Chapter 5. Uncle Arnold’s Office

Harry’s car stopped in the parking lot of an office building. The man stepped out and stood for a moment, observing the surrounding atmosphere.

Dressed in a brown formal suit with a pair of sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose, the thirty-year-old man looked very dashing despite being in his early thirties.

He cleared his throat for a moment before finally taking a step.

The building was large and spacious, consisting of several floors where employees worked. The company, which had been built long ago by Arnold, was still standing strong with all its luck. Evidently, the owner was good at managing his business.

Harry walked while observing every corner of the place; several employees seemed to look at him. Some of them praised how handsome he was, while others looked at him with disdain.

Harry didn’t care, because his purpose in coming here was not to meet them but to meet Uncle Arnold, the owner of the company he was now visiting.

The ringing of the cell phone in Harry’s pocket stopped him in his tracks, so he picked up the electronic device and saw that it had a message on it.

From Uncle Arnold.

[Just go up to the fifth floor and meet me in my room.]

Harry let out a long sigh. He had been invited to come directly to the man’s room. Harry continued his steps, then entered the elevator.

Inside the elevator, there were several employees. There were two women and two men; the four of them stood behind Harry, while the young man was right in front of the door.

The atmosphere was silent after the elevator moved. Until finally, the whispers were heard.

“Isn’t that Mr. Harry?”

“I think so, Mrs. Angel’s ex-husband, right?”

“Ex? They’re divorced?” There was a surprised tone in her sentence; it seemed like the woman who was talking was rounding her eyes with a shocked expression on her face.

“Yes, they got divorced recently. They said it was because Mr. Harry went bankrupt, so Ms. Angel left him.”

Harry smiled bitterly with his face down. Ah, the rumors about his life had spread so quickly. However, there was a certain satisfaction for him because it turned out that many people blamed Angel for this divorce.

That woman was unfaithful; when her husband was broke, she even left Harry. Outrageous indeed.

“But it’s only natural; why stay with a poor man? As women, we need money to live on.”

‘Damn it!’ Harry thought to himself, cursing inwardly because the sentence he had just heard was too much. It hurt his pride as a man and made him angry because the two women behind him were too engrossed in their conversation to realize the volume of their voices was quite high.

“Can you guys keep your manners?” A man’s voice was then heard, probably coming from one of the male workers standing behind Harry.

Harry, who heard that, just smiled slightly; he felt defended this time.

When Harry looked back and observed the faces of the workers one by one, that’s when the two women who had been gossiping looked panicked and immediately hid their faces.

“Mind your attitude,” their other friend whispered.

Harry let out a short breath. When he wanted to talk, suddenly the elevator doors opened, making the four employees rush to step out and leave Harry alone.

Harry, who felt ignored, could only laugh blandly. He continued his journey to a room where someone was waiting for him.

Harry knocked on the door before entering the room, and when there was a response from inside, he pulled the knob and stepped inside.

A smile from Arnold’s lips greeted Harry’s arrival. A middle-aged man of his father’s age, Harry seemed very happy to have a special guest this afternoon.

“Good afternoon, Uncle Arnold,” Harry greeted the man sitting behind his desk, not forgetting to give a faint smile.

Arnold, the sharp-nosed man, returned Harry’s smile in a friendly manner. He then invited Harry to sit in the chair that had been provided.

“How are you, Harry?” Arnold asked with a bit of pleasantry.

Harry, who had just sat down, smiled reluctantly. Shouldn’t he ask the older man first?

“I’m fine, Uncle,” he replied later.

Arnold nodded in understanding. He took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. There was a serious look on his face, as if an important discussion was about to take place now.

“So… how much money do you need?”

Like fresh water in the middle of a scorching desert, Harry felt a soothing relief. Finally, this man was willing to actually help him. Some time ago, he was so painstakingly looking for someone to help him.

Harry smiled, relief in those clear eyes.

“I need a lot, Uncle. Some of it is to cover the remaining debts, and some of it I’ll use to start the business again,” Harry replied with confidence. Arnold, meanwhile, listened intently to his late friend’s son’s explanation.

Harry continued, “I can’t stop here. When I fail, I will try again. Doesn’t opportunity only come once if we’re willing to try?”

Arnold’s lips curled in a satisfied expression, occasionally nodding his head at the explanation of the man before him.

“Besides, I have to prove to people that when I fail, I can definitely bounce back.”

Arnold nodded in agreement, both eyes fixed on Harry with a look of pride. Harry’s spirit seemed so high; the explanation he gave amazed Arnold, whom he praised in his heart.

“Therefore, in addition to borrowing money, I also need help from another uncle.” Harry spoke with a serious tone and a slightly low voice, making Arnold squint and look deeply into Harry’s face.

“What is it, Harry?” asked Arnold.

Harry let out a short sigh. “I need a name, Uncle, to get my business back on its feet. Not only is the capital not enough, I need help, Uncle, to enlarge my business again.” There was hope in the man’s eyes as he spoke.

Arnold smiled. He understood where the young man was going. The words that fell from Harry’s lips seemed to really convince Arnold. Making the middle-aged man interested in helping.

“Okay, I understand. But can I ask you one thing?” Arnold wanted to ask.

“What is it, Uncle?”

“Why do you want to prove to so many people your resurrection? Is it necessary?” Arnold asked with a probing look.

Harry smiled and said, “It’s necessary, Uncle. Especially to one person,” Harry replied later, making Arnold’s forehead wrinkle in confusion.