The Secret of the Billionaire's Curse

Past Times

“I want you guys to get ready for summer vacation this year because I am sure that the number of hotel visitors will increase. Thank you for your cooperation. Make sure there are no complaints from visitors.” Frans tidied up some documents from the table, then stood up. “Good, I think this meeting is enough. Please return to continue their respective work,” he said then out of the meeting room followed by the officials of his hotel.

The sound of quick footsteps could be heard following Frans. A slender woman who was none other than Frans secretary tried to balance Frans steps because there was something he wanted to convey to his boss.

“Sorry, Sir. I'd like to remind you that soon you have a meeting with an important client. Earlier, I got a report from the receptionist if they had arrived,” explained Frans' secretary after aligning her steps with Frans's steps.

Drrt ... Drrt ....

Not yet Frans replied, the sound of Frans' cell phone ringing was heard. The man reached into his pants pocket and checked who called him. Seeing his father's name on the mobile screen made Frans frown. Jorgie Nielsen rarely calls Frans. In a year, maybe Jorgie just called Frans once or twice.

Frans glanced at his secretary. “Take them directly to the meeting room. I'll pick up the phone for a second. Maybe about ten minutes,” Frans said 

“Good, Sir,” replied his secretary. The woman obediently walked towards the elevator while Frans entered her study.

The man raised the call and then put the phone to his ear. He still didn't say anything until it was Jorgie who first opened his voice.

“Hello, France. You how are you?” greet Jorgie.

Frans sighed. “No need for much pleasantries, Father. I know there must be something you want,” Frans replied.

“Frans, come. Do I always call you only if I want something?” ask Jorgie.

Frans smiled wryly. “What's up, Dad?” frans asked in the end because he was lazy if he had to discuss something that he thought was very unimportant.

“At any time I'll have our family company's birthday party. I hope you will come,” replied Jorgie expectantly. On her company's birthday this weekend, Jorgie wants the rest of her family together.

“If I don't come?” ask Frans.

“I want you to come, Frans. Don't you miss me?” Jorgie asked back.

Frans smiled faintly. “Alright, I will come,” said Frans then hung up even though the father actually still wants to chat at length with Frans. The man actually still hopes Frans can be his successor in the company, but given the curse Frans has made Jorgie can not do anything.

After hanging up the phone, Frans did not immediately rush to the meeting room. The man was actually pensive considering the events of thirteen years ago. That time ....

The sun shone brightly when a man stood on the podium to receive the award as the youngest university graduate. At the age of just twenty years, Frans has graduated from university with a cumlaude degree. As a very accomplished man, Frans was able to complete his studies early because since school he had experienced accelerated classes many times.

But not everyone was happy that day. Like Lulla. Frans' stepmother felt unsettled because her son's position would be threatened. He did not want Frans to be the leader of the Nielsen company while his son was only a subordinate. In fact, Aren did not matter if he did not become a leader. But Lulla and his ego cannot be defeated by anyone. With her scheming brain, she tries to incite the husband so that Frans is not made the leader of the company.

“Darling, are you sure that you will give your company leadership to him?” ask Lulla. Currently, she is in a room with her husband after a day of attending Frans graduation. He wanted to seize the opportunity to incite Jorgie not to give Frans his throne.

“From the beginning I did plan to give the power of the company to Frans after he graduated. Now Frans has graduated, what else should I wait for?” Jorgie asked back.

“Are you not afraid that people know one of the Nielsen family members has been cursed? I, anyway, can not imagine that Frans getting famous later must be more and more people who do not want to do business with your company again,” said Lulla.

What he said had nothing to do with business. In business it is impossible for anyone to think about curses. Especially if the curse has not been proven to occur. But, Lulla must do everything in her power to incite Jorgie as long as Aren will get Jorgie's position.

“What are you talking about? The curse is not necessarily true. So, no need to overdo it like that,” replies Jorgie then sits on the sofa.

“I'm not overreacting. But, I know how gossip can quickly spread in a digital era like this. This kind of gossip can definitely damage the image of the Nielsen family company,” said Lulla did not want to lose.

Jorgie fell silent in his place, thinking carefully of Lulla's words. Seeing the doubt in both eyes of her husband, Lulla certainly felt very happy. The woman even smiled in anguish as she was confident that Jorgie would abandon her plans to give Frans company leadership.

The next day, what Lulla wanted happened. While having breakfast, Jorgie expresses her doubts about giving Frans a high position due to the curse that has fallen on Frans' life. Jorgie even stated that he would give his throne to Aren.

Frans did not feel any objection at all, the man even left the house. And with the savings of his late mother alone, Frans eventually built a business that ended up very successful, even much more successful than the Nielsen family business empire. Frans never even returned home unless something was important.

Yes, Frans' disappointment in his father's easy-to-believe attitude and his place only because of a curse that would obviously have no effect on the company.

Not the high position Frans expected, but not given what Frans wanted from his own father. Dad should have protected her.

Back to the present.

Frans smiled wryly as he recalled how his father trusted him more

the curse was of him. However, after what happened in her marriage, she did not blame her father's decision anymore. It might be true that he was cursed.

“That curse made me lose everything. Can I remove the curse?” frans muttered as he turned his head to the ceiling of his study room while recalling his bitter past.