REBIRTH OF THE BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 9

"I heard the plan to kill you..." Mang Jun paused as if the guard was thinking about what to tell his former boss. The guard closed his eyes and tried to remember what happened at that time. He tried to recall whose voice he heard. When he looked outside the door, that's when he figured out whose voice he heard. "It was Sir Freddie. I'm sure of it. I'm certain that the voice I heard was Sir Freddie's."

The guard almost jumped out of his seat because he was impressed by his own sharp memory. He even got burned by the hot coffee that spilled on his lap when he stomped his feet. But despite that, he didn't mind the pain the hot coffee brought to his skin. What was more important at that moment was to share what he remembered so that he could help the young man who had been betrayed.

But the excitement and joy he felt disappeared when he remembered that he only heard Freddie's voice at that time.

The guard sighed and shook his head. He was lost in thought, staring at the coffee that he had placed on the table without even noticing.

Mang Jun's shoulders slumped as he spoke again. "I didn't forget who Sir Freddie was talking to at that time, because I didn't hear anyone else's voice."

Michael watched Mang Jun's every move intently. Michael never doubted anyone before. That's why he didn't think that one of his own friends would betray him. He believed that everyone was kind enough.

From what he saw in the guard, he knew that the guard wasn't lying. He could see in the guard's eyes that he really wanted to help him.

"Maybe he was talking to someone on the phone at that time, so you didn't hear the other person's voice," Michael said to the guard. He took a sip of his coffee before placing it on the table in front of him. He didn't plan to drink the coffee anymore because he couldn't taste it anyway. He leaned back in his chair and told the guard what he wanted to happen. "You know Brent, don't you?"

"You mean Sir Brent? The head of maintenance?" Michael nodded in response. "Yes, son. That young man is kind, so I can talk to him whenever he passes by my post. What do you want me to do?"

"Ask him tomorrow if they're hiring a new janitor. I need to get back into the company that I worked hard for. I need to know what they're doing so I can take steps to find out who killed me. I don't have much time to do that, Mang Jun. Even though I've killed people now, I don't want to sink further into the hell I'm in."

Even though he was desperate, he didn't want to act impulsively. What if the people he hurt weren't the ones who killed him? What would he do? Besides, he wanted to know the truth behind the betrayal.

For now, he wanted to use his brain to take the first step towards revenge. He had a plan in mind. All he needed was to get back into his former territory. It would be easy for him to hide his identity once he was inside.

"Okay. I'll talk to Sir Brent tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll help you with your plans, so I can repay the kindness you've shown me, not just to me, but to other small employees as well.”

Three in the morning and the guard was still awake. He looked at the tin roof that was almost red from rust.

He was deep in thought, and his breathing was heavy. He knew helping Michael was dangerous, but what could be more dangerous than the attempt on his life.

He was angry, but that was all he could do. He didn't have money to hire people to hurt those who tried to kill him, unlike Freddie who didn't hesitate to have him killed.

Mang Jun knew that there were more powerful people behind Freddie, so he knew the threats on his life wouldn't end there. He suspected that someone had already found out about what he overheard, the conversation between Freddie and someone on the phone.

Aside from the debt he owed Michael, helping him was also a way for Mang Jun to do something good before he disappeared.

What am I thinking? he asked himself, letting out a deep sigh. He remembered Freddie's surveillance after the interview with a biased media.

He looked at Michael lying on the sofa. The young man was tall, and the small bamboo chair was too small for him, so he had to curl up to fit.

Mang Jun felt sorry for him, considering all the struggles he went through to grow his business, only to end up in this kind of life.

Yes, he admitted that he was scared when he first saw Michael, especially when he saw him being buried. He thought the young businessman was possessed by demons, which is why he came back to life. But when he remembered how Michael saved him earlier, his fear suddenly disappeared. That's why he invited Michael to his house.

He was lucky he sent his family back to their province. He used the large sum of money Freddie paid him to lie in front of the camera.

If asked why he stayed in this place, he wouldn't know the answer. He felt like something was holding him back from leaving. Maybe it was fate that kept him in this squatter's area.

Tomorrow, he would do what Michael asked him to do - talk to Brent to get Michael a job as a janitor in the maintenance department.

When he asked Michael why he wanted to be a janitor, his response was...

"It'll be easier for me to get into my office when I'm a janitor."

Mang Jun didn't understand, but he didn't ask about Michael's plan. He would just do his part to help him.

Since he couldn't sleep, he got up and made coffee. He also read the Bible to calm himself. The words of God were their refuge when life got tough. He was a religious person and believed in the enemies of God, the demons.

Mang Jun felt a chill run down his spine when he looked at Michael. He couldn't explain the aura that even reached his bones.

When the surroundings brightened, he went out of his house. Mang Jun smiled sadly at the silence that greeted him. He wasn't used to his neighbors keeping their surroundings clean, even if they lived in a squatter's area. The women were no longer sweeping in front of their houses at this hour. The whole area where their small houses stood was quiet.

No one greeted him.

His neighbors were gone.

Maybe they had already moved to a good house using the money paid by people with evil souls.

He looked in the direction where he saw the vehicles used by those who hurt him last night. They were gone. Maybe the black magic of his boss, who was sleeping inside his house, was used, that's why the surroundings were peaceful again, just like he was used to.

Like his usual routine, he swept his yard. After that, he cooked breakfast for him and Michael. When he finished cooking, he called out to the young man to eat breakfast. 

In the middle of eating, he noticed the young man didn't even touch the food in front of him.

"Don't you eat sardines and corned beef, hijo?"

The young man looked at him, his eyes that women would admire for their beauty. His eyes were round and deep. His eyelashes were long and thick, making any woman envious of their natural beauty. His eyebrows were thick and raven-black.

"No—" The young man looked at him and seemed embarrassed to say what he wanted to say. Instead of speaking, he picked up the spoon and started eating.

When it was 7:00, he bid farewell to Michael. Wearing his faded pants as his security guard uniform, paired with a faded plain T-shirt, he boarded a jeepney to reach the company where he worked.

Due to traffic, the trip took almost an hour. As he got off in front of the building where he worked, he saw Brent at the gate, looking at him. Brent's face was serious, making him feel nervous.

How could he talk to the man when he was in this state? He might spill the secret when he talked to him. He wanted to run away, but his feet felt stuck to the spot.

The fear that enveloped his system was replaced by relief when the young man smiled at him. Brent even walked towards him and greeted him.

"Good that you're here, Mang Jun..."

"H-ha? W-why, S-sir Brent? Did I do something wrong?" Despite trying to control himself, he couldn't help but stutter upon hearing Brent's words. It seemed like Brent was waiting for him.

Brent laughed. He put his arm around Mang Jun's shoulder, and they walked together into the building premises. "You seem really scared, ah? Maybe you've had too much coffee. Don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong. I remembered you have a son, right?" Mang Jun nodded in response. "Ah, that's perfect because I'm looking for someone to replace Hupert. You came to my mind immediately because you mentioned having a son.”

Mang Jun remembered who Brent was talking about, Hupert. He nodded when he recalled who it was.

Hupert was the janitor with a big body that could be mistaken for a gym enthusiast, always carrying heavy things instead of the mop he used for cleaning.

"So, my son will be working as a janitor?" That was all he asked. He didn't want to open his mouth too much, fearing he might say something wrong. It was better to be safe.

"Yes. I don't know why he suddenly quit being a janitor. He didn't even tell me, so I couldn't find a replacement right away. I talked to you so you could help your family member get a job. It's still up to you if you agree—"

"It's okay, sir. But I'll be referring my nephew for the janitor position," he quickly replied. He had to grab the opportunity in front of him.

Who would have thought that getting the young man he was helping to get a job in his own company would be this easy?

"Any of them would be fine, Mang Jun, as long as there's someone to replace Hupert." Brent patted him on the back. "Alright, bring your nephew here tomorrow. Bring a résumé because that's all I'll need from him." Brent pulled out money from his pocket and handed it to Mang Jun.

Mang Jun looked at the several thousand pesos being handed to him in confusion. "What's this?"

"Take it, Mang Jun. Consider it my gratitude for lessening my workload in searching for applicants. You can go home now and enjoy the day. Come back tomorrow with your nephew." Since Mang Jun was still stunned, Brent himself put the money in Mang Jun's hand. "You should go home and rest. You look tired."

Mang Jun just nodded and turned away like a wind-up toy. He even hailed a taxi to take him h

ome.

Because Mang Jun was distracted, he didn't notice the expression on Brent's face as he looked at his back.