Julian and Paulo are currently at the music building to get the guitar, speakers, drums, and keyboard for busking. But because of what happened in the car earlier, the two of them, especially Paulo, feel very lonely.
"I was just really happy that's why I hugged Justin, but...why does it feel awkward now?" Paulo contemplated while packing the keyboard.
To Paulo, it was a mere impulse of relieved and joy. But to Julian, it was a stimulant for his fondness to Paulo.
"Justin, you really have a good taste in picking friends. I must admit, Paulo is a good friend, as well as the rest of the elites. But I can't just simply tell them what we are going through," Julian thought as if Justin is in front of him.
His thoughts were interrupted as he felt something in his pocket. His phone is vibrating and his father, Chairman De Dios, messaged him.
Come to my office right now.
Julian's expression becomes pale, making Paulo curious.
"What's wrong Justin?" Paulo asked.
Julian only shook his head and immediately finished packing up the drums.
"I have to go to Dad's office, Paulo. Can you wait for me a bit?" Julian said and Paulo only responded with a smile and a nod.
While walking towards his Dad's chamber, Julian was lost in his thoughts again.
He couldn't decipher if he could trust Paulo or not. He is too afraid to take a risk because he only knew him for two weeks.
"Father said that Paulo is manipulative, but Justin said otherwise. Who should I believe?" Julian asked in his self.
Meanwhile, Paulo was left alone in the room, but after a few minutes, a group of men in black suit barged into the room. He recognized them as they are the bodyguards of Chairman De Dios.
Paulo was about to ask the men but his head began to ache. Blurry images started to pop in his head.
"Chairman, please. No! I'm begging you."
As these thoughts became clearer in Paulo's memories, his head ached even worse than earlier.
"What is this vision? Justin?" Paulo asked to himself.
Gradually, the scenes started to play in his mind. Everything that he witnessed when the time that Justin was dragged to the restricted building slowly played through Paulo's mind.
"Chairman is right. The medicine is wearing off!" one of the guards said and signaled his underlings.
"Get him!" the chief guard commanded.
With aching head, Paulo tried to run away, but it was futile.
"I finally remember..." Paulo said to himself before he lost consciousness.
Inside the Chairman's office, the aroma of tea lingers the room along with the silence of the gentlemen. Julian tried his best to hide his anxiousness, but it didn't escape the chairman's eyes.
"You've changed a lot, Justin. Oh no, should I call you Julian instead?" the chairman asked with full sarcasm.
Julian couldn't help but clench his fist upon hearing his father's remarks. He is outrightly mocking him.
"I let you live as Justin's substitute so I can see if you can do better that him. And of course, you didn't fail me as usual, Julian. You are doing a very well job," the chairman said but Julian chose to be silent.
"But what happened these past days? I saw you playing computer games with Santos. I even saw you wasting time to watch Ajero cooking. You are even having a useless dance showdown with Felip Jhon. And the worst thing I've ever seen? You are hanging out with Nase!" the chairman said.
Julian can feel his father's fury even with his coldest voice. He can't find any excuse as he is guilty of procrastinating with the elites.
No one can blame him but his narrow-minded and selfish father. He was trapped for four years with only machines and chemicals beside him. Who wouldn't get tempted on feeling how it feels to live as a human again?
"I thought I was clear back then, Julian. Remember when I was scolding Justin on the day you switched with him? I have firmly stated myself. John Paulo Nase is nothing but an enemy to the De Dios family!" Chairman De Dios said with anger as he was reminded of the bad past again.
"I can still remember how my plans almost get sabotaged because of Josue Nase," the chairman reminisced and Julian could only listen.
"I was proud back then that finally, I can execute my lifetime dream. To produce the best artists in the world through my experiment. But the first batch of ALAB Elites dared to oppose me. Funny, isn't it?" the chairman said and giggled.
"They left me no choice, Julian. They don't want me to do experiment with their innate skills. Thus...I killed them," the chairman coldy said.
"Father...why did you have to be ruthless?" Julian thought in surprise. Good thing he contained himself from verbalizing his thoughts.
"I killed all of the first batch of ALAB Elites and replaced them with my clones. That's how everything has been going fine so far. After the first batch of ALAB Elites graduated, I didn't knew that the second batch of ALAB Elites would follow right away, and what a surprise! Your brother became one of them. Of course, how can I let this chance pass?" he continued.
A/N: The first ALAB Elites on the picture.
"But Justin kept on disappointing me. I admit, I chose the wrong person. I should've experimented on Justin instead of you, Julian. You are way more capable than your worthless brother. You should have been the top elite. Then, I could have finally did the experiment on the second batch of the ALAB Elites with no hassle. But, what's this Julian?!" the chairman shouted and threw the teacup.
Julian started to shake evidently. This is the first time that his father became mad at him. And he couldn't afford to let his anger rose up. With no hesitation, Julian knelt in front of his father with the broken glasses wounding his knees and legs. But Julian felt numb as he can only thought of his father's rage at this moment.
"Father, please forgive me. I was just distracted. B-but rest assured, it won't happen again. I promise Dad!" Julian pleaded and even clasp his palms.
"Prove it to me Julian. I am only giving you the last chance. Bring the elites to the restricted building by making them fail their current mission. If the elites fail their mission, then Prof. Rabedee will punish them by bringing them to the restricted building. At that moment..." the chairman said and smiled devilishly.
"...I can finally do the experiment. They are the perfect subjects, Julian. If you succeeded, I will never get mad at you again, son." the chairman said playfully.
Like an innocent child, Julian responded with a nod. Nothing ever comes to Julian's mind except following his father to alleviate his anger.
"I promise Dad. I won't fail you this time," Julian firmly said.
Author's Survey:
End is near. Someone will die. Who do you think will it be?