LARISSA

Chapter 3

AAMON

“I’M terribly sorry, Prof. Hades. The faculty, on the other hand, had already made up their minds. You’ve been fired.”

“You’ve been fired...”

“Fired…”

“Argh…!” I awoke from my slumber and rose from my bed. I let out a frustrated sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair.

It’s been a month since I was fired from my job. But those words of my dean have lingered in my ears, mind, and heart to this day.

I’ll never forget that agonizing day. The faculty just called a meeting one day, and the main reason was me.

I assumed it was just another meeting, but I was mistaken.

They condemn and judge me without giving me a fair trial. They let me listen to a voice recording. In summary, that voice recording shows I am having a s****l relationship with one of my students.

That, however, is not the case. I know that the voice recording has been edited. I could never commit such heinous crimes. As a professor, I have a great deal of respect for my students. And I enjoy what I do. I put in a lot of effort to achieve this profession. But it’s so sad that they’re judging me without giving me a fair trial. They simply dismissed and fired me from my position. My license as a professor of psychology and logic is being revoked.

I’m not sure who set me up. I don’t have any adversaries. I consider myself to be a good person. Who would do such a thing to me?

Bryan, my co-professor, blocked my path on my way home. “I’m glad you’ll be out of my sight, Aamon,” he smirked.

Bryan had set me up from there, I realized. He is a professor, like me, but he teaches a different subject. Everything is becoming clearer to me now. Bryan set me up because the woman he likes, who is also a professor, likes me. I also received praise from our dean and other recognitions. I’m sure Bryan is jealous.

“You planned this well,” I said solemnly. I’m attempting to keep my rage in check.

“I admire the way your mind works, Aamon. Excellent,”

“You know I could sue you for this,” I gritted my teeth.

“Aamon, verbal communication without proof is insufficient evidence.  So, whether or not you like it, they’re going to take away your license,” he laughs devilishly.

“Why do you hate me so much?”

“I don’t despise you, Aamon. Let’s just say you bark in the wrong tree,” he shrugged.

“Did I bark in the wrong tree?  I never talk to you. . It’s not that I’m barking up the wrong tree. It’s just that... you’re a jerk and a loser, and you can’t accept it,” I said this time, raising my lips.

I could see the rage in his eyes. “f**k you, Aamon!  Who do you believe you are? God? Do you think you’re perfect?”

“I’ve never considered myself to be one.  But thank you for considering it. You just admitted that I’m almost perfect,” I grinned. “Now that you’ve won, don’t show your face on me again, or else I’ll forget that I’m a nice person...” I had warned him.

Someone contacted me in the following weeks to inform me that my license had been revoked. That’s when I realize that I’ll never be able to pursue my dream again. I’ll never be able to work as a professor again. That makes my heartache. I’ve enjoyed teaching since I was a child.

But I’m doing my best to pick up the pieces of my shattered life. Life has been difficult for me, but I am confident that this is not the end of my story. While I was looking for work, I received a call from the hospital informing me that my father had been admitted. My father is already old and suffers from a weak heart. He needs regular maintenance.

I noticed the bank staff outside our unit as I wondered where I would get the large sum of money he needed.

“What are you up to?”

“I apologize, Mr. Hades, but you haven’t paid your condominium loan in months.  Your unit had already been listed at foreclosed properties by the bank,”

My eyes widened in surprise. “What…?! Hey, don’t go !”

They dumped me there, making me look like a loser.

Damn. Since the University scandal, bad things have been happening to me. Why should I have to endure such hardships? I’m not guilty!

I won’t have any problems as long as I’m a professor. My salary is sufficient for my father and me. But I can’t even pay my monthly condominium amortization right now.

Damn. Just damn.

Screw you, Bryan Jackson!

I tried everything I could to find a new job, even if it wasn’t related to my previous one, but I’m having trouble finding one even though I have a doctoral degree.

The scandal has already tainted my name.

Nobody believes me.

And I despise it. I’m in a bad mood. I feel like a worthless son. I’m not even able to help my father.

I was jolted back to reality by a phone call. I answered the phone without looking to see who it was.

“Yes?” I asked wryly.

“Aamon!”

I drew my brows furrowed. “Scott?”

Scott is fifteen years my senior. I don’t consider him a close friend, but we talk, and he seems like a nice guy.

“You called me three days ago and asked if I could lend you some money, right?” On the other end of the line, he said.

My eyes glowed. “Y-Yeah. Are you going to lend me money right now?”

I overheard him giggling. “Aamon, you know I’m poor as well,”

Disappointment has enveloped me. “So, what is this all about?”

“I was invited to an in-game search operation, complete with a prize, of course.  But I’m afraid I won’t be able to take my slot because my ex-wife has returned and wants us to meet...” I can tell he’s excited by his tone.

“Really? Congratulations!  I hope you two get a second chance.”

“We will cross the bridge when we get there.  But for the time being, I’ll give you this slot. You’re intelligent. You have a chance to win the game search operation.”

A game-hunting operation? What exactly is it?

“Errr… Scott, I’m not interested. I need instant funds.”

He laughed. “Aamon, don’t be a fool! Nowadays, there is no such thing as instant money. You should put in a lot of effort.”

“I know that. Thank you for the offer, but I’m not interested in participating in any competitions,”

“This isn’t really a competition. It’s a search operation in the form of a game. You’re going to find someone.”

“I’m not an FBI agent, Scott. I’m not capable of doing that.”

“Well, for sure, you are not. Are you sure you don’t want to do this?”

Even though he couldn’t see me, I nodded. “Okay, but at least let me tell you the grand prize. Perhaps you’ll change your mind,”

I believe it’s around $1000 or something. And I’m not interested, especially if I do not know about the process.

“It’s two million dollars, Aamon,” he says.

“What?” I think I’m hearing things that aren’t possible.

“Two million dollars,” he says again.

My eyes widened in surprise. “Two million... dollars?” My jaw dropped upon hearing the grand prize.

“See what I mean?  We both had the same reaction when we heard that. As much as I want to go there, I can’t pass up this opportunity because I still love my ex-wife,”

I wasn’t bothered by my second thoughts any longer. “Scott, I’ll take it!” Give it to me!"

He couldn’t stop laughing. “I’ve told you. Come to my house, and I’ll give you the slot paper,”

“Thank you, Scott. You’re an angel sent from above,” I said as I hung up the phone.

Suddenly, I feel as if I’m seeing rainbows and butterflies.

This is my opportunity.

I need to get my hands on that two million dollars. No matter what it takes.

***