Alex Seclair: Master of Vengeance

Fall of the feeble

The final click of the register echoed through the boutique showroom as the purchase was sealed. Cassandra, the brand manager, handed Carlos the receipt with a professionally restrained smile as her eyes sparkled with surprise and admiration.

The crowd began to disperse slowly, murmuring about the unexpected turn of events. The quiet young man who’d entered the store in rugged shoes and a worn-out hoodie had just outbid the city’s elite for one of the most luxurious tuxedos ever crafted.

Carlos could feel the whispers trailing him like a fog.

“Who is he?”

“Where did he get that kind of money?”

“He doesn’t even look rich.”

Brian’s face twisted into a scowl, his blue eyes narrowing as he stormed toward the counter.

“This is absurd.”he spat,his voice loud enough to draw every eye in the store.”

“Him? That nobody?There’s no way he can afford this. I demand you reconsider!!”

“The bid is final, sir. Mr. Rodriguez has secured it fair and square" Cassandra defended with a smile.

Carlos stood still while he watched the sales team rebrand his purchases and was about to head toward the exit when a cold, sharp voice split through the air.

“Wait a minute!” Brian exclaimed. 

All heads turned as he gently walked over to where Carlos stood with his slicked-back dark hair, a pristine Thalos custom-fit blazer, and the air of someone used to getting whatever he wanted.

He squinted and then pointed.

“You… I knew it! You’re that guy from all over the news, right?” he sneered loudly. 

“The one accused of theft and assault?” Brian announced and a hush fell over the room 

The crowd who moments ago looked at him with subtle respect now shifted uncomfortably. Eyes narrowed and phones came out again, this time not to take pictures of the tuxedo but to search up his name.

Brian saw the reactions and doubled down. 

“Yeah! That’s him! He’s the same thug who allegedly stole the crest cards from a hotel and assaulted a son to the prestigious Dane family. And this….” he gestured dramatically at the tuxedo box in Carlos’ hand.

 “....is probably bought with stolen money!” He spat.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. A few muttered:

“I heard about that incident.”

“He looks exactly like the guy in the video.”

“This is serious.”

“Call the police!” someone murmured.

“I am not a thief and have definitely not assaulted anyone. Nice try bringing that up to dent my image for a tux you clearly couldn’t afford.” Carlos said, unfazed and unmoved even at the slightest.

Brian became instantly provoked by the sound of those words from his mouth.

“We shall see about that. Unless you want to run again, maybe you should prove your innocence this time.” Brian said, his eyes glowing with vindictive glee. 

“You people think you can crawl out from the gutters, flash a card, and start living like kings. Well, not on my watch.”

All this time, Carlos stood silently and in deficit to words.

Brian was basking in his moment of dominance, soaking in the applause of nodding heads and suspicious stares.

But a memory had sparked as he narrowed his eyes. The familiar smirk on Brian's face instantly helped him recall where he'd met him.

“Brian Morgan,” he said calmly.

“I should have recognized that smug voice from the second you opened your mouth.”

Brian raised a brow. 

“Excuse me?”

Carlos took a slow step forward. 

“We went to school together. Remember? You used to make me do your assignments during our days in school. And I’d get jumped by you and your cliques after class whenever I didn't.” He continued. 

“You were the rich brat who had teachers trembling because your dad funded the school's annual budget.” He continued and gasps filled the air again as he pressed on. 

“You and your little crew bullied anyone who wasn’t dressed in branded clothes. You had a kid named Jason hospitalized once—and we all knew it was you. But your father's money wiped it clean for no one to detect.”

Brian’s grin faltered while the crowd murmured again.

Carlos raised his voice, each word heavy with long-buried rage. 

“You remember how you made our lives a living hell. Remember how you beat people for laughs and you enjoyed it. And now, here you are—trying to humiliate me like we’re still in high school.”

Brian’s gaze tightened with apprehensiveness but he quickly composed himself. 

“Is that so?” he said coolly. 

“You got any proof of this little story of yours? Or are you just spinning tales to dodge the fact you’re a fraud?”

The murmurs shifted again, some frowning at Carlos now and could feel the weight tipping again.

Carlos waited for the murmurs to die down a bit as he reached deep into his pocket and showed up his cell phone above for everyone’s view.

“This…. Is proof.” Carlos announced boldly.

“Wait, is that it?” Brian scoffed

“All I see is another piece of evidence that confirms you are so not worth the tux you’ve just managed to secure.” Brian mocked.

“You can think however you want. Wait until I unleash a video of you and your clique terribly assaulting Jason, Dre whom you had bullied to do your biddings just like you did with me.” Carlos said to him.

“So much for assault huh? “Carlos gave a satisfying smirk discovering the rapid uneasiness on Brian.

He was starting to feel the very heat of regrets after realising that his very own attempt had started to back fire. But then, he thought;

“What if this was a stunt to get me to give in? That punk certainly has no video anywhere. This must surely be some sort of prank.”

“Oh yeah? Well go right ahead and show everyone the video of my assault on the people you just mentioned.” Brian dared.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Brian.” a voice spoke from amongst the onlookers, giving way to where it came from.

Carlos turned as well and his eyes widened when he recognised who he was.

“Dre?” He said beneath his breath.

Dre was the quiet, awkward kid from school. The one who used to sit alone in the library. Who would often limp from being shoved around. And the one who Brian’s clique tormented relentlessly.

“Who the hell are you?” Brian scowled.

 “Mr Morgan… I called for him.” Cassandra said after stepping forward and clearing her throat. But Brian looked confused.

She added, with a slightly bowing nod, 

“This is Dre Thalos. Grandson of Late Gerald Thalos, the founder of this brand.”

Shock silenced the crowd while Brian turned pale.

“Dre Thalos…”

“A grandson to the founder of Thalos store?” some whispered.

Carlos stood amazed. He’d only remembered Dre as the shy nerd. Now, he stood like a man reborn—composed and confident.

Dre took off his glasses, then looked directly at Brian.

“Remember now?” Dre questioned Brian as he raised a brow.

“I don't know what the hell you are talking about.” Brian defended. But Dre made a silent grin while he stood still with his hand to his pocket— like a gentleman.

“Oh Brian, I'm sure you do.” Dre said to him

“As the acclaimed heir to this brand, you should do the needful. Call the cops and have this… thug for dual investigation. Or I do it myself” Brian avowed.

“You will do no such thing Brian.” Dre countered.

Everyone gasped at Dre’s clap back.

“What? You are opposing me against a known thug now?” Brian quizzed and grinned with disbelief.

“I offer you the chance to save yourself the regrets of dragging your image and your family's prestige to the mud. You have to stop making every unnecessary fuss in this store or I promise, you would regret ever making such a step.” 

“And if I don't? Dre.” Brian asked and chuckled. 

“You know what I think, you are full of baseless threats and without a single proof. I would have you and your late grandparents' legacy dragged to the mud if you don't see that he is investigated immediately.” Brian avowed, pointing at Carlos.

“I see you have forgotten how you made my life miserable back then. Just like you did to Carlos and so many others and I never forgot that.” His voice remained even but cold. 

“You used your father’s wealth like a weapon. And now you’re trying to do the same here.” he said and Brian scoffed, 

“So what? Even if that was true, it’s the past. What matters now is that this guy….” he said, jabbing a finger at Carlos 

“....might be a criminal.”

“No.” Dre said strongly, taking a few steps slowly up to Brian.

‘What matters is that you’re still the same coward you were back then. You prey on people you think are beneath you. But not today.”

“I’m a living witness to everything Carlos just said. And if anyone here doubts it, I have videos of his assaults on me and Jason years back as school mates.”  Dre turned, announcing to the crowd.

Brian’s bravado cracked. He looked around the room at the judging stares and the folded arms, the suddenly skeptical eyes.

“You have no right accusing anyone of anything when you have solely done despicable things, far worse than anyone else. “ Dre snapped.

Some had started to make videos and take photos of Brian. And some were already typing on their phone, ready to post.

Carlos observed the panic written all over Brian's face. Dre observed it too which made him smile.

“ I am sure you are stunned and overly frightened right now that the same video your father had paid fortunes to be wiped off, lies in the hands of the young timid kid you bullied years back. And trust me, you wouldn't dare want to risk it going out.” Carlos added, raising a brow at Brian who could clearly detect enough grimness on him while he spoke.

And without a choice, he’d muttered a curse, and turned toward the exit. 

“Seems someone’s afriad of risking his family’s reputation been dragged to the mud, is it? “ Dre taunted, giving a satisfying smirk at Brian whose eyes burned with rage.

“This isn’t over,” he spat. “You’ll regret this.”

But his threats were empty now. With one final glare, he stormed out the door.

Dre watched him go, then turned back at Carlos.

“You alright?” He asked and Carlos nodded.

But he knew he was fortunate this time to escape such a big risk.

>What if Dre hadn’t showed up?

>What would happen if he had presented his ‘acclaimed’ evidence on Brian for everyone to know?

>And lastly, was his evidence strong enough to get a revered man like Brian Morgan handled by the law?

“I must come up with a plan to successfully erase the false impressions from the news plotted by my deceiptors and have men like him penalized for their vile behavior by the law. ”  Carlos avowed in his heart.