TRAGIC I

Letting out those five words to his older brother, he immediately hung up the phone. The young man didn't wait for Mort to answer him. He doesn't want to hear what his older brother has to say anymore. He's in desperate need of help. With his hopeless situation, Dieu thought escaping is futile. No matter where he looked outside the condo or at the bottom of the building, the number of the Mafia Lord's black cars increased by double. They look like a swarm of raven flocks in the same place. An omen that someone is about to meet his demise.

"What are they here for?" Dieu asked. He still has no idea why this is happening now. Even if he wanted to ask Mort for help, his pride wouldn't let him ask for it. Knowing his grandfather Don Zagreus, wouldn't lend a hand to get him out of this situation as well.

Dieu called his men but none of them answered him which is quite odd. It was very unusual for them not to answer his calls. Don't know what to do, Dieu walked back to the sofa, and wait for Yakov. It's been five hours and Yakov hasn't given him a call.

"Where in the world is he right now..." Dieu dialed Yakov's number again but no one answered the line.

Brushing his hair off in frustration, Dieu took his bag full of guns and ammunition. He opened it and there reveal their family picture. It was their last photo shot before Mort left the Aslanovs' clan and the day their little sister was born. They are all looking at the newborn Mischa, wide smiling except for Mort who is just looking straight at the camera, cold-eyed stare and unsmiling face. His older brother has the pair of beautiful green orbs of the family but is soulless and frosty-cold. Mort was born aloof and detached from their family.

Dieu eyed specifically at his older brother in the photo. They were all close together except for Mort who kept a little distance from them and didn't even budge from the photographer's order to smile at the camera and pretend to be a fun-loving family.

However, Mort was the one his family cared for and worried about. Even though they were all looking and smiling at Mischa, their thoughts were fixed on him.

Dieu smirked when he remembered how the photographer was ruthlessly killed after this picture was taken. Their family thought he was the reason for Mort's bad mood.

"That's right he's the heir after all. They couldn't afford to lose him."

From the moment his eyes opened to the truth and became aware of this world, Dieu knew his parents and grandparents would never pay attention to him because of Mort. Even his relatives don't care about him.

Mort was born perfect in their eyes. Dieu tried his best to get their attention but his family was so hard to please. He asked questions, watched, and even read just to get an idea of ​​how to impress and to let them know that he also exists and that the world doesn't just revolve around his older brother.

Dieu was top 1 in a prestigious academy in his school years from preschool to college. He also participated in various sports where he was the Ace and won them all. Due to his many achievements, whether in academics or sports, he was nicknamed 'Fallen God'. He has the attention of everyone who knows him. Wherever he goes, he feels their admiration. Many people are jealous of him but he has a great number of fans that admire and want to be him. But no matter how far he achieve and even if he drowned in his gold medals and trophies, his parents or any of his relatives never came to school to say hi or congratulate him. When there are meetings, only the consigliere of the family attends for him. Dieu shows off his achievements to them, but Mort is always the one they are all concerned about.

Dieu thought that when Mort ran away, their attention would be shifted to him, but he was wrong. The situation got worse. It seems like the family is just operating just to find Mort. No matter how much people love him, if his family doesn't care, it's still pointless.

He doesn't need the approval of others but his family. But even if they don't care about him, Mischa is always there. His sister was the one who was going up on the stage and sees all his hard work. She is the only one who truly cares about him whether on the outside or inside the house. Mischa is the only one who tells them about his achievements to their parents. Even if he brags about his achievements none of them would pay attention.

'I even tried to be the black sheep of the family. I make trouble at school just to get them to call and get their attention but it didn't work. Whether I'm a good or bad son, nothing can be changed." Dieu sullenly stared at his parent's faces in the photo.

'I'm the only one who gets crazy and tired. And I'll just run out of things to please them. Even if I kill myself in front of them, they certainly ignore me." He added, laughing half-heartedly and looking up. Dieu let out a deep sigh.

'Sometimes I want to fake my death just to see their reactions but I'm afraid that even with my death they wouldn't care or shed a single tear for me.' Dieu throws one last glance at the photo.

"I am really hopeless. And now I will die alone." He was in the middle of reminiscing when suddenly his phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and Mischa's name appeared on his screen.

"What is she up to this time." A hint of hesitation flashed across his eyes. Although his condo unit is soundproof and people outside can't hear him even if they tried to eavesdrop through the closed door, he is still worried sick. He doesn't want to be distracted.

Mischa's call has ended but Dieu didn't answer it. He thought her little sister wasn't going to call but his phone rang again and this time Dieu answered her.

"Brother, are you okay?" Mischa greeted in a worried tone. Dieu was stunned by her question. Even though she was very bratty and much closer to Mort, she still remembered him.

"I am," Dieu answered obliquely in a firm tone. He could hear her audible sigh on the line.

"You don't sound okay to me." Mischa bluntly said making Dieu laughs and later smiled genuinely.

"I love you." Dieu sincerely said and change the subject to distract her. Mischa laughs out loud on the other line.

"I love you too brother! I'm going to your place now." She happily exclaimed. Dieu could feel the sweat start to form on his forehead. He gulped hard.

"Don't come. I'm not at the condo right now." He lied. Dieu doesn't want her to see him stuck in his place where any moment he could be killed.

"Don't lie to me," Mischa said in a serious tone and hung up. He was looking at the door with an anxious expression on his face.

Dieu peeked below the building again. Eyes widened, he was surprised the cars slowly disperse and one after another they left the place. He quickly looked at his CCTV, the same thing happened outside his condo. They all left as if nothing had happened.

"What's happening?" Dieu muttered to himself. When he looked out the window again, with the family's insignia, he immediately recognized his grandfather's car. The black executive limousine was parked at the entrance of the building. A few seconds, Mischa came out with bodyguards around her. They all quickly position and surrounded the perimeter when the young lady entered the building.

"So that explains everything," Dieu uttered and smirked. He didn't know what to feel, whether he should be happy or what. But why is his little sister using the chairman of Aslanov's car? A few minutes later, Mischa arrived at his condo and he let her in.

"Why are you here?" Dieu asked the younger sister who had her arms crossed in front of him. Her personal bodyguards are waiting outside.

"Mom and Dad send me here and ask if you can have dinner at home," Mischa responded with a smile. Stiffened, Dieu was shocked by what he heard. That was the first time they invited him to dinner.

"With Mort?" Dieu asked to which Mischa frowned.

"Nope! Just you, mom, dad, grandpa, and me!" Mischa answered merrily.

"But why?" Eyes narrowed, Dieu asked for the second time. He could find it hard to believe.

"I don't know either. But I heard they talk about the succession." Mischa replied and there Dieu was silent and stared at his sister. 'I wouldn't dare think that I will be the successor of Aslanov.'

"Is this some kind of prank?" Dieu asked with a sarcastic laugh and Mischa raised an eyebrow at him.

"No. But you'll come, right?" Mischa wears her puppy eyes to convince him which makes Dieu chuckle. The young man nodded and pulled Mischa with a tight embrace.

"Thank you," Dieu whispered meaningfully before he let go of her. He playfully makes a mess with her hair.

"You're acting weird." Mischa laughed.

"So, why did you use Grandpa's car?" Dieu asked. Mischa sauntered to the window and stared down at the building. She sighed.

"I didn't want to use that but grandpa asked me to," Mischa replied making Dieu stunned. It means his grandpa knows his current situation. But still, it was surprising that he helped him by sending Mischa with his precious car.

"Then you go first. I'll be home tonight." Dieu tapped her shoulder and smiled reassuringly.

"You promise, right?" Mischa said raising her right hand so does Dieu.

"Promised." He then pets her sister's head gently. Mischa stepped forward, tiptoed, and give him a kiss on his right cheek before she left his place.

When Mischa left along with the Aslanov's bodyguards, the feeling of anxiety came back and triple this time for no reason. Dieu paced back and forth agitatedly waiting for someone behind the door.

A few seconds later, Yakov arrived.

"What took you so long?" Dieu asked quickly the moment he opens the door. Shaking his head in disbelief, Yakov entered inside.

"You're clueless," Yakov said leaving Dieu's question unanswered. The young man frowned.

"What do you mean by that?" Eyes squinted, Dieu curiously asked. Yakov sighed and faced him.

"Nothing. What do you need again?" Yakov asked back. Dieu compose himself and went to his table.

"My men are not answering my call. I need your help." Dieu directly said and Yakov nodded.

"Sure. I'll send you some of my men. How many do you want? I can't reach Narco tho." Yakov said in a business tone. Dieu notices something change in Yakov's behavior. He wanted to ask but he has a bigger problem ahead of him right now. Even he doesn't know why those men from the Underground are looking for him.

"Five. I can't contact him either." Dieu answered.

"Then I'm heading out. I'll leave five of my men here. And just call me again if you need anything." Yakov then turns his back on him and strides out of the place. Again, Dieu was left alone in his condo but this time Yakov's men were outside, guarding him.

Dieu spent the whole afternoon choosing a formal suit for the family dinner later. The men of the Mafia Lords didn't return to the building anymore. By that moment, he felt safe and secure.

8 PM. Boarded on his white limousine and smiling from ear to ear, Dieu was driving on the public highway out of the city and he was escorted by Yakov's men on his way home. The night sky was aglow with bright city lights and the road was full of night activity. The crowd is like a river of people, everyone moving in the same direction. There are only joyful faces as they all head home. Through the tinted window, he could see the ordinary citizens, group of friends, lovers, and family staying together with fingers entwined.

Swarm of thoughts now invading his mind since this is the first time his parents and the chairman want to talk to him. This is also the first time they will have dinner together without Mort. Dieu felt so delighted that he couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

Humming along with the music, his happiness lasted for a short minute. The sudden loud collision chased away his mirth. Several black cars were racing up to him and crashed at the side and back of his car.

"Oh, fucking shit!" Dieu has utterly shaken as his pace increases and tries to get away. Never thought in mind he would be attacked as he was on a public highway where many ordinary people were walking home. The commotion quickly took place. People are running for their life.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Dieu accelerated his car and the aggressive black cars keep chasing after him. Yakov's men quickly blocked the perpetrators and fought with them. Dieu was able to drive quickly with their help. Just when he thought he successfully got away another three 10-wheelers appeared and their massive size occupy the entire road. They had no intention of stopping and running at high speed.

Clenched fist on the steering wheel, Dieu was about to slow his pace when another group of three 10-wheeler trucks tailed behind him. Without knowing what to do, he got stuck in the middle and his life does flash before his eyes. The innocent face of Mischa made him smile for one last time.

"I did my best but I guess it wasn't enough..."

Death is inevitable. A massive fireball lit up the night sky. The vehicles exploded all together with his car mercilessly crushed in between the wheeler trucks, sending the metal parts into the midair completely dismembered by the overwhelming blasts that shook the ground. Killing everyone inside in an instant. No one was spared by the massive explosion.

Dieu did not make it to his last supper. He died not knowing the real reason why his parents sent him home and why the Mafia Lords were chasing after him.

1992-2022