In Years Past
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A LOUD BUZZER reverberated in the room indicating that the time was up and the contest had finished. On cue, all the participants in the contest halted their hands in frustration. This had been their third attempt over the past 3 years. None of them had been able to crack the system that demonstrated ZNetwork to be one of the most highly secured independent networks in the world.
The founder is Mo Tian Zi. He is the third son of the well-distinguished Mo Family of Mo Empire. Just like his brothers who took over Mo Empire at the age of 21, Mo Tian Zi also founded his brand 3 years ago at the age of 22 and had caused a ruckus due to the system he built being more secure, efficient, and less expensive than any of the well-known brands.
It is a new brand, however, almost all big companies were already using the system as their means of security, including Mo Empire and even the country's government database. That is how great it was! Today even, aside from the annual celebration, the event was also to showcase the system to someone from NASA. If the representatives become impressed with the contest and how impenetrable the system was, the day where ZNetwork is used on NASA's database will soon come to fruition.
"Thank you, everyone, for participating again this year. Unfortunately, none of our most talented hackers cracked the ZNetwork brand. But to commemorate your participation, each of you will receive $10,000 as your consolation prize," the company's PR Head and announcer stated, and a round of applause echoed in the room.
At the same time in his room at his own estate, more than a hundred miles from the location of his company, Tian Zi was sitting on his chair playing online games. He never liked appearing in any gatherings. The only time he had appeared himself, looking all dignified in a suit, was when his company first debuted 3 years ago. After that, he never showed himself in public again.
"Are you sure you're not going to show your face again this year?" A disembodied voice asked from his headphone, to which Tian Zi replied with a slight shift on his lips, even though he knew this person wouldn't be able to see his expression, while he continued to play his game with him. Even though he's now 25 years old, the hobby that he's enjoyed since he was young would probably never bore him, even if he became old.
"Wow, you're such a baby," Despite not seeing Tian Zi's reaction, he guessed immediately what the Alpha might have done to his face and quickly reacted like he had always. He had been somewhat friends with him for more than 5 years now. Even though he still didn't like Tian Zi, the Alpha had been there for him when there was a tragedy in his life.
A tragedy that greatly affected him and his family. The unfortunate death of his sister, Remi Long. A lot had happened during the past years, including the tragedy of Remi and his love story with a nobleman, Alexander Jonathan Wood. Amidst their escape to pursue their dream, Remi and Jonathan got into an accident. Jonathan survived. Remi however, did not.
"How about you? Aren't you part of the company too?" Hearing Fyre's comment, Tian Zi internally rolled his eyes and asked. The Omega was part of the company because he had also contributed in creating the top system ZNetwork was distributing into the world. Unlike him who had showed his face to the public, Fyre had never once shown his face. Of course, he knew there was a reason but years had passed since then, and the Omega should move on.
"I told you, you can have ZNetwork, you were the one who developed it. I didn't do much to be acknowledged," Fyre replied from the other line sounding annoyed.
". . ." Not saying more to avoid annoying the Omega, Tian Zi sighed with relief when the screen on his computer flashed "Mission Accomplished", indicating that he had completed his game. Aside from Remi and Jonathan's tragedy, the past years had been quite peaceful. His older brothers had been happily taking care of their growing family. Although every once in a while his mother would pressure him to take a lover, it wasn't as bad as he remembered it had been when his brothers were the ones being forced.
"Anyway, I gotta go, someone's at my door," Fyre suddenly said, to which Tian Zi only replied with a quick hum before he too logged out of his game. As his computer was shut off, he suddenly realized that the room was too quiet. He started living on his own at some point after he founded his company. Not because he wanted a place of his own, but because he was too busy growing his business in the past years. It had become very successful now. He hadn't noticed how empty his house felt with him being the only person living in it, aside from a couple of maids and butlers.
Tian Zi never really dreamed of having a lover, but he would be lying if there wasn't a time when he thought of it, especially when he looked at his older brothers now, how happy and fulfilled they were, despite how simple the occasion was. He was almost envious of the thought however, right now, he had no one close to him aside from Fyre. He's been with him ever since that day when they decided to work together. They've set their differences aside and have somewhat become friends. But despite the multiple near instances they've been through, it didn't look like it would blossom into something else. The Omega still looked like an angry chihuahua as soon as he saw his face.
He has confidence in his appearance and it wasn't like he was really bad in terms of personality, but he never once felt that Fyre had fallen for him. Or at least, not that he knew of.
Standing from his chair, he walked towards his bed. Just as he reached it, there was a sudden knock on his door and his butler slightly opened it to relay his message.
"Young Master, there's a man in the living room that wants to meet you personally. We tried to chase him out as you instructed but it looks like meeting you is of urgency," The butler reported, which instantly made Tian Zi think.
"Okay," Tian Zi replied and quickly headed to the door where the butler led him to the visitor. He had a couple of names in his head of who the person could be, but the moment he saw the small quivering Omega on the couch, with an obvious bruise on his cheeks, Tian Zi frowned and instantly approached him.
After what happened between them years ago, Tian Zi never got a chance to talk to this person again. They always saw each other, sharing a simple hi and nod, but this was the first time that the Omega had visited his place, and with a disheveled appearance at that.
"What happened?" Tian Zi asked in urgency. For some reason his heart felt heavy seeing the purple bruise on the Omega's right cheek, an obvious cut on his lips, and a hand mark around his neck, as if he had been choked hard."I-I'm sorry to disturb you at such an inconvenient time. I know we're not that close and we've spent very little time together, b-but if it isn't too much to ask, can I please stay here with you for the time being. I-I don't have anywhere I can go where they won't be able to find me," Maverick begged, purposely avoiding answering Tian Zi's question.
Looking at Maverick, Tian Zi frowned. Obviously, the Omega avoided his question. Letting Maverick stay with him, for the time being, didn't really matter to him. The Omega could stay all he wanted, but he needed to know what had happened.
Maverick Sullen. He's one of Daniel's cousins. The Omega was older than him by 2 years but their physical build says otherwise. Among the three other Young Masters of the Sullen Household, Maverick was the most mysterious one. Tian Zi thought so even before he discovered the Omega's secret. But what he was seeing now was a matter he couldn't just ignore if he was going to let the Omega under his roof.
"Maverick, I don't mind you hiding here, but you need to at least explain this to me," Tian Zi said, pointing out how the young master of the great Sullen Family was in front of him looking like this. He should have been able to stay in a hotel or one of the Sullen's properties, but he didn't. He chose him, and that says a lot because he was obviously hiding from someone who would not expect him to be with him.
"Who did this to you?" Tian Zi added with a frown. Truly he didn't care what other people did in their lives but Maverick was part of the family. If he didn't help and somehow his brother-in-law found out, his older brother would kill him. Additionally, Daniel is pregnant again with his fifth child, it's another surprise baby after the fourth son, Elijah Mo. The child has not turned 1 year old yet so no one had anticipated another pregnancy this early. And of course, with the subject of pregnancy, everyone learned from the past and now Daniel had been cared for really well. Everyone is busy especially as Ian Andrews also just came out pregnant as well with his second child.
"T-this..." Maverick timidly answered as he chewed on his lips not knowing what to do. It was too late to back out now, he had involved Mo Tian Zi in his problem.
"F-Father did this to me, " Maverick replied as his body slightly trembled in fear.
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To be Continued...