twelve

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chapter 12 | permanent residence

"Wait– I am sorry, but could you repeat that? I didn't quite get it

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"Wait– I am sorry, but could you repeat that? I didn't quite get it." My chief financial officer asked over the phone. I didn't need a camera to know he was surprised by my words. It was expected. Who in the right mind decided to cut the stable income contributing to his company? Contemplating.

"Hypothetically. What will Hale inc lose if I terminate my partnership with RoyalCruises tomorrow?"

I sounded crazier the more I said it outloud. Younger and desperate Silas would've backhanded me by now.
Because then, I needed to make it. I needed to win the fucked up game of life. I sought for opportunities left and right.

While I obtained hotels, while I poured millions of money into my own establishments categorised by themes spreading from simple buildings to fantasy worlds for kids– it was never enough to me.

I wanted world-wide recognition despite building my national empire. Even if that meant my last name was only displayed on staff clothing. Deep down I was sure it would bring me somewhere.

It did.

Michael gave me a chance three years ago, a mouthwatering opening into the cruise industry. Luxury and overseas? The opportunity was too great to let go of.

All of a sudden, there were countries that allowed me to expand my company on their land and investors were swarming in. Hale inc. went international and I was a newly billionaire.

I was still new.

Pulling out had its risks. There was no denying it.
"It wouldn't make a massive dent." He paused for a second. "Perhaps seven million?"

That was definitely not all I would lose. Way more.

I paged through the staff list of this particular cruise, skimming through who were mine and who belonged to Michael. I bit the side of my cheek, recognising Mrs. Cadence on the list. She was probably the only person who knew me before everything.

At sixteen, my mother lost our house. Apparently this was temporary and that everything was in her supposed control. I just need to fix a few things, she said. Till this day, nothing has been fixed by her.

Instead, we stayed quite often at this cheap run-down motel. The rooms were small, service was shit, customers were even worse and the nights were always loud, whether that be because of my own mom or the damn shouts outside the rooms.

Everything about the place was worth my hate. But
Mrs. Cadence worked there.

Younger than she looks now, the creases near her light brown eyes accompanied with a smile so genuine it was unfamiliar, mrs. Cadence made sure I could call that fucked up motel my first home.

She had once told me she wanted to travel the world while working but never had the opportunity to.

This cruise made that happen.
It made so much happen.

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