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Rayver POV

Two weeks passed quickly. It's now winter break, and I've already made promises to my friends to spend the twenty-fifth with them. Jordan and Alyssa also had their first date, which was basically a cliché movie date, according to Miley. 

One more thing I noticed is how I've been up nearly every night, wondering exactly why I am even worth fighting for. 

Self-confidence is slowly inching to the window.

That aside, tonight's the night. The night that I prove to her that I am more than what she thinks I am. Here's the plan, it's pretty easy, actually. First, follow them to the venue, sneak in the worker's entrance, work alongside them as a waiter, and then go serve Regina to show her that someone like me could sneak into a place filled with 'lethal people that eat kids like me for breakfast'. 

See? Easy! 

And how exactly are you going to follow them? By sneaking in their car and lying on the backseat's floor? Pfft.

No. I began to realize how stupid that was when I did it for the first time already. This time, I'm going to drive there. 

Wait, wait, wait, do you even know how to drive a car?!

Of course! Dad taught me how to in the past months. 

Yeah, for about four times!

Better than nothing, right? 

Oh, God. Just… Just don't get yourself killed, alright?

I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

This will not end well.

~~

I'm now inside the car. Headlights off, air conditioning off, engine off, everything off! I chose a Porsche that looked easy to drive, and am just waiting for Regina and Dad to exit the gates. 

Finally, both of them entered the garage. They were both wearing violet. They got in the car that wasn't the one that Regina always uses, and speeds out. 

The speed of their exit was something I didn't expect, making me fumble for the key. Quickly turning it on, I placed my hands on the wheel, and pressed on the gas, following them. 

Huh, I got this. 

Soon, I'm sucked in the traffic, keeping my eyes planted on the car I'm following. I made sure to keep a safe distance so that they wouldn't realize that I'm following them, but enough to keep them in my line of sight. 

After lots of twists and turns that I didn't bother counting, I saw them stop in front of a large, luxurious building that had reporters and cameramen all over the entrance. I stopped my car far from the area, but in a place that blended in. Stepping out for a clearer view, I saw my sister and father exit their car, their faces harsh and cold. 

Dad had a bored and serious look, while Regina had an icy cold glare that made anyone she made eye contact with flinch. With their royal violet clothes, they looked very much like a real king and queen. 

I blinked as my eyes followed them. When they were inside, I snapped my attention back to my objective. To prove that I am worthy of the Luciano surname.

Looking around, I searched for the worker's entrance and was lucky to see a couple of guys that were hurrying to go in a doorway at the side. Unfortunately for me, I didn't think through about the uniforms, so seeing them in white, pressed shirts and black trousers was a total difference from my blue shirt and denim jeans. 

Yeah, I definitely didn't think about this. 

Running after a few of them that weren't wearing uniforms, I made it to their side at the same time they all flooded in. I tailed them as they all hurried into a room which I'm guessing is the locker room. Luckily, no one paid any attention to me, everyone hurrying. 

Spotting an open locker with a pair of the uniform inside —there are even shoes!—I mentally apologized to whoever owned this and wore it. 

Once I was sure that I'm ready, I followed another batch of people that wore the same clothes I did and entered a different door. My ears were then assaulted with a hundred sounds and more. People were shouting here and there, asking for something and everything, while some were bossing the others. 

"Hey, Jacobo!" A hand clamped on my shoulder, stopping me from my gaping. I spun only to be faced with a stout woman in a chef's outfit, with an angry look on her face. I gulped, thinking that I'd been caught, then she says, "What are you still doing out here?! Waiters are needed outside!" 

She then proceeds to push a tray of champagne flutes in my hands and then leads me to another pair of doors. Luckily, I had taken up a job being a waiter when I was still in the orphanage, so I knew how to hold a tray properly without the fear of messing up and dropping the glasses. 

With a deep breath, I pushed open the doors and slightly winced at the sudden bright lights. After regaining my eyesight back, my eyes widened at the sight before me. It was– this is– what… This place looks… Expensive and luxurious!

I had to prevent my jaw from hanging open, but I guess I wasn't so quick when I heard a chuckle at my left, making me turn there abruptly. I was met with a guy a few years older than I am who had black hair and friendly brown eyes. 

"That was my exact reaction when I first got here," He glances at an area on my left chest. "Jacobo."

I looked at where he glanced and saw that there was a stitched name tag which read 'Jacobo'. And I thought the chef from earlier was talking to someone else before me. 

"I'm Brandon, by the way." I nodded and smiled awkwardly. Social interaction has never been my forte. He chuckled, "Come, follow me." He then walked ahead, leaving me no choice but to follow him. 

As we were walking to wherever, I couldn't help but gawk at the incredible designs of the whole place. Even the people looked like they were celebrities– wait, some of these people are celebrities! 

The sound of doors opening made me turn my attention back to my new companion, who led us to what seemed like a more luxurious —if that was even possible— area. Like a VIP room, but bigger. People were scattered everywhere, along with a few waiters and waitresses here and there. 

As I was observing the new surroundings, a familiar face caught my attention. Isn't that Cavillor? Wait, if he's here, then… 

I immediately went into pursuit of my sister, easily forgetting about the person that brought me here. I stayed on the sidelines, but still served some people when they appeared to be needing some. Thankfully, no one seemed to pay any attention to me, which was just what I needed. 

After what seemed like forever, my vision finally zoned in on a familiar tall, black-haired Italian in a royal violet dress. Beside her was Dad and an auburn guy who I think was her second in command. Soren, was it? They were talking to a couple that seemed to be in their early thirties that were wearing green.

Hiding my grin, I neared them, ready to show off, but before I could, someone nearby them raised their hand in motion of a champagne. Looking around, no one saw it but me, so I headed there. Guess another serving wouldn't hurt. 

As I gave the middle-aged woman her champagne, I overheard something in my sister's conversation that I wished I never had. 

"Brother?" She scoffed. "I don't have a brother. Even if I did, he'll probably be a useless heap of trash."

My small grin froze, a dizzy spell washed over me, before I became numb to my core. I quickly washed away the feeling and let the smile that now felt forced come back. 

Maybe she didn't mean it? I mean, of course, she didn't mean it. 

An older man that looked a lot like Cavillor walked up to my family as I gave another champagne to a girl that looked a few years younger than me. "Well, isn't this some news? An addition to the family, Luciano?"

Well, that didn't seem like a friendly start to a conversation. 

"Have you gone deaf, Flare? We just denied these accusations to Valkov. Do you need me to restate that?" Dad said with annoyance in his voice. 

What accusations? 

"Then how would you explain the strange relationship you have with that boy that goes to school? Oh, and if I'm not wrong, doesn't he also have violet eyes?" This time, it was Cavillor that spoke. 

Shocked gasps and frenzied murmurs appeared next as I watched how my family would react to that. It had to take all in me to not jump in front of them and announce that I'm here. I'm here, and I'm not afraid of these people! 

I expected Regina to declare to everyone that his claims were true. That she did have a brother who had the same shade of eyes as Dad and she did. But what I didn't expect was her answer. 

"Who? Oh, that guy." She said as if she was bored. "I was just around him to figure out why he had the same eye colour as my family. Turns out he was only wearing contacts. Had a weird fascination with silver, that weirdo. Ever since I first confronted him about it, he won't leave my side like a leach."

I shook my head. No. She doesn't mean all that. S-she doesn't… Right? 

"So, if someone here were to hurt, or kill this boy, you wouldn't care?" Cavillor taunted again. 

This time didn't bother hiding my pause to stare at Regina. I want to hear her answer. I want to hear her say the truth about how she felt if I were to get harmed. 

"When have I ever cared?" 

I would've been perfectly happy not hearing it. I would've been perfectly content not knowing it. I would've been perfectly satisfied not feeling this. 

I guess the saying 'Don't ask if you don't want to know' is perfect for this moment. 

I froze for a split second before quickly walking. Walking back to the doors. Walking back to the server's area. Walking back to my parked car. 

Once I was inside, I numbly drove back to the house that I called home, her words ringing in my head like a broken record that couldn't be fixed. That'll never be fixed.

Rayver, you got it all wrong! What you heard was totally out of context!

Is it really? I heard their questions, I heard her answers. Nothing was out of context there. 

She didn't mean all that, Ray. She was just… Just…

Just what?! 

I-I can't tell you.

Yes, because all that she said was true!

It's true.

She never wanted you in her life.

She always wished you were never found by your father.

She never wanted to have a brother.

She never wanted to have you as her brother.

They want you to leave.

She wants you to leave.

Run. Run, little boy.

Run.

~~

[1891]

Once again, they have SILVER eyes. I do apologize for not missing some parts to fix that are saying it's violet.