001 - Find The Boy

"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Theodore." I shook his hand with a big smile.

"Hi Theo," he said, returning my handshake. "Please, sit."

I sat down and faced the owner of this cafe. I tried to make a memorable first impression on him. I gave him the file that I brought.

"I saw a vacancy at this cafe, so I decided to apply." I explained briefly.

"Are you doing anything else out there?" The owner of the cafe looked at me sternly.

"Nothing; I have graduated, so I am now focused on working and taking care of my mother."

"Oh okay. Here they work per shift, so the working hours are probably 5 to 6 hours." He linked his fingers on the table, which made him look more dignified. "The salary is 10 US dollars per hour. How?"

"Yes, no problem. I do," I answered confidently.

I have no choice but to work and raise money for my mother's treatment.

"Okay, then starting tomorrow you can start working, Theo." The owner tidied up my files and then stood up from his seat.

I stood up and replied, "Thank you very much."

The owner's boss came back inside while I rushed out of the cafe to go back to the hospital. I would buy fruits for Mama on my way there. The bell rang as I passed the main door of the cafe.

"Excuse me," called someone wearing a suit who intercepted me in the middle of the road.

"Sorry, I was in a rush." I just passed that guy because I didn't know him.

"Excuse me, is it true that your name is Theodore Whitmore?"

I stopped when he said my full name correctly. I couldn't ignore it, of course. "Sorry, how do you know me? I do not know you."

"I am Preston." The man named Preston held out his hand.

I shook his hand quickly before letting go. "Is there anything I can do to help? I'm in a rush to get to the hospital."

"Oh, sorry, I disturbed your trip." Preston apologized sincerely. "Then I can drive you to the hospital, and we can talk on the way." Preston offered.

"Oh, no need, thank you. I also need to get some things before going to the hospital." I quickly turned it down.

Of course, I need to be wary of people I don't know. Especially when he wanted to take me to the hospital.

"Then I would like to give you this letter and my business card." Preston handed him a white envelope and a business card.

I took it questioningly: "What is all this for?"

"You will know when you read it, Mr. Theo." Preston addressed him respectfully.

The cell phone I put in my trouser pocket vibrated. I immediately took it and picked up the phone. "Just a moment," I told Preston, and I walked away before addressing the summoner.

"Hello!" I said first.

"Is this true with Mrs. Olivia's family?" asked a woman on the other side of the phone gently.

"Yes, that's right. I am his son," I answered hastily.

"I, from the hospital, want to inform you that Mrs. Olivia is currently in the ER."

"What?" Not finished, the nurse spoke. "I'm going there now!" I decided.

I hung up the phone and turned my body, saying, "Sorry, I'm in a hurry because my mom is in the ER." I explained quickly. "I'll call you later, Preston." I peeked at the name on the business card that was given.

Without waiting for a response from Preston, I immediately turned and sprinted toward the hospital. I ran as fast as I could and broke through several passing cars. I entered the hospital and immediately looked for signs of the ER room.

"Nurse, how is my mother's condition?" I asked a passing nurse.

"Sorry, sir, I do not know. Please wait until a doctor or nurse comes out from inside." The nurse told me

"Oh, well, thank you, nurse. Sorry," I said politely, and I walked nervously in front of the ER door.

A minute later, a nurse came out of the emergency room, and I went straight to her. "Nurse, how is my mother's condition?"

"With Mrs. Olivia's family?" The nurse asked to make sure while looking at the check-up sheet.

"Yes, it's true; I'm his son." I was assured.

"Mr. Theo?"

"Yes, that's right." I nodded my head.

"Mrs. Olivia needs urgent treatment to remove the cancer, which has started to spread." The nurse explained in detail. "This is Mr. Theo; I am handing over the financial files that must be paid off before the handling is carried out."

I took the file and read it carefully. "70,000USD?" I immediately sat limp in the chair in front of the ER room. My head is throbbing at the sight of such a large cost.

"Nurse, can I see my mother?" I looked at the nurse, who was still waiting for me.

"Go ahead, but it can't be too long."

"Yes, nurse." I stood up and saw that a letter had fallen.

I picked it up and remembered Preston's message. I opened it quickly and read the contents of the letter.

Hello, my son.

Sorry, father just found out about you now.

How are you?

Are you okay?

Have you started work yet?

I really wants to meet me and tell me about everything. I hope you will meet me.

signed,

Mr. Harrison Hawthorne

*note: your father

My heart stopped when I read the name at the end of the letter. I can't believe everything written in it. 'Mr. Harrison, that rich businessman is my father?' I thought.

"Excuse me, Mr., are you going inside?" The nurse in front of me broke my reverie.

"Oh, sorry. Yes, nurse." I folded the letter back and put it in my pocket before heading to the ER.