Chapter 6: The Promise of Freedom
"Knock! Knock! Knock!" Morgan heard a loud knock on the door of the room where he was sleeping.
He wondered who was knocking on the door. It was too early. Dawn was just breaking. He knew according to Jason, his daily training always started at eight in the morning.
He decided to get up from his bed and see who was knocking. But before he could open the door, he heard someone calling him.
"Morgan! Wake up! Open the door!" the voice called from outside.
"I am coming!" Morgan replied as he walked toward the door.
When he opened it, he saw Kevin, his trainer, standing outside.
"You need to prepare for the trip to the neighboring country. We have to leave with Jason in the next thirty minutes. Hurry up. He is waiting for us in the staff house dining area. He is eating his breakfast now," Kevin said, his voice sounding demanding.
"Yes, I will. Thank you for informing me," Morgan said, controlling his annoyance at Kevin's behavior. He was not the first person he wanted to see early in the morning, but he had to put up with him every day because he was his trainer. Kevin's attitude always put him in a bad mood, but he had no choice but to stay quiet. He knew he would be scolded by his bosses if he caused any trouble with him.
"You are welcome," Kevin answered and walked away arrogantly.
Morgan took a bath and changed his clothes quickly, then picked up his luggage. He proceeded to the dining area where Jason Harper was waiting. As he walked toward the table, he saw Jason and Kevin finishing their breakfast together.
When they saw him, Jason greeted him and gestured to an empty seat. "Morgan, take your seat and eat breakfast."
"Thank you, Boss," Morgan answered as he pulled a chair and sat down.
The smell of the food made his stomach rumble. Everything looked delicious, from the aromatic coffee mixed with milk to the warm bread and savory meat.
He started to eat, but just as he was beginning to enjoy his meal, he saw Jason and Kevin finish eating. "We have to leave now," Jason said as he wiped his mouth with a tablecloth. He and Kevin stood up and started walking away. Kevin glanced back while walking and said, "Morgan, let us go."
"Alright." Morgan stood up immediately to follow them.
As he walked behind them toward the parking area, his mind still lingered on the food. The Harpers always invited him to eat with them, but most of the time he was never allowed to finish. He would only take a few sips of coffee and eat a small slice of meat and bread before they stood up and told him it was time to leave. He was often still hungry afterward. He suspected the Harpers did not care if he ate well or not. They only invited him to pretend they treated him like family, when in truth they only wanted the prize money he won in every tournament. Morgan knew his earnings added greatly to the Harpers' wealth while he lived with almost nothing. They claimed it was repayment for saving his life. Sometimes he wished they had never saved him at all, so he would not have to work like a slave for them.
He pushed those thoughts aside when he heard Jason speak. "Morgan, get inside the car. We are leaving now," he said as he and Kevin climbed into his expensive vehicle.
"Yes, Boss." Morgan followed them inside.
Several of the Harpers' bodyguards got in as well to accompany them. The ride was quiet until Jason asked Morgan a question about Megan. Morgan stared out the window when he heard Jason speak.
"What are you thinking about, Morgan? Are you still thinking about that woman? Do you want to see her in person?" Jason asked, fixing his gaze on him.
Morgan was surprised by the question. He forced a small smile and shrugged his shoulders to hide his nervousness. He feared what Jason might do if he knew how much he cared for her. Jason already knew about Megan because he had caught him looking at her photo after training the other day. He regretted ever mentioning her name. Now Jana and Darwin knew as well.
He had been thinking of Megan the whole time, and they were traveling to the very country where she lived. He could lie, but he knew Jason was not foolish enough to believe him. Instead, he chose not to confirm the truth, hoping it would somehow keep her safe.
"I am not thinking about her. I have given up on searching for her," Morgan said, looking straight at Jason.
Jason smiled in disbelief and shook his head but said nothing. He simply asked a bodyguard to hand him a pack of cigarettes. The bodyguard sitting beside the driver took them from the dashboard and passed them to Jason.
Jason lit a cigarette and blew the smoke into the air. Morgan smelled the smoke. He did not like it, but he had to endure it because he was his boss.
Then Jason spoke again. "I want to warn you Morgan that you are not allowed to look for her until this tournament is over. You must obey me. If you do not win this fight, you will not be allowed to see her at all while you work for the Harper family. And you cannot walk away whenever you want. Remember you signed a contract when you agreed to work for me. You must fulfill every year written in it, and only then will you be free." He added, "And remember this is your last year working for us. Only two more fights and you are done."
"I promise I will do my job well. I will not try to see her until this is over. My only focus is winning the tournament," Morgan promised, then fell silent. He had almost forgotten the terms of the agreement. For the first time, he felt real hope that he would soon be free from them.
"That is good, Morgan," Jason said with a laugh, already imagining the victory and the prize money he would gain.
A quiet sigh escaped Morgan. I just need to obey this man who calls himself my savior, he thought. The tournament was only five days away. Then I will finally be free to find Megan. 
The journey was long. It was almost dusk when they arrived at their destination.  The place was located far from the metropolitan area of the city and included a large private gym built for martial arts training.
The owner of the place came to meet them. She looked to be around Jason's age. She was a striking woman wearing clothes that showed off her figure. It was not surprising given her profession.
"Hello my friend! You are still looking very good," the woman said to Jason, then looked Morgan up and down as he stood beside him. "And who is this? He looks so familiar. It is as if he is the male version of someone I know. If I am not mistaken, he looks just like Aunt Sabrina Hartmann! Oh my goodness!"
Hearing that name, faint and unclear memories surfaced in Morgan's mind, bringing a dull ache to his head that quickly faded as Jason spoke.
"Really, Ava? Even if he were related, he has no memory of his real identity," Jason said.
"Exactly," Ava replied. "Aunt Sabrina's grandson went missing a long time ago. Everyone assumed he was dead. We should forget about it."
"Alright," Jason agreed. "His name is Morgan. Morgan, this is Ava Blackwood. She owns this place."
"Nice to meet you, Madam," Morgan said to Ava.
"Nice to meet you too," Ava replied, taking his hand and holding it a moment longer than necessary. He felt as if she was showing interest in him, but he pretended not to notice. He did not want to cause any trouble now that his freedom was so close. He suspected Ava was more than just a friend to Jason.
"We will stay here for a week," Jason said with a mysterious look toward her.
"Do not worry. You are always welcome here, Jason," Ava said, smiling as she held onto his arm.
"Then show us inside the villa," Jason said, smiling back.
"Of course, follow me," Ava said as she walked ahead.
When they entered, Ava gave Jason the keys to their rooms. Jason assigned one to Morgan. "You may rest now, Morgan. Ava and I have some matters to discuss."
"Alright, Boss," Morgan answered.