Chapter 70 - How does one give themself amnesia?

Chapter image: Aiden's vibe except in an expensive suit, lighter blue hair and a shit ton more piercings on his ears. He also has his eyebrow and nose piercing in.

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Note:

- Also, here are two chapters in a day because I felt like it and I don't know when the next chapter is going to come out. I'm currently kind of in a slump. Apparently, winging a story tends to do that to you.

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POV: Aiden

"Welp," I said out loud as I stood in the gorgeous yet traumatising front garden. It was as large as I could recall, taking up the same space as a normal plot of an average house land. I arrived about half an hour earlier to check out the place since I was feeling a bit masochistic.

The Troph family mansion was so big, they wouldn't notice if a mere blue ant like I, walked around. After NOT appreciating the grim-looking building, I went as far as to check out the greenhouse, located at the side of the house and the Fuck lake, which was a ten minute walk. It was called the Fuck lake because my half-brothers loved to bring women and you know, fuck. They saw it as impressive or something since most girls found it romantic. Having sex, under the stars, by brown water and ducks. How passionate.

I wonder if they finally settled down because, by the looks of this place, it seems the spiders have decided to create a society.

It was almost time to go in so I returned to the garden and studied it further. Even after many years, the shrubs and bushes were trimmed the same way. The only thing different was the age of the trees. The trees were the thing that gave the place more of a natural vibe. Everything else looked artificial.

As I walked through the garden via the path connecting to the entrance, memories from my childhood popped up. By the rose bushes, I saw child Aiden sitting and smelling the different coloured petals, bringing a smile to my face and I could almost smell it right now.

The next flashback was not so pleasing. Underneath the Grand Tree (that was what the gardener likes to call it) the snotty brat version of Bradley was chasing after me with dirt, trying to throw it onto my face. The memory was dispelled but I distinctly recall it later escalating to rocks and stones.

I'm pretty sure I still had physical (and emotional) scars from that day.

I got out of the garden, approaching the steps to the front of the mansion. The entrance had those fancy road things where there was a covering and the road came all the way to the front door so cars and limos could drop off people right in front.

There were limousines constantly coming and going, with dressed-up guests going up the stairs in pizazz for their grand entrance through the open door.

As I was about to cross the road to get to the second batch of stone stairs, another flashback played. It's one of the worse ones.

The image of mother, also known as Blaire or traitor or a gold digger, materialises, along with five-year-old Aiden. I didn't know why I remembered this, even after so many years but let's blame the emotional trauma.

Little me was grabbing on the woman's leg, screaming, sobbing and begging for her not to leave, screaming out apologies and promising that he'd be a good child. Blaire on the other hand was completely emotionless and felt nothing as she walked toward her car. Her lack of action inconsequently dragged little Aiden's legs against the asphalt, breaking the skin and causing severe bleedings.

She finally arrived at the passenger seat and it was only then that she pried off little Aiden's grip from her legs. She looked at him with disgust and the last thing she ever said to him before she disappeared from his life was, "You were a pain in the ass and absolutely useless to me. I would've killed you if it weren't illegal, brat."

I remembered understanding the words and it left me in a state of trauma for a couple of weeks. I also remembered the entire family watching the interaction without a word of comfort or the bare minimum pity. Some were smirking.

It was only until later that I found out the truth about the history between my biological parents and the cause for her disappearance.

The arrival of another limo caused the ghosts of the past to disintegrate and I was brought back to the real world.

Fuck aren't I glad I've had an entire bottle of soju before arriving here or I definitely would've broken down in the garden.

The thought of showing weakness (well showing any more weakness) brought shivers down my spine.

Shaking off any incoming negative thoughts, I held my head up high and walked up the stairs with all the confidence I could muster (half of which provided by alcohol).

Disappointment settled when I saw the foyer barely any different to what it was when I was twelve. I was expecting the entire mansion to be refurbished, so it was kind of crushing in all honesty.

To avoid any more incoming flashbacks, I stopped myself from further investigating my environment, choosing to follow the ladies and their dates to the main venue of the event. Suddenly, we were in a line located in front of the closed doors of the ballroom.

Two men were standing in front, one checking the invitations and the other opening/closing the door.

"Miss. Cinthia Smith, Daughter of Carl Smith, owner of Nano Industries! With her is Dylan Wellington, boyfriend of Miss. Smith." ... and apparently announcing the guests to the entire world.

So much for sneaking in, greeting grandpa, snacking on biscuits and disappearing back out again. What are in, the medieval period? What's with this nobility-isk bs?

The line was moving very slowly and I used the opportunity to check the unread text from Nero. As expected, it was him worrying and being a mother, fussing over how I shouldn't drink too much or come home immediately if I felt vaguely uncomfortable or to call him if I needed anything. I rolled my eyes and sent him another reassuring text.

I'd bring Nero with me but my invitation (received the day after the call) had a special personalisation, mentioning how Nero's present was unnecessary and there was no need to bring him. Well, it was more straight forward than that.

It said that he was banned from the Troph household. Someone apparently dobbed on him to their daddy and I had an idea who that sorry fucker was.

Nero was very much against the idea of me going, let alone going by myself but he didn't stop me, knowing about gramps and the wrath of the Trophs. It didn't stop him from pestering me for updates every ten minutes though.

Eventually, I was at the front of the line and I handed over my invitation. Observing the guy, I noticed that he'd been working here while I was around and it seems he had a similar thought after seeing my name because he looked up at me with wide eyes.

I gave him a polite smile and a little nod, which was reciprocated by the shocked man. The door opening guy didn't seem to pick it up and formally asked, "How shall I introduce you?"

"Is there an opting-out option?"

The guy seems flustered at the question. "It's to introduce to everyone and notify the hosts of your presence, so I assume it would be a requirement but I can go ask–."

I cut him off with a raise of the hand. "That's exactly why I don't want you to do that," I sighed out, "None the matter, you're only trying to do your job. Sorry for the seemingly jarring question, you can just introduce me as Aiden Hendrix."

Just being in this house brings out the posh talk. Seems like the satanic tutoring had its worth.

The doorman's forehead wrinkled. "Is that all? Do you not want to add your relations or occupation?"

The other man (I think his name was Jared from what I can recall) opened his mouth to interrupt but instantly shut it when I shook my head.

"You can add that I'm a mere employee for Piece by Piece Tech and for Nichola and Co."

With a hesitant nod, he opened the door and the dreaded ballroom came to sight.

(A/N It's a lot wider/bigger)

"Mr. Aiden Hendrix, employee of Piece by Piece Tech and employee of Nichola and Co."

For once in my life, the attention was burning my skin but I didn't show it. Instead, I walked down the marble steps with a cool façade, looking at everyone but the Trophs (bless for their purple hair).

I know I looked good in my Armani suit accented with a couple of jewels, so the lingering, hungry eyes were no surprise. My hair was kept natural, pulling off a purposefully shagged look. The diamond earrings dressed my ears as well as the diamond stud on my nose screamed that I was no mere employee but an enigma. I even got to wear the bar for my eyebrow piercing. It was so close to closing up. I was going to have to beg for special permission to wear these at work.

There were a bunch of purple in the corner of my eyes, so I walked in the opposite direction and grabbed a glass of Champaign from a nearby tray.

Now what? I made it here in one piece. I didn't plan this far.

And I honestly didn't. I was expecting to break down as soon as I entered and just, run away from the mansion once again. But I didn't, so now what?

I guess I can just look for gramps and keep him company for the night.

Looking for wheelchairs proved to be a lot more difficult when there were a lot of people with legs. There were also the obstacles of my dear family since I refused to look in their direction. So it was perfectly reasonable he's there, but before I could deal with that hurdle, I'd checked out every other possible option.

After a couple of minutes of my hunt, a familiar call of my name startled me upright and I looked towards the source. Surprise took over my face which was quickly replaced with joy.

"Alfred?" I asked dubiously, not believing that the man next to me was actually my favourite head butler. He was old before, serving during the time gramps was family head but now, he was so much older. It broke my heart seeing the increased number of wrinkles and the cane he was supporting his weight on. Yet, he still managed to look the same from ten years ago with his lively eyes and the same classic suit (black tie, black blazer, white shirt and black leather shoes) and all of sudden I felt like crying.

This man was more of a father than my father was, raising me, playing with me, scolding me and growing up with me. He (and Mar) was the only reason I sort of hesitated to leave this household but it was him who pushed me to get out and live my life. I always wanted to meet to him again to catch up but the fear associated with the mansion was too large of an obstacle.

"Oh my boy, it is you," Alfred exclaimed excitedly. I've never seen so much emotion on his face before and the fact that I was causing this warmed my heart further.

I quickly walked up to him and pulled him into a hug, noting how the Asian man had shrunk (or I'd grown) as he only reacheed up to my cheek. I pulled back with a childish grin and exclaimed back, "I've missed you so much, Alfie! I wanted to come and meet you earlier, so many times to check up on you but I just... couldn't. I'm sorry," I ended with a sad smile.

"You still plan to call me that childish nickname? I thought some independence would finally put some maturity into you," Alfie said in a stern tone but with an obvious joking undertone, "And don't worry about me boy, I'm just glad you're alive and well. There was no news of you ever since you left."

We both walked to the edge of the room and sat on one of the fancy love seats. "Of course I'd be alive, it's not like they left me in a ditch with no money. Granted, I stopped using that money after a year but that's not the point. The point is, I thought you would've retired by now and left this hellhole."

The old man just smacked me on the arm. "Don't call your Troph mansion a hellhole," Alfie scolded, "It's just the people in it who made it a living hell. The mansion is lovely and should be appreciated a lot more. The designs, materials and even how it was built is very unique and intriguing."

I snorted. "Geeky old man, you haven't changed one bit. Also, should you be shit-talking your employers? I thought you'd pretend that they're lovely people and I'm just delusional."

"Language, young man. But to answer your question, they know better than to fire me, considering I know all of their secrets and misdeeds. Put me in the wrong hands and I can end their careers with a click of my fingers. As to why I have not retired yet, I just enjoy working. Yes, it can be physically straining most times these days but I don't like lazing around. It makes me quite uncomfortable. I plan to keep working until I'm bedridden, since I'll be bedridden regardless of whether I do my job or not."

"I hope you know your workaholic tendencies are a huge turnoff. Like who enjoys working for twats like them? You must be masochistic."

I expected another scolding but instead, I got an unexpected laugh and a fond smile.

"Yes well, when you're getting paid above the average salary without them harming you in any way and discovering dark secrets, who are you to complain?"

I laughed at that and resumed catching up with each other.

I learnt that Marcel ended up being the one who would inherit Hugo's – my biological father – company and was patiently waiting for the CEO's retirement. Or death. He was happily married to his high school sweetheart, Robin (I have a very vague recollection of her) and even had a two-year-old son. I nearly fell out of my seat when I found out that I was an uncle. I was too young to be an uncle. Alfie managed to stop me from having a midlife crisis at the age of twenty-two.

Speaking of Hugo, it seemed my name hadn't been uttered once since my departure, until recently. Not surprising . The man who turned a blind eye to my entire existence growing up. Even his wife, Sharon – my step mum and the biological mother of Satan's spawns – mentioned me once or twice a year. I was more shocked about that since my mother and her child played the homewrecker game.

Alex – the second oldest – apparently ended his playboy days and was now looking for a suitable wife. It wasn't working out for him though due to his history, so he ended up bringing a new date to each event since they never lasted long enough. This in return made him look like a playboy and it was an endless cycle. Who thought peaking in high school through the worst method would come and bite you in the ass. He brought someone new today and she'd lasted the longest but Alfie theorised she was in it for the money, hence why she didn't give a damn when he said some fucked up shit.

Bradley, the worst of them all, was doing great with his life. He was in some high position in the family business and even had a fiancé, meaning he left his playboy days behind (and even succeeded). Alfie wouldn't give me a name like he did with the other women but I couldn't care less anyway. His bullying antics were still there, just less severe, more secretive and the recipient wasn't me but his underlings and employees. Reminded me of how glad I was that I didn't join the family business.

The two things they did have in common, however, was the fact that they were all competing to take over the business (I'm sure the other two were planning to assassinate the oldest) and they were all involved in some underground dodgy business. I already knew about the later when I hacked through their servers and did some background checking, but none of it was severe enough for my justice instincts to kick in. No one was dying and it was all a money ploy, they'd get caught eventually. They' were a lot sloppier than they think.

As Alfie and I continued catching up, I could feel the number of eyes resting on me from the Troph family increasing. It wasn't just direct family who was silently studying me but also extended family (whom of which I forgot about in all honesty). I knew they were judging me for leaving their very humble family, most without knowing the reason why and I knew Hugo's siblings were dying to expose to the media that he had a bastard child with a whore, but they feared the wrath of the CEO more, so I kind of found it funny how they couldn't do anything but stare at me like I was from Mars.

And as much as I loved attention, the attention from them made my skin crawl and made me want to puke. It brought me back to the past where I was told to do something and observed expectantly by spectators, only to be disappointed with failure.

Before I could spiral down the path of dark thoughts, another familiar exclamation of my name broke me out of my mental chains and I looked up to find that my pseudo mother looking at me with unshed tears, from the entrance.