Determination

One month passed in a blink of an eye and it was time for graduation. Normally parents were the one who came with the students to get their certificate. Elaine was enthusiastic for the graduation even more than others for she was accepted in the university she wanted. Although she didn't get the hostel her tuition and training was free. She had a very important goal to achieve and it could be only fulfilled if she enrolled in that particular university.

"Central Military School" was the top most university in the country that produced the best soldiers and civil workers in the country. Because of this even the government gave a huge priority to this institution and provided scholarship to top and worthy students. "Congratulations Elaine. All the best for your future."  She was congratulated by her peers and teachers and she thanked them whole heartedly. The one month she spent opening up herself to her students had left her many memories. She was going to miss them but there were other priorities in her life at the moment.

Looking at the other students happily taking photos with their parents made her somehow bitter and sad but she held all those unpleasantness in. She couldn't be weak especially in this important day.

As soon as the graduation ceremony finished she chatted with the students before finally going home. She was tired; more emotionally than physically. She silently went upstairs and stopped in front of the door of a room opposite to her room. It had been a long time since she had opened this door. Elaine took a deep breathe to calm her nerves. With a creaking sound the door opened revealing a lonely room that seemed to have been abandoned but it was still neat and clean. Elaine  clutched her hand as she reached near a cupboard.

"Mom, Dad.." Her voice choked as she difficulty spelt out the words.

"Long time no see huh." She silently glanced at the two portraits in front of her as if waiting for them to respond her but in vain. "I graduated today…." She paused before she continued further, "They said I looked really awesome and mature in the graduation dress and hat, hehe.. your daughter has become an enchantress." Elaine couldn't hold herself anymore as two fine line of tear fell from her cheek to her clenched fist. "But you know what, I feel empty and sad. I wanted you two to see me, to take pictures with me,…to hold my hand and congratulate me…I wanted that m..om, Dad." At this point she was bawling her eyes out.

She had not entered this room and allowed herself to think about her parents because she felt partly guilty for their death and she knew the moment she did she would break down completely like she did now. "Mom, I waited two years, for damn long two years to come to you…I was a good girl right?' She completely  fell on her knees as he sobbed, "Dad you said you will take me out to beach once I graduated didn't you? But….Dad I don't need that. I just want to see you even if for a measly second….Can't I ?" Tears and snot fell down from her face as she cried like a baby.

"But it's better not to see a stupid daughter like me …" She missed them, she wanted to see them but she was afraid to confront them.  All she could do at the moment was cry and lay down her sorrows in front of the unmoving photos.

"Mom dad….."The emotional outburst was too much for her to handle so she fainted as she was crying.

"What….what happened to me?" Elaine asked as she regained her consciousness. Her head ached like crazy.

"Be good and lie down. Silly girl."

"Grandma?!" Elaine looked at the elderly lady in front of her.

"Since we couldn't make it to your graduation we decided to come to your house directly but instead of a lively and happy girl all we found was an ugly girl, her face stained with tears and snot." Mrs. Ron tried to make a joke as she softly sighed.

"Sorry grandma, grandpa. I always end up troubling you don't i?"

"Yes yes very troublesome.. Now go and wash yourself. You smell like snot." Mrs. Ron laughed as Elaine turned red from embarrassment upon hearing she was stinking. When she came out after freshening up, the food were already served on the table. It looked as good as she smelt. "Come and have a seat. the food will get cold."

"Mom I m being taken good care of so Dad make sure mom is happy and don't worry about me anymore okay?" Elaine prayed in her heart as she moved towards the table. The old couple left after the meal and congratulating her.

"Thank you Grandpa, Grandma. Get home safely and good night." Elaine shouted cheerfully as she waved her hand until they were out of her sight.

"That girl acts way too tough but in fact she is even softer than anyone. I am worried about her leaving, honey."

"She is not that weak. Trust me she will be alright."

"Blooming in the face of adversity is the best way to learn about this world and way. She would have to go sooner or later. All we can do is pray for her."

In the mansion of Tom Blake the C.E.O of SER group just the day when Issac's past was revealed in Tyrell mansion;

"Crash….crash" continuous loud sound of marble plates and cups breaking echoed throughout the mansion. "That little twerp dares to send such an insulting gift to me." He threw the plates at the servants who were bowing their head and cowering in fear.

"Boss..please stop making this mess." A man stepped forward as he tried to calm down his tempered master.

"Don't order me what to do you bastard." A cup came crashing down at his face and since it was too late to dodge it , it hit his forehead leaving a deep scar. Seeing the red blood flowing from his head Tom Blake became even angry.

"Can't even dodge one cup. Can't even finish the work to end someone and instead end up getting caught." Tom flared up as his face became redder with anger. "Am I keeping you and paying you salary as a charity huh? Why are all of you such a pus*y." He humiliated all of his subordinate who just stood there like statues.

"You..stand up." The man ordered.

"Me??" The man was still bleeding from his head pointed at himself.

"Yes, Drake you." Tom emphasized each word, "Am I clear?"

"'Yes boss. I am sorry boss." Drake answered as he kept his head down.

"You said something about our men being captured right?"

"Yes boss." Drake answered but his hands were clenched tightly in a fist.

"What happened to him? Any news came about him."

"Boss, Isaac, he has been killed by that arrogant bastard. We have to avenge him boss." Only after he had completed his sentence did he realize he said too much.

"Ohh…avenge huh. Why not why not??" "I heard he has a wife and a daughter. Why don't you go and bring them to me. I will take good care of them. He will be ble to rest in peace knowing they are under my care."

Drake had bloodshot eyes when he heard the man speak so sinfully.

"Boss there is a call for you." A man extended his hand to give him the call.

" I guess you must have heard the news by now. But I must say your man was pretty useful. I extracted everything I could from him. Sadly he is no more." Michael Tyrell who was on the opposite end of the call sighed as if he lost something valuable. "Ohh so this little boy has finally entered the crime world huh. Kidnapping, torturing and killing. I must applaud you for your actions."

"I never did them to get any kind of praise from you." Michael said lazily.

"You will see little boy you are no match for me in this field. I will make you eat shit." Although he sounded tough he was nervous hearing he had obtained information about his and his deeds. 'So that man not only failed his work but gave away his information.'He was angry and directly ordered, "Find me his wife and daughter," But he forgot he was on a call which was heard by Isaac.

"How can you even think like that about someone else's wife and child boss? Don't do that." Drake opposed him for the first time in his life. Isaac was mixed with anger, sadness, hatred and unwillingness  when his boss didn't even show an ounce of care for him and even had ill thoughts about his family but he felt a little happy when Drake defended him even though it meant punishment. Telling him he was alive will probably backfire so he decided not to reveal anything now and let fate handle everything.

"Hey old man." The clear and cold voice of Michael clearly indicated he wasn't finished.

"What now?" Tom was irritated.

"I took care of his family. One family one grave pretty nice huh. Don't waste your time playing dangerous jokes like last time on me. Next time I might not be as kind as I am now."

With a beep the call ended Providing Isaac the freedom he deserved while Drake who was being whipped in the basement had a boiling blood and fiercely pumping heart as he promised to exact his revenge upon Michael Tyrell and Tom Blake.

"Wait till I drag both of you down and show you the endless abyss of despair." With each strike on his flesh he became even more determined.

'I will become the leader of this gang because power, wealth and status were needed in this depraved world and it contained all he required.' Drake determined in his heart as the 100th whip fell on his back indicating the end of punishment. His back and face covered in blood made him looked devilish than he was. "Power" That's what he needed now to make sure he will never lose anyone or anything.

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