Chapter 1

Morning came slowly to the city of New York which didn’t matter a lot as the city never slept. The City That Never Sleeps, New York’s common description was accurate as hell. In this city sat many millionaires, some having millions in their bank accounts, some dreaming about having millions. Whatever it was, people often believed that once New Yorkstarted liking you , it would never stop.
In this city, Richard Brown, an eighteen year old boy woke up to the rays of the morning sun falling on his face. Richard always had this dream that he was in a place which was totally white everywhere. He would talk to this person, a guy who wore modern clothes which were quite awkward in the setting. He always used to dream only about talking to this person but neither did he know the reason why he had only those dreams nor did he remember what they had talked. He only remembered that at the end, this stranger would give a blood red crucifix to him and say “Hold on to this tight, Rick. You’ll need it.” and then he would suddenly wake up.
He heard a knock on his door. He opened it to see his butler Harry who said “Master Brown, Mr. Bill is here to see you.”
Richard replied “Okay tell him that I’ll join him in a moment.”
“Right away, Sir.” The butler walked away.
Richard’s parents were dead long ago and he had no siblings or relatives either. His parents used to be tycoons in the various businesses until that tragic car crash in which a truck crashed into his parents’ car while they were traveling. They had however left him with enterprises worth $600 million. It was supposed to be handled by his father’s most trusted friend, Bill till Richard turned 18. Richard had left religion completely, horrified to even think that an all-powerful force could exist and still not do anything when all the evils in the world took place with no hindrance at all.
Bill was also entrusted with bringing up Richard. Bill was a father figure to Richard and Richard too felt that Bill was the only family he had. When his parents had died when he was 8, it was Bill who was chosen to bring him up. Bill was a widower and just like Richard, had no family at all. They were good friends too.
In the living room he saw Bill sipping tea, reading a newspaper. When Bill saw him he smiled and beckoned to him to sit next to him. He then said “Good morning and happy birthday Rick. Isn’t it quite late for you to be waking up? I guess that you were up late partying for your 18^th birthday.”
Richard replied “Yeah, I was, but why didn’t you come? I missed you at the party. It was pretty awesome, you know.”
“I wanted to but then I thought that the party might continue well into the night, Rick. You know about me: Sleeping at 10, waking at 5.”
Richard laughed “Ah, typical Mr. Bill Harley. Sometimes you need to break your rules. You know, rules are made to be broken.”
“Ah, there are some things in this world which can never change. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you. You living alone and all that. You got a girl yet?”
Richard blushed a bit to which Bill smiled “Come on, you can tell me. Go ahead, break it.”
Richard answered “No, Bill. I don’t believe that I am ready to enter into a relationship now. I just hang around with them, flirting and all that but I ain’t serious about it.”
Bill nodded “Enjoy your life kid. After all once you get old like me the only thing you can do is dream about your past.
Richard asked “Is there anything else which I need to know?”
“Nope. Do you have any plans for today?”
“Nah. The party was over last night itself, so I am free for the entire day but I guess that my friends might call me for something.” Richard gave a curious and mischievous smile “Were you thinking anything about the thing which I talked to you before?”
Bill frowned “Richard, I have loved only once and she gave me enough love to last a lifetime. I can’t think of anyone else who can replace my Alice. You, who have known me very well, should know it of all people on the globe.”
“Well, sorry if I hurt you, Bill. I thought that you need to move on just like everyone else does.”
“Can’t blame you at all. But still, I prefer this lonely life.”
“Okay, then. How’s the company going on? I read some pretty amazing news about it some days back.”
“It’s doing well though not as much as it used to under your father.”
“No, Bill. I think that he would have been happy at how the company is doing. After all, if you weren’t there for me when mom and dad passed away, what would I and the company have become?”
“Ah, that makes me feel much better Rick. But remember, sooner or later, I need you on the chair of the CEO of that company. I am getting old and am not as efficient as I once used to be. So learn the tricks of the trade and come prepared for we are all waiting for the day when you finally realize your position in the company.”
“Aw, Bill. I have never known anyone who has been as efficient as you. And I am very sure that you will be fit and efficient for many years to come. With you at the helm, I am always confident that the company will not fall into peril.”
“Ha. Very funny, Rick. Okay then, got to go, Rick. I called a board meeting. Call me if you need anything.” With that Bill stood up to go. “Happy birthday kid” he said once again and departed. Richard bid him goodbye and smiled. He knew that he had done the right thing by giving the power of attorney to Bill. He did not at all want to do anything with his father’s company, at least not now.
He then got a call from his best friend Charles, asking him to meet him at his house. Charles hadn’t come to the party last night. Richard figured that he probably wanted to play some videogame with him. Charles used to be a bit weird since he would always play games which were gruesome and dark. Sometimes he would even behave like a character from the game but Richard liked him. They both would game continuously for hours. Richard decided to go as next to love and money, he placed gaming next.

    Little did he know how much today would change his life.