NEVER GONE
CHAPTER 1
Everyone says people are born with different spoons.
Some are born with diamond spoons.
Some with silver.
Some with gold.
Some with wooden spoons.
Some don't even have spoons...
But me?
I wasn't born with any spoon at all.
Life never gave me one.
It only gave me bills... hunger... and loneliness.
My mom used to tell me...
Mom
"Don't let being poor make you think you're worth less than anyone else."
Milo Gray (MC)
💭I tried, Mom.
I really tried.
But after you died...
Everything became so much harder.
Every morning feels like another battle.
Every night feels even worse.
I wonder if anyone would notice if I disappeared.
Karen
"Open the door already!"
He quickly wiped the corner of his eyes before opening the tiny apartment door.
The moment he opened it...
Karen rushed inside with the biggest smile he'd seen in weeks.
She was holding a folded paper high in the air.
Milo Gray (MC)
"What happened?"
Milo Gray (MC)
"...Did what?"
She grabbed both of his shoulders excitedly.
Karen
"I got you an application!"
Milo Gray (MC)
*Blinked*
"...What?"
Karen shoved the paper into his hands.
His eyes slowly widened.
At the top of the page were the words...
CROSSVALE MANOR
Employment Application
His hands immediately started shaking.
Karen
"My dad knows one of the delivery workers there."
"He helped me get one of these."
"They're hiring new staff!"
He stared at the paper as if it would disappear.
He had heard about Crossvale Manor countless times.
The largest private estate in California.
Home of one of the richest families in America.
The Cross Family.
Where ordinary people could only dream of stepping inside.
Milo Gray (MC)
"This... this can't be real."
Karen
*Laughed.*
"It is."
Karen
"I told you I'd find something."
Milo Gray (MC)
"But..."
"People like me don't get jobs there."
Karen
*Frowned.*
"And what exactly do you mean by 'people like me'?"
Milo Gray (MC)
"I'm poor."
"I have no experience."
"I don't know rich people."
"I don't even own decent clothes."
Karen
*She crossed her arms.*
"So?"
Milo Gray (MC)
"So they'll reject me."
"They'll probably laugh at me."
Karen gently flicked my forehead.
Karen
"You think too much."
Karen
*She smiled warmly.*
"This little times that I have got to know you."
"You're the hardest-working person I've ever met."
"If anyone deserves this job..."
"It's you."
Karen
*She nudged him again.*
"So?"
"Are you going?"
Milo Gray (MC)
*Slowly nodded.*
"...Yes."
"I'll go."
Karen
*She jumped happily.*
"Phew 😅"
Milo Gray (MC)
He smiled.
"My first salary..."
"I'm paying you back."
Karen
*She rolled her eyes dramatically.*
"Oh please."
"You don't owe me anything."
Milo Gray (MC)
"I do."
"You've helped me too much."
"You even paid my rent last month."
Karen
*She sighed.*
"And I'll do it again if I have to."
Milo Gray (MC)
*He immediately shook his head.*
"No."
"I don't want to keep depending on you."
"I want to stand on my own."
"I'll earn my own money."
"I'll survive."
She smiled proudly,held out her fist.
Karen
"That's the Milo I know."
Milo Gray (MC)
*He bumped her fist gently.*
"I hope so."
Karen
"You WILL get the job."
"I believe in you."
Milo Gray (MC)
*He slowly hugged her back.*
"...Thank you."
CHAPTER 2
Crossvale Manor, California
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 So... this is Crossvale Manor...
Milo Gray (MC)
💭The richest estate in California.
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 It's even bigger than I imagined...
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 People actually live here...?
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 This place looks like a palace...
He slowly walked toward the entrance.
The security guards standing at the gate were tall, expressionless, and dressed in expensive black uniforms.
One of them stopped him.
Milo Gray (MC)
"Y-Yes, sir."
He quickly showed the application paper Karen had helped him get.
The guard glanced at it before stepping aside.
Milo Gray (MC)
"Thank you."
The huge iron gate slowly opened.
CREEEEAK...
Milo Gray (MC)
*He walked through.
His heart wouldn't stop beating.*
Beyond the first gate was a long private road lined with perfectly trimmed trees and colorful flowers.
Luxury cars drove past one after another.
A black limousine.
A white Rolls-Royce.
A Ferrari.
A Bentley.
He had only ever seen cars like these on television.
Milo Gray (MC)
*Laughed*
💭
"One tire on those cars probably costs more than everything I own..."
After nearly ten minutes of walking...
The second gate appeared.
Even bigger.
Even more heavily guarded.
After another security check...
He was allowed inside again.
Finally...
He reached the third gate.
This was where all the job applicants had gathered
People filled the area.
Some wore neat black suits.
Some carried expensive leather folders.
Some looked confident.
Others looked terrified.
Not everyone looked rich.
Some wore faded clothes just like Milo.
Others had arrived with their wealthy masters, hoping to apply through recommendations.
He quietly let out the breath he had been holding.
Milo Gray (MC)
💭
"Looks like I'm not the only poor person here..."
He quietly hid behind the line.
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 I really don't belong here...
Everyone in line jumped.
The woman sitting behind the registration table slammed a stack of files onto the desk.
A young man hurried over nervously.
He accidentally handed her the wrong document.
She glared at him.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Can you even read?"
Applicant
"I-I'm sorry, ma'am."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Pathetic."
She threw the paper back into his face.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"NEXT!"
The poor man walked away with his head lowered.
Nobody dared to speak.
Even the birds seemed quiet.
Milo Gray (MC)
💭She's so scary...
Another applicant stepped forward.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Experience?"
She looked once.
Then tossed his papers aside.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Rejected."
*Another person.
Rejected.
Another.
Rejected.
Another.
Rejected.
One woman even started crying after being turned away.
The Lady didn't care.
Not even a little.*
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 She's rejecting almost everyone...
Milo Gray (MC)
💭 Will I even have a chance...?
He swallowed nervously.
His hands had already become sweaty.
A few minutes later...
Milo Gray (MC)
*He froze.*
💭 M-My turn...
He slowly walked toward the desk.
His heartbeat became louder with every step.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Without looking at him...
The woman stretched out her hand.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Application."
He immediately handed it over with both hands.
Milo Gray (MC)
"H-Here..."
She opened it lazily.
Her eyes scanned the paper for barely three seconds.
Then...
She looked up at him from head to toe.
Her expression instantly turned ugly.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"...What is this?"
Milo Gray (MC)
*Blinked.*
"I... I'm sorry?"
*She stood up.
Pointed at his clothes.*
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"You seriously came dressed like THIS?"
Several applicants turned to look at him.
He immediately lowered his head.
Milo Gray (MC)
"I don't have anything better to wear..."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
*She laughed.
A cold...
Mocking laugh.*
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Do you know where you are?"
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"This isn't some homeless shelter."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"It's Crossvale Manor."
"The Cross Family doesn't hire people who look like they just walked out of the streets."
Some people in line covered their mouths.
Others simply watched in silence.
Milo Gray (MC)
*He clenched his fists.*
"I know..."
"But I really need this job."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
*She folded her arms.*
"And?"
Milo Gray (MC)
"I'll work hard."
"I can clean."
"I can wash."
"I'll learn anything."
"I don't complain."
"I'll do my best."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
*She rolled her eyes.*
"You?"
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"You look so skinny."
"You'll probably collapse before lunchtime."
A few applicants laughed quietly.
Milo Gray (MC)
"I may not look strong..."
"But I work hard."
"My mother always said—"
Milo Gray (MC)
*His voice slowly became softer.*
"...always said that honest work is something to be proud of."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Where is she now?"
Milo Gray (MC)
*He answered quietly.*
"...She's dead."
CHAPTER 3
🌷 Havi-chan
Hi everyone!! 👋🥹
Welcome to my very first chat novel on NovelToon! I'm honestly so nervous because this is my first time writing here. 😭❤️
🌷 Havi-chan
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🌷 Havi-chan
Your comments make me smile, your votes motivate me, and your support encourages me to keep updating! 🥹✨
🌷 Havi-chan
Thank you so much for giving my story a chance.
The woman's face didn't soften.
Not even a little.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Then stop wasting my time."
She slammed the application onto the desk.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"We don't hire beggars."
He's eyes immediately became watery.
He quickly bowed.
Milo Gray (MC)
"Please..."
"I'll do anything."
"I just need a chance."
"I'll prove myself."
"I promise."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
*She clicked her tongue.*
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"I hate desperate people."
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"Leave."
*Milo didn't move.
Instead...
He bowed even lower.*
Milo Gray (MC)
"Please..."
"This job means everything to me."
"If I lose this chance..."
"I don't know what I'll do."
*The woman looked annoyed.
Without another word...
She picked up his application.
RIIIIP!!*
*The paper tore cleanly into two pieces.
The sound echoed across the courtyard.
Everyone froze*.
*He stared blankly at the torn papers.
His lips trembled.
His eyes slowly filled with tears.*
Milo Gray (MC)
*A tear rolled down his cheek.*
Milo Gray (MC)
"I only wanted a chance..."
The woman pointed toward the gate.
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
"I don't repeat myself."
"Leave."
Milo Gray (MC)
*He slowly bent down to pick up the torn pieces of his application.*
His vision blurred.
Just as he turned to walk away...
A cold, deep voice echoed from behind......
？？？
"...Is this how you treat people who come looking for honest work?"
Every applicant turned toward the entrance.
Even the guards straightened instantly.
The assistant head maid's confident expression disappeared.
Her face turned pale.
She quickly lowered her head.....
Madam Helena (The Assistant Head Maid)
Madam Eloise
🌷 Havi-chan
That's the end of this chapter! 🥹❤️
I hope you enjoyed it!
🌷 Havi-chan
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🌷 Havi-chan
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🌷 Havi-chan
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