Legacy (Completed)

Chapter 31

JAC'S POV

I stood on the other side of the glass wall. I've never seen a criminal of Rizal's caliber look so calm when in a metal room chained.

"We're not going to remember what he said, but hopefully with a recording, we can retain the conversation. His face isn't necessary to remember at this point," Director Jamison announced, sending a look to the computer guy running the recording system. He nodded, switching it on. I recalled back to the HAI system at Mr. Carlson's mansion. It had managed to retain the conversation, but not the video feed. That was one time that I wish I could forget.

"Why did you do it?" I snapped out of my thoughts, noticing there was an agent in there with Rizal. Rizal was learned back in his seat. A content and mischievous crossed through his eyes as he stared at the interrogator.

"I thought it was pretty obvious," Rizal remarked back in a sly tone. The interrogator splayed his arms out, bracing himself against the table.

"Enlighten my stupidity then of your obvious motive." I blinked in surprise at his word choice. The door to the viewing room opened, and Ren stepped in. I "hmph'ed", turning away from him and watching the two men below me. He stopped next to me, his arm purposely brushing mine as he turned to watch them as well.

"My ability keeps people from remembering me. What better way to be remembered than cause mass mayhem that no one can forget. Do you know how it feels that your parents have to keep notes on the fridge to reminds them that I'm their son? That I can't keep a job because my boss doesn't remember hiring me? I can't have a family because they'd forget me?"

I should have felt pity. I should have felt bad for the man in front of me that just wanted to be remembered, but I couldn't. Whenever I tried, my little brother flashed in my mind. All of the loved ones that were caught in his crossfire. All the people that should be alive today, but aren't. They kept me from feeling sad for Rizal.

"What about the people you killed? Women and children. You killed people that did not deserve to die at the time that they had. At that concert venue alone it was probably mostly teenagers." My blood boiled as Rizal just shrugged his shoulders.

"Wrong place at the wrong time I guess," he answered, a sickening smile spreading across his mouth. "But hey, the more dead, the more I was remembered because of the scar I left on those families."

I couldn't stand to be there anymore. I couldn't stand to listen to his shit. I breathed in deeply, trying to settle the burning hatred and fury that I felt. I turned around, heading for the door.

"Jac-" Ren started.

"Don't talk to me," I interrupted him, shoving the door open as I stormed out. I needed to cool off. If I didn't get out of there any sooner, I'm sure I would have gone in there and killed Rizal myself.

I hid myself in an investigation room, the wall powering up as it sensed my movement. I leaned against the door, closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing. 3, 7, 10, 5, 43, 78, 15, 26. I slowly opened my eyes, the knob against my back turning. I stepped away, the door swinging open. Ren stood there, his eyes heavy with pity.

"You're the last person I want to talk to right now," I growled out, looking away from him and hugging my arms to myself. Wait... why am I so angry?

"I'm sorry," Ren spoke, his voice sounding remorseful. More remorseful than what he should be for just following after me.

"What are you sorry for?" I asked skeptically.

"For not taking you with me. For... for whatever it was Rizal said to you... I don't remember what it was, but you're obviously upset." I tried to not let the tears well in my eyes. I tried scoffing away my emotions, a bitter smile on my face.

"I don't understand you," I told him. "One moment you don't have a serious bone in your body. The next moment you're this... this caring person. I don't understand."

"You don't need to," he answered, his voice soft as he stepped towards me. I didn't move, watching him carefully.

"204 countries in the world, and I have the unfortunate luck of meeting you," I grumbled quietly, my eyes rising as he approached, so I could stare him in the eyes.

"I have never been so insulted!" his tone was light and teasing. My eyes rolled. Here he went again, caring one second to not being serious at all.

"You don't listen much then, do you?" I responded sarcastically, regarding his unstable personality.

"Not really." We lapsed into silence. I stared at him a little longer before walking forward and wrapping my arms around him.

"I've always had this issue about me," he started. I pulled away, my eyebrow raised.

"You don't say?" He ignored me.

"I have issues with being the first in relationships. Even if I have an interest in the person, they have to go first. It's a bad quirk of mine. You came to my house first. You chose the place of our first date. You opened up first. Everything has been done first by you."

"What about the kiss at the park?" I asked, trying to debunk his statement. He blushed.

"That was an exception. You were being harassed by a guy," he rebutted, his hand rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "But the point being, I'm ready for my serious first."

"That makes you sound like a vir-"

"I love you," he interrupted me. My mouth froze open.

"You w- excuse me?" I blabbed out, my mind trying to process what came out of his mouth. His face flushed a deep red.

"I love you," he repeated, this time less confidently than the last. I tried to keep a grin from stretching my lips as I watched the embarrassed boy in front of me.

"I love you too," I spoke back. He looked at me, his eyes wide.

"Say that again." I grinned at the incredulousness in his voice.

"I love you too."

~

After the interrogation of Rizal had ended, the audio recording was stored away. I was asked if I wanted to listen over it, to hear what he had to say, but I couldn't bring myself to. Whatever he had said the first time to make me so angry was probably better left forgotten.

He was sent to a maximum security prison for criminal legacies. The guards were given strict instructions on how to handle Rizal. Not that it was necessary. I later learned at the prison, legacies were administered collars that null their powers. For the rest of his life, Rizal would be left readable and completely unforgettable. I doubt he really minded though.

As for me, I returned back to being a psychiatrist. Due to leaving my temporary position at the agency, Ren and I were allowed to see each other without breaking the rules. I spent my Fridays after work at Noeman Park, waiting for Ren to get off his shift and pick me up. We went out on Friday dates after that.

My bank account sat five million dollars richer. I spent a while trying to think of ways to spend it. I was going to spend part of it on a new and improved AI car, but Ren told me to save it for something larger. It wasn't a week later before he showed me a house that was on the market to be bought. We're currently finalizing the deal now.

It's not every girl's dream to be kidnapped, bribed into a government job to hunt a wanted terrorist, and given a partner that not only doesn't seem to know what he's doing, but also gets her into trouble because of it.

But it definitely was mine.