Nine Months

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

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