SOLD, ENSLAVED, LOVED
Prologue
Twenty years ago... A huge disaster shook the entire world. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons all happened across the planet in just one day.
This is what the survivors called "The Great Calamity". Everything that happened was like something out of a nightmare. Billions of people died that day, millions starved, and thousands rebelled against the government.
The world that people of the past had strived to build was destroyed almost completely in an instant.
Twenty years later, the world has started to heal and people began to get up on their feet and gave life another shot.
It might not be as peaceful and advanced as before, but humankind still had hope for the future and will do anything to survive another day.
But not everybody had a good start after the disaster...
Grandma Alice
Finn! Get your *** down here and help me sell these scraps to the junk shop, you lazy grandson."
Grandma Alice
(Why did my daughter leave her good-for-nothing son with me?!)
Finn
*yawns* *slowly gets out of bed*
Finn quickly got dressed and went downstairs to eat breakfast.
Finn
What's for breakfast?
Grandma Alice dropped a plate in front of him.
Grandma Alice
*sighs* If you have any complaints THEN LEAVE THIS HOUSE! I have no time for useless kids like you.
Finn couldn't do anything but to keep quiet and eat his beans.
Ever since Finn was a kid, he already had a weak body that made him prone to illnesses and made him feel useless. But even after hearing harsh words from his grandmother all his life, he never once resent her and was always grateful for taking care of him despite his condition. He still thinks that her strictness is an act of love.
Grandma Alice
After you finish your breakfast, head quickly outside and help me load the bags of scraps onto the truck.
After eating, Finn washed the dishes and left the house to help his grandma with the bags of scraps.
Grandma Alice
We're two bags short this week.
Finn
I'm sorry, grandma. I felt weaker this week and only managed to collect four bags.
Grandma Alice
And you ask me why I always cook beans?
Grandma Alice
It's because we don't have enough money to buy good food! The money we earn from scraps can only afford us canned beans and the rest is for bills.
Finn
I-I'll try to get a job at the local market. I saw a "Help Wanted" poster outside the fruit shop---
Grandma Alice
You can't even do your job here properly! And now you expect them to hire a wimp like you? Pathetic.
Finn looked down at his feet in shame. He already knew that he's too weak to get another job but a voice inside him still wanted him to try anyway.
Finn
I'm going to load the truck now.
Finn started throwing bags of scraps onto the back of the truck. He started to feel tired, but he didn't want to burden his grandma even more, so he continued working instead.
After he was done, he hopped on the truck and drove it to the city junk shop. It was an hour-long journey alone because his grandma stayed at home to do chores.
Finn
Is there a job at the junk shop I'm able to do?
An hour later, he arrived at the junk shop and met with the owner who receives the scraps every week.
Henry
Hey, kid. Back with new scraps, I see.
Finn
Henry... Yeah, but I'm two bags short this week.
Henry
You okay? Is your body getting weak again?
Finn
I'm always weak, Henry. It just got worse this week.
Henry
Don't push yourself too hard, kid. You know your body ain't built for too much work.
Finn
This is the only job I can do to help my grandma. I didn't finish school and I don't have any job experience in any field. I'm basically useless!
Henry pat Finn's shoulder gently. He gave him a soft, genuine smile to make him feel better.
Henry
You are not useless, Finn. You're living in this world at the worst possible time, and you have a medical condition making life harder for you---
Finn
I'm well aware, Henry.
Henry
---But still you're alive and running. You have a purpose in life and I bet you'll soon find out what.
Finn
*laughs* You're a softie for a big guy.
Henry
Oh, really? Well, you're quite strong for a skinny boy.
Finn
What's going on back there?
Henry
Ah, that? We're working on a new type of vehicle that can withstand intense weather conditions AND natural disasters.
Finn
Wow, that sounds cool!
Henry
If this goes well, and we finish it on time for the "Inventor's Convention", then the world will finally see that it's possible to escape the tragic fate that billions of people met twenty years ago.
Finn
What's the "Inventor's Convention"?
Henry
They started hosting this convention at the "Nextgen Center" two years ago. The government is searching for new inventions to quicken the advancement of society.
Henry
The chosen inventions are bought by the government for five million dollars and will be mass-produced for the use of mankind.
Finn
Five million dollars? That's a lot!
Henry
That money can fix this rusty old junk shop and turn it into a modernized mechanic's workshop. Sounds nice, doesn't it?
Finn
It does! I have faith in you, Henry. I know you can do it, I believe in you!
Henry
Thanks, kid. That really means a lot.
Henry
Oh, right! Before I forget... Here's your pay for this week.
Finn
Wait... This is what you normally give me for six bags.
Finn
But I only brought four.
Henry
It doesn't matter. You worked hard enough to gather all these scraps despite having a weak body. To be honest, I only expect you to get one bag at most but here you are delivering me six bags a week. You deserve a reward now and then.
Finn
Thank you so much! Grandma will be pleased.
Henry
Is Alice still giving you a hard time?
Finn
You know how she is, she's strict sometimes and scolds me, but I know she's doing it because she cares.
Henry
(Poor kid. Doesn't realize she's basically using him to her advantage)
Henry
I guess so. But hey, if you ever need help or just need someone to talk to, always know that I'm right here ready to be of service.
After unloading the truck, Finn waved goodbye and drove back home. He's very excited to tell his grandma about everything him and Henry talked about as well as the pay.
When he was only a few feet away from home, he spotted a soldier's armored van parked outside their house.
Finn
What are they doing here?
Finn parked the truck and quickly ran inside the house to see what's going on.
Finn
Grandma! There's an armored van parked outside the house---
Soldier 1
Is this him, ma'am?
Grandma Alice
Yes, officer. That's my grandson, Finn.
Soldier 1
We'll take it from here.
Finn
W-wait! What are you doing? Let go of me!
Soldier 2
Stop resisting, kid. We're just doing our job.
Soldier 1
We're taking you to the Armstrong residence.
Grandma Alice
I sold you to them, what do you think?
Finn was speechless. He couldn't believe what he just heard.
Finn
Sold? W-why, grandma?
Grandma Alice
We have too much debt and when I heard that the head of the Armstrong is looking for a household helper, I knew I had to grab the opportunity. No hard feelings, Finn.
Finn couldn't think straight. All his life he thought that his grandma's harshness was an act of love but the truth was far more worse. He was never loved, never cared for, and never wanted in the first place.
Soldier 1
Let's go, kid. Don't want to keep the Armstrongs waiting.
Finn
I just want to give my grandma my final pay from delivering scraps.
He walked towards her and gave the money he got from Henry.
Finn
I won't be needing the money anyway.
The two soldiers escorted him out of the house and as they walk towards the armored van, he took one last look behind him. The life that he had before was now going to end. A new life awaits him... Will it be better or worse?
Welcome to the Armstrong
After getting on the armored van, Finn quietly sat on the opposite side where the two soldiers were sitting. He was looking down at his feet the entire time and kept on thinking about how he's going to be treated in this new family he was sold to.
Finn
Do you know anything about the Armstrong family? What are they like? Are they nice?
Soldier 1
All I know is that they're one of the richest families in existence. They own several businesses that became popular after The Great Calamity. You know the Nextgen Center?
Finn
(Henry mentioned that before)
Finn
It's the big building where conventions are held, right?
Soldier 1
Exactly. That convention center is owned by the Armstrong.
Finn
Wow. They really are rich.
Soldier 2
I heard that Jeff Armstrong's eldest son is the new CEO of Nextgen Co.
Soldier 1
Well, he is the most suitable heir in all the Armstrong brothers. He's strict, smart, and good at handling people. He's the ideal candidate
Finn
He sounds independent and reliable.
Soldier 1
He really is. Unlike the youngest son, Jesus! That guy is a troublemaker ever since he was a kid. He's an adult now, but he's still immature and a happy-go-lucky man.
Soldier 2
I mean, if I'm as rich as him I'd be the same to be honest.
Finn
How about the middle child? What's he like?
Soldier 1
Oh, him? He's a weird one. Even though he's an Armstrong, he doesn't like the spotlight. He doesn't shout to the world that he's rich and famous.
Soldier 2
He's humble and likes to tinker with cars. That's his hobby, I guess?
Finn
He sounds like a good guy.
Finn looked out the window and was surprised to see where he is about to live starting today.
Finn
It's a Victorian mansion?!
Soldier 2
Jeff Armstrong inherited this place from his grandfather. He was the favorite grandson, and he decided to stay here with his sons.
Soldier 1
Let's go. I think we kept Jeff waiting long enough.
The two soldiers escorted Finn from the van to the front porch of the house. There waiting by the door was an old man in his 70s.
Soldier 1
It's good to see you again, Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. Jeff
Good to see you again, Porter.
Soldier 1
We brought your new helper.
Jeff Armstrong looked behind the soldier and saw a nervous young boy.
Mr. Jeff
Well isn't he young. *fixes glasses* Let me take a good look at you.
He walked towards Finn and examined him from top to bottom. He smiled genuinely at him that caught Finn off guard.
Finn
(His smile looks familiar)
Mr. Jeff
What's your name, boy?
Finn
I-I'm Finn... Finn Grayson, sir.
Mr. Jeff
Well then, Finn Grayson... Welcome to the Armstrong residence!
Mr. Jeff
You may now leave us, officers. I can take it from here.
Soldier 1
Yes, sir. Let's go, Dean.
Soldier 2
See you again someday, sir Armstrong.
The two soldiers walked back to the armored van and drove off. Finn was left with the head of the household, Mr. Jeff Armstrong.
Mr. Jeff
Oh, I can't wait for you to meet my sons.
Finn
I heard some things about them from the two officers earlier.
Mr. Jeff
Ah, I see. Well, let's get inside, and we'll talk on the way to the living room.
Finn followed Jeff inside, and he was amazed by the beautiful interior of the house. Everything looked so clean and well-maintained from the family portraits to the vases displayed on pedestals.
Finn
Your house is very beautiful, sir.
Mr. Jeff
Well, thank you, Finn. But the person you should thank for the cleanliness here is my housekeeper, Maria. She makes sure that everything in this house is clean and shiny like my bald spot here *points to his head*
Finn
*laughs* you have a great sense of humor, Mr. Jeff.
Mr. Jeff
I got it from my father who loves to crack jokes when he was still alive. Bless his departed soul.
Finn
(He's very friendly and easy to talk to)
Mr. Jeff
How old are you, Finn? And where did you come from?
Finn
Oh! I'm 21, and I used to live in Cleveland with my grandma.
Mr. Jeff
The same grandma who sold you to me?
Mr. Jeff
Hmm... When she came up to me and said she knew someone who would be perfect for the job, I was relieved.
Mr. Jeff
But then she told me that she had a price for that person and I thought, "This must be a scam". But I bit the bait anyway.
Mr. Jeff
I asked her who that person was and how much do they cost. She said that it's her grandson that her daughter left her twenty years ago before The Great Calamity happened. She asked for the price of one hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Jeff
Don't sell yourself too short, Finn. That's less than what you're worth. Nobody has a price always remember that. It doesn't matter if they're a celebrity, a politician, or just a commoner. Humans cannot be priced.
Finn
But you bought me, didn't you?
Mr. Jeff
It's more like an adoption, really.
Mr. Jeff
You see, the moment your grandma decided to sell you to me, I already knew that you weren't in good hands. Because no grandparent or parent is cold-hearted enough to sell their family for any price. I wanted to take you in despite not knowing anything about you. I can't stand seeing young kids being maltreated. That's why I "bought" you from her. It's not business... It's personal.
Finn
But why adopt me? Am I not here to be your servant? I'll do my best to be useful!
Mr. Jeff
I don't need more servants, Finn. You see, I've always wanted a grandchild. But none of my sons have given me any. They're all old enough to marry and yet every single one of them doesn't even have a girlfriend. They're all busy with different things.
Finn
So I'm like... Your grandson?
Mr. Jeff
I hope my sons won't mind. I mean, if they won't give me a grandchild before I die, then I'm going to adopt one instead. That's reasonable, right?
Finn
Y-yes, I guess so. We're not getting any younger.
Mr. Jeff
Exactly. Oh! We're here.
The two entered the living room. It's big and has a chandelier hanging at the center of the room. A fireplace is built on the wall opposite to the door and a big portrait of Mr. Jeff in his mid 40s is hung right above it.
Finn
This room is bigger than our entire first floor. We've never had a fireplace before,, so it's freezing during winter. I just cover myself with lots of blankets to keep myself warm as much as possible.
Mr. Jeff
You won't be cold anymore. Furthermore, you can sit by the fireplace as much as you want whenever you feel like it. You're safe here, Finn.
Mr. Jeff
Mr. Jeff is too formal... Just call me... Grandpa.
Mr. Jeff
Too fast? Sorry, we'll get to that stage in the future, but I promise you I will earn your trust.
Finn smiled and Jeff did the same. They both sat on the sofa near the fireplace.
Mr. Jeff
Let's just wait for my sons to arrive. But before then, I'll ask Maria to get you something to eat and drink. What would you like?
Mr. Jeff
It's okay, Finn. You can ask for anything. What do you usually like to eat?
Finn
Uhm... To be honest, I haven't eaten anything other than canned beans for the past twenty years of my life. So I don't know what other foods taste like.
Mr. Jeff
My word! No wonder why you're so skinny and frail. I'll have the cooks prepare a feast for dinner. You'll taste all kinds of food here. If you want something, don't be afraid to ask Maria or the cooks, okay?
Finn
O-okay... Thank you very much.
Mr. Jeff
For now, I'll have Maria bring you cookies and a glass of milk. It's time for you to start eating different kinds of food other than canned beans.
Jeff took a small bell from the coffee table and rang it repeatedly. A few seconds later, a woman in her 30s came in.
Mr. Jeff
Finn, this is Maria, our housekeeper. Maria, this is Finn, the new part of the family.
Maria
Nice to meet you, Mr. Finn.
Finn
Nice to meet you, too.
Mr. Jeff
Maria. Could you please prepare a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Finn?
Maria hurriedly walked out of the room to prepare the food for Finn.
Finn
When will your sons arrive?
Mr. Jeff
Any minute now, I guess?
Mr. Jeff
Speaking of the devils, here they are!
The Armstrong Brothers
Bradley
Well, you told us to come home quick.
Adam
What's this all about? I'm a busy man, you know?
Bradley
Busy with what exactly? Drinking in bars and flirting with women?
Adam
Hold on, Mr. Perfect. Not all of us are born to be the next CEO of Nextgen. *laughs*
Adam
That shit is your problem, not mine.
Mr. Jeff
Will the two of you cut it out already?
Bradley
You could at least act more mature and do something productive like starting your own business.
Adam
You sound just like dad, you know? Business this, business that, all you care about is money.
Bradley
I care about MAKING money unlike you who just WASTES money.
Finn
Please calm down, sir.
Bradley and Adam looked at Finn with curiosity.
Bradley
Your new friend, dad?
Adam
Aren't you a bit too old to make young friends?
Mr. Jeff
*sighs* The reason why I called you three--- Where's your other brother?
*Loud footsteps gets closer*
Henry
Sorry I'm late! There was a small problem at the shop, but everything's good now.
Adam
Tinkering with cars again?
Henry
I'm in the middle of inventing something useful. You wouldn't get it.
Bradley
Fun is the only thing this guy knows how to do.
Adam
At least I AM fun. Unlike this robot right here *points at Bradley*
Jeff got their attention especially Henry. He didn't expect to see a familiar face sitting beside his dad.
Henry
Yeah. He collects scraps and sell them to me.
Mr. Jeff
You collect scraps?
Finn
Y-yes, sir. In order to survive, I help my grandma collect pieces of scraps and sell them to Henry. He pays me per bag.
Mr. Jeff
And how much do you pay him, Henry?
Henry
Ten dollars per bag.
Mr. Jeff
And how many bags do you sell to him?
Finn
Six bags a week. But I only got to fill 4 bags this week because my body got weaker all of a sudden. But he paid me the same price as six bags, so I'm very thankful for that.
Mr. Jeff
How long has he worked for you?
Henry
I wouldn't really say that he works FOR me. I didn't employ him but since he needed a job I accepted the scraps he sold me. It started a few years ago.
Mr. Jeff
But you never mentioned him to me even once?
Henry
Just as you always say, right? I keep my professional life separate from my personal life. Whatever happens in my shop doesn't really concern any of you.
Adam
Will you just tell us why we're all here right now like some kind of family reunion?
Mr. Jeff
I kept trying to but all of you keep interrupting me.
Mr. Jeff
Anyway, the reason why I called you three is that I have an announcement.
Mr. Jeff
You see, from this day on... Finn is already part of the family.
The brothers went quiet and Finn felt like a huge boulder was placed on his shoulders.
Bradley
You... Adopted him?
Henry
But he has a grandma... What did she say to this?
Mr. Jeff
Actually... She sold him to me.
Henry
I knew she was a *****.
Bradley
Dad... What came into your mind and made you decide to buy a kid?
Mr. Jeff
I already explained this to Finn... I didn't "buy" him because I needed a servant or a slave. I took him in because he wasn't in good hands. His grandma had the audacity to sell him to a stranger.
Bradley
But that doesn't mean YOU have to take him in. Why not let others buy him instead?
Mr. Jeff
And what? Let bad people do cruel things to him and make his life worse?
Mr. Jeff
Finn is skinny, freezes during winter, hasn't eaten anything in his entire life other than canned beans, and worst of all, had never experienced the love of family.
Mr. Jeff
How could you be so sure that others can give him a better life like I can?
Henry
It's very kind and noble of you to adopt him, dad... But why do you want another child? Are you tired of us?
Mr. Jeff
He is not to be my son... He's my grandson.
Mr. Jeff
I kept asking the three of you to marry and give me a grandchild before I die... But none of you listened to me so, I adopted Finn and now he is to be my grandson.
Henry
So he's like... Our nephew?
Mr. Jeff
Nephew or son, you decide.
Adam
This is fucked up. You barely even know the kid!
Bradley
Seems like Henry knows him more than you do, dad.
Finn
(They're fighting because of me)
Maria
The cookies and milk are ready. Shall I bring them in?
Mr. Jeff
You know what? How about you escort Finn to the guests' room first, Maria. He'll eat his snacks there and can rest after. I still have to talk with my sons.
Mr. Jeff
Is that okay with you, Finn?
Finn stood up and followed Maria to the guests' room. He could only hear their footsteps as they walk through the corridors.
Finn
Don't they get along with each other?
Maria
They're all too different from each other, you see? They have different likes and dislikes, they grew up apart since they have different mothers.
Finn
They're not like... Pure brothers?
Maria
No, they're not. Mr. Jeff married Bradley's mother but had two mistresses, Henry and Adam's mothers.
Maria
But Mr. Jeff loved all of them equally. Though they don't treat each other like brothers. More like competition, actually.
Finn
No wonder why they're so distant despite being brothers.
Back at the living room...
Bradley
Are you sure about this, dad?
Bradley
It's not too late to back out.
Mr. Jeff
I've made up my mind. He will live in this house as family whether you like it or not.
Henry
At least he's safe here.
Adam
You like the kid or something?
Henry
You have no idea what the kid went through. I'm just trying to look out for him.
Adam
Well aren't you nice? You could be his dad, you know?
Bradley
Well, looks like we can't change your mind anymore.
Bradley
So, what are you going to do now? Change his surname to Armstrong?
Mr. Jeff
I'm going to give him time to adapt here first. I don't want to rush things and make him uncomfortable. So, I want the three of you to be in your best behavior around him and treat him like your nephew.
Adam
Fine, whatever. As long as he doesn't step into my room without permission.
Bradley
Why? Are you afraid he'll see your indecent magazines lying on the floor?
Adam
The way you say it makes you look like a ******.
Adam
"Indecent magazines" bro it's called "*****".
Bradley
Is this the issue here?
Adam
Don't be too rough on him. *smirks*
Henry
*flips his middle finger*
Finn
Wow! This room is very neat and the bed is so soft.
Maria
I'm glad you're enjoying your stay so far.
Maria
Please, eat the cookies while they're still warm. You can dip them on the milk as well. It's kinda like the norm.
Finn took a cookie and dipped it in milk. He took a bite and his eyes widened with delight.
Finn
This tastes so good! It's sweet and chewy!
Finn
Thank you for preparing this for me, Maria.
Maria
My pleasure, Finn. Well, I have to continue my chores. I will take my leave now.
Finn continued eating his cookies and soon after he was full. He never felt so stuffed before.
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