CHAPTER 5: DOWNPOUR

“Please take your seats.” The man inside said. Chris politely sat, he’s not nervous as he was earlier but he still can’t do eye contact to any of them. He is afraid that he would reveal every weakness he has the moment he meets their eyes.

“Welcome to Fantasia, Chris. It’s your first time going here, am I right?” The man greeted. He only sees the man in internet pictures, the CEO and founder of Fantasia Co., Henry Davis. Chris estimated that the man is already in his early 60’s. From the articles that he had read in the past, he is known to be a generous man. The company always does numerous charity events, environmental campaigns and all sorts.

But it’s a lot different now that he’s facing the CEO. He looks very intimidating even with the old age.

“My mother brought me here once, but it was for a short time. It was back when they just got employed.” Chris answered in detail. He remembered being introduced to other employees but he can’t recall their faces anymore. Is there a chance that he has met Fidel in the past too?

“I see… Do you know why I asked you to be here then?” Chris felt his hand freezing.

“I came here because he said that I will know the truth. I don’t believe that my parents’ death is caused by theft.” Chris answered, referring to Fidel. He wouldn’t admit what he discovered. Chris needs them to tell the truth in their own mouths.

“You’re right,” Chris’ eyes widened, he anticipated this but he didn’t expect him to admit easily, “Melissa and Christopher are valuable agents of mine, but apart from that, they are also good friends. Your parents treasure you so much so I think you deserved the truth.” Chris can almost hear his own racing heartbeat. The suspense will kill him at this point.

“Hey, calm yourself down. You might die of heart attack before he could reveal you the truth.” Chris maintained the straight face, he has to ignore Damien or he might explode.

“But before that,” he turned to Fidel who’s only been listening the whole time, “Fidel, we have an urgent request. One of our agents couldn’t make it so I ask you to go.” He took a long folder lying on the table and slid it towards Fidel. Fidel opened the folder and his eyes showed recognition to the case written in the front page.

“I’ll go now. Don’t worry Chris, you’re in safe hands.” Fidel reassured before he dispatched himself. Chris’s eyes went on the demon who casually sat in Fidel’s seat.

“Safe hands…” Damien repeated and laughed.

“Now we can talk privately.” Henry spoke.

“Ohhh, so he doesn’t trust his own employee. That sounds fishy.” Chris had to bear the burden of hearing the demon’s side comments but he has a point. Why did he want Fidel to leave?

“This conglomerate is a front. We operate legally but we do have other operations and your parents are involved with them,” Henry started. Chris didn’t answer, he’s simply waiting for the man to continue, “We gather different kinds of data, for private people and even for the government. We mostly gather information from other companies or businesses that operate illegally. We gather evidence and give it to right people.”

“Your parents were one of my topnotch field agents; they are the ones who go undercover to infiltrate those businesses. We are truly grieving for their demise.” Chris’ mind is blanking out now that it was revealed to him. He could feel his hands shivering but formed it into fists to force the shuddering to stop.

“And their deaths?” Chris answered.

“We’re still on investigation. Your parents are in a middle of a mission when this incident happened. It is very likely that they are discovered, and the perpetrators stole the car so it would rule out as theft. We’re also considering another aspect…” He trailed off.

“What is it?” Chris immediately responded. He needed to juice every information he could get.

“We’re also considering the aspect that there is a double agent inside the organization. Right now, I’m suspecting everyone that is involved in your parents’ recent mission but nothing is certain as of this moment. Give us time and I will make sure to give you private updates once we’re done sorting things. I’ll give every support that I can give you, that I promise.” 

Damien sneered as he shakes his head, “The guy earlier also said the same thing. Did they practice that or something?” The demon loudly mocked, Chris’s devastated that only he can hear the demon’s irritating deep voice.

“Sorry but I need more than that, I need information about the agents you’re talking about.”  Chris answered. His hands are still curled into fists, now because of anger. He kept his calm face but he’s boiling with the thought of his parents being killed by his own allies. He’s right about not trusting everyone.

The CEO looked surprise with his sudden demand, but he understand Chris. He lost his parents.

“Sorry Chris, but it is outside of what I can provide to you,” Chris felt his hope shattering the more he stayed to that office, “You’re considered as a third person in the organization so I can’t provide that kind of information. I know where you are going. Believe me, I do but please trust us on this.” The kept explaining but it was all nonsense to him. How long should he wait, weeks, months, or maybe years? He can’t. He wanted to know as soon as possible.

“I-I understand.” Chris swallowed the lump on his throat. He hates this helpless feeling.

“Can I… go now?” He asked, trailing off because of all mixed up thoughts in his mind.

“I’m really sorry Chris, there are things that I can’t simply disclose to you-” Chris took a sharp sigh, “Please stop apologizing, I understand. Just… I just want to go home right now, please.” He continued stuttering. The demon simply stared at Chris and sighed. This is going to be a hard task for him.

“About that,” Henry cleared his throat, “I want you to move to a safe house. I won’t remove the possibility that the killers might go after you. I promised to your parents that I would do everything in my power to protect you if anything happened to them, and I mean my promises.” It was not an offer but an order. Chris knew it but he firmly shook his head. He wouldn’t be able to move freely if they would move him to that safe house Henry is talking about.

“Sorry, but I don’t want to. I’ll be fine by myself. I mostly lived by myself anyway. I assure you that I can manage myself.” The demon smirked because of Chris’s words, the smell of bitterness lingered the room.

Maybe it would be a bit easier than Damien assumed.

“I insist. Chris, I need you to cooperate. This is for your own safety.” The man’s tone instantly shifted from being concerned to firm and authoritative.

“If you want me to cooperate then please grant my request too. I want the information about those agents.” Chris didn’t back down, he has nothing to lose anymore. He wouldn’t let them control him.

Damien couldn’t help but to grin, Chris is starting to fascinate him again. He knew that this is going to be more interesting.

Henry didn’t budge, “I understand. I’ll give you an escort home.” Chris can’t hide his annoyance anymore.

“Thank you.” He said sarcastically.

The man didn’t answer and immediately called for someone to bring him home. Chris didn’t resist anymore.

They are on his way home when it started raining hard. It was already late so the sky looked extra dark. Chris could barely see outside because of the heavy rainfall. He felt lonelier, but he couldn’t cry anymore.

The man who drove him home took out an umbrella and escorted him until he reached inside.

“Thank you.” He thanked the man and it responded with a small smile.

“What happened to your parents… I understand what you’re feeling. I lost my parents in a young age too. Please stay strong.” Chris simply nodded. He appreciates the motivation.

--

“What’s with that face, don’t tell me you’re cry again?” Damien appeared beside him. Chris glared at Damien.

“I’m really tired so please stop annoying me.” Chris answered soullessly. He felt so empty after all that happened, he just wanted to rest and maybe, don’t wake up anymore. He felt his phone vibrated but he didn’t check his phone until he reached his room. The demon did give him a favor and disappeared right after he said not to annoy him.

He went straight to bed and stared at the ceiling.

“What would happen tomorrow?” he mumbled to himself. His body is indeed tired, but he can’t sleep no matter how he closed his eyes and shift positions on the bed.

He’s afraid of tomorrow.

He felt his phone vibrated again. He finally decided to check it and saw that Kurt is calling.

“Hey.” He spoke first. He tried his best to sound enthusiastic but he knows that he failed.

“Finally, you picked up.” Kurt sounded bothered.

“Why? Is there something wrong?”

“I… you weren’t answering my chats since earlier. I know this is a weird question, but are you okay?” Kurt asked seriously.

Chris bit his lower lip. He couldn’t answer the question.

“Chris?” Kurt called after few seconds.

“No. I’m not okay.” He finally answered.

“Why? What happened?” Kurt immediately asked.

“My parents died.” Chris heard the call dropped. He figured that something important might’ve come up so he chose not to call him back. He doesn’t want to bother Kurt with his problems.

He felt his consciousness slipping. Chris felt his mind at peace for a moment. He wished that it would last forever.

Chris wished that he wouldn’t wake up again.

--

Chris opened his eyes and checked his phone. He fell asleep for almost 20 minutes and he assumes that it was the only sleep he would get for the night. He got up feeling groggy. He realized that he hasn’t eaten anything since Kurt left but he’s not in the mood to eat.

He felt his phone vibrated again.

“I’m outside of your house. Please open the gates, it’s freezing here.”  He buffered after reading Kurt’s text. He hurriedly went downstairs and saw Kurt standing by the gates, soaked in the rain.

“What are you doing?!” He immediately opened the gates and let Kurt inside the house.

“Are you crazy? It’s been raining since earlier, why didn’t you bring an umbrella with you?!” Chris started scolding Kurt. He’s always rash with his actions and why did he come in his house?

Chris’ eyes widened when Kurt suddenly embraced him.

“It must’ve been so sad.” He mumbled. Chris felt the wall he’s building to hide his emotions shattered instantly with Kurt’s words.

Tears instantly formed from his eyes.

“It hurts so much…” Chris answered while sobbing. He felt Kurt tapping his back, he didn’t let go of Chris and let him cry in his shoulder.

“I-I couldn’t see them anymore. I miss them…so much. Why does it have to be my parents?” He kept on mumbling while bawling his heart out. Kurt continued comforting Chris, saying that it’s okay to cry it all out, that it’s going to be alright and he’ll be there for him.

Continuously… until the loud wails became soft sobs once again.

“Why didn’t you bring an umbrella, you’re all wet.” Chris suddenly said after he regained his composure. Kurt smiled softly, “I ran as soon as you said the news.” Chris didn’t answer.

 He wanted to embrace Kurt again so he did. Kurt got startled but let Chris.

“I’m really sorry.” Kurt repeated but Chris shook his head.

“No. Thank you.” Chris smiled genuinely. Kurt didn’t know how much he saved Chris.

He didn’t know how he would spend all night, just thinking of what happened. How his life turned upside down in a blink.  He started a war by himself, but he’s already in the verge of giving up even though it barely started.

Chris wanted to confide everything to Kurt, but he knew that he shouldn’t. He knew that he should be contented with this. Kurt would get into danger if he does, and he can’t afford for that to happen.

This is enough for him.