Alex Seclair: Master of Vengeance

Paths of fate

The evening sun bathed Coast Wesley in a soft golden hue as Carlos stepped out of the Thalos boutique with Dre at his side. The tuxedo box was tucked neatly under his arm, but his mind was elsewhere—still replaying Brian Morgan’s retreat, Dre’s courageous defense, and the curious twist of fate that had brought them together again.

A yellow cab honked twice from across the street. The driver leaned out the window, grinning broadly.

“Boss! I waited like you said,” Charles called.

Carlos smiled faintly. He’d forgotten he had asked the cabbie to stay.

“That’s right,” he murmured.

Dre adjusted his glasses, glancing at Carlos.

“Where to now?” he asked

Carlos hesitated, then offered,

“How about dinner? I owe you that much after today. Besides… It's been years. We should catch up properly.”

Dre’s lips curved into a rare smile.

“I’d like that.”

They both slid into the cab. Charles glanced at them in the rearview mirror, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

“Where to?” he asked.

Carlos leaned forward.

“Somewhere fancy. The kind of place you’d take an old friend to celebrate.”

Charles chuckled. “Fancy, eh? I know just the spot.” He winked, started the engine, and pulled into the city’s evening traffic.

****************

Twenty minutes later, the cab rolled to a stop in front of a modest, newly opened restaurant on the quieter side of Coast Wesley. Its signboard gleamed faintly under string lights: “Anita’s place”

Carlos brow lifted.

“This… is your idea of fancy?” he said in awe.

“My wife’s place. Newly opened. Might not be all marble floors and chandeliers, but the food? Worth more than gold.” Charles said, beaming with pride.

Carlos stared at the humble entrance. He had imagined velvet seats, wine lists, and city views. But when he turned to Charles—whose grin was as wide as a child’s on Christmas—he couldn’t bring himself to object.

Dre, observing quietly and smirked.

“I think fancy is subjective.”

Carlos chuckled, shaking his head.

“Alright, Charles. You win. Let’s go.”

Inside, the restaurant carried a warmth that lavish halls often lacked. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with herbs, and soft jazz played from hidden speakers. Wooden furniture gleamed under warm lights, and handwritten chalkboards listed the menu with artistic flourishes.

Moments after they settled, a graceful woman approached with a welcoming smile.

“Good evening. Welcome to Anita’s Place.”She greeted

“Honey! These are my special guests.” He gestured at Carlos and Dre.

“I brought them from Thalos’ store. They’re here to dine with us.” Charles said to her.

“Thank you for choosing us. You’re most welcome.” Anita said smiling, clasping her hands.

Carlos inclined his head. “The pleasure’s ours.”

She guided them to a neatly set corner table, reserved with care. After ensuring their comfort, Anita disappeared to arrange their meals.

As they sat, Dre adjusted his glasses and leaned forward.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Seeing you again after all these years.”

Carlos nodded.

“I didn’t expect it either. Last I remembered, you were the quietest kid in the library.”

A soft chuckle escaped Dre.

“That was me, yes. But you…” He tapped the table with his finger.

“You were the star. Always topping the class. Winning every academic competition. Everyone admired you—though most wouldn’t admit it. You made it look easy.” Dre said.

“Does that explain the reason why you defended me to Brian earlier, at the store?” Carlos asked, his eyes searching for a sincere response from Dre.

But Dre chuckled at Carlos’ question.

“Well, don’t tell me you are bothered by that stunt he pulled at the store in front of those people, are you?”

“It”s not like I am bothered. But it doesn’t change the fact that the spread of my arrest on those allegations are all over the news. And is here to stay. Which is what I am more concerned about. Anyone in my shoes would.” Carlos' eyes layered with sadness while he spoke.

And his speech followed with a sigh.

“I tell you what, I never believed the news of what you were accused of. From the moment I saw you on the news, I was really devastated.” Dre paused to continue.

“But it wasn’t because I thought you were guilty. But because I knew it was the same guy you were best friends with who could have framed you up. I had always known you weren’t that kind of a guy.” Dre ended, sipping a bit of wine from his glass.

Leaving Carlos extremely astounded by his summary.

But then Carlos’s smile faltered. His gaze dropped to his clasped hands and Dre noticed the sudden drop on his expression.

“What’s wrong?” he asked with concern.

For a long moment, silence lingered between them. Then Carlos sighed deeply.

“Those days… were the last time life felt normal. Not long after, I lost both my parents.” His voice cracked slightly, though he tried to mask it.

Dre’s expression softened with sympathy flooding his eyes. “Carlos…”

Carlos shook his head, forcing a hollow laugh.

“It broke me in ways I can’t explain. People I thought were friends drifted away. And without family… you stop being seen. You become invisible.”

For the first time that evening, Dre reached across the table, resting his hand on Carlos’s forearm.

“I understand that loneliness more than you think. You’re not invisible now.”

Carlos raised his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

Dre leaned back, exhaling slowly.

“You probably never heard the truth about me in school. I wasn’t rich like Brian and his crew. It wasn’t until my grandfather, Gerald Thalos, passed that I was discovered as his lost grandson. The only heir.”

“I had learnt that my parents died in a horrible accident and that was when I was adopted as a child by my foster parents. But it was already too late to share even a moment with my late grandpa. All I inherited was his name… and the weight of it.” Dre explained.

Carlos sat in stunned silence. Suddenly it made sense. Why Dre had never flaunted wealth in school. Why he’d seemed out of place among the flashy kids.

“I had no idea,” Carlos murmured.

“No one did.” Dre’s smile was faint, almost bittersweet.

“And now… I don’t want to just live off his shadow. I want to carve my own legacy. Not through fashion or wealth, but through tech. I’ve been working on projects—designs, prototypes. If I succeed, I’ll build an empire in his name.”

Carlos’s lips curved slowly with recognition gleaming in his eyes.

“Funny. I’ve had dreams like that too. I’ve always wanted to be an inventor. I earned two doctorate degrees chasing it, but…” He trailed off, shaking his head.

“Life doesn’t always give you a stage.”

“Maybe this is our chance. Together.” Dre said, leaning in, his eyes — sharp with conviction