Abyssal Secrets
Chapter 1
They said I had it all. Power that bent wills, a reputation that preceded me in hushed whispers, treasuries overflowing with wealth, and a face, they mused, seemingly sculpted by a master's hand, each line and angle contributing to an undeniable handsomeness.
Was I being a bit cocky admitting all that? Perhaps. But that's the picture everyone painted.
Luck, they insisted, had smiled upon me so generously that I possessed the very things others would sacrifice fortunes and futures to attain. Yet, as I stood amidst this abundance, I feel empty.
Gazing out at the sprawling metropolis from my office window, a goblet rested in my hand. Gently swirling it before taking a sip on my wine. The city lights twinkled below, resembling a vast, glittering display of lights. My eyes, however, held a distant, unfocused quality as I took in the scene.
Lurry Blackwell
Sir Latorre, here are the complete files you asked for.
Seth Vein Latorre
Ah... just leave it on the table.
I murmured, still somewhat lost in thought.
It turned out Lurry, my assistant for years, had already entered the office sometime ago. I hadn't even noticed. My hand instinctively reached for the goblet, intending to take another sip, only to find it empty. With a sigh, I walked over to my desk and set it down.
Lurry Blackwell
Is everything alright, sir?
Lurry's voice broke through my reverie. His expression clearly showed concern.
I hummed in response, offering a simple nod as I finally settled into my swivel chair.
Seth Vein Latorre
Just clear away my drink before you leave.
Only after Lurry had finally left the office did I turn my attention to the stack of papers he'd brought. Within those files lay all the crucial information I sought about the newest venture helmed by the city's youngest entrepreneur: Knight Hidalgo, the youngest son of the prominent Hidalgo family.
A prodigy, that's what he was. Only twenty-two years old, and his company was already one of the top five biggest and most famous right here in Bonifacio Global City. Top five in BGC, and already within the top ten nationwide. And the audacity of it all – it had taken him only a single year to accomplish all this. A monster, truly, his swift ascent felt almost otherworldly compared to the steady pace of my own progress.
Here I was, twenty-five, the sole owner of Elmswood Company, the undisputed number one in BGC and across the entire nation, a position it had taken me nearly six years of relentless work to achieve.
The trajectory of his company's success was undeniable. At the rate he was going, it felt inevitable that he would soon catch up to me, perhaps even surpasses my achievements and glory.
My apprehension against this rising star wasn't fueled by a petty fear of being outdone; quite the opposite. A sense of genuine alarm and sheer awe washed over me as I witnessed the astonishing abilities the young man displayed. This was because, from what I knew, Knight had never harbored any ambition to enter the demanding world of business. Though, I wonder why he's suddenly like this. The person he was now was a stark contrast to the Knight I remembered.
The insistent ringing of my phone sliced through my focus on the documents spread before me. The caller ID flashed: Khairo. Lifting the device with my left hand, I positioned it against my ear, a preparatory cough escaping before I finally accepted the call.
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: Make it quick, I'm busy.
My gaze still fixed on the documents, mentally absorbing their contents as I spoke.
A soft chuckle drifted through the phone line, Khairo's familiar amusement at my perpetual work ethic.
Khairo
📞: Man, still a workaholic, aren't you?
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: Get to the point, or I'm ending this call.
I replied, my focus unwavering from the papers I was trying to commit to memory.
Khairo
📞: Hold up! You're not forgetting the party tonight, are you?
A sharp pang of realization hit me. Shit. The reunion. It had completely slipped my mind.
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: ..I couldn't recall.
I mumbled, the admission laced with annoyance at my own forgetfulness.
Khairo
📞: That's just how it goes with all this work!
Khairo exclaimed, a playful accusation in his tone.
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: I'm obligated to work.
I reiterated, though even to my own ears, it sounded weak.
Khairo
📞: Hayst... I don't know about you, bro.
Khairo
📞: Anyway, just come. Everyone's here. It'd be a shame if you were the only one missing. And we have a new guest.
A guest? Since when did our usual crew of familiar faces start including outsiders at our reunions? A flicker of curiosity mixed with suspicion.
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: Reunion... with a guest?
I questioned, a slight edge to my voice.
Khairo
📞: You know him quite well; he won't be a stranger.
Khairo
📞: Consider this both a reunion and a bit of a welcoming party.
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: Hmm..
I hummed my acknowledgement, a flicker of curiosity now mingling with my prior reluctance.
My gaze drifted to the wall clock - Four fifty-six PM, a quick calculation running through my mind.
Seth Vein Latorre
📞: I'll be there at Ten PM sharp.
I stated, a note of finality in my voice before ending the call.
Chapter 2
The tires hummed against the asphalt as I made my way to Baguio, rest house, the venue for tonight's party. It was quite a distance from my location in Taguig, so I didn't bother changing after our call and headed straight out. No time for a change, I'd thought, just get there.
The rest house was located in a secluded area. Earlier, buildings and houses dotted the landscape, but now, the only visible features were the towering trees that lined the road and the occasional, dimly lit lamppost that flickered erratically.
The minutes of my travel unfolded in that consistent manner until my destination finally came into view. I parked the vehicle I was using a short distance away from the rest house, amidst the collection of other luxury cars belonging to the guests.
The moment I stepped out from my car, the powerful sound of music blasting from the house reached my ears.
🎶Chase Atlantic - FRIEND🎶
I was still a distance away, the murmur of their conversation reaching me faintly, when one of the figures on the expansive patio paused, his attention drawn in my direction.
Reagan Royce Gallagher
Hey look, it's the boss!
Reagan Royce Gallagher - the man exclaimed with a wide grin, looking in my direction. He was dressed in an open white polo shirt and blue, long-legged shorts. His hair was a striking white with a hint of pale yellow – it looked almost translucent and soft to gaze upon. His eyes were a mesmerizing golden amber, complemented by long, thick eyelashes and eyebrows that framed them beautifully against his deeply rich, dark skin.
The man's sudden, cheerful bellow, acted like an invisible thread, tugging at the attention of those around him. As the sound registered, their heads turned in a synchronized movement, their eyes following the trajectory of his enthusiastic gaze until they, too, landed on me.
Soren Misha De La Rosa
Boss Seth, Cheers?
One of the men offered, his voice a little slurred. He was sitting on the floor, leaning back against the sofa. The redness of his cheeks and lips made it obvious he'd had quite a bit to drink. This was Soren Misha De La Rosa. Like me, he was wearing a suit jacket, but his was unbuttoned and damp with sweat, a clear sign he was feeling the heat even though it's cold up here in Baguio. His long, black hair was messy, falling across his forehead. His heavy-lidded, bronze-brown eyes still fixed on me.
He held the whiskey-filled shot glass out to me.
Seth Vein Latorre
Pass, I'll join later.
I said, finally responding to his earlier invitation as I got closer.
A sigh escaped his lips, thick with exaggerated disappointment.
Soren Misha De La Rosa
Killjoy!!
He declared, the word hanging in the air for a moment before he tipped the shot glass back, the amber liquid disappearing in a swift gulp.
Soren Misha De La Rosa
Whoo..!! One more round!
I shook my head at him before I shifted my gaze to another man whose laughter, I now realized, had been directed at Soren and me for quite some time.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Ahaha...
Kenji Ren Espinoza
He's saying your such a killjoy...
Kenji Ren Espinoza
BWAGAHHAHAHAHA!!
The sound of his laughter echoed again, his hands instinctively pressing against his abdomen as his face deepened to an even more vibrant shade of red.
Reagan Royce Gallagher
Oi, Kenji! That's Boss!
Reagan's voice cut through the merriment, a note of caution laced within it.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
H-huh..
The young man turned to Reagan, a puzzled look on his face. As realization dawned, the broad smile he'd been wearing just seconds ago abruptly faded.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Ah.. Boss Seth! Sorr-
Seth Vein Latorre
It's fine.
I told him, cutting him off. My gaze shifted between him and Soren.
Seth Vein Latorre
Looks like you two have gotten an early start on the drinking. Kenji, –
I continued, noticing his uniform.
Seth Vein Latorre
– don't you have classes tomorrow?
I asked, my eyes lingering on his uniform – not exactly typical attire for a drinking session. Nineteen-year-old Kenji Ren Espinoza, the youngest member of our crew, still in university. Yet even at that age, he was already in our inner circle, handling his own share of enterprises businesses.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Ahhh... well, you see, Boss Seth, hehe, we just kind of got carried away..
Kenji Ren Espinoza
It's a party, you know, a reunion thing.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Yeah, and apparently the university's pretty dead this week anyway, so skipping a day is no biggie!
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Plus, I missed hanging out with you guys.
He explained, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. He looked like a pitiful kid as he gazed at me with those golden-amber puppy eyes, similar to Reagan's. I also couldn't help but noticed he'd dyed his hair again – a beige light brown this time – and had gotten a piercing.
Approaching Kenji, I ruffled his freshly dyed hair. A familiar chuckle bubbled up from him, followed by a sly, knowing smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
Seth Vein Latorre
Looking sharp tonight, huh?
I commented on his new look.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Of course, Boss.
Kenji Ren Espinoza
Just doing my part to stay handsome, what can I say?
He replied, striking a playful pose, his thumb and forefinger forming a "check" mark beneath his chin. I smiled at him.
Clearing my throat, I steered the conversation in a different direction.
Seth Vein Latorre
All right.
Seth Vein Latorre
I'll head inside, still need to connect with the new recruit.
My gaze then drifted to Soren, still slumped on the floor. A glance revealed the whiskey bottle clutched in his hand was now noticeably lighter, roughly halfway drained. A quiet sigh escaped my lips at the sight.
Seth Vein Latorre
Enjoy yourselves, but don't overdo it.
I told them, a note of caution in my voice.
Seth Vein Latorre
You handle things out here for now.
I directed at Reagan, who stood by a tall mango tree, his fingers already preparing a cigarette. A silent nod was his only reply before I turned and headed inside, leaving them to their carousal.
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