Overknight Hero

Chapter 14: Regret (3)

Xaviel threw his phone to the wall in anger. As his phone cracked and seemingly unusable, he lost balance and sat on his bed. Tears fell droplets at a time from his cheeks. His teeth gritted, and his fist clenched.

DING-DONG

Xaviel's doorbell suddenly rang. He rose from the bed while wiping the tears from his eyes though not discarding the red tint on his eyes, and opened the door where a man wearing a red uniform said to him.

“Package for Xaviel A. Mobius?”

"That’s me.”

“Great. Sign here, please.”

The man handed a pen, and Xaviel wrote down his signature on the papers presented to him.

“Who’s it from?”

“Umm. Robert E. Mobius.” The man said as he read the packaging label.

Xaviel went to a shock. That name. It can’t be. What trial will he be facing this time?

As soon as the man hands Xaviel the package, he slams the door closed and locks it. He desperately searched for a cutter in his bedroom and began to wreck the taped box package.

After the box had finally become openable, he was pretty surprised yet again. The latter found the package contains a brand new edition pear phone XX. The best kind of phone in the era. However, this doesn’t put a smile on his face. Instead, Xaviel figures out what is the meaning of the situation.

The phone was not a gift rather a tracking device. Pear Phone has a property that could be traceable by any means by another user. Xaviel knew that his father, Robert E. Mobius, wasn’t by any means out of goodwill.

As he took out the phone, he was prepared to destroy it with a mallet. However, the phone suddenly rang in a deafening manner.

PIPIPIIIII PIPIPIIII~

The phone showed that someone named ‘It’s me, Pick Up Immediately’ had called on the phone. Xaviel stares. He is very sure that this is his father’s doing, and without a doubt, he denied the phone call by swiping left. The annoying ringtone then stopped, only to start again after a few seconds. This time, the phone showed the name ‘I know you’re there, Don’t waste my time.

Xaviel sighs and decides to play along with the situation. He swiped right, accepting the call.

“Took you long enough,” said the caller.

After hearing the voice, he is sure that the one who is calling him was indeed his father.

“What do you want?”

“I want you to start Uni again.”

“No. I had enough of Uni for a while. I need some time to heal.”

“Heal from what? Allegations of drug addiction?”

Shocked hearing what his father said, he cussed, “Fuck off!”.

A few seconds of silence emerge at their conversation. Xaviel’s father, Robert, then said to him, “You know, you owe me. Using my connections to dismiss the allegations from campus was not a measly task. This is why I want you to start Uni again. You’re a privileged child. You are my son. YOU are my investment. I don’t expect you to do anything else than finish your time at Uni and work. Do I make myself clear?”

Xaviel responded with ominous silence, still holding the telephone line.

“Good, I’ll take your silence as an understanding gesture. Next, regarding your sudden dismissal from the research group, It wasn't necessarily because you destroyed a million dollars worth of tech. This is because someone from inside the campus intends on your expulsion by an informant. I suggest you don’t tamper with the research group anymore and stay underground don’t socialize with anyone. Are we clear?”

Hearing that from his father made Xaviel lost in thought. He was surprised to hear that someone wanted his expulsion, which resulted in growing rumors around him and his sudden dismissal from the group. It just seemed too farfetched. Because in reality, Xaviel still destroyed a million dollars worth of technology. Why wasn’t the board considering this? Is there something they’re hiding from him?

“Xaviel Aktina Mobius. Answer your father!”

“UH. Yeah yeah, sorry. I understand, dad.” Xaviel replied in a startled voice.

“One more thing. Don’t trust Greg too much. He’s part of the problem.”

Click

Bippp- Bipp—Bippp---

The telephone line was cut.

“Why should I believe you? Greg is a better father than you ever were!” Xaviel shouted.

***

Unlike the usual, Xaviel had no problem sleeping the night before. He was pretty surprised to wake up in the morning without going to the other world. Though it was rather bizarre, he tries to not overthink the situation and proceed with the task at hand.

At noon, Xaviel went back to Indicolite University. He visited the faculty office and negotiated his return to the University. The University, at first, didn’t allow Xaviel to immediately start studying again at the Uni. Because the semester had already begun 2 months earlier. Resulting in him missing the majority of classes.

Robert, Xaviel’s father, was then again forced to intervene. His father had negotiated a particular test and would pay any amount required to reimburse the lecturers in Xaviel’s study. The placement test will cover Xaviel’s past grades and quizzes. The score he earned will be acknowledged as his original score without further consequences. However, if Xaviel failed one test subject by any chance, he would instantly fail the course.

“Slurp..” Xaviel sipping down a cup of coffee in his living room. The couch he is sitting in was reasonably comfortable. In front of him was a coffee table with a plate and three books beside it.

The sight would make anyone assume that Xaviel is studying hard for the test. Yet something bothers him dearly. To be precise, he’s still bothered by his old man’s word.

20 years earlier, before Xaviel was even born. Xaviel’s mother, named Judith Lorenius, had a special relationship with the CEO of Alteria Inc. A technology company that develops artificial intelligence in factories and other industries. The CEO was none other than Xaviel’s biological father, Robert E. Mobius.

By some circumstances, it is ruled that the CEO of the Alteria company isn’t allowed to marry nor have a special relationship with a woman or have children. However, the two didn’t abide by the rules. They continued their ‘secret’ relationship for more than 2 years until the company finally found out.

Xaviel’s father knowing his position at the company was at stake, severed the tie between him and the woman. With their relationship compromised, the woman would turn to hate the man. Accusing him of not really loving her and how he would instead choose his position than their relationship.

Unfortunately for both of them, their fate was still bound. A few months after, they went their separate ways. Judith, who was now in a relationship with a loving man soon to be husband, suddenly found out that her test pack for pregnancy was positive. The problem was that Judith and her fiancee had never done anything risky such as having intercourse. The two then had an argument until Judith had finally realized that he had a relationship with someone else just a few months ago. Her suspicions were soon proven correct as she went on a DNA test. She is indeed pregnant with Robert’s baby.

The baby’s existence was hidden until he was born. After the baby was born, Judith by the court demanded child support for the baby from Xaviel’s father. The latter won the court; however, it cost them losing custody of the baby. Since Judith married another man with no ties to the baby, her custody was vanished by the law.

However, this doesn’t mean things will go south for Judith. Since she knows that Robert wouldn’t dare to take custody of Xaviel, it would jeopardize his position at the company. As a result, the court had no choice but to let Judith take care of the baby. However, Robert left one final mark on the baby. In return for the custody, Robert demanded that the baby's name shall bear the name of his last name. By that, Xaviel Aktina Mobius was finally born into this world with very complex family matters.

Growing up wasn’t really a difficult task for Xaviel. Upon the custody of his mother and stepfather, he was pretty spoiled, being the only child they have. He often went to play catch in the afternoon with his stepfather, Gregory Gaillard. Also known as GG or Greg. Every evening they would eat together at the table while discussing mythological beings. Gregory had worked in a small business that merchandised items for trending fantasy games by this time. That’s why he’ll never run out of a story for young Xaviel.

In terms of academics, Xaviel is a prowess. In terms of social interactions, he was pretty bad. Though this only happened throughout his elementary school days. As he started going to middle school, more and more people started being friends with him.

Xaviel then would become much more liked and quite popular among others. The sense of friendship he had with his friends only grew more and more throughout his high school days. He would have his own gang named ‘The Stars of Altair’, where he and his best friends would gather and discuss inventions and technologies. That same group joined together and made it to the same college, Indicolite University.

Xaviel had already been confident enough by his bond with his gang and stepfather. He couldn’t help but think only goodwill towards them. They accompanied him through the worst fate he could ever experience. Suddenly told by someone who dares calls himself his ‘dad’ that isn’t even there when he needs him to be can’t really change his way of seeing things, right?

However, ever since Xaviel got high marks in middle school, his stepfather did begin to make him hook up on several advertisements opportunity. Which Xaviel didn’t like. If Xaviel were ever to refuse him. He wouldn’t be mad, but Xaviel’s mother would suddenly know and be very disappointed with Xaviel, from ranting scolding to every other verbal abuse. The only possible way to stop it was to accept other opportunities that were given by his stepfather. If he by any chance would again refuse, the same action will be repeated until he finally accepts.

Her mother always said that ‘You can’t take for granted opportunities that had been given to you! You should be more grateful!”. In Xaviel’s mind, her saying that wasn’t for the fact that she wanted Xaviel to learn. It was for the other man that she loved so much. Or maybe to earn money so she and Greg wouldn’t have to work as hard.

These thoughts of previous actions made Xaviel question himself. Is he really happy being with her mother and stepdad? Is it normal to have this kind of feeling of being used? Or is it not? If yes, should I be grateful that no one else got to take advantage of me?

Thinking back on his previous choices. Xaviel began to wonder in the first place why he would take a break for a semester and not stay at his parent's house. His parents do support his decision to take a break. Why didn’t he go there? Is it because he wasn’t comfortable with them? Or?

“For fuck sake, I can’t study under this amount of stress,” Xaviel said.

He closed the textbook and went to his bedroom. Flicking the light switch off, he rested his body on the bed.

***

BI BIBIP~ BI BIBIP~

Hearing the peculiar sound, Xaviel opened his eyes.

“What? How? Why?”

Xaviel woke up in his room. In a normal situation, Xaviel wouldn’t freak out over waking up in his own house in his own room. The problem is that he was expecting to go into the other world to release his pent-up stress. However, what he had usually done to transport to that ‘world’ seemed no longer possible.

“This can’t be!”

Xaviel had been obsessed. He was obsessed with the fantasies of that world. Where he could start a new. With bare responsibilities and control from other people. A place where he actually felt like he was something. Much like before the incident. Desperate to find a way, he searches the net for anything related to that otherworld. From Forte, King Kyma Rizes, Nexus Tree, but he couldn’t find a mere trace.

“Fuck!” Xaviel ranted as he kicked his PC’s CPU.

Regaining senses after kicking the CPU. Xaviel inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Trying to regain the composure which was previously lost. After his head finally became clearer, he opened his pear phone XX.

++

26 May 20XX

18:20

(20 new messages)

++

Considering this phone was newly given by his father. Xaviel suspects that the message also originated from him. As he opened the message, his father sent him an audio file and picture of Greg at his University with an unknown man.

The static audio plays…

--.---…---I need to….---… put it--… ----….phone right?----

----…What is this ------…….----- for anyway?-----…

Without a doubt, Xaviel recognized the voice. It was the voice of his stepdad. Robert explained that he had been carefully monitoring Xaviel’s family, and one of the people being monitored was his stepdad. Robert said that Greg had sold Xaviel to some organization.

By selling, it means that he worked directly with the very person or persons that plotted Xaviel’s downfall. His father attached another proof in the form of a photo. His father explained that the transaction happened a few days after the incident took place. Indicolite University had received guests wearing a peculiar outfit. Much like in the film ‘Godfather.’ In one of those pictures, again, there was a figure looking very similar to Greg.

“All this information is good and all, but I still don’t quite get what you’re trying to say? Are you saying there’s something in my phone? A hacking device of some sort?” Xaviel sent his chat to Robert.

“If this was a minor hacking device, I wouldn’t have given you a new phone. It’s a much more major problem than that,” Robert replied.

“What is it then?”

DUR DUR DUR DUR

Suddenly the door to Xaviel’s house was constantly slammed.

“Espionage.”