CHAPTER 1

(HEADLIGHTS)

THIRD PERSON POV

“MOM! DAD!”

A desperate cry from an eight years old kid. Dripping with blood from the wound on his head. Full of wounds and probably have a broken bone or two. His eyes are wet with the tears that are streaming down his cheeks. For the horror of his life just started. Now looking at the burning car and the lifeless body of his parents, he doesn’t know what to do or where he is going. With the last words from his father that are echoing now inside his mind. 

“You need to remember that no matter what happened, you shouldn’t trust anyone and not even a single person. You can only relay to yourself and no one else.” 

The last words that he could ever receive from him. The last moment that he could remember after the explosion is that only he survives. He clenches his hands and tries to make things clear and grasp the situation, but it was too painful physically, emotionally, and mentally for him. Siren suddenly wails from the distance. Colored red and blue lights are emitting from the distance. He knows what it is and he knows that he is safe. But suddenly. 

“Mommy, Daddy.”

A cry from a little girl echoes right in front of him and from the other end of the bridge. The night that is deep and quiet makes the crying echoes. The burning cars in front of them and the smell of intoxicating burns are raising. He stops crying, now pitying the little girl that just got his attention. He turns his gaze in front and saw the little one dressed in red, full of wounds, and crying hard. Her cheeks are red from crying and her nose seems to swell because of the same reason. The lights from the bridge made him see her clearly, or perhaps he is only seeing himself from her. 

He forced himself to stand, grunting and crying from his wound and probably broken arm. Yet he persists and walks towards the little girl and gradually took her attention. She stops crying, stands up, and runs towards him. They meet midway and the little one hugs him, scared and crying. 

“Don’t worry, everything will be alright. I am here.” He whispers, assuring, though he isn’t even sure for himself. 

He felt that he needed to protect her and act as the oldest one. He coaxes her to calm down even though he wanted to cry out loud like her. The ambulance finally came, paramedics rushes and police assess the situation. Two women and four men in uniform of red and orange took them both and carried them inside the ambulance. 

The little one stops crying, but held his hand and tight. Hand in hand they are sent inside the ambulance They both fell asleep afterwards, but before they did, the little one said. 

“Promise me that you will come and find me.”

“I will.”

A seemingly harmless promise. Two little kids that are strangers got intertwined by a tragic fate from an accident. Unfortunate and cruel they both decided to exchange something in between the two of them. Necklaces that mean something, but both didn’t know what. 

That night was long, and he doesn’t know how long he slept. But the time he opens his eyes he felt lost and wort when the question arises. 

“Did you remember what happened? Do you know your name and where are you right now?” gentle tone and questions from the people in white robes and with the solemn expression of worry and care for him. 

He turns his sight around at first, familiarizing himself with the place before answering. 

“I don’t know, I do not remember. Who I am?”

His honesty, his innocence, and the trauma earn him everyone’s pity. The days went just like that until he is cured and discharged. The authorities had no clue who he is like he is someone without identification, to begin with, nor was he linked to the accident that happened that night. But the only thing that he knows and remember is the promise and the necklace that he kept as his only treasure. Until. 

“Young man, do you want to come with me? I will give you a nice home, education, plenty of food, and wealth. Do you want to be my son?”

In the orphanage for a few months, a handsome and wealthy man approaches him. His suit and tie that is expensive, gold rings on all of his fingers. One golden tooth, earrings, and a classy yet dangerous presence. But more than that, he is a gentleman and seeking a son. 

“I will on one condition.”

He suddenly strikes a deal that amuses the man and proves to himself and even more that he wanted a child like him. 

“What condition?” The man asks, crouching down and waiting with a wide smile. 

“Find the little girl who owns this necklace and I will be your son.” His firm response earned loud laughter from the man. 

Satisfied, he smiles and reconstructs the deal. 

“How about you will come with me now and be my son? In my wing, you can find the person that you have been looking for. Deal?”

He thinks for a moment, weighing the advantages and disadvantages. Het then looks at the man and said. 

“Alright. Deal.” 

Fate sealed it for him. Becoming the son of the influential, wealthiest, and most powerful tycoon with the side job of being a mafia boss. At the young age of ten, he becomes the young master and the only heir. Trained to kill and never to be killed. His life is to survive in both worlds of being the only heir of a wealthy family and owning an influential company, and the young master of the most powerful Mafia boss. 

“Remember this son, to survive you need to kill and never to be killed. To survive in this world, you needn’t trust anyone but yourself. Yet, you should learn to act that you can trust, remember that, Axel.”

The lesson that build him up and made him the person that he is. 

“S***! Do not let them escape!”

A voice screams and echoes amidst the exchange of gunfire in the dimly lighted alleyway. Men from the other side are falling dead. Proving more that they are all amateurs who didn’t know what they are doing nor in which territory they are creating a mess. Smokes from the gun and sparks like a flickering lightbulb comes and goes in each gun trigger. Painting the night red, and making some noise on that quiet night. 

A car suddenly came a few feet from the area of chaos and mess. Then a snap can be heard inside the black limousine and two armed men get out of the car, holding some weapons in both hands and went straight into the line of fire. Unafraid and trained to be one, the men in suits and their comrades immediately notice their arrival and quickly run back as the two throw a sleeping smoke bomb. The loud thud of falling bodies, asleep, unprepared, and knocked out rolls in front of them. Once the smoke is clear, the same men in a suit rush to gather the enemies’ weapons and circularly tied the unconscious thugs. The door of the limousine opens and everyone rushes in line, bows and is greeted with the utmost respect. 

“Boss!”

Tall, has a strong build, and is damn hot in his white long sleeves that are unbuttoned from the first three. The black suit is draped stylishly to his shoulder. Black pants and leather black boots. The black mask that covers his face, red hot ombre dyed hair, and a pair of blue eyes, captivating and hot. He draws a sinister smile after a smirk. Walking towards the bunch of still-living thugs. He then crouches down, holds a person’s unconscious state, and disappointedly slaps his face before asking for alcohol and a handkerchief that he then and quickly commands with a gesture to burn. 

“Bring these stupid ones back. Make sure that they are in good condition for our little interrogation. Burn their filthy death comrades and make sure that everything is clean and thoroughly in this place before morning.” He commanded with a firm and deep voice. 

“Yes, boss!”

Everyone replies without question. Heeding his command and the absolute authority that he has over them. Gritting his teeth in anger and disappointment, he kicks one of the thug’s bodies and stomps on its face. Piss and boiling in rage for being an amateur and worst, choosing his territory to mess with. Circulating drugs and kidnapping women and children for sex slaves and human trafficking. A thing that he didn’t want, and hated more than anything else and for being a Mafia boss. 

“You!” He calls one of his subordinates, who quickly runs to his side. 

“You called, Boss?” The immediate reply was with a tone of respect and loyalty. 

“You are the one who has a bike, right?” he inquires, taking the subordinate aback for a few seconds, but immediately confirms his words. 

“Lend it to me tonight. You have the authority of my car in exchange.”

“I-I.” the hesitation. 

“Give it to me.” His authority and death tone that everyone shouldn’t rub against. 

“Here you go, Boss.”

Quickly lending the keys, he immediately took it and walks towards the parking area. Away from his subordinates and for the entire night. He put the key into the ignition and started the motorbike. The engine roars and he immediately took the road. Fair enough, he took his mask and felt the air on his face and skin. Having that momentarily freedom from the burden of his two lives. He then stops the bike near the bridge where his only memory comes from. The necklace dangles from his neck and the memory of the promise is knocking inside his mind. 

“Tsk!” smirking, he intends to still keep that promise. 

Yet, for fifteen years he had nothing nor any lead about her. Turning his head and on the brim of starting the engine, a scream familiar, desperate, and calling stole his attention. 

“Someone, please!”

He shouldn’t care, nor put his nose to someone’s business. Especially since this is not his territory, nor he had the authority. A mishap or two might result in misunderstanding and war. A thing that he couldn’t afford. But. 

“No matter what happens, look for me, okay?”