Behind Their Veneers

nly sound in the room, other than the small pendulum model on his desk which swung in the air, hitting the othe

fit; clad in black, excluding the white T-shirt underneath his tie

wn eyes to glint devilishly in the blackness. His hands were placed together as his fingers

he other side awaited the order to come

ng Skull, the huge and muscular black man with the shades and the ea

hetic voice asked after what felt like hours of

ying before his boss. His jaw clenched and he immediately removed his eyes from the sight as he took notice of t

endulum whenever he wanted to think, because even

n existence. It was supposed to be a legacy Jordan would carry on but with his own hands, he had destroyed everything his father had used his blood, sweat

tie on and an espi��gle smirk played on his lips. Through the picture, you could see the evil glint

e, Skull quietly turned around and left the o

icture, his eyes boring into the familiar chocolate brown eye

his mind and in an instant, the volcanic energy surged right through

oke into a million pieces, the shards of glass cutting deep into his palm. He continu

hemselves into his flesh. He was trying to numb his mental

either alcohol nor women nor viciously taking the lives of his enemies �� had been able to fill. Those t

to his father's picture, he couldn't ignore the incessan

was immeasurable, even higher than

impassively as she stared at her b

one to take his mind off his past and he could've resorted to drinking or just picking up fl

time he had seen her, which was about a week before. Even though she currently had an impassiv

s stare and he cleared his throat bef

Carol?" he asked as he pl

on the table. Her eyebrows furrowed deeply at the sight. She kept her eyes on the bandaged

hting for

oking intently at his injured hand, he tucked both of

she stared him down before replying

oo

ed, making her frown and glare at hi

beginning again. "I mean ha

hat her responses would sooner or later rile him up but she was angry at him and she would show

er eyes followed the bandaged hand again and they narrowed in question. He quickly pulled h

ell me if something is wro

he nodded on

You can open up to me, you know? I could ha

completely neglect his own welfare. He would want to know everything about her, notice even the slightest change. He would ask a million ques

ing unbearable and he needed to stop. He currently had an injured hand and still he had called h

d to come to an end, then that would be the perfect thing to do-put them both in

t ab

to sit here and answer them," she interrupted and slight guilt sprung up in her chest when she saw him flinch at her harsh words but she couldn't help i

to be so difficult?" he muttered, clearly

know that. Thanks for stating the obvious. I wo

his hair. "Is this about that therapy talk w

egs before leaning back into the chair,

an't assume that the way you handle things is the same way I do mine. Just because you needed to visit a th

hout having to be counselled about it. You know me, sis. I've been

s. You're always putting me first before yourself. I really appreciate it but it si

hat. Besides, I promised her I wouldn't let anythin

I'm not that girl you used to carry on your shoulders just to jump over a hurdle. I'm not the girl that used to be bullied at school, t

at's best for me. I can take perfect care of myself. It's time you let me take charge of m

The only movement that was made wa

l in the past now. Leave it all alone. That's what it all i

" he reiterated, his fa

He was pushing her out again. He was reassembling his walls, making them even stronger and more effective

's mine and his responsibility now," her words came ou

s hands clenched into fists, making his left bandaged palm sting painfully. His

sked with an edge to his voice as

er. In return, she held her chin high and replied, "You heard what I said. Leonardo and I will handle

n handle himself and if what you're implying is that I relinquish my most prioriti

It's a dream that can never come true. If that's what you're trying to bargain with me, yo

quickly he wanted to dismiss the topic. She c

you mean by that

an

pect him. Leonardo is changing, Jordan. You can't blame him for anything in this

king an effort, Jordan and I really appreciate that he's trying to make things work out between us, so do n

don't you think? I just want to relieve you of all the burdens you bear on your shoulders. I

in grave danger trying to fight for me, trying to protect me while I lay in bed, oblivious to my surrou

e couldn't begin to imagine how worried she must have been of him.

est and continued sniffling,

t to help in whatever possible way I can, J and this seems like the only way to help. I know we didn't have the best childhood and I know very

put me at ease to know that at least, I've helped in so

, he would see to it that the person doesn't see the daylight of the next day and he didn't want to be the o

eyes. Her tear-stricken face and bloo

red, successfully de

eyes. He couldn't say n

' part. I would only ease the security around you and reduce

t's something," she gave him a huge smile as he kissed her

r chairs, the gloomy

" he asked curiously and he was happy w

er week and he was relieved that at least, Fernandez would live

e observed her. His sister had fallen hard in love with Leonardo and as much a

rved happiness, freedom, peace and love. A