Meanwhile, since Dion officially departed and separated from Jasmine, it was outside in the world that confusion took hold of him. Where to rest his head come nightfall was a quandary.
Always before, his sole living arrangement in city B had been his dependence on Jasmine's family.
For over a year, Dion seemed bereft of memory. He knew not himself, his origins, or who his parents were. All remained enshrouded in mystery.
This absence of recollection was a blank. He could not quite pinpoint what precipitated his forgetfulness.
"Alas! My life is but a tragedy! Where next shall I tread?" muttered Dion in despair.
"Should I sleep beneath a bridge or on this storefront sidewalk?"
"In this city, I have not one friend, save those that bully me."
"Damn it!" He cursed in vexation.
At that moment, the clock neared 2 pm, a fact Dion deduced from his outdated cell phone.
No wonder hunger gnawed at him again; his scant meal at the cafe, not to his taste, had been insufficient.
Ordering more food was out of the question with not a penny to his name.
Two worn ATM cards were all his wallet bore, their details nearly faded, unused or indeed never used by him.
The cards were discolored, tinged with yellow or fully yellow even. The black card was there too, doubtless empty, Dion surmised.
Dion was unclear about the type of cards these were, only vaguely recalling an attempt to use one – unsuccessful, he didn't remember when or where.
He had acquired them from a beautiful woman who had met him purposely once, handing them over with reverence, before departing swiftly. "Welcome, young master," was all she uttered before she vanished.
Merely four words from the mysterious beauty.
Confused Dion accepted the cards of contrasting hues, slid them into his tattered wallet, and they never left that sanctuary again.
More than half a year since that encounter, and never again had he seen that enigmatic woman.
Now seven months had passed since he received the cards. The impulse to examine them again arose but was pushed aside.
After scanning his surroundings, Dion decided to continue along city B's streets, until, unbeknownst to him, he had reached a fairly busy park.
Observing the area, Dion found an isolated bench, yet it was nestled in the cool shade beneath a well-tended tree.
There he sat under the shade, surveying his surroundings with a distant gaze. It was only 2 pm, yet the park buzzed with people seeking refuge from the heat.
Dion had been sitting for nearly half an hour with hunger and thirst bearing down on him.
"Damn! Why didn't I remember to bring at least some water?" he cursed himself continuously.
His hand reached for a small twig that had just fallen from the tree, bowing his head to it, but before his grasp closed in, a voice startled him.
"Eemm...!"
Dion was indeed taken aback. Instantly, he looked up toward the origin of the unexpected sound.
Raising his head, he could make her out with clarity. There stood an exquisite woman, extending to him an expensive-looking bottle of water.
"You!" Dion exclaimed in surprise.
"Good afternoon, sir! May I sit here?" the beautifully dressed, assertive woman asked softly.
"Please do," Dion replied casually, eagerly snatching the bottle and drinking it dry.
Once the stunning woman took a seat opposite Dion, a silence fell. Nearly 30 seconds passed before he regained his composure.
"Who are you, really, and why do you follow me?" Dion inquired, trying to fathom the identity of the mysterious woman.
Twice she had appeared before him now. First, when she gave him the cards, and now at this moment.
"Sir may not recognize me, but I am well acquainted with him," she replied gracefully.
"Please, explain the meaning of this," Dion urged, curiosity piqued.
"Very well. I will speak honestly to you," said the woman, her words hanging.
"But I request that you do not interrupt my explanation," she insisted firmly.
"Go on," Dion assented tersely.
"My name is Ivory Sanders. I am a trusted individual of the eminent Mahesa Birawa and also secretary to the colossal Birawa Group.
"I have been tasked by Mr. Birawa to observe young master Dion discretely and to determine his legitimacy, as well as his life in city B.
"The young master disappeared from home 15 years ago, at the age of 10, reportedly abducted by a human trafficking syndicate.
"Mr. Birawa, along with your parents, diligently sought you for years. But after 12 fruitless years, your parents succumbed to depression and passed away.
"Only your grandfather was left, living desolately in city J. Yet, for the past three years, he persevered in the search, seeking confirmation of whether you were alive or deceased.
"Eventually, your presence was uncovered, following a tip-off that you still breathed.
"The source held back the precise location, until one day, Mr. Birawa's men chanced to see you in a marketplace.
"You were wearing a shirt without fastenings; the necklace you wore caught their attention.
"The necklace was unmistakable, a perfect match to the image on their mobile device.
"This news heartened Mr. Birawa greatly. But to verify the claim, he proceeded with caution, dispatching me to investigate.
"And so, for a year or more, I have been monitoring you, assuring myself you were indeed the person I sought.
"Though your appearance has altered, the necklace was the irrefutable proof – you are truly the sole heir to Mahesa Birawa, a magnate renowned in this nation, and indeed the globe.
"To further certify this, using sophisticated technology at Mr. Birawa's disposal, we procured a sample of your blood and hair.
"It was through these samples that Mr. Birawa conducted a DNA test to confirm the truth.
"Once the DNA test validated our beliefs, Mr. Birawa was convinced you are his kin.
"And so he directed me to bestow upon you those two debit cards."
"Each card's initial balance contained 25 billion dollars. Thus, the total for both cards amounted to 50 billion."
"Are you still in possession of these cards?" Ivory Sanders asked with inquisition.
"A...a...what! Fifty billion dollars?" Dion shouted, his voice rising.
"Indeed, sir! Every month, Mr. Birawa continues to augment the balance in those cards. By now, after a year, the total likely exceeds the 50 billion mark."
"That wealth is safeguarded within two commercial banks within the nation, guaranteed for their security."
"You can check your balance at those banks using your birthdate as the password."
"So, those cards hold significant value?" Dion inquired, still unable to grasp the sheer reality.
"Do you truly not remember, or are you feigning ignorance, that seven months ago you attempted to use one of those cards to buy a simple snack, to no avail?" chided Ivory Sanders, audibly amused.
"So, both those cards..."
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