The night sky was clear except for the dark clouds that were about to envelop the full moon. He was there, standing on the rooftop of the tallest building in the city, and his deadly stare never left the moon. He couldn’t wait any longer.
The bustling streets below were like glittery stars, only that there were no stars that night. To think of it, the earth and the heavens are figuratively similar. The moon could never be outshined by the little stars, not even if it is in its thinnest crescent or its reddest eclipse. Just like how the people beneath him could never be any better than he is.
He grins.
He knew the plight of the people around him, especially those whom he chooses to reap from. Whatever he wants, he gets. Be it gold, diamonds, or even the most expensive stones. Name it and it’s his. There is no exception to him. Even those glutton businessmen and influential people will bow in front of him.
He was born a businessman and his tongue never spoke mercy. Nobody was able to surpass his wealth and the idiots who ever tried to have the gut to taste his power will be like a living dead. That’s how greedy he was for material things and money.
He runs money and money runs people’s lives.
Many businessmen eventually feared him. His name, just as turbulent as his fame in the business industry, became a symbol of riches.
… Dryzen Storm.
Nobody knew which family he came from, not even his birthplace or his age. People tried to find his weakness but all that dared to have never lived another day to tell another soul.
The door opened but he didn’t turn to see who it was. He’s got eyes around, his faithful men whom he knew could never be bribed by his enemies. These men were also aware that whoever betrays him would face death.
Loyalty, that’s the only word of his men's identity.
“Master Dryzen.”
The high stiletto footsteps step inside the room. She is gasping for air, but the woman needs to present properly herself in front of Master Dryzen.
One of the Dryzen men turns his head to the woman. He shakes his head to give her a signal, to stop opening her mouth. He is Dryzen executive assistant.
She agrees with him. Then she managed to nod at one of her colleagues, which meant to get the coat for their boss.
As the woman put on the suit to their boss, the tired secretary can't help but speak despite the Executive assistant's warning.
“The bidding for the artifact is about to start. Should we go now?”
Dryzen smiled.
All his staff bowed down when he finally turned around to approach the secretary. He walked to her, too close to intimidate her into taking a step backward.
Silence shrouded the whole place, and it could’ve been entirely deafening if it wasn’t for the tensed heartbeats around him.
“How many days have you been serving me, my dear?” Dryzen asked without hiding his demonic voice. He played with the stray strands of her hair. The question sounded dangerous. Or maybe it was just his natural voice.
Without delaying some seconds the secretary needs to respond.
“Master Dryzen… Two weeks.”
Dryzen grinned and let go of her hair. Then he stared at the man, his Executive assistant who had been patiently waiting for them to arrive.
“Did she really last that long?”
Venal, his Executive Secretary.
“Yes, Master Dryzen.”
“Kill her.”
The sentence was like a deafening thunderstorm. The woman's eyes widened but she was dragged elsewhere before she could do anything stupid in front of Dryzen.
Dryzen felt relieved. He grins like a demon who raise from underneath the earth.
Of course, he waited too long, and nothing less than that punishment would satisfy him.
Venal shook his head at another staff who tried to talk before Dryzen could leave the office.
Venal knew Dryzen. He knew he wouldn’t bat an eye to kill anyone who gets in his way. So, without any unnecessary innuendos, they just followed him outside.
@DeathWish
Copyright Reserved 2021
(VENAL POV) Dryzen Storm is the most dangerous creature I’ve ever met. He’s been living in this world since who-knows-when too long to have played with many lives. It’s that easy for him to kill. And most of all, there is nothing forgiveness whenever he wanted to kill someone. Someone who has not learned to stop challenging him. Someone who spreads rumors about him and is ruining his image. Death is his response to them. If it’s not obvious yet… He’s not ordinary. All he sees in his sight are classified as pity creatures, and there is no insignificant to their life. And he’s in this world to be punished. The Earth has been his jail and mortals have become his means for revenge, merely because they’re low-class creatures to his eyes. He’s treating this world as his realm. As the century passed by, time witnesses nothing about him has yet changed. I sighed. When we got inside the car, Dryze
(DAHLIA POV) My arm was locked around my grandmother's arm as we walked to the bus stop. The people were quiet, but noticeably in a hurry. Maybe it was because of the foreshadowing of rain. “Is there a moon today, hija?” Grandma asked me. “Yes. But unfortunately, the dark clouds are going to hide it. It’s beautiful though, but such a waste. It’s full moon already.” I sighed. Grandma used to see what I was seeing. But now she doesn't. This is the result of the previous accident she went through. “I feel like it’s going to rain. The wind is breezy.” “That’s why you have to take the bus now, Grandma.” “How about you, Dahlia?” The traffic light turned green, and we were about to cross when her old hat suddenly got flown away. I suddenly let go of her hand to catch her hat. But I realized, I am so silly to even forget we were in the middle of the road. I stopped chasing her hat. I tried to r
(Dahlia POV) But sadly, I wasn’t able to catch up to any of them. Their cars resumed maneuvering. The person who saves me… I only glimpsed his eyes for the last time, gazing directly into mine before his car disappeared into the night. Then I remembered how our lips meet. I lightly touch my lips. The kiss. Is that enough for him as my gratitude for saving me? Back to reality, It was just foolish of me to go back to the middle of the road while a few minutes ago I wished I wasn’t there. Not to mention, there was a traffic officer coming. So, I just went back to where Grandma was waiting for me. I approached her and hugged Grama tightly. Her body is thin, which is I can easily hug her. “Oh Dahlia, I haven’t paid for a coffin yet so don’t send me to Death in this cheese trap.” I just smiled. Guess she realized what had happened. “And I still want to l
(VENAL POV) We arrived at the venue for the auction. The event wouldn’t start without Dryzen around, else they’d all be dead. That will be added to my responsibility in case it happens. It’d be my job again to dispose of their corpses. I wished they wouldn’t be stupid enough to put more workload on my plate. A canopy of big umbrellas greeted us, as heavy rain was still pouring when we got out of the car. I immediately took the coat for Master Dryzen from the valet and put it on him. We enter as if we are the only guess. He had a reserved spot in front, closer to the item that he wanted to take for his collection. He’s an esteemed top-bidder in almost all auctions he attended and doesn’t have a care how much the hammer price would reach. He sat like a king in his own palace, and everyone bowed to him. Many a businessman was silent when he arrived; some were frustrated, and others were insecure by hi
(Venal POV) The heavy rain hasn’t stopped even after the auction ended. Master Dryzen finally arrived after signing the documents for his new collections. I sat down next to his chauffeur and watched him curiously. He was leaning his head against his seat, his eyes closed as if he was planning something. It’s impossible for him not to do anything. Or will he let it pass as well? Just like how he let that woman and that old woman go. Maybe I should calm down. But… “Stop the car,” Dryzen said. Guess I was wrong. “Give it to me.” The driver pressed the brakes and I handed Dryzen the tablet, which I knew he wanted me to give him. It has information about the entrepreneur from earlier. I saw him smile after reading it and kicked the car door open. He suddenly disappeared and left us all concerned about his location. I connected to the base where my own men were for them to track Master Dryzen’s wher
(DAHLIA POV) Moonlight finally peeked through the sheets of clouds, so I was relieved since I had opted to walk home. The rain had just stopped, but my umbrella couldn’t keep me all dry. I was hoping I wouldn’t get a cold… I was close to home, faster than I expected myself to because I felt like I was being followed. The route home includes an alley and that late, I knew my neighbors were already sleeping. It was peaceful, and that’s all I ever needed to destress as a day worker. I stopped on the sidewalk and decided to just confront whoever that stalker might be. But only the wind kissed my face when I looked behind. My apprehension disappeared. I sighed. But… There were big puddles of water on the road. I paused for a moment to gaze at the clear reflection of the sky. Until I saw the silhouette, a huge bird with a snake-like head, flying across the bright moon. I immediately looked upwards to s
(Dahlia POV) “Dahlia…” “Yes?” I open the stove. Put the pan on fire and the oil is starting to heat that makes a sizzling sound. “The story that I tell you is not fiction.” I smiled at what I heard. “If a writer is as invested as you are in her story, she’ll surely get a lot of readers. Can you narrate it again Grandma? I almost feel like believing in your old story.” “Tss. I’m not joking around. I’m warning you.” “C’mon Grandma, I will listen.” She sighed. I am doing this for her not to get bored and sleep while waiting for our dinner. “Of the present age… Now called Athena... As in now.” “Yes, I know readers want modern stories and not the telltales of Mandeville times.” She was stuck with the memories of the old. The elders’ memories are the traj
(Owen POV) “Sir Owen, the senior editor wants you to come to her office.” I lifted my gaze to the office of our damned senior editor. I sighed. I knew it’s about the manuscript submitted by Yuki for publishing approval. My legs wouldn’t take me there. I already had enough from two demanding ladies. Yuki, the famous writer, and Miss Nam the senior editor. I rub my back neck. I get up from my chair wearily. What have I done for them to be spoiled? Before I could reach Ms. Nam’s office, the door opened, and several men entered like they were the authority in my office. I knew who sent them, and I knew they were looking for me. “Mr. Owen, do you have some time for a talk?” Said the man in charge of leading them. He’s Yuki's brother's secretary. Mr. Cedrick Ma. I stared back to our chief editor's office, and then to the men. Who should I prioritize?