Freedom Locked
As the university's graduation ceremony drew to a close, the after-party buzzed with excitement. Friends and family gathered to congratulate the graduates, and amidst the sea of familiar faces, David Marcos stood out. Tall, with porcelain skin and chiseled features, he exuded an undeniable aura of charisma. His presence commanded attention, and his popularity, fueled by his family's influential business, made him a figure to reckon with.
David approached Mark, with a bouquet of flowers and a gift in hand, a warm smile on his face. "Congratulations, Mark, on your graduation," he said, his voice low and smooth.
But Mark's response was far from warm. His eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a harsh tone. "What are you doing here, David? I told you, you're not welcome today. People never look at you with kindness; they're always intimidated. Why do you need bodyguards everywhere you go? Just leave me alone and step outside. Don't ruin my big day."
David's expression remained calm, almost serene, as he listened to Mark's outburst. Without hesitation, he nodded and said, "Is that what you want? I'll leave."
Mark's words seemed to not affect David's composure. "I'll be waiting outside," he said, his voice unwavering. "Don't wait for me, Don't worry about me finding my way; I can take care of myself. When I need to go home, I'll manage."
With that, David turned and walked away, his parting words hanging in the air: "I'll wait for you outside."
Mark showed no sign of concern whether David waited outside or not. As long as he wasn't anywhere near him, everything felt perfectly fine.
Tony had always been David's closest confidant. Younger by two years, but sharp, bold, and dangerously perceptive. He spoke when others stayed silent.
As soon as they stepped outside Tony turned slightly, his voice cool and mocking.
"You're giving him too much rope, David. He thinks he can talk to you like that and just walk away. Who the hell does he think he is?"
David didn't answer at first. His gaze remained forward, locked on the road ahead.
Then, slowly, he spoke his voice low and cold.
"Don't bring this up again, Tony. I told you—it's not your concern."
Tony scoffed. "You're letting him disrespect you. You spoil him. That's the problem."
David's gaze turned icy, his expression unyielding. "Don't ever mention this again, Tony," he warned, his voice low and menacing. "We've discussed this; you shouldn't be concerned about his reactions. From today on, he'll be the one begging for my attention. I'm going to teach him a lesson he'll never forget I will teach a lesson about respect and humility."
Tony's smile hinted at his knowledge of David's true nature. "I know you're not exactly known for your patience or kindness," he said, his tone laced with amusement.
David's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent, his mind already focused on the lesson he had planned for Mark.
David stood beneath the dim glow of the streetlight, unmoving for nearly five hours. The evening air had long turned cold, but he didn't flinch. He had been thrown out of the graduation venue earlier, and yet, he refused to leave not because he had nowhere to go, but because he'd made a promise to himself.
Tonight would be the last time Mark tasted freedom.
He would take all his freedom away the nights out, the careless laughter, the rebellion. Mark had played long enough in the illusion of choice, and David was done watching from the sidelines.
When Mark finally came outside, he stepped out with a group of friends, his face bright with laughter and relief. But the moment his friends spotted the tall figure walking steadily toward them, everything changed. One by one, they scattered, muttering hurried goodbyes and vanishing into the night, leaving Mark bewildered.
"What the hell…?" Mark started to ask—until he looked ahead and saw David.
He froze. For a moment, panic sparked in his eyes, and instinct kicked in, he turned, ready to bolt back into the building. But it was too late. David and two bodyguards had already closed the distance.
He had no choice but to face him.
David came to a stop just a few feet away, his expression unreadable. Mark's jaw tightened as he spoke, voice edged with frustration. "What are you still doing here? I told you to leave me alone. I can get home by myself."
David didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at him, calm and quiet. Then, in a low voice, he said, "Congratulations, Mark. Let me take you home."
Mark wanted to refuse, to turn away, to say no but something in David's tone, or perhaps in his eyes, made resistance impossible.
The bodyguard gestured toward the waiting cars, and Mark followed reluctantly. Three vehicles waited near the curb two black sedans for the bodyguards, and one sleek car in the center reserved for David and Mark. Tony sat in the passenger seat, quiet and watchful. The driver waited without a word.
Mark slid in beside David, the silence between them thick and unbearable. Outside, the world carried on in celebration. Inside the car, a storm was building quiet, inevitable, and close.
They all headed to the Mansion of Marcos.