Dark Dominance(Sample)

Chapter 3: Choices, And The Lack Of Them

Theodore Luca

There are numero places on earth, one is sunshine. It's the sky and the earth and everything in between. It's colors and kindness. It's what makes us be human, once again.

It is what gives our hearts the courage to desire, what instills in us the desire to hope, and what makes our souls brave enough to question.

It is the monochromatic light that enters the prism, and the one that leaves from it, a kaleidoscopic array. From the delicate patterns on the leaf to the marvels of the universe.

Labeled not as mere existence but as the art of living.

The other? It's an exact replica of hell. If you were to set a GPS to hell, it would precisely lead you right here.

In front of me out spreads another business day in my brother's personal hellhole, De Luca Enterprise.

I sit at the last of the long elliptical cedarwood table, completely lost in the world of imagination. Anything that could save me from such misery.

Sat in between the spawns of satan. Men in suits, Versace and Brioni. With Rolex and omega up their wrists, the scent of Georgi Armani clouding their better judgments. Concealed in the attire of humans, I can't help but really question if they are what they so direly pretend to be.

But who am I to question? As I sit beside them, just like them. And this infinite table of greed is headed by none other than my brother Atticus Luca.

The atmosphere is tense, I can feel the rigidity in each individual's posture. Linear lines of stress are evident on their faces. My eyes gaze up at my brother and he seems, unlike the rest. Calm and collected, a witty smile threatening to escape. He locks his eyes on Mr. Giovanni, an eagle locking his prey.

" Do we have a deal, Giovanni? " My brother implores, masking an order as a question.

But an order will always remain as an order. It's meant to be followed.

" Yes. " Being smart enough to understand his position in the food chain, he replies with a simple positive.

" Locked. " Atticus clicks, and locked, is he.

Not with paper and pen, but with your blood and soul. That's how you sign a deal with the devil.

Mr. Giovanni looks at my brother with a puzzled look but chooses to flee while he can. Behind him scurries out his team. Leaving only our board members and Dimitri Lincoln behind.

" Dismissed. " Atticus bellows and soon our staff bustles out.

I try to follow them, but alas to no avail.

" Not you Theo. " My brother points, stopping me midtrack. When have I ever turned lucky?

" What did I do this time? " I mumble, with a sigh. He can't live another day without scolding me.

" It's not you. It's your sister, Sapphire." He replies his tone now gentle. Losing the authority it once held. A facade that was put on for the world no longer exists.

" She's been calling nonstop. She got herself stuck in something. Check up on her. " He states, no please no courtesy. That's just how things work in his world.

" She's old enough to handle it. " I point out, and like always my opinion goes in the trash can.

" Why don't you send your secretary or something? " I further implore, not wanting to deal with my sister's tantrum.

" Look Theo, my secretary is busy winding up the contract with Giovanni. Sapphire has been texting me to get her out of this mess but I've to accompany Dimitri on another business deal. It's time you mature a little and help your sister out. "