REBIRTH INTO A MONSTER.

JAKE POV.

It wasn’t my birthday, but I came dressed like the celebrant anyway, stealing the spotlight as usual. It’s something I don’t need to stress over; I could get any woman in that hall if I wanted her, with just a snap of my fingers.

Let’s be realistic—what else do women want? I was handsome, tall, rich, a multi-billionaire, and, of all importance, a pro in bed.

But tonight, it wasn’t just anyone’s birthday, it was HER birthday—Victoria Langston. It’s crazy how I was obsessed with my enemy and rival, maybe it was just how much she hated me that drove me crazy every time she moaned my name in my bed.

She sat not too far from my table, gisting and laughing politely, but I could tell how distracted she was from her frequent side glances.

“Jake?” One of the models sitting close to me called out. “You’ve been so quiet. I’ve been watching you since you got in.” She bit her lip in a sexy way.

“If you want, I could take the boredom away, Daddy.” She slid two of her fingers from my chest down there, but my mind was still set on Victoria.

She glanced my way again and this time, the disgust on her face was evident. Her eyes rolled, and she let out a small grin. “Now that’s more like it!” I whispered to myself, enjoying her reactions.

I turned to the model with my glass of wine. “Of course, my lady. What’s a celebration without a little fun.” I winked at her, causing her to blush uncontrollably. My voice was audible enough for Victoria to hear and it was intentional.

Suddenly she stood up and walked to where I was, majestically in her long elegant black dress.

“If it isn’t the great manager and heir of Shark Hotels. How pleased I am to have you here.” Her facial expression betrayed her complement.

“Pleased indeed, my lady” I stood up and stretched out my hand for a handshake. “They say keep your friends close but your enemies even closer, especially when they are as hot as you. Why would I turn down your invitation?” I bit my lips and gave a wink.

She slapped my hand away, “Do you really have no shame at all? She whispered, not wanting to draw attention.

I closed the gap between us and whispered in her ears. “I can flirt with any woman in public. It doesn’t mean that anyone will find out about our affair if I do it to you.”

“Whatever... You wouldn’t dare anyway. I’m sure your father would not want you to have anything to do with a Langston.

She took two steps backward, revealing her engagement ring. “You keep forgetting I’m now engaged to your cousin. Don’t get too close in public.” She looked around before whispering. “I’ll see you tomorrow evening at our usual spot. We have… unfinished business.”

“Unfinished business indeed…” I said with a smirk, watching her sway her hips in sexy positions while she walked away.

I got really upset when she went to meet Michael, her fiancé. I never liked my cousin. My dad never liked his dad either. They’ve always been in competition, the Sharks and the Sterling hotels, two of the most powerful hotels.

I had a strong feeling their marriage was being orchestrated to bring our hotel down from the top one in New York City. Ever since we took the top one from Sterling Hotel, they’ve been working extra hard and trying all means to get it back.

****

A few hours later, Victoria was cutting her cake when I got a call from my dad and had to step out of the ballroom. We talked about tomorrow’s big event—hosting the vice president in one of our luxurious hotels.

As I wrapped up the call, I saw thick smoke curling from the direction of the ballroom I had just left, up to the night sky. Soon, I began to hear screams. “Fire! Fire! Run!”

Confusion gripped me as some guests began to run past me. The thought of Victoria made me run back to see If she was ok.

“Victoria!” I shouted, shoving through the crowd. I scanned the whole crowd but she was nowhere to be found.

As soon as I saw Michael hugging and holding a lady he had just saved, I felt relieved. I ran quickly to where they were and grabbed her.

“Victoria! You're alive. I was sca…” I paused when I realized it wasn't Victoria, but Vivian—Victoria's younger sister.

I grabbed Michael by his collar aggressively. “Where the hell is Victoria?!” I roared in anger, for fear that Victoria might still be inside the fire.

Michael’s shocking expression made me realize he had forgotten about her.

“The—the restroom! She had gone to use the restroom when it happened. I had no idea… I'm sorry…”

I didn't let him finish before I hit him hard with my fist. “You left her there! How could you!” I was burning inside me.

I looked at the building, it was completely covered in flames. It was hard for anyone to even go in or come out, but I needed to try. I couldn't leave Victoria there all alone.

“The ambulance would take a bit longer to arrive. I have to go in.” I said, taking off my shirt to be able to move freely.

“No! You'll die if you do that now!” Michael grabbed my hand trying to stop me.

I flung his hands away. “You don't even love her. Why would you care?”

****

The heat was intense, burning my skin, and the smoke suffocating me with every breath I took. Yet, I pushed forward.

“Victoria!” I screamed, my voice filled with desperation.

I refused to give up on her. I just couldn’t stop searching.

Soon, I found her on the floor. “Victoria!” I felt a surge of relief. I ran to where she lay half-conscious.

“I've found you,” my voice was shaky and my eyes flowed tears of joy. “You're safe now,” I reassured her, but deep down, I wasn't sure if I was safe.

As I carried her, the heat scorched my face mercilessly. The pain was unbearable, and I began to feel dizzy. Yet, I didn't give up. Victoria was all I could think of and till she was safe, I fought every pain the fire launched to me.

Finally, I managed to exit the building with Victoria still in my hands. The crowd rushed forward in panic towards us, and I managed to drop her down before I fell to the floor.

I could barely hear anything, but her mother's frantic voice was the last thing I heard. “Thank God! You're alive…” I stopped hearing anything afterward. I was just relieved that at least—Victoria was alive.

****

I woke up at the hospital, my vision slowly adjusting to the white room and white light in the room. The first person I saw was a female doctor adjusting my IV line.

“You're finally awake, Mr. Blackwell,” her tone was relieved, yet cautious.

I blinked repeatedly. My body felt heavy, and the pain was unbearable, especially my left face. I tried to adjust my sight to the blurry figure standing beside her when suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.

“How could you have been so reckless?” His voice was sharp, and full of anger. “How could my only son, the heir to all my hotels and investments, risk his life for a woman?”

“D…dad? What—what happened?” I tried to speak, but it took much more energy than I expected. My throat felt like sandpaper.

“You! You happened, Jake.” His eyes were red and his voice was full of pain.

“But I'm alive. Isn't that what matters now, father?” My voice was still shaky.

“Alive?” He laughed bitterly. “Take a look at yourself, Jake.” He brought out a small mirror from his pocket and placed it on my bed.

“No… Sir, please don't.” The doctor tried to stop him, making me curious about why she was trying to stop him.

“Take a look at yourself!” He yelled out in anger. “No beauty would want a beast like you.”

The words pierced through my heart like needles, and I wondered what my father was talking about.

I hesitated for a while before picking up the mirror to see what my father was nagging about. “It can't be that bad,” I mumbled.

The moment I saw my reflection, my breath stopped. I was terrified; the reflection staring back at me wasn’t mine at all. The left side of my face was completely scared, unrecognizable and irritating.

I felt the pain even more now. “No!” I screamed, smashing the mirror to the wall. “That can’t be me… No…” It felt like a living nightmare; I wanted to wake up from it.

“You’re a beast! A monster!” He spat. “With a face like yours, our guests would run for their lives at first glance. People will think a beast broke out of the wild.”

The sting was unbearable, but he was right. My heart sank and I tried to hold my tears back from falling but I couldn’t.

“You can’t take everything from me now, Father. I helped you attain the top position in New York City. We ranked number one within three months, remember?” I was desperate, I knew what my father was capable of.

He stopped pacing in the room and walked closer to me. “Watch me, ” he snapped. “Jake Blackwell, you are no longer the manager and heir to Shark Hotels. You threw the privileges away the moment you stepped into that fire to be a hero.”

He paused for a while before adding. “A hero's heart cannot rule a kingdom built on power and profit. You have to keep stepping on other people to get to the top. Until you realize that… you’re not worthy.”

With that, he stumbled out of the room. The disappointment was palpable, and I felt ashamed for letting my father down.

“Father… wait…” I tried to get up and follow him, desperate, but my body betrayed me. With every ounce of strength I used to push forward, the pain was unbearably increasing.

The doctor stepped closer. “ Jake, I know this is too much to handle right now, but you’re still alive… you’re a hero.” Her voice was soft and calm, but not enough to comfort me.

“Hero? Are you mocking me, Doctor?” I looked at her with red piercing eyes, full of pain, anger, and tears.

“No… Of Course not! You saved Victoria Langston, and she’s currently in our hospital now, recovering.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I don’t think she’d be alive now if it wasn’t for you.”

“Victoria?” Her name triggered something in me. A mixture of Anger, desperation, and hope. “Where is she? Please… take me to her.”

“I can’t, Sir. You need your rest.” She was reluctant.

I held her two hands, begging her seriously. “It’s urgent, I beg you. Please… help me. I need to tell her something really important. I need to see her.”

After a long pause, she finally agreed. “Fine… but be quick. You’re not fully recovered yet, yourself.

The journey felt like an eternity. My legs were heavy, but I still kept pushing forward. My breath was rapid and it was hard to get to Victoria, but the doctor assisted me till we got to her room.

A familiar face made me pause. Vivian, Victoria’s sister, was coming out of the room when I arrived.

“Where’s Victoria? I need to see her.” I tried to go in, but she stopped me.

“Stop! Victoria doesn’t wanna see anyone.”

I paused. “But I’m not anyone. I saved her life, remember? Leave the way…” I tried to force my way in with my little strength.

“Her words were clear. Thank you for saving her life… but you remain a Blackwell. Victoria said she doesn’t wanna see you either, Jake Blackwell.” Her tone was full of so much disdain and irritation.

It was at that moment it occurred to me how foolish I was, risking my own life for my enemy, my rival, my competitor. I understood what my father said, I was too weak, too stupid.

With a broken heart, I turned around not wanting to cause more problems, and the doctor followed me feeling pity towards me.

****

As I sat down on my hospital bed, I clenched my fist hard. Pain, anger, and regret surged within me, and tears flowed freely from my eyes.

“What was I even thinking? Why did I think it’ll matter? Langston? There’s no way I have to go through this much pain for her.” My voice was shaking and the tears didn’t stop dripping.

The doctor sat in front of me “Jake, you’re alive today is what matters. Please…”

“No! I died in that fire. They created a new me. What’s left now is a monster. The monster they turned me into.” My voice was cold.

“Doctor… Please, leave me. I need my space to think.”

She looked at me, her eyes full of pity. “Okay, but please… don’t hesitate to send for me if you ever need me.” With that, she left.

Alone in the room, I stared at the shattered mirror on the floor. My ugly reflection shattered me.

I clenched my fist and ground my teeth hard. They created this monster.” I said, looking at my reflection.

“But it’s not over yet until I’ve gotten my revenge on every single one of them. Victoria Langston, I’ll make sure you all pay. This is my rebirth, now let me show you all the monster you’ve unleashed!”