Saving the Villain

"Do I regret refusing your offer that night? It would sometimes cross my head, but I don't. I wouldn't meet the man who gave me this opportunity and handed me this organization if I wasn't behind maximum prison, after all."

Rocco came from nothing. He was but a person who relied on himself to get himself out of crippling poverty. He crawled his way out of that life, working hard and studying to get a degree, hoping he would live a comfortable life.

For some time, Rocco succeeded. Almost. He was almost there, but alas, what could someone like him do against someone who was born with a diamond spoon? Compared to Maynard, Rocco had to hustle all his life just to have a comfortable life.

But Maynard took that away. Maynard not only took Rocco's future, ruined his hard work and his freedom, but also ruined other people like Stella and her son. Just the sheer thought of it was enough to bring back all the deep grudges and unhealed wounds in Rocco's heart.

"I don't necessarily call it a blessing. Being in this organization was never a blessing," Rocco continued, eyes fixed on Conrad. "However, it's not like there's a huge difference. Everything is just cruel. Well, my father — the man who owned this organization — was an exception." — he was the only person who truly understood Rocco's agony.

Ironic, but the man who was deemed a dangerous man saved him. Although he led Rocco to live this kind of life, it was still better than being tossed and drag around by powerful people because of their whims.

"You too, Conrad." Rocco's devious facial features softened mildly. "You're an exception."
His eyes then shifted to Maxen, assessing this young man who had the semblance of his mother. "Your mother… I hope she has found her peace now that his son was in a better place."

Maxen's jaw tightened, staring coldly at the man who was supposed to be his father. Although Maxen didn't have any familial attachment to him, the way Rocco speak as if Maxen wasn't his son irked him for the obvious reason.

"Why?" Maxen blurted out, gripping his hand on his lap. "Why did you do that?"

"Boy, I will not understand your question if you don't complete it."

"That guy two years ago…" Maxen clarified, stressing each word to remind Rocco of that gang fight two years ago before Cosette came into his life. "Why did you kill him?"

Conrad furrowed his brows, gazing at Maxen's side profile. The latter had this firm expression plastered on his face, and the desire for an answer shone brightly in his eyes.

Rocco cocked his head to the side, blinking. It took him a full minute to recall what was Maxen talking about because killing was not new to him. It was part of a mafia's daily life.

"Ahh…" Rocco rocked his head in understanding. "... because why not?"

"What?"

"They're bullying you and I have to set an example." Rocco leaned back leisurely, resting his leg over the other. "You know, boy, in this world, if you don't fight back, you'd lose everything. It's a cruel world and you must be more cruel so they wouldn't even dare think of touching you."

Maxen's grip and body trembled at that lame excuse.

"Don't make it sound like you did it for me…" came out Maxen's shaking voice. "... I didn't ask for it."

"I didn't do it for you." Rocco let out a short laugh, shrugging. "I did it for Stella, your mother. My methods might not be convenient and are called illegal, but that's all I can do. I have no remorse left in me; killing one or two is not something I would lose sleep."

"And as such, I don't care if the person bullying you is an elderly or a naive boy. That motherfucker is dead," he continued with a vicious smirk. "Thank me or hate me. I have done my part."

There was a moment of silence that descended on them after Rocco's remarks. Just listening to this man was enough for Maxen and Conrad to understand Rocco was being honest. Rocco was not the person Conrad used to know, and he wasn't someone one could change for the better.

This was the life Rocco had chosen. Whether Rocco liked this life or just didn't have a choice, what was certain was that Rocco would never bend. Never again.

"The only favor I can do for you is to pretend you don't exist." Rocco shifted his eyes to Conrad. "For as long as you don't get abused or anything, I will pretend I don't know you both. I'd let that skit you pulled up in my business slide, Conrad. It was only fair since you found out that I told my people to follow this boy and you're trying to protect your little girl."



"But leave me alone," he continued solemnly, holding Conrad's cold gaze. "Let's get out of each other's business. You have my word. I don't plan to harm this boy, but if I find out you were simply using him or threw him out for no damn reason… I'll serve your kid's head on a silver platter."

A dreadful chill waved down Conrad's spine; a rare feeling that Conrad wasn't familiar with. Rocco's threats weren't just simple threats. The man would do it if he had enough reason.

"Stop…" whispered Maxen, catching Rocco's attention. "... acting as if everything you do is for me. If you really want to do me a favor, just don't show up in front of me or in front of Cosette or the people I care about."

"Keep your word and we'll keep ours," he added solemnly. "My father… don't owe you reassurance. I agree that let's just keep pretending we don't know each other's existence. However, if you ever try to meddle in my — our business and affairs — I won't hesitate to kill a man."

"As much as I hate to admit it, that's probably the only thing I got from you." Maxen loosened his fist as his stiff shoulders relaxed. "The willingness to kill a man with enough reason."