“I am sorry, but your face is too beat up that I had no choice but to completely change it,” Crete informs him too late.
“Why...”
“It’s also safer for you. If those people realize that you are still alive—”
Fury boils within him as he snatches Crete’s collar, cutting his sentence off. He balls his hands into meaty fists. He lifts his arms, ready to unleash his wrath, when he holds back with great effort, leaving the air quivering with his anger.
“Don’t worry, I understand,” Crete says.
Rohan’s face contorts with rage. A sea of white-hot anger engulfs him. His jaw clenches. He can feel his heart pounding as every ounce of his being is consumed by the fierce desire for vengeance.
Without warning, he storms over to the chair and unleashes a furious onslaught of kicks, obliterating it into splinters and broken wood. His eyes blaze with hatred, and his voice trembles as he turns his wrathful gaze to the old man.
“I will ensure those who wronged me will pay! I will inflict on them the same pain they have caused me! Nothing will stand in my way!”
“Without a plan?” Crete asks. “I thought your enemies are powerful?”
Rohan scowls at him. “They might be rich and powerful, but they won’t know what hit them!”
“And how would you do that?”
“I will destroy their businesses and properties! I will make sure everyone knows who they truly are!”
“So, you want to become a criminal?”
Rohan frowns. “I am already a criminal. I am no one. I don’t have an identity! They stole that from me!”
Crete shakes his head. “You are wrong. You have a name. Rudi Rowe. That’s your new name.”
Rohan glares at him.
“My daughter is already working on your new identity. So rather than this vengeance, find a life. Live and survive. Forget about your revenge.”
“If you were in my position, what would you do?! Your inheritance is taken from you! Your wife was killed! Then they tried to kill you!”
“I will be happy. Like what I am doing now. It’s the best revenge against the people who wronged you.”
Rohan scrunches his face in disgust. “What would you know?! You are not in my position!”
“Rohan, I am one of the best doctors in plastic surgery, but I… displeased the elites, so here I am.” Rohan narrows his eyes at him. But the old man smiles wryly. “I am not forcing you to believe me.”
He scoffs, not quite believing what he heard.
“Well, if you insist on returning, I won’t stop you,” Crete says. “But remember that your enemies are not just wealthy monsters.”
“I haven’t told you anything,” he hisses. “How would you know who my enemies are?”
“Because like you, I was in the same circle. I am their plastic surgery go-to person. Your wife is one of the Twelve Elites, right?”
“Yes, Kyndra Walton. How did you know?”
“When you are thrown, her brother, Kaden Walton, is onboard. That’s how I know who you are. Not to mention that the Waltons are famous.”
Rohan averts his gaze, an unspoken truth hanging in the air. “She’s one of the reasons I want to take revenge,” he answers.
“It’ll take a miracle for you to succeed,” Clete admits, a hint of doubt in his voice.
Rohan remains silent, a million thoughts in his head, but right now, he can only focus on vengeance.
The city is still the same as before. Heavy traffic. Pickpockets. Vendors on the side of the street. Women having a catfight on the side. It is chaos. Yet, there is a certain sense of comfort in him. Rohan has been here for a few months. He’s been studying the elites, taking information, and planning his next moves.Rohan walks down the busy streets. He spots a few men in black suits going to his destination: the fitness center. He follows them until they enter the gym.Rohan enters the lobby and looks around. There is a woman behind the counter checking people out. He approaches.“Good morning, I am Rudi Rowe. I am here to apply as one of the gym trainers or cleaners,” Rohan starts. “I just need a job.”The woman looks at him from head to toe and back again. “If you can wait there,” she says, pointing at one of the couches. “You are just in time. I believe the boss is looking for a new personal trainer.”Rohan nods and obeys the woman. He sits on the couch and replays his separation
Three months later...Rohan is in front of Yu’s employees. He is the first quarter’s top awardee because he’s got a couple of clients and is earning decently. James approaches him with a smile on his face. “Congratulations, Rudi! You’ve done well.”Rohan nods. “Thank you.”“You are welcome. I was wondering if you would like to join my team. I am looking for a personal trainer to help me manage the other trainers.”Rohan is stunned. This is precisely what he wanted–the opportunity to work under him. That way, his revenge will be easier. “I’m interested.”“Great!” James claps his hands together. “You start tomorrow morning.”James turns his attention back to the other employee and says, “For anyone who would like to have the same position. Work hard, and I will include you in the team that I am building.”The employees cheer. “Now, let’s celebrate!” James shouts. “To a successful first quarter!”**************The next day, Rohan arrives at the gym early in the morning and sees James s
The day of the show has arrived. The audience watches the program while waiting for the host to call on James. He is the recent winner of another fitness reality show competition. A few minutes later, when the emcee announces James, he comes out wearing a shirt and pants instead of his usual suit. He sits down in front of the camera and smiles at the audience. “Hello, everyone!” he chirps.The host starts with the interview, while Rohan stands on the side. He watches closely how James presents himself to the public and tries to memorize everything he does. He could use it against him later.“You won last year’s competition. How did you prepare yourself for this season?” the host asks.“I trained harder than before.”“What kind of results did you get?”“I was able to increase my muscle mass by two percent.”“That’s an appreciable increase.”“Not so much. That is why, for this season, I hired a personal trainer to help me reach my goals.”“How many trainers do you have?”“Only one, but
A multi-step plan. Kyndra had always told him that to win, he needed more than one alternative plan in case Plan A fell apart.Now, Plan A has fallen apart. Kyndra mentioned that James was a closet homosexual. So Rohan expected that after that scene with the hired whore, James would force him to become his lover. That way, he will offer a different male to be his lover.“Rudi, don’t just stand there. Open the door,” James orders.That’s when Rohan realizes he’s been standing and staring at nothing for a while. He is inside James Yu’s office pretending to be a good employee.Gathering himself up, he walks up to the door and opens it. Mr. Dugal enters the room with a young man behind him. A new personal trainer, his hired male escort. The man is tall, muscular, and very handsome. He has short brown hair and dark brown eyes. His lips are full and pouty. He wears a tight black tank top underneath a polo shirt and grey slacks.He glances at him and gives a single bow as acknowledgment. The
A sweet trap. That’s exactly what James has fallen into. The retreat is for his stamina, but he is being trained in the pleasures of bed instead. Which means that Rohan has time for his revenge. Irving is proving himself to be useful to his plans. So useful, in fact, that Rohan gets out of the house because James’ moans of pleasure have become annoying.Every night, though, Irving still reports to him. He mentions that James is insecure about the power and influence of his mother. He also can’t admit to his mother that he is homosexual.And at the very few moments he finds them training, Irving always gives him cold water. It’s as if it’s his showing that he cares for James.“Here,” Irving will say. “You need to hydrate.”“Oh, thank you,” James responds and accepts the offered water.However, it will only take an hour. Soon, they are already kissing and making love again. And Rohan is getting a lot of resources. He has already finished a couple of videos and released them to the inter
Two weeks later, Irving arrives at the agreed spot with a briefcase. He hands it over to Rohan after they shake hands.“It’s all here,” he tells him. “I hope this is enough to keep your silence.”Rohan grins and opens the case. Inside are stacks of hundred-dollar bills. “It’s more than enough, Irving.”“Here,” he says. “James, also give you a plane ticket to get out of the country.”“To keep track of me?” Rohan smirks. “I don’t think that’s needed.”“He just wants to make sure.”Rohan whistles. “But I think you will soon ask for my help.”Irving stares at him. “What do you mean?”A cruel look appears on Rohan’s face. “Be careful dealing with the elites, Irving. They are people you won’t be able to handle.”“I can handle James just fine.”Rohan guffaws. “If you say so, be happy with your partner.”“And good luck with your plans,” Irving says before walking away.Rohan waves at him. He has already planned his next move. He needs to take care of some other people first. And soon, he will
The TV blares in the background while Rohan prepares his food and beer. He sits on the couch and watches the news. The anchorperson reports how the police discovered that James Yu died of a steroid overdose. Prolonged usage has made James healthy on the outside, but unhealthy and weak on the inside. “James Yu. The sole heir of the Yu dynasty died today,” the anchor said. “It will be remembered that James Yu has a problem with—” A knock comes on the door. Rohan smirks. Just about time. Hera did a good job, huh? He stands up from the couch and opens the door, revealing a distraught Irving. “They will kill me,” he greets. “I guess it’s not a good day for you?” He glances at the TV. “You already know.” “As you can hear.” Rohan opens the door wider for him. “Come in.” Irving enters the house and looks around. “I am glad you are still here.” “Why are you here, Irving?” “I need money to get out of the country.” “Why? You have James Yu’s fortune.” “If he is alive! But if he’s dead,
Two men enter the bedroom, breaking the door open. They point their guns at Rohan, who quickly grabs his pistol and points it at them, too. One of them smiles. “So you are the helper.” He pulls out a knife from his pocket and throws it at Rohan’s chest. He tries to evade, but the blade pierces through his shirt and the first layer of skin. He falls back onto the bed, clutching his shallow wound. Still, a trickle of blood gushes out from it. “You should’ve lived your life peacefully,” one of them snarls. Rohan looks at him with contempt. He did try, and what did that do to him? He became a slave to the Waltons. Worse, they took his inheritance from him, and they even attempted to take his life! So, this pain is nothing! “Where is Irving?” Rohan asks instead. “That half of a human will die today. We are—” To surprise them, he aims his gun at them and fires several shots before allowing them to finish speaking. One of them gets shot and collapses on the floor, bleeding heavily. Anot