THE VENGEANCE OF THE WAR GOD

Chapter 14

Henry looked at his father. Mr. Wilson looked very angy. He then looked at Dustin and saw a mountain that would not move. He had no choice. His legs felt like lead as he knelt to the floor.

"I... I am sorry," Henry muttered.

"Louder!" Mr. Wilson shouted. "And you, girl! Get down there too!"

Rachel’s face turned red. She was very embarrassed, she has never been this embarrassed in her life.

She knelt down next to Henry. Both of them bowed to Dustin who had been been mocking a "village boy" were now bowing at his feet.

“We are sorry for what we did,” they said together.

"Now get out," Mr. Wilson hissed. "Get out before I decide to take away your credit cards too."

Henry scrambled to his feet, his face twisted in rage. He didn't look back. He grabbed Rachel’s arm “Let’s go!” He said in a little grief expression and stormed out of the boutique.

Once the doors closed, Mr. Wilson turned back to Dustin. He was sweating. He was terrified that his son’s disrespect would bring the wrath of the God of War down on his head.

"Sir, please forgive him," Wilson said, bowing again. "He is young. He is childish. He does not know who he is dealing with."

Dustin scoffed and smiled in a little kind jesture, crossing his arms. He looked at the powerful commander with a bored expression. "It is fine, Mr. Wilson. He apologized. That is enough for today."

Mr. Wilson took breath of relief, he was so happy at the response he just heard.

He wanted to make things right. "To show my heart, please, take whatever you want. Everything in this store is free for you today. Pick unlimited items!"

Lizzy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

She was a woman who loved money and expensive things. "Free? Unlimited?" she squealed.

She didn't wait for a second invitation. She started grabbing silk dresses, designer bags, and jewelry like a madwoman, she was acting forgetful about what just happened or what they’ve been through in the hours past.

"Lizzy, stop it!" Serena scolded, feeling embarrassed.

"Let her be, Serena," Mr. Wilson smiled warmly. "Please, pick some things for yourself too."

Serena was hesitant, but she eventually picked a few decent dresses. Then, she walked over to the men’s section.

She spent a long time looking at high-quality shirts and suits. She picked out several expensive sets for Dustin.

Dustin watched her, a small smile playing on his lips. Serena acted cold and angry, but she was still taking care of him. She was considerate, even if she didn't want to admit it.

“We are so grateful for your generosity sir.” Dustin exclaimed his Gratitude for his generosity.

“Anything for you master.” He replied silently not wanting them to hear the conversation.

After thanking Mr. Wilson, the three of them walked out to the car. The cool air hit their faces, but the tension was still there.

"Okay, tell me the truth," Serena said, stopping in her tracks.

"Why is a man like Commander Wilson bowing to you? He is one of the most powerful men in Winchester."

Lizzy cut in, clutching her bags of free clothes.

"You must be a doctor! He said you saved his life. Is that it? Did you fix his heart or something?"

Dustin saw a way out. If they thought he was just a lucky doctor, they wouldn't dig into his past as the God of War.

"Yeah," he said simply. "I saved his life as a doctor once. He feels he owes me, but we never got to meet until now."

Serena sighed, her eyes narrowing.

"So that is why you were bluffing. That is why you acted so brave."

She stepped closer to him, her voice turning different.

"Listen, Dustin. Just because you saved one important man doesn't mean you are a king. You are still a village boy with a poor background. You won't be lucky every time. Stop beating people up and acting high. One day, your luck will run out, and I won't be there to save you."

With that, she turned and walked to the car. Lizzy followed her, happy and excited with her packages.

"She’s right. You were just lucky today. Well, at least we got free clothes out of your 'influence.”

When they arrived home,

Mr. Earnshaw met them at the door with a big smile.

"I see you two are shopping together! Getting along, I see?"

Serena hissed in frustration and walked straight past him to her room. Dustin just scoffed and shook his head.

Later that night, Dustin’s phone buzzed. It was Mr. Wilson.

"Sir, I am truly sorry again. I want to host a dinner for you to properly apologize. Please, give me this honor."

Dustin thought for a moment and agreed. It was better to keep Wilson close.

In the bedroom, the atmosphere was awkward. They still only had one bed. Dustin moved toward it, hoping the day's events had softened Serena's heart.

"What are you doing?" Serena snapped.

"I thought... maybe since we had a long day..."

"The floor, Dustin," she reminded him coldly.

"Remember our contract. We are not a real couple."

Dustin feel terrified and at a moment he wanted to let the cat out of the bag. But he couldn’t say his secret, he just rolled out a mat on the hard floor. He closed his eyes and eventually fell into a deep sleep.

But sleep brought no peace.

In his dream, he saw flames.

He heard the screams of his family. He saw the faces of the men who murdered them. The pain was so real he felt like his chest was being ripped open.

He snapped awake, gasping for air. His body was covered in sweat, and he was shaking.

"Are you okay?" Serena’s voice came from the darkness.

She was sitting up then hit the lamp power, looking at him with genuine concern.

The sight of him in such pain moved her.

"You are shaking. It must be the cold floor. Here... you sleep on the bed."

She stood up and walked toward the door. "I'll sleep on the sofa outside."

"Serena, you don't have to—"

But she was already gone. Dustin sat on the edge of the bed and lifted his shirt.

He looked at his stomach. A dark, purple vein was crawling slowly toward his heart. It was the old curse, the poison that was killing him.

"I have to gain her heart fast," he whispered to himself. "Before the time runs out."

Meanwhile, in a dark office across the city, Ferdinand sat with a folder in his hand. He looked at Dustin’s picture and sneered.

"A village boy," Ferdinand whispered. "A nobody who thinks he can touch me."

He picked up his phone and dialed a number that most people in Winchester were afraid to even have.

Tiger Fang was the leader of the most dangerous cartel in the region.

They were monsters who dealt in blood and shadows.

"I have a job for you," Ferdinand said, a cruel smile on his face. "I want a man dead. I will pay you any amount you want. Just make sure his death is slow."