World of Crowns

World of Crowns crescent1004 DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This story is not affiliated with anything. Please be advised that this story might contain some strong languages and mature contents that are not suitable for some readers. NOTE: Please be aware of the chapters point of view. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “Let me repeat your order ma’am. One americano and one latte, dine in. That will be 346 pesos, ma’am.” I told the customer as she gave me her pay before I handed the receipt. I proceeded to the next customer and so on. My body is divided into two while doing my work in this cafe. I take orders and make the beverages myself as well. There are also times when I am asked to deliver the order to the customer’s table. That is typically just a small part of my day. “Are you going home now?” One of my fellow employees nodded as I nodded. “Take care of the night shift!” I bid my goodbye to them as I headed to the cafe. The busy street of the city immediately greeted me as I stepped out of the building. The honking horns of the cars and rushing people just to get a ride to get on filled my surroundings. It is my event in life almost every single day whenever I am on shift. “Dyan lang po kanto, manong,” I asked the driver as the jeepney stopped for me to get down. (“Just on that street, manong,”) The moment I hop off the jeepney, the familiar noises from our street were heard. There were standbys on a prepared table, circling around each other with a bottle of alcohol and glasses placed on the table. I can hear them talk about random things while still in their sane situation. The dark skies had the street lights on. There were still kids playing and running around the street while laughing along. I used to do that when I was young. Playing outside the house was really fun when you don’t have anything to think about. “I’m home,” I announced when I stepped inside our house. It’s just a simple two storey house that is just right for our family. I have my own room while my two younger sisters slept in one as well. Our life is just an average. “Anak, have you eaten already?” Mama worriedly asked when she saw me. Instead of answering, my eyes went to the boiling dish she is cooking on a frying pan. “It’s your favorite nilagang baboy. Go and wash up. It will be done in a few.” I nodded and went upstairs to take a short shower. I get changed into a simple top and short. Just at the right moment, when I opened my door, two girls ran inside my room and tackled me. “Kuya Nate!” I am Nathan Tuazon. The two girls who tackled me are my sisters and the amazing woman downstairs is my mother. My life is pretty simple. We are an average family who is capable of providing our basic and daily necessities. Despite that, I insist on working part time during my free time so I can help pay for my tuition at my school. It was hard for me to balance my time but I can manage. Currently, I am in my 11th grade - senior high school. I am taking Accountancy, Business and Management strand or in short, ABM. Many people say that I look like a foreigner. With my light brown eye color and pale complexion that mostly got me to ask and compete in school pageants, though I reject those. My towering height of 6’0 and natural medium cool brown that is often thought I colored my hair. My life is just simple. I attended my senior high school into a semi private school and graduated as With Highest Honors during my junior high school. When I completed my junior high, I asked a friend of my mother who owns the cafe I am currently working at if I can work part time for them. I am easily satisfied with things except in studies. Clothes, bags, shoes. I don’t need new things as long as I can still use the old ones. In terms of gadgets, I only keep those that I really need. A laptop that my father used to own and a phone that I have kept for 4 years now. Everything is just simple and just normal until one day comes and it becomes messy. I looked my eyes around and saw a group of young kids with expensive phones on their hands. They are dressed in obvious branded clothes and really does look like they live comfortably. It was just a normal view from here in the counter. We get their orders, make them then serve it. It’s just as simple as that. “Nathan, can you bring this on that table?” A senior employee of mine says. I followed where her finger was pointing at to see two guys, around my age, sitting next to the glass walls. One is focused on his laptop while the other one is busy reading. I took a tray of two drinks and two pieces of cake before serving it. Things just happened but when I put down the tray on their table, I accidentally pushed the opened bottle of water placed on the table. My eyes widened when it spilled to the pants of the guy who was reading a book. My hands automatically reached for the tissue that was placed on their table. His friend looks worried while this guy just kept a straight face but I can feel his annoyance. “Sir, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean t-” “It’s okay,” he said in a cold tone. He harshly pushed my hand away from him and heave a sigh. His brows are not furrowed but his eyes are staring intensely into the stained pants of his. Somehow, his whole aura is too scary for me to talk more. I just said my last sorry before going back to the counter and reflecting on my action. Nathan, what did you do?! My shift ended with me hearing a little earful from our boss. Though the customer didn’t complain, it was indeed a scene. We can receive bad reviews for customer service. I went home with that accident still in my mind. I was really distracted until I saw an unfamiliar car parked in front of our gate. It’s a Mercedes Benz car that even has a man wearing a black suit standing outside the driver’s door. When he saw me, he suddenly did a light bow which made me confused. “Ma, why is there an expensive car in front of our house?” I questioned when I stepped inside the house. I removed my shoes before looking up to them as I saw two unfamiliar middle age faces with my parents looking at me worried. “What is going on here?” “Nathan, can you take a seat, please,” Papa says, pointing to the chair beside his. The room feels tense. Mama is avoiding my eyes while papa is wary. The unfamiliar woman is looking at me as if she is longing to see me while the man next to him was trying to keep his composure. My forehead creased when the woman suddenly teared up and leaned towards the man as he whispered to her. “Who are they?” I questioned papa. “You know that we… are not your biological parents, right?” He asked me for the memory when I first found out about it suddenly returned. Mama went to my side and reached for my hand and held it tightly. Don’t tell me. “It’s them. They are your real parents, anak.” I don’t know what to feel. Should I be glad because my parents that I have wondered if they are still looking for me are already in front of me or should I be scared because of every certain possibility that might happen. I stared at them with confusion as the woman approached me with tears now streaming down to her cheeks. Her hands gently reached for my cheeks as she caressed it softly. Her lips are shaking and she looks like she can’t find her words. She looked overwhelmed as her lips parted to say those words. “My son… we finally found you.” My life changes right after that. On that same day, they asked my parents if they could take me with them. They asked politely because of the years that mama and papa took care of me cannot be just invalidated. Since they are my biological parents, they have the right to take me whether I like it or not. I was in so much agony because I was stuck choosing between the family who took care of me when I got lost and the family who has been looking for me for years. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to do. I had to hear papa’s opinion but when he said to give my biological parents a chance, I obeyed. It was just the words I wanted to hear. He didn’t prevent me or hold me back with them but instead, he let me go. “Welcome to your new house son,” The man who is my biological father says when we hop off their expensive car. My eyes are wide and my lips are parted in awe when I see their house. It’s just a two storey house but the wideness is too much. It is a modern house with brick walls and one wall is in glasses. There is a big yard on the side and a pool on the other side as well. This is a mansion! “T-this is your house?” I exclaimed as they both nodded. I wanted to ask more but I feel like I wasn’t in the position to do it. When we entered the house, there were maids who were lined up standing in one position. I was so confused that I have no idea what is really going on now. “Everyone, this is our youngest son, Julian Zane Thompson.” My father announced as they immediately did a slight bow. “Welcome home young master,” YOUNG WHAT?! “Starting today, please assist him in everything he needs. Guide him around the house until he gets familiar. But for now,” He turned to me as I almost jumped when I caught his eyes. He is tall. “Is there something you want to do? Do you want to eat?” “I-is it okay i-if I take a rest for a while?” I asked nervously as he smiled and nodded. He asked the maids to take me to my room but my mother insisted on taking me there instead. They immediately took my bags that were unloaded by the driver and took it upstairs yet. My mother held my arms gently but when I looked at her uncomfortably, she withdrew and just guided me first to my room. “This will be your room,” She says in a soft voice. “I am grateful for this but… isn’t this a little too big?” I pointed out. It’s not a little, it’s actually big! The wall is painted in grey. There is a king size bed in the middle of the room and a side table next to it. There is also a television in front of the bed with a small couch on the side. There is another passage to enter a study area where a single study table is placed in the middle of the room with a swivel chair behind it. On the right of the room is a walk-in closet that is covered in glass doors while on the left side is another door located to go inside a personal bathroom. I only need a dining table and this could be my home not my bedroom. Everything is in here. This is nothing compared to my old room. “As much as we want to keep it simple because your… mama,” She was cautious to say it. I can feel it. I look at her, waiting for her to continue. “Says that you don’t like extravagant things. As for the room, this is actually your room already before you… disappeared.” A hint of pain is heard from her voice. “We had this renovated after years even though we have a light chance to still find you.” I don’t want to throw all of their efforts. They must have been waiting for my returns for a long now that they even did all of this. Just hearing that they never gave up on looking for me is already enough to make me feel that I can accept this. At least this one because they already got everything done. “Son?” She called as I looked back to her again. “Is it too much if I… ask you to call me mom?” It’s not too much but it feels weird. Somehow, it’s complicated. I have two moms now. “Is it okay if I ask for a little time? I think I need to get used to all of this for now.” “As long as you need, son.” A weekend here feels like I came to a different city. I learned a lot of things about me. I have a brother who is a year older than me but I still haven’t seen him around. Whenever I come down for breakfast, it’s either he is still sleeping or he already left. There are photo frames around the house but there weren’t any present ones. I also found out that my biological parents somehow owned a big company. They own that famous prestigious school that many of my classmates really want to see with their own eyes. They own some buildings as well and they promised to take me there soon. It was overwhelming and weird when they said that I was born in a rich family. That I am part of a hierarchy. “Isn’t it a little hot to wear such a uniform?” I questioned myself while staring at my new uniform. I was against it at first because it’s already in the middle of the school year. I had a lot of doubts whether any school will still accept me until I remember they own one. They enrolled me in a school that they owned. One hanger has a navy blue blazer with white lining and three buttons hanging on it. It has two pockets with a school logo patch on the left chest side and an id tag with a pin about it. The other one is where the white polo I am to wear under the blazer and a grey colored pleated pants. I wore it all as I reached into a navy blue necktie with blue linings to tie it around my collar. My eyes stare at the silver crown brooch pin placed on top of the necktie drawer glass. Instead of wearing it, I just took it along with my bag that they also gave. I didn’t forget to wear the black leather shoes that are already prepared as well. All I need to do in this house is wake up, eat and live. “Good morning,” I greeted them when I entered the dining area. The food is all prepared on the table. “Come, eat with us son.” My mom says. I took a seat next to her as my eyes went to the maids standing around the room. This is awkward! “Young master Liam is here, sir,” The head houseman says. Liam? That’s the name of my brother. “Good morning,” My eyes widened upon seeing the familiar face. It’s the guy from the coffee shop! The one I spilled the water to! “Liam, nice of you to finally show up in front of your brother.” Dad says when my brother sat on his right side adjacent to the table. He didn’t say anything but instead, he just gave me a single glance. I almost jumped from my seat when our eyes met as I looked away right after. He looks tense. He just ate his breakfast in silence. The whole time it was just mom who kept on talking to me. It’s like there is a wall between us and my brother. “Mr. Nueco, please have my car prepared. I’ll drive to school today.” My brother says as Mr. Nueco nodded. He was about to go when dad suddenly spoke up. “Nico will drive you and your brother to school.” My brother was about to say something but he was cutted off. “No complaints.” His face doesn’t show any annoyance but I can feel his irritation. He wiped his lips with a table napkin before standing up. I followed him with my eyes as he was about to walk out of the room when he stopped mid way and look back to me. “Are you coming or what? Just in case you don’t know, I have a lot of important things to do.” He says in a cold, deep tone that made me immediately rose up from my seat as if I was given an order that I need to follow as soon as I can. It was silent inside the car. I feel even weird because this is the first time I will be riding a private car with someone driving for me on my way to school. It’s different from commuting because I am with many people in one vehicle and it could be uncomfortable sometimes. This one is comfortable physically but the silence is killing me. “Stop by the convenience store,” My brother says to the driver when we passed by the village gate. The driver stopped by the store as my eyes immediately caught a guy who was wearing the same uniform as us leaning on a car. His arms are folded and he looks bored, waiting for someone. “Sir, your father said that I should drop you off with your brother at your school.” Kuya Nico says carefully. “I can handle myself. Tell him if you want, I don’t care.” He gathered his things before turning to me. “I’m sure you can handle on your own. It’s not like you are commuting anyway.” “But-” He didn’t let me finish and just hop off the car, closing the door. I follow him with my eyes in confusion as he approaches the guy wearing the same uniform as us. He said something to him before the guy looks in our car with a smirk, shaking his head. Kuya Nico proceeded to the school and my eyes widened just by looking at the entrance. There is a big arch saying Elite International High School where cars pass by. I was in awe while staring at the big and large building that they say is a school. Students are coming down by their cars with their doors being opened by their driver. There are others who parked in the designated parking lot where students who have owned cars. Most of them are not dressed in a proper uniform attire. Some are not wearing a necktie or wearing a different blazer. It’s like they added some fashion into the uniform which I don’t think is really fine. “Sir, you are not wearing the brooch pin.” Kuya Nico says before I can even hop off the car. I looked at him in confusion as he pointed to my necktie. “Young master Liam always has a crown brooch pin on his necktie, sir.” I was enlightened when I remembered the crown pin earlier. It’s really part of the uniform? He helped me put on the pin before I hop off the car. Stepping foot just outside this school is like stepping inside a different dimension. Everyone is talking about stocks and their family business instead of usual academics. Is this really how things go? Suddenly, everyone has their eyes on me. They were whispering things that made me feel uncomfortable. They are looking at me in confusion, shock and even in disbelief. More whispers came and I felt the need to run away but it was too late because I was already surrounded by them. This school… this world… is unfamiliar for me.