Chapter 9: Victor's POV

VICTOR'S POV

I sat all alone in the study as I laid my drinks and poured them into my glass over my mahogany desk while the light shone dimly over me at night. I drowned one, two shots and stared plainly on the desk as though it could share my thoughts.

The smell of the books, files and documents somehow made it hard for me to think, with the weight of all recent activities pressing on me. And so with a glass in my hand, I pressed the door knob and made my way out of the study and drove — to the warehouse where peace could breath some air on me.

This smell of oil, old woods and ths sounds dripping pipes and rain tapping on the roof seemed to brush memories of the past I wouldn't love to cherish. And at the reminder, my jaw clenched, a frown creeping to my face.

The rain has always been a reminder of my past — childhood days.

I stood outside the warehouse letting the sound of the rain on rusted gutters hit with their rhythms while the cold tiles pulled me in it's coolness beneath my feet. Once the rain stops, the atmosphere suddenly stopping in motion to a long silence that locked me up in places in a place I never belonged.

And then those memories began to play as though they were fresh. I began to recall them. Every pain and ounce of dread I felt then and still chose to replace with a smile.

I smirked at the thought. I recalled how David always got praised while I wasn't.

We'd both do the same thing and then only one gets appreciated? I've always loved a shadow — radiating at the background.

The functions we attended and only one got attention, how I would lock up going to secluded areas to cry my balls out but now, I've grown to be me — letting those emotions fade and embracing dread.

And David, he had always played smart — charming, admired while I was always ignored and overlooked. I've watched his charms and they're all fake.

I remember this one time—I must’ve been eleven. David got some school award. Big applause, clapping, hugs. Dad said, “That’s my proud boy.” I had my own paper too. Smaller award. No one saw. No one clapped. And even when they were big, I was asked to do better with a fake smile spreading across everyone's face.

A smirk crawls to my lips. They saw light — took him as light and shadows — I was left to drown in them.

David had things I never got—control, respect… love. That stuff sticks to him like a second skin. And maybe that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing now. Not because I’m cruel. Because I’m tired. Tired of being invisible. Of watching him live the life I was never allowed to touch.

And then the most cold night I regretted still played in my head. A cherished old maid had nuts in her drink and died of the allergy — it was all David's prank and I had to do the cover for a little brother. I played protective that maybe one day, I'd be recognized and what did I get?

I let out a bitter laugh.

The protective brother got scolded, punished like some animal. For days, I was locked in a dim room — no light or even the sunlight penetrating, it was all to dark — scary. The only thing that brought comfort were the rains that poured and hit the ceilings with controlled rhythm and cooled me down.

And when I finally got out of the room, the brother I had covered ignored my loyalty, pushing me away and running off from me crying the name 'murder' in my ears.

I scoffed at the memories yet my heart still throbbed in pain at it's remembrance.

And now I wouldn't take into consideration everything David has as he's taken every of my right, legacies and even presence. Now David — was going to suffer.

“You took everything.“ I muttered in cold words.

Let's see what shines when there are no more diamonds.

As if on cue, I took out the folded picture of David from my pocket to my hands staring at it with every flame of revenge igniting in my eyes. David always had everything.

So now, I’m gonna take something back.

“This time, David — I am in control.“

I was back to take everything that's all mine.

The rain continued tapping loudly against the floored ground, steady and sow, like it’s trying to remind me of everything I chose not to. The tiles under my feet becomes cold than before and this place, its size —this big, reminded me of the empty mansion as it never felt like mine. Especially when I was a kid. I was just... here.

David though? David has always belonged. Always did.

He had that smile that made people stop and look. That voice that made Dad actually listen. Me? I was the muscle.

The problem solver. The one sent away when things got messy. I don’t even think they noticed when I left half the time.

But I noticed. I always noticed.

This? It’s about balance.

Then she came in — Jessica.

And I saw it. The way he looked at her like she was something holy. Like something he'd worship. Like she made him better. Softer. Like she pulled the shadows right off him and replaced them with light.

“She’s the light that makes his shadows dance.”

That thought hit me once, and I hated it. My face grew stern and soon acompanied with hate. I hated her for giving him something else I didn’t have. Hated him for letting her in.

Those painful memories still burns and now, he thinks of a decent life.

Now, I sat here with a drink in my hand, the glass rough against my fingers. The sky spread its greyness as to fit in the atmosphere¿? the kind that presses on your chest. And I feel that old heat building in mine again. That rage that never reall

y left.

And there was no other way to quench it. If not — Revenge!