking a word. The car stopped and Oliver thought that it was nothing he should care about. Right before his eyes is the place that he just dreamed of going to before.  The car's door opened making a way for Oliver to go out. Showing his new and shining black leather shoes while wearing a suit that isn't just an ordinary one... some people think that he is a celebrity.  But still... not everyone looks at him with admiration for being the youngest CEO in their place. For them... Oliver is still a bastard. 

    

    'The Bastard of Laurent'

    

    

    Oliver is well aware of that fact. That is why he went through hardship without asking for any help from his family. Just a while ago... He can still remember the scenes flashing in his mind. It makes Oliver feel down and annoyed. 

   

    Oliver, the Youngest CEO. Also known as 'The Bastard of Laurent'. His father is Laurent. The eldest son of the known and respected Laurent Family. For Oliver, he is someone who despises him to the point that he would be more glad to hear that Oliver is as good as dead than make the fame of himself. 

    

   *Flashback*

    

    A door closing as a little boy was shut inside. With nothing but a cold floor and dirty bedsheets, that night Oliver thinks of where his parents are. He knocked with all his might to let the people open the door. 

    

    "Open the door! Where's papa... papa help! Please don't leave me! I'll be a good boy! Pa..pa.."

    

    He gave up as soon as he heard nothing but silence. The conversation he heard last time keeps ringing in his head. 

    

    'That monster? He killed his own mother?'

    

    

    'Yeah. The young Ms. Olivia died because of him.'

    

    'Really? So that is why Master Amatheo~'

    

    'Yes. Don't ever think about taking care of that boy to gain the master's favor. It is useless.'

    

    'I heard Ms. Maria will soon give birth to the next Laurent?'

    

    'Yes, that's true. If I were you, I would choose Ms. Maria's son. It's bad to hold on a rotten rope after all.'

    

   Oliver's hands are trembling in fear. The only light in his room was coming from the broken window. The moon's light was seen as he tried to open it to reveal the night sky. Crying, he tried to wipe his tears. 

   

    "Mama... papa..."

    

    A little boy experiencing such hardship, no one ever imagined what life Oliver had gone through. 

   

    "Here's your food."

   

 The maid keeps on harassing him. Not cleaning his room and not giving him nice and warm food. They may say that they give him food to eat but it is not even to the point that it can be called food. Polluted water and a raw and rotten vegetable mixed with some who knows what spices it is, a kid won't last a day after eating it. He may not die from hunger but from food poisoning. Oliver can't help but sneak out to pick some fruits to survive. Every time he felt hungry, he would walk out the window. A roof was in front of his window as a tree trunk was touching it. With that, the little Oliver had a way in and out of his room. 

    

    *woosh*

    

    Landed safely.  

    Now, he has some apples in him. Luckily, there are still apples left in the tree. With that, Oliver can pass through the day. 

    

    While brushing off the dust that sticks in his old clothes,  his whole body is still dirty. Oliver looks at his clothes and realizes how awful it looks and smells. 

    

    But still, he can't do anything about it. Oliver looked around to see if anyone was there. In his luck, there is no one looking at him. Picking one shirt he saw hanging together with other washed clothes he rushed to the faucet and saw soaps and pails of water together with a dipper. 

    

    

    Lucky

    

    

    He thought.  With that, he can finally wash his body and clothes.  Although,  the moment the maids knew that he snatched the clothes from their laundry, Oliver was beaten but with no serious injury. The only thing that he is worried about is the fact that they also told the gardener to cut the tree trunks serving as his way to get out of the manor. 

    

    

    *end of flashback*

    Stepping inside the restaurant,  the waiter greeted him with great kindness and politeness.  Herald is following him. It was his order. 

    

    "This way, Sir."