The Killer Boss

Prologue

Prologue.

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:

[ CREEK CITY, 1980 ]

HAVE YOU EVER feared death?

Majority of people in the world feared death like a plague—like some kind of disease that no one wanted to experience. All humans ever wanted is to stay on the earth hoping to live longer years, especially those kinds of people who feel like they haven’t achieved anything in their life yet—or the simple fact that they still haven’t proven anything to themselves yet. Some would still want to give back to their parents or some would still want to build a house with the love of their life and create a family with them. No one really wants to die at an early age when they know that they still have a whole life ahead of them.

The very thought of leaving everyone you love—your friends, your family, and all people who ever mattered to you—everything gone in just a blink of an eye. All of them attended one occasion dedicated just for you; a funeral. Something that no one would ever have dreamed of. Then what happens next? No one really has an idea what comes after the moment you take your dying breath. All the memories you shared with them, will you be able to take it beyond the grave? Or you wouldn’t remember a single thing?

Were the myths all true that your soul goes to the purgatory before one would go to heaven or to hell? Is there really a life after death? No one holds an answer to that very question though. This is the real word, and there’s absolutely no way to tell if all the myths were true—only one has to hope that they end up in heaven, or just have a peaceful life after death.

But has it ever crossed your mind when you will die or how exactly you will actually die? Did you ever have thoughts as to what or whos the reason for your death would be? Could it be due to a natural cause? A sickness or an accident?

Or something much more than that?

Something that one couldn’t even think of? A cause of death that no one wants to experience—the thought and idea of it would cause one to instantly shiver, or cause panic? Perhaps, a subtle kind of murder?

Indeed, no one wanted to die a certain death.

All of us don’t have any clue of what the future holds, especially the idea of how we’ll perish. Not unless you have the ability to see one’s impending doom—which is very unrealistic to just even think about. However, that ability would really be helpful at most times but it’s all fictional. Knowing one’s death would initially have them be reminded of the very fact that they shouldn’t take a day for granted and just live their life to the fullest.

One thing is for sure though. People cease to exist. A lot of people already learned that the hard way and eventually accepted their fates in this world—that there are no such things as forever. We are nothing but a molecule in the entirety of the galaxy, and we are meant to vanish at a certain point in life.

That is just how life works.

You could be as careful as you can be, and even so, death would still keep coming at you. It’s as though that the Grim Reaper is always there beside you or behind you, waiting for a chance to have you in their grasp. And once that death has taken hold of you, the Grim Reaper would do its very best to make sure that you can’t make it out alive.

You can never escape death.

All living things in the world would face their end. Others may experience it at such an early age or those fortunate would live more years than others. Those who had lived and served a longer life might have enjoyed and experienced much more than those who perished at early ages.

Life is a very precious thing. Never take it for granted. You should know the hobbies and things that give you happiness and focus on those things. Your life is as important as everyone else’s. No one can ever take it away from you. One’s life will always be theirs. No person can ever live two lives at the same time, or even acquire other people’s lives as their own.

That is one of many reasons why a lot of people are afraid to die. They worry that their life would end even before it begins.

But not Scarlet.

Scarlet Monroe has never, in her life, feared death.

Why would she when she is aware that it’s only one’s fate? Meaning that they already served their purpose in life and that concludes everything—perishing their very existence on earth. She believed that whatever comes in her way, she’ll accept what her fate offers with open arms and receive what she is destined to become. Scarlet would never question why people needed to die.

As for Scarlet, dying was inevitable.

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.

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THE BELLS CHIMED across Paradise View Academy.

As the announcement of break had commenced, a lot of students hurriedly exited their classes then proceeded to go to the other places they usually spend their breaks inside the said academy. It was a common sight for everyone to see tons of students—even professors—lingering around every break or lunch time would be announced throughout the entire facility. Just the right amount of siesta after a very tiring hour spent in classes.

Paradise View Academy had been deemed as a prestigious school for many years ever since it was established. The academy upholds a reputation that has been going on for more than a decade since it was built. It had been an educational establishment wherein a lot of parents would want their children to enter, so in the near future when they would apply for work—they would potentially be accepted into high-earning jobs.

However, it wasn’t really as easy as it sounds.

For it is difficult to enroll in the said academy not unless a particular person has an outstanding grade, excellent skills set, numerous extra-curricular activities, or just an exemplary background. Given these standards, it’s entirely hard to be accepted in Paradise View Academy. Since they mostly have their eyes on the type of students who they knew would be beneficial to the school since Paradise View Academy has a reputation they uphold.

That being said, students that are studying in Paradise View Academy are well respected due to their excellent background not just in terms of heritage but also in terms of their intelligence.

At a very young age, children usually make use of their free time playing with other kids—holding numerous toys in their hands and satisfying their inner child. However, it wasn’t the case for some kids who wanted to enter the academy—rather than holding toys, they’d rather hold pens, books and instruments. They have to sacrifice their childhood just so they’ll have a chance of being accepted in the said academy. They make use of their free time by studying, learning instruments, playing sports that could make them an athlete some day, and spending a lot of time bettering themselves in order to fit the standards that the Paradise View Academy set on students.

Studying in Paradise View Academy is a privilege, they say. Not everyone has the capability to enroll and be accepted in such a school, they say. It’ll hone you into a better person in the future, they say. This is your only chance, they say.

The academy was treated like some sort of God, or more likely, a sacred place that anyone who is deemed unworthy—shall never step foot inside the very vicinity.

It was up to a point where students who don't get accepted eventually end up unaliving themselves since they weren’t accepted into such a prestigious school. Which, in any possible way, was screwed up. However, they could never blame these students who ended their lives. Mostly, they blamed the society for putting a social construct in the minds of these students that if they don’t get into Paradise View Academy—their life wouldn’t turn out as the best as they thought it would be… that there are no better opportunities offered at their doorstep just because they failed to get in.

Seemingly as though they failed to realize that if a door closes, a window opens.

While the break commenced, most students were scattered everywhere inside the vicinity of the academy. They were all busy with their own lives and some were too engrossed with talking to their classmates and friends. It’s very clear that most of them do enjoy the very fact that they are students studying in Paradise View Academy. Even though being a student in the academy was difficult, due to all the workload that was given to them, some students were actually enjoying the challenges accompanied with it. Most especially the students with higher social rankings who don’t experience unfair treatment inside the proximity of the establishment.

A huge smile was etched on their faces as they all linger in any places of the massive academy—so entirely enormous that one could easily get lost inside if they’re not familiar with the place. It happened a lot before, so new students were always given brochures or pamphlets that had the entire map of the school. Just like at this exact moment, there were some students loitering with the said brochures in their hands and some were just using the break time to unwind from the never ending school work and activities that needed to be done.

In terms of the social ranking that is made aware inside the academy, there were a lot of students who always established power over those students who are at the bottom of the hierarchy.

This is a very natural situation inside the vicinity of the school.

Most of the students in Paradise View Academy are always engaged with the life of others. Also, presumably, students who are too focused with their lives that they need to share their own idea of life into other student's minds—engraving what a perfect life would initially be even though there’s no such thing as a perfect life.

With this, majority of the students in Paradise View Academy were too absorbed with the thought of being envied by their so-called friends. Students with higher rankings than others weren’t just boosting with ego and confidence as they stroll in the school; there would be times that they would bully those who they see as weak. It seemed to be only natural in their prime of time since students their age aren’t that mature when it comes to the idea of life. Not unless they’d been experiencing the unfortunate grave of what real life meant at such a young age.

Students had mostly fed off from the idea that other students are jealous of what they have. It had given them a sort of pride and self-confidence knowing that there are people out there—wishing and hoping that they could live their lives like them.

To be envied, to be thought of highly, and to be treated with much respect, since their life is something that a lot of people wished to have. And they’d care less for the people who aren’t in the same social status as them. Thinking that those lower than them—had no other purpose than to use them in order for them to have a higher purpose inside the school.

And that is why hierarchy exists in almost all places there is. Because there are people on the top that would continue to step down on others, just so they could remain on top of the food chain.

Rich people have their way to always stay at the top.

Meaning that they’d do their very best for it to stay like that, for a very long time.

Despite the clear skies and the sun shining so brightly; that didn’t hinder students who were wandering around the quadrangle, as well as those who were hanging out by the bleachers and field. They didn’t even think of carrying an umbrella with them as the rays of the sun touch the skin of their faces and body. All they cared for was they were having fun.

The weather didn’t, in any way, make them uncomfortable.

“Have any of you already done the physics homework?” A chirpy voice said, gathering the attention of the others in her group of friends. She flicked the cigarette in her fingers, the ashes falling onto the soil ground. Even still, Stacy’s voice remained nonchalant despite the fact that she still hasn't done the said homework.

It was a typical scenario for their group of friends to gather at the back of the academy, wherein there are no professors around—or that they’re even aware that it served as a hiding spot for students who wanted to do illegal acts without being caught and smoke cigarettes during break. Some of them do it for the sole purpose of relaxation. According to them, there’s something about smoking nicotine that gets them addicted to the feeling—like all of the stress is elevating from their body and is replaced with a momentarily sense of comfort that all of them enjoy.

Most of them shook their heads sideways, implying a disagreement. Others took a drag on their cigarette as they didn’t bother answering her question. It only meant two things—it’s either that they aren’t aware or that they don’t have the same classes together. However, those who simply shook their heads obviously attend the same class as them.

One of them replied, who had the cigarette in between her thumb and index finger, Kim’s eyes were wide as saucers as she uttered. “Wait, we have homework?” Some of them laughed at Kim’s response but not Stacy. “I wasn’t aware!” she added, panic-stricken. For the record, Kim had always been grade-conscious, as she’s always included in the top 3 in their class. The fact that she didn’t have an idea that there’s a physics homework turned her emotions upside down. Quickly as ever, she dropped the cigarette on the ground, shoulders slumped.

“What? That’s basically due two subjects after the break! We need to do it as soon as possible. If I remember correctly, it consists of five problem sets and five essays!” Kim shrieked, stating her bewilderment.

How could they possibly forget that they have homework due later?

She didn’t forget but she also didn’t have enough time to answer it while she was at her house. With a lot of things on her plate, a physics homework would be the last thing to do in her mind.

No, scratch that, there wasn't even a time that she forgot her homework since she used to have lists of the things that she needed to do as soon as she got home. She can definitely manage her time well but it seemed like the universe hated her for a moment as she completely forgot to do the physics homework beforehand. And now, she felt the need to cram and do it without any haste so that she won’t have to worry about it later on.

“I thought any of you might have already done it.” Kim added.

One of them scoffed at Kim’s response. “Then you should’ve answered it so that we could’ve copied from you, Kim.” Claire voiced out with a stoic expression morphed on her face. When Kim returned her stares with an angry look, she raised a brow. “Why? It’s not like you don’t copy our classmate’s work too,” she pointed out, then took a drag on the cigarette she was holding.

Kim rolled her eyes again, dismissing Claire’s comment. “Well, unlike you, we have other important things that we need to do. My club has been an arse lately, demanding a lot of things for us to do. Which is why I barely had time to do anything,” she commented, her tone sounding quite more dense than usual. With a lot of things needed to be done, her emotions were taking control of her.

Their group of friends noticed the icy tension hung in the air. Although, this isn’t the first time that they got into an argument since all of them have different and contradicting personalities that would eventually cause a disagreement with each other. In a large group of friends, this is a common scene. However, they’re all aware that they would patch things up in the course of time, especially when there are also mediator friends in the group.

“Hey, you don’t have to argue. We all have a lot of things on our plate and it’ll be best to just help each other out.” Alyssa intervened, then averted her gaze to Kim after calming them both down. “Your club matters way more than a stupid homework, Kim,” she coaxed, seeing the stress looming over Kim’s entirety. “We can try to answer it later or just ask our classmates if they’re already done. I think they’ll understand.”

“I seriously couldn’t stand all the homeworks that they are giving to us. It seemed as though we have at least one homework for all the subjects—in which we have eight! Do they really think we have all the time in the world to answer all of that since the majority are essays?” Kim vented out.

With a lot on her plate, she has become a little bit more sensitive when it comes to handling her emotions. Well how can they blame her? Kim’s parents expect a lot from her ever since she was young and deemed as a ‘child genius’. So when there are things that she wasn’t able to do such as a physics homework, it definitely takes a toll on her mental being.

Alyssa patted a hand on Kim’s back as a sign of comfort. “Don’t worry, we’ll answer the physics homework after this.”

“That’s great! We should go by now so that we will still have time to check.” Kim answered.

All of them averted their eyes at Scarlet who was just silently listening to them talk. Not because she didn’t like them, but mostly because she had a lot of things running inside her mind. And the least she wanted to worry about is a freaking physics homework that wouldn’t even be useful after she graduated middle school—or even college for that matter.

“What?” she asked, looking at them. Her face was void of any emotions as she waited for their response.

“I think it’s better to head back. We should probably go.” Kim suggested as soon as she was done with her cigarette.

Just like any other group of friends, there’s this particular person that is considered to be the leader of the group, and for some reason, Scarlet seemed to be the one fitted for that position. Not just because her family is the richest one among all of them, but also due to the fact that she served as a role model for them. With everything that she had gone through, the respect they had for her skyrocketed as days passed by.

No, she didn’t, in any way, claim the title all on her own. Of course, at first she didn’t like the idea of imposing ranks and titles in their circle of friends but they were the one who pushed the idea to her. She never agreed to it either but her friends already got used to the fact that she was the leader of the group—hence, she doesn’t really have a say to it.

“Alright, let’s head back,” she answered, offering a soft smile to Stacy so that it can soothe her emotions even more. The last thing that Scarlet wanted was to add fuel to the fire. Even though she was silent the whole conversation and seemed to be zoning out, she was still listening to the bits of conversation and she noted how Claire managed to create tension not just between them but to the rest of the group.

“Ohh, goodies! Let’s go!” Kim mused in a shrill voice, the smile on her face reaching her eyes.

Scarlet nodded as she took a long drag of her last piece of cigarette, then crushed the butt beneath her heel. Looking around, she made an effort to bury the evidence of the cigarette in the dried soil. Satisfied, she dusted off her hands that gathered small particles of soil clinging onto it. She then reached for an alcohol inside her bag, a mouth spray and a Victoria’s Secret perfume inside her bag then sprayed everything on herself.

Her group of friends did the same while dusting off invisible dirt on their school uniforms and to brush off the foul smell caused by the cigarette that’ll linger on their clothes.

The last thing that they wanted is for some professors to catch them violating rules inside the school. Aside from the fact that Paradise View Academy doesn’t tolerate this kind of behavior, it would also leave a mark in their report card.

Scarlet wouldn’t want that especially with the sanction they would receive. Not only would she be punished in school but also in her own home. She didn’t want any part of that. There is absolutely no need for her parents to be involved in whatever atrocious thing she has done… or will do. Her group of friends are aware of how strict her parents could be and would definitely reprimand her if they’d ever find out what she’s doing behind their backs.

Her parents just wouldn’t accept her awful deeds for the sake of their family's reputation. The Monroe Dynasty made sure of that for years and years. Scarlet should clearly avoid any embarrassment that would make her parents want to disown her because she will be a disgrace to the ancestry.

Moreover, Scarlet doesn’t want to drag her own family to the mess that she has created or probably will create. She had enough scolding from her parents to make sure that she would stay out of anything that would initially cause an abrupt gossip in Creek City.

As they were about to leave the narrow alley behind the Paradise View Academy, a muscularly fit guy with blonde hair approached Scarlet and her friends confidently.

The guy decreased the proximity between them and stopped in front of Scarlet, there was no stalling about the sole purpose as to why he approached her in the first place as he had spoken.

“Hello, could I buy more Tutti-frutti?”

It’s also a natural scenario for someone to approach her with the same intent. Scarlet was known for selling illegal drugs inside the academy premises but they still kept it as a secret to others in order to avoid getting punished.

Scarlet looked up to meet his eyes and in an instant, she flashed a wide smile to the guy in front of her. Knowing that there are customers looking for her just brings a smile into her beautiful face.

“Of course, we never get out of stock of our sweet stuff,” she gave him a wink.

With her words, it earned a grin that escaped his lips charmingly. The girls behind Scarlet gawked at him with much attraction. There were lots of handsome boys inside their school but this particular guy just stands out more. More so because this guy before them is very popular, no student ever wouldn’t even know his name.

Kim, despite the physics homework being a worry for her, she couldn’t help but to halt in her tracks and gawk at the guy as well. After all, she’s still a woman and can definitely be attracted to someone as good looking at the guy in front of them. Stacy and Alyssa almost dropped by the sight of the guy in front of them.

“I’ll take two.” The guy responded, clipped. It wasn’t because he wanted to appear cool and snobbish but the mere fact that there were a bunch of women looking at him with intense stares somewhat made him uncomfortable. Events like this don't happen on a daily basis, well, at least for him.

Scarlet ogled at him with a frown in her face, obviously not appreciating his words. “But that’ll be gone in no time. You should buy more.” There was a hint of smirk that wanted to escape her lips but she managed to suppress it down without wanting to offend the guy.

All the proof of confidence brooding inside of him earlier vanished. The confidence was now gone along with the sudden bristling wind and it was replaced with nervousness. The guy hesitated for a moment, looked at the other girls behind Scarlet, and then slipped his right hand to his back pocket. “I think that I don’t have enough,” he implied, worried. He didn’t want to appear cheap or more like…broke but he didn't think he had another bucks to spare. Not until he palmed about five more papers and he thinks that it can definitely suffice.

Scarlet lets out a pout while she stares at him, “We could give you a promo since you’re one of the regulars,” she offered. “Buy three and we’ll give you two extras for free.” Scarlet didn’t forget to smile as she was done with the talking.

The guy was uncertain because he doubted that his weekly allowance would be enough to survive for the rest of the remaining days, but with the newfound money in his back pocket, he eventually gave in. “Okay, I’ll take it,” he agreed, mimicking the smile on Scarlet’s lips.

Scarlet nodded in excitement and anticipation as she reached for the things inside her bag that was well protected and packaged like her life depended on it. She handed it to him as if it was nothing but a pouch full of things unsuspicious to human eyes. The guy reached for it then they changed their ‘thank yous’ then bid farewell to one another, with a smile on their faces still.

As soon as the guy was out of his sight, she released a smile then laughed along with her friends as they headed back to their respective rooms. Scarlet is living the life of her dreams, earning money by doing illegal acts in the vicinity of her own Academy has never been a problem for her. She was well-known in the school for being a socialite.

However, she only did it to gain customers. She needed the money.

She doesn’t have any other choice.

The fear of being caught is the only thing she could worry about, more so than the thought of departing from this world.

A week later, Scarlet Monroe was found dead.