Flash Fictions by Benjamin D. Togate

Build on Pain

Over the years, I had become extremly sucessful. I owned a penthouse suite with my own build-in onsen, with the best view over the city. I recently bought a 800 year old Katana that had cost me just over a 100 million yen. I earned riches, my younger poor self would have never dreamed possible.

Yet, in the end, I was still a criminal.

All my money, my fame, everything I had ever accomplished, was accomplished on the back of others.

To be where I am, I had stolen, cheated, killed. I never killed a man with my own bare hands though. That was my one rule. But I am sure pushing others into financial ruin and crippling addiction must have had deep impacts on the people my empire was build on. I’m sure some died or took their own lives along the way, but making me rich in the process.

“Would you like anything more, Sir?”

My assistant had popped in, as I was enjoying my bath. I eyed her.

”No, thank you. Except, maybe you want to jump in here with me?”
I raised my eyebrows. She laughed, quickly bowed and turned on her heel to leave. Her long black hair swayed in a delaying motion as she turned around.

God, she was beautiful. The way she dressed – showing off her shape but not really revealing much.

The way she moved – elegant and light yet quick, determined and focused. The way she spoke – soft but stern. I was her boss but she wasn’t to be pushed around.

I hadn’t layed a hand on her. I guess I had another rule. Never force sex. Or love for that matter.

Mh. What a thought.

But she wasn’t only stunning. She was a great assistant too. I didn’t want an adventure with her. I wanted her around for the long term.

As she left me alone, I turned back to my view and watched the setting sun over the city. I rarely got time to enjoy what I had earned.

But today I did. I knew it was built on the pain of others. I knew it lead me to live alone in this huge penthouse suite.

But in the end, I didn’t really care.