Chapter 7 Ch: 07
Vincent\'s eyes blinked open, adjusting to the light after months of darkness. He turned his head, taking in his surroundings, and then looked at Nathan with a puzzled expression.
"How many months have I been asleep?" he asked, his voice weak but curious.
Nathan\'s face was wrought with guilt as he replied,
"It\'s been three months, Vincent. I\'m so sorry." He knew that the time his friend had lost was irretrievable, and the guilt of his own failure still weighed heavy on his heart.
Vincent\'s face was calm, even though his heart was heavy. He understood Nathan\'s feelings but knew there was no use in dwelling on the past.
"Three months? That\'s not too long," he said, trying to alleviate Nathan\'s concern. "It feels like I just slept yesterday."
Nathan laughed, though it was forced,
"Hahaha, yeah. You were taking a nap, huh?"
Vincent smiled weakly, knowing Nathan had done everything he could to save him. As an orphan, Vincent had always felt like he was alone in the world, but Nathan was the closest thing he had to family.
"So, what happened in those three months?" Vincent asked, hoping to get caught up on the time he had lost.
"A lot of things happened," Nathan replied, his voice hesitant. "But for now, I think it\'s better for you to rest on a ranch instead of the chaotic city."
Vincent nodded his agreement,
"You\'re right. I think fresh air would do magic in me. Look at my legs, they\'re so thin. I look like a skeleton," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
As they were talking, a soft knock on the door interrupted their conversation.
"Come in," Nathan said.
A tall, imposing man in an expensive black suit entered the room, his demeanor exuding authority. It was Jonathan Wayne, Nathan\'s father.
"I\'m glad that you\'re finally awake, Vincent," Jonathan greeted him with a smile.
"Thank you for all the help, Uncle Jonathan," Vincent replied, smiling back.
"It\'s no problem at all. You\'re like a son to me," Jonathan replied.
"Dad, I was already talking to Vincent about us going to our ranch in Maryvale, Australia,"Nathan spoke up, interrupting the silence that had settled between them
Vincent was taken aback by the sudden change of plans
"Australia? I thought it was just a ranch near us?" he asked.
Jonathan chuckled,
"Of course, son. I\'ll arrange for a doctor to accompany the both of you for Vincent\'s rehabilitation."
Vincent scratched his head, still feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened.
"Do I have a say in this?" he asked hesitantly.
"You don\'t want to?" Jonathan asked a hint of amusement in his voice.
Vincent hesitated for a moment but knew he didn\'t have much of choice. Nathan\'s father was known for his stubbornness, and Vincent didn\'t want to cause any more trouble.
"I do," he finally conceded.
As they made plans for Vincent\'s recovery, he couldn\'t help but think about the twists and turns his life had taken.
Vincent took a deep breath, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. "I appreciate everything you\'ve done for me," he said, addressing both Nathan and his father.
"It\'s the least we could do," Jonathan replied his voice kind and reassuring.
Nathan nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting the worry he had felt for Vincent all these months.
"We just want you to get better," he said softly.
Vincent smiled weakly, feeling overwhelmed by the love and care being lavished upon him.
"I\'ll do my best," he promised.
For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of Vincent\'s recovery pressing down on them.
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The room was silent except for the soft sound of Vincent\'s breathing as he drifted back to sleep. Nathan and his father exchanged a relieved look, both of them grateful that Vincent didn\'t seem to harbor any hard feelings towards them.
Jonathan cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"Nathan, I need to talk to you about something," he said, his tone serious.
Nathan\'s brow furrowed in concern, sensing that his father was about to say something important.
"What is it, Dad?" he asked.
Jonathan paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"I want to talk to you about the future of our company," he began.
Nathan\'s expression turned wary, knowing that his father had always been a workaholic.
"What about it?" he asked.
"I\'m getting older, and I won\'t be able to run the company forever," Jonathan said.
"I want you to take over when I retire."
Nathan swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his father\'s expectations bearing down on him. He knew that the Wayne Corporation was his father\'s life\'s work and that it meant the world to him. But the truth was, he never saw himself as a businessman.
"Dad, I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline," He took a deep breath and looked his father in the eye, his expression resolute.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow in surprise at Nathan\'s unexpected response, but he managed to maintain his composure. He took a deep breath, hoping to hide the disappointment he felt.
" What do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
"I don\'t think I\'m the right person for the job," Nathan explained.
"There are others in the family who are more qualified and deserving of inheriting the company," he added.
His father looked at him with a mixture of pride and concern.
"I see, May I ask who you have in mind?" he said slowly. "
Nathan took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Big Brother Ethan or sister Nathalie," he replied
"They\'ve been working in the company for years, and they have the experience and the skills to take it to the next level."
Jonathan regarded his son thoughtfully, his brow furrowed as he searched for the right words to say. He wanted to support Nathan\'s decision to forge his own path, but he couldn\'t help feeling a sense of concern.
After a moment of silence, Jonathan spoke up.
"I see your point, but I want you to know that I still believe in you. You have all the qualities of a great leader, and I have no doubt that you\'ll make a difference in the company"
Nathan smiled at his father\'s words, feeling grateful for his support.
"Thank you, Dad," he said. "But I think it\'s time for me to forge my own path."
"I understand, Just know that I\'m proud of you, no matter what."Jonathan smiled , accepting Nathan\'s decision.
Nathan felt a lump form in his throat at his father\'s words, feeling a sense of love and appreciation for his family.
"Thank you, Dad," he said feeling grateful for the love and support of his father.