"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Emperor Leon. I don't have any relatives here. I am purely a native of Sparks Country. I can't blame you though, people often tell me I look familiar maybe because I am always featured in Business News especially if there's a breakthrough in my technology company."
I said those words while trying to make it sound natural.
"It's a pity, Mr. Castro. I am hoping you can be a true citizen of my Veilhaven Country. But even if you're not, we already consider you as one."
I breathe a sigh of relief hearing him say those words. I thought he already recognized me. Glad he didn't.
Smiling graciously I told him "Thank you so much Emperor Leon for your recognition. I'm truly honored to become a citizen of your country. I hope you won't get tired of my presence."
"Don't worry I won't Mr. Castro. Welcome and enjoy your stay in our country."
He bid me goodbye after saying those words.
Looking at him leaving the venue. He looks more like a businessman instead of an Emperor.
The Royal Family in this country doesn't live traditionally. They don't wear traditional clothes, crowns, or anything that symbolizes their Royalty. They don't even let people call them King, Queen, Prince and Princess. Instead, they are called Emperor, Empress, Young Master, and Young Miss. Also, they don't go out having a grand entourage but just enough bodyguards for their security. They are somewhat of a modernized Royal Family.
---
As soon as I enter my house, I slump onto the plush couch.
I'm feeling so tired right now.
It's so tiring keeping my smile for the whole day when all I want is to rip the faces of those leaders.
While lying on the couch I saw Vince get out of his room and walk towards me.
Curiosity and the feeling of uneasiness got the better of me, knowing Vince was watching us the entire time I asked him.
"What do you think of the Emperor's reaction when he told me I look familiar?"
Vince looked at me smugly while saying "You did a pretty good job answering him. I think he meant what he said. He seems not suspicious of your true identity."
What he said made me feel relieved but the smug look on his face made me feel irritated.
I'm pretty sure he's someone who's gonna celebrate if I have my misfortune.
"Stop looking at me that way or I'm gonna beat you up!"
I got up and kicked him but he dodged so what I kicked was just the air.
He runs towards his bedroom while teasing me saying "Goodnight Bro".
Wait! Did I hear correctly? He called me Bro right?
Oww seems like he already moved on from his mansion that I burned 'cause he's calling me Bro again.
Greg, Vince, and I are not blood-related but we grew up together and treat each other as real brothers.
They are the only persons I trust in this world. They know about my hatred and I'm glad they're helping out.
While reminiscing our memories I also made my way towards my bedroom. It's time to take my rest.
---
I looked around but all I could see were flames.
Everything is on fire!
Even my whole body is on fire.
Nooooo! I shouted desperately while trying to stop the flames from burning me.
The harder I try to distinguish the flames on my body the more it's burning me intensely.
Water! Water! I need water!
It hurts! D*mn! It hurts so much!
"Angelo save us! Angelo hurry and save us!"
"Angelo, where are you? Angelo! Angelo save us!"
Hearing those voices that calling out to me desperately, I was stunned momentarily then looked around searching where that came from.
I am sure that was my Mom and Dad's voice calling out to me.
Knowing it was them, my tears kept falling unstoppingly.
I endured the hellish pain from my burning body, walking around towards the direction where my Mom and Dad voices came from.
"Brother, where are you? Brother save us! Brother!"
"Brother, It's too hot! Hurry and save us! Brother!"
Other desperate voices I heard calling out to me.
This time it was my little brother and sister.
I kept walking in the direction where I heard those voices.
They continue calling out to me.
But all I see are flames, my desperation is what keeps me walking in the direction of their voices.
Finally, I saw them inside a burning room. The door is open so why they don't step out? But as I look around, everything is on fire so it doesn't make sense even if they get out from there.
I walked towards them dragging my burning body.
While crying I reach out to hold my Mom's hand but I can't hold her. I tried holding each one of them but I just slipped through.
I cried my heart out knowing I couldn't hold them.
With a trembling voice, I called out to them "Mom, Dad, Bro, Sis can you see me? Do you hear me?"
They just continue calling out to me desperately asking for my help while looking in the direction of where I just come from.
Then I heard my phone ringing.
I opened my eyes and realized I was just having a nightmare.
But that nightmare keeps hunting me down over and over again ever since my family died.
I checked my phone and saw that it was Greg who was calling.
As I answered his call, his energetic voice came through my phone "Good morning Bro! Why you didn't tell me about the good news? I heard you had dinner with your enemies, how was it?"
My mind was still in shambles from the nightmare so I just ignored him and instead, I asked "How's our people? Are they doing their job? We're going to make our move soon. I can't wait to see those people suffer!"
"Did you have a nightmare again? Don't worry Bro everything is going according to our plan. I'll make sure of that!"
Hearing his voice full of confidence, I breathe out a sigh of relief.
"When will you come back here?"
I ask him with concern, cause I know right now he's at the underground arena at Sparks Country and was about to have a duel.
I can hear the voices of people around him shouting "Striker! Striker! Striker!". That was his code name at that underground arena while wearing a Phantom Mask.
He loves fighting so much that he doesn't want his place as the number one fighter to be replaced by anyone.
To stop him from fighting. I sent him here in Veilhaven Country and gave him the real estate company to manage. But what the heck! He still goes to Sparks Country from time to time to fight at that Arena.
He's such a stubborn person!
He didn't even answer my question and just hung up on me.
Feeling annoyed I tossed my phone on my bed.
Sigh.
They're giving me headaches.
Opening the window inside my room. The beautiful scenery of Veilhaven Country greeted me. Taking in the fresh air coming from the tree beside my house. It makes me feel relaxed and somehow forget about my nightmare.
My stomach started growling so I went out of my bedroom and went directly to the kitchen. Made a coffee and had some bread for my breakfast.
It was time to look at the monitors and check what were my enemies doing. So I went to the secret room.
Vince still not around seems he's still asleep.
Looking at the monitors, everything seems as usual. Not until a phone rang and I saw the Emperor unlock the drawer on his table and take out an unfamiliar phone. I hacked through his phone so I have access to it, but not to the one he was holding right now.
He looks so uneasy while looking at the phone screen. I zoomed in to see what was written but there's only a letter "A" on it.
The phone continued ringing, it took him some time before he answered the call. I adjusted the sound and focused entirely on their conversation but I couldn't still hear what the other party was saying.
Emperor Leon's face contorted after hearing what the other party said. I can feel the surge of hatred just from looking at his expression.
The phone call ended without him saying anything. Only the other party did the talking.
What did the other party say that made him boil with anger?
An idea came to my mind. I looked through all the monitors and there I saw it!
Gotcha!
The leader of Gonus City, Mr. Danilo Abad is holding another phone too. One that I haven't access to.
The way his laughing sinisterly right now, confirms that my assumption is correct.
Now it's time to unravel the secrets and make them pay for what they did to my family.