Temptation

Chapter 14

«La vérité vaut bien qu'on passe quelques années sans la trouver. -Jules Renard»

«Truth is more valuable if it takes you a few years to find it.»

I was walking inside the empty buildings, alone. It was 4 am, and no students were awake. After going to the waterfront trail yesterday to clear my mind, I couldn't sleep. I found myself sitting on the couch, thinking. Thinking about what my life has become. I stared at the computer the whole night. I needed to win, and my win was right there. The voices in my head pushed me to open it, but my heart and consciousness were asking me to do the right thing. Yet, I don't know what was the right fucking thing at this point.

I sat in the dark courtyard, thinking about my future. I closed my eye and dreamed of myself standing at my dad's office, smiling, working. I was powerful. I was waving at the paparazzi, signing papers, traveling, making great in the world. But this dream felt like a nightmare. I opened my eyes; the sun has almost risen, students started to fill up the courtyard. Some girls were looking at me bizarrely. I slept on the danm bench. The bells rang, and I ran into classes embarrassed.

________

At lunchtime, Xavier and I sat outside instead in the dining hall. I wanted to talk to him about what has been torturing me. There was still tension between us, but he was a great listener.

"I've been targeting this guy inside for a week now. You better have a great reason to make me come sit outside." He complained while sitting down with his food.

"It's essential."

He gestured to me to continue. I sighed and put down my spoon.

"Remember when we were talking about how Julian came back from jail too early?"

He nodded.

"Well, we were right, he is hiding something, and I want to find out what it is."

"How do you know that you are right?" He filled his mouth with a spaghetti bite.

"Well, overheard him talking to someone."

"So, what do you want to do?"

"I paid someone to break into the De Elvero's company database."

"You did what?" He screamed, shocked. "Are you fucking crazy? What if Julian learns about that? He will flip, he will accuse you of fraud, and everything you worked hard for will be over! What were you thinking?"

"You see, the thing is he already knows," I grimaced, playing with my fingers.

"Oh, fucking shit! And you are not worrying? Do you know what he is capable of doing? He is bloody Julian De Elvero!"

"Yeah, and I am Xemina Royale! so what he knows! He will never do anything because he knows that I can expose his dirty secret to the media, everyone! I will jeopardize him!"

"So will you too!" He hit the table. "Don't you understand that he is always ten-step ahead of you? He is waiting for you to expose him so he could tell anyone how you found out, and you will be the one going to jail for fraud!"

"So what now? You want me to forget about all he did to me when I have the chance to end him for all?"

"Yes! You are blinded by revenge that you don't realize you guys can't destroy each other. You destroy him, and you also destroy yourself. We, who are watching from the outside, can see you both don't exist without each other."

"That is bullshit." I clapped my hands on the table. "You are saying that because you don't want me to finish him. You are crushing on him just like the others! You didn't stand up to him like that when he sent me to the hospital!"

"Okay, one, he is straight, and two, from what you told me, he apologized; what more do you want? He didn't want to hurt you, even after you vandalized his dorm with animal shit! Vengeance will not bring anywhere!"

"Oh wow! You're taking his side now, just like Thea. You want to join them too?"

"That has-."

"No, please, all of you are so hyped to defend him on every occasion that you guys are licking his ass! But, you know what? I am going to expose him! I am going to prove that the innocent billionaire boy was never great like you all praised him."

I grabbed my bag furiously.

"Before you do anything stupid, ask yourself what's worth it more: Your dad's company or destroying Julian and also yourself? Don't succumb to revenge's temptation."

"FUCK ALL THAT!" I yelled in the courtyard, attracting the attention of the students freshly leaving the dining hall.

I stormed into my door and clacked my door! I couldn't believe how suddenly how everyone adored him! He was the biggest egocentric, manipulative son of bitch that could exist. He made my life a living hell. He was an asshole to everyone, yet they were kissing his ass like a prince. They had no self-esteem. They should be on my side. I was not letting this bastard have a position of power.

I was fuming, pacing in my living room, calming myself down. My hands were so clenched my nails penetrated my palm. I could feel the blood palpitating in my skull. I chugged a water bottle down my throat and fell on the couch, breathing loudly.

That was it.

I opened the laptop and clicked on the single app on the screen. A file explorer popped into the web. I browsed through every folder looking for one particular date. After a few minutes, I navigated to the confidential folders. They all required a password. However, you particularly caught my attention, labeled: "October 5th, 2019: Julian De Elvero case."

I jumped. I hesitantly clicked on it. As a reflex, I closed my eyes, but it was locked. A new window popped up with a series of letters and numbers, and suddenly the screen was loading. I didn't comprehend what kind of magic Nick did on this computer, but it was genius. Two documents appeared with Julian's mugshot.

I let out a scream, and my hand flew to my mouth.

Charge description #1: Second-degree murder
Charge description #2: Second-degree manslaughter.
Charge description #3: Voluntary manslaughter.
Case: Dismissed.

~~~~~

Q/ So, what is your favorite color? Mine is red and black. :D