After their little adventure, Alexander and Ana finally arrived at Cillian's office.

“We have arrived at Master Cillian's office, Master Alexander. I’ll wait for you outside,” Ana announced.

She held the door for him to enter before closing it behind.

Alexander entered the room alone. His eyes quickly darted around the room.

An old mahogany table entered his view. In front of it was a luxurious couch. And, of course, a fully stocked bar at the far corner.

Apart from the bar, the rest was the same as Alexander remembered.

Nine years ago, in this office, Alexander made a decision that changed his life forever.

***

Knock, knock.

“Enter!” A tired voice spoke.

A 12-year-old Alexander in his pyjamas entered Cillian’s office.

“Nightmare?” Cillian put down his pen and moved toward the couch.

Little Alexander nodded.

Cillian sighed before sitting down. “How can I help?”

Little Alexander climbed onto the couch and stared at his brother. After a moment of silence, he spoke. “Brother, can you allow me to study overseas.”

“Huh? Can you say that again?”

Before Alexander could say anything, the door opened wide once more. Elizabeth entered the room. Wearing Cillian’s shirt and sweatpants, she carried a stack of documents.

“Honey. I got the file. Huh?” She finally noticed little Alexander sitting on the couch. Elizabeth gently laid the files in front of Cillian before moving toward Alexander and ruffling his hair. “Why are you here, little Alex <3.”

He tried to swat her hand away, yet she still managed to ruffle his hair. After a short while, little Alexander gave up and repeated his words.

“Brother! I want to study overseas.”

“Why, though?” Cillian asked whilst moving his hand towards the bottle on the table.

“NO! You still have work after this. Don’t drink.” Elizabeth moved toward his hand, swatting it away.

“I keep getting nightmares at home,” Alexander muttered.

“I see. So you chose to run away instead of facing, huh?”

Elizabeth soon moved behind Cillian and knocked him on the head. “Don’t be so harsh on your brother. Everyone has a coping method.”

“But will running away solve anything?” Cillian argued back.

“You drown yourself in work and alcohol, Cillian!” Elizabeth pointed at the table. “Pot calling the kettle black much.”

“Unlike him, I have accepted their passing and actively worked to better our house. The work and alcohol are just byproducts.”

Alexander, seeing his brother and sister arguing, tears formed in his little eyes.

Cillian sighed.

“Alex, I know you are hurt and all. However, running to another country and trying to repress your memories won’t be a permanent solution.”

Cillian stood up, moved towards his table and grabbed a document.

“In the future, you might regret it. Because these memories are what made us who we are. The good and bad.”

“So, are you sure you want to do this?”

Cillian sat down again and looked right at little Alexander.

“Yes. I keep seeing their faces every night.”

“Alright!” Cillian unfurled the document he just grabbed on the table. It was the world map.

“Pick where you want to go.”

“Can you pick for me, brother?” Overwhelmed by the map, little Alexander asked.

“Hmm, fair enough. Let me see. There are large civil unrests in the United States regarding extensive Astral Gates outbreaks. South Africa is still in a civil war.”

He soon traced his hand on the map.

“Hence, the only English speaking countries left are Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.”

“Amongst these 4, Singapore has the fastest Astral Gate respond as the city-state is extremely tiny.”

“Canada was reported to have the least amount of outbreak.”

“I don’t know much about the other two.”

Cillian put six pins on the suggested countries.

“Singapore! I want to go there,” before Cillian could say anything else, little Alexander immediately made his choice.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

After talking for a while more, Elizabeth helped to send little Alexander back to his room. Not knowing the door was never closed the entire time.

***

Alexander slowly traces his finger on the old table passed down before his father's time. Then arriving at Cillian's seat and sat down.

As if Cillian had prepared for Alexander's arrival, a hologram started to play.

A man with a picturesque body wearing a bespoke dark red suit appeared. His face somewhat resembled Alexander’s. Sharp jaw and mesmerising amethyst eyes. With taper fade blonde hair and stubble beard, he could swoon the heart of any maiden.

“Hello brother, you are finally here!” The hologram took the seat in front of the table.

“Cillian, is that you?” Surprised, Alexander asked.

“Yes, it is me. Duh!”

“How is it that you are here?”

“Thorough bending space and time, duh!” The hologram laughed and materialised a glass of scotch in his hand.

“If you felt for that, then you are still as gullible as ever, brother.”The hologram slowly sipped his drink. “If not, then congratulation! You have grown well.”

The hologram interjected again before Alexander could respond to his brother's preemptive insult.

“Anyway, little Alex! I’m glad that you are finally back.”

“I also hope that you are in good health.”

“I wish that we could meet in a better situation. However, it seems that something happened to my real body.”

The hologram pointed his empty hand at Alexander.

“That’s why you are seeing this message.”

“A message intended for you and you alone.”

The hologram then materialised a list.

“Let’s see here.”

“The first order of business is the Eliot Industries.”

“You don’t have to worry much about it, as Emilie will be managing it for you.”

“The second order of business is inheritance.”

“I have decided to leave you with 50% of my shares. Hence, you will own 24.5% of Eliot Industries. This chateau and some estates around the United Kingdom and Singapore will also be given to you. Charlie will contact you soon regarding the legal malarkey. The rest of my assets will go to my daughter.”

Alexander was stunned for a moment. He doubted his hearing.

“You … you have a daughter?” He asked in total confusion.

“I hope you didn’t try to ask my hologram that I have a daughter,” the hologram glanced up from his list. “Anyway, regardless, yes, I have a daughter with Emilie. You should be able to see her soon.”

“Right! Hmm … Let me see here … The last order of business is regarding my decision to go and colonise Titos.”

“I know that you and Emilie don’t get along well.”

“Hence, you might blame her for my action, which is what I don’t want.”

Cillian’s hologram put down his list and stared at Alexander.

“The reason why I left for Tatos was that I wanted to. No! I must go.”

Alexander looked at his brother's hologram in total confusion.

“If you want to know more, go and talk to Emilie about it.”

“Oh yeah. Right! Before I forget, you won’t immediately receive my inheritance. You will be allowed an allowance of ten thousand pounds per month until you complete my quest. Charlie will discuss this with you in full detail.”

“Wait, what are you talking about?” Before Alexander even finished his words. The hologram had already disappeared.

Alexander was left alone in the room to think about his brother’s words.

The silence was soon broken by a knocking on the door.

“Master Alexander, your food is prepared. Lady Emilie is also waiting for you in the family dining room.”