Francisco's Point of View
I watched the changes taking place. A lot has happened in this place. A dark past that will never be reopened.
"Would you change its name?"
I looked at the attorney.
I am transferring ownership of this university to my name. I bought it to renovate it.
"Yes," I answered. "Philippine High University." The former name of this university.
He gave me the papers and I happily signed them.
I am happy to have this historic place named after me.
"Did this university exist before? Why did I just hear about it now?" he asked curiously.
"Yes. This is a legendary school of devils. Did you hear me? Legend. So, please. Shut up."
He adjusted his necktie and I saw his simple smile. I didn't have time to talk.
We shook hands after I signed the contract. He left my office. I waited a few minutes before leaving.
The new face of Hell University was revealed to me. Everything was freshly painted and there were no traces of blood around. The admin office that exploded was gone and the office had been moved.
I walked around remembering everything that happened in this place. I regret it. I deeply regret what I have done. Ambition consumed me, poisoning my character so much that I even managed to kill my friend.
**Flashback...**
My hand was sweating as I held the gun. Headmaster Valdez was inside the admin office.
I pocketed the gun and let out a sigh. I knocked three times before entering.
Mr. Valdez approached me. Smiling, he motioned for me to sit down.
"Do you need anything, Francis?" he asked. "Wait, you're not with Violet, are you?" he asked, surprised.
I stood there in front of him. I couldn't move. Could I kill him? Could I betray my friend?
"Is there a problem?" He stood up and acted like he was going to approach me, so I quickly took the gun out of my pocket and pointed it at him.
He stopped and looked at me in confusion. He couldn't believe his eyes. His face showed worry and confusion.
"W-What does this mean, Francis?"
I quickly cocked the gun and the bullet hit his leg. I dropped my gun because of that. Shit!
What have I done?
He fell to the floor and screamed in pain. I was shaking from what I had done and even though I wanted to help him, I couldn't. I couldn't believe I had done this to him.
"F-Francis..."
A gunshot rang out. In an instant, Valdez, who had now been hit, lost consciousness.
A bullet in the chest.
"You're really weak, Francisco," Violet said with a grin, holding a gun. "Let's leave, maybe someone will see us," she said before leaving first.
I was left speechless in front of Mr. Valdez.
His hands moved and tried to reach me. "F-Francis, h-don't leave my children," he whispered before finally losing his breath.
I shivered and was about to leave when I saw Samantha standing at the door, stunned. I saw the anger in her eyes. I quickly dodged as she pulled out a gun and shot me.
I escaped but I couldn't get Mr. Valdez's gradual loss of breath out of my mind.
**-End of flashback-**
I know Lux isn't the only child of Mr. Valdez. But I didn't think he was Ace. That's why... that's why he hides himself behind thick glass so that the resemblance between him and Lux won't be obvious.
"You seem reminiscing..."
I looked at a man standing not far from me.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Craige?"
His hands were in both of his pockets. He was clearly not getting much sleep and would be asleep in a heartbeat.
"You should rest."
He laughed. "You are acting like my uncle, again." His tone was blunt.
I know that all our sins against him and his family are unforgivable. That's why I bought this place—because someone is planning to build a business here that I will not allow. This is the only memory of our only friend, and even if we were the ones to kill him, I still don't want to lose this place.
"If only daddy were still alive... I wish he was still alive so I could approach him. I can't take it anymore, uncle."
"Ace..."
"Uncle, I'm about to die... just a little bit." His voice became bitter. "He's killing me," he whispered.
He is carrying a heavy burden. I don't know why he isn't with Zein. I am confused, but my pity for him prevails. At a young age, he has already experienced everything he shouldn't have gone through.
He's strong, there's no doubt about that. But he still needs the care of a father. We've denied him the things he should have experienced.
"I'm sure your dad is proud of you."
"Sometimes I think about it, uncle. I wish we hadn't fought. I wish we hadn't gotten out of Hell University... I lost my grip on Zein. He got out of my grasp and now he's missing."
I couldn't help but hug him. He started sobbing. This is the first time I've seen him cry so much. I've never seen him cry like this.
God, please forgive me. Please, protect this man. He deserves to be happy. He deserves to be loved. Please, I'm begging you... heal his wound.
"T-Tito... I'll lose everything. The person I love the most and the person who is my only family, my brother. He won't be able to forgive me."
I suddenly remembered what Ace had done. He had done something terrible to his brother. He was the reason...
"You are strong," I continued.
You are in the middle of darkness. Keep fighting because it's only a matter of time before you reach the light. You will overcome all of this. I hope you don't give up.
"T-Tito..." He pulled away from the hug and wiped the tears from his red eyes. "Thank you. I need to go, I need to face their anger." He smiled and walked away.
It's all my fault.
"The time will come when I will pay for all my sins. Wait for me, Ace," I whispered.
***
Hell's Point of View
I thought you could protect him. If only you had been there when he almost fell off the cliff... I would have let you be happy.
You failed me... Now, you have to face the nightmare that is coming.
"What's your plan?" he asked.
"The plan continues... We will hurt him, just like he hurt us," I whispered.
I tore up the papers I was holding while looking at the woman lying on the bed.
At the end of this eye are traces of the tears that fell before she went to sleep. She is always crying. There is not a day that she does not cry.
"She's a demon," the person next to me whispered.
"But she becomes gentle when she's around Ace," I replied.
No matter how much she demonizes him, she's still the fragile woman. The woman who loves a man who is the reason she gets hurt.
"Sorry, Zein... You're the only one who could hurt Ace. Sorry if we had to use you."
Just a little more and we will achieve justice.
——