Magic Shop

30 | AFTERMATH

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Sejin Garcia, at the age of sixteen year old, he was always been competent and above average. Since Sejin and Roen’s parents often travel overseas to manage their business, he was tasked to managed the company on the country they were born. At first, the people, most especially the employees in the company had doubted his abilities.

They all told him that running a company is far more complicated than algebra and school. They had begun plotting to take over the company and use him as an excuse to drag their name down. however, they had been had. The moment Sejin had step inside the company, everyone was left speechless. He had managed the company to run smoothly despite of his age and despite of his lack of education.

He work with no mistakes. He always done his job the best and excellent as he can do leaving the people who graduated from popular universities tongue tied and causing them to doubt their confidence and abilities.

But to Sejin none of those things matter. He does not desire the validation of others instead he always desired to earn praises from his parents who often times overseas. That was the reason why he did not allowed himself to make any mistakes whenever he was doing work and caring the name Garcia on his back.

Sejin was different at school and at the company. He had always been the happy go luck type of person at school who doesn’t care if he spend money like a water however, it was different when he was inside his parent’s business. He was stiff and serious. He doesn’t allow mistakes and he always made sure that every report that was given to him are above average.

Stand above everyone else. That was the motto of their family. And in Sejin’s perspective, he had put this motto in his heart whenever he was working and dealing things that involve their family’s name.

That was why, when he visited the prison and had talked to the police office, everyone was tense. Everyone in that room knew the power this sixteen year old hold and he was capable of making them dance around his palm without any effort.

Dawn expected the capabilities of Sejin but seeing how everything had run smoothly as if they’re sliding on an ice, it made him once again speechless.

Dawn surveyed the place. From the mess inside the living room, the police outside the house, the kitchen knife River used and River who was quietly sitting beside him.

Since Sejin had already declared that this incident was an act of self defense, and with a video as an evidence, the police officers who came blindly follow everything Sejin had said and apprehend River’s parents without any question being asked.

Sighing his breath, Dawn saw the room where River’s siblings was still asleep. Thankfully, they were not loud and that the children was exhausted all they can do was sleep because of their painful bruises.

When Dawn saw this, he wanted to kill the bastard of a father of River however, he had stopped himself. It was a good thing that they planned that Sejin and Dawn would be present once the plan was set into motion inorder to prevent any mishaps, now, Dawn was really grateful he managed to stopped River from stabbing his father in time.

After calming River down, they’re now sitting on the sofa, as Sejin instructed the police outside. There were only silence lingering around the two for a moment. One was still shocked of what he almost did and the other was considering the former’s feeling.

Dawn from time to time would glance at River praying that his friend was calm and rational enough to deal with everything that had happened. After sometime, Dawn heard River sighed as if some big weight was taken off him.

Dawn kept his mouth shut as he waited if River’s going to say a thing.

River opened and close his mouth from time to time as if he doesn’t know what he should say and what he should do, in the end, he drew his breath and said, “I-Is everything okay now?” He can’t help but asked.

Dawn who was preparing himself to answer River’s question hurriedly nodded emphasizing that everything was now going smoothly. “It’s a good thing we arrived on time.” Dawn sighed once again as he clasped his had as if he was praying. River accepted his friend’s word before saying,

“It was really a good thing you managed to stop me.” His breath hitched as if he was trying so hard to breathe. “When I saw the video,” River’s eyes were tuning moist. “I felt like all the rationality I have in my brain was swept away by some wave causing me to lose all my reason. In that moment I really wanted to kill him and bury him down six feet under.”

Dawn did not say anything as his friend opened up his mouth and his heart at the moment. “I was always the obedient one hoping that they won’t lashed out on my siblings, but everyday, I feel like they’re making me a monster.”

River harshly brushed his face with his palm. “They were my parents but I really wished they were dead. They’re just a piece of trash in my eyes but, now, when I remember that I really almost kill that good for nothing father of ours, I felt cold as if life was leaving me.”

The image of the things he did earlier flashed on his mind like a power point presentation. River tried his best not to quiver and to keep himself together.

“the sight of blood made my blood boil as if it was hungry for more. The ecstasy I felt when I stabbed him is still fresh, I am starting to feel like I don’t know myself anymore.” River’s voice was desparate however, Dawn remained silent letting his friend continue.

“I really thank you both for coming in time.” River sniffed and Dawn just nodded accepting his thanks.

“What friends are for right?” he said in a cheerful tone despite of the heavy atmosphere between them. River combed his hair with his fingers and then clasped it. It was as if he was praying.

“What do you think about everything that happened?” River asked. Dawn’s eyes wandered for a moment. The chaos was still there but it was slowly disappearing. Dawn sighed.

“River,” Dawn whispered enough for his friend that was sitting by his side hear. “Let’s live.” He just said as if thousands of secrets overlap with that sentence alone. River who doesn’t understand what Dawn was saying managed to nodded only.

“I hope me any my siblings would start a new life without them.” Compared to before, River’s voice sounded as if he was looking forward to the future. Dawn chuckled.

“In this battle, you won.” He said and ruffled River’s hair.

“Let’s live now okay?” Dawn said once more and River nodded. He had greater plans for his self, his siblings and his friends. Now that everything was gone. The heavy obstacle that was always weighing was now gone, he felt like he could smile again and live his life.

Dawn who was seeing River’s smile scoffed and slowly his lips curled up expressing the bright future ahead of them. Dawn felt happy because he felt that he had save River. Dawn felt like the anxiety and confusion he was suffering with was disappearing bits by bits as if he was now the protagonist who will save his friends from their impending doom.

Feeling happy, Dawn stood up, “Go to your siblings and pack their bags.” He said. River was confused for a moment. He looked at Dawn with his eyes full of questions.

Dawn smirked. “Sejin told me earlier that he bought a much decent house compared to this one. You don’t want to live in a house where it’s reminding your of your parents right?”

River’s lips curled up once more and shook his head. “Both of you, all of you are just.” River chuckled.

Dawn just smiled and tapped his friend’s shoulder, “Let us also stop by at a nearby hospital to get your siblings check. I’m worried about their conditions.” After telling it, Dawn went outside to tell Sejin that River’s now packing.

River on the other had packed everything on their luggage and slowly woke his siblings up. All of them had questioning gazes. “Kuya?” Reitan asked his eldest brother. River smiled genuinely as his facial features turned soft.

“We’ll be moving out of this house.”  He said. The three of them looked at each other.

“What about mama and papa?” Reika asked. River stroked her head before softly saying, “they’re going to live in a different house than ours.”

“Why?” It was Reo.

“They need to work there so they can support us. They left already now we need to leave also.”

“Where are we going?”

“To our new house. You three will like it there.” Despite of the siblings confusion, they followed their eldest brother. Minutes later they all met outside River’s apartment. Sejin smiled at his friend as they all went inside Sejin’s car.

Dawn who was finally smiling thinking that he had save his friend was humming to himself happily. In his lap was Reika who was sleeping. After a while, they arrived at the hospital. It was a good thing that the bruises on the children’s body would soon heal and it was not that severe.

The doctor gave River a prescription after that and as the morning arrived, they arrived at the house Sejin bought for River and his siblings. River who was feeling both overwhelmed and happy was almost crying as he thank Dawn and Sejin.

Sejin and Dawn just laughed at him telling him he’s such an i***t however, their laughter was soon heard echoing the place. Dawn was happy he felt like he can conquer the world and save his friends.

However, it was not the way Dawn had imagined it.

Not until they received a terrible news saying Reika had gone missing and River committed a suicide at their new home.

Feeling grieve and lose, Dawn almost went insane  asking question where he had went wrong. but then, the time had reset once again and now, he found himself inside a white room with walls surrounding him.

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