Chapter # 21

For the first time, Nathaniel was going to India, he was not thrilled though, he wanted it his first visit there to be a vacation with Zariah, at least. "If he was going to betray then why tell you about the building's blow up as well and give you Zoran's information?" De Villiers scoffed. "Hmm, hmm," Nathaniel didn't bother to react, his mind was on Zariah, on how to start because after this, he must tell her the truth. "What was the point of it?" Amanda muttered, folding her arms at her chest. "Exactly. Okay, he gave us the information about Issac ordering Zariah to kill Boss as well but what happened to him now?" "I can't believe it," Sighing, he leaned back on his jet, he was going there prepared with a devious smirk spreading across his lips as he heard the couple badmouthing him. "What are you going to do with Elton, Boss?" "I told you," He opened his one eye, a malicious hint flashing in his eyes, turning to De Villiers that made them all vexed. "I want Zariah and rip Zoran down from his authority. Everything else is meaningless," They frowned, "I hope you won't go easy on Elton just because you favor him so much," "I agree. We have done so much for his better future and that is how he returned our mercy," Amanda growled, utterly against him. They no longer favored nor wanted to shelter him for his low actions of capturing Zariah, the core of Nathaniel Alroy. "Hmm," He closed his eyes again, leaning his head back, not paying heed to their series of complaints- called him a snake. They were infuriated at how he could possibly deceive the man who gave him life. They were determined to end his life if they must while Nathaniel thought about the day he met Elton and took him under his care. Years ago, "Alice..." His beloved sister, eighteen years old Alice had died and there was nothing he could do to prevent that. "I failed to protect her too. Why is my family always stolen from me, De Villiers?" he sniffled, hugging his knees close to his chest. He was nothing back then, he had nothing, no family, not Zari too, he felt like he had the worst luck possible. He began to resent his whole existence. "It's alright. We have to be strong," "I am exhausted, I am useless, I can't do anything. Haven't become an ace yet, hadn't avenged her life," They couldn't soothe his raging heart that was never greeted with happiness in his whole life. "Please, hold yourself," He refused and kept looking down with tears glistening in his eyes until the door knocked and someone informed him. "Boss," "What...?" His broken tone came, not having enough strength to face anyone at the moment. He was too tired, from his work, from responsibilities, being away from Zariah, dead sister. He felt like he could never do anything, that nothing good could happen in his life. "Someone is here to meet you. He is saying he is Alice's boyfriend," He paused, sniffling and wiping his tears to clear his vision. "Elton?" "Wash your face, don't show this miserable face to him," De Villiers instructed softly, knowing he was here to pay his condolences. Nathaniel took a moment with rapid breaths to place his unstable sensations at serene and nodded. He rose from the ground, pushing his hair back and ordered. "Show him some hospitality. I will be there in a moment, he is a special guest," He decided to wash his face, set his messy posture. He wore his white shirt and rolled the sleeves with two buttons open and black pants. He didn't want to meet her boyfriend in an untidy or worse state. As an adult, he knew he had to be strong if he broke before him. Keeping that in mind, he came down to greet him. "Elton," Elton had curly hairs and shining brown eyes back then but later he changed them in future. To look like Nathaniel as he admired him, he considered him above all. He also made his hair slightly wavy and medium to tie them in a half bun sometimes, just like Nathaniel did. To follow his footsteps. He made an almost crying face when Nathaniel came. Nathaniel felt hesitant but the fact that his sister's boyfriend remained so as a responsible part, he gave him a side hug. "Sir," He was about to cry while looking down but Nathaniel gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. "Hey don't cry. Do you think it will make Alice happy?" He whispered, helping him to sit and gave him a glass of water to calm down. A brief silence came, he took a few moments to gather his scattered emotions and regained his posture, turning to him sorrowfully. "Why her?" "Grudges," Nathaniel replied in a low but firm tone. "Who... was it?" "Who did you see?" Nathaniel asked. When Elton came, she was no more. They had shot her, he was traumatized how ruthlessly they ended her life. Her dead body was no fading from his eyes. The girl who finally thought she could live a normal and happy life was ripped from her, she got killed before she could live... "Clearly your enemy but I have seen that man with you all the time, I don't know his name," Elton informed sadly from what he heard rumors of who did it. "Brandon," "Yes, him, why did he do this to her? What faults did she have?" "Being my sister." Nathaniel replied with a sorrowful chuckle. "What?" "It was her only fault, in fact mine, she looked like my late sister, Persephone. I thought I would bring up, have someone to call family too but I was wrong." Nathaniel explained to him further. They both knew she didn't deserve this outcome but could do nothing about it. It was disheartening for both of them before he broke into a faint, painful laugh. "Maybe I am cursed and people around me dies, I am sorry about her death," Turning his head away, Elton took a moment and turned his head away. He knew his next words might be unfavorable but he was determined. "Sir..." "Hmm?" "I want to avenge her death," Nathaniel blinked, turning his head toward Elton, "Come again?" "Teach me how to use a gun, I can't sleep. She died in front of my eyes and I couldn't do anything. I want to take revenge," He said with pure determination. He was taken aback. He could clearly witness the fierce fire in his eyes, knowing he won't be at peace until he would take vengeance. Nathaniel narrowed his eyes in compassion and placed his hand over his shoulder. "Elton, this life is not for you. Go and study, you have a long life ahead of you," He attempted to make him listen only to find him begging him desperately with tears glistening in his eyes. "Make me your apprentice, Sir, and if you won't I will find this motherfucker myself and lay him on his grave myself," Nathaniel stared at his eyes for the next few seconds, he knew that ferocious fire, if he won't contain it, he would burn his surroundings. Exhaling in disappointment, Nathaniel rose from his seat and took out a gun from his drawer. "How old are you?" He asked dominantly. "Nineteen, Sir," He swallowed hard, noticing the gun in his hands. "How badly do you want to kill them?" "Very," He hummed, arching an eyebrow at the resolved man before approaching him with a deadly stare that hitched his breaths, well aware that these people are dangerous. "What if your hands tremble?" "They might, at first, but this doesn't mean I will forgive," He exhaled and Nathaniel threw the gun at Elton who took it tentatively. "Here, take it and try to shoot me first," Nathaniel ordered, resting his hand in his pockets nonchalantly. "Sir..?" "Boss-" He raised his dominant hand in the air to stop his people. Staring intensely at Elton with a faint smirk, serving as a source of concealment for his ache. Elton stopped, glancing at the gun and back at him with pumping heartbeats and a dread taking over him. 'Maybe pointing a gun isn't that easy.' Elton thoughts fretfully, throat drying in anticipation, hands starting to shake a little at the thought of ending a life. "Do it, Elton. If you did, I will make you my apprentice, directly under me," Nathaniel ordered dominantly and taking a deep breath, he forced his thoughts to a halt and obeyed. He shot but the gun was empty. "Oh, fuck..." Elton gasped, throwing it away and falling on the couch. Nathaniel let out a suppressed chuckle. "Impressive. De Villiers, take him away," Later, after accepting him in his care and finding Brandon with his girlfriend, Amanda, Nathaniel was ready to start his evil reign. And to causing a tremble and terror, he gave Amanda the order to torture Brandon before everyone. And told them to make a video so they could sell it on the dark web too, not letting the chance to spread terror easily. "Why does that girl have to kill him, Sir?" Elton argued as he wanted to kill him desperately but Nathaniel only told him to witness. "Because his death would be justified if she does it. Her fire has intrigued me immensely," "What?" Nathaniel thought that upon witnessing the torture, he might back away from this life- he wanted him to- but, he refused. "All I am saying is, Amanda has more rights, you can burn his body if you want." And it was justified because he killed their baby, he tortured her, raped her, kept her like a prisoner. She had more rights to torment him than anyone else. Elton opened his mouth to argue but lowered his head, curling his head in a fist and nodded. "Yes... Sir," Nathaniel asked in amusement, "Aren't you angry?" "I trust your decisions. If you have said it then there must be a reason," He breathed out, turning his head though he was against his decision deep down. "Don't you have a family?" "I do but they have disowned me," Taking a deep breath, Nathaniel patted his head. Elton was surprised, mouth gaping when he ruffled his hair before giving his back a reassuring pat. "Bless you. May you move on in life," Nathaniel smiled faintly. "Sir...?" Leaving him staggered as he walked away with De Villiers, tenderness fading and being replaced with sternness. Pushing his wavy hair behind, an assertive aura surrounded him. "De Villiers," "Yes?" "Send him to Italy, tell him to keep an eye on Issac, hopefully, he will find new reasons to live there," "Very well, Boss," "I don't want his life to get ruined here, he doesn't deserve this." He breathed out, glancing over his shoulder. He looked at the boy who was still touching his head in disbelief that he patted it, smiling faintly to himself. Shaking his head, he knew he didn't deserve it nor would he want him to enter this life. After dealing with Elton, he wore his plague doctor's mask, ready to mark his existence in this world. "Where are you going?" Suppressing a vicious chuckle, he wore the mask as his upcoming identity and announced. "To declare my presence as the ace and Plague Doctor of this world,"