Zarek really meant it when he said he was over Evangeline for now, and hopefully for good too.

He had bullied her, purposely stained her reputation, manipulated her, assaulted her on a number of occasions which was enough torment as it was. Besides, she had a boyfriend now so the equation was different. He didn't wish her and Ashton happiness - quite the opposite, I wish for them to breakup and rot in the deepest hell - but one thing was inevitable; it was over for him.

This isn't the time for your love life, Zarek! The voice of reason awoke in what seemed like forever, and it was correct. Worrying about his relationships was a loxury in comparison to everything else. He was broke, homeless, and rejected by every single person in his life. He was in a desperate need of getting his life back together, realizing how lucky he was and valuing what he had only after he lost it.

His first step would be getting his dad's forgiveness.

Leaving Eva's home, and somewhat fixing things with her, he made his way to his white mansion. It was a considerable walking distance, but Zarek didn't even mind it. It felt nice to have a walk and clear his mind, it also helped with his clogged circulation. Zarek felt alive, literally.

He stood in front of his home, it was so high and glorious. Damn, who knew I'd miss this crappy glassy house? For the first time, he appreciated his dad's punishment because he had to admit it to himself; he needed it. Now what was left for him to do was to convince his dad to forgive him because he learned his lesson, which was the hardest part.

He took a deep breath and walked up to the door. He didn't expect to be stopped by the security guard. He was a new one - a tougher, bigger, bald man that was totally different from the old security guard that Zarek used to manipulate and threaten easily.

Zarek glared at him, death and slight surprise crossing his electric green eyes. "The fuck you think you're doing?"

"Sorry, sir, I can't let you in." The man mumbled, bald head lowered and muscly body tense. "I have strict orders from Mr Black to keep you out."

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Zarek barked, ready to take all his repressed rage on him despite the size difference.

"As I have already said, I have strict orders." A vein popped up in his grimaced forehead, taking off his suit jacket, rolling up his sleeves, and loosening his tie. "Mr Black said I can do whatever I want if you don't listen, kid. Understand that it involves beating you up?"

"Are you threatening me?" Zarek was ready to lash out on the smirking security guard when someone in another uniform - who was awfully familiar - interfered.

"Hey, take it easy, fellows." The younger and smaller man said, coming between Zarek and the bodyguard. He glanced at the bodyguard, "I got this, Mark, please go back to watching the gate."

Zarek eyed Mark as he unrolled his sleeves, put on his black jacket, tightened his tie, and walked away. He then glared at the lean guy. "Who the fuck are you?"

He tutted at the strong language before he pointed out his hand. "Hi, I'm Steve Hornson. I'm the new butler here. Welcome back, sir."

Zarek didn't take his hand. "So you're the fucker that took Mrs Biddy's job." He was also the trigger to all of this; if he hadn't came and took an ill lady's job then Zarek wouldn't have mouthed off to his dad thus not getting caught.

Steve got his hand back to himself, straightening his uniform. "Is there a reason for your visit, sir?"

"I don't need a reason, this is my home, the fuck!"

Steve's eye twitched at the profanity but he contained himself. "As Mark previously stated, we have strict orders from your father, sir. We can't let you in."

Zarek pulled at his blond hair, raging heart beating for some lost nicotine. It was only then did Zarek notice the throbbing headache and tension in his lungs; he was an addict on his way to insanity. A slight dizziness took his balance, and he needed to lean on the gate for some support.

Steve eyed him warily. "Do you need some help, sir?"

Zarek glared at him despite his temporary weakness. "What help can you provide?"

"More than you think." A strange glint gleamed in Steve's eyes as he rushed to Zarek, leaning inward as if to tell him a secret. "I haven't been here for long, but I sort of know what's going on. I know you're looking for your father to ask for forgiveness, but he's not here right now. I'm sorry. He must be at work though, because he left a few hours ago in his Jaguar while having a phone conversation about some sort of a painting. So yeah, you should try your chances at the company."

The butler's blabber made Zarek even dizzier, but it was somewhat useful.

"One more thing," Steve added, "This is not an official news or anything, but your dad is filing a divorce and I think Mr Green will be his lawyer. I just thought you should know."

Nodding his head and walking away, Zarek made a mental note of watching out of the nosey butler once all of this chaos was sorted out.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me,"

"I'm sorry, sir, but we have strict orders." the bulky security guard said, eyes glaring through his shades, "I can't let you in."

I can't fight or cause trouble here, Zarek reminded himself, This is dad's workplace. Zarek nodded off to the guard and walked away, choosing an isolated corner where he could watch everything but couldn't be seen. The glorious building was intimidating, it stood very high up the sky with shiny glass windows all the way and huge white letters that spelled Black Industry. See-through and white, why am I not surprised?

However, Zarek couldn't help the shivers running down his wobbly spine because this was it; the reason behind their fortune and wealth, the place where all the magic happened. Zarek had been there only a handful of times, he still hadn't explored the countless filming studios and dressing rooms and yet he was certain that the place would end up as a magnificent museum in the future.

In the mid of his thoughts, Zarek detected a strange movement coming towards the building - it was some famous supermodel with her mop of photographers and some paparazzi. She must be here for a photoshoot - Perfect! This way Zarek would be able to sneak in unnoticed. That was exactly what happened, since he fit right into the crew with his black - sorta boring - clothes.

Once past the security block, Zarek's legs led him to his dad's office all the while checking around the building. Nothing much had changed during the past years, everything was still the glassy and simplistic way it always was. Zarek stood before his dad's office door with the words CEO Office Mr T. Black in front of him, taking a deep breath and preparing himself for whatever was about to happen.

He opened the door, blurting out the first thing that came to his mind. "Please hear me out!"

He was met with absolute silence and ignorance - it isn't like him to give me the silent treatment. If Theodore decided to never speak to his son again then Zarek must've messed up really bad.

Zarek slowly opened his eyes - when have I closed them? - and, thankfully, the office was empty. Where can he be? If Theodore wasn't in his office, that was the exact replica of the one at his mansion, then he must be at the conference room doing a meeting or a presentation of some sort. Suddenly, the pressure over Zarek's shoulder intensified as his rib cage tightened around his ill lungs, adding up to his anxiety a whole bunch. Not only do I have to face my pissed dad, I also have to do it in front of all those VIPs. If he ended up ruining his dad's marriage along with a business deal then he might as well change his identity and deport himself out of the country otherwise he would be dropped dead.

Doing some warm-ups as if he was a boxer getting ready to enter the ring, Zarek walked towards the big glassy conference room. The pretty secretary - that should be a model, really - stopped him. Zarek paid no attention to her as he pushed her forty kilograms body aside and almost knocking her over.

He barged inside the room - this is it, get it together! He maintained a levelled glare at his dad that was seated at the head of the long table, not glancing once at the probable millionaires and celebrities all gathered in there. He opened his mouth to speak, killing every hint of weakness in his voice and never breaking eye contact with his surprised dad. "I need to talk to you."

Theodore's surprise soon turned into anger. He got up, ever so classy in his grey suit and slicked blond hair, pointing his bulky hand at his son. "Who let you in?"

It was only then did the previous secretary/model rush in the room, her face red in shame. "I tried stopping him but I couldn't, sir. Please don't fire me!"

"Don't worry, Bianka, it's not your fault." Theodore slipped his hands inside his pockets, radiating confidence and so much arrogance that it was ridiculous. "Please go back to the reception and call the security up here, I'm sure they'll make this reckless boy over here regret ever thinking of interrupting a business meeting."

Zarek didn't like the direction things were taking. He let his mind wander in the room for some inspiration, his electric greens landing on the projected image behind Theodore - it's his presentation! It was a exact picture of that painting he had seen at Trudy's house. "This painting!" Zarek pointed at the screen. "I know where you can find it."

Theodore held a blocking hand up. "I don't wanna hear about it. Keep your lies to yourself."

"I don't know what's between you and this kid, Mr Black," some old man who looked exactly like Bill Gates that he might as well have been him spoke, "But I think that he deserves a chance to be heard."

Zarek looked around the curious faces around the long table, clueless on how to react since he was expecting hostility from them and not support. "Th-thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, kid," he leaned in a little closer, "Now are you telling us that you know where we can find The Scream painting that looks real enough?"

"Yes," Zarek said, "You wouldn't be able to tell it's even fake."

"Don't believe him," Theodore barked, "He's probably lying and fooling all of us."

"We got nothing to lose, Mr Black," the man replied, "And from your presentation, we can't execute your film if we don't have the painting. Now you should make your choice on whether give this child a chance or forget about your movie like you have for the past years not knowing when a chance like this might come around again."

"I have one condition," Zarek bid in, addressing his dad before he made his decision, it's either a hit or a miss, "If I bring you the painting, you and I will be cool and you'll forget everything that happened."

Theodore took a deep breath, his shaky hands running through his fingers. Before he gave a solid answer, the security guards barged in the room and grabbed Zarek. As he was fighting against the muscly bodies that were trying to kick him out, Zarek managed to catch a discreet nod of approval from his dad. That was all it took to regenerate his hope as he relaxed against the bodyguards. He couldn't care less that he was publicly humiliated and kicked out, all he thought of was the dream of coming back home under his dad's wings nearing reality.

All what he needed to do was convince Trudy of borrowing her family's precious painting - seems easy enough.

"No," Trudy huffed out for the millionth time, "Forget about it, Zarek, you're not taking the painting."

"I'm not taking it though," Zarek argued, "I'm just borrowing it for my dad's movie, and your family can even have some credit at the end."

Trudy pretended to think about it. "No thanks," she finally said, "That painting is so precious to my dad especially, and I don't trust you with it. I don't care, you can figure someway else to get your dad's forgiveness that doesn't involve mine."

"Okay whatever," Zarek seemingly gave up, rolling his electric green eyes like an immature violet and heading to the bathroom to sleep in his tub. Trudy is so selfish, why can't she see how much this means to me?

Truth was that Trudy wasn't that selfish after everything she had done for the devil that was Zarek, but the mini-Violet inside of Zarek insisted on being dramatic. Speaking of whom, he missed that little thing. Maybe this was his way of expressing that - by acting like her.

"Wait," Trudy quickly said after him, and some hope flickered inside of Zarek's chest.

He stopped, looking over his shoulder at her. "What? Did you change your stubborn mind?"

"Well... no," she managed out, "I just... I don't want you to sleep in the tub anymore, I shouldn't have forced you to it in the first place."

Zarek was dissapointed that she still insisted on refusing his request, but curious as well. "I don't understand, what are you saying?"

Trudy fiddled with her fingers, brown eyes dreamy and lost. "Come sleep with me on the bed?"

Zarek had to stop his electric green eyes from bulging out, blinking several times at the dark-skinned beauty currently dressed in silk pyjamas that just invited him to sleep with her on the same bed. He had to rid his mind of any dirty thoughts, reminding himself that this was Trudy he was dealing with. His previous conclusion popped up in his head - he admired the helpless girl who was determined on cutting everyone who got close with her broken parts.

Trudy climbed up her sized bed, probably regretting her invitation already as Zarek followed suit and laid down next to her. He could feel her body turning into an enormous ball of tension with her repressed breathing and rigid body.

"Hey," he called out to her, "We can put a block of pillows between us if that will make you feel comfortable."

"Yes, please." she mumbled, her strength and confidence all vanished in the air which made Zarek empathise with her.

He got up and fetched a few pillows from Trudy's walk-in closet and placed them between their two bodies. He heard her taking a deep breath of relief and mutter a faint 'goodnight' to which Zarek pretended he didn't hear.

Zarek couldn't sleep a wink, primarily thinking about how much of a horrible human being he was to ever think of hurting such a delicate creature. He figured out by now that the bad-bitch Trudy was nothing but a fragile shell and a protection shield. He was so stupid and so dumb to not notice this fact before. It's not like that would have changed anything, the devil in him whispered, You knew Evangeline was good yet you still hurt her.

Zarek shut down that negative part of his brain, giving Trudy his back and turning around to face the window. A good while later Trudy's breathing regulated into rhythms which indicated her falling asleep. Zarek's thoughts, despite fighting against them, managed to keep him up at night. He kept starring out the window at the tall trees in the green's garden until he the first ray of sunshine appeared.

He got up with as less noise as possible and snuck out of the sleeping beauty's bedroom. He headed to one destination - the painting. He hesitated before taking it off the hanger, glaring at it. The painting was so dark and accurate when it came to describing his panicked mental state. He stood there for a solid minute, his mind blank, not having a clue on what to do.

Do it! The greed encouraged, The house is full of paintings and no one is around to notice it gone anyways.

Wait, don't! What if you get caught? Guilt stopped him, you'll hurt Trudy, did you forget what she did for you?

He heard someone coming down the hall and that awakened his hit-or-flee instinct. He grabbed the painting and quickly went down the stairs since the elevators were a dead giveaway to his presence.

Once he was out the house, a massive wave of guilt shattered and banged around in his chest. For a good moment there Zarek almost went back and returned the cursed painting but the view of his house not faraway was so much more tempting. He ignored all his feelings - like usual - and headed to his beloved home

Zarek tried walking inside but just like last time, Mark, the bulky security guard, got in the way.

"Nope," Mark shrugged, surprisingly up in this early hour, "Can't let you in, bud."

"Okay," Zarek surrendered, he didn't want to cause any trouble that could get in the way of his dad's forgiveness. "Can you at least call dad down here? I need him."

Mark's gaze dropped to the painting before he looked back at Zarek. "Uh, just because you asked nicely I'll ask Steve."

Mark pressed a button in his ear bud and muttered a few things away from Zarek, glancing at him occasionally. A few moments later, Steve Hornson emerged out of the home, and in that moment Zarek knew exactly why Steve had seemed familiar before; it had been a long while but Zarek was certain that Steve was the gay hairdresser that cut Justin's hair back when Zarek, Justin, and Hunter were discussing the bet at The On Fleek Salon.

Steve approached Zarek. "Good morning, what brought you here so early?"

"I need dad, can you call him?"

Steve's eyes averted and glanced at the painting. "What is that?" He gasped. "Is that The Scream?"

"None of your business," Zarek hissed, tired of being nice, "Call dad, now."

Steve straightened out his uniform, facial expressions firm. "Very well then, I see. No need for me to call him, he usually leaves the house around 6 am, so-" He glanced at his watch. "-about half an hour from now. I suggest waiting for him because that minimises the possibility of getting kicked out, plus you have the element of surprise."

Makes sense. Zarek nodded, walking away and sitting on the sidewalk, waiting for his dad. Soon enough, just like Steve had said, the gates opened and out glided his dad's white Jaguar. Zarek stood up, getting in his dad's gaze field and making sure the gigantic painting was noticeable. Theodore's intense eyes widened as they took in the scene, stepping on the brakes and decending the white car.

Theodore walked to Zarek, snatching the artistic masterpiece and examining it in awe. "You actually brought it, I can't believe this."

A strange feeling of pride and joy went over Zarek's body. "See? I told you I would."

"How?" Theo's skeptical eyes went over his son. "You didn't steal it, did you?"

Zarek stayed silent, eyes never looking up at his father. Please, god, I just want this to be over with and I promise I'll be good. This was the first time he ever reached out to his creator, so he hoped He'd listen.

What happened next was beyond Zarek - Theodore smashed the painting to the ground and stepped on it, ruining the finest details.

Zarek's body went into panic mode, eyes bulged and mind blank. "Wh-what was that for?" Zarek could see in the corner in his eye Steve and Mark walking away, giving them some privacy.

"I can't forgive you just because you stole me a painting," Theodore barked, "Matter of a fact you deserve more punishment for it."

"Okay, don't forgive me," Zarek compromised, "Why didn't you just take the painting for your movie? Why did you vandalize it?"

Theodore's eyes swelled with tears - as if the situation couldn't get any worse. "I don't care about some movie when my family is shattered."

Zarek wished the earth to split up and swallow him straight into hell rather than witness his dad so broken and disappointed.

Theodore proceeded to point a finger at his disgrace of a son. "What would your mother think of you? Would Ophelia be proud of you?"

Zarek turned into a cold stone, lethal glares seeping into his stare. "She's better off dead anyways. I bet you don't even care about her death. Why would you? You married that slut so fast after her."

"I won't deny the fact that I have changed," Theo rubbed his fatigued temples, a sad sigh leaving his lips. "Maybe if I had your mother by my side I wouldn't be like this."

"Bullshit," Zarek hissed, "It's your choice to be like that."

"I can say the same thing for you." His father lost it for the first time - in quick fatal stripes Theo was in front of Zarek, he lifted his hand up and slapped Zarek so hard that it echoed in the street. "I don't want to see you again. You're no longer my son, not after how you betrayed me."

Zarek stood there, paralyzed as his dad went into the car and drove off. It wasn't the hit that hurt, it was his heart - his dad was his blood and flesh yet they had no spiritual connection, they couldn't understand each other.

That was the most painful thing in the world after his mom's death.