Alluring Mask

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

RAFAEL ZEVALLOS

I pushed my glasses up, which had started to slide down as I busied myself writing notes for the upcoming exams and jotting down details for our thesis project at my study table. Then, a knock came at my bedroom door. 

"Rafael? Are you still awake?" 

My ears perked up at the sound of my mother's voice outside the door. I furrowed my brows and slowly stood up from my chair to open the door for her. 

"I'm still awake," I replied. 

Standing before me was my mother, wearing a robe and smiling softly as I fully opened the door to my room.

"Perses is calling for you in his office. I thought you were already asleep, but it's good you're still awake because he wants to tell you something," she said. 

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" I asked her. 
She simply smiled at me and shook her head. "It can't, Raf. He probably knows you're still awake by now. Remember to call him Perses, not Grandpa, alright? You know he doesn't like being called that."

"Okay..."

"I'll go ahead and rest in my room," she said as she came closer and wrapped her arms around me.

I immediately hugged her back, and we stayed in each other's arms for a few seconds. I was holding my mother, but there was something about her that felt incomplete—something I couldn't quite figure out. Maybe it was just because I had too much on my mind. I shook my head at my thoughts and was the first to let go of our embrace.

I nodded. "Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Raf."

I watched her until she entered the room she shared with my father. A strange feeling tugged at my chest, as if warning me not to go to Perses' office because I already knew what he wanted to do.

I exhaled deeply and headed to his office. I knocked twice before turning the doorknob and stepping inside.

"Rafael, have a seat," he said, pointing to an empty chair near the front of his desk.

I followed his instruction. He adjusted something on his desk, then cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Tomorrow, we'll make it official that you're dead," he said bluntly.

I couldn't hide the shock on my face at his words. I stood up abruptly, staring at him.

"Just give me one week. My friend—"

"No buts. I already gave you a year, didn't I? Isn't that enough? If only you knew, Rafael, the enemies are targeting you now. I'm tired of constantly covering for you! Once we succeed in making it look like you're dead to our enemies in the real estate business, then I'll initiate you into El Orden Del Abismo. Do you understand?"

I blinked a few times, and Sarah... the one and only female friend who was special to me—entered my thoughts. I knew she'd be devastated when she learned I was gone... that I was dead.

Just imagining her crying was enough to make my heart ache. But there was nothing I could do if this was how things had to be. This had been planned for a long time. I was just the one who kept asking for extensions because I wanted more time with Sarah.

Because once that happens... Once the news breaks that the sole heir of Zevallos is dead, those chasing after us will finally leave us in peace. And most of all, I'll never be able to see, be with, or hold Sarah again.

"Rafael... This plan has already been delayed multiple times. I've only been indulging you, even though I don't understand your reasons. This is a family tradition—to join El Orden Del Abismo—and you cannot avoid it. You need to help me with what I'm doing. Once your papers are finalized with the higher-ups in our organization, you'll become my right hand. Do you understand?"