Lucien’s POV
The day the graduating class went out to celebrate, the entire place was packed. The music was blaring, bright lights enveloped everywhere with people practically everywhere.
I was with Joey and Amber, leaning against a table with drinks and snacks scattered across it. Everyone was busy talking about their plans and dreams after getting into the big world. At that mont I really didn’t have much of a dream, just wanted to get away from this hellhole of a family.
I lost in my thoughts thinking if I was making the right decision by choosing dicine when Amber’s voice snapped out of it.
"I had no idea you had it in you," Amber said, laughing as she nudged my shoulder. "I thought Joey was the only lazy genius here."
Joey rolled his eyes. "I actually worked for mine."
Joey actually got directly accepted into a top engineering program. Even without his final exams.
He had been number 2 for years and was a programming protege. He was scouted during a competition that he and Raphael attended
Both Joey and Raphael were given the invitation but Raphael rejected it which wasn’t a surprise. Raphael rejected a lot of admission offers after all he was among the top 3 national scorers. "You got scouted before the exams," I pointed out.
He shrugged. "Still counts. Besides your also smart Lucien, just lazy to study. " Joey joked and the table burst into laughter.
"Lucien!" The voice cut through everything. I turned, already irritated. A boy from Raphael’s class rushed toward us, clearly shaken.
"What is it?" Amber asked before I could.
He swallowed. "You need to co. Raphael... he lost it." he stuttered clearly losing his grip, "he lost his mind."
My frown deepened. "What do you an?" I was confused. Raphael and losing one’s mind should not be the sa sentence. That was my brand
The boy was sweating profusely but he still managed to force out so words. "Arthur accused you of cheating. Said your results do not make sense, it wasn’t possible you ca out 3rd. They started arguing and Raphael just lost it..."
I did not wait for him to finish. I moved before thinking, Joey right behind . Raphael losing his temper was rare and when he did. Things were ssy..
I just didn’t understand why he lost it because of . Arthur was among the top 3 students. He and Joey had been competing for 2nd for years..he must be disappointed he dropped all the way from second to 4th.
From a distance, I could already hear the commotion. When we got closer, I saw it. Raphael was on top of Arthur, fists landing without restraint. There was blood. Too much of it. Raphael looked like a monster with knuckles covered in blood while Arthur looked like a bloody pulp.
"That is enough," I snapped, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. Joey helped drag Arthur away before things got worse. Arthur slumped onto Joey, the guy literally looked
Raphael was breathing hard, his eyes were dark, as if he had not co back yet. I pulled him toward the restroom and shut the door behind us.
"What is wrong with you? That dude almost looks dead." I asked, looking at his bruised face. "Do you want your mother blaming for this too?" Just thinking about Natalia made more irritated.
He walked past and turned on the tap, washing his hands as if nothing had happened. "Nothing is wrong with ," he said. "Unlike you, I do not run from my problems."
His tone was getting under my skin. What the fuck did he an by that .
"I am not running from anything," I replied, stepping closer.
He looked at then. "Then why are you leaving? Do not say it is because of Olivia. We both know that is not true." he shot straight at .
I did not answer.
"You stopped pretending to be dumb and studied. Just to get the results to leave " His gaze did not waver. "That is running."
I stared at him, trying to understand what he wanted from . I was stunned. He was upset I was leaving. I stared at Raphael dumbfounded I could never understand him.
"If I stay, what do you expect to do?" I asked. " We both know they do not want here or anywhere close to the company. All they need is a failure to compare you to. To make you look good. "
He went quiet because he understood that plainly. I drew in a deep breath before I spoke again. "Don’t act recklessly again. For the future of the Volkov family your image matters." I reminded him then turned to leave, but his voice stopped .
"They only see you that way because you let them." I paused at his words. I didn’t like the way it settled in .
I let out a laugh filling the space and echoing off the room. " Co on Raphael. No matter how hard I try, I would never compare to you." My grip tightened on the door. " You know what I have been through all these years." A weight pressed down on my chest.
"Then be so good they cannot ignore you," he said like it was so easy.
I shook my head. "You are exhausting and super annoying," I said before I opened the door and walked out without looking back.
I left the country and tried my best to avoid those people. But life had other plans, while I was in college I t my cousin Ivan who revealed my mother was murdered. For years I had so many bottled resentnts, and that was just the final piece to put everything in play.
I barely had any contacts with them while abroad and building new horizons aside from an invitation that arrived in 2021, it was Raphael and Braelyn’s wedding. I didn’t attend because even though Raphael wanted there my presence would ruin his wedding.
*******
Ti flies faster than you realise. My heart was racing I had never been this nervous before. I was standing in front of a mirror adjusting the lapel of my tux. My mind was in altered chaos.
I pressed my eyes together. "You can do this Lucien," I whispered to myself. My mind had barely relaxed when the door flew open
Joey stood at the entryway with an annoyed expression. "Dude what’s taking you so long? The wedding is in less than an hour. " he reminded .
.
I smiled. Yeah, today really ca and my hands wouldn’t stop trembling because it felt like a dream and there was sothing deeper in there guilt.
A sting of guilt that I stole soone’s life but I didn’t do it honestly. Fate just fixed itself I was the eldest son and by right the company and the engagent would have been mine if they hadn’t manipulated things back then.
"Alright, I am ready. " I replied feeling much calr.
Reviews
All reviews (0)