Saving the Villain

There was a reason Conrad disliked digging up something that he knew wouldn't matter. Sometimes, the truth was not something anyone would want. Therefore, he was torn upon discovering Maxen's biological father and Asher's stance on this. Actually, he was torn upon knowing the entire story of Rocco, Maynard, and Stella.

Their problems… originated from a gigantic misunderstanding.

How could a misunderstanding take this long and ruin so many lives?

Sure. The Quinn family and Maynard's wife had contributed to it. However, if Rocco, Maynard, and Stella communicated, they could've prevented these things from happening. Rocco wouldn't be a criminal; he would probably have his own firm and become one of the best lawyers.

Conrad had no idea what would happen to Stella and Maynard if they dealt with their affairs like adults, but for sure, their children wouldn't be miserable. At least the two might not end up together, but Maxen wouldn't have to go through such a painful childhood. There would be child support that could support both Maxen and his mother. Stella died of fatigue, after all.

Conrad hated hopping to conclusions and thinking of the what-ifs, but he couldn't help it. It was a messy story and now, only Conrad knew all of it. He kept asking himself what he should do about it. After all, Maxen might want to know the truth.

Maxen believed his father was a criminal, and he was trying his best not to be like his father. But his father wasn't Rocco. Conrad had no idea why Rocco didn't say anything about it, but a part of Conrad understood it.

"Was it really better to believe your father is a criminal than knowing he was just there, clueless about your existence, whilst raising two boys around your age?" Conrad asked himself, sitting in the back seat of the car on his way home. "If I were in his position…"

If Conrad was in Maxen's position, he would rather not hear a word of truth. However, if not for Conrad, the latter was afraid Maxen would eventually find out from another person. Asher was digging up the past and there was this little chance no one would know about it.

Conrad clenched his teeth, making his jaw tighten. If Asher wasn't the one who unknowingly led Conrad to this truth, Conrad wouldn't have a problem. He just had to keep his mouth shut, but knowing there were two of them who knew about this, Conrad was worried.

There was no secret that one could hide forever.

This was almost two decades yet, this truth was now crawling its way to the present. It was just a matter of time before this would blow out of proportion.

"Sir."

Conrad was brought back to the present time when Warren's voice caressed his ears. He glanced at the front seat, only to see his assistant looking back at him.
"We've arrived," said Warren for the fourth time.

"Ah…" Conrad blinked ever so tenderly, gazing at the main entrance of their home. 'I didn't notice it.'

"Do you want me to do anything else, sir?" asked Warren to his boss, reminding Conrad that the latter hadn't given him any assignment. Warren was used to any last-minute orders his boss would give him; it was rare for Conrad to not give or remind Warren of what he would need for the next day. Not that Warren had no other things to do, but it already became a habit.

Conrad looked at his assistant for a moment before he remarked, "I guess you enjoy the freedom of being a single man."

Conrad said nothing further, departing the vehicle immediately. Warren was left with a blank and dead expression, in utter disbelief at what he just heard.

Did Conrad just diss him?

Warren gasped, placing his hand across his chest. He turned his head to the window, watching his boss walk away from the driveway to the main entrance with an air of nonchalance.

"I was just concerned because you're too silent!" yelled Warren, knowing his boss wouldn't hear him. "Today's an exception!"

Warren huffed in frustration, clicking his tongue. "I'm just being considerate, but I still blame him that I don't get enough time to find the girl of my dreams."

Gloom dominated Warren's face before he arched a brow, sensing someone's gaze on him. He turned to his side, only to see the driver looking back at him.

"Right?" asked Warren. "He is the very reason we don't have time to focus on our lovelife…"

Warren trailed off, gasping when the driver handed him a small envelope. "I'm getting married Assistant Warren. It would be nice to have you there since the boss approved of my leave."

"You're getting married?!"

"Mhm."

"What — oy! How?!" Warren's eyes went wide, counting how many years Conrad's driver slash bodyguard had been working under Conrad. If he remembered correctly, that was around six or seven years and this guy was just in his mid-twenties.

Considering Conrad had a hectic schedule and had to go from place to place, the three of them were always stuck together. How the hell did he have time to date?!

"Time management? I met her on one of our boss's business trips." The driver smiled until his teeth were showing while Warren couldn't hide his dismal. "Being committed to our job doesn't mean we have to become slaves, Assistant Warren."

"I am a slave!" Warren harrumphed bitterly, unable to accept any word from his colleague.

"Assistant Warren, I am not the only one who is already settling down —"

"Don't talk to me and just drive. I swear to god — ugh! This is so annoying. Everyone's getting married while I am stuck with a cold-blooded boss," Warren mumbled to himself, frowning, counting how many weddings he was invited to in recent years.

The driver who had been working for Conrad and had known Warren for years couldn't help but sigh. A subtle smile then turned up on his face before setting his eyes ahead. As he prepared the engine before they go, the driver spoke;

"Sir Warren, the boss is not stopping you from having a life." Warren slowly cast his eyes on his colleague while the latter was reaching for the gearshift. "Marriage is not a race —- life is not a race as well. One of these days, you'll meet someone that will make you believe all things happen for a reason that led you to meet that person."

The driver's smile was kind. "No rush."

"I am not in a rush for that, but if I get late for my appointment, you'd go straight to hell." Warren was unfazed by his colleague's kind words, deadpanned. "The both of us will."

"Right…" the driver laughed, controlling the gearshift before stepping on the pedal. "Should I buy you dinner? I found a good place to eat and drink your woes."

"Just drive!"

"My treat."

"Liars go to hell. I will drink to my heart's content and call in sick tomorrow."

And just like that, the car that dropped off Conrad sped away from the estate.

***

A/N:

Sorry for the lack of update. I was busy with Christmas and New Year's preparation because my family came to my place. I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas.



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xoxo