In the cold, unclean and contaminated basement, where walls have splatter, Raja looked Tales like a predator while tapping his left foot on the floor as if he's analyzing something. The sound of his foot tapping echoing off the walls. Tales stood chained, wrists and ankles cuffed, his gaze is agitated but powerless. The faint bruises on his face are throbbing but he couldn't care less and it only fuel his defiance. “So,” Raja began, voice full of disdain, ,“are you going to keep your mouth shut forever, hm?” Tales smirked, his face seems like taunting him and even if he knows how stupid his idea was,he still don't want to give in. “I’m not going to grovel if that’s what you’re after. Just get it over with.” Raja’s eyebrows met, a cruel smile appeared on his lips. “Still so proud. I’ll enjoy breaking that out of you.” He then walk towards the right side of the wall pulling the lever, to tighten the chains holding Tales, forcing him to stand on his toes, straining under the weight.
Knock! Knock! Knock! Tales grimaced as he heard loud knocks coming from his door and opened his eyes. He had dozed off to sleep in the middle of planning his escape from this hellish situation. He immediately got out of bed and opened the door, not minding his bed hair and unkempt appearance. One of Raja's stern-looking men greeted him, holding a black box. "What?" he asked. "Get changed," the man said, handing him the box. "Boss is waiting outside. He ordered that you should be there by 7:30!" Then he left. 'What?' Tales didn't ask further questions and closed the door. He immediately looked at the wall clock and saw that it was already 7:25. He only had 5 minutes to prepare? Raja must think he has superpowers or something. Nonetheless, he shouldn't complain unless he has a perfect plan to kill that bastard. For now, he just needed to get on his good side. He was asked to get changed, so it must be clothes. He opened the box and saw a black suit, a gun, and a knife beside it.
Raja can smell the animosity of Tales base on its sharp gaze on his back. He cares no less. He knows that Tales wonders why he acts like that and may think that he is a lunatic but who fucking cares when it's true? And that old man is a traitor, and a traitor should be beheaded. He's merciful enough to gave that old man a short time to share the same air like him. How dare that old man, attempted to solicit his prostitutes with much wage than his? And one of his men even help with the plan! There's no way he could let it go. Raja discreetly glance at Tales who's maintaining his poker face but his body language says otherwise. Upon leaving the company, in the lobby, a lot of employees were shocked by how they were covered with blood but no one is fast enough to report them to the authorities. Of course, if someone is courageous enough to report them, he needs to spend some money to shut those personnels which will eventually increase his hatred towards Calder.When they arrive toward
Upon arriving at the estate, Tales frowned upon seeing two men in suits. They were muscular men who seemed to have the potential to be models. They were sitting on the couch as if waiting for someone. Tales' frown deepened when he noticed that the two men were trembling, their faces flushed red. Beads of sweat were also forming on their foreheads.Tales looked at Raja, but his expression was different. Raja seemed annoyed by what he saw."What the fxck are you doing here?"The two men were startled by the young man's outburst before they slowly replied."But it's Wednesday, Master."Master?!Raja smirked, then covered half of his face with his left hand and laughed."Right. It's Wednesday," he said, as if realizing something. "Glad you're here. I'm so pent up right now. Go to the red room first and get dressed."The two immediately obeyed and walked away. But Tales' frown deepened further when he saw that they seemed to have difficulty walking properly due to their trembling legs."Wh
The smell of sautéing onions followed by vegetables could be heard across the kitchen. Tales felt the pang of hunger again as he regained his senses from the events earlier. He went down to the kitchen and, to his relief, found lots of groceries. He didn't like processed foods, so he immediately started preparing a homemade meal. Fried fish and Sinigang.As he went downstairs, he could still hear the moans, sounding like cries of pleasure, coming from the room he had run away from a few minutes ago, but he ignored it. He should start acting docile, one step at a time. He should fool them into thinking he had submitted, but changing his behavior too quickly would arouse suspicion, so he would do it gradually.While he was cooking, Raja walked downstairs. Freshly showered, wearing a loose black tank top and black pajamas. He was still drying his hair when he heard the sounds of kitchen utensils and smelled the cooking. He frowned but still headed to the kitchen, knowing who was cooking.
Tales didn’t complain and simply changed clothes, and once again, a turtleneck paired with a coat. When he stepped out, Raja gave him a thorough head-to-toe look, clearly unimpressed. It was as if Tales hadn’t changed at all, as his outfit looked almost identical to what he usually wore, whether at home or out.“Don’t you really have anything else to wear?” Raja remarked sarcastically, crossing his arms. “What’s wrong with you, seriously?”Tales ignored the comment and sighed deeply. “What kind of work will we be doing tonight, sir?” he asked, bringing the conversation away from his outfit.“Hmm?” Raja raised an eyebrow, as if Tales had just asked something ridiculously obvious. “Of course, to punish Calder.”Tales just nodded slightly but didn't say any word.They got into yet another luxurious car and began the drive to their destination: which Tales don't know about. Throughout the ride, Tales pretended to nap to avoid Raja’s knack for getting on his nerves. He also didn’t want to
The second floor musics with a quiet, heavy tension. Tales followed Raja into the lounge, where the women stood in a loose semi-circle. As if they're discussing something. Upon seeing Raja and his company, some of the womens expressions ranged from nervous to defiant. While others, lower their heads as they're afraid of the man entering.Raja wasted no time, his gaze roam across the group before he gestured toward one of his men, who stepped forward with a ledger in hand.“You all know why you’re here,” Raja began, his voice cold and authoritative. "Let's not waste time and begin."The man flipped open the ledger and started calling names.“Ryza Mangyao.”A tall woman with long, glossy hair stepped forward, her red lips pressed into a tight line.“Loli Compacion.”A petite woman followed, her hands clenched at her sides, avoiding Raja’s piercing gaze. She bit her lips out of frustration. “Juliet Dagwayan.”A third woman who look like she'll collapse at any time because of nervousne
Tales stepped into a familiar house, looking around cautiously. The living room had a table full of cigarettes and three small, heavily worn-out gray sofas. The TV was on. Scattered across the floor were bottles of liquor and a pile of laundry."Mom," Tales called out, but his mother didn’t respond. He knows she's here since he cleaned up before going to school.He grew uneasy when he noticed his bedroom door was open. He had locked it earlier—what had his mother done now?He ran towards his room, and his suspicions were right. His mother was frantically rummaging through his things, pulling clothes out of his cabinet.Tales let out a deep sigh. This was always the case. Every time his mother ran out of money after losing at gambling, she would ransack his things. He couldn’t deny that she’d become this way because of his father. But he had enough. He can't go on like this.'F*ck my life.'He was their child—why did he have to suffer the consequences of their mistakes too? He didn't c
Two Years LaterIt was early morning, the sun only just beginning to spill its gold over the horizon, casting soft light on the water that glistened like starlights. Gentle waves rolled onto the smooth, pale shore with a hush-hush rhythm, as though the ocean itself was content, no longer raging.The scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the open windows of the small kitchen. A warm, golden glow filled the room as the sun streamed through the window, catching on the various plants that hung from the rafters. The air smelled like saltwater and fresh herbs, mingling together creating a very fragrant smell.Tales stood at the kitchen counter, his hands moving expertly as he kneaded dough, humming under his breath. The simple rhythm of the task was grounding for him, a reminder of how far he’d come from the chaos that had once filled his life.Behind him, Raja was leaning against the doorframe, watching with a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. His hair was ruffled becau
"I promise."Tales’ breath hitched, eyes searching Raja’s with raw desperation. His voice trembled, barely more than a whisper.It wasn't enough. He need more assurance. He needs to know that this is not just a dream.“Say that you love me.”Raja didn’t even pause. His answer came fast—like it had been sitting on the edge of his tongue for far too long. His eyes were shining from the faint street lights as he said those words.“I love you.”The air between them shifted—thick, electric, impossible to ignore. It feels like Tales' saw millions of stars in Raja's eyes. His heart beat fast and he can only clench his hands on Raja's chest before surged forward, clasping his hands on Raja's nape. This kiss wasn’t soft.It wasn’t hesitant.It was fire and hunger and every unspoken word finally released. Their mouths collided with much urgency, lips crashing together like they’d been starved—like they were desperate to claim, to prove, to feel. Hands tangled in hair, fingers fisted in clothes
"Are you out of your damn mind?!"Tales blinked because of the familiar voice. He rubbed his eyes to get a clear view of who it is and when he confirmed who it was, he immediately turned his face away. It's Raja!“Why are you... here…” Tales managed to rasp, his voice thick with the weight of everything unsaid, all the pain that had built up in his chest. "You should've just stayed hidden. You tormented me so much and now you appeared and act like a hero? If you don't love me anymore, then don't bother. Do you take me for a pushover?!"But even so... even if I am a pushover —I missed you.Raja’s gaze softened for just a second, but it was gone almost as quickly as it came. He shook his head, his voice dropping to a more dangerous tone. “You’re an idiot, you know that? You think drowning yourself in alcohol will bring me back? It won’t.”Tales stared at him, his breath coming in short gasps. His mind reeled, trying to process everything. Raja was here. Raja was standing in front of hi
Hah. Hah. Hah. Tales stopped running in the middle of the road as he put his two palms on his thighs. He was out of breath and his sweating buckets. His heart was pounding so much from running and the information he acquired. 'Oliver Ortega, even now, you're still hunting me and making me miserable.'Does Raja knew? Why? Why would he want me to know that Oliver is my father? When he could just bury it for the betterment of us. Even now, the taught of Raja's disappearance seems to bury the weight of the recent information he just acquire.Call... I should make a call—Oh.Tales crouch in frustration. He don't have a phone, and even if he had, be don't know Rajas personal number. Still, if he had, he could have ask his unanswered questions. Why hadn’t he called? He could’ve at least sent a message, some sign that he wasn’t lost to him forever. But he had vanished. Not just physically, but emotionally, disappearing without a trace, leaving him with nothing but the ache of abandonmen
Tales stand up and patted his pants before walking back inside the headquarters. He went into his room and find out that his belongings are still there. He clench his teeth. This hurts like hell. He may not want to admit it but Raja's disappearance leave a bitter taste. He packed his belongings but he stop midway when he heard that he's not alone. Who is it?Is it—It couldn't be him—The sound of footsteps echoed down the empty hallway of the headquarters. Tales immediately towards the terrace and looked down from above. His hand grips the rails tightly anticipating the person who's here but to his disappoinment it wasn't him but—“Tales?”He blinked, caught off guard by the familiar voice. Then his vision become clearer—“Ria?”She stood in the base of the staircase, a little out of breath, holding a paper bag in one hand and a curious look in her eyes. Her long black coat fluttered as she stepped inside. For a second, she didn’t move. Then she smiled.“Wow. You’re really here.”Ta
A Month Later.Tales had healed—physically, at least. The bruises had faded, the wounds had closed. He hadn't been discharged, he was just given pain meds and instructions to rest to avoid stress. But resting was impossible.Because Raja never came back.At first, Tales had understood. He told himself Raja was busy. That he was handling his men, making sure they had shelter, rebuilding what was lost.But a week turned into two. Then three. Then a full month.No visits.No calls.No messages.Tales tried to ignore it. Tried to pretend it didn’t hurt, that it didn’t eat away at him every time he glanced at his phone and saw nothing.But it did. It really did.He hated how much it affected him.How much Raja’s absence felt like a wound all on its own.Tales feels like waking up in the aftermath of a storm that only he remember—where the sky looks calm, but everything inside him is in ruins. It’s like carrying around a wave of silence in your chest, every breath echoing against his jumbl
The hospital was colder than Raja expected. Too white and too sterile. The scent of antiseptic seems to clung desperately to his skin, mixing with the dried blood in his body. He hadn’t moved from his spot beside the bed since the doctors had taken Tales in.He will not leave. Not until Tales opened his eyes.If Tales were to... No. That can't happen. It shouldn't happen or else he'll really follow him to hell.When he had first stormed into the emergency room, carrying Tales’ limp, bloody body in his arms, the entire hospital had gone silent as if the scene they're witnessing straight out of the movies. The nurses had frozen in place, their eyes widening as they took in his disheveled state."Get me a fucking doctor!" Raja had roared, his voice slicing through the silence like a blade."Sir—" one of them had started hesitantly."Put him into the bed. Now." One of the personnel that seems like a doctor shouted to gain the attention of the people who's in dazed and is hesitant to appro
Back to the present.The air smelled strongly of blood. It soaked the concrete of the building, pooling around the bodies of Jake’s men, their throats slit, skulls broken, guts spilling out onto the floor. Raja stood among the massacre with his chest heaving and sweat mixing with the splattered blood that coated his skin. His blade dripped, each drop of blood falling with a rhythmic pat against the ground.Jake on the other hand sighed after his long flashback of memories. He's irritated of why he remembered that now. He look at Raja who's attention is not on him but on Tales. “You really like him huh,” he mused, gazing towards Tales direction. “Didn't really know you like used products." He dissed.Raja flinches and his aura darkened, but after sometime, his facial expression is relax. "You can't get anything by saying such nonsense, Jake. You still have to die." He says while his focus was still on Tales. His body. His breathing even though it was shallow and faint. Too faint."Oh
Jake’s resentment festered like an untreated wound.For years, he swallowed the bitterness, forced himself to held his head high in front of Oliver, forced himself to play the loyal unambitious son, even as something in him curdled and rotted with every passing day.He should’ve given up. He should’ve accepted it. Raja became Oliver’s favorite. Raja became the chosen one. Raja was the one who mattered.But Jake wasn’t built to accept. He wasn’t built to be cast aside. He was trained for survival. So if Oliver didn’t see him as his son—Then Jake would make sure Oliver had nothing left to see at all. If he couldn’t be Oliver’s greatest creation, he would be his greatest failure.However, that alone wasn’t enough to burn Oliver’s empire to the ground. Being a disgrace would only give a little to no impact towards Oliver and the organization. No—Jake wanted to carve it apart, piece by piece, while Oliver was still alive to witness it crumble.And so, he planned.He started with Victor.