Burning Passion

CHAPTER 68: THEO SHANG

Somewhere in SWITZERLAND...

Another day…

But it is just the same morning as yesterday, I don't want to wake up.

Comparing the differences between my days is when I cheerfully pushed my back to get off from my bed and guided my feet toward my Secret Room, or they called The Dark Room.

But not. It's not dark at all.

It was well lit by a blinding light from the ceiling. Yet no one has ever seen what is inside in my secret room.

Instantly, I picked up the pallet and began mixing the desired color I needed.

With enthusiasm, I move my hand to the entire canvass. I immersed myself in the next 30 minutes before I paused and studied which part I have to polish.

I looked at it for the next ten minutes without moving and blinking.

After I perceive that it wasn't complete yet, I will do more detailing until I am satisfied.

When it looks exactly like what I dreamed of last night, I will just put down the brush and stare at the painting for the next thirty minutes.

"She was crying, once again…"

My hands would travel to her eyes and wishing I could dry those tears.

I wanted to spend another half hour staring at her, but here is my annoying assistant knocking on the door.

"Master, we're running late in our meeting with President Anthony."

"Alright, I will take a shower, real quick!" I responded, shouting as this room as well closed.

I've waited for Roland to get out of my bedroom before I came out of my secret room.

The painting I did is just one of the countless paintings I draw from these passing years. I lost count of them already, but I keep them hidden even to my family.

I want to keep them for myself and treat them as my precious possession.

I want nothing to happen at any of them, like the one I cherished most.

My mother is an artist. She spends her life in photography and sketching most of her time anywhere in the world.

But I never met her, as she died giving birth to me and my father hates me because of that.

He feels like I took her away from him. But he can't completely abandon me because I was still his son, and I got her eyes. The eyes he fell in love with, and he cherished them.

Even then, my father brought me to China, he has never looked at me again. I don't understand, but later on; I made an assumption. It must be painful to stare at me when he could remember is my mother.

However, I don't remember any of my childhood, but only Jeremy mentions most of them.

According to him, I brought in China after a year my mother gave birth to me.

Madam Nina, the queen of the Shang, feels not threatened anymore by the death of my mother, and so she accepts me and raises like her son.

But Jeremy is a sick person. He has a weak body and Nina afraid that Jeremy loses the title as the next Shang Head of the family. She has threatened again, pushing her to decide for her gain, she raised me properly and made sure I got the advanced education, taught me all I need to learn to run a business and family at such a young age. She was nice to me in the thought I could be a replacement for Jeremy if she cannot get the title for her son.

He was ill, and the family searching for medical help until they heard about the research by the Williams family in France who face the same issues. Since then, a great partnership formed. The Williams Research Center helps Jeremy to live a normal life in later years and having my mother's blood, I prefer to stay outdoors, play sports, and skip all of my advanced classes.

Jeremy was older by five years than me, and he's the only one who fought for me every time Nina punished me or the whole Clan tried to get rid of me.

Well, the rest of the story, I don't know. That was only a small detail I gathered from Jeremy, and other people working with the Shang that shows sympathy to me.

But the accident happens ten years ago and stole all my memories. I was in a coma for one year. But thanks to Williams Medical Facility, they wake me up.

Furthermore, my father gets rid of me by sending me to Switzerland. He purchased me a house I later learned that it was my mother's parents' house. He invested to renovate the house and assigned me to take care of his business here in Europe. At least, he still thinks of me as his son, or so I presume.

Living here, I found one of my mother's paintings. It made me happy to have it.

According to Jeremy, our father hid all the paintings made by my mother. But one painting Louisa's family able to hide and keep it. She later gives it to me in the hope that it will help me live my life and move forward.

Having it, I cherish it as my life.

But Min Xi threw it on the fire when I told her that I won't marry her anymore. She showed up to me five years ago to talk about our engagement. But I can't marry her when I don't remember anything. Besides, I felt nothing for her and so I tried to free her in our arranged-marriage set by the elders.

I don't love her; I told her that. But in her anger, she destroyed my mother's painting. The only thing that makes me feels connected to my mother. The only memory I ever have about her.

Since then, I don't want to see Min Xi anymore, and I want to get out of the engagement no matter what. But the Shang elders are forcing the marriage whether I don't like it.

Now, I don't want to get involved in the family, but just working as an employee. I don't care anymore if who would become the head of the family next, or I don't get any fortune from my father. The more they outcast me, the more I want it to happen.

And these passing years… the companion I have is the woman in my dream.

Dreaming of her is what I look forward to the night to come too soon. But many times she won't show up to me.

Lately, all I dream about her is shedding tears.

Is she as lonely as how lonely I was?

"We've now arrived at the hotel, Master Shang."

"Okay. Thank you, Roland."

I said while stepping out of the car, head to the elevator, and press the floor where President Anthony reserve a meeting room.

"Hey, Theo! Oh, have you wake up on the wrong side of the bed again?"

Dirk Cristobal, assistant of President Larius Anthony acting as he knew me. I met him when I tried to finish my degree and I became friends with him until he worked with Anthony's. Still, a wonder to me how these two worked together. President Larius is the quiet and aloof person in which Dirk is a playboy and a very talkative with a hilarious attitude. Or maybe being opposite what works for them?

"For once, can't you shut up, Dirk? How about getting me some coffee?"

"Whoa! You are not my boss."

I frowned. But a waitress came into the room to pour coffee on the prepared cups on the table.

"There is your coffee."

Dirk kept mumbling which he was flirting with the waitress. I know, his boss raised an eyebrow as I am. He was too noisy this early in the morning. Fortunately, after ten minutes, the business investor Larius will finally introduce me.

"Good morning, gentlemen. I'm so sorry for being late. My son threw a tantrum first thing in the morning. I'm having a hard time settling him down. I am embarrassed for giving you such an impression."

"Good morning, President Kobayashi." Larius sat up from the armchair and welcome the guest. "We cannot avoid family affairs. Anyway, I want to introduce to you, Director Theo Shang."

"Please, to meet you, Director Shang."

"The pleasure is mine, President Kobayashi."

We shake hands and offer him an empty seat next to me.

"Thank you. Anyway, I always cross with your brother."

"Jeremy?"

"Yes, he always mentions you to me, especially with our upcoming business partnership."

"Hmm… It feels awkward to talk to other people. Hope you won't mind?"

"Ah, not at all. I was glad that he is open to me. That would strengthen our partnership. Besides, I have known him for years."

"I see."

Lot of things I don't know anymore. Even to my closest family, it feels like they were drifting away from me. But isn't what I want?

That I won't get involved in them anymore, if only. But I was still working under my father.

After two hours, our meeting is over. I have to report to the office and then visit my cousin, Louisa.

"Goodbye, Director Shang!"

"Have a good day, President Kobayashi." I returned. I exchange a nod, then notice a young boy running toward him.

I assumed it was President Kobayashi's son. He shared a little after our meeting that his son needs attention all the time. And he is only close to him and his assistant secretary. That is why he has to bring him around even to an important business meeting abroad because the little guy doesn't want to get close to any of his Nanny and Butler.

It looks like being a father is a huge responsibility. Thinking myself to be in the shoes of that father, I might choose not to get married and have children in the end.

I don't want to be like my father. He is such a coward.

Now, I don't think of involving any woman and to make mistakes.

Or maybe I just hated my father as much as how he hated me?

He turns his back on me rather than face me.. But choose to be a coward not to care for his child when he lost the woman he loved.