The Mystic Retribution

CHAPTER 1

Ryan slowly regained consciousness back to the realm of the living. He probably may have been unconscious for about two hours. Ryan found himself bound to a chair with hands behind his back and legs strongly tied with a rope. The gloomy atmosphere of where appeared to look like a cave, had the horrifying aura of the Dracula. "Where am I? Where is this place?" he thought to himself.

With a blurred vision, Ryan could barely see the three solitary figures that sat about five meters away in the dimly lit cave chatting loudly about their sexual exploits. One of the figures, who had barely uttered a word finally spoke up, "After we put an end to this menace still taking a nap over there, I will like to completely devote my attention to Luna", he said. As if to seek for an approval from his peers, he slowly raised his head up and continued. "Luna is the hottest girl in school and I think I am in love with her. I believe we will make a ..." "Luna, the new girl?" a deep voice sharply cut in. "Of course!" the quiet of the three retorted.

An awkward silence immediately ensued with an exchange of glances by the other two figures. Like an echo, a deafening laughter suddenly erupted between the two as they rolled on the floor. Immediately, Ryan recognized the laughter of one of the three and the voices of the other two individuals. Who in Silverlake Academy wouldn't recognize the annoying laughter of Astrid and the preying voices of Orion and Damien, the twins? They were popularly known as the 'Notorious 3'. They usually derived joy in bullying other students and seeing them in pain. "Why?" This question remains on the lips of every student and till date, remains unanswered. It may be the affluence of their family that buys them the kind of immunity they have, or their intimidating 6'6 physical appearance, everyone to their opinions.

Ryan and his best friend, Jake had always been the center target of their erroneous actions. On one particular occasion, Ryan had taken permission from the Mathematics teacher during an ongoing class to go answer the call of nature. As he walked majestically through the well-lit sterile hallway of Silverlake Academy, he met Jake who was also heading to the white house. Unknown to them, there was an impending doom awaiting their innocent selves. The Notorious 3 were surreptitiously hiding at the corner and before Ryan could exchange pleasantries with Jake, Boom... They were completely drenched from the water balloons that had just hit them.

Immediately, the hallway bell rang signaling the end of the class. The empty hallway was soon filled and to everyone's surprise, there was Ryan and Jake standing mute in a completely messed up hallway. As if that wasn't enough, the Notorious 3 had hidden some water balloons in their bag packs. There was nothing that could save them from a week's detention as every piece of evidence pointed them as the culprits of School vandalism.

Despite the personalities of the Notorious 3, they make girls dance to their tunes just by casting a stare into their souls. They are not to be blamed though. Which girl wouldn't go head over heels for a guy whose physical presence commanded attention? The facial features, sharp jawlines framed a perfectly symmetrical face, adorned with expressive eyes that hold intensity capable of igniting a spark in the coldest of hearts. The dark falling tousled hair that adds a touch of rugged charm. The broad shoulders form a powerful frame, drawing the eyes to the well-defined contours of the chest and arms. The only difference in their physicality is the eyes least one would think they were siblings. Astrid had blue eyes, Orion, brown, and Damien, black. These are features possessed by 'Henry Cavill'. Even a guy would be ready to be gay for them.

Damien could no longer stand the continuous annoying laughter of Astrid and Orion and exclaimed, "What the f*****g hell is funny right now you morons!" That caused them to laugh even more. After about five minutes of pissing Damien off, they got a hold of themselves. Orion spoke first.

"I think we all know that the word 'love' cannot be found in your dictionary. Girls are like toys to you and if there is anyone to fall in love among the three of us, you are definitely the last on the list."

"Moreover, Luna is a whore," Astrid reinstated. "Permit me to ask, Mr. Knowall, how did you come about such conclusion?" Damien asked sarcastically. "Well, what can I say? Hmmm... as a friend, I wanted to be sure Luna was a keeper since you spoke quite highly of her. With a few hundred dollar notes and some lines from 'Quantum Rizz', I got her to pray with me on the bed for two nights." Astrid said as he repeatedly raised his eyebrow at Damien.

Orion's eyes widened in shock at what he had just heard and struggled to hold his laughter. On the other hand, Damien was boiling with rage and red with anger as he battled with his emotions and the reality of what Astrid had just told him.

He very well knew Astrid was not bluffing and within the Notorious 3, this was a normal thing, 'Battle of Supremacy'. There was nothing he could do about it rather than plot his own revenge.

Ryan was caught up in the ongoing discussion that he forgot he was still tied to a chair in the middle of nowhere with the Notorious 3. "What could they be doing here? NO! The question should be what am I doing here with them?" Ryan thought to himself. Like a thud of a heavy hammer, a sharp pain from the swelling on the back of his head reminded him immediately on what had occurred some hours earlier.

(FLASHBACK).....

It was a weekend, a sunny Friday after the intense eight-hour lecture, Ryan had been invited by his girlfriend, Zara for a dinner with her family. Zara was the only daughter of one of the richest families in Halcyon Bay, the Greystones. Her family had the biggest estates and one of the largest shares of investments in the city. To top it all up, Zara was an angel in human form.

Her face, a symphony of delicate features, bore the grace of a timeless muse. High cheekbones accentuated the soft curve of her cheeks, radiating gentle warmth. A pert nose led the way to lips that seemed to hold the promise of untold stories, painted in a shade that echoed the soft blush of dawn. Yet, it was not just the external aesthetics that defined her beauty; it was the kindness that illuminated her gaze, the laughter that danced in her voice, and the empathy that embraced every soul she encountered.

Zara had long tried compelling Ryan for a dinner with her family but to no avail. Ryan would always capitalize on his multiple weekend shifts to thwart her request. The truth was that Ryan was petrified at the thought of meeting the most influential family he had an idea of and concerned whether he would be accepted or not. However, on this day, a different scenario unfolded.

After classes, Zara hurriedly walked up to Ryan. "Hey damsel," Ryan said with a big smile on his face. "Shhhhhh! I thought we agreed to keep our relationship a secret." Zara said as she looked around. Ryan, looking dejected said, "I am sorry! Sometimes, I just can't help it. "When do we have to stop pretending and tell everyone the truth?" "Not long! After dinner with my family today, we can make it official. I have a secret I would like you to know too." Before Ryan could reply, Zara cut in "Lest I forget, before you give me your usual weekend shift excuse, check your e-mail, you have been excused for the weekend shifts by your managers." That left Ryan bewildered at how she was able to do that. In the different places he worked, as long as you aren't dead, there is no excuse as to why you should not report to work.

In that moment of confusion, a black Rolls Royce with tinted windows arrived at where they stood. She hopped in, winded down the windows and yelled, "See you circa 8pm! Don't be late!" Off the car drove leaving behind a gust of dust. "How powerful could this family be?" Ryan thought to himself as he majestically walked to the foster home, where he resided.

Ryan could not contain his joy as he enthusiastically anticipated the big secret Zara had in plan for him and the thoughts of being referred to as 'Zara's Man' overwhelmed him with gladness. Jake, who was Ryan's only friend and roommate, helped him in picking up a smart wear for the occasion. Jake could also be heard giving a lecture to Ryan on the best ways to woe a lady. Close to the allotted time for the dinner, Jake offered to take Ryan on his mini scooter in which he repudiated. "You can barely sit comfortably on that scooter, you fathead! If I need you, I will place a call." Ryan jokingly said as he headed for the bus station.

CHAPTER 2

After what seemed to Ryan like an eternity, he finally got to the famous building of the Greystones. Ryan's mouth was left agape at the amazing external aesthetics of the building. The sight was well enough the 8th Wonder of the World. This magnificent building boasts a seamless blend of contemporary elegance and timeless design. The exterior is enhanced by subtle yet captivating details, such as intricate carvings that add a touch of uniqueness. Ryan could only but wonder what the interior holds.

With an air of confidence, Ryan went up to the gate to use the doorbell but couldn't find one. He searched every corner of the gate hoping to see something palpable but to no avail. After searching fruitlessly, he decided to give a hard knock on the golden gate with the hope that someone hears him. "There must be some sort of security guards standing close by," he thought. He started with a soft knock but got no response. He decided to knock heavily and repeatedly until someone hears him.

"Who the f**k in this modern age has no idea how to use a doorbell phone!" An angry hefty man with an imposing presence shouted as he opened the gate. His robust frame exuded strength and solidity. His stern expression, accentuated by a well-defined jawline and furrowed brow, conveys an air of seriousness and authority. Dressed in a tailored dark suit, he commands attention with every step, emanating a no-nonsense attitude that underscores his powerful and formidable presence.

Ryan knew immediately not to mess with someone like this. He found himself stuttering for the first time in his life "I..I..I am so-o-rr-y to ......" "Hey Kid! Don't play with me. There are no job vacancies currently and if you so much need a job, you should not come at this time of the night. Go instead to the branch offices," The stern looking man said with every ounce of energy. "No sir! I am not..."

Before Ryan could complete his sentence, the man cuts in again angrily, "Young man, you are beginning to piss me off. This is no charity center where you get free food or gift. In any moment from now, we will be expecting a very important guest, most likely, a successful billionaire for the lady of the house. If you don't get the hell out of here, I will make sure to exanimate you from the surface of this earth."

At this point, Ryan was trembling at his last statement. Even though he knew this 'successful billionaire' was no one else but him, the scary voice of this man made him a little doubtful of himself as he wondered if Zara had someone else aside him. "Do I look like a beggar? This is my most expensive outfit," He thought to himself. Summoning the last ounce of courage he had, he said, "Sir, I am not a beggar. I am here to see...." Whoop!

The man's hand sliced through the air, connecting with a resounding slap across Ryan's cheek. The force of the impact jolts Ryan sending him 2ft up in the air before landing with his back on the floor. Ryan's eyes widened with shock and a flush of red spread across his face as he tried to access the situation. The stars that lay across his face reminded him of the scene that occurred at the Oscar Awards Show.

As he struggled to get back to his feet, the gates had already been shut. He definitely was not ready to be smacked again. He was left with the Hobson's choice to call Zara. "Where are you? Everyone is patiently waiting for you in the dining room," said Zara with concern in her voice. "I am deeply sorry for keeping everyone waiting. I have been at the gate for about fifteen minutes now," replied Ryan. "Then come in! I have made arrangements already to receive you," Zara said. "Well, I would if you didn't place a Hulk looking Will Smith at the gate" Ryan said jokingly.

Zara knew Ryan to make a funny joke of every situation. However, this time, she could not understand what he meant. "Ryan, this isn't a time for jokes. In fact, let me come get you myself." Zara said as she hung up. After about two minutes, the gates were once again opened; but this time, a warm smile together with a deep hug from an angel welcomed him.

"I thought you were not going to make it and leave me looking stupid, "Zara said softly as she looked down to the floor. "You are the honey and I am the sweetness; you are the sky and I am your star and just like sweetness cannot leave the honey and the stars cannot leave the sky, I will never leave you" Ryan said lovingly while staring deep into Zara's eyes. "Awww Babe! That is so sweet." Zara said. Her face was a blush of red.

This was one of the rizz lines Jake had taught Ryan before he left the hostel earlier. "Well, Jake, I guess you did not turn out to be completely useless," Ryan smiled as he thought to himself. "Let's get going and not keep father waiting." Zara said as she went in. Ryan immediately followed in.

As he stepped into the building, Ryan could not help but marvel at how the façade was adorned with sleek, floor-to-ceiling glass panels that reflect the surrounding landscape, which created a harmonious interaction with nature. The architecture features clean lines and a symmetrical layout, exuding a sense of balance and sophistication. Whether bathed in natural sunlight during the day or illuminated by carefully placed lights at night, the building stood as a testament to the marriage of form and function, captivating onlookers with its beauty.

"You have an amazing place, I must confess," Ryan said. "Oh! Thank you!" Zara said while smiling widely. They were been escorted in by two security personnel. One of which was the man who had given Ryan a hot slap. He tried all he could to avoid an eye contact with Ryan as he looked perturbed. "Why is your face so red? What happened to you?" Zara enquired looking so concerned. "Me?" Ryan continued, "Nothing dear! I am just red with the excitement of meeting your family." Ryan was still traumatized with the slap he had received and was scared to tell Zara what actually transpired.

Zara was a very smart lady and definitely did not buy Ryan's answer. Looking closely at Ryan, Zara said, "Don't try selling me that bulls**t! You have five colossal fingers imprinted on your cheeks by excitement? Tell me! Who did this to you?" The security personnel at this time, was already trembling and sweating profusely like a lamb been led to the Abattoir. Ryan slowly turned and looked at the man who no longer bore the commanding presence of a soldier, but the timidity of a stray dog. Without asking further questions, an angry Zara gave the guard a nasty slap straight from the depths of hell. It was the first time Ryan had seen Zara angry to the point of raising her hands to someone.

"Snowflake, you fool! I have always warned you of your impatience. Even after letting you know I was expecting a visitor, you still went on to lay your hands on him. I should send you away immediately with a pink slip; however, you have been serving my father for the past 20 years as his most trusted and favorite guard. Nevertheless, Zara continued, "You will be accordingly dealt with. You are hereby demoted from your position as the Chief Security Officer to the position of Greystones Branch Head Security." Zara pronounced.

Instead of feeling remorse and begging for forgiveness, Snowflake retorted, "It isn't my fault you decided to have a street classless pauper like him as a boyfriend. I thought he was a beggar and dealt with him as such. Your father would not be impressed with this fat clown you brought home." This broke the Camel's back.

Zara was highly infuriated and went ahead to land another slap at Snowflake. As she raised her hands, Ryan immediately stepped in and held her back saying, "Don't tell me you are practicing for the UFC Slap Fight. There is no use wasting such slapping talent on him. Instead, serve me dinner with it." Despite been insulted and mentally broken, Ryan still tried to calm the tension in his usual joking manner.

"Let's go in damsel," said Ryan. Unknown to him, the night was going to be a long one and it was just getting started.

Stepping into the opulent interior of the billionaire's house is a journey through refined extravagance. The grand foyer showcases polished marble floors beneath a glittering chandelier, setting the tone for luxury. In the dining room, a magnificent mahogany table, surrounded by impeccably upholstered chairs, serves as a center piece beneath a breathtaking crystal chandelier. Walls adorned with tasteful art pieces and intricate molding creates an atmosphere of sophistication.

The room is bathed in a soft glow from designer lighting features, casting an inviting ambiance over the meticulously set table of assorted meals.

Ryan was utterly flabbergasted at what he was witnessing. Never had he seen such luxury. There were about four maids and a man who happened to be the Head Chef, Alessio Marcelli on standby waiting to help with the service of food. A Head chef is a culinary virtuoso, blending passion, creativity, and expertise to orchestrate gastronomic masterpieces. With a commanding presence in the kitchen, they exude an aura of confidence and precision as they oversee every aspect of meal preparation. Their discerning palate and unwavering dedication to perfection ensure that every dish leaving their kitchen is a testament to their culinary mastery. Yet, despite their undeniable talent, they remain humble, always seeking to delight and surprise their esteemed guests with their culinary creations.

Ryan was in awe that he didn't notice the presence of Mr. Benedict Greystone, a man in his early 60's, one of the wealthiest men in Halcyon Bay. A gentle tap on his shoulder by Zara brought him back to reality. "Meet my dad," Zara said beaming with pride. Ryan was utterly dumbfounded.

This was the man he referred to as his role model and had only seen him few times on TV. He was not certain how to react; kneel? Genuflect? Bow? 'It's an honor to finally meet you sir," Ryan said extending his right hand respectfully for a handshake whilst bowing his head.

As though Mr. Greystone did not see him, he ignored the handshake and replied, "Young man, have you gone nuts?" He continued, "You wasted 30 minutes of my precious time and you still have the effrontery and audacity to extend your hands for a handshake. Are your balls made of titanium?"

In a bid to defend Ryan, Zara immediately spoke

"Father, it was not actually his fault, it was....."

"Shut your mouth! This is a man-to-man confabulation," Mr. Greystone angrily cuts Zara off. "Now, back to you riffraff, this should never happen again. Take your seat!" he said facing Ryan. "Thank you Sir," Ryan courageously muttered. At the signal from Mr. Greystone, the maids opened the assorted dishes that were already set on the table and immediately left leaving only Chef Alessio on standby.

The dishes looked appetizing. However, Ryan had already lost his appetite from all that had occurred earlier. Yet, he still kept a big smile anytime Zara looked at him. He also did not want to infuriate Mr. Greystone even further by not eating. "Try this honey! It's my favorite; you would love it. Open your mouth...." Zara said as she lovingly tried to feed him. Ryan felt a little shy and embarrassed but took a bite from Zara. His eyes widened immediately at the taste of the Golden Gastronomy Delight. It was a delicacy that only the rich could afford. He dived straight into the meal and began to devour it.

"What do you do?" Mr Greystone asked suddenly. The question came as a shock to Ryan who slightly choked on the food he was eating. "I am a student of Silverlake Academy who works as a part-time attendant and a delivery guy for Dominos' Pizza." Ryan proudly replied. Mr. Greystone let out a soft chuckle and said, "I thought as much! It must be your first time tasting the Golden Gastronomy Delight. It's definitely not something a Pizza Guy can afford." Ryan looked lame as he tried swallowing the food in his mouth.

Mr. Greystone continued sarcastically, "By the way, your outfit looks amazing. It has the charm of well-worn clothing gotten from a thrift-store finds." The subtle remark about Ryan's appearance was dropped like delicate bombs.

"How much do you make in a month?" Mr. Greystone enquired. "It all depends on how many hours I worked. I make within the range of $200 - 300 dollars a month" Ryan answered diplomatically. "How much is the least paid worker getting in the company?" Mr. Greystone asked as he looked towards the direction of the chef. "Roughly $2000 per week sir," Chef Alessio replied.

Mr. Greystone raised an eyebrow: "So boy, how do you manage, especially with my daughter's expectations?" Ryan determined: "We manage just fine, sir. Love and support matter more to us than material wealth." Mr. Greystone condescendingly replied: "Love is essential, of course. But, my dear boy, you must understand that love alone doesn't build a secure future. My daughter deserves the best and I am not sure a pauper like you can give her the best."

The atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable as Mr. Greystone wielded his wealth as a weapon leaving Ryan feeling like an unwelcome outsider in a world of opulence.

Zara could no longer stand how her father was treating Ryan and spoke up, "Don't talk to Ryan like...." "Shut up Zara! You don't speak when father is speaking" A familiar voice exclaimed. Turning back, Ryan saw his worst nightmare standing behind him. It was Astrid! "What the hell is he doing here?" he thought. Zara immediately retorted, "Know your place, little step bro!" "WHATTT!!! Step bro? Zara? Astrid? What's going on here? Was this the secret Zara was going to reveal? Was this why Astrid did not bully me for the past two weeks of Zara's transfer to Silverlake Academy?" Ryan silently tried processing the thoughts.

At this point, Ryan had taken his eighth glass of wine as Chef Alessio kept refilling the glass. It was a tradition at the Greystones' to turn the wine glass over when satisfied unless the wine keeps coming. Ryan was oblivious of this tradition and was already starting to get nauseous.

In the middle of the ongoing tantrum, he slowly said, "I think I am going to throw up." Everywhere became as silent as a graveyard. "Let's go to the White house immediately!" Chef Alessio ordered. Ryan ran as fast as he could to the direction of the visitor's toilet which was next to Mr Greystone's Master Bedroom but ended up throwing up on the floor of the toilet and on himself.

After about five minutes of cleaning his mess up, Ryan was back to the living room. The stern looking faces of all except the loving eyes of Zara stared gleefully at him. "I apologize for the mess I have caused tonight and would like to take my leave immediately. Thanks for everything!" Ryan said respectfully. "Absolutely" Astrid replied, "You have done more than enough already Fatso. Get going!" "I am deeply sorry honey for the discomfort I put you through tonight, I promise to explain ...." Zara said as she stood immediately to follow Ryan who was cut short immediately by her father.

"If I were you, I would not dare take another step from there," Mr. Benedict Greystone warned Zara. "I can see you have taken it as a goal to tarnish the reputation I assiduously built for thirty five years. I am overjoyed your stepmother is on vacation and is unable to witness the disgrace you brought in here as a boyfriend."

Turning to Ryan, he asked, "What do your parents do Meathead?" Despite the subtly peppered remarks, Ryan maintained his dignity. "My mother has kicked the bucket and my father's whereabouts is unknown."

"Well, if I was your father, not only would I have deserted you, but also disowned you. You are just a waste of space and existence. While God rested on the seventh day, the Angels decided to mold three of their own creation and trust me, you are three of them."

Mr. Greystone said as he rubbed salt on an already open wound of Ryan. "As for your mother, Mr. Greystone continued, "I am certain she foresaw the failure of a man you would become and decided to take her life herself." Astrid burst out in his annoying laughter.

Ryan could not contain his emotions and tears began to roll down his eyes at the mention of his mother. His intrusive thoughts whispered vengeance immediately. He imagined moving at the speed and precision of Denzel Washington and giving a headshot straight at Astrid and Mr. Greystone. Well, this was too much of a fantasy for a 333lb guy who has never used a gun before.

Ryan knew that the longer he stayed, the more humiliation he was going to face. He had barely walked past the exit door when suddenly the sound of an alarm went blaring through the room. "Shut down the vicinity immediately! Somebody is making away with the family heirloom." Mr. Greystone's order echoed all over the building.