A sudden rebellion broke out in Ukraine while we were there to talk about foreign trade cooperation abroad. Unfortunately, we got trapped in the war zone. Later, we heard that the rebels had set up a checkpoint at the port. They were asking for $5,000 to let one person go.

My girlfriend's childhood friend, Otto Blackmoore, laughed and asked, “Why should we waste money? Just show the US passport. They’ll let us through right away.”

My girlfriend, Yvette Mulligan, quickly agreed.

“Otto is right. That’s how it always works on TV.”

Since the team leader agreed, the others followed too. I was the only one who strongly disagreed. I said the rebels were desperate and only cared about money.

Due to my insistence, everyone sold their watches and jewelry to gather enough money to buy our freedom. In the end, we escaped safely.

On the ship going home, Otto was still angry about losing his old Rolex. He stormed onto the deck, shouting at the sea. A wave hit him and he fell overboard. His body was never found. Yvette, heartbroken, turned on me and pushed me into the sea.

“You came up with that stupid idea and got Otto killed. Now you can die with him!”

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Otto wanted to use his passport to get past the rebels.

——

“Why should we waste money? Just show the US passport. They’ll let us through right away.”

Otto’s voice echoed in my ears.

I pinched my thigh. The sharp pain told me it was real. I had been reborn.

“James, stop being so stubborn! You even sold your watch to buy a pass last time! What were you thinking?”

Otto looked at me with a smug face, full of pride and disrespect. Somehow, he had always bragged about his close connection to the boss. It caused everyone, including Yvette, tried hard to stay on his good side thanks to that.

When Otto questioned me, Yvette and the others looked at me with impatient eyes. If I disagreed again, they looked ready to tear me apart. I smiled calmly.

“Otto, you really understand people. He saw right through the rebels’ fear.”

“Let’s get ready, then! Let’s grab our passports and walk through!”

When I agreed, Yvette gave me a rare smile.

“Good. You're finally making sense. I was about to scold you!”

I didn’t argue with these fools. After all, I was already planning the safest way to escape. There was a black market 300 meters east of this street where I could get US dollars. I had a Rolex that could be exchanged for $10,000 there, which would be enough for a pass and supplies to escape.

In my past life, Otto and the others didn’t have valuables worth $5,000. I ended up selling my family’s gold pendant. That money bought them passes and food.

After we escaped, none of them thanked me. Instead, they blamed me for the idea and for losing their stuff. They even asked for compensation. If I got another chance, I wouldn’t care if they had money or not. I’d let them try their passports.

When they weren’t watching, I would leave quietly. Once I had already gotten money from the black market, I would immediately escape from this place on my own.

After making that choice, I felt much better. My mind became clearer. I remembered my father gave me a tracking device before I left. If I pressed the ‘Send for Help’ button, he would get my signal.

In my last life, I was too scared during the war to even remember I had the device. I only found it after escaping. Now, even though help might not come right away, I decided to use it just in case. Perhaps my father could still do something.

Right after I sent the signal, Otto came over and patted me on the shoulder.

"James, take off your watch for me. I'll exchange it for a roasted whole lamb. Every day, I’ve been eating instant noodles that make me sick."

My heart shook. This bastard really had his eyes on my watch.

"Don't you have one yourself? Why are you using mine?"

Otto was clearly furious at my words. He then stepped forward and grabbed my collar.

"This watch is my lucky charm. Since I wore it, I’ve always been blessed by good fortune. How can it compare with your lousy watch?"

I couldn’t help but slap his hand away.

"Just because it's your lucky charm, so what does that have to do with me? If you want the roasted lamb, exchange it for your own watch!"

As both Otto and I argued, Yvette and her men came over. She reached out her hand to me, her voice cold.

"Just give your watch!"

Yvette was the leader of our Foreign Trade Cooperation department. Since she supported Otto, rumored to have close ties with the boss, the others followed her. They were glaring at me with hostile eyes.

I knew it was foolish to fight them right now, so I swallowed my anger and explained.

"This is my watch, so I have the right … "

"How can you be so egoistic? It’s late. For days, all of us have been hungry. What’s wrong with exchanging your watch for food?"

Before I finished, Otto cut me off as if he were a knight in shining armor.

"These are unusual times. Everyone must show selflessness. How can you let all of us starve just because of a watch?"

The others chimed in after him.

"Everyone knows you come from a rich family. A watch means nothing to you. Why are you acting so stingy?"

"He’s the very picture of a rich, heartless man. In his eyes, all our lives together aren’t worth that lousy watch of his."

"If someone so stingy becomes a boss one day, his workers will surely suffer."

***

These fools were right. I really was their future CEO. To help me learn more about the company, my father let me join the Foreign Trade Cooperation team as an intern. This trip to Ukraine was both a trade deal and a secret test.

The people in this team were all young talents my father thought had great promise. He knew the rule of a new CEO came with new higher-ups. Just before handing over power, he set up this test so I could choose the people I would trust.

Yet, the outcome was truly disappointing. Since I refused to hand over my watch, they gathered under Yvette’s order and surrounded me.

"Since he’s got no shame, take off his watch by force!"

Under Yvette’s order, those people ran towards me to take off my watch. I stood up and shouted, "Stop! I’m your future CEO. I’m the next CEO of Blackmoore Corporation. If you dare touch me, you’ll regret it!"

Before I could continue, Otto stopped me. He kicked me down, stepping on my face. He looked angry.

"You fucking asshole, how dare you pretend to be Blackmoore Corporation’s successor? I’ll kill you with my kicks!"

Yvette then crouched down, showing a sneer.

"James, how dare you lie so boldly just to protect that lousy watch?"

"Don’t you know the future of Blackmoore Corporation is named Blackmoore? How could someone like you be the successor?"

"The real successor of Blackmoore Corporation should be … "

Just when she tried to direct her finger at Otto, he cut her off by showing a proud face.

"Keep it low, keep it low!"

Before, everyone had only guessed. But after they heard us talking, those people ran forward to grab me as they started to flatter Otto.

"No wonder I felt Otto was special the moment I saw him. It turns out that he’s the future CEO of the Blackmoore Corporation!"

"Even though Otto stays low-key, you can’t hide such a strong charisma. He’s really not an ordinary man!"

***

When I saw Otto’s proud face, anger rushed through me.

"How can he be called the future CEO of Blackmoore Corporation? I’m the real one-ah!"

Before I could even finish, Otto pressed his foot down hard on my neck.

He leaned close to my ear, his voice low and threatening.

"James, use your brain! If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll kill you."

"There’s already a war here. I’ll just say the rebels killed you. Nobody will question it."

When I looked into his cruel eyes, I knew Otto really could do it. And judging by the way everyone now looked at him, they would probably side with him, too. For the sake of living, I could only stay silent.

Only when I stopped struggling did Otto finally lift his foot from my neck. He grabbed my watch, shook it proudly in his hand and looked around at the group.

"Everyone, let’s go! I’ll treat you to a good meal."

"This watch can buy several whole roasted lambs from the people here."

Under Otto’s shout, the crowd followed him. Then, they left me lying alone on the cold, hard ground. Meanwhile, Yvette walked over. Her face was full of disgust as she pulled me to get up.

"I’m ashamed of being a girlfriend to someone like you. You’re stingy, fake and you even dare to say you’re the future CEO of the Blackmoore Family. What a joke!"

I pushed away her hand, forced myself to stand and looked at her coldly.

"Yvette, let’s end our relationship here. Besides, you’ve got no interest in me at all."

"What nonsense are you talking about? They just wanted some food. Who told you to be so selfish and unwilling to share?"

"You’re breaking up with me just after saying a few words? Are you done acting up?"

Was I really acting up? I had almost been choked to death. Instead of helping me, Yvette had stood with the one who hurt me instead. I ended up heartbroken, so I broke up with her. However, she still said I was just playing around.

It turned out that the old saying was right. When you were with someone who didn’t hold you in their heart, all your feelings and actions were nothing but nonsense.

"Yvette, we’re not the same type of people. Breaking up is the best choice."

Both Yvette and I were once envied by others a long time ago. In the past, I faced a drunken thug with a knife. She stood in front of me bravely, scolding him and taking a strike meant to kill.

Another time, I was in a drinking contest with my sworn enemy. Yvette helped me by drinking eighteen cups in my place, letting me win. However, she drank so much that she bled from her stomach.

But all of that ended the moment Otto appeared.

After Otto returned, Yvette’s eyes no longer rested on me. I heard that they had all grown up in the slums together, facing hardships side by side. In fact, Otto had even once saved Yvette’s life. They had been together before, but their relationship ended when Otto went to the Middle East to find work.

A year ago, Otto returned to the US out of nowhere. He then joined the Blackmoore Corporation. He even openly and secretly promoted himself as the Blackmoore Family’s heir. The long-awaited reunion between Otto and Yvette quickly reignited their feelings. So, I saw everything with my own eyes.

Yet, I had refused to admit it. I convinced myself that Yvette still loved me. It wasn’t until what just happened that I finally understood. When a woman’s heart has changed, there was no way to change it back.

By now, everything was over.