The Rise of the Heir

The marble floors of the Armada office building always shone brightly thanks to Theo's seemingly tireless work, but the operations manager still grumbled about the dust in the corners and under the tables that wasn't even visible to the naked eye. "What's wrong with you, Theo? You should mop the floor properly. How can someone who claims to be an experienced cleaning service for a year really not mop a floor?"

Theo remained silent and didn't argue. He pushed his mop across the floor again, making sure the carbolic acid removed the dust that was clearly visible to the operations manager. Because for Theo, this job wasn't about dedication, but about having money for breakfast tomorrow.

Eventually, the operations manager would leave, while Theo could only sigh and wipe the sweat from his forehead.

That afternoon, as work ended, Theo's back felt like it was going to break. He walked to the stuffy parking lot, started his old Vespa, which sounded like it was coughing, and began to cut through the traffic in Monia City on his way home to his boarding house.

As soon as he turned his motorcycle into the narrow alley leading to his boarding house, Theo instinctively slammed on the brakes. The dim streetlights of the afternoon revealed two silhouettes of well-built men standing in his path. They wore stiff leather jackets and neatly cropped hair.

Their appearance was typical of those who work as collectors for illegal banks.

"Theo Atmaja." The voice was deep, cold, and full of menace.

Theo turned off the motorcycle engine. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "I told you, give me another week. My salary hasn't been fully released yet," he said quietly. He tried to keep his tone steady.

"A week?" The man with the scar on his eyebrow took a step forward. He laughed dryly, his laugh dry as sandpaper. "In this city, money is expensive back then, Bro. And you've already used up too much of our boss's patience."

Without warning, the man grabbed Theo by the collar of his uniform and jerked him roughly.

'Screw!' The thin uniform ripped at the shoulder.

BUGH!

A raw blow struck Theo in the left jaw. His head jerked to the side, and the taste of blood instantly filled his mouth. Theo fell to the rough, slightly damp asphalt.

He didn't fight back immediately. Theo curled up, shielding his head with his arms, letting kick after kick land on his ribs and stomach. Silently, he counted each blow that landed.

He was suppressing the instincts inside him that were screaming to retaliate. He knew that once he struck back, his years-long disguise would be ruined.

"Why? Can't you just stand there?" The man with the scarred eyebrow crouched down, roughly grabbing Theo's hair so they could meet his gaze. "Four million, Theo. Or do you want us to send you after your father? Roy Atmaja... I heard he died a horrible death on the streets like a dog, right?"

Hearing his father's name insulted, something in Theo's chest felt like it broke. The pain in his ribs suddenly vanished, replaced by a cold emotion rising to his head. Theo's previously dull gaze sharpened, glinting sharply under the dim streetlight.

"Don't mention my father's name with your filthy mouth," Theo hissed. His words were laced with emphasis, and his emotions were starting to rise.

The man grinned, about to land another punch. However, before his fist could touch skin, Theo moved. He caught his opponent's wrist in an iron grip, then with a jerk of his hips, he spun his body around.

In a single, precise, technical movement, a blend of Karate speed and Muay Thai power, Theo pulled his opponent close, only to meet him with a straight kick that landed directly in his solar plexus. Theo's foot landed with a resounding thud.

THUD!

The large man was thrown backward, his back hitting the alley wall before finally collapsing to the ground. He couldn't scream, his lungs seemingly collapsing, his face turning blue as he struggled to breathe in the suddenly deprived oxygen.

His other companion gasped in surprise. Instead of running away in fear, he felt around his waist and pulled out a gleaming pocketknife. "Damn it! You dare to resist, huh?!" he shouted, his eyes filled with rage.

Theo stood slowly, though his legs were shaking slightly, as his malnourished body wasn't as ready as usual. He took a firm stance, wiping away the blood trickling from the corner of his lip.

"Seven days," Theo's voice sounded different now—deeper and more menacing. "Take your friend away now, or I'll make sure your hands won't be able to hold a knife again."

The debt collector hesitated for a moment as he looked into Theo's cold eyes. He saw his friend on the floor still gasping like a fish out of water.Finally, he refolded his knife, but his gaze remained filled with hatred.

"You think this is over? You just dug your own grave, Theo! We'll be back with more men. You won't be able to sleep peacefully tonight!" he threatened, helping his friend to his feet.

They left the alley in a hurry, spitting at Theo as a sign of the threat that hadn't ended. Theo took a deep breath, leaning against his tilted Vespa. His shoulder ached terribly, and his ribs throbbed with stiffness.

His punch had been effective, but his body was quite weak from the repeated blows. He climbed back onto his Vespa with difficulty, enduring the pain. He exhaled as he began to pull the throttle.

"Damn thug!"

•••

Arriving in his cramped, damp-smelling boarding room, Theo immediately called his mother, Risa. Taking a sip of warm water to soothe the pain in his throat, he waited for what felt like an eternity for the dial tone to ring.

"Mom, those people have come to stop me again," Theo said after the phone was answered. He began to carefully remove his torn uniform. "Four million, Mom. Please be honest with me, what's the money really for? Why does the interest keep strangling us?"

"What debt? I never borrow money carelessly! Don't just accuse your own mother!" Risa's voice on the other end rose sharply, sharp as a razor.

It was always like this. His mother never admitted to the mess she'd caused. Theo tried to control his emotions. His mother's words felt like the burden had increased manifold.

"They mentioned your name, Mom! They have a list of bills with your name on them. If you're not honest, I don't know where else to find the money—"

"Enough! It's probably your useless father's old debt!" Risa retorted in a shrill, venomous voice. "You're just like Roy. You only know how to make life difficult! If you're a man, then get the money, be responsible! Don't call just to complain!"

Thud!

Once again, Theo had to listen to his mother curse his late father. It was as if she harbored a deep resentment and hatred. With a slight quiver in her lips, Theo said, "Can't you just stop blaming Dad, who's already in peace?"

"I'll never forgive your father for ruining our lives!"

"Click." The line disconnected abruptly without waiting for Theo to reply.

Theo fell silent, staring at his phone, its increasingly cracked screen. He stared at the moldy ceiling of his boarding house, missing Roy Atmaja—the father who always taught him patience. He never saw his father as his mother had always said.

"Dad... Mom really hasn't changed," he whispered softly in the silence.

•••

The next morning, Theo decided to get ready early. He put on a jacket emblazoned with the logo of a popular food delivery app. Yes, he had taken a side job as an online food delivery person.

He had to earn extra change to cover the interest on his mother's ever-increasing debt. Riding an old Vespa inherited from his father, whose engine he had diligently maintained, Theo navigated the traffic jams on the city streets. Earlier, he had only had cold rice left over from last night for breakfast and corned beef he had cooked simply. But it was enough to start the day and earn some spare change.

The first order came in: [Pizza Delizia], a luxury pizzeria that was always busy.

Theo waited patiently in line among the other delivery drivers. When his name was called, he carefully accepted the warm pizza box. "Thank you," he said politely.

He then turned, about to rush to the parking lot to make it to the delivery time. However, right at the door, a burly man rushing in shoved his shoulder roughly.

"Watch out! Don't block the way!" the man snapped without the slightest hint of remorse.

Theo stumbled to the side, nearly dropping the pizza box from his hand. He desperately tried to balance himself to avoid ruining the customer's order, but his movement caused his elbow to bump the edge of a man in an expensive suit near the door.

CRANG!

The tray of pasta and the glass of red wine fell to the spotless marble floor. Thick red liquid and white sauce splattered everywhere, soaking the man's leather shoes.

The restaurant, which had been buzzing with the chatter of the elite, suddenly fell silent. Theo stood frozen, his heart pounding as he watched the man in the suit slowly stand up. His eyes were fixed on Theo, filled with anger and disgust, as if Theo were a pest who had just ruined his perfect day.