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VEINTISIETE

Baldwin put on a very serious face that I've never seen. I could tell he wanted to say something sensitive about Dylan. Woah. What exactly could it be?

"That night...I don't know why both of you weren't together but you'd have witnessed it yourself."

I was eager to know more so, I kept quiet and let him feed my curiosity.

"This disorder occurs when a person recalls a past traumatizing event that one haven't recovered from which leads to some kind of emotional and even physical reactions."

He took in a deep breath. "You'd be wondering, why'd the son of the owner of Farassis' hotel have a disorder? Sadly, all these health conditions don't regard anyone. They just come and swallow you up...he couldn't do anything to help you because of those gun shots."

"Those gunshots were triggers?" He nodded and I asked again "I'm sorry but may I know why?" I cleared my throat. "I mean it's not my business but..."

"I followed you so you'll understand what he meant by it wasn't his fault. Teresa I'll tell you everything so don't be shy or scared...I know he can't bring himself to explain in deets like I'm going to...cause it's painful."

I began to feel a slight pain in my chest as I remembered what he said in his office.

"Teresa...please...it's not my fault."

What was this feeling? Was it my conscience hitting hard?

"I know... I fucked up but I didn't know how to approach you."

I shook my head and Baldwin said. "I'm not doing this to make you feel bad but, I just felt that what happened wasn't fair. You deserve an explanation plus Dylan was a dick...yes...but it wasn't his fault. He needed to explain how helpless he was at that moment. He couldn't even save himself... a renowned doctor would just go weak like a vegetable just because he heard a gun shot! That's embarrassing."

I nodded in agreement and he continued. "I've been with Dylan for years and I'm the only thing closest to a parent to him."

"What about his dad?"

He smiled but I could see the pain behind it. "His dad started training him after the incident but it was too much. He'd beat him till he had no atom of strength in his body and would spit curses at him whenever he showed weakness."

I frowned. "Why? That's child abuse."

"Dylan hated him and decided to travel to another country to study medicine so, he would be very far from his dad. Honestly, he never wanted to come back but I advised him to cause, no where is as good as home."

"But why did his dad treat him that way?"

"He started treating him that way after the incident..." he paused.

This was the second time he mentioned 'incident' and he was taking too much time to explain. He was clearly saying the same thing over and over. "What incident?"

"His mom." His eyes met mine. "She died a terrible death right in front of young Dylan."

Then, I realised that his dad wasn't the reason he had that disorder but it was because of his mom's death. I felt really bad for him.

"How did it happen?" My voice broke.

"One night...Dylan decided to sleep in the same room with his mom. His dad and I weren't home cause, we traveled for some business. That time, they weren't living in the hotel like they are now so, it was even easier for the robbers to get in."

"Oh no."

"They got in...killed all the security except the one who managed to escape with Dylan. They came into the room where they were peacefully sleeping..." he couldn't go on but he just tried. "They hit ten year old Dylan...grabbed his mom..." I noticed that he was frowning hard. "Raped her...and ensured that she was shot ten good times."

I gasped. "Oh my God." The hell? Ten fucking times?"

"Before they realised, the only security guard who survived escaped with Dylan so they wouldn't kill him also. His father was very broken after he heard the news so, he decided to live with his son in the hotel which had more security. That really changed Farassis because he started teaching Dylan how to fight so he would be able to protect himself but, his father didn't know that he took things too far. All those beating and insults were to make Dylan stronger but he didn't know that he was becoming cruel to the poor lad."

"He ensured that Dylan had guards around him for protection and made me his chief guard but I just like calling myself his PA. It's fun..." he chuckled. "Sadly, Dylan never forgot the incident that happened right in front of him...as years passed...he began to heal with the help of his medications and therapist but whenever he hears a gunshot, he'd be so vulnerable and won't be able to get himself back until he's taken out of that environment and comforted."