Shadows of Guilt

CHAPTER 01 : A MARRIED MAN

“Ah’Lin, don’t you want to play?” the old nanny asked, bending to level the boy’s face buried on his knees. Sat on the corner of his room like the boy usually does.

And the boy seemed to have heard her, raising his head as the curls slightly moved, his lashes fluttered as he gaze back at the old lady. His clear eyes were shining, conveying the eyes of a mere child however, his stare was direct and sharp. There was no amusement in his eyes as he responded, “No.”

He buried his head on his knees again, trying to shut himself in his room. Having no desire to interact nor waste any words on his parents and siblings that had been used to his behavior. But the old nanny didn’t give up, trying to coax the child in any way she can.

Sometimes, she will try candies, toys, foods, or any other things that a child would want but Lin wasn’t a bit swayed. His face remained expressionless as he gaze in space, always keeping his thought and words to himself. Lin wouldn’t cry nor complain whenever there is something to react to, he remained consistent with anything.

The family finally noticed his strangeness as he grow up, tried to ‘fix’ him with several sessions from different psychiatrists but nothing has changed, their child named Lin Ri became a talk for the neighboring households. Describing him as weird, psycho, anti-social, or even the weirdest term that the elders in the area said, that he was a child that was reborn from his past soul. A lone soul that tragically remembered the burden from the past. A soul that carried the guilt from his previous timeline.

The old nanny can’t help but silently sigh and was about to leave the room when he heard a low call behind her, “Did you find it?”

The nanny immediately turned and asked again, “Mm?”

The boy had a fair look, almost ethereal the way his features sparks in a natural way but his expression dragged it all down, as if he is weighing the heaviest sin a man could do, in a cold voice, he asked, “Did you find him? Did you find Yun Xi?”

The nanny raised her brows and awkwardly smiled, “Ah yes, Yun Xi. Right, well...” she didn’t know what to say. Yun Xi is the only person Lin spoke to whenever he had time, asking her to search for this person as soon as possible.

The boy realized her lies and buried his head on his knees again, “Useless… Worthless…” muttering under his breath as he succumbed again to the darkness of his shadow.

….

“…as what discussed on the proposal, our team would like to proceed in building the Focal Point of the city of Humsvan that will serve as a trademark of the place, supported by the culture and historical significance of the place.”

All the investors nodded their heads as the conclusion was stated.

But Fendice along with the people inside the session hall turned their heads to the person who raised a hand.

“What do you mean to become the City’s focal point? Do the local elders even accept it since the ancestral land was publicly snatched from them?” the person who asked this question was none other than Jules, the President of the Hail Palace and was one of the investors of Fendice’s proposal.

The head architect that was explaining the slides answered his question coolly, “The right process was followed and the deal has been sealed but as what Ar. Reel had said, rumors and the reputation of the proposal were dirtied by the people’s assumptions but the local elders already accepted the deal and terms.”

“They even invited Director Reel to join them for the upcoming festival to ask blessing and prayers for the proposal to be made in the ancestral land.” The architect then politely cleared this juncture by stating this fact.

He continued, “As long as the place was sealed and the initial operation has started, ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that everything will go according to Director’s plan.”

Having the conclusion, everyone clapped since they were enlightened by this big and wonderful project.

They stood to shake hands with Fendice. “Gladly anticipate this Mr. Reel!”

Fendice smiled, “Thank you, Sir.”

“Gonna give my full support!”

Several of the big-time investors congratulated him and after they left, that was the moment Jule approached him.

“I tried to take that land for these past few years and I can’t believe it was you who had the reach the close-deal,” he said

“When there’s a will, there’s a way,” he replied

”Oh right. I even tried to hire a…” he was stopped when a hand gently pulled him and planted a kiss beside his lips.

It was Ferrel.

Jules immediately broke from him but the man didn’t let go of him that easily. Ferrel secured the grumpy man.

“That was a good plan Fendice, I am greatly anticipating it.” His brother said

Fendice smiled, “Thank you. I hope I can meet everyone’s expectations though.” he said

“What’s there to afraid of? You have your husband, I even heard you two have been quite intimate these past few months. What happened?” Jules directly asked without any sweeter intro which made Fendice catch on his guard.

There was hesitation on his expression seeing how his brother and Jules seek the answer.

He awkwardly smiled as he answered, “It just happened.”

Ferrel tried to save him from the tension, “You’re a couple. Sooner or later you will both have your mutual understanding.”

“…and a baby,” Jules added

Fendice almost chokes from nothing by it but he remained composed and just smiled.

“Where’s Four by the way?” he asked

“In my office. I had him wait there with his nanny.” Ferrel replied

“I’ll play with him later after I summarize the meeting with Mierin,” Fendice said with anticipation

The couple left and Fendice finally let out a relief, turning to Mierin who had her focus on the documents gathered from the investors. They haven’t spoken like how they used to be, Mierin had been giving him a cold shoulder since she found out about his affair with Lin.

Fendice didn’t know how to handle things like this, and even though they’ve fought several times in the past, Mierin was the first to interact again as if nothing happened, but now, it’s different.

He approached her, “Uh, are you available later?” he courageously asked

Mierin was scanning the documents when he heard him, she sighed frustratingly and answered, “No.”

Fendice’s expression stiffened and tried to ask again, “How about after this?”

“I need to finish my work.” she coldly replied still reading the papers.

“But you’re reading it upside down.” Fendice said

Realizing it, Mierin brows twitched and oriented the papers correctly, completely ignoring him.

Fendice couldn’t help but to sit across her, seeing that no one is around, he spoke, “Mierin, I’m sorry okay? I didn’t mean to hide this from you, it’s just that, I didn’t know how to tell you.”

Hearing this, Mierin put the papers down and crossed her arms, waiting for this moment to scold and refute him, “For how many years we’ve been together Fendice?” she asked

“Forget about not telling me, but the fact that you cheated is getting on my nerves Fendice. How can you possibly do that? You’re married!” she said.

Mierin grew in a broken family. Her father cheated on her mother when she was still carrying her in her womb, alone and in misery. Since then, everything related to cheating gets on her nerves and Fendice agreed to have the same sentiment that’s why he had no face to show.

“But my marriage isn’t proper, you know that. We are not a couple.” He said

Mierin grunted, she was already angry, “You are still married Fendice! You are both bounded!”

“But Shawn also cheated! He had several affairs!” Fendice refuted

Mierin laughed from anger, “On what basis Fendice! It was all a rumor here and there!”

She leaned to show him how serious she was, “Your husband loves you Fendice, and how can you not know that?”

Seeing how serious her expression was, Fendice couldn’t help but become speechless. Mierin never took a side with Shawn on anything.

But they were interrupted when Mirin's secretarial phone rang, she took it immediately and glanced at Fendice while talking to the other line. “Understood,” she said before ending the call.

“The desk said that Mr. Liu arrived in your office, he is currently waiting there.” She said

Fendice was taken aback, “Shawn?” he blurted and immediately stood.

“Why would he be here?” he mumbled

The two of them strode back towards the office and upon arriving at his office door, Fendice turned to her, “I want to fix everything at the right timing so can you wait for my decision?”

He asked her since it would be unpredictable whether Mierin would tell everyone on her own accord or to her responsibility in reporting everything in regards to him.

But the lady replied, “I won’t meddle Fendice. All I want was for your willingness to fix your own decisions in life.”