World's Best Protagonist [BL]

Did I ever tell I was seen as a freak by other people? My family’s servants and their families; my childhood peers; my schoolmates, and even strangers I didn’t even know?

My mother raised me preciously and loved, my father did it rough and well...unconventionally dangerous. Then, there was the ’village’ that was supposed to raise me as well, as the old saying goes, however, they were all frightened, since the child was a freak.

Why was I viewed like that?

I did nothing much, as far as I remember. I just didn’t act like a normal kid should be or like a normal human.

The car passed tall, iron gates, and several minutes later, it stopped in front of a gothic-style mansion. When the hell did my family become a noble? I almost laughed at the absurdity of the recent events happening here.

"Get off."

Diego opened the door to my side like a diligent servant. I stepped out. A young man was waiting at the top of the stairs, looking at me with curiosity. I don’t recognize his face, must mean he’s someone my father picked up after I left.

Bowing at me at 45 degrees, he said, "Welcome, young master Jade. I am Norman, the butler in this mansion. The lord had been anticipating your visit. Allow me to escort you to his office."

I faked a cough, suppressing a laugh. Entering this mysterious place somehow made me feel I’d entered another era. Has my father gone senile? Acting like he’s some king living in a castle.

"Are you surprised?" Diego asked while walking next to me.

Norman walked ahead, but I could sense his focus was on us, listening discreetly to our conversation. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"No. Although, I’m wondering. Did that old man finally lose his mind?"

"A man wouldn’t be able to rise to the top with a broken mind. Rest assured, young master. The lord has a sound mind."

"How unfortunate."

Norman paused. He glanced over his shoulder to look at me, then with an unsettling smile, he chimed in, "I suggest the young master to watch his words. We respect the lord and hearing such insults directed to him upset us."

Do I care? No.

My answer was clearly displayed on my face; therefore, Norman fully turned to me, ready to give me a piece of his mind. Whether verbally or physically, I didn’t get to find out because Diego blocked my view.

"Don’t act on your own, Norman."

Norman stepped back at Diego’s warning, his displeasure evident in the slight twitch of his lips, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he turned on his heel and resumed leading us deeper into the mansion.

"The people here aren’t ordinary, young master. If you don’t want to lose one of your limbs, don’t provoke them," Diego whispered.

I remained silent, but my guard went up. I’ve been sensing an ominous aura everywhere. Murderous intent emanated from every corner, all directed at me. I felt it the moment I stepped inside this place.

This huge mansion could be seen as a normal house outside, but what the heck does it shelter? Trafficked humans? Unregistered awakeners?

I should investigate my father’s business once I’m out. Or maybe report all of this to the NSA. But to be taken seriously, I need to gather evidence.

I silently followed, suppressing the irritation bubbling inside me. These gothic corridors, dimly lit by chandeliers, stretched endlessly, running out my patience. How longer do I have to walk to reach the old man’s goddamn office?

Everything I looked at was grand—too grand. It wasn’t the kind of wealth my father could afford, so I couldn’t contain my growing curiosity anymore.

At last, Norman stopped before a pair of large wooden doors. He knocked and announced his arrival. The door opened, revealing an expansive office. Another young man greeted us. He gestured me inside, so I stepped in, but I stayed near the door, looking around the whole place.

Bookshelves lined the walls, my ears perked after seeing them. The fireplace crackled in the corner... it’s too much. A fucking fire in the middle of summer? Yeah, the guy really is crazy.

"You still wear that stupid yet apathetic face you have."

There he was. Sergio Dela Torre. The man I hadn’t seen in eleven years, wearing the same revolting face I’d ever since in my entire life. Just like that, every memory I erased came crashing down on me, slapping me on the face, yelling and cheering that they were finally remembered at last.

Fuck. I inhaled deeply, kicking them back to the corner of my mind.

"What do you expect? I don’t wear masks."

He chuckled. "But seems to me like you’ve been wearing one for years already."

I didn’t answer. I just observed him.

He aged, but not too noticeable. He still exuded that strength and power, carrying himself like the world owed him everything. His sharp eyes locked onto me, assessing, dissecting, like he’d finally got his lost toy in his hands again.

"You’ve grown," he said after not receiving an answer from me. The smile he gave me was almost too warm I almost puked.

"Smiling warmly doesn’t suit you." I didn’t return the sentiment.

He chuckled again, putting down the cigar he had been holding in a crystal ashtray.

"Why am I here?" I asked bluntly. If he was expecting some emotional reunion, he was going to be disappointed.

The old man didn’t seem fazed. If anything, his smile deepened, as if he found my attitude amusing.

"You’re here because you belong here," he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "Because no matter how far you can run, you were always going to end up back in this kind of world, my son."

I looked at the crystal ashtray, wondering if it was deep enough to hold the bile rising to my throat, threatening to come out from hearing him call me ’my son’. Wow, the audacity.

"I’ll pay the money I stole from you, with interest. That’s all. I’m not going to stay here. I’m going home," I declared. Then, I turned to the door, but Norman and the other guy blocked my way.

"I didn’t bring my cards with me, so I can’t pay you unless you let me go home."

I hope I sounded convincing.

The old man scoffed. "I no longer care about that measly amount, Jade. But if you insist to pay, then all you have to do is cooperate."

My fingers twitched. Measly. Right. Because to someone like him, it was nothing. But to me, back then, it was everything. The start of my new life.

"I won’t insist then. There’s nothing more we need to talk about, so I’m leaving."

"I changed my mind."

Diego gripped my arm and forced me to walk closer to Sergio’s desk. I asked him what he wanted, and he repeated the same thing.

"Cooperate."

"Cooperate on what?"

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stood up, moving with the kind of confidence that came from knowing he had control over the room. He walked toward the massive window behind his desk and pressed something.

The lights in the room beyond the window turned on, showing me what was inside. My whole body froze, as I realized what it was.