The Disguised Assassin

“Dad?” John muttered. “D-dad, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” his father said as he smiled. “I’ve been calling your line but it has been switched off. And when your phone was on, you refused to pick my calls. So I decided to come see how you were faring and why you weren’t picking my calls.”

“Well, dad, t-the reason is cause… I just… I wanted..” John stuttered as he tried looking for an excuse to give. “I actually–”

“Mr. Richard,” Damien called out to John’s boss, interrupting him. “Can you please give I and my son some minutes together to sort things out? I promise to bring him back for you.”

“Sure, sure,” Richard replied. “Take your time.” Damien smiled and was about walking out of Richards office with John when Richard called them back. “Sorry, Mr. Damien, I just want to speak with John. He’ll meet you outside.” Damien smiled and nodded before walking out of the office.

“Yes, sir?” John said as he turned to his boss. His hands shook as he was nervous and his palm was sweaty. “What did you want to tell me, sir?”

“It’s about the chase last night,” Richard said as he arranged the stacks of papers littered on his desk. “You called the NYPD to help you.”

“Y-yes, sir,” John replied nervously.

“You didn’t call us for backup. So, why the NYPD?” Richard asked as maintained eye contact with John.

“Well, I did call for backup but the response team was more than twenty minutes away and the call I and Justin received was for immediate response. We saw some cops on our way and they joined us,” John explained.

“Alright, then,” Richard said as he finished stacking the papers on his desk properly. “I’ve heard you. Just know that I have something to discuss with you about it later.”

“Okay, sir,” John said as he shifted his feet nervously. “Is that all, sir?”

“Yes, yes,” Richard said as he shooed him away with his hands. “You can go.”

“Thank you, sir,” John said as he turned to go. He was about leaving when his boss called him back.

“And, John,” Richard called and John turned. “Please pity your old man. Whatever it is that he wants you to do, I suggest you do it.” John smiles and nodded as he walked out of the office.

“Johnny,” Damien called out as John walked up to him. “Are you and your boss done?”

“Yeah, we’re done,” John said as he scratched his head, scattering his auburn hair.

“Good,” Richard said with a grin plastered on his cheeks. “I never really liked him that much, your boss. Always so full of himself. Telling me he needs to speak with you just after I told him that I, your father, Damien Kelvin Evans, wanted to speak you. The guts of him.” Damien sneered.

John sighed and asked, “why really are you here, dad?” Damien frowned at his son’s question.

“Why the question, son?” he asked. “Can’t I speak with my son again?”

“Dad, you’ve been calling and texting me throughout the night about your stupid campaign,” John said angrily. “You didn’t give me a minute rest. I mean, don’t you ever sleep? How can you call someone for five hours straight?”

“Five?” Damien asked

“Yes, dad. Five whole freaking hours,” John said, almost shouting. He tucked his hands into his trouser as he breathed in and out multiple times, trying to calm himself down.

“I know the reason why you’re here, i bet it’s because of your campaign. You want my help with it.”

“Son–” Damien tried speaking but John interrupted him.

“Don’t son me, dad,” John said calmly but dangerously “I can’t join your freaking campaign and you know why. I’m never having anything to do with you.”

“I didn’t come here for the campaign, John,” Damien said after John had finished his ranting. “I came to talk to you about something else.” John calmed down a bit after hearing what his father said.

“And what is that something?” he asked as he folded his arms and rested it on his chest.

“Well, Justin called me this morning and told me about your whole house situation,” Damien explained. “That was why I came here.”

John groaned loudly and said, “why would Justin tell you that?”

“Maybe it’s cause he’s your best friend and he cares about your wellbeing better than you obviously do.”

“C’mon, dad. Seriously?” John muttered. “He cares about my well being more than I do?”

“Well, apparently he does.” Damien sighed and brought out a key from his pocket. “This is the key to the mansion I bought last week.”

“C’mon, dad,” John muttered as he pinched the bridges of his nose.

“The house isn’t far from your work place and it is suitable for you,” Damien emphasized.

“Dad, I don’t need all these stupid show of love from you.” Damien walked up to John and held him.

“You don’t understand, John,” he said as he stared into John’s eyes.

“Oh, really, dad,” John replied as he pushed his father’s hands from his shoulders. “Why don’t you explain everything to me?”

“I’m running for mayor and that means I’ll be having lots of opposition. Some people may want me dead. Some might even try to get to me through destruction of what I have. Some might through my son,” Damien explained.

“This whole political stuff is a dirty game. People will do anything to be at the top, including hurting others.”

“You’re included, right?” John said and Damien shook is head.

“I’m not like them, John. I will never hurt anybody. And I never want anyone to get hurt for what I do. The place you’re staying isn’t secured. Anyone can do anything to you and get away with it.”

“In case you’ve forgotten dad, I’m an agent,” John said as he brought out his badge and showed it to his father. “I know very well how to protect myself.”

“I know that, son. But that doesn’t mean you’re invincible. You can get hurt,” Damien said. He opened John’s hand and placed the key in his palm.

“You might not move into the house but you holding this at least assures me in some way and gives me hope that you will listen to my advice.” Damien smiled as he turned to leave. He paused and turned to his son. “I love you, John. That is why I am doing all this,” he said before walking away.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

John looked at the key in his hands and back at his father who was walking away. He sighed and put the key in his pocket, before breathing out. He was about going to his office when Justin rushed to him.

“John,” he screamed as he approached John.

“What is it, Justin?” John asked with confusion written all over his face.

“John, I just received a call from the fire service.” John looked at Justin as he urged him to speak on. “Your apartment is on fire.”