Chapter One: The Hollow Beginning
The sun rose slowly over the city, casting golden light on tall buildings, shining cars, and busy streets. In one of the biggest mansions, Evian stood by his wide glass window. From where he stood, he could see the swimming pool below, the long driveway filled with cars, and workers rushing about to keep everything in order. His face was calm, but deep inside, his heart was restless.
Evian was known by everyone as a rich man. He had inherited part of his father's wealth and multiplied it through real estate and trading. His name opened doors in high places, and his friends always praised him. Whenever he stepped into a hall, people looked at his expensive suits, his golden wristwatch, and his confidence. He lived the life that many dreamed of.
Yet Evian was never satisfied. Every new car he bought lost its excitement after a few weeks. Every party he hosted ended in emptiness once the music stopped. He chased pleasure but always returned home feeling like something was missing. His heart, though surrounded by luxury, was hollow.
He often thought about his father, a disciplined man who had worked hard to build their fortune. His father had once told him, "Wealth is not about how much you spend, but how wisely you use it." But Evian had pushed those words aside. To him, money was power, and power meant respect. Now, as he gazed out the window, his father's words seemed to mock him.
One evening, Evian threw a grand party. His mansion was filled with music, laughter, and the sound of glasses clinking. The chandeliers sparkled like stars, and the smell of perfume and expensive wine filled the air. Guests danced across the polished marble floors, their laughter echoing into the night.
Richard, one of his closest friends, slapped him on the back.
"My man, Evian! You are the king of this city. No one does it better than you," Richard shouted above the music.
Evian forced a smile. The praise sounded sweet, but he knew Richard loved his money more than his friendship. Around him, men and women danced, cheered, and toasted to his name. But none of them saw the emptiness inside him.
He walked among the crowd, shaking hands, offering smiles, nodding at compliments. The women clung to his arm, whispering how lucky they were to know him. The men asked about his latest business ventures, pretending interest while waiting for opportunities to share in his wealth. Evian felt like an actor playing a role, his true self hidden beneath a mask of charm.
As the party continued, Evian stepped outside to the garden. The night air was cooler, carrying the faint scent of roses from the flowerbeds. He looked up at the stars, but instead of peace, he felt a deep loneliness. The noise from inside drifted out to him, reminding him that his house was full yet his heart was empty.
He thought of how much money he had spent just to keep people around him. Expensive drinks, catered meals, live bands, and decorations—all to impress people who would likely forget him the moment the party ended. He sighed, wondering why joy was always so temporary.
After midnight, when the crowd had gone and silence filled the mansion, Evian sat alone in his living room. The floor was littered with confetti, empty bottles, and forgotten glasses. His eyes roamed over the expensive paintings, the shining chandelier, and the golden statues in the corners. They all stood as proof of his wealth, yet none gave him comfort.
His heart whispered, Is this all there is?
He poured himself another glass of wine, hoping to drown the thought, but the whisper grew louder. For the first time in years, Evian admitted to himself that his life, though full of riches, lacked true meaning.
Restless, he walked through the quiet halls of his mansion. Every room was perfectly arranged, every piece of furniture hand-picked, every wall decorated with the finest art. Yet each room felt cold, like a museum rather than a home.
When he reached his father's old study, which he rarely entered, he paused. The room still smelled of old books and leather chairs. On the desk was a framed picture of his parents, smiling with simple joy. They had not lived in mansions, but their happiness had been genuine. Evian felt a stab of guilt. He had inherited not just wealth, but also responsibility, and he had wasted it.
Sitting in the chair, he remembered his father's voice again: "Money can build or it can destroy. Choose wisely, my son." Evian pressed his hand against his forehead. How had he strayed so far?
Sleep did not come easily that night. He tossed and turned, haunted by memories of his childhood and the laughter he once shared with his true friends. He tried to silence the thoughts by imagining his next deal, his next car, his next party. But none of those dreams gave him peace.
In the morning, he rose with heavy eyes. The servants greeted him politely, but their voices sounded distant. He sat at the breakfast table, staring at a plate of food he had no appetite for. His phone buzzed with messages from business partners and party friends, but he ignored them.
His driver asked if he was going out that day, but Evian shook his head. For the first time in a long while, he stayed home, walking slowly through the garden, listening to the sound of birds. It was then that he realized he could not remember the last time he had enjoyed such a simple moment.
The days that followed were no different. Evian continued to live in luxury, but each night he returned to the same emptiness. The laughter of guests, the flattery of friends, and the glow of wealth no longer gave him satisfaction. The hollowness grew larger, pressing on his chest like an invisible weight.
One night, while standing alone by the swimming pool, Evian looked at his reflection in the still water. The man staring back at him wore a fine suit and a golden watch, but his eyes were tired, filled with questions he could not answer. He felt as though he was drowning in his own riches, unable to breathe.
It was in that moment, under the stars and surrounded by silence, that Evian finally admitted to himself: his life was hollow. His wealth had given him everything except the one thing he needed most—peace.
And so, in the quiet of that night, the hollowness of his wealth surrounded him like a shadow. He had everything yet felt like he had nothing. That was the beginning of his journey—a journey that would strip him of his pride, test his friendships, and force him to discover what truly mattered in life.