6.Mysterious person

Gavin dragged Louis to the dungeon in Robert's residence. The man looked resigned as if he had no hope of living. His entire body was covered in bruises. Blood oozed onto his clothes. The fishy smell was so strong.

Louis sat weakly. His hands were handcuffed. The man's head was bowed down. Occasionally he chuckled as Gavin hit him.

"I won't let you die easily. You have to feel what my mom and sister felt!"Gavin gripped Louis' chin firmly. Euginia's image screamed in terror when Louis came in terror and also when he tortured her mother. Gavin felt sick and angry at the same time.

"Louis," Gavin called in a low, threatening voice. He had a mysterious smirk on his lips. "We're the same, aren't we? Being unwanted children and even called trash. Even though we tried so hard."

Gavin held Louis' shoulders. The look in his eyes became gentle. "Have you ever thought about getting back at your father? Come on, let's do it together," Gavin said with conviction. He gave hope and comfort at the same time.

"I won't mess with your mom and sister."

Gavin's smile grew. It was not a sweet smile, but a smile full of frightening meaning. He clearly saw the worried look in Louis' eyes. In fact, Louis' body was shaking violently.

"Damn you!" Louis shouted. He stared at Gavin sharply with all the courage he had left. "Don't touch them. You'll kill me right now, damn it!"

Gavin chuckled as he shook his head. "I'm not that stupid." Gavin's gaze shifted to Soraya and Jeffry who stood behind him. The two seemed to be ready if Gavin gave the order.

"Soraya---"

"Don't do it!" Louis shouted back. He tried to free himself from the chains that bound his hands and feet. However, it was all in vain.

"Tell me, where's Lucas?" Gavin shouted a little. The veins in his neck were very noticeable.

This time Gavin had lost his temper and wanted to finish Louis off. However, he held back as much as possible.

"He's going to Italy. Her hometown."

"Who told you to do such a heinous thing to my mother and sister?" Gavin's voice sounded deceptively casual, but there was no lack of firmness in his tone.

Louis was silent for a few seconds. He stared at each person in the room. His throat seemed to be constricted, it was difficult to get a word or two out. Doubt was evident in his eyes.

"I will guarantee the survival of your sister and mother. Believe me. We are in the same boat. Trying to protect what we have."

"Dean Alexavier," Louis said quickly. His head lowered to stare at the dirty clothes covered in dried blood stains. He had broken his oath. What a traitor.

"I knew it."

Unbeknownst to Louis, Gavin picked up the gun and shot him right in the heart. The man cried out in pain. His eyes were perfectly rounded.

"You---"

I'm not that stupid, Louis. You should be thanking me for hastening your death." Gavin smirked. Staring at Louis sharply.

"The closest person is your enemy. Arrghh. I swear that someday, you'll regret doing this to me," Louis said while holding his stomach against the excruciating pain. He smiled until he finally collapsed helplessly.

"I knew it."

Gavin stood up, he ordered some people to clean up the mess. In addition, Gavin told Jeffry to give some money to Louis' family.

In this life, Gavin felt better even though he had to kill some people. This is of course to protect what he has. Sometimes Gavin was angry at himself in his previous life. He was too naive and was in the enemy's camp.

***

The glare of sunlight coming through the cracks in the window disturbed Gavin's sleep. He groaned as he rolled onto his right side. His hand fumbled for his cell phone. His eyes narrowed in the glare. It's already morning, he thought and threw the phone away.

Gavin began to clean himself up, dressing neatly. Today he was going to inspect a housing construction project that was almost 90% complete.

Gavin's wide strides echoed. He glanced around for his mother. Both corners of Gavin's lips lifted upwards as he found Euginia relaxing in the living room accompanied by Kiana. Gavin's smile grew wider at the interaction between the two. Kiana was trying to walk and was being held by Euginia. I don't know what the two of them were talking about that made them laugh.

"Kiana, Mom," Gavin called out.

The two women of different generations turned their heads. Euginia carefully helped Kiana sit on the sofa. Then, she sat down next to Kiana.

"You just woke up?" Euginia said with a big smile. Her eyes still looked blank. However, until now Euginia had changed. She rarely screamed like before or daydreamed.

Gavin nodded. He squatted in the middle of the two women. Gavin held Euginia's right leg and Kiana's left leg. Gavin's head was bowed with a faint smile. He buried his face between the two women's legs.

"Mom, Kiana. Thank you," she said in a trembling voice. "Thank you for making it this far. I'll make sure you'll be fine until the end," Gavin mused.

Kiana tilted her head in wonder. Her brow furrowed. "You're getting weirder and weirder. But, I feel that this time you are like a normal person in general. You usually live your life like a lifeless human," Kiana said. This time she carved a sweet smile on her luscious lips. Then Kiana said again, "Thank you. You've provided comfort for me and mom."

Gavin looked up at the two of them in turn. What a fool he had been. Leaving two of his most precious women in the clutches of demons.

"I will try my best for you."

Kiana nodded vigorously. She ruffled Gavin's hair fondly, making Gavin chuckle softly.

Meanwhile, they didn't know that Euginia was staring intensely at Gavin. She was grinning mysteriously and eerily at the same time.

***

At ten in the morning Gavin arrived. He looked satisfied with the work of Jhon, always the architect involved in these developments. This housing estate was specifically for the middle class. There were only about seventy units with two-story minimalist houses.

"Mr. Gavin," Jhon greeted hurriedly. He extended his hand. They both shook hands.

"Excellent. Your performance is amazing," Gavin praised.

Jhon smiled happily. "Thank you. I guarantee that in a month it will be finished and ready for occupancy."

Gavin nodded. He took Jhon to find a nearby restaurant. Gavin had a few things to say. Including that he would give bonuses to Jhon and the others.

They both arrived at a restaurant not far from where the housing was built. Gavin and Jhon looked so familiar even though they had only met a few times. They were like best friends who had been together for decades.

"I read an article about you a few weeks ago," Jhon said after they finished eating. He was so relaxed since Gavin asked him not to call him sir.

"Ah. Must be about corruption, huh?" guessed Gavin as he leaned his back against the chair. "Apparently it's still not lost on the public."

Jhon nodded. He was so enthusiastic about being gossiped about. He had wanted to ask Gavin about this since yesterday. However, Jhon did not know the man personally.

"I'm sure that's not true. The proof is that Mr. Alexavier is willing to be at the forefront." Jhon leaned forward slightly. He said again, "I suspect Ed Franklin. Isn't he being groomed to be the financial manager? He could have a grudge. Moreover, behind Ed is his Uncle William. He's the third largest shareholder in The Next." This time Jhon slowed down his speech.

Gavin laughed. Honestly, he really felt alive like a human this time. This time Gavin could display different facial expressions. In fact, he had a friend like Jhon who was always as he was. Although Jhon was three years older than Gavin, but Gavin felt comfortable being friends with Jhon.

"Aren't you afraid of having your neck slashed or being put to death?" Gavin joked.

Jhon pretended to have a scared expression, then he laughed. "I'm not afraid at all. Before they kill me, I will kill them first."

Gavin raised one eyebrow. He didn't know how Jhon looked like.

"I used to be a thief before my adoptive parents adopted me. I'm good at hiding. That's me, Jhon Martin," he said looking so proud.

"So, why are you telling me your true identity?"

"Just in case you need a favor someday. For example .... Stealing all the assets of Alexavier's fortune. Hmmm. Although it's a bit difficult."

Gavin laughed. "Nothing is difficult if we find their weak points," Gavin said as he looked out the window. He sighed heavily. "It's just that I haven't found it yet."

"I heard you were looking for Lucas' whereabouts. Right?"

This time Gavin looked surprised. The mission was something only he and his subordinates knew. So, who would dare to leak this important mission.

"How did you know?"

Jhon raised his hand. "From someone. You take it easy. I'm on your side," Jhon said as he patted Gavin's shoulder. "Thanks for lunch. You don't have to worry because I'm on your side."

Gavin's eyes didn't leave Jhon. That man was so mysterious. He wanted to contact Soraya to investigate Jhon. However, Soraya contacted him first.

"Yes, Soraya."

"I've blocked Lucas' access to Italy. I believe he's still in the country. I'm trying to lure him out of hiding even though it's a bit difficult."

"Good. After this task is completed, I have a new task for you."

"Good. I'll get all this done right away."

The phone connection was ended by Gavin. Not long after, another incoming call graced the screen of Gavin's cell phone. The call was from a number he always avoided. This time Gavin picked up the call.

"Gavin come home, Dad is sick. That is if you still have a conscience. Your father is now at home. He looks---"

Gavin ended the voice call. He clucked resentfully. Whenever Caesar was sick, the old man always remembered Gavin. In fact, Gavin had even fed him in the past. For whatever reason, Gavin felt like a servant.